The Tournament of Henpele - Epilogue - The Feast

Epilogue - The Feast

                Most of the feast took place around outside of a large central tent that was set aside for those who took high placings in the competitions, and members of the nobility. The knights of squires who had won the melee were also invited to attend; and as such, Sparrow, Graeme and Annette had all taken places inside, next to Annette's teammates and their knights.

                "Second place! Too bad we came up against those damn cheaters," said Michael proudly.

                "It's good," said Todd. "Penny's quite proud. Did you know her and Graeme used to, you know, Annette?"

                "Graeme told me last night. Hahaha, they're eying each other awkwardly from across the table," Annette said, chuckling. "I'm sure they'll disappear to catch up after the prizes are done. Graeme doesn't like to do personal stuff around me - I think he reckons it would ruin my respect for him."

                "Penny's kind of the same. She always seems so strong... I've wondered what she's like when she's not completely tough," replied Todd.

                "Graeme's always strong too - although I reckon he's embarrassed about having emotions sometimes. Sparrow said she thinks he just doesn't want to show any sign of cracking publically, to reassure people," said Annette.

                "Is that her name?" said Dominic, pointing at Sparrow - who was busily downing her second drink at the head table (despite the feast having only just begun).

                "Yes, it is," replied Annette. "She's a mercenary, but she travels with us at the moment to fulfill a childhood dream. To be a hero."

                "Really?" interjected Michael. "A winged one wants to be a hero? Those chickens can't fight at all!"

                "And once again you prove that your incapable of being anything but an asshole," said Todd.

                Further conversation was interrupted by the ringing of a bell. The Count - sitting at the head table with those who took first place in various competitions and a few very important nobles - rose, and began to speak. "Thank you all for making this tournament one of the most well fought and exciting I have ever seen, despite the presence of several now disgraced cheaters," he said. The crowd booed at the mention of the cheaters.

                "Your prizes shall be delivered tomorrow morning by the tournament officials, but for now, the winners," he began. He named the winners of each event, who stood and bowed when their names were called; including Sparrow.

                "You are the best in the county; and I am pleased to name you champions of the tournament!" finished the Count, to strong applause. Raising his hands for quiet, he added, "The main course may now commence!" before sitting down.

                The meal served to those in the pavilion was the best the county had to offer - the finest meats and goods to be found anywhere in the county; many bought and brought at significant expense from elsewhere.

                "So Todd, you're going to remain a squire?" asked Michael, in between devouring mouthfuls of soup.

                "Yes, why wouldn't I?" replied Todd, confused.

                "You did have a little fainting spell when that monster almost cut off your head, hahha," said Michael, smiling cruelly. "How long did it take you to wake up?"

                "Are you going to be horrible all evening or should I just beat you up?" asked Dominic, glaring at Michael.

                Michael laughed. "Like hell you'd take me in a fight, you caved after one blow to the face!" Michael replied.

                "I'm pretty sure almost everyone here'd help out," said Annette. "You should try, maybe, not being a bastard."

                "Nah, just need to get a few drinks into me so it's funny bastard instead of mean bastard, hahaha. Ahah! The girls are here!" Michael said, before beckoning to Bree and Giselle who had just entered the tent.

                "Ah crap," said Annette, wincing.

                "Just tell her no, Annette," said Todd. "You can do it."

                Annette nodded, and steeled herself as the twins approached. Bree immediately draped herself across Michael, while Giselle approached Annette.

                "Are they allowed to be in here?" Dominic asked Todd, quietly.

                "I'm pretty sure we're allowed a couple of guests; although Michael's taken some liberty with deciding who our guests are," Todd whispered back.

                "Hey," said Giselle to Annette, smiling. She and her twin both wore formal dresses rather than armour; Giselle's turquoise and Bree's a light orange. She had made herself up a little - and with some skill. Annette thought she looked very pretty, but...

                "No," Annette blurted out. "I, I don't like girls that way and I don't - don't do single nights and I can't stay here," she said, the words tumbling out.

                Giselle looked surprised for a moment, then sad. After taking a deep breath, she turned to Michael and said, "You're a liar and an asshole."

                "What - did he?" asked Annette.

