It had been a painful day to be a jouster, but then it always was even for the victor most times.

But today there had been at least one seriously wounded individual, and Giles may have had no obligation of duty to attend the man, but he felt a moral obligation to check up and see that he was being treated well.

So as soon as the jousting had finished, he made his way over to the tent where the wounded were being housed to assess the care and provide any aid required.

It did not take long to find Sir John Castle in the tent, for he was the one with the freshest bandages. Still unconscious, or perhaps just asleep, the big man is shrouded in white around his middle. A nurse makes her way over to you.

"Here to see our knight, then? Bit of scare, wasn't it?"

Giles nodded in agreement. "One of the worst strikes I've seen delivered." He agreed, trying to sound more experienced than his years would account for, as he mused over the treatment.

"I think he'll be abed for quite some time, but it's too early to tell yet."

"Well, he's made of strong stuff. A lesser man... Toc! That would be that."

"And he is doubly fortunate to have diligent individuals by his bedside to assist his recuperation." Giles answered.

"Are you attached to the Abbey? Sister...?"

"Oh, no, I was brought in from St. Mary's in Winchester. Sister Alchhild." [not a typo] She offers her hand for a shake.

Giles accepts the hand and shakes vigorously.

"What a coincidence, I come from St. Mary's at Abergavenny. " He replies in a quiet voice, taking pains not to disturb the patient. "I'm grateful that we have so many talented healers on site for this gathering."

"As am I. I expect the melee will have a great deal more of anguish associated with it. At least the joust is civilized."

"This is my first gathering at an event of such size, I admit to being unfamiliar with the demands that will be put on our time during that chaos. Though the Lord never gives us more than we can bear." He quotes, drawing some strength from the Holy Scripture that he had been taught.

"True, true. Expect lots of bruising, and then one or two more serious injuries. Of course, the ratios change if King Richard decides to fight."

"Surely not? He would risk the royal person in such a way?" Giles blurts out as pure reaction.

"I mean, of course God Save King Richard, he will be fine I am sure, but as you say. Even if I were as large as..." Giles' eyes drop down to the prone and unconscious form of John Castle.

"I'm not sure whether I'd be more scared to strike His Majesty in such a situation or be struck by him."

"Part of the problem, to be sure, all the hesitating. But I've heard tell that he packs a wallop, and he doesn't lose often, though maybe you've heard the tale about the Marshal?"

"I confess not, although I imagine that anyone named Champion by His Majesty has some immense measure of skill in the art of war?" Giles asked, intrigued at the story.

"This goes back a few years, to the revolt of Henry, the Young King. All of the brothers, excepting John, and the Queen rose up in arms against King Henry, and they were all of them defeated. But it was hard going, especially against Richard. He was Duke of Aquitaine, then, and a powerful warrior, though he weren't much older than 18 years old. He'd never lost a fight, see, whether he was generaling or soldiering or just plain scrapping, as lads will.

Well, here comes the Marshal at the head of a troop of men to put the rebellion down and bring the prince in to his father, only Richard doesn't want to go. So what do they do but get down to fighting, and it's crossed swords and splintered shields and all the rest of it. Long story short, the Marshal breaks through Richard's guard, and has him dead to rights, only Richard ain't yielding. He's never lost a fight, y'see, doesn't understand the feelings and not ready to give up yet. But the Marshal, pressed as he is and with the prince's neck crying out for the chop, alters his swing at the last second--just as Richard's eyes widen with the knowledge of his sure and certain death!--and chops the head off Richard's horse instead. Well, the prince gets the message, sure enough, and the Aquitaine lays down its arms at his word, and he goes, meek as a lamb, to seek forgiveness from his father.

So the Marshal's the only man ever to defeat King Richard in a battle, and then only when Richard was in the wrong, acting against a rightful king. I should hate to think what'd become of any man tried to raise a hand against King Richard now that he's in the right, and no mistake!"