Joust In Time Read online

  * * *

  Whiskey Creek Press

  www.whiskeycreekpress.com

  Copyright ©2008 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

  * * *

  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

  * * *

  JOUST IN TIME

  by

  Debbie Fritter

  WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

  www.whiskeycreekpress.com

  Published by

  WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

  Whiskey Creek Press

  PO Box 51052

  Casper, WY 82605-1052

  www.whiskeycreekpress.com

  Copyright © 2008 by Debbie Fritter

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  ISBN 978-1-60313-077-6

  Credits

  Cover Artist: Julia Stilchen

  Editor: Dave Field

  Printed in the United States of America

  Other Books by Debbie Fritter Available at Whiskey Creek Press:

  www.whiskeycreekpress.com

  The Perfect Match

  Khristen Roberts yearns to prove she has the desire and drive to pen a good story. Her lack of proper schooling in journalism doesn't deter her editor-in-chief and close friend, Ric Scott, from recommending Khristen for a tell all story on professional wrestling when a mysterious new owner wants a fresh voice for the article. With mixed feelings, she accepts the challenging assignment and is catapulted into a raw and sometimes violent world changing her life.

  For years, Shadoe Donovan a/k/a The Flame, has allowed only one “lady love” in his life—that of the squared circle and professional wrestling. The need to inform the public of what it really takes to survive and make a living in his world, Shadoe acquires a small press magazine in Madison, Wisconsin. He is convinced Khristen Roberts is just the person he is looking for. Little does he know though, she would turn out to be his biggest match to win, the one who'd show him a world other than professional wrestling like he'd never known before...

  A Legacy Through Time

  Emma Samanda Sorenson has been given an old, worn leather journal by her mother. A journal written by an aunt revealing secrets of Pleasant Springs’ legendary Kinsman family. Her desire to find out what happened to her missing aunt and the unexpected need to learn more about the legacy of madness written in the journal turns her life toward the past to find the future.

  Royal Kinsman, named after his great-great grandfather, has been “blessed” with part of a legacy left by his great-great grandparents. Royal fought most of his life against being the exact likeness of Samuel. A curse that haunted him through his teen years from puberty to his current life, causing him to swear off marriage, commitment and producing a Kinsman heir. There is more to the legacy than just looks. Madness was spoken of through the years, driving many of Royal's ancestors over the edge. Or into the past to find the love of a lifetime. A love to equal that of Samuel and Josephine Kinsman, and no other.

  CONTENTS

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  GLOSSARY OF MEDIEVAL PHRASES, TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS

  About the Author

  * * * *

  Dedication

  For my grand-daughters: Courtney Ann, may you find your knight in shining armor one day and always believe in your dreams. Makenna Marie, who has more strength in her little body and soul than any knight could possibly hope for. I love you both.

  Thank you to the re-enactors of the Bristol Renfaire in Wisconsin. Your authenticity was a great help in my journey to write this book.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 1

  England, 15th Century

  "Black Knight, pledge thy loyalty and love to me and no other!” Queen Isabel Trenowyth demanded.

  "I cannot, Your Grace,” the Black Knight replied, ignoring her haughty tone while holding back his jet black Andalusian from prancing too close to the Queen and her court. “My heart belongs to another."

  "Another? Thou wears the colors of this kingdom. My kingdom.” Isabel snorted as she spoke, her proud face suffused with rage. “Thy heart can belong to no other in this time or in any other time."

  "Thou speak the truth. I wear the black and gold colors of Heartsease and as a knight by my own pledge sworn to protect the castle walls and its people, nothing more, Your Grace. I cannot give my heart to one whom on a whim hast so many knights on bended knee.” The Black Knight backed his snorting stallion a little further from the anger of Queen Isabel. He'd vowed to protect Heartsease and its lands for longer then the Queen's reign; he'd never promised to be her lover.

  "Of course, there art other willing knights of Heartsease who would give me the pleasure I request. It is what thou hast refused me all these years which I seek. I have offered thee everything and now thee shall have nothing.” Isabel waved him off like an unfinished piece of meat. “The tournament shall continue."

  A snarl marred her otherwise beautiful face. “Ruin him, Sir Thomas!” Queen Isabel commanded of the Black Knight's opponent.

  Sir Thomas backed his gray mount away from Queen Isabel until he reined in solidly beside the Black Knight. The line had been drawn and the Black Knight knew Isabel would not take lightly a refusal from two of her knights.

  "My Queen, I cannot. I hath given my life to protect the people of thy kingdom. Heartsease is the place of my birth and that of my family before me. Our alliance to thy father before his death is long and unquestionable. It will continue as such. On this day, I refuse to take the Black Knight's life to ease thy pride and bruised heart,” Sir Thomas replied, loud enough for half of Heartsease to hear him.

