The Jouster's Lance

by A. J. Marcus

  “I don’t know about that,” he replied, trying not to blush.

  Their waiter arrived before she could say any more. Dale couldn’t help himself—he gawked. The man was exquisite, with long dark hair pulled back much like the clumsy pirate’s, olive skin, and piercing blue eyes. Dale wondered if the man’s skill at balancing plates might translate to something else in the bedroom. The waiter’s blue eyes twinkled in the flickering light of the candles that decorated the tables.

  “Can I get you anything else, señor?” the waiter asked, jolting Dale out of his stare.

  He glanced at Cat, who shook her head. “No, I think that will be all for now,” he replied.

  The waiter nodded and hustled off.

  “So that’s how it is?” Catherine purred as she stabbed her fork into her enchilada.

  “How what is?” Dale asked, not sure what she was talking about.

  “I saw how you looked at him. I’ve never seen you look that closely at me or any of the ladies at the fair.”

  Dale froze with his fork just into the red sauce covering his meal. He hadn’t realized he’d been that obvious. “What do you mean?”

  “Oh Dale, sweetie, it’s okay. I don’t care.” She paused. “Well all right, I admit I thought it would be nice to have those big strong arms of yours wrapped around me in a night of naked passion with my thighs covering your waist while you thrust into me.”

  Dale’s face went numb as his eyes grew wide.

  Catherine laughed. “There’s no need for the look of horror either. I won’t attack you on the way to the party or take advantage of you if you get drunk. I understand. Some of my best friends are gay.” She looked thoughtful for a moment. “I think I may need to consult with them about you. I used to think I had really good gaydar, but you didn’t ping until you cruised that waiter. I have to agree, he is hot.” She glanced over her shoulder to watch him for a moment as he worked a table across the small room.

  “I’m glad this isn’t a problem,” Dale said as he finished pushing his fork into his food. “I wasn’t sure how it would go over here in Colorado.”

  “Depends on who you tell,” Cat said after chewing a bite. “For the most part, we are actually in the modern world here in the mountainous west, but there are a few that wear their crosses proudly still clinging to old-fashioned ideas.”

  “So you think I should keep quiet?”

  “Until you’re sure about the people you’re talking to. There are a few, like Chipmunk, who are fine. I actually overheard him telling some little shop girl one time that the only reason he was straight was he likes tits. If I had been in the conversation, I may have asked him about dick, but I was on my way somewhere at the time. Most of the folks who will be at the party tonight should be fine with it. It’s the ones that are antisocial you have to be careful with.”

  Dale thought for a moment about what she’d said, trying to remember some of the people she’d mentioned were antisocial earlier.

  “So will you still escort me around the fair?” Catherine asked. “This year, you are the most attractive man in court. I must be seen with the best.”

  A chuckle escaped Dale’s lips, almost causing him to choke on his bite of beef enchilada. “If it pleases my lady, I would be happy to escort you about. We can do a bit of man watching, perhaps?”

  She laughed as she finished her dinner. “Oh, that is my absolutely favorite pastime. It’s been what, four… five days? And you already know me so well.” She reached across the table and patted his hand. “Don’t worry, Dale, I’ll keep your little secret safe from the fundies and we’ll have so much fun.”

  Chapter 10

  “Jas, I’m just not sure I’m in the right mood for this,” Austin objected as he steered his Jeep onto the fairgrounds.

  “Look, neither one of us has to work in the morning. Even though you wanted to get rid of the big lout, you’ve been moping around my place for three days now. Honey, you need a party. Besides, I told Chipmunk we’d be there when he invited me Sunday. You don’t want him to go around fair telling people we don’t show up when I say we are, do you?”

  Austin sighed as he parked the Jeep next to a big black Nissan truck. He’d heard about what happened to folks who disappointed the biggest gossip in the shire.

  “Heavens forbid we don’t show,” he said.

  “So come on,” Jasmine said as she swung out of the Jeep. “We need some action around here. You’re driving, so no drinking. But I can get plastered! I wonder if that cute guy from the drum tribe will be there. I haven’t had a chance to flirt with him yet this year.” She bounced as she set out up the hill. Austin had no choice but to follow her.

