Alas, this was the Dark Ages, where premium food groups were unavailable, and he had work to do.
“There is talk that the best of the swordsmen includes Gawain and, of course, Lancelot du Lac. Modred is supposed to hold his own as well,” he informed her.
“I do not know these people,” Rui said in her usual matter-of-fact way, unconcerned. “And they have never met an opponent like me before.”
“Touché. I’m just flagging that you should take note of the names and be careful. Never underestimate your opponent and all that.”
She acknowledged his caution with a nod.
“There will be more rowdy fun and games tonight, lots of food and drink. But nothing official. I’ll use the opportunity to get intel on your opponents as usual.”
“Eight of us will continue to tomorrow’s games?” she inquired.
Finally, she was taking interest in the task at hand, not mooning hopelessly over her hunky beefcake.
“Yes. Starting with a swimming race across the lake and back. Thrice.”
He eyed her up and down.
“Can you move well in clothes? I expect the men will be stripped down to the skin. Easier that way. An option not available to you.”
She rolled her shoulders.
“I can outswim anyone in anything.”
Ere’s lip quirked in one corner.
The treasure dragon’s supreme confidence in her own abilities was somewhat annoying when they first met. Now, it was one of the many things he liked about her.
“Four will move on to the wrestling event in the afternoon,” he continued. “Best out of three rounds. Same pairing each time. The winners of each pair will meet in the final event the day after next. There will be a formal celebration at the castle for all of the warriors and lords on the second night. Attendance of the two winners is required.”
Rui wrinkled her nose in distaste.
“Waste of time.”
“Perhaps. But not optional,” Ere retorted. “You are here in disguise, under a false name. You are a lord, one of a handful. You must be present in order not to raise suspicion and cost us the tournament before we collect the prize we came for.”
“Being present might make it more obvious I am not that man,” she argued. “What if someone he knows discovers the ruse?”
“I’ll take care of it,” Ere said.
And he would.
He’d use his brains to deal with potential risks, but if all else failed, he also had Sorin’s brawn. He could make anyone who might blow their cover simply… disappear for a while.
“Anything else?” Rui asked with a slight arch of her sleek black brow, indicating impatience.
“I am ready to show these mortals how it’s done.”
Ere grinned and bowed with a flourish, as Rui effortlessly pulled her horse around and spurred it into a trot to join the other contestants at the starting line.
Sorin gave Ere a leg up to mount their own horse, then swung on behind him. They started at a sedate pace toward the open area where spectators waited for the contestants to emerge from the forest with their spoils.
“What do you make of the tournament opening?” Ere asked his Mate of few words.
He missed their telepathic connection. In their human forms, in this time, they couldn’t communicate as they used to. It must be especially difficult for Sorin, who, even for an animal spirit, was unusually taciturn. He never spoke aloud unless he absolutely had to.
On the other hand, Ere was thankful for the need to communicate verbally, because he got to hear Sorin’s deep, husky voice, which gave him all the best feels. Hearing it in his mind wasn’t quite the same. When the rich sound strummed his eardrumsandhe registered it in his mind, it was a double whammy of pleasure.