With the name of Jesse Thomas Cromwell, he definitely belongs in the world of Renaissance Faires. Playing old instruments of yore and singing ballads and bawdy tunes puts him on stage. This is Jesse’s favorite pastime, and things are going well until bagpiper James opens up a competition on a neighboring stage. Jesse becomes louder and bawdier until security comes and kicks him out.<br><br>Later James finds Jesse and apologizes for the ruckus. Together with a young lad whose faire gear was stolen and James’s niece, or maybe now nephew, they hatch a plan to get back into the Ren Faire. There are signs James isn’t altogether straight, but can Jesse answer that question in a satisfying way? Especially when they just might get thrown out of the faire again?

The Troubador

We had reached our stage area, and mine was empty. We climbed up and set up our instruments. James, who had no need for microphones, bellowed out in a very non-glamorous but very drag-full voice, “Attention ye who traverse here! My young friend Polly Wannasaylor, accompanied by my other friend Maida Coxwell and me, the legendary Entha Privee, will now perform for ye!”


Chapter 8