Chapter Eleven - The Tourney

Eleven

The day of the tourney dawned gray and stormy. Clouds had rolled in over night, but held off the threatening rain. Still, I hardly noticed the clouds. My mind was on one thing, winning. Ok, well, two things, I was also thinking about Karn. I couldn’t help myself.

The grounds had been transformed with a large viewing stand for town notables (including the king and his colorfully decked court) and an area in front for the common folks. As the morning warmed up people streamed into the area to watch. I guess it was a sort of the highlight of the fair.

The competition was divided into a series of matches. There was a target match, the more traditional of the  matches, with archers shooting at targets to score points. Then there was a match of roving marks. Here the archers would aim to hit targets in a large field, the targets being anything from a tree trunk to a rock or a clump of grass. The tourney had a more formal field, with various objects placed at intervals. Points were scored for how close one got to the targets. A second round had a factor of speed built in, the faster one got through the field the better, but scoring still mattered. Another match had a small wooden bird resting atop a tall wooden tower. Archers took turns trying to shoot the bird down. Lastly was the wand match, where thin strips of wood, the largest no more than a couple of inches wide, the thinnest like a twig, were set up. Again, points were given for how many arrows one could stick into the strip.

I had decided to enter the target match, everyone had it seemed. I also put my name down for the field of roving marks, both scoring and speed. I felt I could do better if speed of loading and firing were the issue.

I carefully strung my bow and sorted through my remaining arrows, checking to make sure that the feathers attached were true and smart. As I looked around at the other competitors I noticed more than a few dressed in similar clothes. Later on I would recognize these as members of the royal guard. They had somewhat longer bows, good for making the arrow fly farther and penetrate with more force, but less agile in handling. What I did notice was that their quivers were all bags, not open like mine. I made a note to try and get such a bag myself.

The field competition was first. I found the first match fairly tedious, which probably was reflected in my performance. All of the field, and there were about twenty of us, had to take turns shooting to the next target. I found myself growing impatient as those ahead of me would take all the time in the world to find and aim at the next target. I wondered how on earth any of these people ever hunted, or God forbid went to war, if they had to take so long to aim?  My youth and impatience got to me. By the time I would get up to take a shot I would often shoot quickly, as if to show the yokels there how it was done. My youthful ignorance showed. I placed well below the top three.

But the next round was the highlight of the day for me. This was the speed round. Points were given for how close one hit the target, but time was also kept by a young boy with a graded hourglass.  The fastest time got an extra 50 points, not enough to win outright, but coupled with a decent score for targets, it would allow you to win. I was 17th in  a field of 21 that day. By the time I got up to the start the sun had risen to be directly overhead, the clouds had cleared. It was warm, I was already sweating. As best as I could tell I needed to score about 3 points a target. This would mean getting at least within a man’s foot of each target. If I could hit some, worth 5 points, that would be even better. The time was the issue. The fastest so far had been from a guy who seemed to be in the guard, at least based on the cheers that would arise every time he hit a target, from a small group of guards watching. He had done the 20 targets in 12 minutes.

His speed had attracted a small crowd who had been drifting away all morning due to the lackluster competition. But as the soldier went over his group of friends I noticed people again began to drift off. Even amongst his friends I saw men turn to leave when he put his hand up and beckoned them back. Looking my way a few times he talked to them for  a moment. Several shrugged, but they all sat down again to watch. So I had been noticed. Riley you may not believe it, but I was not the type to seek out notice or fame. To be honest I would have rathered to have no one care, but I tried my best to brush it off. If anything I was determined to show the soldier and his buddies that the last round had been due to my carelessness and not my skill.

The first target was a rusted cowbell on a flat rock about twenty feet from the start. The man with the glass shouted “Start!” and I loaded in my first arrow and let it fly. I was wide, way wide, I cursed. No points. Out of the corner of my eye I saw some of the soldiers make dismissive motions and complain to their buddy, but he stayed them again.  I took a deep breath. Out of nowhere I thought of Karn, he soft brown eyes and her dark hair. It should have made me mad, but instead I felt a great calm settle over me. I think before I would have tried too hard, tried to show that I was worthy, but I resolved there and then to prove myself to no one except myself. I felt the calm settle and a weight lift from me.

Truth was that out there in the field I felt a change come over me, an understanding open up in my mind. For the past few days I poured my energy into getting ready to win at any cost in the competition, and since yesterday I had wanted to win to prove to Karn I was worthy. But ,like some sort of clockwork puzzle, everything suddenly clicked into place. Despite what Walter had said, I had been brought to this place for a reason. Only, it wasn’t some sort of prophecy thing, it was for me, myself. I had been drifting on the mountain, waiting for things to happen after my parent died. But I now realized that I did not need to wait, I had the ability to move forward despite everything. Mooning over Karn was not going to go anywhere. Following along with Walter and Jet was not going to get me any further either. If I was to join up with them or anyone else, it had to be on my terms, due to my skills.

