17
A cold sun shone through the streets decorated with ribbons and flowers for the occasion, the citizens corervano from place to place to pass information, there was who had seen Her Majesty dressed in all gold, but whoever said that the procession would be accompanied by musicians and dancers, the gossips said that a special day like that would take some minor gentry of the city girls as brides.
There was excitement in the air.
The girls had prepared a basket full of flower petals to throw at the passage of the princess, the priestesses already sang songs to propitiate the Goddess of Fertility pregnancy.
"Behold! They're coming! Exclaimed a boy running at breakneck speed along the main road.
The men and women began to move away to get at the roadside, children stopped playing to enable parents, stray dogs were locked in the basement to avoid blocking the passage of horses.
The animated chatter that the city fell silent for a few minutes, all looking toward one direction, waiting to see His Majesty, King Gothan, proud and impressive ride followed by his court.
The silence was broken by some horses neighing, the city came to life again.
The procession paraded under the shouting and the joy of the people, King Gothan cordially greeted his subjects, Prince Frey and his wife, Princess Utena, smiles and handing out coins, Katona peaceful riding behind his brother, but West went on and down the column of nobles to be informed of every little suspicious movement by soldiers who had placed at the side of the parade.
It was late morning when it finally everything was ready to begin the tournament, the king and nobles who would not fight were sitting on the royal box, located not too low, so that His Majesty could see perfectly the various meetings on the steps of the vast arena was sitting on populace, who was already rooting for this or that rider.
The participants paraded in front of the stage, King Gothan stood with a hand gesture silenced citizens and booming voice started the tournament.
The first part of the morning was destined to clash with his spear, then there would be a clash with cold and in the afternoon there would be a great final mix.
The first to fight were representatives of the people, they were inexperienced, but did their best to impress the audience, many of them had never ridden a horse of war, nor used a spear, in most cases did not even owned a horse for this King had Gothan specifically ordered that those who, at the time of the tournament, did not have a horse, a spear, or both, were given the appropriate equipment, to be returned at the end of the day's meetings.
Esta stood next to Katona, it was the young princes to insist on her side, she felt uncomfortable there, before the noble and just behind His Majesty knew he had him look angry Utena princess, who had hated since the first day that they had known.
"My Lady, she is the Esta Denio, the woman who saved my life. "Frey said his wife just finished the process of mercenary.
'It's an honor to meet you, the prince spoke highly of her. "Esta bowed.
"The pleasure is all mine. "Utena replied coldly and then give it back and go hand in hand with her prince.
Esta drove the memory, it was almost certain not to try anything for the crown prince, but less pensave there and it was better for her.
"Your Majesty, you know when my brother take the field? He asked Katona to distract from his own thoughts.
"No, I do not know, I do not say anything about it.
Katona You can call me simply, I do not like formality. "Katon said, smiling. A page
declared ended the fighting on horseback, and announced the fighting with swords, the participants marched they, like their predecessors, before His Majesty who declared open the clashes.
The participants were almost all noble lords and soldiers, who wanted to prove their worth to King Gothan; began the first meeting, then came the moment of the second, third, fourth and all the others later.
The populace was typhoid, but the nobles were visibly bored on stage, those fights were all the same, a copy of the other.
came the turn of the last meeting and Frey and West still had not taken the field, the tension was palpable Esta, she came to my mind a strange idea, but would hope that his brother was not crazy enough to risk a thing, and yet the West had recalled something about honor.
The crown prince and captain of the guards of the castle came into the arena simultaneously equipped with sword and shield and protected by a coat of mail, they bowed before Her Majesty and took up positions, ready for combat.
The page gave the signal to begin.
The two began to study each other, walking in circles, West pointed his sword at the prince, who had his guard up.
"They say that in battle you have won glory and honor. "West said without lowering his weapon.
"So they say, who am I to deny these rumors? "Frey replied defensively.
"But you're not a man of honor. "
" What? "
" My sister has lost her honor because of you, is my specific intention to avenge her here in this arena, in front of everyone. "
Frey's face lit up, finally recognized the man in front of him, the brother of Esta, the woman that he so loved in the days of the campaign.
Lady Utena he bit the nail of right thumb, she saw her beloved husband confabulation something with his opponent, but at that distance, with the cheers of the citizens, it was impossible to know what you were saying. Esta looked angry, she was definitely the cause of it all.
Katona looked startled the two combatants.
"But it's crazy. "Said thrilled," my brother against your brother, "he said, turning to Esta," even in a children's story could have happened. "
" Holy of ... West must be crazy, how could challenge the prince? If he should not dare to hurt to think about the consequences. "
" My brother was capable of defending, it is not a fool, but ... this is really crazy. "The only
His Majesty was amused.
"Well, well, now we will see that pasta is our captain of the guards. 'He said smiling, "tell me Katon, you who unfamiliar with the West, as it is, how it behaves? "
Katona swallowed saliva.
"Father, West is not one who gives up easily, is cheerful and jovial with everyone manages to get his men to love, but when it comes to use sword and shield does not Conoco piety is an excellent swordsman, I do not think it is a coincidence that so young plays an important role. "
" It's true majesty, "interrupted Esta" I myself saw three guys who beat him attacked, and was unarmed. I know that every morning he undergoes a very strict training, my brother is not the person to be reckoned with. "
"So the dear captain is a valuable commodity. Good to hear you attacked me curious to see him fight, Frey will be at its height? "
" I hope it did, father, I sincerely hope "
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