Subsistent Lies

I looked over at Isabella as she tried to find some excuse to why one of the King’s best knights was even looking over here. She started to stutter when she looked over at the arena. “Calib is about to go on.”

I looked at her and narrowed my eyes. “We’ll continue this conversation later.”

I turned toward the arena and prepared to watch Calib fight. He would be going against Isabella’s eye candy, Darius. Not only was he the King’s best knight, but jousting was only one of the things he excelled in, rather well. They were just starting and I was praying that Calib would beat him. He wasn’t really trained in this area, which really surprised me in why he took it. Then he did the most dishonorable thing I’ve ever seen. Instead of at least trying to ram into Darius, he fell off his horse. Darius wasn’t even that close to him. The crowd seemed to not notice because they broke off into a large roar of happiness. I sat back in my seat with my mouth agape and shook my head. “Can you believe that?”

Mama turned to me and smiled, “Yes darling, Calib didn’t even have a chance against Dari-“

“A chance? A chance?!” I cut her off. “Of course he had a chance! But no, he had to go off and….and, admit defeat so easily! Oh Gabriella better…”

“Gabriella? Zaria, you told me Gabriella had stayed at the carriage. What does she have to do with the tournament?” Mama asked turning a curious gaze on me.

I looked at my mother, then back at the stadium. I knew I couldn’t tell her, lord knows what she would say or even do. I knew I had to lie, so I thought of something quick. “She better be doing something productive, not joining in the tournament festivities.”

My mother smiled and nodded, before turning back toward the arena. I sighed as Isabella turned towards me. “I’m hiding something? What is this Gabby and you are up too?”

“Nothing we…..wait a second. I never said you were hiding anything.”

Isabella turned the other way and muttered, “Yes you did.”

“No I did not. I just asked a question, a simple one at that. So what is it that you’re hiding dear sister?”

Isabella looked at me, and then turned toward the arena. “Nothing.” she finally whispered.

I sighed. “Nothing? Do you think that I am that naïve? Are you aware that whatever you are up to dealing with a knight with such honor could get you in trouble? And if not now, later on in the future?”

“It is nothing Zaria, believe me. Though I wish it was so, it is not.”

I looked at her, before placing my hand on top of hers. “Don’t waste your time dreaming of him. Who knows how many ladies he may have taken to bed.”

“Yes, he is quite charming.”

“Ahh, he is.”

I turned to the arena and smiled when I saw that Gabriella’s fight was next. “Let’s not mope dear sister. Look, Colin is next. And look who he is paired with.”

Isabella looked then smiled, “He looks rather goofy in his armor. Didn’t he get it shined a week ago?”

“I think so, but his armor should not matter. Its his actual skill.”

Isabella nodded and I looked toward him as he lifted his sword. His skill better be perfect. I didn’t play swordfight with her for nothing. I thought as he looked toward me and nodded. Then he, or rather she headed for Blaine. “Oh god, please don’t get hurt.” I muttered as they both rammed for each other.

They started to fight and let’s say it was one tough battle. Gabriella’s skill seemed to have increased and she easily avoided swings. I couldn’t contain my breath when I saw that she was lashed in the neck, but true Gabby got up and won the fight merciless. I started to clap but the crowd didn’t join me until soon after. “When did Colin’s skill improve so well? I’ve never seen him fight so well.” Mama said fanning herself.

“That’s because it is not Colin whom fights.”

“Huh?” Isabella asked looking at me.

“Nothing, look your young Darius fights.” Isabella quickly turned to the field and I sighed.

Darius was a very skilled fighter and I was hugely impressed by his skill. Not only did he excel in jousting, but swordplay as well. He was the reason the King had won many battles, and his skill may be enough to beat Gabriella. I held my breath as he accepted this challenge and limped to the field. “He is hurt.” Isabella whispered, leaning over the rail.

I looked at Isabella and knew this would be a crush that would be hard for her to get over. “Aye, but so is Colin. See,” I pointed to the way Gabriella was wavering on the field.

“He has been cut in the neck. We must pray for him also.”

Isabella nodded but I could tell her only interests were with Darius. The fight began and my guesses were right. Darius was very skilled in swordplay, and Gabriella had quite a time trying to keep the young solider at bay. The only reason to his fall was an injury toward his leg. He had accidentally side stepped on his bad leg, causing Gabriella or Colin to win the fight. There was silence before the whole crowd broke into cheer. Mother, as well as Isabella broke out in claps. Gabriella had proven that she was a fine fighter, but then I hit my head. Idiot! Did she not see her insolent mistake? Now she would have to receive the King’s prize. That would surely reveal her. I sat back in my seat, trying to figure out a way to by her time. Gabriella must have sense this too because she tried to leave the arena, but with no success. I sat back in my seat, trying to figure out ways to distract the King, but it was too late. Everyone was waiting to see Colin and to await his knighting. She was stalling which was good, until I saw Blaine Jacqui’is start to take off her helmet. I closed my eyes and was awarded with a silence that over took everyone at court. I reopened them as I heard mother scream, and then fainted in my lap. “This is what you and Gabriella planned? Are you both fools?” Isabella asked, looking toward me.

I sighed as I started to wave off mother. “You do not know the reason for it so shush.” I said, looking down at mothers pale face in my lap.

I looked up and spotted King Arthur coming down the steps. This would be it. There was silence until he broke out in laughter. Then he said, “Never in my rule has something like this ever happened. A woman who fights like a man, who disguises herself as a man and bests my best knights, who steps out of the role set before her by God at birth. I see no other punishment but to dub thee the greatest swordswoman in all of Anevia.”

I sighed relief and fell back in my seat. This was a relief that I knew we were all grateful for. They escorted Gabriella to a seat beside him and I quickly shook mother.

“Mama, do you see it is fine. Gabriella has been honored.”

Mother only shrieked some more before passing out again. I sighed and turned to Isabella, who only reprimanded me as if I was the baby of the family. “You hid this from us. I thought I would see my sister get beheaded just now. Why would you pull such a stunt? And where is Colin?”

I sighed. I knew there was no use in trying to hide it from her. I sighed and explained to her the whole story, and how me and Gabby had quite some time trying to hide Colin and put his armor on. Isabella laughed and shook her head. “My sisters are fools. You did the right thing. I’m sure Gabriella’s pigheadedness was the reason for the fault in the plan.”

“Aye it was.” I turned toward the field and sighed.

I knew that tonight would be a long night, filled with yells and above all in explanation. Mother would have a fit and we may even be kicked out of the Gulliver resident. I closed my eyes to that possibility as the next fight was announced.