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

“My sister’s around here somewhere,” James confided, burping. “She never outgrew her horse phase. We all ride, but she won’t let me or Candy joust or compete; she says it’s too dangerous, and people only want to see professionals. They like it when nobody gets hurt.”


I had a chill; I thought it was from worrying about someone getting hurt. Maybe our luck had been too much for the day and might not last. Maybe someone would get hurt. Both of us had some medical experience, his in the police force, and mine way back in my army days. I always waited for the real medical people to step forward in any emergency. Luckily, so far, there had always been someone, and I would just go and help.


I thought I heard thunder but dismissed it; yeah, the sky was darkening with clouds, but look, here came another pair of horses!


“And now, announcing—what? Wait a minute! We have two new competitors who—who are they?”


The audience bellowed as we were wont to do, “Whoooo cares?!”


Chapter 12