                "He said you had agreed to meet me this evening at the feast," said Giselle grumpily.

                Her sister - who had been struggling to contain herself - let out a small laugh. "It was my idea Giselle, not his," she said. "It's just a little joke!"

                Giselle turned her gaze to Bree, and sighed. "I'm out of here. Have fun," she said. Two steps into leaving she stopped and turned. "Congratulations on second place, by the way," she added, before continuing on her way.

                "I don't feel like untangling this," said Todd, to which Dominic nodded.

                "Argh," said Annette, placing her head in her hands.

                Todd glanced around and then grabbed his drink. "To second place!" he said, glancing at Dominic and Michael (who managed to remove his attention from Bree).

                Annette dropped her hands and smiled, grabbing her drink. "To second place!" the five of them said, as one.

                As this was happening, Graeme had left his seat, and come up behind Penny. He tapped her on the shoulder, and said, "Would you care for a walk?"

                "That would be lovely," she replied, smiling.

                Together they left the central tent. They made their way through the rest of the feast outside without saying a word. Graeme led her towards an unlit path, and they walked it for a while before stopping at a pile of rocks. Penny hopped up on one, and motioned for Graeme to do the same opposite her.

                "It's been quite a while, hasn't it," said Penny wistfully.

                "It has," replied Graeme, the same mood in his voice. "About three years, if memory serves me true."

                "I think so," Penny replied. "How have you been? I see you found yourself an amazing squire!"

                "Yes, it wasn't long after the last time we met that I took Annette on. I helped her family when I was relatively young - about the age you were when we met, in fact. Twenty-three, I believe - almost twenty years ago, now. I've kept in contact with them since; and Annette - my squire, and their firstborn - wished to become a knight so I took her on."

                "You never told me about that."

                "I wouldn't have been able to leave certain questions unanswered, and I've been asked to keep some secrets for them."

                "But with her here it's obvious where she comes from, I see." Penny chuckled. "So what did you actually want to talk about?"

                "I... I was wondering whether you had settled down, or whether you would consider it now. It's been a long time since I asked you last."

                Penny smiled, but it was a melancholic smile. "It has. But my answer is still no - I can't let love take me away from my duty to Down County. I only travelled this far because Todd begged and begged and begged to compete. And... I've made a decision. I'm never going to have children of my own."

                "Truly?"

                "Yes. I'd rather spend all my years training the next generation of knights to be good, true, and skilled. I've even considered taking on multiple squires at once, and you know how that's viewed around here. I - well, I feel proud of my squires; and I can train many more squires than I could bare children - children I may very well not be proud of."

                Graeme sighed deeply. The beginnings of tears made his eyes glisten in the soft light, but he wiped them away. "It has been good to see you again. Part of me shall always think on what could have been, but your desires are equal to mine. Should we return to the feast?"

                Penny thought for a moment, and then said, "No. Not yet. Put your arm around me, and let's look at the stars." Graeme complied.

                They returned to the feast almost an hour later; and were greeted with curious glances from many. Still, none cared to ask them what they had been doing - not only had other couples also disappeared, but everyone was by that point rather drunk.

                After returning Penny and Graeme sat beside each other, and shared gossip; solidifying a friendship that had mostly replaced older feelings. Annette got to know her teammates a bit better (although Michael and Bree disappeared several times). And Sparrow? Sparrow got to know the bottom of a large number of mugs rather well, as she drank to excess. The alcohol was free, after all.

                The feast was loud, and fun, and a great entertainment for all, continuing until late in the night. Even the count himself remained until the early hours of the morning until retiring - and although things did liven for a short time without him present, the feast slowly petered out; all either leaving to sleep or simply collapsing inside the tent.

                The next morning, Sparrow woke up so late that light was barely coming through the window - the sun was high in the sky. Groggily, she rubbed her eyes and groaned as an incredible hangover made itself known; thundering in her head.

                "Uuugh," she groaned, blearily looking around. Beside her, half covered by a scrunched up blanket, lay Sally - completely unclothed, as was Sparrow herself.

                Sparrow blinked to check that she wasn't seeing things, and then muttered, "Well, at least I still have some taste when I'm drunk."