Hello again. Well, I'm really not use to typing this much, so I have nothing to say then time. Thanks again to brunette-in-black and weirdunusalchick for the reviews! Without no further ado, Chapter 3!
Chapter 3 Surprises
I rode to the lists in full armor. I'm sure I looked like a scrawny boy that had no idea what he was doing, rather then a young woman that had been studying the joust since she could understand the rules. It was prefect.
Once again I received a number of stares as our group headed to the stadium, only this time it was not my beauty that had them staring. There were many snickers and all out laughs. I heard a great many comments such as "Look at that one! He'll withdraw after the first lance!" or "Is that a stable boy that's stolen a horse or a scare crow?" and my personal favorite, "So a girl is going to joist! Oh sorry, Sir, didn't mean to insult your boy…"
Father had just smirked as he led my horse. "Alice you're going to show them all." He whispered to me.
"You told Uncle Geoff that he couldn't announce me, right Father?" I asked quietly.
"Yes," Geoff answered from my right side. "I got the awful news, but you wait until finals when everyone knows you are a force to be reckoned with, I shall give you an announcement that will put any I gave Will to shame!"
"Of course you will." I said with a slight laugh, I had heard the ones that Uncle Geoff had given my father and I doubted that he could do any better for me. "I wish Noah didn't have to be at the archery field now, he and Roland are going to miss the show."
"Don't worry; he'll get to see one of your other matches." Father reassured me as we reached my starting block at the left end of the stadium. I made a few last minute adjustments as the other knight was being introduced. Wat handed me a lance, green and purple striped.
"If by some chance he does win, I'll fong him." He told me with a smiled.
"I hate to disappoint you, Wat, but he won't win." I said smiling, though he couldn't have seen since my visor was down.
"Now remember, Alice, he weights more then you and is stronger so jab the lance in as you strike him." Kate told me.
"We don't know anything about this Hector, it doesn't appear that he's underestimating you, so don't underestimate him. And don't-" Father started, but I cut in.
"Take my eyes off of my target."
"Right. You're ready." He reached up and put a hand on my shoulder. "Go make us all proud."
"I will." I squared my shoulders as I waited for the flag to drop. I watched my opponent, he was in armor that was darker then mine, heavier as well, but finely made. His white horse could have been the twin to Michael's if it was not for the color, strong and was pawing at the ground ready and waiting to run.
A flash of red and gold, snapped me back to where I was as the flag dropped. I kicked my heels in and tight to my reins and lances as my horse launched forward, racing toward Hector's. His lance was red and gold. As we neared each other, I pulled my lance up into the cradle of my arm and held it parallel to the ground perfectly.
His blow stuck true on my left shoulder, breaking the lance. That didn't stop me from pushing my blow forward, hard into the center of his chest. It splintered as well. Both of us remained on our horses. I turned and headed back to one.
"He's good." I said throwing my used lance to the ground as Father took the bridal of my horse to hold it steady. "He's aim is off though."
"He raises his chin like all the others. His lance moves to the left more the he intends it to." Father said as Wat handed me another lance.
I rolled my left shoulder were he had stuck me, it still stung a bit. "So, if I lean in before he strikes, the shot might graze off?" I asked just to be sure. Hector was almost ready; it looked like I had knocked the wind out of him good from my blow to his chest.
"As long as he strikes on the left again, if he goes for your helmet, it'll only increase the chance that his lance will break and he'll have the lead."
I took a deep breath as the flag dropped for the second time. I urged my horse forward with all haste as Hector did the same. As we neared this time, I took the risk and lean forward just before his lance stuck me; it barely touched my shoulder and left the lance unbroken. My own shot landed on his chest again, breaking my lance.
Triumphant, I rode back to one again. I had been too focused earlier to notice the cheers from the large crowd in the stands. Roar was loud and filled me with a new sensation. I couldn't believe all that noise was for me. I felt my cheeks heat up with blush.
"Umm… Alice…?" Wat said.
I blinked realizing I was missing something. "What?"
My father nodded toward the other side of the stadium. Hector was riding out onto the field without a lance, holding his side. I handed Wat the lance that was still in my hand, and then rode out and met him.
"You're small, but you hit like anvil." He said laughing a little, but his voice was strained as he was held his side. My breath caught for the second time that day as he removed his helmet.
Michael may have had the face of an angel, but Hector's face would have been a sculpture's dream. High cheek bones and a chiseled chin, messy hair that stuck out at odd angles that somehow made him all the more attractive and was a sort of bronze color, but his eyes were his most breath taking feature; deep brown that I felt like I could drown in just by staring to deeply into, they had no end, they just continued on for eternity.
"Th-thank you." I stammered. I realized that my visor was still down, while he had completely removed his helmet. I lifted my visor; he was the one that stared then.
He shook his head in disbelief, and then smiled crookedly. "I'm afraid I'm finished."
I nodded, just thankful he had not stared the obvious that I was a woman.
We turned and returned to our starting points. "He's hurt." I simply told them. Wat handed me a lance with a nod. My father nodded in understanding as well. After all, he had once done the same thing. When the flag dropped, I rode out at a trout and when Hector and I passed each other we lifted out lances into the air. Since I was ahead in points, I advanced.
The crowd cheered again for the show of good sportsmen, and woman, ship. I dismounted to a sea of smiles.
"That was valiant, Alice." Uncle Geoff said.
"You made us proud." Father said hugging me tightly.
Wat clasped my shoulder as I removed my helmet and Kate took it.
"We best head for the sword ring, don't want to be late."
"How's you're armor?" Kate asked as we head out.
"Still perfect." I said smiling. "I don't even need to adjust it."
