Valiant

Chapter 25: The Tourney

Orik says not a word about the stallion I tie up outside in the near-empty stables, nor does he ask where I was. He does not inquire to anything. His swollen, motled eye gives me a hurting, apprehensive glance, and continues washing off the counter of the Three Sisters. He is not angry, he is not blustering or anything. He is meek. Cowardly so.

I had resolved outside not to speak to him, but for a second I falter. The terrible weight of his apathy, his snuffed-out candle attitude makes me feel uncomfortably guilty, and the urge to say something to him to console him weighs heavily on me for a second, but nothing comes to mind but inexplicable sadness.

Past him I go, downstairs and to the kitchens, where I know Lilly is. I know not what I am looking for, just that I need to get away from Orik. As I pound on the door, it dawns on me that this is my first time actually seeing Lilly since before the battle. Much has happened since then, I know, but I care not.

As soon as I walk into the place, and lay eyes upon her, my worries flee like shadows before the sun. My maiden. My sweet Lilly. Her eyes lock with mine, and she dusts some flour off her apron, beaming up at me. "Raphael! Where were you at the party? I was searching all over for you?"

I grin sheepishly and scratch the back of my neck. "I ran into some friends. I didn't know you were looking for me!"

She laughs and throws a fleck of flour onto my face, turning back to rolling the dough, although I can see a slight tensing in her muscles- a tiny tremor running through her arms.

"They all had heard about this 'Raphael of the Mountains', who with one blow killed an entire flank and was the last man alive on that side of the battle. It is said that he flew like an eagle over enemy lines and rained steel upon their archers, on his own!" She giggles and kneads the dough of the bread a little more.
"There were many beautiful women there who would have swooned at the very sight of you."

"Horse manure!" I laugh, trying to hide the red tint on my cheeks. "And I didn't notice these women. They must not have been looking hard enough," I add, winking at her and flexing my right pectoral muscle.

"You idiot!" She laughs, slapping my chest and shaking her head to hide the beaming smile on her face. "You could have any girl you wanted to!"

"No matter, I didn't really need to see any girl at that banquet," Except for you, I say to myself with a hint of shame.

"You're right, you probably prefer men anyways," she replies, peevishly grinning at me from under her beautiful golden locks.

"You're absolutely right," I scoff, rolling my eyes. "I just kiss you to practice on my many escorts, who I then decapitate for sword practice."

"Well then get over here and practice for me, won't you Sir Knight?" She steps toward me and stands on tiptoe, forcing my eyes into hers.

"Perhaps just this once," I reply easily, lowering my lips to hers for a soft moment. Instantly, a shiver of delight works through my body at her tentative touch.

"Was that enough to change your mind?" She inquires sarcastically, a hairs-breadth from my face.

"I suppose so," I laugh, resting my forehead in hers. "That was worth the many trials of these past days."

Suddenly, she rises up and looks at me, wondering . "Why are you still here? I'd have thought you be enlisting for the Tourney!"

Curiosity spikes through me, cold and hot simultaneously. "What do you mean?" I demand, shooting to attention like a soldier.

She gasps exasperatedly and grins at me. "'Twas shouted from the rooftops this morning! I was sure everybody in the Vale heard the announcement. The King was pleased with the bravery of his people on the battlefield in absence of an actual army, so he commanded a Tournament be thrown in the people's honor. Any man may enter, but knights from all kingdoms are coming to compete. And the winner is granted one boon of the King- anything he desires!"

Excitement turns my blood to fire for an instant, as I stammer "I could... I could be..."

"This could be your shot at knighthood!Signature or mark collection is at the North Gate, but hurry, they'll stop soon! Good luck Raphael!" She calls after me, but I am already halfway up the stairs.