by Chuck Black
Once in Thecia, Gavinaugh, Weston, Sandon, and Keanna took lodging at an inn not far from the colossal amphitheater that was the centerpiece of the city. Thecia was the largest city they had yet visited, and it was nothing short of marvelous. The architecture of the buildings was spectacular, for the Thecians took great pride in their city. Here the pursuit and preservation of nobility had attained new heights. The social strata of the people were well defined, and they functioned within their estate based almost exclusively on their birth status—nobility, mercantile, or peasant—with no hope of rising beyond the freedoms and rights granted therein.
Since the nobility were at the crest of the social pyramid, all activities were either directly or indirectly performed to serve them. Within the nobility were levels of prestige and power that a knight could actually rise to, given that he possessed excellent skill with the sword and some good fortune. There were various methods by which an aspiring knight could accomplish this. Gallantry and courage on the battlefield were preferred, but battles were not as frequent as nobility required. The natural solution was to provide competitive events among the knights that afforded such opportunities.
Over many years, the prestigious Thecian tournaments evolved into the grand spectacle of the present and provided opportunity for knightly progression within the nobility estate. Many tournaments were held throughout the year in the massive stone amphitheater located at the city’s center. People often traveled many days to participate in or observe the games. There were gladiator-style preliminary events where slaves from different regions were forced to battle one another, but the climactic events were the duels between knights of honor.
Gavinaugh and his companions quartered their horses in nearby stables and walked toward the amphitheater where large white columns encircled the outer walls. What was perhaps more impressive was the Court of the Lords near the entrance of the amphitheater. The four were drawn to thirty-two statues arranged in a circle about an elegant pool and fountain that were ornamented with intricate carvings. Each statue stood three times as tall as a man and bore a name in the marble pedestal beneath it. The statues were regal in form, each depicting a powerful man of obvious knighthood. There were also bronze placards affixed beneath the marble carving of each statue with the names of knights and ladies beautifully engraved upon them.
Weston and Sandon were each drawn to various statues, as were Gavinaugh and Keanna. Gavinaugh read each name as he passed: Lord Culverton, Lord Willoughby, Lord Barrington … He stopped at one that caught his attention. It read The Unknown Lord. The other statues showed the noble face of each man, but this one’s face was covered with a helmet. Gavinaugh also noticed that a brightly colored ribbon with intricate markings was tied about the right foot of each of the other statues, but there was none on this one, and no names of knights or ladies were engraved in its bronze placard.
“This one is different,” Keanna said, breaking Gavinaugh’s concentration.
“Yes, I wonder why.”
“Because no one knows his name,” said a young voice behind them.
Gavinaugh and Keanna turned around to see a boy standing near them.
“Who are the other statues of, lad?” Gavinaugh asked.
“Those are the greatest lords that have ever lived in all the kingdom. We honor them with these statues and with the tournaments,” the boy replied. “I’m Julian,” he said with a broad smile. He looked to be about twelve years old. He set a bundle he was carrying on the ground and put his hand out.
Gavinaugh shook the boy’s hand. “I am pleased to meet you, Julian. This is Keanna, and my name is Gavinaugh.”
“You’re obviously a knight … Are you here to fight in the tournament?” the boy asked.
“No, that is not my intention. Tell me, Julian, why don’t they know his name?” Gavinaugh said and motioned to the statue they were standing beneath.
“There is a legend that tells of a great knight who battled a fierce dragon to save a young maiden from being devoured. The dragon was so powerful that all who encountered it were destroyed. But this knight wounded the dragon and freed the young maiden from its lair. He then disappeared without anyone knowing his name. The noblemen of Thecia were fearful to not have a statue in his honor, for it is believed that he will someday return to kill the dragon that still hunts humans by night.”
Gavinaugh marveled at the legend and was inspired by the boy’s words.
“And what of the ribbons about the ankles of the statues?”
