The Tortallian rose
Summary: A Knights Tale/Tortall crossover - Will love bloom for a certain lady knight?
Disclaimer: I don't own/have any rights to either of these stories, I write for my own amusement and love. First Timer! Please R&R, this is an idea I've had for years now and have only ever just written down!
Lady Knight Celery of Mindelan stood with the other knights of the realm of Tortall awaiting their guests. Even amongst them she stood out, her once cropped brunette locks now hung past her shoulders, although the fringe remained - and were currently hanging as a plat. If you looked carefully enough, you could see a griffin feather plaited through it. Her delicate nose was still delicate, which was considered lucky for a knight of 5 years who had seen many battles and fought through a war. Long lashes framed hazel eyes that showed little emotion, as did the rest of her face. Her years in the Yamani Isle where she was trained to betray little emotion had kept hold all these years. Apart from her shield the lady carried her weapon of choice - a glaive, a staff 5ft long capped with 18 inches of curved steel. At her waist a shukusen hung – a birthday present from her friends Princess Shinkokami of Tortall and the Lady Yukimi of Queenscove. Dressed as ordered she was in house colors, blue and white in kimono styled dress. Simple but quite sturdy slippers adorned her feet – although the style of shoe was much to her dislike.
The second current Lady Knight of the realm - the first being Lady Alanna of Pirates Swoop and Olau, formerly of Trebond - was nervous, under the perfectly calm features. In celebration of the birth of a son to Crown Prince Roald and Princess Shinkokami an invitation was send out to some of the best knights in Tortall and the surrounding lands to take part in a weapons tournament that is to be held at various locations across Tortall. The invitations had traveled far and wide, some to places where one could only dream of going to. Would they accept lady knights? An old fear, but one that would always be there for Lady Kel.
"Kel! I can see flags coming up over the hill". Although now a knight, Sir Owen of Jesslaw was still as excitable as a page. "The Carthaks, Yamanis, Copper Islanders, Tyrans…"
"You don't have to list ALL our surrounding neighbors, we know as well as you that they're all invited and have all sent warriors". Sir Nealan of Queenscove, or Neal to his friends cut Owen off. He too was nervous and a little impatient as was Kel, however his was apparent. He's skills were in magic and healing, and had no intention of voluntarily competing. Sir Owen frowned "Where do you think these knights are from?"
"I was wondering more how far they've Traveled". Lady Kel replied, softly. Far distant knights were a worry - more unlikely to accept a lady knight - or so Kel believed.
Trumpets sounded, and the flags in the breeze were blowing, but could be seen clearly. These knights were from the distant land of England. They were a small group, just a handful of knights and their parties. The country had been at war for years - and looked to be at war for many more years to come. They were led by the Duke of York, who once they were all above the crest had a blonde herald - with a rather cheeky grin announce them all.
"Your royal highness', my Lords and Ladies, good Knights from many great lands, I give you the privilege - and the pleasure of introducing you to all the knights, that you look up to". A cough from his grace led the herald to - with deliberate slowness to revise his speech "well, the ones you will be looking up to after they unhorse you in the joust". A laugh was raised but mostly of disbelief. "I give you his most gracefulness, James, Duke of York, Sir Peter of Mary, Sir Paul of McCartney, Sir John of Lennon, Sir Thomas of Colville ..." here the herald paused "and my own liege, the keeper of the faith, the destroyer of death, a changer of stars - Sir William of Thatcher."
The audience, completely made up of nobles at this stage, applauded - the conservatives out of politeness, the progressives with cheer. Sir William was famed across many lands for "changing his stars". He was a peasant, born of a Thatcher who was raised to knighthood for his honor and piety, and was now close with the English royal house. He was also said to be one of the best fighters in the western lands - with the sword and with a lance. King Jonathan had used his tale as an example with changing a law regarding changing a bi law regarding commoner status. He said it to be a true knight's tale.