Page 70 of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly

“What the hell?” I check the names again.

“Sorry about that, sweetie,” says Penny, coming up behind me with a tray full of empty water pitchers. She gives me a one-armed hug. “I had you in the Red Knight’s section as usual, but Len pulled you out of rotation. Said you have to go see him before shift starts.”

“Am I fired?”

Penny shakes her head. “No idea. But everyone’s seen the news clip and the website by now. Dalton’s pretty pissy about it, but you know we all have your back.”

“Thanks, Penny,” I mumble.

“Can’t wait for Friday,” she says. “We’re going to put on such an amazing show.”

“It’s going to be great.” My voice is full of false confidence. I even manage to wink conspiratorially at her. “Now, I’m off to see what fresh hell Len has in mind for me.”

Penny opens her pack of Camels and takes out the cigarette that’s turned upside down. She offers it to me. “For after you talk to him,” she says with a smile. “I’m betting you’ll need it.”

“Not your lucky one.” I push it back. “Besides, I owe you like ten packs by now.”

“Just take it,” she says. “Lords and Ladies know you need the luck more than I do right now.”

“Fair point,” I say, slipping the cigarette behind my ear. “See you soon, Wench.”

“Good luck!” she calls out. She readjusts her tray and hurries toward her section.

I wave to her and begin the long, circuitous walk to Len’s office.

“SO, HERE WE ARE AGAIN,” SAYS LEN AS I ENTER HIS OFFICE. “But this time, Kit, I don’t think I can shield you from Corporate. Why in the world did you go on the news?”

I stride to his desk, willing myself to calmly sit in the chair across from him. “I had an opportunity and I took it! The Castle needs to change to stay relevant. Also, I want to fight as a Knight. Permanently.”

Len makes a noise. “You’re hilarious.”

“I’m serious. Why don’t you let me fight as the Red Knight tonight? I know all of Chris’s moves, and it would show everyone how committed you are to gender equality, and it would get people all fired up for Friday’s tournament.”

“Friday’s tournament?” Len arches an eyebrow at me. “You still think that’s happening?”

“C’mon, Len. I’m the best choice to fill in while Chris is hurt, and it also proves the Castle is really progressive. I’ve got a bunch of other non-male Knights who are ready too, and we can put on a great show!”

The whole conversation feels like déjà vu, but the stakes are higher tonight. Now that Chris is hurt, my friends are expecting to fight, and half of Chicago knows my name and what I hope to accomplish here. Len shakes his head and picks up his crown.

“Not going to happen. A Squire will fight tonight in Chris’s place.”

“That’s bullshit, Len! And you know it!”

“Yes! Kit, dammit. That’s how it goes sometimes. And I’m sorry you don’t think it’s fair, but that’s how it was in medieval times, and that’s how it goes here.”

“Not for long,” I mutter darkly. “You just wait. There are going to be changes around here.”

“You’re hardly in the position to make changes,” says Len. “Effective immediately, you’ve been demoted from Wench to lower stable hand. Your new job is to take out all the horses’ straw and wood shavings for the night.”

Lower stable hand is one of the worst jobs in the Castle. Think backbreaking labor meets intolerable stench meets minimum wage. Usually it’s reserved for entry-level applicants, but every now and again, Len saves it as a special job for someone who’s really in trouble. Lucky me.

“Only for one night?” I resign myself to getting through the next eight hours.

“Oh no,” says Len. “Welcome to your new role at the Castle. Certified Shit Shoveler. I don’t want you anywhere near the arena until our Corporate visit on Friday is over. If you—and your friends, because I know you’re not alone in this—can manage to keep your heads down, then maybe I’ll let you Wench again. But if you don’t, I’m firing you all.”

Every part of me wants to tell Len to shove it, but I still need this job. At least for the summer, so I can have some money for college this fall. And I don’t want to screw my friends over even more.

“Fine. I’ll do it until Friday. I won’t mention the Knight stuff again, but you better let Chris fight when he’s better.”