Kingmaker

Coronation #2

In silence, Ava stood beside Sir Richard and his horse; holding the flag of Lancaster high at her side. Sir George and his mount stood at her other side; conversing quietly with Sir Richard.  They knew Ava wouldn't speak again until she absolutely had to. Her duties today were quite significant, and she had quite the job to do. Even as the knights at her sides glanced down at her, she still remained silent. Watching and waiting.
When the horns eventually sounded, Sir George cantered out of the small waiting area with his squire at his side. The King announcing his name, his title and his house; a cheer following from the crowd. "Be careful out there, Richard. Garret needs his father... And I  need you too" murmured Ava quietly from under her helmet.
Sir Richard looked down to her, offering a sad smile. "I'll be fine, dear. Have faith in me and my ability"
"I don't doubt your ability, Richard. I doubt York's ability to not cause conflict" sighed Ava as she now jogged ahead with Sir Richard's flag as he now trotted alongside her as the King announced their names.  Eyes instantly went to Ava; boring into her. She knew it was York folk that were staring. Lancaster folk knew not to stare too long. But for the sake of her King, and her husband. Ava remained calm, ignored the looks and merely kept her gaze forwards as she came to a stop beside Sir George; and Sir Richard on her other side.
"King Henry!" called a York knight; Sir Henry Stafford. "What is the prize for this joust upon this day?" he inquired, purposely walking his horse towards the King who sat upon his own mount in the middle of the tournament field. So this is why I'm on the field. Ava watched the knight, keeping her gaze locked on him.
"A prize? You know that you are jousting today for my Coronation as King" started King Henry, glancing to Ava. He could see how edgy she was. Her mortal enemies were right infront of her and she wasn't allowed to strike them. He could understand, really. Why she was so edgy. He would be too if he were in her position.
"No prize. No house of York. Come on Howard, we're leaving" Sir Henry Stafford turned his horse to leave, taking several steps with the stallion before King Henry called the knights back. "Wait, Stafford. I have a propsition for you. Should you be victorious upon this day. I will abdicate the throne and all it's titles in favour of your King Edward"
"Now that's more like it!" interrupted Stafford, not expecting the King to say more on the proposition. "However! If you are not victorious. You, and John Howard. Will forfeit all lands and titles to the Crown. And take yourselves into exile!" Ava snorted quietly under her helmet, earning a nudge from Sir Richard at her side. She needed to be careful what she said and did today.
"Forfeit our lands?"
"Yes"
"Exile?"
"Yes"
"Are you having a laugh?"
"Quite possibly" replied King Henry, watching Sir Henry Stafford. Replying to each one worded question with an answer that was just as simple.
"Alright. Deal. We're going to win anyway. You've got yourself a tourney!" Sir Henry Stafford spoke with such confidence that it was almost ignorant. He caught sight of Ava at Sir Richard's side. Instantly knowing it was her. Who else would it be? He smirked ever so slightly, riding over to the side of the tournament field. Speaking to a small group in the crowd, before pointing in Ava's direction. She saw all of it and narrowed her eyes. So her family had came and they now knew who she was on the field. And which knight she was with. It should've been obvious.
Ava was snapped from her thoughts by Sir Richard leaning down to her. He lifted her helmet off for a second to press a soft kiss to her cheek. "You're allowed to walk around the event. Kings' orders. But don't wander too far, love" he whispered, pressing another kiss to her lips before settling back in the saddle. Ava had nodded to him, ignoring the daggers being glared at her from other women as Sir Richard hadn't collected favours from them; and had remained with Ava. It was out of respect for Ava that he hadn't done so.

When the event began, Ava wandered over to the side of the field. Walking in silence along the grass, feeling the eyes of the York crowd on her. Hearing the mutters of how she defected from York to Lancaster over 3 years ago and had seemingly got away with it. If only they knew how much she had been through since leaving York. She didn't regret a single second of her time in Lancaster. She didn't regret a single wound she had received from York for her actions. It was all because she had chosen a different path for herself. She'd chosen a different husband than the one she had been told to marry. And she couldn't have been happier with her choice. Sir Richard Neville treated her like gold and loved her dearly. And she loved him the same. She wouldn't have it any other way.
"Aren't you the Woodville girl?" questioned one of the spectators, catching Ava's attention. She had been told not to speak to her family unless they spoke first. But this man wasn't family. Biting back a snap of hatred and disgust at the question, she looked to the man. He looked to be in his early 30's. Late 20's maybe. "Indeed. Woodville is the family name. But I'm a Neville now. And I would appreciate to be called as such" she replied, trying to keep her voice as calm and respectful as possible.
"And aren't you the one that defected from York to Lancaster?" asked the man again, digging deeper and deeper with his questions. How can you not already know all of this. Ava merely smiled under her helm. "Yes. I defected over 3 years ago. I have my reasons for doing so, and I do not have to discuss them anymore. Many already know how the story goes, so I will not be repeating it"
The York  man merely huffed at her words, but kept his gaze on her. He seemed to know something about her. He spoke to her like no other had. At least, no other citizen had questioned her in such a manner.
Ava watched him for a moment before continuing her walk. She glanced back at the man, seeing he was still watching her. Who was he.

[Authors Note: Sorry for the slow updates. I need to keep myself happy and calm these days. Struggling to remain happy. Shit happens I guess. Don't worry. I'm fine. Just. Yeah.
Who do you think the mystery man is?
And should Ava speak to her family now that they're at the tournament?
This is the first time York and Lancaster have been this close without being in conflict. Will it all go well?  Or will someone get hurt or killed? Keep reading!]