THE NEXT DAY
The day had finally come, the royal tournament, a day when kingdoms far and wide attended to show their skills. And for some to try and win the princess’ heart, though all had failed through the years. The grounds were bustling as the day was prepared, the royal grounds bright with life. The tournament grounds were adorned in colorful banners and ribbons, spectators already flooding in to find seating. Visitors from all over had begun to arrive late the night before as well as early this morning, settling in well inside the castle walls. Adalia was busy preparing with her dressing maids as her father met with his guests, their laughter booming through the stone walls. She truly despised these days, sitting and watching men fool around to impress the ladies. It was bad enough none of them had any skill, but to have to sit and fake the enjoyment, she would rather be tortured. Adalia was quiet as she was dressed to the nines in fine attire, her body being adorned with the kingdom's red and gold colours. Her hair was braided intricately and her crown was added upon her head followed by other jewelry. Her dressing maids were quick with their work, trying to lighten the mood a bit with small chatter, “Maybe you will find your knight in shining armour?”
“I think it is quite funny watching them parade around like fools”
Everyone chipped in with chuckles and jokes as they finished helping the heir prepare for the day. Their jokes brought a smile to Adalia’s lips, she loved her girls and their conversations they had together. But soon it was over and Adalia was up and headed down the halls. This was the first year she would be initiating the games, her father giving her the honor as she learned more with her upcoming role. As Adalia made her way through the halls she began to think of the day, all the competitors she would see, wondering who her father had chosen to represent their own kingdom. He hadn’t told her it would be Calix.
As everyone made their way to the tournament grounds, men prepared for the games, horses on edge, eager to run, music played from mandolins and harps. Adalia met with her father and mother outside the castle doors, each of them mounting their horses for their entrances. Adalia swiftly mounted her stallion Enzo, a large necked, deep dapple gray Andalusian. The two were perfect companions, growing and learning together through the years. The royals made their way on horseback down to the tournament grounds, trumpets blaring as they entered. Sunlight reflected off the princess’ hair like golden rays, her presence catching the eyes of those who attended. The competitors stood in the sandy arena with their escorts and royal companions, lining up out of the way, kneeling as the royals stopped their steeds, dismounting before escorts took them away.
Adalia kept a smile on her lips though she did not truly mean it, she wished to be off somewhere else than here. The royals made it to their balcony where their carved wooden seats were, standing at the bannister as everyone rose. The king looked to Adalia, giving her a soft smile and nod, a cue. The princess nodded in return before stepping forward before her father, looking out to everyone who had attended. There were hundreds, maybe thousands that stood packed together in the seating. Even the amount of visiting royals was quite more than she expected, but she kept a calm demeanor, waiting a moment for it to quiet down.
“On behalf of the Kingdom of Reyes, we welcome you to our annual tournament of the Kingdoms. We thank you for joining us here today, to show off all of our various skills and training, and most of all, to enjoy each other's company and have fun no matter what goes on beyond these lands. We shall see many men test the limits of others, to prove who shall be the winner this year.” The princess spoke, her voice strong, eloquent. “Now, let the games begin” She added, a bright smile on her pink lips, her hands raising up to commence the games.
Adalia looked over the competitors, her bright blue eyes scanning each and everyone, though they paused, her brows twitching slightly. It was Calix. Calix wearing the Kingdoms' colours, representing the throne. She had no clue he would be the one to represent them, her father not mentioning a word to her or even at the meeting she had included herself in. She looked at him for a moment, once his eyes had met hers she gave a simple small smile and nod before stepping back to sit in her chair. The royals sat as the men prepared for the first event, a mounted ring game. Each man would mount their steed, using a jousting pole they would gallop down the lane, trying to hook as many small silver rings as they could. They varied in size and height so it was not so simple. Each man would take a turn, and if there was a tie, they would go again. Adalia found these games stupid, anyone could do it that had a brain. She just wanted the sword fighting to happen, to judge each man’s skills and if they would make it in battle.
As the games started, Adalia sat back into her seat, her eyes scanning over the crowds and everything else besides the game below, her mind wandering absentmindedly. Game after game began to pass, archery, axe throwing, little pitiful games. Adalia had not paid nearly as much attention as her parents, her mother reaching over to pinch her arm from time to time, pulling her mind back so she would look proper. Finally as the sun began to fall past its highest point, it was time for jousting and then sword fighting. It was a tradition before the jousting that the Princess’ would “bless” one of the men, placing her silk handkerchief upon their joust spear. Adalia thought it was pointless, but she knew she must play along. As the men lined up, she stood, tying the silk fabric into a knot as she walked to the banister. The men gave her smiles, giving a small nod as she walked past each one. She knew she could not place it on her own kingdom so truly she chose a random competitor. She placed the tied fabric on the end of one of the spears, the blond man bowing his head before backing his horse, holding the spear high in the air, cheers erupting from the crowd. Adalia sighed softly, holding the fake smile to her lips before sitting back down. She looked to her father and murmured, “Father, it is a quite ridiculous practice” She said quietly. Her father just shushed her, waving her off with his hand before looking back to the arena. Adalia sighed, sitting back in her chair as the next game began.
It felt like an eternity had passed, but finally, the games had concluded. The winner was to be announced at the celebratory dinner that night, to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Adalia was just thankful for the tomfoolery to be finished. Nothing irked her more than a bunch of men trying to show off their egos. So with the conclusion of the event, the royals left on their steeds once again to the castle, the competitors and their escorts left to clean up and the neighboring visitors followed. It wouldn’t be long before the castle was to be booming that night.
Winter 
Day 
