Godspeed by Kathryn le Veque
Author:Kathryn le Veque
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-03-08T06:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE DAY FOLLOWING the dumping of snow dawned bright and spectacular.
On the field to the north of the castle, a small army of servants was clearing away the quickly-melting snow and spreading straw all around to help with the moisture, because very soon, the first game of the day would be played upon the field.
Already, the participants were starting to gather under the bright winter skies. Houses from as far north as Nottingham were participating, and men who were exhausted and with great aching heads from too much drink the night before were collecting around the edge of the field. The first event was to be the mass competition, a mock battle where there would be two teams fighting against one another.
The rules were simple enough. The battle went one of two ways – men could either fight on teams or it could be one giant fight where it was every man for himself. Sometimes these mass competitions were fought on horseback and sometimes on foot, and if a man was captured or stunned, he could be ransomed back to his men. It could be quite profitable, which was why so many men were willing to participate and chance getting their brains beaten in for the opportunity of obtaining some wealth.
Last night, the herald of Lord Chadlington announced at the feast that this particular mass competition would be fought on foot, as horses and sharp weapons were not allowed, and it would be every man for himself, which made it rather brutal and very exciting. Dashiell, Aston, and Bentley had already formed a group. They would help each other out in the hopes of being the last three standing. Clayton was left on his own and not invited into their group even though he spent the rest of the night trying to convince Lord Sherston to be his ally. Sherston rightfully declined, and Clayton was without anyone.
But such was the nature of the game.
At this early hour, the encampment of guests was buzzing with activity as men ate their morning meal and dressed for the coming game. Squires were busy making sure weapons were in the best possible repair and ladies were donning their finery.
Inside the tent she shared with Acacia, Belladonna was already dressed. She was wearing a beautiful blue woolen gown and a matching cloak that was lined with rabbit fur. Her hair, still curly from the night before, had been braided and now hung over one shoulder as she stood in the middle of the tent as the maid finished putting on her shoes. She wore doeskin boots this morning to keep her feet warm.
Acacia was also dressing on the other side of the tent, looking for something warm and stylish from her sister’s collection of clothing. The two women hadn’t said a word to each other all night and, even now, Acacia didn’t even ask if she could wear something of Belladonna’s. She was simply doing it.
Belladonna ignored her.
Once her shoes were on, however, the
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