The tournament grounds were crowded and noisy. People from all over the city had come to see the knights arrive and compete. Many of the people were wearing their favorite champion's colors and waving banners. A few even had sigils painted on their faces. Giselle, Victoria, and I were jostled as we walked through the enthusiastic crowd.

"How horrible this is." Giselle commented as she lifted her skirts to step over a dropped meat pie that was lying in her path. "I am so glad that we were invited to sit in the royal box away from this rabble."

The sound of hammers on anvils rang through the crowd as we passed near structures where muscle-bound men worked with metal in their forges. They were sharpening swords and pounding armor for their masters. There would be no competitions today as today was the first day and all the knights were introduced to the crowds. Men from all over the realm had come to compete for the princess's wedding tournament.

We entered the arena and the stands were already crawling with people who all seemed excited for the announcements to begin. Vendors were roaming through the masses trying to sell their tournament day wares. The arena was a large open field surrounded by the rows and rows of seating that rose up above the low wall that enclosed the area. The ground in the arena was well worn dirt from all the feet and hooves that had tramped there over the years. My stepsisters and I made our way through the people in the stands to the opposite side of the arena where the royal family already sat. Their box was extended straight out from the fifth row of the rising stands and had a perfect view of the length of the arena. Joslynn and Reginald sat near each other and were talking together. He held her hand in his as they looked out across the already bustling tournament grounds. Hector and his friend Sir Brockton were teasing Christian about something and the trio laughed merrily. The ambassadors from the other kingdoms sat in the box as well. Pandia, Pernyx, and Ojera were talking together and the couple from Darios was sitting silently side by side. Occasionally Avion would lean over and whisper in his wife's ear and she would smile. The king and his queen sat on wooden thrones in the very center of the platform. Very near to the kings left were his two youngest children who looked not at all pleased with being there. Clover and Curtis both sat rigidly in their seats and were not speaking. It seemed they were still being punished for their antics at the ball. While they had to attend the tournament, their father was making sure they stayed near him and stayed out of trouble. No doubt he had told the others to not speak to them and make the day more enjoyable for the two.

We arrived at the box and were greeted by the three eldest royal siblings. Hector immediately stood and ushered Victoria to her seat beside him and Brockton. Christian stood to welcome Giselle and I. Aggressively, Giselle pushed me back as she stepped in front of me and took Christians arm and let him lead her to where we would be seated. Christian turned and beckoned for me to follow with a smile and a tilt of his head. I smiled back at him and sat on his other side. It was a warm day; if I was lucky Giselle would become too uncomfortable and leave.

As we were settling into our seats, the crowds of people were doing the same. We had arrived just in time for the very beginning of the tournament. Men on decorated horses in shining armor were being led into the arena by boys holding their banners. Christian was already on the edge of his seat in anticipation. He looked gorgeous as he leaned forward and provided a good view of his square jaw and broad shoulders. I smiled at how handsome he was then I noticed that a hand was resting on his other shoulder. Giselle was leaning towards him to whisper something in his ear. To my joy, he paid little attention as the knights on horseback started prancing around the stadium majestically.

"So, Christian, which knights are your favorites?" I asked. Giselle scowled at me as my remark earned me more attention than her had.

Christian beamed at me and sat back in his seat so he could explain. "That one there, in the red and white checks with the swan on his banner. That is Sir Merryton. He is a knight from the northern territories and has a mean swing of his sword. He is nearly undefeated and is a favorite to win in the sword. But I think that the one there is going to win. He is a younger knight and has not been in as many fights as the others but I have seen him fight before and he is swift and decisive in his strikes." He pointed to a man in silver armor on a noble white horse. He looked the picture of a knight in shining armor. From my place I could see that he was very handsome and commanding the attention of the females in the audience as he waved and smiled.

Christian put his hand on mine to bring my attention back to him. He pointed out another man in polished black armor on a massive black charger. "There, do you see him? He is in the joust. You can tell by the large horses they ride. He goes by the name of Komferrance. I have had the pleasure of seeing him compete only twice, but he is a wonder to watch. He has never been unseated from his horse and runs down the lists like a charging lion. I think he will be the winner of the joust and easily destroy all his competition."

The prince was very enthusiastic in his explanation of the knights who were circling the stadium. Another man in dark armor and a riding a large horse entered the stadium. "While Komferrance is a mighty opponent, if anyone could beat him, it is that knight there. Sir Ulric is a fierce competitor, but the two have never gone up against each other. This joust will be the first time the two are pitted against each other and promises to be a great battle. Oh, look, see now here the archers are coming."

The archers were not on horseback like the men of the joust. They walked into the arena with their bows in hand. They were waving at the screaming crowds. Everyone was cheering for their favorites and waving their banners and flags wildly. I looked down and where Christian still rested his hand on mine and smiled happily. "I have always loved the archery competitions. I always wished to be good at archery, but my talents lied elsewhere in the sword. I am glad that the archers compete tomorrow and am excited to watch. Byron Galway is here. I admire his proficient skill with a bow and arrows. He is my favorite to win and I have placed a few bets on him doing favorably. There he is."