“Oh … those are the ribbons of the mighty knights fighting in the Tournament of Lords tomorrow. This tournament is the grandest of them all and is held only once a year. Each knight chooses one of these great lords to honor at the games as well as a lady from the women of nobility who will be watching. The names of the winning knight and the lady of the tournament are engraved in the bronze placard beneath the lord that is being honored. The highest-ranking knights get to choose first. Lord Culverton is always the first to be selected since he brings the best fortune to the knight who fights for him. Lord Rowland is also a favorite.”
Gavinaugh looked around the circle of statues, and his eyes fell once again on the Unknown Lord.
“There isn’t a ribbon here. Aren’t there enough knights to fight in the tournament?” Gavinaugh asked.
The boy began to laugh. “Hundreds of knights come hoping to fight in the tournament, but none are foolish enough to fight for the Unknown Lord.”
“Why not?”
“Because every knight who has ever fought for the Unknown Lord has been defeated in the first round of the tournament,” the boy said. “It is believed that there is a curse—if a knight fights for the Unknown Lord and is unworthy, he will be defeated.”
Gavinaugh realized that he had the perfect opportunity to gain the attention of the whole city in a day. He looked at Keanna. “May I have the ribbon from your hair?” he asked. She hesitated but yielded the white ribbon to him.
Gavinaugh went to the foot of the statue and tied the ribbon about its ankle.
Julian looked shocked. “But, sir …”
“Julian, how do I let the tournament officials know that I wish to participate?”
“Believe me, Sir Gavinaugh, they already know,” the lad replied. “I just hope you don’t get killed.”
“Killed?” Keanna asked.
“Yes, miss. The knights who fight are often killed, especially if they are unknown in Thecia. At the very least, the losing knight is seriously wounded. Every knight who has ever dared fight for the Unknown Lord has been killed. The last round of the tournament is always to the death. The victor must kill his opponent if he is to be the champion of the tournament. Those are the rules. Thirty-two lords, sixteen contests … so sixteen men will probably die tomorrow, but they will be honored in the Great Hall of Knights. Their names will be carved into the stone wall of the amphitheater to show that they died with honor in the tournaments.”
Keanna looked at Gavinaugh and then went to the statue. She reached for the ribbon.
“Miss Keanna, no one is allowed to touch the ribbons once fastened!” Julian sidestepped in her direction. “You will be killed, and the death will be dishonorable.”
Keanna stopped, and Gavinaugh gently pulled her hand away from the ribbon.
“It will be all right,” he said. He was saddened by the concern on her face, yet he was touched that she cared.
A man dressed in official clothing approached with a quill and parchment. “Your name, sir?”
“I am Sir Gavinaugh of Chessington.”
“Chessington? We have not had a knight from Chessington for many years.” The man looked at the statue of the Unknown Lord and then back at Gavinaugh. “And I suppose we will not have another for many more,” he said as he wrote Gavinaugh’s name on the parchment.
“Normally the selection process for admittance into the tournament is stringent, and an unknown knight such as yourself must be recommended by one of the Thecian families of
nobility. However, since we have not had a knight fight for the Unknown Lord in many years, I am permitted to make an exception in this case. The entrance fee of twenty florins will still be required prior to the tournament tomorrow.”
The man raised his chin slightly as if to evaluate Gavinaugh’s ability.
“I am certain you will not make it so far as to suffer the humiliation of facing the sword of Sir Bavol,” he said, producing a quick, condescending smile. “The first round begins at noon tomorrow. Since you have never participated before, you will want to discuss your obligations with an official prior to the parade at the north gate. A bit of advice … make sure your affairs are in order.”
The man turned briskly and left.
“I am sorry, Sir Gavinaugh … I tried to warn you. If you are defeated, you will probably be …” The boy glanced toward Keanna and then lowered his head.
Gavinaugh placed a hand on the lad’s shoulder. “Do not fret, lad. The Prince will be with me, and I shall just have to be at my best.”