  "Thomas, thy protection of me is admirable, but not needed,” the Black Knight rebutted under his arnet to his childhood friend, then turned to the Queen. Her fury over Thomas’ refusal was evident and so would be her vengeance. He couldn't allow Thomas to face her wrath. “I refuse Sir Thomas’ protection and challenge him to Joust à plaisance."

  Queen Isabel thought for a moment, then coolly signaled for the Chief Marshall to approach her. A wicked smile crossed her lips as she whispered into his ear. A look of dismay soon turned to pleasure as the Chief Marshall faced the Black Knight and Sir Thomas.

  "This art th
e Queen's terms of the challenge set forth. If the Black Knight loses, he will remove the coat of arms signifying his alliance with Heartsease and be banished from these lands for all time. If he should be the victor, then Sir Thomas will be stripped of knighthood and work the land as his father before him. In addition, the Black Knight shall do the Queen's bidding day and night as Queen Isabel so chooses."

  A hush fell over the list as all in attendance waited for the Black Knight's answer to the cruel request. If he accepted this challenge and lost, he'd be forced to leave his homeland forever. This was the place of his birth and the birth of his beloved Catherine. His victory would bring shame upon Thomas and his family and devastate them; he'd be at Isabel's mercy for the rest of his days. Either way he was doomed. The Queen left him without a true choice.

  The Black Knight backed his black steed, turned, and then trotted around the list toward William, his young squire. Passing along the rail, he paused long enough to take up the lace and purple-ribboned offering from Catherine, the beautiful daughter of Heartsease's dressmaker. He leaned in toward the raven-haired, blue-eyed young woman, his heart already hers. She smiled and tied the token around his lance, making him her champion.

  "How can I help but not fail, Catherine,” he whispered to the lovely, but plainly dressed maiden.

  "I know not, but thee will find a way to right this wrong,” she said, a trusting smile brightening her worried face. Touched by her faith in him, he then rode off to the east end of the list, doom flittering down his spine. The only honorable way out would be to lose even though it went against his nature—and he could possibly lose Catherine as well.

  "Sir Reynold?” William queried.

  He gave his squire a confident smile, seeing the fear in the boy's eyes. “I will not allow the Queen to dictate my life any longer, my young friend. If I must leave my home and country to save Thomas’ family name, I will.” Reynold dismounted and handed the reins to William.

  "The Queen would rather see thee dead, Sir,” William commented, leading the stallion alongside Reynold toward their tent.

  "Beware what thou say, young William. In this Court even the ground hast ears,” Reynold cautioned his bold squire, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder. “Lest thy take care in those words, or it could be thee riding Abraxas and carrying a lance against thy father instead of me."

  "What of my cousin?” William tethered Abraxas to a post outside their tent. “What will become of Catherine if thou art no longer here to protect her?"

  "Catherine knows I'd not bring shame on thy family name. I will find a home and send for her when the time is right.” Reynold walked into his tent to prepare for his joust against Thomas, his blood-brother and childhood friend. “Wherefore Isabel hast chosen to doeth this now is beyond my knowledge, Will. Her jealousy runs deeper since her father's death."

  "Some say that Isabel hast consulted the stones. They say the stones hath foreseen thy failure and disappearance from Heartsease, Reynold,” Will said in a hushed tone, as if afraid to be heard by anyone but himself. “Father is fearful that Isabel plays with the darkness of life to rid thee of thine. Her witch is powerful in the black arts."

  Reynold handed his arnet to Will, shook his head and took a deep breath. It confirmed his own thoughts. “I have heard the same words whispered behind tankards of ale. It is more than my life she yearns to rid me of, it is my will to refuse her advances and physical pleasures."

  * * * *

  Reynold pulled himself into the saddle and waited for Will to hand him his shield and cronel-tipped lance. There was much at stake in this event.

  At the other end of the list, his oldest and closest friend waited for their time at the joust.

  They all had grown up together—Thomas Astley, Catherine, Isabel and himself. Thomas was the son of a farmer and his cousin, Catherine, the dressmaker's middle daughter who was more of a tomboy than a girl. As a child, Isabel didn't know the difference in their positions in life. Her father, King David, allowed her to play with the children of Heartsease. She'd been a big-hearted girl back then, filled with passion and love. Reynold had been the King's eyes and ears even as a boy, up until the King's death when Isabel was but an enthusiastic girl of sixteen. Something inside her changed that day, something dark and evil.

  There had been a time in Reynold's life when he thought he loved Isabel. These past years with her ruling cruelly as Queen made him realize that Catherine was the one who had his heart—not the selfish woman Isabel had become.

