Tell them you're here for the jousting tournament

?I?m here for the tournament!? you say, trying to command some authoritative voice in your tone.

The guard looks at you, then back to Sir Dyer. ?Even so, thou ist not allowed to bring visitors thineself without prior approval from the crown. Especially ones as disgusting as this.?

Your new friend balks at having you see the king. ?She is not here to watch, you lout. She is participating in the tournament as well.? He looks back at you and winks.

?Hogwash!? says the guard. ?She would not stand a chance, and they would never let a tramp joust.? He leers in your direction as if he hadn?t gotten his opinion about you across yet.

Your knight sighs. ?She?s not jousting! This lady here ist the best archer this side of York. She can hit a grouse going at full speed from a hundred yards with her eyes shut. And she could put an arrow right between thine eyes even if thou were facing the other direction!? If the situation wasn?t so serious you?d probably be laughing. What is he getting you into?

The guard snorts at his story. ?I am afraid I do not believe thee, Sir. And I still believe thou dost have her here for illegal or uncouth means. She shall be taken to the king at once and he shall decide her fate.?

?We haven?t the time, and we shouldn?t waste good King Edward?s either. Unless thou wantest me to remind him about the affair thou hadst with his daughter.? You look at Sir Dyer, then at the guards, waiting for a reaction.

?Hrumph!? let out the guard. ?Very well. But your lady friend better sign up for that tournament. I would very much like to see her tomorrow.?

The guard lets you pass through and you head into town. You get numerous looks, whispers, and even a few jeers, but Sir Dyer is able to quiet many of the hecklers with a simple glance in their direction. Once reaching the town hall, he asks you to stay outside. Fifteen minutes later, he comes out and lets you know you have been signed up for the tournament. Perplexed, you speak up. ?You don?t actually expect me to participate in the games tomorrow, do you??

?And risk having my reputation soured by that guard? I am not afraid of the king, but I have certain privileges in London that I would prefer to keep. Thou dost not even have to be as proficient with the bow as I professed you were. Just show up and give the crowd a show. Maybe thou will even make them laugh.? He smiles at you. ?And then after that I can show thee where to find the help thou needest. By the way, I signed thee up under the name Lady Gaelwyn.?

You have no intention of sticking around for the tournament, but you thank him all the same. ?It was a good thing you knew about his affair,? you smirk.

?Eh? Oh, the guard?s? I?ve never seen him before in my life. I was bluffing, and he took the bait.?

Despite knowing what would have happened if he was wrong, you can?t help but laugh. You?re starting to trust this guy. For a bloke almost a thousand years older than you, he ain?t that bad. ?Where are we going now?? you inquire.

?To my house,? he replies. ?I live alone. I have not yet married and most of my family hast died. But I hope to find someone to give warmth to my house soon.? He turns to you and smiles, though somehow not in a creepy manner. A true gentleman, you think. You hope. ?First thing we need to do is get thee some better clothes. If you go around town dressed like that you are liable to be maimed.?

When you reach his place, he finds you a new wardrobe. ?These belonged to my late sister. I thought I would keep them in case I have a girl someday. But thou dost need them now.? You thank him profusely, which he fends off. Treating you to bread and soup, you have a delightful dinner. You manage to have a lengthy conversation without ever broaching topics you can?t answer. You even tell him about your family and make up a story about learning English. He seems impressed with your past and survival skills, and you are equally as impressed with his accomplishments and gallantry.

After cleaning up, he leads you to the bedroom. ?I only have one bed, which thou may sleep in. I shall sleep in the chair in the other room. You may wake me if thou needest anything.? As you pull over the covers, you feel truly frightened for the first time since arriving at this?place. You?re not even sure how you?re going to fall asleep.