Rain, mists, damp winds and all, she and Genisa were planted in the assigned du Bonne box just after sunrise, eagerly awaiting the commencement of the joust. The three du Bonne brothers had escorted the anxious ladies to the field, convinced the women would proceed without them or not. Therefore, dressing hurriedly and with varied degrees of alcohol-induced aching heads, Stephan, Ian and an ill-looking Lance were the first contenders to arrive at the lists. Even the heralds, immaculately dressed in du Bonne red and white, were tardy as compared with their liege's sons. In spite of the excitement surrounding the last phase of the jousting competition, the dawning day had emerged dank and stormy. A nasty squall had blown in over the course of the night, wreaking havoc on the tents converged near the lists and raining muck and misery on the unfortunate occupants. Several knights, with their tents collapsed by the harsh winds, had found refuge in the grand hall of Chaldon. Summer did not care about the weather.