It didn't matter if I was on the mountain or there in the valley, what mattered was what I was able and willing to do.

The next few minutes were like a trance. I don't recall how many targets I hit, but I later could recall hitting more dead on than not. No motion was wasted, every stride, every loading, every pull was only exactly what was needed, no more, no less. Every arrow either hit true or stuck a few inches shy. I shut out everything except for the bow, the arrow and the feel of the string. When the string felt right I pulled, and not until then.

What pulled me out were the cheers. I looked around and found myself at the end of the course, facing the soldiers and the somewhat larger than I remember crowd. The lead soldier was looking open mouthed as his buddies slapped him on the back. He saw me looking, smiled and did a little bow. I had beat his time by a clean couple of minutes and topped his score as well.

I went to go find Walter and Jet.

“Well, ok, now that’s done. Now we find more beer and this time, we don’t stop until we pass out. Ok?”I said as they walked up.

“Now you’re talking, glad to see you out of your funk” Walter said gruffly.

“What about the last match?” asked Jet.

“What for Jet, I mean, even Walter now has to agree I am pretty handy with the bow.”

“What? That little parade of hitting still objects? Please, I’ve seen old men move faster than you did out there,” Walter growled, but he had a smile on hi face when I looked. I made a rude gesture to him, which I doubt he knew of, but he understood.

“It is all good Walter, Jet. Tonight we can celebrate, I ‘ll buy the drinks and blow all of my prize winnings. But tomorrow we have to talk seriously. If I am to stick around we need a plan.”

Jet smiled a smile I had not seen yet from her. She gave Walter a nudge. “See Walt, I told you he’d come around.”

Walter just groaned, but he smiled. “Before we all start making patty cakes I suggest we find a batch of the strong stuff. Come, I Know just the place...”

We were just ready to leave when the soldier from the match came up. He bowed again, slightly and smiled.

“You sir are a good shot, bets I have seen in a while.”

“Thank you.”

Walter huffed out. “Oh yes, now we’ll never hear the end of it.” The soldier looked puzzled, I shot Walter a look of ‘that’s enough.’

“Don’t mind him, he’s smoked too much lavender.” I told the soldier.

“Ok then...My name is Coltier.”

“Eric, although folks round here seem to call me Eri.”

“Eri, pleased to meet you. Listen, the real reason I am here is to bring you to meet King Inlae.”

I was taken aback, I immediately noticed Walter had a worried look on his face.

“Why?” I stammered. "What have I done” I was, at that moment, keenly aware of my strange position in the country.

“It is a good thing sir, I assure you. He merely wants to compliment you on your archery skills.”

I looked at Walter but he said nothing, his eyes gave nothing away now, which was unsettling. Jet, however, looked as though she had eaten something sour.

I shrugged. "Ok, lead the way.” Only later did I realized that Walter and Jet stood rooted to  the spot.

Coltier, the soldier,  led me to the grandstand behind the archery range. People in colorful garb still were walking around. I was led to the very center where, behind a curtain, a smaller group of people milled around. One man, young, but still older than I was, was garbed head to toe in deep, rich indigo. The man who brought me bowed deeply.

“Sire, this is the young man I spoke to you about.”

The man in blue turned and smiled a toothy grin. “Young man! Excellent shooting today. Do tell me your name?”

“Eric Sir. Pleased to meet you.” I offered him my hand. He looked down puzzled.

“Eric, yes. Tell me sir, where are you from? You are not known around here, no?”

“No sir. I am... from... up north.”

“Aquitania?”

“Beyond that sir.”

“I see, and they do not bow before Kings there?”

“No sir. Where I come from all are equal. We bow before no one.”

An annoyed look flitted across his face, but then the king smiled. “Amusing. At any rate, Eric you displayed excellent skills today. A little rough perhaps... a little wild, but still vast potential. I wish to invite you into a new guard I am assembling. One which will report directly to me. You see, Eric, I am to be married tomorrow and with that marriage I will be next in line not only to be king of my domain, but of this one too. I plan to... modernize the guard here. I need good men like you.”

I honestly did not know what to say. I had a feeling that I would have to discuss this with Walter, especially after the look on his face when Coltier had spoken the kings name

“Thank you sir. I will consider your offer. As I am new around these parts, may I give you an answer in the morning?” I figured, even as naïve as I was, that saying no to a King right off the bat would be unwise.

The king was taken back, but again smiled. "Certainly, why not. It is a good thing to think before one acts, no? Come to the castle in the afternoon. For my marriage is in the morning. Ah yes, here comes the blushing bride now. May I introduce you to Princess Karnattia, my bride.”

I think every hair on my body stood upright when I heard the name, even before the woman dressed head to toe in soft blue silk turned her head. It was like a waking nightmare, it seemed to take forever for her to turn and face me, for me to confirm what I instantly knew.