Rodrigo Zacara and the Mirror of Power

15. The Tournament

In the two days leading up to the tournament, they were so busy they almost didn't have the time to think about the mystery involving Donegan and Mirena. Lady Porwena endlessly assigned every group tasks: hanging bunting, preparing the bandstand, raising marquees in the gardens. Rodrigo had never imagined a celebration would involve so much work. In addition, the short periods of free time they had were used to train for the tournament's challenges.

'Good job, guys,' said Corentin as they finished their last training session. 'You've all done fantastically well. You too, Noa. You've improved a lot.'

It was true that Noa had really improved. Ever since she knew the green team were going to look ridiculous thanks to Mirena's potion she had been much more relaxed and confident.

When the day of the celebration finally dawned, the sunshine filtering through the cracks in the large gates seemed to notify them all that spring had finally arrived. Every squire excitedly got out of bed and hurried to breakfast more quickly than usual. The dining hall was filled with colourful pennants and the tables were covered with bright tablecloths. All of the knights were wearing their uniform: a red tunic with a golden dragon sewn on the chest. Today it appeared as though they were going to have breakfast in the dining hall with the children as they had their own table prepared at the end of the room. Rodrigo and his friends headed to the kitchen to begin serving breakfast but as soon as they entered the room, their mouths started watering. It wasn't a breakfast like those before. There were peaches in syrup, strawberries with cream, cream pie and much more.

'Where's Noa?' Rodrigo asked, confused she wasn't among them. Noa wasn't the kind of person to shirk her chores.

'No idea,' Vega replied. 'Her bed was empty when we woke up this morning.'

'I hope she appears soon because we've got more work than ever today,' said Darion. 'This breakfast has at least five courses!'

When they grabbed the food trolleys and appeared with them in the dining hall, many people broke into applause when they saw the delicious banquet that lay ahead. Rodrigo was eager to finish quickly so he could also enjoy breakfast, but everyone wanted to try everything and their task of serving was slower than ever.

'Hey, you lot!' Kyle shouted. 'Do you want to hurry up? We want to try the cake as well before it's ruined.'

Rodrigo was about to answer him but there was no need. Lady Porwena had approached Kyle and given him a good ear-bashing. It didn't seem to have done much though because when Vega went over to their table to set out glasses, everyone on the table rudely began to tell her off.

'Hey, servant. You can bring me another glass,' said one. 'And do me a favour and don't dirty it with your filthy fingers.'

'And be quick about it,' said another. 'We haven't got all day.'

'Don't bother, Vega,' said Lady Porwena. 'You and your friends can sit down. This gang of rude brats are going to substitute you all. Let's see if that takes them down a peg or two.'

Kyle and his friends began to grumble and protest but as soon as they took control of the food trolleys, Rodrigo could make out small smiles of triumph on their faces.

'They did it on purpose,' he said when all of his friends had sat down at their table. 'This is exactly what they wanted. Now they're the ones serving breakfast so they can pour the rumularia into the glasses of the other members of the green team.'

'I have to say, it's a great plan,' Darion laughed. 'I almost feel sorry for them. For once, they think of something smart but it's going to go so bad for them.'