Subsistent Lies

When I was done with the dance I walked hastily toward the elderly lady. “You did wonderful out there. You’d be perfect with my girlz.”

“Madame…I don’t even know your name…”

“Madame Zala.”

I nodded.

“Well Madame Zala, I couldn’t leave my family to become a dancer. My mother would kill me and my sisters…” I put a hand to my forehead just thinking of Zaria’s yells and Gabby’s offensive looks.

Zala shrugged and dug in her pouch. “Your lozz. Here iz your pay for the day.”

She dropped 15 rubbles in my hand and I shook my head. “I cannot…”

“Take ‘et, take ‘et. You deserve ‘et. Come back to the tent to drez when you pleaz.” She turned and left me staring down at the shiny coins in my hand.

I sighed and headed toward the direction of the tent when a stout man blocked my path. “Going so fast?” He asked amused.

“My lord,” I sighed, not wanting to deal with anyone at the moment. “I must dress so I can find my family and attend to watching the tourney games. Now if you would kindly excuse me.”

“I think the tournament can spare a moment for introductions.”

“I think not. My mother would be displeased and my sisters temper….please, I must go and dress.”

“I find that it would not grant you any trouble at all. Now, would a sweet angelic girl like you have a name?”

“Not one I can grant toward a stranger.” I muttered.

I was getting frustrated. I needed to go find Zaria or mother or I would be in a bundle of trouble. “Ah but I’m sure-“

“Forbes, let her go. She seems not interested in you and has a duty to attend to, as well as I.”

I turned toward the deep masculine voice and was going to thank them for swaying this man away from me and gasped when I saw it was a knight. And not just an ordinary knight, Captain of the Guard Darius Harte. I started to bow when his voice stopped me. “There is no need to bow, my lady.”

I rose and he smiled at me. “Is my friend bothering you?”

I slowly nodded my head, hoping not to receive disapproval and got a laugh instead. The stout man pushed him slightly and he cleared his throat. “Ah yes. My lady this is Forbes. He’s a bit fond of ladies if you know what I mean.”

He raised his brows and I couldn’t help but contain my laughter, as well as blush. Forbes pushed Darius who only laughed along with me. “Darius, there is a tournament you should attend to.”

Darius turned to his angry friend and nodded. “I believe you are right.”

He turned to me and bowed. “My lady.”

He turned on his heel and began to walk in the opposite direction. Forbes looked to me and prepared to say something when Darius looked over his shoulder and said, “Forbes, do you come?”

Forbes sighed. “Yes Darius.” And walked off.

I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn’t believe that an actual knight had talked to me and perhaps, flirted. I shook my head. I was just a commoner; there was no way someone of his class would find interest in a little nobody like me. Still….I blushed at the possibility. I heard the first trumpet sound and groaned. I was for sure going to be late to spend time with my sisters. I sighed as I walked into the tent, not wanting to walk into my doom.

**********

By the time I had found both mother and Zaria they were sitting comfortably in the stands, in a booth only high rank officials could sit in. I sat beside Zaria and already heard her sigh. “Oye Izzy, where were you?”

I blushed thinking of Darius and shook my head as mother turned to us.

“Zaria relax. I’m sure she was playing games, right Isabella.” I slowly nodded and smiled. “See everything is fine. She is here and well. You should worry of Gabby; I haven’t seen her since we’ve arrived.”

Zaria snickered and mother turned back to the arena. “I will tell you later Zaria. But where is Gabriella, I haven’t seen her either?”

“She is…” Zaria faded off as the trumpets set off the start of the tournament.

I turned to the arena as well and waited for the first fight. The king whispered something into a squire’s ear and he nodded. He walked into the middle of the arena and announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen. The King has announced that the first fight will be against the Kings best, Darius Harte and his partner Blaine Jacqui’is against Calib and Colin Gulliver.”

The crowd shouted and I nudged Zaria who was rolling her eyes. “What is it?”

“Tis nothing.” she said, waving it off.

I nodded and looked toward the fighting field. There I saw Darius mounting his horse and started to walk around the field. I sighed and waved, hoping to see if he would notice me. He did and nodded at me and threw me a smile. I smiled back but stopped when he accepted a ribbon thrown by a girl in dark hair. I sighed and fell back in my seat. Zaria looked to me and asked, “Now where were you really? Especially to make Darius Harte look over here?” I blushed as I looked down and started to fumble with my dress.