  The fairgrounds always felt empty when there weren’t any patrons around, but on a weeknight, when a good part of the staff was missing, it could take on a haunted-forest atmosphere. Going past the deserted maze without the guys calling out insults to the patrons as they walked by was eerie. The first two stages they passed sat there in the growing shadows, waiting for performers and audience to come along and bring them back to life. Austin tried to remember the last time he’d been here after dark. It had been several years, and the place still creeped him out.

  Halfway through the fair, they caught the sounds of music and laughter. Ahead of them, just past the pirate shop, waited the pirate’s bar. A good number of people filled the area around the stage, joining in the bawdy pirate songs the Dark Fairies were belting out a cappella from the stage.

  “Chipmunk didn’t say they were coming!” Jasmine screamed. “Have you heard these guys yet? They are awesome!”

  Austin shook his head. “Nope, didn’t come through this way with the pretzels when they were on stage this weekend.”

  “Then go listen to them. I promised Big Bertha I’d help with the bar tonight.”

  “Wait a minute,” he objected. “You didn’t tell me that.”

  “Must have slipped my mind,” she said with a wink that told him she’d been plotting something. “Now go mingle. I’ll get out when I can.”

  Austin glared at her as she retreated to the bar. He’d been hoping they could just sit together, say hey to old friends, and go home after a little bit, but if she was working the bar, they’d be at the party until the end. Trying not to feel worse than he already did, he wandered over to the wooden benches that lined the front of the stage.

  Monday, he’d remembered why he put up with Rick: he hated being alone. Even staying with Jasmine, he was acutely aware he was alone in the world again. Even at twenty-eight, he had an ingrained fear he was going to die alone. He tended to find guys like Rick and latch on to them for a year or more, putting up with their insanities. Most of the time, they got tired of him being clingy, or that’s what Jasmine told him, and left. Rick was the first one he’d broken up with. He’d actually felt good about that, but he was alone again.

  “Hey, Austin,” Chipmunk said, sliding into the empty space beside him. “Glad you could make it. I take it Jasmine’s here.”

  “Yeah, she’s helping out at the bar right now,” he replied.

  Chipmunk tilted his head and looked concerned. “You sound and look glum, chum. Folks aren’t supposed to be glum at my parties.”

  “Broke up with my boyfriend Sunday after I got home,” he confessed, more in hopes that Chipmunk might offer some sympathy and then wander away to leave him listening to music.

  “Man, that sucks. You need a drink.” “Can’t, I’m driving,” Austin declined.

  “Did you two leave your tent set up in the campground?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “Do either one of you have to work tomorrow?”

  “No.”

  “Then I’m getting you a drink. You can crash in your tent, or someone else’s if you get lucky. Don’t argue with me.” Chipmunk dashed off to the bar. He had a few words with Jasmine, whose face lit up about something before she began pouring a drink she handed to Chipmunk.

  “You really didn’t have to,” Austin sai
d as Chipmunk gave him the drink. Several distinct colors shone through the clear plastic cup. “Do I want to know what’s in this?”

  Chipmunk shook his head. “Probably not. They’re calling it a pirate’s booty, so I know there’s rum in it, but beyond that, I didn’t ask. Jasmine did tell me to watch out, a couple of these should put you into slut mode.”

  Austin glared at the bar where Jas was pouring something for Lady Catherine and Dale O’Toole. His heart sank when he saw Dale there, but why shouldn’t he show up at a party for the whole cast and crew? Austin downed the drink in two big gulps. It burned. Maybe after a few more, he’d have the courage to approach Dale and make a formal apology. Did he have any hope of that apology being accepted?

  “Thanks, Chipmunk,” Austin said, watching Dale and Catherine more than looking at his friend. Without his armor, Dale’s broad shoulders strained the fabric of the tight black shirt he wore. The first couple of buttons on the shirt were open, showing a dark forest of hair against his tanned chest.