The boy tried to smile but looked sad.
“Who is Sir Bavol?” Gavinaugh asked.
“He has won the last four tournaments. He is a powerful knight. If he wins his fifth tournament, he will be granted the title of lord and receive great honor and wealth. Only one other knight has ever won such an honor, and that was many years ago.”
Gavinaugh considered the boy’s words as he pondered the highly defined social system within which these people lived. He wondered if they would ever be able to accept the radical new ways of the Prince, for in the King’s eyes there was no peasant, merchant, or lord, just people who needed a Deliverer.
“I am late on my errand, sir. Please excuse me. May the lords of Thecia protect you!” He turned toward Keanna and bowed slightly. “Miss,” he said and lifted his bundle. He continued on his errand just as Weston and Sandon rejoined Gavinaugh and Keanna.
Keanna turned away and walked to the fountain.
“What was that all about?” Weston asked.
The following morning, there was much pomp and ceremony throughout Thecia. The entire city was caught up in the festivities, from the lords and ladies to the merchants and peasants. The amphitheater would host all of the various tournaments, concluding each day with a round of the Tournament of Lords. It was the climactic event that everyone desired to see.
Gavinaugh went to the north gate early in the morning to see one of the tournament officials. Upon his return, the young lad accompanied him. Weston, Sandon, and Keanna were seated about a table at the inn eating breakfast.
“Julian, this is Sir Weston of Cresthaven and Sir Sandon of Penwell,” Gavinaugh said.
The boy bowed.
“And I believe you remember Miss Keanna.”
“It is good to see you again, miss.”
“Hi, Julian,” Keanna said. “How did you happen to find us?”
“I knew Sir Gavinaugh would come to the north gate this morning, so I rose up early and waited there for him,” Julian said enthusiastically. “I saw no boy in your service and thought perhaps I could be Sir Gavinaugh’s page. The tournament doesn’t require it, but I can be very helpful to you. An outsider can quickly get into trouble if he isn’t careful.”
Sandon laughed. “I think we could use all the help we can get, young Julian. Sir Gavinaugh seems to have an aptitude for getting into trouble wherever he goes.”
Keanna handed the boy a plate. “Sit down, Julian, and have some breakfast.” She had been unusually quiet since the encounter at the Court of the Lords the previous day, but Julian’s presence seemed to help. “Are your parents okay with this?” she asked Julian.
“Yes, Miss Keanna. Sir Gavinaugh has already talked with them,” he replied and then set to eating his breakfast.
“What did you learn, Gavinaugh?” Weston asked.
“Names of the knights are drawn today to determine who will be paired for the first round. There are also a number of equestrian events that should not be too difficult. Triumph will do fine.”
Weston shook his head. “This is too risky, Gavinaugh. I think you should withdraw. What if you are wounded or killed?”
At Weston’s words, all of them stopped eating and stared at Gavinaugh in silence. Gavinaugh considered his words but felt the fervor of his mission rise within him.
“Here is an entire city that has never heard of the Prince. To the Thecians I will be a Thecian that I might win their attention and tell them of the Prince. This opportunity is too great to pass up,” he said firmly.
“To withdraw would bring great dishonor, Sir Weston,” Julian said humbly. “You would all be cast out of the city. I fear this is all my fault,” the boy said and lowered his head.
Keanna put her arm around his shoulder. “Sir Gavinaugh is an excellent knight, Julian. He will be all right,” she said quietly, glancing toward Gavinaugh with a stern look that was reminiscent of the glares he had received from her back in Santiok.
Gavinaugh tried to ignore it and turned to Weston and Sandon.
“I do have a bit of a problem, however,” Gavinaugh said as he stroked his cheek.
“What is it?” Sandon asked after finishing a bite of his food.
“The tournament requires every knight to have an accompanying squire to handle his horse and weapons. Julian is too young to pass as such.”