We headed for the sword ring, which was on the other side of the tournament grounds. I had my helmet under my arm now, as Father led my horse and Wat had my sword. We had barely made it out of the stadium before a white horse rode up next to me.
"I beg your pardon, my lady…" Hector said in a voice as sweet as honey. I stopped looking up at him a small smile pulling at the corner's of my lips. "But I didn't hear you're name."
"Alice Thatcher."
He smiled at me crookedly again. "May I see you again? Before the tournament's end?"
"Alice," My father said firmly. I turned and saw that he was glaring at Hector. "You're due in the sword ring."
"Perhaps at Banquet, Sir Hector?" I replied feeling my cheeks begin to heat.
His face fell for a moment, but the smile returned as quickly as it had vanished. "Until then, Lady Alice." He bowed slightly, then turned his horse around and trotted back toward his squires.
"Alice!" Wat, Kate, Geoff, and Father all but yelled at me. I hadn't realized I had been staring after him.
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We arrived at the sword ring just in time for my match. The knight I was facing must have already been announced because the judge looked to Uncle Geoff, my herald, to announce me. I had already replaced my helmet on my head, no need to ruin my advantage.
Geoff cleared his throat and stepped into the center of the ring. "I am here to introduce a knight, but I feel that I am not worthy to do this task for my liege's talents and swordsmanship speak far better then any words that I could possible muster." He bowed to the crowd as they clapped a bit, clearly baffled by his statement.
"Geoff, you're a brilliant!" I whispered as he passed me. He flashed me a smile and winked.
"You're to receive." The judge said pointing at opponent. I took my first look at him then, he was more than a head taller then me and his armor was darker, nearly black.
I smirked behind my visor. Taking quick steps toward him striking hard and with prefect aim at his shoulder, I caught him off guard.
"Strike." The judge called.
He blocked my next attack, but the one that followed made contact with his side.
"Strike."
My sword next hit his left forearm before he could move to prevent it.
"Strike."
"Strike."
"Strike."
"Strike!"
He did finally manage to get in a rhythm and block the last three attacks I attempted. I took a few steps back to distance myself from him before he started his attacks. I sidestepped as he charged forward after the judge gave him the go ahead to attack. Then blocked as he swung around to hit my side, but I wasn't quick enough to stop the hit he launched at my right shoulder.
"Strike."
That seemed to encourage my opponent all the more, so he stuck his last seven hits quickly. In his haste he only got three more strikes in.
"Winner! Six strikes to four strikes." The judge said pointing at me. The crowd burst out in cheers and shouts.
My opponent ripped off his helmet, glaring daggers at me with his steel gray eyes. The look of pure loathing didn't suit his angelic face.
"Michael?!" I asked stocked.
He stared down at me in confusion, so I removed my helmet. "Alice…?" His mouth hung open limply in more shock then I was in. Confusion didn't suit his looks either.
"Michael!"
"Alice!"
Harsh voices yelled from behind both of us. In a moment my father was at my side and as Michael's father crossed the fence that closed off the sword ring, he stepped protectively in front of me. The crowd had become silent as a graveyard.
"Adhemar." Father said with an icy edge to his voice that I had never heard before as he glared at the other man. My mouth dropped open now. This was impossible. Michael had calmed himself as his father stepped up next to him, his crossed.
"Thatcher." Adhemar replied smirking a little. "I should have known. Its daft to permit a son that small to compete, but only you would be foolish enough to allow you're daughter to compete."
I couldn't see my father's expression, but something told me that he was smiling. "Have you grown blind in your old age? My daughter just defeated your son, six strikes to four."
"Hardly a formidable win." Adhemar replied. He strolled forward a step or two. "Still striving to touch stars?"
"Father." Michael said firmly when my father took a step forward, fist clenched at his side. "I'm due in the Lists in ten minutes."
"You're in the joust?" I asked stepping out from behind my father, which earned me a glare from Adhemar.
Michael nodded. "You as well?" His father turned his cold gaze on him now.
I nodded.
Adhemar laughed; an odd sound from him. "Her in the joust? Thatcher, are you trying to kill her?"
"Alice has already won her first match, wounded her opponent."
"My, my I would hate to see what Michael would have done to him, if he was so easily beaten by a woman."
Father laughed now. "I believe your son was just bested by a woman."
"I think they're having a 'my child is better than yours' fight…" I commented quietly to Michael.
"I think you're father just won…" He replied glancing at his father's beat red face.
"Come along, Michael, you have a jousting match to win." Adhemar said turning on his heel and exiting the sword ring.
Michael nodded to me respectfully. "No offence intended, Alice, but I pray your jousting skills are worse then your sword or I won't be able to win this tournament for you."
I smiled and was about to reply, but father grabbed my upper arm and pulled me back away from him.
"MICHAEL!" Adhemar bellowed when he realized his son had not followed. He took one last look at me, and then run after his father.
"Alice, I don't know how you met that boy, but you are never to see him again." Father told me with the same icy voice he had used to address Adhemar.
"Now, Will," Geoff started, but one sharp look from my father silenced his quick tongue.
"Umm… Father, you have to let me go now… I have another match here." I said quietly. He stopped pulling me and just stood there a moment; then let my arm go slowly.
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Nine matches later I was almost ready to take a break from tournament all together, but I had become champion of the sword. Father was in a right mood, not speaking yet clearly deep in thought. Wat, Kate, and even Geoff were at a lost for what to do. I had been lost in thought through most of my matches, of course the first man that had really shown me any attention was my worst enemy, than again there was Hector…
In short, my mind had been a mess and it had not improved in the least. Here I thought the only thing I had to worry about was losing the first tournament I had competed in…