You'll host a grand tournament

A wonderful idea! Few things are bigger news in peace-time than a tourney. If all goes to plan, most of the nobles of your realm will be here within a few weeks, fighting in the arena or simply watching. It will be all anyone can talk about for a month at least. That's not to mention the fact that many eligible maidens will be in attendance; two birds with one stone. There are few cliches of courtly love are more famous than that of a suitor dedicating his victories to his lady, fighting as her champion (besides rescuing a fair damsel, of course). If you do well, you can expect a rise in the esteem of your countrymen. Not that you expect to do particularly well against the most elite fighters of your people, but you'll at least earn some respect for trying, right? You raise the funds and have letters sent out. Now you'll have to make sure the castle and the nearby town show off an appropriate amount of pomp and festivity.

In the meantime, you go to see the most renowned warrior in your country and winner of the last tournament, your marshal. Marshal Otto is a man who doesn't seem nearly as intimidating as he is. Though he is undoubtedly fit, he is not a massive man. He is quite openly glad that he is not, as he says their bulk makes them much less mobile and agile. You give him credence, since he has killed more men than you've read books. You send a page to find him and send him your way. When he enters, you note that he stands at about average height, balding, and gifted with a bushy brown beard that shows the first signs of growing gray. His heavy clothes hide much of his form, but you can tell he is broad and strong. He bows respectfully. "I am at your service, my liege" he says as he hits the low point of his bow. "Rise, marshal. As you may have heard, I will be holding a tourney soon. I ask that you tutor me in the arts of war, that I may not embarrass myself." He chuckles at your humility. "I assume then that I shall not compete? Very well, I do not mind. Better to let some young blood hold the title. And do not worry my king, by the time of the tournament I'll have made a man out of you" he says, smiling broadly.

You have just entered the busiest period of your young life. In the morning, you train with Otto, suffering through exercises and the repeated blows of practice weapons as he dances around you, shouting tips and commands. In the afternoons, you are busy organizing the festivities and construction of proper tournament buildings. The old ring has started to rot, and fresh building is necessary. Besides that, you have the tedium of everyday tasks and addressing of complaints. You start to think that the only thing keeping you sane is your nighttime play with Lis, and the occasional appearance of the much shyer Angelika.