Shane materialized with two Faire paramedics. “Clear the arena! Everyone back!” He looked at Charlie. “What happened?”
“Saddle failed.”
Shane went to investigate.
Duke ran up, all concern. “My God, Rowan, are you alright? I had no idea?—”
“Don't.” Ben's voice cut like a blade. He was on his feet now, one hand on his shoulder but steady. “Not now, Duke.”
Duke stepped back, hands raised. “I was just?—”
“I said not now.”
More security arrived. The arena was controlled chaos—handlers with horses, guards clearing spectators who'd jumped the barrier, the herald trying to calm the crowd with assurances that Sir Aldric was unharmed.
Charlie helped Rowan to his feet. The plate armor was heavy, and his legs were shaking. “Easy. You might be in shock.”
“I felt it.” Rowan's voice was quiet, just for her and Ben and Viv. “When I mounted up. The saddle felt wrong. I thought maybe I was just nervous, or the horse was skittish, or—” He stopped. “I felt it shift on the first pass. I knew something was wrong. I just didn't know what.”
Charlie's stomach dropped. “You knew?”
“Not for sure. Not until—” Rowan looked at Ben. “You saw it. Before the second pass.”
“Yeah.” Ben's jaw was tight. “The girth was separating. I saw it start to give.”
“And you ran onto the field without thinking.” Rowan's voice held something like awe. “You could've been killed.”
“So could you.” Ben's voice was matter-of-fact. “Wasn't about to let that happen.”
“King. You and Moose come here.” Shane’s voice sounded grim through the comm.
“Ben.” Charlie pointed toward Shane, kneeling beside the saddle with an official. They walked over to him.
“Take a look at this.”
Charlie and Ben knelt to examine the leather strap. It was still warm from the horse's body. She examined the break point, and her blood went cold.
The strap hadn't frayed. Hadn't worn through from age or use.
It had been cut.
Not all the way through—that would've been too obvious. But deep enough. A clean slice on the side against the horse’s belly, hidden from casual inspection, weakened just enough that under the stress of a full-tilt joust it would fail catastrophically.
Charlie looked up at Shane and met his gaze. She saw her own understanding reflected back. They'd talk. Later. Privately.
This wasn't an accident.
They made their way back to Rowan and Viv. Maddie stood with them, tears streaming down her face. “Oh my God, Rowan! Are you okay?” She looked horrified. “I can't believe this happened. Thank God you're alright. Thank God Ben and Charlie were watching!”
“Yeah.” Rowan pulled Viv close. “Thank God.”
Charlie looked around the arena. The crowd was being ushered out while the handlers took care of the horses. Duke, stood off to the side, looking shocked and concerned and completely innocent.
Someone had cut that strap, knowing it would fail, knowing Rowan would be on that horse, knowing the physics of a full-speed joust would send him under the animal's hooves.
Ben was watching her with that steady, knowing gaze. Warrior recognizing warrior. Both of them understanding what this meant.
The game had changed.
