The sun has not yet risen, and I hear an expected knock.  Good Master James stands at my front door. He is dressed in his signature blue tunic, green muffin hat and green leggings.  “Thy chariot awaits my lord,” he says with a smile.  I hurriedly load my goods into Sir Richard’s coach – cape, rapier, main gauche, hat, and drinks.  I take a seat in back with Man at Arms Trublood.  Our numbers are fewer than usual.  Only four shalt make the near four hour journey to the Scarborough faire this year. Notably absent were Captain Gareth and Sir Brian.

Hours pass.  The sun hast risen, but the sky is still dark and gloomy. Colour splashes the green countryside as bluebonnets and other wildflowers become more abundant the further north we travel. The soothsayers say only 30% chance of rain, but fate does not watch over us this day, and rain splashes outside.  To the east, lightning flashes as our coach makes it turn to the west.

Not a drop falls from the clouded sky as the coach comes to a stop.  Tis just past the hour of ten. Sir Richard hast made good time indeed. We receive our first compliments as we slip on our baldrics, hats, rapier hanger, and weapons.  Sir Richard perches Spot upon his left shoulder. Spot is a mite tempermental due to the early hour. But after a while, the green dragon whelp settles down and begins to peck his master’s bearded cheek and curiously looks over the grounds. I hope Richard remembered to feed him this time. I can hear children arguing if the pocket dragon is real or not.

The tickets are a pence less than seventeen gold.  As we enter the gate which lies east of the village, the fair lady tears my ticket in half and returns a stub.  I take a free map and step into High Tower Square.  "Good Morrow!" greets a villager with a broad smile. "Good Morrow," I reply with a nod and a smile.  I gaze at the schedule of events.  I have studied the program earlier and had selected several acts that we have not seen before.  I tuck the map into my right boot and catch up with the others who make their way to the privies. The men and women privies are separeated by a common wall. Neither can see the other, but I can overhear the conversations of two women.  We then head for the jousting grounds. I am interested in the first joust for women are to participate.  We travel north through High Tower Square and over the Villagers Crossing Bridge.  As we cross through the Pecan Grove, I can see the Rogues playing their celtic music from the Gypsy Stage.  The grounds are muddy in places.  Musketeers are in abundance.  I thought the frenchmen might be in hiding with the current state of war. 

We happen upon the Royal Carousel with donkeys, ponies and including exotic animals such as llamas...

and even a zonkey.  I have heard of such beasts but never one in person.  Sir James believes that it is a fraud. 

At the jousting grounds, the squires are all in a hurry as they prepare for the upcoming tournament. The joust is not till the hour of eleven so we have time to kill.  The Master at Arms and I pay a gold piece each to view the nearby historical arms and armoury museum which also serves as a store. The merchant points out a main gauche that would match my rapier. He also points out a trident main gauche.  He did not notice that I already own that particular main gauche and that it is strapped to my right leg.  Many weapons are sold by Museum Replicas, but there are other items such as spurs which catch my eye.  I wondered if one of their miniature helmets would fit my cat's head.   As we exit, they stamp the back of our hands so we might return.  As we exit the museum, I spy Sir Richard.  He has found Authentic Wardrobe – a wonderful shoppe for clothing. Lady Mary purchased an elven green cloak from them.  She also purchased my new festival shirt from them as well.  Too bad the shirt lacked cuffs which fold back.  I have been eyeing their new Musketeers Officer uniforms which they have on display.  The uniforms are wonderful, but would be a tad warm in this climate.

We make our way to the Royal Kitchens and have our fill of food.  Richard and James content themselves with steak on a stick whilst the Master at Arms hast the chicken on a stick.  I find myself parched and search for drink. I had sweet mead in mind, but I noticed that the Captain’s Pub serves pear cider a drink I have never partaken.   I buy a free membership since this is a dry county.  A quick swipe of my driver’s license and I am given a king’s crown sticker.  The drink is not as sweet as I expected it to be.