Book 5: The Joust

Amval

My heart hammers. The sun beats down on me, drenching my brow in sweat. People are everywhere, dressed in finery and uniforms alike. I have to find her. I can’t be too late.

I spent half of last night awake, trying to figure out how to convince Ingrid I believed her without abandoning my belief in my sister. When Tek woke me early with news of the joust, I barely understood him. All I knew was that we needed to get an early start because there was extra work to do.

By the time it dawned on me exactly what happened, exactly what Ingrid had agreed to, it was too late. I couldn’t abandon my friends to do my work for me.

Which is why I am now fighting my way through the frankly enormous crowd, considering how quickly this event came together, trying to reach the track to warn Ingrid.

She told me, one night, about one of her latest interests: jousting. I was excited to be able to relate to her over something. I don’t particularly enjoy