“Handfasting adds another layer to the games.
She’ll be a beautiful prize for the winner,” John said between bites.
“Who are the knights?” Fin asked while glancing around the room.
“Anyone can join in the games, as long as they have a horse. But Gwen’s men always prevail. Not too many of these weekend players know a knight’s game.”
Duncan and Fin exchanged a knowing look and a quick nod.
“I’d like to talk to my friend in private.” Tara told the Neanderthal. He didn’t budge.
“If I am going to go along with all this, you need to give me some space.”
He didn’t even smile.
“Listen, as your queen, princess or whatever, I demand you leave.” She pointed to the entrance of the tent.
Knowing she was losing Tara by the second, Cassy spoke out. “Hey Bruno?” She took his arm and tugged. “Have you ever heard of PMS?” That got him moving, but only outside the doorway.
“There.” Cassy brushed her hands together.
“You just need to know what to say.”
“I thought he’d never leave.”
“It’s not so bad.” Cassy picked up a brush and ran it through her hair.
“For you, you can walk out of here without being chased. Bruno won’t leave me for a minute.” They came up with Bruno on their own. He never volunteered a name, and only spoke when he had too. And that wasn’t often.
“You have to admit the room is awesome and the clothes are fantastic.”
Tara regarded their spacious tent. The thing was so large, it could have held seven others. The beds were feather soft and draped in gold silk. She stared into a floor length mirror, and marveled at her reflection.
“We have been transported to the middle ages as much as we can be.” Tara picked up her skirt and let it fall to the floor.
“Gwen has seen to our every need.” Cassy popped a grape in her mouth. “I wonder where she’s been.”
“Sleeping, most likely. She’ll show up soon enough.” Not that Tara looked forward to seeing her again. Something about the woman made her uncomfortable. Which was stupid, she thought. The lady had only been nice to them.
I really should try and get into the spirit of things.
Cassy certainly had. In fact, Cassy hadn’t stopped singing the praises of Madame Gwen since they met the old bat.
No matter how uncomfortable Tara was, this vacation would go down as one of Cassy’s better ideas in the end.
They were busy taking pictures of the room when Madame Gwen finally showed up with two more generic Brunos at her side.
Gwen dominated the space with her presence.
Her robes were less like a Gypsy’s and more like a queen. Her arms were filled with bracelets. Every finger held a ring. In the light of day, the woman appeared even older. Her smile is puzzling and doesn’t suit her.
“I see you’re settled in,” Gwen said to Cassy.
“Yes, we are. Thank you so much for everything.
These clothes are marvelous, and this tent is so much nicer than the one we were in before. I’m not sure why you picked us, but we’re glad you did.”
“And you?” Gwen turned to Tara. “All of this suits you?”
“The dresses feel like they were made for me,”
Tara admitted. “The room is lovely.”
“But...?”
“I’m not used to all the attention.” Tara put a little distance from Gwen who had inched too close for her personal comfort.
“Ah, that...well, that can’t be helped.” Gwen played with one of the many sparkling gems hanging around her neck. The glitter caught Tara’s eye and held her attention.
“No. I suppose it can’t.” Tara’s knees went weak.
She had a sudden need to sit.
“The patrons look forward to the coming games and celebrations, you wouldn’t want to disappoint them?”
“No. I don’t want to disappoint them. I just...”
Tara closed her eyes for a moment as she lost her train of thought. What were they talking about? She shook her head to clear it and sat down.
“It sounds like fun. The tournament I mean.”
Cassy walked to Tara’s side and attempted to get her to smile by sending a silent glare.
But Cassy’s face turned fuzzy and all Tara could do was close her eyes.
Nervous, Cassy did what she always did in such a state, she rambled. “Will there be knights in armor? What will you want us to do? Will we have lines to practice?”
Gwen stared at Tara. Her smile dropped but only for a fraction of a second.
A chill shot up Tara’s spine. That grave dancing thing was happening all over again. She snapped her eyes back to Gwen, whose face softened.
Tara got up and stood next to Cassy. “We have plenty of time before the jousts to worry about our role. Isn’t that right, Madame Gwen?” Tara wanted to get out of the tent. She needed some fresh air.
And she needed it now.
“Plenty of time, my dear. Plenty of time,” Gwen said. “Why don’t you both get some air? It’s too nice of a day to stay in here. Your minions await.” Gwen spoke directly to Tara. “If you need anything, you only have to ask.”
Duncan stayed in the back of the crowd, waiting and watching. He searched for a vulnerability to the guard. A weakness he might push past to get her alone.
“Tara.” He rolled the name off his tongue, enjoying its sound. He had learned it from others who asked who she was.
Tara caused quite a stir amongst the people of this time. She wasn’t one of them. Some considered her an outsider and unworthy of the post she was given. Others, mostly unattached men, found her fetching and looked forward to the coming games, games in which they would compete for the opportunity to stand next to her and be handfasted.
It was expected that Tara would let the winner kiss her. But, judging by what Duncan had seen, she didn’t know that part of the bargain.
None of these people believed in handfasting.
They’d think it was only entertainment. Duncan knew it was more than a sport. Grainna was much more cunning than even he gave her credit for. She had managed to sequester the virgin without raising an eyebrow from anyone.
Grainna knew these people and knew what motivated them. That was one of her advantages. He and his brother had only journeyed to this time on two other occasions. Both were in the camp which Grainna had procured, but neither time before had Grainna gone through the effort to isolate a virgin.
Then again, Duncan and Fin saw to it there were none. Grainna hadn’t known they were there.