Excerpt: Beware the Thorns

“You have to stop this bout.” Rouchard slowly turned to face Gareth, a long thin eyebrow arched in question. He looked mildly annoyed at the interruption, his weary brown eyes taking in Gareth’s harried expression.

“And why, Master Gareth, should I do that?”
“Because Sir John has tipped his lance.”

“Cheating will always occur, Master Gareth, why should I stop this one instance?” Rouchard brought his hands together in front of him, his elbows resting on the arm rests. Gareth gritted his teeth. Rouchard knew why, he had known for awhile Lillian rode, he just turned a blind eye to it, knowing her free spirit would not be tied down.
“Because…..you know who is riding against Sir John and both our heads are forfeit if something happens.” Rouchard eyed Gareth very carefully. His mind was working out several things at once. For one, he didn’t think she’d be crazy enough to ride herself, she would have known there would be a target on her back. The only reason he had let her ride in place of her brother is because she was relatively safe. She was getting too reckless. If he didn’t call it off and Lillian did get hit, he’d be free, but also either outcast or dead. If he did call it off, he’d be stuck with her and her infernal machinations forever. Both prospects were equally enticing. Gareth, standing right beside him, seemed to grow increasingly fidgety while Rouchard took his time deciding what to do. Finally Rouchard nodded and stood up, walking to the front of the box.