His helmet had taken a beating and the shield didn't look any better. He had time to take both to the blacksmith before Lady Blandina and her sons came back. The sword hadn't been used yet, but it still needed sharpening, so he might as well bring that too.
He'd need the sword tomorrow. He was very happy for the outcome of the tournament so far. Pity he couldn't stay for the celebrations...
***
Kurtis cursed under his breath as the Nameless Knight vanished again. They were even. They had both won the day. They should both be honored. Why was the mysterious warrior so shy? Why did he guard his identity so closely?
Kurtis could only say the Nameless Knight had blue eyes. And he was strong and an excellent rider.
"I look forward to tomorrow," he said during the banquet. "I wonder what other skills he has."
"I wonder why we never heard of such a strong knight," King Konan commented, skeptical. "Where was he hiding?"
"Maybe he is one of your retired men who wants to come back," Ewan suggested. "And he doesn't want to be recognized."
"My best man is unfortunately dead," the king grumbled. He frowned every time he thought about Lord Alan, who had been his captain for so long that even his sons had met him. "Anyhow, I think we already have a winner for tomorrow. Any other knight who looks promising to you?"
"A couple." Kurtis shrugged.
"Where were you last night?" Ewan asked with an impish smile. "The sentinels reported you left after sunset and came back about one hour later..."
"Why does it bother you?" Kurtis smiled. "I'm not getting married and I'm not going to claim the throne."
"But you're going to claim someone after the tournament," King Konan said. "Am I right?"
"Yes, Father. I think he's a servant, and I haven't figured out what he does exactly, but I will."
"Your personal servant doesn't need any specific skill." The king shrugged. "If you're not happy with the one you have..."
"He's old, Father. I'd rather have a younger man, if you don't mind. I think it's time Envel retired."
"I wonder why you'd want a younger man," Ewan said. "Envel is very efficient..."
"But I'm not attracted to him." Kurtis decided that if his brother wanted to keep playing dumb, he was going to be more direct. "I like men, Ewan, that's why I'm not getting married."
"Oh." Ewan blushed. "Sorry," he muttered, lowering his eyes.
Kurtis sighed. But if his brother had been genuinely oblivious, his father didn't look surprised. King Konan shook his head with a smile.
"You're twenty-nine, Kurtis, do what you want," the king said.
"Thank you, Father."
Again, he left the castle at sunset, but Rohan wasn't at the pond.
Did I scare him off? Is he avoiding me? he wondered, disappointed.
Tomorrow was the last day of the tournament. If the Nameless Knight proved to be ugly or old, he'd go to the mansion where Rohan served and take him away.
But why wait until tomorrow when one could do things now?
***
Rohan wasn't asleep when he heard his name called in a low voice. The single small window of the attic was open, since the summer nights were warm enough to leave it that way, and the sudden, discreet call had made the night owls shut up.
He jumped out of bed and went to glance out of the window. Holding a lamp but mostly bathed in moonlight, Kurtis was looking up at all the windows of the manor, obviously looking for him. The prince was on horseback and he uttered another hushed, "Rohan!"
Rohan cursed under his breath. "Quiet!" he whispered back, leaning outside of the window.
"Come down," Kurtis replied softly. "Or I will raise my voice!"
Rohan signaled him to wait and retreated. He snorted and tugged at his hair. He was wearing a nightgown, but didn't want his stepmother to see the visitor. He pulled on a pair of breeches and quickly went downstairs, barefoot.
He slowly opened the front door, trying to avoid creaks and other revealing noises. Kurtis had dismounted and was waiting just outside.
"What are you doing here?" Rohan protested in a low voice, closing the door behind him and leaning on it.
"You weren't at the pond, so I thought I'd come here. Everybody seems asleep, so why don't you come with me? I promise to take you back before dawn, so they won't notice your absence."
"What? Why? Where would you take me?"
"To the pond, or if you know of a nice, hidden clearing where we could spend some time together..."
