Once upon a time, in a land far, far away...
Collin watched with excited expectancy as the parade of knights passed by. Would he be there. he thought? Would Sir Lucas Wainwright of Westburough be among those who would compete today? He examined each one as the went by, hoping to spot the red and gold standard that was Sir Luke's.
In Collin's eyes, there were no other knights as handsome as Sir Luke, and it wasn't hero worship. Young Collin, more than a boy but not yet a man at eighteen, was in love. Although he had never had a lover and was still virginal, he had known he was same-sexed since he was thirteen. it was just something he knew without question.
Collin had watched the knight compete in many combats and had admired him from afar. he hadn't known, until recently, that the man was same-sexed as well. There had been many beautiful women who had thrown themselves at the knight, only to be promptly turned away. Collin had thought that maybe the knight was of some holy order, until the other day when he had overheard a young man talking in the stables.
The fellow had claimed to have been Sir Luke's squire, and had whined that he had left the knight because he was tired of the man's sexual advances. Hell, if i was Sir Luke's squire, Collin thought to himself, I wouldn't bitch about his advances, I'd be his bitch. He wanted so much to be the knight's lover--some way, some how, it didn't matter, as long as he could be held in the man's strong arms and be loved forever.
Catching sight of Sir Luke's standard at last, Collin jumped down from his perch and ran to the jousting grounds. He wanted to be among the first to find an advantageous spot. Maybe he would be lucky today and get a chance at his heart's desire. he quickly found a perch close to the tents but where he could see the joust tournament, and settled down to wait.
The knights rode onto the grounds atop their great battle steeds in glorious grandure, their standards flapping majestically in the breeze. They paraded around the rails once, then took their places beside their standards that had been planted into the ground in front of their tents. It was a magnificent display and Collin eagerly waited for the tournament to begin.
The knights were paired off for the first round, and the jousting began. Collin watched intently as Sir Luke, in the third pair, lowered his lance and charged. There was something not right with that lance. Collin's older brother, Jeremy, was a squire and had taught him the ways. that lance was warped. True enough, it broke where it should not have and Sir Luke was nearly un-saddled.
As Sir Luke's squire brought him a second lance, Collin observed that it, too, was warped. What was going on? Didn't that fool know his job? Sir Luke could get killed! Again, the knight lowered his lance and charged, again the lance broke where it should not have, and again the knight almost lost his seat.
Collin could see that the third lance was warped as well, and watched in horror as Sir luke was thrown. the knight stood and showed that he was al-right, then removed his helm and tossed it to the ground forcefully. The man was livid as he raged to his tent. A moment later he emerged with squire in tow, flogging him as he went, and tossed him out of the arena. Collin decided that here was his chance, and he jumped down to approach Sir Luke as he returned to his tent.
* * *
Sir Lucas Wainwright slammed his helm down hard to the ground. That was fucking it! No more! He'll kill the little son-of-a-bitching squire! He stormed off to his jousting tent to wallop the whelp. That had been the third warped lance in a row the little prick had given him today. How was he supposed to compete with an incompetent squire giving him inferior equipment? To make matters worse, this was the sixth damn squire this month.
He found the boy cowering in the back of the tent and hauled him out, beating him soundly. he then tossed him out of the arena, dramatically dusting his hands to show his disapproval. Discussed, he snapped up his helm and headed back to his tent to await the next round. As he neared his tent, however, he was accosted by yet another hopeful youth.
"Excuse me, Sir Luke, but I could squire for you," the young man who had grabbed his arm offered.
"Go away," he growled, shaking off the boy's hold of him, "I've had enough of squires today."
"But I am strong, and I know the ways," the boy pleaded, "I knew all three of those lances were warped the moment they were handed to you. I know my weapons."
Luke stopped and turned to examine the boy. He was tall, but not very (Luke towered over him a little), and he was thin, but not gangly. There were some trim muscles on him, no fat, and he
looked healthy. Lucas looked into the boy's eyes, and saw an honesty there in those baby blues, fringed with long dark lashes on a pretty face topped with a thatch of dark waves.
The knight had a sudden need to control his lust. One of the problems he had had with squires was giving in when they offered and not wanting to give up when they had had enough. If he was to accept this lad's offer to squire, he would have to watch himself. regardless, the boy would need to prove that he could, in fact, squire.
"What is your name, boy?" he clipped.
"Collin MacThorp, Sir Luke," the boy answered.
So, he was a MacThorp, huh? Sir Thomas had a MacThorp for a squire, a good lad.
"Okay, Collin MacThorp," Luke acceded, "I'll give you a trial today. If you don't work out, off you go."
"Yes-sir! Thank you, Sir Luke!" the boy babbled, "You won't regret it!"
"I had better not," Luke growled.
The rest of the day was spent pleasantly in competition, and the lad did, in fact, prove his competence and capability. Luke had never had a better squire. The boy didn't grumble or complain, and almost knew what he wanted before he did himself. this squire was quickly becoming a keeper. Now, if he could only get through the night without trying to bed the lad.
* * *
Collin hadn't done his best today, a-purpose. He hadn't wanted to seem too good to be true. Still, Sir Luke had been pleased with his performance of his duties. Collin was now the knight's squire, and his heart thrilled with joy. he would be close to the man he loved. All he needed to do now was to let him know that he was willing.
But, the knight was making that difficult. He had given Collin a bed roll to sleep outside, while the knight himself would sleep in the tent. How was he supposed to seduce the man that way? Collin laid awake until he was sure the knight had drifted off to sleep, then he quietly crept into the tent.
