Chapter 28

Priory of Saint-Martin-des-Champs

Paris, France

December 29, 1386

The glove flew through the air in an arch, and before it landed in the sand, the two knights gave spur to their warhorses. The enormous beasts snorted and lunged forward, into full gallop within three strides. Sir Jacques le Gris was the first to lower the tip of his steel-shod war lance, aiming for his opponent’s heart. A second later, Sir Jean de Carrouges gained control of his lance and brought it down, its sharp point rushing toward the body of his enemy.

The thunderous sound of the heavy horses’ hooves shook the walls of the courtyard. Marguerite watched in shock and horror. The King leaned forward in his seat, feeling a rush of adrenalin. Everyone watched in breathless silence as the distance between the knights rapidly became smaller and smaller.

They struck with violent ferocity. The sound of metal on wood blasted into the courtyard of the abbey. The crowd involuntarily gasped at the shock of the impact. The horses continued their run to the end of the list, then began to slow.

Both men had raised their shields in time to block the lance from doing deadly damage, but the force of the impact had stunned them both. Sir Jean had been knocked backward by the blow and lay senseless on his back, still on his horse. Sir Jacques leaned over the saddle and shook his armored head, trying to clear his mind. He shouted out and spurred his horse hard, pulling roughly on the reins, causing the beast to spin about. He swung the reins, slapping the beast on the flanks and charged forward, lowering his lance and aiming for his vulnerable, and unprepared enemy.