Rohan gaped. Kurtis seemed to tower over him, and the light of the lamp flickered on his face. What did the prince really want? Why was he sneaking out of the castle to come and see him?
His heart thundered in his chest as Kurtis's hand brushed his cheek.
"Come on, Rohan, I won't hurt you," the prince promised in a whisper.
"I... I can't." Rohan snapped out of whatever spell Kurtis's eyes were weaving upon him. "Please, Your Highness, go back to the castle now."
Kurtis stepped back, a little surprised.
"You know who I am?"
"Yes, and you shouldn't be here."
"Why not? I do as I please. I want you to come into my service, and I will speak to your masters as soon as the tournament is over."
"Oh." Rohan was breathless again.
He wasn't technically a servant. But he did depend on his stepmother, since he hadn't been knighted and hadn't inherited his father's title – not officially, at least.
He gulped as he straightened and took a step forward.
"You should forget me, Your Highness."
"I could never forget you, or your secret pond."
"The pond belongs to the king, and therefore to you. I will not go there anymore."
"But I want you to go there!" Kurtis stepped forward again, putting his free arm around Rohan's shoulders. "I want to meet you there every night if you don't want to come to the castle with me!"
Again Rohan flattened himself against the door to escape the prince's embrace.
"Please, Your Highness, leave me alone," he pleaded. Then he opened the door, slid inside and locked the door.
"Rohan!" Again that hushed call.
Rohan put his ear to the door and didn't move. He heard a sigh, then the horse snorted and moved away from the manor. Just to be certain, Rohan went to the window, but the courtyard was empty and dark.
Rohan exhaled. He couldn't deny he was attracted to Prince Kurtis, but he couldn't give in to his feelings, could he? What would King Konan think? Or his late father? He slowly went back to the attic, feeling the cold of the stone floor and stairs under his feet seep into his heart.
On the first floor landing, he found William waiting for him.
"When did you meet Prince Kurtis?" The question was a threatening whisper. A moon-ray coming from the corridor's window showed William's frown.
"Ah... he went through the forest on his way to Ker Noran," Rohan answered hesitantly. "I was picking berries when he startled me..."
"And he took a fancy to you?" William sounded skeptical.
Rohan shrugged. "I'm not leaving my father's house until I'm knighted," he said.
"Then you'll die here, Rohan." William scoffed. "Mother will never let you be knighted."
"I had guessed that much," Rohan retorted. "Good night, William."
He went back to the attic and slumped into bed, wondering what he should do now. Maybe he really shouldn't go to the last day of the tournament. But then, William was right. If he didn't earn himself a knighthood, he'd die in that manor, forgotten and unsung.
4.
The last day of the tournament meant the joust would continue with swords until one of the knights yielded or was defeated. One run against each other and then swords would be drawn to show off the swordsmanship.
Rohan managed to unsaddle a couple of opponents and kept the advantage of the saddle height to defeat them. William for some reason didn't participate and hid in the crowd, while Tristan was defeated by Prince Ku
rtis.
Again the Nameless Knight and the prince were the last two men standing. If it was because nobody wanted to hurt Prince Kurtis or because the prince was actually better was anyone's guess. Rohan's admiration for the prince's skills kept growing with every match and round of the tournament.
He lowered his lance and aimed at the prince's armored chest. Again the blow was so strong, he was unsaddled, but he quickly got back on his feet. Prince Kurtis jumped off the saddle and unsheathed his sword. The duel would continue on foot, then.
This was actually Rohan's first real duel. He channeled his father as best as he could and managed to give such a blow with the flat of his blade that the prince's helmet flew off. Both were breathless and stared at each other for a moment.
"I yield," Prince Kurtis said, offering his hand with a grin.
Rohan exhaled and squeezed the extended hand. Kurtis's firm grip held his fingers.
"Will you take off your helmet, now, sir knight?" the prince asked, dropping his sword.
"No, Your Highness," he answered, struggling to free his hand.