  “Hey, no problem. If you need anything, you let me know. I need to mingle a bit. I am hosting this thing, after all. Plus, it will help me catch up on what everyone has done over the year.” Chipmunk hurried off toward Catherine and Dale. Austin wondered for a moment if he shouldn’t follow, get an introduction, and use that as an opening to make his apology. He opted instead to walk over to the bar and get more alcohol.

  “You okay with us camping out tonight?” he asked Jasmine while she fixed him another drink.

  “I’m just disappointed I didn’t think of it,” she replied. “We can leave as soon as we get up, go home, get a shower and breakfast. It will help break the week up even better than going home tonight. Let your hair down a bit and relax.” She handed him his drink, grabbed his ears, and pulled him down toward her. Then she snapped the worn hair tie he’d used to pull back his hair. “There, your hair’s down, go have fun.”

  He laughed; the first drink was starting to hit him already. “What’s in these things?” he asked, sipping the new drink.

  She smiled and shook her finger at him. “Other than rum, I’m not telling. But they pack a really good wallop.”

  “Did you happen to give Dale one?”

  “Dale?”

  He glared at her.

  “Oh, Dale, the new jouster,” she said. “Yeah, he got one. Said he wanted to try a bit of local flavor.”

  “I’d like to give him a taste of the locals,” Austin said, turning to watch Dale and Catherine talk with Chipmunk and someone he thought might be one of the other court ladies.

  “If you’re still thinking about going over to apologize for being a klutz, wait until he’s had two or three drinks. He’ll agree to just about anything… trust me.” Jasmine grinned maliciously.

  “Thanks,” he said as he turned and walked back over to his seat on the bench.

  Austin watched and waited, feeling a bit like a stalker even though he made sure to talk to as many of his old friends as possible. He caught up on news, who was sleeping with who now, who wasn’t at fair this year, who’d gotten married, who’d gotten divorced, all the prerequisite knowledge. All the while, he made sure he knew where Dale was and how many drinks the man had in him. At one point, right after his third trip to the bar, Catherine had to make a polite bow out, and Austin saw his chance.

  With the dregs of his second drink still in his hand, he walked up to where Dale stood listening to the band sing an old sailing song.

  “Hi, you’re the new jouster, Diederik, right?” he asked, looking into the ruggedly attractive face.

  Dale’s hazel eyes caught the light just right so they sparkled a dark forest green for a moment as he focused on Austin. Austin’s heart stopped for a second as he looked at him. He’d never seen such a handsome man before. Dale from a distance paled to him close up. The perfectly trimmed beard accented his strong jawline just right, and the short black hair looked like it was waiting for someone to run their fingers through it.

  “Call me Dale,” he replied, extending a large hand.

  Austin gulped as he shifted his plastic cup so he could accept the hand. A little jolt ran through him as they touched. Fine dark hairs on the back of Dale’s hand tickled his fingers as they shook.

  “I’m Austin.” He didn’t want to release the handshake, but holding on to it would make him look like a freak.

  “Pleased to meet you, Austin. Are you local or a gypsy?”

  “Local, but I’ve been working the fair for several years now.”

  “Where do you work?”

  Austin gulped. “Mostly at the pirate souvenir shop, but I fill in at the bakery too.” He didn’t want to have to apologize. The man’s deep voice and sexiness were consuming him. If he apologized and it didn’t go right, Dale might just stomp off. But if he didn’t and Catherine came back, he might lose his chance.

  “You know the pirate thing is a new craze at the fairs. There are actually a few that haven’t caught it yet,” Dale said, his eyes never leaving Austin’s. Somewhere inside him, Austin felt a connection start to form, but he told himself he was crazy. He might be clingy, but he couldn’t form an attachment with someone this quickly. That sounded too much like love at first sight. He wasn’t naïve enough to believe in fairy tales, even at the Renaissance fair.

  “Yeah, about the time the pirate movies really took off,” Austin agreed. “My friend Jasmine knows the man who owns the shop here, and when he opened it, she offered us to help him run it. It’s been really fun. The extra cash doesn’t hurt either.” Dale nodded.

  “So, Dale, I wanted to apologize.” Austin tried to keep his voice steady as he stared into the amazing face.

