Thread: Lords and Ladies (LingeringDesire & Greeneyed23)

Trala squeezed the Princess' hand as the competition began. Slowly but surely they got all the knights through until only Ne'ebo was left. Even her cousins had made it, on their second try their uncle pointed out laughing. Ne'ebo had brought up a truly magnificent horse, easily twice the size of the Princess' old horse. He, unlike the others, needed no help and swung into the saddle with ease. Taking the reins after putting on his helm, his green eyes the other part of him visible now, he took his lance and took off. One ring!! The crowd oohhed. Two rings!! The crowd ahhed. Three rings!! Yells of excitement. The first target down with a dagger in it's face. More yells. The second target goes down without a head at all. The yells and cheers are stilled as he rounds on the third target then stops. He lifts the lance and makes it seem to float in the air for a moment before he catches it and with a sudden grunt hurls it the hundred yard to the other target spearing it right in the chest the force of his throw ripping the target off the post and breaking the post to the explosion of cheers of the crowd. The lords are furious as they have to pay off on their bets against Ne'ebo their dislike of him having made them bet foolishly. Fenice notices that this includes to her father who has quite wisely bet on Ne'ebo apparently quite heavily. As Ne'ebo was the last and it is now beginning to grow dark, the king dismisses everyone by waving the horns blowing and having Ne'ebo come with him to the dais. Ne'ebo will spend the tournament as our guest in the castle Fenice. He takes her hand as Trala goes to her friend and is scooped up giggling to sit on his shoulder. Ne'ebo falls into line with the king and his daughter while Trala's parents follow just behind Ne'ebo a few men already fetching Ne'ebo's things from the tavern. The king has also brought along her cousins a few local knights, and one or two minor kings with whom he wishes to make friends. They stop at Trala's house to say goodbye to the girl and her parents ensuring that the trio will be at their place in the royal box the next morning when the mace begins. Her cousins are arguing of course and the other knights are chatting with Ne'ebo about his performance and their excited that he will be participating in every event most because they wish to challenge themselves but a few, as Fenice well knows, merely want him to get hurt in one of the minor events. Ne'ebo is polite and gracious assuring the famous knights he has little chance against them, his eyes, unseen, always locked on Fenice. Her kerchief still bobs on his helm under his arm and she can feel Mathilde watching them both carefully though they are several yards apart her father and the archbishop who also stay at the castle having her full attention. Or so they think. Fenice tell me what do you think of the field this year? He father smirks at this question not missing her reactions to the newcome knight. The archbishop has not either but neither man is pressing the situation. Upon reaching the castle the king orders a feast and has Ne'ebo sit beside him, with Fenice on the other side. Tell me a story of your homeland Ne'ebo. Which one Your Grace? Elias chuckled. Africa lad. Ne'ebo grinned but obliged. Once in the jungles of my home land there was a mighty lion. His roar could shake mountains. His strength in battle was so great even Tantor the elephant trembled at the thought of facing mighty Numa the lion. One day Numa was at a water hole drinking when he saw a beautiful lioness come down to the water. He roared but not too loudly to show he was proud and strong. but the lioness took no notice. 'She is trying to bait me into one of my mightiest roars. said Numa to himself. Thus he roared and well. The trees shook, the land trembled, and every animal fled him. Except the beautiful lioness. Now very curious he wen to her. 'Didst thou not hear me?' Suddenly she whirled on him and said, Boo!' startling him so much he fell into the water. When he emerged sore angry she was laughing so she rolled upon the grass. Curious he went to her again dripping even from his thick mane and asked, 'Why dost thou laugh?' She looked up at him and answered, 'Because my mighty king has been scared by his queen.' Before he could answered she licked his face then nuzzled his neck then he took her home. And she gave him many mighty sons and daughters. Ne'ebo sits and the other knights and even the lords asked, What does it mean? Ne'ebo smiled and raised his glass in salute to Fenice. No matter how strong a man or even a king may be, nothing can be stronger than his queen. He drank as did the others. Elias smiled very much liking this point. A murmur of, But she is not queen yet.. went amongst the lords and Ne'ebo laughed. Gentlemen I have fought on the field of honor and in battle. I have shed blood and mine own blood has been shed. But this i tell you truthfully. I would rather face a thousand unwinnable battles that be the object of wrath of a angry woman. He look right at them as he speak and though only they, Ne'ebo and the two royals truly know what he was saying, everyone caught the subtle challenge and with relief the jester and musicians are called.