Enjoy!

Chapter 3: It was difficult.

Compared to training, pretending to be a man was easy. At night I would go to sleep drained of all I had, and in the mornings it all started again. The sword training, the riding, the joust training, it was all so much that I had at times forgotten I was in fact a lady under it all. After a month I had transformed both mind and body. Where once I was weak, now I was strong. My propriety was gone and the grime had replaced the perfumes. I was Sir Charles almost every moment of the day, except those brief moments at night before I succumbed to sleep. Then I was Charlotte. The busy schedule had given me almost no time to really think, which helped me cope with the changes a great deal. The most rewarding change was the bond I had made with Shadow. A few afternoons we even stole naps together in the stable. It wasn't easy of course, but I was relentless in winning his affections. After the second month of training at the house my team and I were running without a hitch. It was then that we began talks of going to a tournament.

"I still don't think she passes for a man."

"Damn it, Tom. She does just fine." My father stood up for me.

"It's your call sir," Christopher shook my shoulders, "I personally think this is as good as it will get. Sir Charles will be fine."

"Then it's settled. There is a tournament in two weeks just north of London. Sir Charles shall make his debut there!" We sat at the table and began to eat. "I can spare two other horses, and you have all the supplies you need already, right?"

"We do." It was freeing to speak as freely as a man.

"Then you should leave tomorrow so you can get there in time to really set yourself up for a good start. Your armor is treating you well?"

"Yes, Thomas has done a great job."

"Thank you, Sir." Thomas smiled at me. "Will you be needing me on the road?"

"I don't think so. If we need you we will send word." I saw him sigh in relief. I knew he wanted to stay with his family, and as much as it would be a relief to have him with us, I couldn't do that to him unless it was absolutely necessary.

When the three of us left it was rather melancholy. I had never been away from my father, and here I was venturing into the world without him for the first time. He assured me that he would make sure to see me at tournament, if not this one, then the next. Christopher, Franklin, and I were able to fit at the front of the wagon that our two spare horses pulled while Shadow walked happily beside us.

"So how old am I again?" I spoke from my reclined position.

"We're bumping your age down by five, to nineteen. You can pass as a nineteen year old boy." Christopher laughed and playfully hit my stomach causing my to jerk up. "And if anyone asks, you're already betrothed to a girl back home."

"Why?"

"Because then they won't ask you about it." Franklin laughed.

"Duly noted. How far is it do you think?"

"I'd say we should be there in just two days, maybe three is we are unlucky."

"Do you think I have a chance to win?"

"I don't know, it will depend on who else is there. But I wouldn't bet against you."

I smiled as we continued on our way. The next two days were filled with their tales, which I enjoyed immensely. When we arrived we put the horses in the local stable and set up our two tents.

"We are going to the tavern, did you want to join us, Sire?" Franklin poked his head into my tent.

"Oh no, I will just go see Shadow and go to bed. You two have fun though."

"Thank you, Sir. We shall!"

As I walked to the stable I felt like myself again; no judging eyes on me ready to deem me as too girly. Shadow was as relieved to see me as I was him. I brushed him for a good while before I felt eyes on me. I looked to the entrance and found a couple of men there. From their dress they didn't appear to be noblemen.

"Nice horse you got there, Sir." The larger brunette spoke, "Who's the Knight you work for?"

"I am," my voice felt weak so I adjusted in a cough, "I am Sir Charles of Winchester."

"Our apologies Sir," another man walked in behind the two. "You don't often find noblemen in the stables tending to the horses."

I smiled. "No worries, gentlemen. I am new to this thing as it is."

"Let us buy you a pint, at least, Sir Charles."

I debated briefly, "Well, alright then." I felt my manliness return. "I would never refuse a pint!" I said boisterously.

"Wonderful," he extended his hand, "I am Geoffrey Chaucer. You might've read my book?"

"Yes, I have. It is fantastic to meet you, good sir." I shook his hand vigorously. "And who might your friends be?"

"This one is Roland," the brunette man nodded. "And this is Wat, but don't mind him." Geoffrey laughed.

"Excuse me!" The redhead sneered.

"To the tavern, let's make haste or the spirits will be gone before we arrive." I walked with them to the tavern, praying that I would be able to pull this off.