“The time is too short to find one in the city now,” Weston said.
The men returned to eating their meal in silence as they pondered the problem.
“There is only one answer,” Sandon said. “I will do it.”
“No. I will be your squire,” Keanna said firmly.
The men all stared at her. Gavinaugh was stunned that Keanna would offer to serve him as a squire.
“But you are a woman,” Sandon said. “I don’t think that—”
“I can handle Triumph better than anyone,” Keanna interrupted. “And Sir Weston has already given me some training regarding the sword. You are too old to be a squire, and I am able.”
Gavinaugh continued to stare at her and then became aware that his expression must have looked rather stupid. He recovered himself.
“Training?” Gavinaugh looked at Weston.
Weston seemed a bit uncomfortable. “At Cresthaven she insisted … she, ah, is quite persistent … and quite good.” He smiled at her.
Gavinaugh tried to imagine Keanna wielding a sword but could not see it.
“There is nothing in the rules against it,” Julian added.
Gavinaugh looked at Keanna, and she looked at him. Her eyes were a bit softer toward him this time.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“I am.”
“Very well,” he said with a nod. “Julian, where can we buy some clothes for her to look the part?”
Before exiting the inn, Gavinaugh took hold of Weston’s arm and pulled him aside.
“You trained Keanna with the sword?” he asked.
“She is stronger than she looks, and she has a real aptitude for it,” he replied.
Gavinaugh was still amazed, for although he had heard of certain ladies in the past actually fighting in battle, it was an unusual thing.
He turned to leave, but Weston stopped him, looking straight into Gavinaugh’s eyes. “I am not as discerning as Marie, but it is clear to me that you care deeply for Keanna.”
Gavinaugh looked away. He had not let such thoughts fully materialize in his mind, but Weston spoke what he had felt in his heart for many weeks.
Weston continued. “I don’t blame you, Gavinaugh. She is an intriguing woman.”
Gavinaugh looked back at his friend. “I can’t tell if she likes me or despises me. I just know that for now my duty is to protect her from any further harm.”
Weston smiled. “Perhaps that is why she has stayed with us so long … so she can decide. But I don’t believe she dislikes you as much as you fear.”
Gavinaugh smiled briefly and was encouraged by his words. They turned and left th
e inn, then joined the others. Before long Keanna was arrayed in the ceremonial garb of a knight in training. She didn’t try to hide the fact that she was a young woman. The result was a peculiar but striking personification of beauty and boldness. She wore loose-fitting pants and a colorful blouse beneath a leather doublet. The blue and gold of her garments were a close match to Gavinaugh’s armor and banner.
For the tournament, the knights were not allowed full battle armor but only light plate armor that provided minimal protection. They could wear helmets for their entrance into the amphitheater but not during the contests.
Gavinaugh had a squire, a page, and a tournament that would either kill him or give him a platform from which to proclaim the Prince. He knew that his training with the Prince would be as important as the armor he wore, for the men he would be facing in a short time would be more skilled with the sword than any others he had faced. It was a time for vigilance … it was a time for duty.
TOURNAMENT OF DEATH
Keanna was at war within her heart. The factions of her battle were somehow all connected to Gavinaugh. At times she wanted to scream, and at other times she wanted to cry. When she heard Gavinaugh speak of the Prince, she was drawn to the beauty and power of the story. She knew that it was those same words that, if she were to truly embrace them, would require her to offer full forgiveness to Gavinaugh. But part of her wanted to hang on to the bitterness and anger because of what he had done to her and her family months earlier. It was a beast that still reared its ugly head and refused to die.
The irony of it all was that Keanna was strangely drawn to this man who had caused her so much pain. The kindness he now showed her seemed genuine, and she did not deny that there were moments when she wanted to believe it was really true. However, she knew she could not have both vengeance and love, and it seemed as though she would lose her mind in the throes of this conflict. The Prince was calling her to a better place … she just didn’t know the way there.