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

“Well, at least the rain put the fire out,” someone said, coming in from outside, water dripping off his tri-corner hat, feathers drooping. I was standing in the doorway, not being any use to anyone, but at least trying to stay out of the way, and not throw up. It stank in here. And I’d had way too much beer. Nobody was cheering now. It had rained at faires before, often in fact, but never this hard. The field was a pond of mud. At least, the rain washed it off as people came in out of it.


Alan and Candy were in time out. Sis aka Mom was pissed. Alan and Candy were not unhappy to be squashed together on a hay bale. Alan was still giggling at odd moments, completely unhurt, filthy as a dock rat. Finally James walked over to his sister. “The kids are fine. You’re fine. Sure your pride is hurt, and you were scared, but it’s over and everyone’s all right. Stop your whining; you’re scaring the horses.”


Chapter 13