A Knights Tale; Chapter 2

On the road the Kings Own rode at a fast pace. It was midday and the where halfway to their destination.

“Pull up. Let’s stop for lunch. Feed and water the mounts and switch to our second mount.”

“What’s lunch going to be this time?” one of the men joked. “Steak and shellfish? Maybe a nice warm stew to shake off the morning chills?”

“The usual!” someone laughed. “Dried meat, dry cheese, and stale bread.”

The men chuckled as they unsaddled their morning mounts to rest them during lunch and Leona and Royle shook their heads.

“It’s good that they’re still so relaxed,” Royle commented. “Give them a few more hours before we pull them in and get serious?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “Have them get the joking out of their systems before we have to bed down for the night.”

“We stop then when the sun dips to the tops of the trees, right?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “That should give enough time to set up and eat.”

The men joked through lunch and caring for their morning mounts. They all became sober as they saddled up their afternoon mounts. “Mount up we leave now.” Bellowed the lioness.

Everyone mounted and they started off at a brisk pace.

The sun was setting as they reached the Grand Bazaar.

“We stop here for the night. Set up camp boys.” Leona shouted. She dismounted and left her horse in the care of her squire

The squad did as ordered and camp was set before the sun dipped below the trees.

“Want me to change and get a feel for the bazaar? Get in there and start listening for things?” Royle volunteered.

“Would be a good idea,” Leona nodded. “We can keep attention focused here while you head off. A single person may be able to hear something if the group they’re with isn’t crashing about.”

“See if you can get these while you’re there,” she gave him a scrap of parchment.