A Fool's Tale

Chapter 25 - An Arrival of Champions

I practiced my juggling as Kyla and I ambled to an early morning breakfast.

"You're improving," she observed.

"A bit," I replied, trying not to let her distract me.

A trumpet blared from the guard's tower, shattering my concentration. Moments later the balls were bouncing around my feet. I frowned and scooped them up, looking toward the source of my irritation. A crowd was gathered at the front gate, but I couldn't see past the throng of people.

"What do you think is going on?" I asked.

Kyla rolled her eyes. "You really ought to pay more attention to the castle news. The Brimstone Grand Tournament's tomorrow. A bunch of competitors are arriving today. That must be the first bunch."

Already. Talia had mentioned an upcoming tournament a short while ago, but I'd been focused on my apprenticeship so much that I'd completely forgotten about it. I wondered if it would be a grand event like in all the books I'd read. Pfff. If it was anything like magic, it was bound to be a disappointment.

"I've never been to a tournament before. What's it like?" I asked Kyla.

"Well, there's jousting, archery, and lots and lots of fighting." Kyla sneered "Basically, it's a bunch of spoiled, dolled up knights beating against each other's armor."

Huh, it actually did sound similar to the stories. My hopes rose.

"We'll be entertaining as well," she added. "That should be alright. The townsfolk will be there, and they tend to laugh easy, unlike the royal brats."

"Oh, do we need to organize a performance again?"

"Nah, it's more casual than a royal feast. There's going to be a bunch of other jesters from around the country as well. Go ahead and perform whatever, and wherever you want."

Good. I planned to stick close to Talia and King Roland. Talia had told me the tournament was so crowded there wouldn't be any danger, but I wasn't convinced. Wouldn't large crowds actually increase the risk?

"And of course, there's always the fools climb," Kyla interrupted my thoughts.

"What's the fools climb?"

"It's new. The last few tourneys I attended there was an event where all the jesters raced to the top of a high tower. First to ring the bell wins. The crowd loves it."

"Sounds kind of dull compared to jousting and archery. Why would it be so popular?"

"Just imagine a bunch of fools in costume fighting each other to get to the top of a tower? It's nasty. I think it's more vicious than the grand melee."

"Seriously? Are jesters really that rough?"

"You'll see. Just try not to be near the top of the tower when someone decides to take you out." She made as if to push me. I flinched and ducked away. Kyla laughed at my reaction.

We continued walking toward the dining area. "I haven't seen you much lately. What do they have you doing around the castle?" I asked.

She made a sour face. "I've been working at the Brimstone family residence; washing their clothes, cleaning their shoes, yes lord, no lord, right away lord, all day long. I think I'm going to lose my mind." Her expression grew distant. "I'm really looking forward to that tournament tomorrow."

"Come on Kyla, are they really that bad?"

Her lips twisted into a snarl. "Yes, they are, and even when they seem nice, it's just a lie. You don't know what those people are capable of Gael."

"Well, I do know that Princess Talia's my best friend, and maybe if you gave some of them a chance, you might find out they're decent people," I countered, angrily.

"Let's just drop it and get something to eat."

I didn't feel like being around Kyla anymore. Sometimes, she could be so hateful. I turned and looked toward the front entrance. The crowd of onlookers had grown. "I think I'd rather see what's happening at the gate."

"Whatever." Kyla marched away.

I still didn't understand why she hated royalty so much. She must have had a bad experience in the past, but maybe the best thing for her was working close to the Brimstones. Given time, she might come to realize that many of them were kind, good people.

Loud shouts from the crowd greeted me as I drew near the portcullis. They were cheering the arriving competitors, and in turn the visitors acknowledged their fans with bows and broad smiles. I noticed Fletch watching the proceedings from his workshop. Since I'd been working in the stables, we spoke nearly every day. We got along well. He was like the uncle I wish I had; the complete opposite of Martin.

I walked up to him. "Hey Fletch, do you know any of these competitors?"

He looked at me and grinned. "Know them! Of course. These are some of the greatest tourney champions in our country." He pointed at a stocky man with a shock of red hair. "There's Bjorn the Red. He's won the twenty man melee for the last three years running. And beside him, that woman with the long black hair is Willow the Slender. She'll win the archery competition. I don't even know why they bother with the event. They may as well just give her the trophy right now. I've been trying to get her to use some of my arrows, but she's very particular. Oh, and see the big fellow in the armor. That's Solomon the Spear. He's one of the top jousters, although that's a closely matched bunch, so I'm not sure who'll take the honors. "

I looked upon the characters with amazement. It was like the knights and heroes from my stories had come to life.

"So lad, will I see you at the tourney?"

"Sort of. I think I'll be there as Jangles the Jester."

"Ah. Do you know about the fools climb?"

"Yeah, Kyla just told me."

"Just be careful that no one kicks you from the tower."

"So I've heard," I muttered. I guess Kyla hadn't been exaggerating after all.

Fletch clapped a brawny hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, a quick lad like you will be ringing that bell before anyone else has taken three steps," he exclaimed heartily.

I smiled. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, but for now, I'm off to groom horses and sling manure." I held up a parting hand and left for the stables.

Fortunately, from where I was working, I had a view of the front gate, and Fletch kept scurrying over whenever someone important arrived. There was the joust winner from last year who went by the name of Lance. He had long flowing blond hair that matched the color of his horse's mane. There was also the Garland Knight, who handed out wreaths of flowers to the ladies. He sported a well-oiled mustache and had a charming smile. There was even a woman who fought in the melee. She went by the name of Big Irene, although I'm not sure why, as she was quite short and thin. Fletch said she was extraordinarily quick and not to be underestimated.

Numerous minstrels, performers and merchants walked under the gates as I worked. For the most part, they were not of noteworthy acclaim, although there was one singer named Silk that Fletch claimed was nearly as talented as Silver.

As much as I enjoyed seeing and hearing about the exploits of the contestants, a large part of me was nervous to see so many strangers within the castle walls. Many of them were gruff, hard looking people accustomed to fighting for a living, and for all I knew any one of them could be here to assassinate the king. I found myself studying their faces to see if anyone paid an unusual amount of attention in the direction of the Brimstone residence, but I saw nothing amiss, and returned home that evening both excited and nervous about the next day.

I slept poorly. My rest was plagued by a recurring nightmare wherein I was seated on a great throne enjoying the tournament with King Roland and Talia. We were laughing together as we watched a dozen jesters attempting to climb a slick marble tower. They kept sliding down, unable to get purchase on the slippery, gleaming surface. As we applauded our appreciation, a wicked assassin crept up and plunged a blade into the king's back.