  “Apologize? For what?” Dale looked confused and had a little bit of an alcohol haze about him.

  “I’m the guy who tripped and fell Saturday in the parade and hityour-horse-with-the-pretzel-pole.” There, it was out. Austin wished he had more in his cup. His throat went dry as he watched different emotions play across Dale’s face. Before Dale could say anything, Austin continued. “I’m really sorry about that and would do anything to make it up to you.”

  A new look crossed his face; Austin couldn’t tell what it meant. Then Catherine returned and claimed Dale’s arm.

  “Hello, I’m Catherine.” She reached out her hand to him. “You’re one of Phillip’s folks, aren’t you? Working in the pirate shop.”

  “Austin,” he replied, delicately taking her hand. It was fragile where Dale’s had been strong. “Yeah, I work in the pirate shop.”

  “Austin was just apologizing for falling in the parade Saturday,” Dale said before Catherine could say anything. There was an odd, almost predatory tone in his voice now. Austin wondered how much of it was the drinks. “He was saying how he would do anything to make it up to me. I wonder what I should ask of him?”

  The lady laughed. “My dear Dale, you sound as if you may have had a bit too much to drink. These pirate’s booties are a bit stronger than I’m normally accustomed to drinking. You have had more than I, or perhaps they are taking their toll on you as well.”

  Austin was amazed that she was nearly in character, out of costume in the middle of the week. He could pop into character at the drop of a hat but didn’t sound like that all the time.

  Dale’s gaze came back to Austin. “You know, a bit of pirate booty might not be a bad thing.” The predatory edge was still in his voice, and now in his eyes as well. Austin’s pulse quickened; he knew now that Dale was interested in him, if for nothing more than a single drunken roll.

  Dale took a step and wobbled. Austin knew he’d had four of the booties. The two he’d had made him a bit buzzed, but Dale was bulkier, so maybe it just took longer for them to really hit him.

  “Austin, why don’t we get Dale to his bed?” Catherine asked as she reached to steady him. “If you wouldn’t mind helping me, I’d appreciate it. The hill can be steep and rough in the dark.” Something in her tone told him she knew Dale might be interested in
him.

  “Give me a moment to let my friend know where I’m going.” He dashed off toward the bar before she could reply.

  “Hey, Jas,” he called when he was close enough to get her attention.

  “You ready for another one?” she asked as one of the guys who made moccasins wandered off with a cup in each hand.

  “Nope, I’m good,” he replied. “I’m going to help get Dale to his bed.” He grinned like a fool and didn’t care.

  She looked sternly at him. “So if I can’t find you by morning, I’ll check the jousters’ area?”

  Austin laughed as he turned back to where Dale was wobbling more in Catherine’s grasp. “Yup.”

  The trip down the hill was harder than Austin could’ve imagined. The only thing worse would have been if the sun had been blazing down on them, but a half-moon tried to light their way. None of them had a flashlight to help them avoid ruts and tree roots that troubled the lane.

  Several times, Dale stumbled badly enough that only Austin and Catherine’s combined efforts kept him from doing a face-plant.

  “The things I do for my friends,” Catherine muttered as they reached semi-level ground and swung around the main festival office, toward the campground.

  “You’re a good friend, Cat,” Dale slurred.

  She laughed. “And you’re a lousy drunk, my lord jouster.” She looked around him to Austin. “Thanks for helping. Those drinks really packed a punch. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear someone slipped him something. The two I had aren’t hitting me like this.”

  “I had two too,” he replied. He wondered if maybe Jasmine hadn’t tweaked Dale’s drinks a bit. “Maybe he’s not used to the altitude yet and the drinks are hitting him harder.”

  “Nah, I just had four,” Dale said groggily. “Just four… but they were good. I’m good. I like it up here.”

  “Maybe I should have stopped you at three,” Cat said as they stumbled into the campground.

  “Where’s his tent?” Austin asked as they were faced with a couple of different paths. Though the strong arm across his shoulder was somewhat exciting, he didn’t want to spend all night dragging Dale around looking for a tent.