Arthur decided that one ale wasn't going to be enough as he finished off his drink. The tavern had completely been overrun by Mordred and his entourage of yes-men and hangers on. Mordred had both literally and figuratively set up court. At least it was easy for someone like Arthur to get in and out without drawing "King" Mordred's ire. 

The young squire walked through the festival, trying to find somewhere quiet. The sights and sounds of the festival were overpowering, and Arthur just wanted to get away. The Arena was peaceful enough, as the jousting had ended for the day. Of the original thirty-two combatants eight remained, including Mordred and Kay. That thought had made Arthur sick to his stomach. (Or maybe it was the bad liquor)

The difference between Kay and Arthur is that Kay was gifted everything. He was naturally talented at nearly everything he tried to do. But that was his problem. He took it all for granted and just assumed he could do anything. Arthur had none of these gifts, so had to work twice as hard. While Kay was asleep or off gallivanting with his friends, Arthur practiced. He spent hours at the training dummy, trying to perfect his technique. When he wasn't training, he was reading books about training. He studied the works of Talhoffer, Von Danzig, and the other great sword masters. Being a good knight meant everything to him.

Deep down, Arthur could forgive his father for not knighting him. Ector had been, and still is, a great knight, so Arthur took his wisdom and advice seriously. But why on earth was Kay deemed worthy? He had done nothing to earn or deserve it. [i]What if, by some miracle, Kay wins tomorrow?[/i] Arthur asked himself. [i]What if he frees Excalibur? Is he really the kind of man this country needs to lea-[/i] Arthur was interrupted when someone bumped into him and dropped something at his feet. A small handful of weeds and local flowers were laid before him. A quiet but regal voice spoke up and got his attention.

"I'm terribly sorry, sir. I wasn't paying any attention. Those flowers, umm... I, uh, could you...?" said a young girl as she pointed at the flowers at Arthur's feet. 

She seemed about Arthur's age, maybe a year or two younger. Her golden hair seemed to glow in the setting sun, and her piercing blue eyes looked straight through him. Needless to say, she was gorgeous. Arthur at least had the sense to respond to her. 

"Of course. Sorry, milady." Arthur tried using his best courtly manners, but that was something Kay mastered that he never got the hang of. He grabbed flowers on the ground before him and tried to hand them to the young maiden.