"Ensis!" Queen Valerie tried to raise her voice above the roar of the crowd.
Making no headway in being heard, she motioned for the heralds with horns to help. The tune that announced a royal procession began. Slowly the cacophony of celebration dinned enough for Queen Valerie to be heard.
"Fellow countrymen! Let us move the celebratory banquet for the tournament champions and ultimate victor to tomorrow. If they will allow, let us also celebrate my royal engagement with a ball!" Valerie barely got out the last word before the crowds erupted again.
Mead was flowing liberally in the stands making the rowdiest of the bunch more jovial. I only hoped I would not have to call on such men to defend the city anytime soon. The battle would be lost before it even began.
"Would you allow me such an honor, good champions?" Queen Valerie turned toward the box.
Among the champions, cheers and well wishes rose. It might have been announced as a unanimous decision had Queen Valerie's eye not caught the fact of Lord Carrion's absence.
The queen shared a look with Lord Garrison. The two had so much familiarity with each other, no words needed to be exchanged. He nodded in my direction.
Picking up on what was being asked of me, I mouthed the word 'home' before receiving a satisfactory nod. Queen Valerie did not miss the fourth swordsman for this decision.
Sir Chalmers and Sir Gavin rivaled each other for being the most enthusiastic about the idea of celebrating the latest royal engagement, but in very different manners. I might have marked the character flaw as one for the entire clan, if not for the level-headed Lord Garrison.
Sir Chalmers threw himself toward the queen to kiss her royal rings and bow his knee. These dramatics were easily seen by the gathered throng to mark his importance as someone close to the royal line. Those of us considered close by means other than physical proximity would have to choke down our thoughts on the display.
Gavin, on the other hand, seemed in rapture from afar. Quietly he would let slip a compliment or praise of Ensis, our queen or even our dewy eyed princess. I think being an only child made him content to live the life of an observer and not a silent one at that.
Princess Alina's joy overwhelmed her and she found solace in taking Lady Calista's hand, hiding the action in their skirts. No one could accuse Cali of trying to flaunt her connection to royalty even if her best friendship with the princess was widely known.
A deeper voice caught my attention. My brother leaned toward Gella's ear. I could barely make it out.
"Care to join me again tomorrow? A royal function sounds like a ball." Benate laughed at his own pun.
Gella seemed caught off guard. A spark of anxiousness ran through me. A ball without Gella seemed like a dull affair. I hope she does not decline the invitation.
"I have nothing to wear." Gella admitted biting her lip.
"I am sure that can be easily remedied. Even if I have to get my mother involved." Benate wearily admitted.
"Then I would be honored!" Gella beamed.
Maybe I could steal a dance. I am sure Princess Alina would find it amusing. It would at least let me babysit more closely if Alina takes to the dance floor.
Perchance I might have a chance to slip away with her. The princess would find that piece of gossip scandalous enough to keep it to herself but yet berate me about it later. I could be free from my post for one evening and simply just enjoy a party.
Maybe I would take her to the royal gardens. We could dance the rest of the evening, if Benate did not mind losing his date long enough to be caught up in the dances himself.
Until Princess Alina found herself alone with Lord Carrion and needed rescuing. Or until one of my men tried to find me to report their findings from the field. Or until another catastrophe beyond my imaginings would steal moments with Gella from me.
"Lord Holden?" Sir Gavin seemed to repeat, although I did not fully hear him the first time.
"Yes, Sir Gavin?" Acting like I had been paying attention to him the entire time I responded. I was not usually prone to day dreaming.
"Excuse me. I want to avoid the crowds for today, since I think there will be no avoiding them tomorrow." Sir Gavin motioned toward the stairs that I was thoroughly blocking.
"Yes. Of course." I shifted to let him pass. There is always something in the way. Generally myself.
A florist must have seen a golden opportunity for profit. Flowers started being sold in the stands and soon blanketed the arena floor. Those with a particularly good arm and aim threw their blooms to land in the royal stands.
Soon all the ladies in the royal box had a bouquet and the gentlemen who desired had something to take home. Benate picked up a fallen rose and handed it to Gella. She arranged it into her growing collection, nestling it near the center.
I do not know what possessed me to hand her the next bloom that fell nearest me, but soon my carnation with a broken stem was added to the mix. My heart swelled as she tucked it directly in the center, almost hiding the rose. I might be the favorite brother after all.
The royal family eventually dismissed the public and retreated for more privacy to the castle. That did not stop the masses from celebrating.
The inns and pubs were full of people. Even the few establishments that scattered into the upper part of the city nearest to the castle brimmed. Often partying during state holidays centered around the lower town, closer to the merchants homes. I could see the masses spilling out of them even with the short walk to the castle.
Seeing so much debauchery left me uneasy, but I had more important babysitting work to do than to worry about that.