Page 72 of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly

“Hello, everyone!” he calls out over the dull roar of a hundred people gossiping. “I know we’ve got a show to do, but I’ve gathered you here for a quick chat. So, shut up for a few and let me get it over with.”

A few people laugh, but even more of them roll their eyes. Layla threads her arm through mine and I lean into her.

“As I’m sure many of you have heard, the Castle’s been in the news quite a lot lately. Thanks to the efforts of our very own Kit Sweetly—”

“And her friends!” calls out Layla.

“And her friends,” says Len, inclining his head in our direction.

I immediately wish she hadn’t said that. Len’s now going to know who at least one of my coconspirators is.

Every person in the room turns to look at us. I know now what someone in a dinghy surrounded by sharks feels like.

“Thanks to Kit and her friends,” continues Len, “we’ve gotten a lot of attention. Some of it’s been great—we’re booked solid for the next few weeks and there’s a waiting list for Friday’s show. I don’t need to tell you what good news this is. But there is something I need to say.”

I bite my lip.

“While Corporate appreciates all the new guests, they want you to know that nothing is changing at the Castle. We’re not changing the gender restrictions and they informed me that they told Kit this last week via email.”

There’s a low murmur throughout the room. Layla drops my arm and all my friends gape at me.

Len holds up a hand. “Be kind to Kit, everyone. We do have her and her friends to thank for all this press. But please let me be clear. The only Knights who are riding out this week—or ever—are going to be male. This is company policy. As Corporate told me in their email, which I’m happy to share with any of you who are interested, anyone who rides out as a Knight who isn’t supposed to will lose their jobs. Let me say that again. In case you have big plans for this so-called tournament on Friday. Anyone. Who. Rides. Out. As. A. Knight. Who. Is. Not. A. Current. Knight. Or. Squire. Or. Male. Will. Get. Fired. Full stop. No questions asked. We are here to represent the Middle Ages, not stir things up. That’s all. Get back to work.”

The room erupts in noise, and my name is bounced around the room like a tennis ball made of whispers.

I bury my face in my hands. Wishing the floor would open up and swallow me. All of my friends are talking at the same time.

Shit.

This is bad.

34

“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU DIDN’T TELL US ABOUT THIS, KIT!”

Mags hisses. Her arms are crossed so tightly across her body it looks like she’s going to tie herself into a knot.

The room’s nearly empty, but a few people have stayed to listen to what we’re talking about.

Jett shoots me a sympathetic look as the crowd carries him out the opposite door. He points to his backpack, as if he’s saying “I’ve got to change.” I wave to him. He’ll find me later. And besides, he already knew my terrible secret. And he told me to tell them, so it’s not like he could say anything other than “Told you so” or “Sucks to be you.” Not that he would say such things, but—

“It’s not a big deal,” Layla starts to say, coming to my defense and interrupting my spiral. I smile at her, but her eyes dart away from mine. They’re narrowed and her jaw twitches slightly. She might be defending me out of habit, but she’s mad too.

“It is a big deal,” snaps Penny. “Not just the lying, but also the fact that we’re going to get fired if we do this. You all are off to college, but I need this job!”

“Me too,” says Mags. “And not all of us are off to college. My plan was to work here through the next year while I look for acting jobs in the city.”

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I was going to figure out a way to stage the tournament without us getting in trouble. I didn’t mean to lie. I just didn’t want us to stop training.”

“It’s super shitty you didn’t tell us the truth,” says Alex. Their voice has a hard, annoyed edge. “I mean, we would’ve understood. Or tried to help. Do you know how many other activities I’ve said no to in the last two weeks in order to make this happen? I’ve missed so many derby practices, they benched me for the next three games. I know you said we’re in this together, but this just feels like you wanted to do this all on your own.”

“Yeah,” says Lizzy bitterly. “It’s the Kit Sweetly show. And the Kit Sweetly plan. And Kit Sweetly on the news.”

“That’s not fair!” I burst out. “I asked you all to join me. I want you to fight with me! This is about all of us.”

“Sure it is,” says Penny. “That’s why everything’s all about ‘the Girl Knight’ and they only showed your clip on the news.”

“I can’t help what they showed!” I shout. “And I’m trying to figure out how we can all fight.”