Emmy

CHAPTER FIVE

The first joust was afoot, both riders racing towards each other until the massive crash came. Emmy opened her eyes. One soldier was on his horse shouting victoriously. One man was on the ground.

There were 13 initial rounds of jousting before pitting the winners against each other. The jousting tournament would go on for quite a while.

Emmy looked at Alex whose eyes were on the victorious jouster. Things between them were awkward, but she didn't know why. Was it because of how bitter she had been with Gwendolyn Snowdon? Did Alex sense her anger towards his former flame? Or was it because he saw her talking to another man? She didn't know how to break the ice between them.

The next round of jousters rode around the arena before taking to their positions. A trumpet sounded. They kicked their horses to go. The riders built up momentum. They held their lances at the right angle. Crash. The sound of hooves continued. One contestant had smashed the other's lance. Victory.

"That was close," Emmy said to Alex, trying to break the ice.

"Yes." His response was causing Emmy to fret.

She tried again. "And what round did you say your brother is jousting?"

"The twelfth round."

"That will be exciting."

"Very."

His singular, to the point answers were disheartening to Emmy. She knew he must be angry with her, but was it really all her fault? She didn't ask to talk to Pierre, or Gwendolyn for that matter. Besides, Gwendolyn's comments were made to rile her up. As much as Emmy was trained in patience it appeared Gwendolyn could undo that within two minutes.

She tried again, this time with more meaning. "Gwendolyn seemed nice. Where did you two meet?"

Alex looked at Emmy with a sad glint in his eye. "We met at the castle a few years ago." He looked behind him. "Look, if we're going to talk about her can we leave it to someplace more ... private?"

Emmy was slightly taken aback from his comment. "Why can't we discuss her here? I only want to-"

"Because I said so," Alex said sternly.

"Alright." Emmy looked ahead, trying to contain her emotions. Alex had never spoken like that to her before. She only knew him to be loving, caring and sweet. This outburst was unexpected and upsetting.

The next jousting opponents set off at a frightening pace. A crash came followed by a thud. One jouster had knocked the other to the ground; he had taken him off guard.

Alex wriggled his hands into Emmy's. He leaned towards her ear. "I'm sorry Emmy. She just ... it's just hard for me to talk about."

Emmy faced Alex. "That doesn't give you the right to talk to me in that manner."

"I know, my love, and I'm sorry. Please, accept my dearest apologies." He kissed her hand, and when she didn't respond he did it again.

"Alright, it's okay." He did it again. "Alex! You can stop!"

"I just wanted to show you how sorry I am Emmy."

She smiled. "You've proved your point. But I'm still-"

"Curious about Gwen?" Alex sat back and looked at the arena. "I can understand why."

Emmy weighed up her options of what to say next. "You can see why I want to find out more about her then?"

Alex looked behind him again. He spoke to Emmy in a hushed voice. "After this joust let's go and talk in the woods."

Emmy's stomach filled with butterflies. Did she really want to know more about Gwendolyn? "Okay," she said gently.