"You don't have to do this. Griffin is gone. Please, let's just go home!"

Collette looked down from her horse. Her hand maid, best friend, and almost-had-been sister-in-law looked up at her pleadingly. Shaking her head, they continued down the dirt path. The pair carried only what they could hold while walking or riding horseback. That meant that Colette was outfitted in body armor with a halberd strapped to her back. Her quarter stallion, Duke, had their money and provisions in bags connected to his saddle. Collette had gone all out on necessities when she'd made her decision. The one thing she regretted most was cutting her hair to her shoulders. She had almost gone shorter, but she decided men who had longer hair tied their hair back, so she could manage that as well.

"You still look like a girl," Ava complained.

The noblewoman smiled.

"I can still pass as an effeminate male. And the fact that I am lacking in large breasts works in my favor."

Ava gave a loud laugh in response.

"Is that how you cope with never having married? Why don't we go back home and you can find a nice husband?"

Collette glared down at her. The older woman smiled and patted the horse.

"I don't mean to sound rude. You're twenty-seven now and deserve to find love."

"Yes, but you're thirty, found it, and then lost it. I've heard you crying at night. It hurts. I miss Griffin as well."

Ava sighed and surveyed the countryside.

"Yes, but I still have hope of finding someone else. Love happens again. And Griffin told me that when he got sick. He wanted me to find someone else to take care of me. Honestly, Collette, my parents will do fine without you doing the jousting tournaments this year. Yes, you're incredible with a halberd, but you've never tried jousting!"

"My brother got through half of this tournament already, the least I can do for his memory is attempt to win the tournament. He taught me how to use a halberd in the first place! This was meant to happen! Jousting…well, that is just a side thing."

Ava was about to protest when she noticed a company coming up behind them. The conversation died. They didn't want anyone to suspect Collette was a woman. If word got out that she was parading around as her brother, she would be executed without mercy. Collette glanced behind at Ava's silence and her heart skipped a beat.

"Ava, its Sir William Thatcher! The man who won the tournament last year. I didn't know that he was competing!"

The older woman snickered.

"Wanna quit now?"

"Of course not…Maybe we should pick up our pace? I don't feel like-"

Ava suddenly yelped and went tumbling down the grassy slope on the side of the hill.

"Ava!"

Collette jumped off of Duke and followed her down the slope. The armor made it difficult, but she eventually reached her friend. She was nursing an injured ankle. Ava cursed silently.

"Damn dirt roads and their rocks and uneven paths. I believe it's twisted."

"Can you walk?"

"No, I-"

The two looked up upon hearing a shifting of dirt behind them. In a moment, Sir William and two of his male friends were beside them. William looked at Ava.

"Are you alright, madam? We watched you fall and came right away."

Ava smiled up at them.

"How very kind of you. Actually, I'm having a hard time getting up."

A man with red hair instantly reached out a hand to her and helped her up. Unable to put any weight on her ankle, she fell into his arms, apologizing. The males plus Collette helped Ava up the slope and back onto the path. Reaching Duke, Collette found the horse's reins in the hands of a moderately tall man with short blonde hair. He wore a long yellow coat trimmed with fur and he looked at Collette suspiciously. She turned her face away from him and watched as the red head still held her friend.

"Ava, you can ride on Duke till we can get that ankle taken care of."

A woman with dark brown hair ran up to them and began asking Ava about her ankle. Sir William turned to Collette.

"If you'd like, she can travel in the back of our wagon and our semi-doctor can take a look at her. Right, Roland?"

The other man who had gone down the hill laughed. He was heavier set than the others with a shaved head that barely sprouted brown hair.

"I wouldn't even say "semi", but I could wrap up the ankle and the horse wouldn't jostle her too much."

Collette looked around at the group unsure. Travelling with them would make keeping her secret a lot harder, but Ava looked like she was in a decent amount of pain. She nodded slowly and Sir William smiled at her. He nodded to Roland, who took Ava from the red headed male and led her to the wagon. The knight extended a hand to her.

"I'm Will Thatcher."

Collette smiled.

"I know who you are, Sir William," she responded in a deeper tone than normal.

He laughed and waved a hand at her.

"No need for such formality. We have a two days journey ahead of us so we can all be friends here. This lovely woman here is Kate, I mentioned Roland, the man with your horse is Geoff, and the red head is Wat."

Collette bowed her head at each in turn, respectfully.

"Griffin Hauville. My companion is Ava Faceby."

Will nodded his head.

"Ah, yes! The newest jouster. I hear you are only participating for this year?"

"Yes, we need the money to help Ava's family. It is the least I can do as she had been so good to my younger sister. She is her head maid and best friend. I don't mean to be rude, but maybe we should continue on our way as we talk?"

Will started and agreed before running over to his horse and jumping on it. Collette slowly made her way to the blonde man who handed the reins to her. His face came close to hers making her feel uncomfortable.

"Have you done something with your hair, Sir Griffin. You seem…somewhat different. Lost weight maybe?"

Collette cleared her throat as she got on the horse.

"Uh, I haven't been eating well. Thank you for your concern…Ger-Geor-?

"Geoffry. Geoffry Chaucer…Geoff. The writer."

Collette blinked at him.

"Truly? I've read someone of you work."

He looked up at her in surprise.

"Is that so?"

"Unlike many people, I enjoy finding the hidden meaning behind things. Your writing is quite enjoyable."

He looked up at her curiously but bowed his head to her.

"Thank you…Sir Griffin. You praise me highly for a writer's only wish is to hear such words from any who read their works."

Collette couldn't help but smile. Geoff moved off back to his friends. Kate noticed the look on his face, which was rather unpleasant.

"What's wrong, Geoff?"

"I don't like this…Sir Griffin."

"Why? Because he has actually read your work?"

Geoff made a face at Kate, who just laughed. Collette slowed down to ride beside Will and the large group moved on toward their destination.