Page 89 of The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly

“Of course,” says Layla, rolling her eyes. “It’s okay though. I can’t wait to pulverize him out there. Do you know the kinds of photos he was texting me before I blocked his number?”

I scowl. “I’m very comfortable with all of us going through the routines we practiced. And also making it our personal mission to defeat Eric Taylor.”

“Hear! Hear!” Mags and Alex say together. Eric shoots us a death glare and continues getting ready.

There’s a loud trumpet of fanfare, telling us it’s ten minutes until showtime. We all hurry to get dressed.

“Showtime.” I put my helmet on. “Let’s go storm the Castle.”

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“WELCOME ONE, WELCOME ALL! TONIGHT WE HAVE A very special show at the Castle!”

Somehow Chris has finagled his way into the MC’s role tonight. His voice booms out over the loudspeakers after the last bunch of fanfare has ended. Len and his court, including Jett, are already in the royal box. Layla, Alex, Mags, Penny, Lizzy, and I wait in the arena hallway. Our horses whinny, nervous about the new riders. Eric Taylor, in full Green Knight gear, doesn’t bother hiding his scorn as he twists around on his horse to stare daggers at us.

“You are going to make fools of yourselves,” he says.

“Maybe we should’ve practiced on these horses,” says Lizzy doubtfully, as her horse shakes its head. She looks wobbly in the saddle.

“Steady, Silver Knight,” I tell her.

She insisted I ride out as the Red Knight, saying that way people will recognize me from my video, so we pulled her costume together out of what Jett ordered for me online and other bits and pieces from the locker room.

“You can always quit,” scoffs Eric. “I’m sure they won’t miss one more Girl Knight.”

“We’re more of a gender spectrum of Knights. And I’m going to relish knocking you off that horse,” says Alex loudly. “Think Roller Derby meets the Middle Ages.”

“You’ve not got much more experience out there, Eric,” calls out Layla. “Try to stay on your horse.”

Eric blanches at that thought. Before he can say anything, Chris calls out: “First, fair folks, we have the Green Knight!” Chris sounds almost bored and the crowd cheers lightly.

Eric digs his heels into his horse and gallops into the arena.

“Wish me luck,” says Layla, who’s up next. She pulls her helmet on and sits up tall in her saddle. The Blue Knight’s tunic is big on her, but she holds the reins steady, looking like she belongs there.

“You’ve got this.” I smile at her.

“Next, let’s give a boisterous Castle welcome to a fierce warrior who’s better at horsemanship than anyone in the far reaches of the kingdom, THE BLUE KNIGHT!” Chris’s voice is louder this time and he revs up the crowd.

Layla’s grin is electric as she digs her heels into her horse. She rides into the arena, confident and radiant.

We cheer with the crowd as she does her first loop.

“Next up, all you folks over here in the Yellow section, make some noise for your champion, the very tough, very talented, very tenacious Yellow Knight!”

Alex pops their helmet on their head and grips the reins. They ride out to loud cheers and do a flashy circuit around the arena.

Next is Mags, fighting as the Purple Knight. Then Lizzy as the Silver Knight. Then Penny—looking amazing in the Black-and-White Knight costume with her hair streaming silkily down her back.

Finally it’s my turn. My horse—the ever trusty Shadowfax—and I are alone in the dusty hall that leads to the arena. For a moment, it’s two weeks ago and I’m waiting for my first gallop into the arena.

But this time, excitement, not nerves, grips me.

Chris riles up the crowd and I can feel the buzz of their voices from here. “Last, but never least,” he practically screams into the mic. “You’ve seen her videos. Now it’s time to see her fight again! Ladies and gentlemen, KIT SWEETLY, FIGHTING AS THE RED KNIGHT!”

I kick my horse forward and ride out into the dazzle of the arena. Screams and cheers surround me, amplified a thousand times in the large space. I guide Shadowfax around the arena in a loop, past my grinning friends and a scowling Eric.

“Time to start the show,” Chris yells into the mic. “First, let’s joust!”