In spite of the limited view behind his visor, he saw the prince's hand reach for his head, so he raised his sword to block the attempt.
"Let go, Your Highness," he whispered threateningly.
Kurtis pulled back, raising both hands in surrender.
Rohan backed away, his sword still in front of him, then rushed to his horse. He sheathed his sword and climbed into the saddle, spurring the horse.
Only when he was in the stables did he remember he'd forgotten the shield on the tournament field. He groaned, but it was too late.
***
Kurtis cursed out loud when the Nameless Knight retreated from the battlefield without showing his face. His squire tapped on his shoulder as he was still muttering under his breath, unhappy with the outcome of the tournament.
"Your Highness, the Nameless Knight has forgotten his shield." The young man shyly offered the kite-shaped shield with leather strips covering the coat-of-arms.
"Take it to my room," Kurtis ordered. "I will check it later."
Now it was time to celebrate the end of the tournament, even though the champion was gone, and choose the knights for his retinue. As he headed for his room to bathe before the banquet, he met a blond knight who seemed to be waiting for him in the corridors of the upper floor of the castle.
"Your Highness." The knight bowed respectfully. "Have you, by any chance, found my shield?"
"Are you the Nameless Knight?" Kurtis asked, a little wary. Of course he'd have had the time to take off his chainmail, but the knight looked a little too fresh for being just back from a tournament.
"Yes, Your Highness." The blond young man bowed his head in false modesty. "I saw your squire retrieve my shield. I would like to have it back."
Kurtis let him into his bed chamber. The shield was against the wall near the door. Kurtis took it and ripped off the leather strips.
"This is Lord Alan's shield," he said, studying the coat-of-arms. He heard the blond young man hold his breath.
"Yes, he is my stepfather. I am Sir William de Roland. My mother, Lady Blandina, married Lord Alan."
"I see. Well, this is yours, then." Kurtis gave him the shield. "Well done. If you'll excuse me, now, I need to get ready for the banquet."
William bowed. "If there's anything I can do for you..."
Kurtis shooed him away. Was the young knight flirting with him? William had blue eyes all right, but Kurtis wasn't convinced he was the Nameless Knight. He remembered the names of the competing knights and Sir William had participated in the first two days of the tournament, along with the champion.
Kurtis took off his armor and clothes. The bath-tub looked less inviting than a pond in the forest, but he'd have to make do until it was all over and he could claim Rohan for his bed. As for the Nameless Knight, he was probably better off without him.
***
"I know what you've been up to." William crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Rohan with a smirk.
Rohan, who was tending the horses and hadn't looked up when his stepbrother had entered the stables, had to stop and look at William.
"Do you want me to unsaddle your horse and take care of it after today's exertions?" he asked, puzzled.
"You know perfectly well I didn't participate in the tournament today. You were there. In spite of having been forbidden. Where did you find this?"
William went around his horse and took something from the saddle. Lord Alan's shield, stripped of the leather strips.
"Does Prince Kurtis know who you are? Apparently not, since I managed to convince him I was the Nameless Knight..."
"You didn't!" Rohan threw away the horses' brushes and marched on his stepbrother. "That's mine, you have no rights to it!"
"Nobody knighted you, Rohan. You have no rights either," William teased, hiding the shield behind his back. "Now you better keep your mouth shut if you don't want me to expose you. Nobody wants to hear that a non-knight won the tournament!"
Rohan clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. William was right.
"Now tell me where I find the rest of the Nameless Knight's equipment, so I can receive all the prizes." William lifted his chin in challenge.
"I buried it with my father," Rohan replied through clenched teeth. "Since I can't be a knight, nobody will use his weapons to be one."
William scoffed and threw the shield at his feet.
"So, what's next, Rohan? Will you join Prince Kurtis in his bedroom? I heard he's a very good lover, especially for someone like you who never had that many occasions to play with sex..."
