The marshals of the tournament came out onto the lists on horseback to the flourish of trumpets. One of the marshals unrolled a scroll, and the crowd hushed to silence as he began to read the proclamation and rules of the tournament, according to the grand marshal of the field, Duke Wilhelm. He declared that all the usual rules of chivalry were to be observed, courtesy given to injured knights, and no unfair advantages were to be taken, such as by intentionally injuring the opposing knight’s horse. The tournament was to last two days, with the third day being dedicated to foot soldiering contests such as archery, feats of strength, and long-distance throwing.
But first, the noble knights would take part in the joust. Gisela noticed that each knight had two shields, each with his coat of arms, displayed around the inner perimeter of the lists. The field marshal read, “Any knight may challenge any other by striking a shield of war or a shield of peace, which will indicate whether the weapon would be a lance with a blunt end, or a sharp, metal-tipped lance.”
The two knights—the challenger and his opponent—would fight three courses with either a blunt or sharp lance. In today’s jousts, if a knight was unhorsed, he was considered defeated. They could not dismount to continue the fight. If neither knight was unhorsed, the marshals would proclaim the victor.
At the end of the day, after all challenges had been fought, Duke Wilhelm would decide which knight would be proclaimed the champion of the day and have the honor of crowning the Queen of Beauty and Love, who would be sovereign for the duration of the tournament.
The winner of the second day’s battles would be declared the winner over the entire tournament. A ball would be given in his honor on the night of the third day, over which both he and the Queen of Beauty and Love would preside.
Gisela listened raptly as the rules of the tournament were read. Her gaze had been drawn immediately to Valten’s shield around the perimeter of the field, and now flitted to the pavilion that was decorated in his colors. She yearned to see him riding out onto the lists on Sieger.
On Gisela’s left sat a girl who laughed and giggled with her companion and completely ignored Gisela. The girl on her right, however, turned toward Gisela with a friendly smile. “I am Cristyne.”
“I am Gisela.”
“Isn’t this exciting? It is my first tournament.”
“It is my first tournament too.” Gisela liked the girl immediately. “Do you know any of the knights?”
“I know one, Sir Ulrich von Rechberg, as he grew up near me.” She leaned close to Gisela and whispered, “Even though he is a childhood friend, and I must cheer for him, he is a dim-witted sort of fellow, and I never liked him much. But his mother is kind and used to give me gingerbread. And you? Do you have a favorite?”
It was probably best not to tell her new friend about her childhood dreams about marrying Valen, or that she had talked with him several days before. Gisela cast about for something appropriate to say. “I am surely not the only girl here who will be cheering for Valten, the duke’s son.”
“True, he is quite the favorite, and the most accomplished. I wonder who he’ll pick to be the Queen of Beauty and Love if he wins. Do you think he is in love with anyone? Maybe he has a childhood sweetheart.”
Reluctantly, Gisela admitted, “It is said that he will marry Sir Edgar’s daughter, Rainhilda.”
Cristyne wrinkled her small nose, which was sprinkled with tiny freckles. “I certainly hope not. I met her earlier, and she seems an arrogant, spiteful girl.”
Gisela glanced over at Rainhilda, who was at that moment smirking at something the girl to her left was saying. Did Valten love Rainhilda? She couldn’t imagine that he did, although Ava had once told her that men rarely saw past a woman’s outward appearance — until they were married, and then it was too late. Would that happen to Valten? Would he marry Rainhilda and be stuck with a conceited, spiteful wife?
She frowned. “I don’t know her, but she certainly looks arrogant.” Gisela glanced again in Rainhilda’s direction and caught her staring. Gisela ducked behind Cristyne, hoping Rainhilda hadn’t recognized her. If she had, she would tell Irma, and then Evfemia would learn that Gisela had managed to come to the tournament.
Then instead of cowering, she sat up straight. If Evfemia tried to force her to go home, she’d pretend she didn’t know the woman, or she would find that kindly guard. Perhaps he would help her. Though if she hoped to attend the second day of the tournament, she probably shouldn’t go home at all tonight. Perhaps she would sneak into Ava’s stable and sleep in the hay.
The knights began to enter the lists, mounted on their war horses, which were draped in the most spectacular colors. The knights themselves shone brightly, their highly polished armor glinting in the sun. Many helmets were decorated with bright scarves, streamers, or feathers. They carried their lances pointed to the sky as they paraded onto the grassy field and lined up, facing Gisela’s side.