This whole thing with Sam maybe having sword-fighting lessons suddenly dropped a long story arc idea into my head.
The town council announces that, this Spring, Northampton will have a Historical Faiyre (yes, they spell it that way) with different days focussing on different periods including the colonial, old West and gaslight/steampunk era (the owners of The Horrible Revelation are sponsoring that day) and the like. A medieval day is included mostly because of the enormous popularity of the TV show
The Contest of Crowns (so named for copyright protection purposes).
Sam, much to everyone's shock, announces her intention to compete in all the martial contests to be held on the Medieval day - Jousting, sword-fighting (individual and melee) and archery.
Now, most people would try to put off a 15-16 year old girl who is planning to compete against professionals re-enactment performers from across the continental US and Canada. Not our heroes. Faye bullies the entire cast into helping her get ready. This takes on several forms, some expected and some less so.
- Faye was going to be doing a blacksmithing demonstration anyway and takes it upon herself to design and build Sam's armour - plate over mail;
- Claire does some research at Amhurst's library and designs a coat of arms for Sam's shield (A green cobra head from GI Joe on a coffee brown background with a horizontal wheatsheaf underneath, representing Jim's career as a baker);
- It turns out that one of Veronica's clients from way back was into medieval role-play and she taught herself archery as part of that job; she's willing to pass on a few tricks to her stepdaughter; she also helps her with her previously-minimal horse-riding skills;
- Bubbles acts in the least expected way; she invites Sam to several 'sleepovers' at the Arena during which she imparts the Code of Chivalry and the Way of the Warrior in a deep and impressive voice whilst in a dark, candlelit room;
- The other fighting 'bots also get in on the act, deciding that Bubbles' little friend needs to 'learn a few moves' - I just like the idea of the fighting 'bots 'adopting' a few of the cast in a weirdly eccentric way.
The festival comes and Sam actually does quite well, especially in disciplines that require individual skill over size and strength. May is
very impressed that Momo's little friend can fight like that and briefly wonders if she wants to do it on a professional basis. The joust is basically a long series of re-scripted
A Knight's Tale jokes, with Marten, Faye and Sven acting as Sam's 'squires'. Similarly, the archery contest should have every possible reference to
The Hunger Games and
Brave.
One possible scene would be for Sam to lose one individual sword-fight bout because her opponent tricks her into thinking he is hurt so he can get inside her defences. Bubbles is particularly furious that the referee is 'rewarding dishonourable conduct' and Faye is needed to stop her from saying or doing something stupid.
Anyway, in the end, Sam is placed highly in all the disciplines (maybe even wins in some) and is rightly pleased with herself. Being a romantic at heart, I'd like for a nerdy boy from school to be smitten with the 'Magnificent Lady Knight' and for Sam to allow him to purchase her a milkshake "as I don't have any money in these tin pants!"
At the end of the tournament, through her mother, Hannelore has arranged a surprise. The tournament director calls Sam forward and has her kneel before him before touching his sword to both her shoulders and dubbing her
Ser Samantha of the House of Bean.
The medieval day ends with a dance around the bonfire with Deathmöle providing the music (medieval metal being their original thing, in some ways).