A Fool's Tale

Chapter 10 - The Audition

I walked into the courtyard and my mouth dropped wide in surprise. To either side, great white walls curved around in a circle. The enormous towers that had looked so impressive from outside the castle walls seemed even larger inside. Numerous other buildings dotted the vast yard. Most were built of grey stone, although a few were wood. In front of me was a large white stone building with banners jutting from poles in the brickwork. On the roof, carvings of animals wrought from multi-colored stones looked down upon me. I didn't recognize most of the creatures, although I did notice at each corner there was a giant gold dragon. Their mouths were open wide and I imagined the fire and destruction the huge lizards would rain upon the courtyard if the terrifying creatures were actually alive.

I tried to stare in every direction at the same time, wheeling from one surprise to another and drinking in the sights before me. Could this truly be the place I'd be working? It was a dream come true.

A rough hand slapped me on the back and I stumbled forward. "Go on lad. Don't just stand there gawking. That's the king's hall you've been told to appear." Fletch pointed toward the set of intimidating doors at the centre of the white stone building.

"Right, thanks Fletch." I nodded as he continued walking in another direction.

The king's hall. Did that mean I was going to meet the king? I grinned excitedly. Maybe he was the one who chose the squires. What else could it be? I hurried to the hall and pushed one of the heavy doors open. Inside was a small room with another set of large oak doors at the other end. A wizened clerk sitting behind a desk to my left squinted at me.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"I'm Gael."

The clerk slid his finger along a piece of paper then tapped it once with a sharp rap. He looked up and studied me. His gaze eventually landed on my rueberry stained pants. He frowned then sighed and pointed behind me. "Very well, wait with the others."

I turned around. A motley assortment of characters was gathered at the other side of the foyer. Most of them wore makeup and had costumes with bells. Some were juggling balls and others were giggling and talking to themselves. One of them stood out more than the others. She looked a bit older than me, had bright red hair, and more bells than any of them. Her hat jingled every time her head moved.

What was going on? Had the guard sent me to the right place? Who were these characters?

The set of inner doors opened and six costumed people tumbled into the room. They were leaping, cart wheeling and jumping high in the air.

"Send in the next bunch," a voice called out from within.

At that moment I realized where I'd seen characters like these. They were called jesters or fools in the books I'd read, and they provided entertainment for royalty. This had to be a mistake. I was no fool.

The clerk shouted. "Mittens, Curly, Seesaw, Pickles, Tinsel and Gael, you're up."

I hurried over to him. "Excuse me, I think I belong somewhere else."

He glanced at me then checked his list again. "Well your name's here, so we'll find out soon enough. You wouldn't want to disappoint the king, would you?"

I hesitated, confused. This can't be what Talia intended, but what choice did I have? I had nowhere else to go.

The clerk seemed amused at my discomfort. He grinned and propelled me into the room. "Get in there with the rest of the fools."

I stumbled inside. Long tables laden with pastries and bread encircled the hall. A number of servants glided around the tables. There were at least twenty guests seated around the room...including Talia. She applauded wildly when I entered. It wasn't a mistake. For some bizarre reason, Talia had done this on purpose. It felt like a cruel joke. We'd become such good friends over the summer. How could she have done this to me?