Christian pointed at an older many with graying hair as he stepped into the arena behind the other archers. Thinking of archery, I was reminded of how talented Empress Pandia was and wondered how she would fare in the tournament if she were to compete. I did not doubt she would do well. I turned to look back at her where she sat with Ojera and Pernyx. She tilted her head in my direction in acknowledgement and I did the same. Christian had gone back to intently watching the field. Giselle was once again leaning to immerse him in conversation.

"You said that archery is tomorrow," I said quickly before she could open her mouth. At the mention of his favorite sport, Christian turned back to me. "What days do the other events occur on?" It was obvious that he liked talking about the tournament and I was happy to oblige him. I had never been to one before so having him there to explain it to me was a welcome conversation. And if it was a conversation that left Giselle out, well then it was all the better.

"There are four days in which the tournament will take place – two this week and two the next. Today is the first day and is when all the men arrive and are announced. Mostly it is for people to speculate and discuss each man's chances of winning. Tomorrow is when the archery and sword fighting will take place. It is my favorite day as those are my two favorite games besides the joust which takes place on the last day along with the awards ceremony. The third day is when the ax and javelin throwing competitions are held. The men in those are entering now. The joust is the biggest and most important competition of the tournament and the victors there are more important than those in the other competitions."

"Do some men participate in two competitions then?" I was remembering what he said about the knight that was in both joust and sword fighting. I wanted him to keep explaining things to me as I was enjoying our conversation.

Christian nodded, but before he could answer someone else interrupted and squeezed himself in between Christian and Giselle. "Hello, cousin," Dewey said before turning to a mortified Giselle. "I apologize for being late, but mother took longer than expected to get ready. Miss Giselle, what a pleasant surprise this is to see you here. I searched for you at the ball after you went to visit with your old friend, but could not find you. I was dearly hoping to dance with you by the end of the night; unfortunately our night was cut short by my younger cousins who have not yet learned the proper way to behave in society. I am sure that they did not mean any real harm and are now most remorseful for their actions. I noticed them sitting by his majesty in silence. They are no doubt contemplating their indiscretion and are thinking on ways to better themselves in the future. Miss Giselle how are you enjoying the tournament so far? Would you care to tell me what I have missed so far? I'm sure you are a brilliant mind when it comes to tournaments and can fill me in on the tiny details that the casual viewer might miss."

I did little to hide my enjoyment as I looked at Giselle's reddening face. She was in a predicament if I ever saw one. Either she could stay and have Dewey talk her ears off or she could excuse herself. If she left, she would be leaving me with Christian which I knew she did not want. If she stayed, she would be forced to converse with Dewey. Either way I felt certain that she would not be interfering very much in my conversation with the prince.

Giselle floundered for a moment in her indecision of what to do. While I was watching her struggle, Christian had briefly greeted his cousin and went back to watching the events taking place on the field.

"Squire Dewey, I think you over estimate my knowledge of such things," Giselle began slowly.

That was all the encouragement for Dewey to launch into another one of his long winded speeches. "Miss Giselle," he said firmly. "You do not give yourself enough credit. You are a charming, beautiful, intelligent, smart, kind, lovely, wonderful, clever, pretty, friendly, nice, attractive, witty, special young woman and I will not have you talking about yourself in such demeaning terms. My mother always told me to think the best of myself and I would be my best self and now that is what I will tell you. You must think well of yourself to be all that you can be. I know that on occasion that can be difficult as the winds of despair blow through all our lives, but you should not let them weigh on you. I want you to always remember my words when you ever feel like you are not good at something. I believe that with your impeccable eye for detail and fast working logical skills that you have already picked up on the finer aspects of the tournament. Maybe your knowledge is unknown to you, but I am here to help you though this struggle. Perhaps if you were to know the terms that are used in tournament times then you would realize how much you have already observed. The men holding the wooden poles with strings attached to them are called archers and the men on horseback are the knights. The knights generally compete in the joust and the long thin tubes that hang on the men's belts are called swords."

Giselle clutched at her skirts to keep from slapping Dewey for getting between her and the prince and prattling on about such idiotic things. "Dewitt," she gritted out. "I am aware of what a sword is."

In his apparent excitement, Dewey clasped Giselle's hand in his before she quickly pulled away. "Oh, Miss Giselle, I knew you were a smart woman. Most young ladies are not knowledgeable in weaponry as their senses are too delicate for the art of combat, but I see that you are not one of those women. You are a fantastic young woman who has acquired knowledge where her peers have not. I commend you!"

I thought that it was I and not Giselle who may have to excuse myself. Their mostly one sided conversation had me clutching my waist in an attempt to not roll about laughing uproariously. If Giselle chose to stay, it would be a long day for her indeed.

So much for slower updates...

If any of you caught it I would like to apologize for the absurdity, but the pun was just too good to resist.