Chapter Four
Two days later, Edward was able to travel again. For that single fact, Winny was immensely relieved. She would never admit it as long as her brother was around, but it had gotten to be terribly boring in time. She yearned for the road. She knew her brother detested sleeping on the ground and riding a horse all day, but those same things made her feel free as she never had been in the palace.
For this same travelling time, Edward had insisted that she sleep near him, as they had when they were children. This country was known to have criminals and outlaws of all types, and he did not want her stolen away in the night. They had heard enough stories of that sort in town.
These very same travels took them to Langy-sur-Marnes. The herald entered 'Sir Colville' while Edward and Winny went to their tent, which the squires had so helpfully erected.
ooooooooooo
Later that day, Geoff Chaucer checked the shields of the competitors. One shield caught his eye: Sir Colville's shield. Winny would be here, then! However, he didn't have time to go look for her before the first match. Will won quickly, unhorsing the knight.
The second this was over, Geoff hurried off to the forest of tents erected for the knights. It took him mere minutes to find Winny sitting outside a tent and polishing a breastplate.
"Winny," he said, walking over to sit beside her on the ground.
"Geoff! It's good to see you again," she said, smiling. This sure was a change from how she had greeted him last time.
"Your lord's better?" Geoff asked.
"Yes. His next match is in an hour if you'd like to come," she said, smiling welcomingly.
"That would be wonderful, my lady. Ulrich doesn't have a match until much later today," he said, bowing to her.
"Again with the 'my lady'. Don't call me that. I'm just a commoner," she said.
"Ah, but you are far more beautiful than any lady I've encountered. Your beauty outshines the sun, the moon, and the stars. It topples mountains and humbles kings. It-" he said.
"All right," she interrupted. "The writer side of you is going a bit crazy."
"Who is his joust against?" Geoff asked, changing the subject again.
"Adhemar," she said bluntly.
"Ulrich's going to that match. He wants to examine Adhemar's technique to find a way to 'beat him', as he puts it," Geoff said, shaking his head at his lord's phrasing.
The two of them continued to talk right up until Colville's match. When it was almost time, he came out of his tent, helmet on already, and they all went down to the field. There, Geoff and Winny went their separate ways: Geoff to the stands and Winny to one side of the field.
Soon enough, Adhemar's herald went out to the centre of the field, though his performance was vastly entertaining. "My Lord, the Count Adhemar, son of Philip Dimitri, son of Giles...Master of the Free Companies...Defender of his...Enormous manhood...A shining example of chivalry...and champagne."
Charles, Edward's herald, went out next and said his far more normal speech. However, he paused in the middle when he noticed Adhemar's herald talking hurriedly with two other men. One of the men ran to Adhemar and told him something.
Over on that side of the field, Adehmr saw the man running toward him and knew it was urgent. "It's Edward, my Lord. They're sure of it," the man said. Winifred...You wouldn't let him come alone. Where are you? The maid!
Adhemar barely had to think before he nodded to his herald. He could not joust against royalty, but at least he could see her again and finally get back at her for denying him.
Over in the stands, Will looked over at the withdrawl flag and hurried out onto the field to see it better. Geoff, Roland, Watt, and Kate followed quickly. "Adehmar withdrew," he said bluntly.
"A draw like that can mean only one thing," Roland said.
"Royalty," Watt said, turning to look at Colville.
Royalty? But Winny...She has to know...Of course, she wouldn't tell me! But,...no...she can't be...only the knight is... Geoff studied Winny as 'Colville' got off his horse. Almost immediately, he turned to her and began to speak to her. He could just barely see her smile before she turned and left. She knew, and she's close to him. Oh no, she's probably a lady... He did not notice one of Edward's squires follow her.