Chapter Eighteen

E lysande rushed down the turret stairs. She was late, but she had wanted to finish the embroidered ribbon she had been working on. A favor to bestow upon the knight whom she wished to win her hand. If only the empress had not deemed a tourney necessary. Why could she not allow her to choose her groom? Then she might already be wed to Reynard. Elysande supposed the empress had her reasons but how would she ever be able to marry anyone except the man who had captured her attention? She would be beyond miserable with anyone else but Reynard Norwood as her husband.

She picked up her pace after grabbing a bit of cheese from one of the tables in the great hall to break her fast. She had no time to sit down and eat something more substantial although her stomach rumbled in protest. Whether that was from hunger or what was to happen in the coming days remained to be seen.

The sun shone brightly in the morning sky, giving evidence that the time had come for her to be on the platform erected for the empress and those closest to their lady, Elysande amongst the many vying for even a hint of attention from Matilda. Picking up the hem of her blue gown, she ran through the inner bailey, out the barbican gate, and through the throng of people who came to witness the spectacle put on for their entertainment. Those who had suffered the most from the war that raged across England only cared that for a brief moment in time they could forget their woes and live in the moment of revelry.

Her eyes scanned the knights who would attempt to win her hand. Many gave a courtly bow when she passed them by but there was only one knight who held her interest. Her steps halted abruptly when she finally espied him. By St. Michael's wings! He was magnificent.

Stripped down to barely any clothing, Reynard's skin glistened in oil telling Elysande he would be in a wrestling match before aught else took place in the games. His stomach muscles were rippled whilst the dusting of hair upon his chest made her fingers itch to run her hands across his slick skin. He clasped his hands over his head as he bent from side to side to loosen his muscles but all Elysande could see was the warrior knight that was all Reynard. She marveled at his broad shoulders, his bulging arms, and all the way down to his strong well-toned legs… she licked her lips to moisten her suddenly dry mouth, not that 'twould do her much good. Seeing him thusly would remain etched in her mind until the end of time itself. She was completely lost.

Shaking herself out of the fantasy that raced through her head, she marched forward determined that Reynard would wear her favor this day. His smile when she neared reached his steel grey eyes, the edges crinkling in delight once she stood before him.

He bowed before her placing his hand over his heart. A courtly bow that would rival anything she had witnessed when paying homage to their empress. He towered over her when he finally stood tall, and he took her hand, raising it to his lips.

"Glad tidings to you this morn, my lady," he emphasized causing several nearby knights to swear.

"I thought I might miss seeing you this morn," she said stepping closer.

"I would not have begun my match without viewing your loveliness, Elysande," he said, and the baritone of his voice sent shivers racing over her suddenly hot skin.

"I have something for you… that is, if you would care to wear it," she declared, holding out the blue and gold ribbon she spent the night working on.

He fingered the fabric. "You made this? For me?"

"Aye. To prove to all that you, above anyone else, are my champion," she said, smiling up into his face.

He held out his arm. "Then by all means, place your favor upon my arm. I am honored to receive such a gift, Elysande."

Taking the ribbon, she tied the favor above his bicep on his left arm. She stood back and gave him a deep curtsey. "May you be victorious this day, Sir Reynard," she said, beaming with pride. A trumpet blared, announcing the games were about to begin. "I best leave to find my place next to the empress."

"I will look forward to claiming all your dances this evening when I win the day," Reynard declared, giving her an appreciative look.

"Then I shall look forward to the evening meal," she whispered. Before she did the unthinkable and kissed the man in front of everyone, she left his side and hurried to take her place on the raised seating platform.

A brightly colored canopy flapped in the morning breeze. It had been erected to shield her from the glaring sunlight that would progress throughout the day. The empress was already seated with her ladies behind her. Only one vacant chair was placed next to the monarch. 'Twas specifically meant for Elysande so she would remain in the front for all to see.

"You are late," the empress stated with a look of displeasure etched upon her features.

"My apologies, Empress," Elysande replied whilst she bowed before her. The empress held out her hand, and Elysande kissed the empress's ring.

"Take a seat and let us see who shall take the lead in the quest to become the victor. There will be several days before a champion can be declared at the end of my games," Matilda declared. She waved her hand toward where Reynard and the men waited.

As the knights began to fill the center of the area, the empress stood. "My people… Welcome to my games," she said in a raised voice. A cheer rang out from those who were in attendance. "Over the next se'nnight, the knights before you will compete to not only keep you entertained but also to win Lady Elysande Thorburn of Blackmore's hand in marriage. Come the eve of each of those days, the knights who won their matches will dance with the lady and will advance to the next day at the games until only one remains her champion.

"Make no mistake, the winner and the lady shall be wed at the end of the games," she warned whilst her attention returned to the knights paying homage before her. "If any of you currently here before me have no plans to wed the fair lady, then excuse yourself now from these games." She waited to see if any of the knights would bow out. When none of the knights left the area, the empress motioned her hand toward the combatants. "Let the games begin!"

Another loud cheer rang out whilst a trumpet again blared, announcing the games were to begin. The knights took themselves to various areas of the field and began their matches. Yet, Elysande had her attention focused on Reynard. When his turn came up to begin to wrestle with another man unknown to her, she sucked in several deep breaths to calm herself. When he became momentarily pinned, she gasped whilst her fingers gripped the arms of her chair to the point that her knuckles became white.

"Someone please fetch Lady Elysande some wine," the empress ordered. A chalice was thrust toward her. She took the cup. "Honestly, my dear, how are you to survive an entire se'nnight if you cannot even sit still on the very first events?"

Elysande took a sip of her wine, declining the platter of fruit that was offered by another servant. "I only wish that you would have spoken to me before deciding a tournament would determine who my husband might be," she replied, her anxiety causing her to speak her mind with more frankness than perhaps was wise.

"You are a bold one this morn," the empress said, though thankfully she didn't appear to be particularly upset about it, clapping her hands when a man throwing a battle ax hit the target in its center. "I see Norwood wears what I assume is your favor."

"He is," Elysande declared, lifting her chin. If she were to be reprimanded for showing her preference so openly, then so be it. At least she would have had her say.

The chuckle that emitted from the empress surprised Elysande. She did not expect the woman to laugh at her plight. "I am not laughing at you, Lady Elysande," she said sternly before she continued. "Norwood is not… how should I put this… he is not as well established as the others who wish to wed with you. The early days of the conflict left his family with nothing. It is thanks to my good graces that his brothers have been restored to wealth and prosperity, but Reynard himself has nothing but the hope that I will bestow upon him lands and a title if he proves his worth. The competition will do him good."

Elysande could not reply to such a confession. All this because the empress wished for Reynard to prove himself to her? She would have thought he had already done so at the Battle of Lincoln and the latest siege at Winchester. What more could this woman want from one man?