A Stranger in My Father's Castle

Ch. 3

      I was stirring the soup when suddenly the door was slammed open. I let out a scream and fell away from the fire. There, in the doorway stood Luke. He had on a dangerous looking face and his eyes searched the room. Once he saw me, his eyes brightened a bit, but his face remained firm.

      "Where do you think you were?" he yelled at me. His hands became fisted at that moment and I knew he was upset. I understood why he was angry, but that gave him no right to show it. I am not his nor is he responsible for me. I am no longer a child.

       "I don't think I was anywhere." I stated, "I know I was at the market. I was getting food for us, unless you prefer to go hungry?" He was taken back for a moment.

        "Well, you should have woke me! What if something happened? There are people out to get you. The Queen probably knows that you are here now. How are you going to fight off a group of guard if she send them after you? You may be stronger than some women, but you are still just a girl. " He didn't scream this, but said it firmly which is what bothered me. Tears started to spill from my eyes and I could feel the warmth of anger and hurt on my cheeks. He has never said these things to me. When we would play or work, he always treated me as his equal. I ran past him, out the door and around the Inn. I didn't know where I was going, but I wasn't staying there. I had ran the opposite direction of the market to avoid people, so I found myself at a large arena. This is where the jousting must be held. There were no people in the stands so I climbed up to rest, and to hide out from Luke. As I settled myself and started to relax I heard the sound of horse hooves trotting into the field. I looked up and saw a muscular chestnut horse and on its back sat its rider. He was wearing his jousting armor, adorning his colors of red and black. This was odd to me since riders usually preferred to wear everyday clothing just to practice in.

      I must have sat for almost an hour watching the jouster ride his horse along the rail and practicing lance positions. I was jealous of him; women were not allowed to joust. It was too dangerous; even men frequently got hurt. When the tournament starts, the horses even get their own armor. Off to the side, I could hear footsteps approaching and I looked over to see Alexander. He saw me sitting on the stands, and started to walk over.

      "Hello," he greeted me. "I thought I walked you home. What are you doing here?"

        "I got in a disagreement with my friend, so I came here to get some air. It's nice here and I'm enjoying the show"

        "Ahh. Yes, he is good. You know, no one knows who he is. He never shows his face, even when he is practicing. He is almost always the winner of the tournaments." He had a look on his face. It almost looked like envy.

        "Do you also joust?" I asked. "I was thinking that if you did, I could come and watch." He looked over at me and smiled.

        "I do actually. You can come tomorrow. It will be packed, but I can get you a seat in the middle section since I am part of the guard. Make sure you wear your best though, that's where the lords and ladies sit. You may even get the chance to see the King." I sat up a bit more at that last part. This may be a chance to introduce myself to my father.

        "I would love to come tomorrow. How will I know which one is you?" I asked him.

       "Well my colors are blue and white, so you could look for those. You could also look for the jouster who is giving you a rose. It is tradition for each rider to give one, and why not give it to the beautiful stranger."

        Once again a blush blossomed on my face and I glanced down. "It would be an honor Alexander. I will be the stranger in the dress as blue as the sky." We laughed and continued to watch the jouster practice. "What is his name anyway? It has to be a false name if no one knows who he is." I asked Alexander.