Rohan slapped him. "What is your intent, William? Besides shaming me in my own house, I mean. Didn't you have enough? What else do you want from me?"
"Nothing." William spat. "Just stay in your place, Cinder Boy. And take care of my horse."
William stormed out of the stables.
Rohan wanted to scream, but held it inside. He picked up the shield and hid it inside a manger in an empty stall. He unsaddled William's horse and finished his chores as stable-boy before heading back to the house.
William, Tristan and Lady Blandina were in the main hall, discussing the tournament. He didn't stop to listen and went upstairs. He pushed the wobbly bed-table in front of the old wardrobe again, making sure everything looked untouched in case they decided to check his room.
He lay on the bed, staring at the square hole of the window and wondering if William would give him away or not.
***
"So the Nameless Knight had Alan's shield?" King Konan asked, caressing his chin. He was alone with Kurtis in his chambers and had listened to his son's words carefully.
"But Sir William wouldn't use Alan's shield, would he?" Kurtis asked, worried. There was something wrong in William's claim.
"Well, Roland had two sons, so if his weapons went to the elder – Tristan, if I remember correctly – it makes sense that William would get Alan's equipment..." The king pondered again. "It did look like Alan's sword and armor, now that I think about it!"
"But didn't Alan have a son himself? Or did you keep him so busy that he didn't marry until Lady Blandina came along?"
"Oh, yes, he was married." King Konan smiled. "Lady Mathilde was the most beautiful maiden of her times. And she was madly in love with him. So I had to watch my best friend marry her and wish them happiness. They had a son, now that I think about it."
"So wouldn't Alan's son be entitled to his weapons? Who knighted him?"
"Nobody, as far as I know. I thought Lady Blandina would complete his knightly education along with her sons, but now that you're bringing this to my attention, only William and Tristan were knighted. I wonder what happened to Alan's son..."
"Maybe he didn't survive infancy?" Kurtis wondered. "What was his name anyway?"
"Rohan..."
Kurtis's heart jumped in his throat. "Rohan?" he asked with a shaky voice. "Rohan is Alan's son?"
; "Alan's son was called Rohan, yes, why?" His father stared puzzled at him.
Kurtis cursed under his breath. He knew the manor where Rohan lived was Lord Alan's. The hidden warm pond was right behind the manor. And he'd thought for four days that Rohan was just a servant in the house...
"I think the Nameless Knight is Rohan de Alan, Father," he said, determined. "We should knight him and honor him as he deserves."
***
"You are not inheriting any of your father's things!" Lady Blandina screamed, outraged. "How could you hide your father's equipment from your brothers?"
"You never completed my knightly education," Rohan replied venomously. "Those things belong to me. I just proved to you all that I'm as good a knight as them, you can't stop me from claiming my rightful inheritance! I'm twenty-two and I will be the master of my own house!"
"Ha! And who's going to support your claim? You're the Cinder Boy, not a knight!"
"But he caught the eye of Prince Kurtis," William said. "Although he should probably be willing to give his highness his ass to get any favor..."
Rohan glared at him, but William simply scoffed.
"Rohan is not setting foot in the castle," Lady Blandina said. "Therefore he won't be able to petition the king, the prince or whoever else he's thinking to turn to!"
"Too late, Mother, I told you Prince Kurtis already noticed him," William insisted. "Were you all so soundly asleep last night?"
"I thought I heard whispers, but since you weren't in bed, I thought it was you," Tristan said.
"No, it was Prince Kurtis trying to lure Rohan into the woods."
The sound of horses and a carriage interrupted the discussion. Tristan was closer to the window opening onto the courtyard. He looked outside and gasped.
"It's the king!"
Lady Blandina pushed Rohan out of the main hall and into the kitchen as she told her sons to prepare for the royal visit. Rohan smiled ruefully and went to sit next to the cook, who patted his shoulder, hugging him like when he was a child.
"Everything will be all right, Rohan," she said.
Fairy Tales Revisited on Silvery Earth Page 11