  After years of fulfilling the promise he'd made to Isabel's father as he lay dying, Reynold continuously refused the provocative suggestions Isabel presented him on a regular basis. He'd promised the King he'd defend Heartsease and look after Isabel, not become a bed toy for her to play with like so many others. Isabel proved to need no looking after; she had plenty of willing knights to defend her honor and visit her private quarters.

  The sound of trumpets brought him back to the present and the task awaiting him. His plan was a simple one that he'd have to leave Will out of. If he didn't, the young squire would find a way to inform his father of Reynold's planned deception.

  Reynold spurred Abraxas ahead and entered the list at the same time as Thomas did from the west end. They'd been through this many times before on the practice field. Abraxas stomped in eagerness to charge and Reynold spurred the stallion forward.

  Galloping toward Thomas on the opposite side of the tilt, Reynold felt the jolt as his cronel smashed against his opponent's chest. He'd hit Thomas, but not enough to knock him off his mount. The two knights rode out to the ends of the list and turned.

  Gathering himself, he repositioned the lance and charged toward Thomas again. As they met in the middle of the tilt, Reynold lowered his weapon at the last moment and felt the jolt of Thomas’ lance hit him squarely in the chest, teetering him in the saddle. The cheers of the crowd echoed inside his arnet, vibrating in his ears.

  One more pass and it would be over. Ignoring Will's questioning look, Reynold spurred Abraxas around and charged his life-long friend for what he prayed would be the last time. The two passed and Thomas lifted his lance, missing Reynold by inches. Knowing in that instant Thomas was no fool, Reynold fell sideways, allowing Abraxas to drag him to the west end of the list.

  The pain shooting through his body was nothing compared to the satisfaction of knowing Thomas would continue his life as a knight. His plan may not have worked to perfection, but his honor to Thomas was held intact. Reynold would find a new life, a lonely one, but a life nonetheless.

  "Whoa! Whoa!"

  The words came through the blackness trying to take claim to his mind. Abraxas suddenly halted and Reynold felt himself lifted off the ground. Someone took his foot from the stirrup and pulled the arnet from his head.

  Focusing, he stared into the eyes of his raven-haired love. He had indeed found his place at last, in Catherine's arms.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 2

  United States, 21st Century

  Courtney Parker took her place in the stands near Queen Victoria's court. Her role as dressmaker to the Queen of Heartsease afforded her one of the best seats on the grounds and she never missed a joust.

  The opening ceremonies for the final week of the Bristol Renfaire season were being held today and there was a large crowd of onlookers. It was a time everyone looked forward to and yet dreaded. Early Monday morning they'd all have to return to the 21st Century, leaving behind a period in time each re-enactor loved so dearly. As a civilian in the off-season, Courtney made good money living the life of a historical dressmaker. She had plenty of orders to fulfill from re-enactors all over the country. Being one of the few dressmakers who actually practiced the craft of sewing 15th Century clothing, she was the most sought after for her unique hand-stitched enhancements.

  One of the last jousts of the summer was about to take place, between the mysterious Black Knight and one of the regular jousters. Each year they brough
t in someone new to play the part of the banished knight of Heartsease. It was a mythical story she never grew tired of and loved dearly.

  To her dismay, this year would have a different ending. The Black Knight would be banished this year for good, making way for a new program next season. Courtney was saddened to see the love story end; she looked forward to it each summer.

  Legend had it the Black Knight had refused Queen Isabel's advances once too often, having professed his love for another. Queen Isabel Trenowyth, in her fury, gave an order for his destruction during a joust that would either send him from his beloved Heartsease forever or strip his childhood friend of his knighthood. It is told the Black Knight disappeared, leaving behind his love and family, never to be seen again. In all the historical books she'd read and the tales she'd heard, not once was the knight's given name ever mentioned. He was simply known as The Black Knight of Heartsease.

  There was one book portraying the life in Heartsease that had escaped her. The mysterious single volume was a hard find and one she'd hoped Samuel, the bookseller of the faire, would be able to locate for her. It was said to be printed in the hand-writing of its author. The book thus far was just a rumor, a rumor her heart held hope in verifying its existence. This season could be her last chance at getting it.

  The fate of the actor playing the Black Knight over the season's eight weeks would end in a flourish. He would ride out of the village, never to be seen again. Courtney's heart ached with the thought of not living the touching story again the following season. She still hadn't decided if she'd have the heart to return to Bristol next year.

  The two knights now in the arena were on their last pass when the Black Knight lost his balance and slid off the side of his horse, hanging from a stirrup. His foot lodged in the foothold, he tried to keep from hitting the ground while his horse galloped across the field in a panic.

  There was something wrong—he seemed lifeless to Courtney. A collective gasp drew the onlookers into an eerie silence. Courtney left her seat and ran to the stable entrance. If the man was hurt, she may be able to ... to what? She wasn't a first aid staffer, yet there had to be some way she could lend a helping hand.