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who said that Sacramenta was too small. What happened? Were the big horses too much for you, or has Keeper John gone blind? I mean to say, Father, this horse is, well, it’s a lady’s horse, don’t you think?”
    Sir Thomas was watching William closely.
    â€œWell, sir?” William waited for his father to say something.
    Sir Thomas cleared his throat, searching for the right words. “Let’s see how he goes. He is on the small side, it’s true. But he is certainly a fine-looking beast. And good work, young Hal,” he said, turning to the groom. “The horse is a picture. Go and saddle him up.”
    Sir Thomas frowned at Gavin. Gavin looked unabashed and, still grinning broadly, turned to talk to his friends. Humphrey, copying his master, began to make jokes with the other squires.
    As Hal led Hosanna away, Ellie, who had been hanging back, appeared from under Sir Thomas’s arm.
    â€œWhy,” she exclaimed, “the horse looks just like Sacramenta.”
    â€œHe’s Sacramenta’s foal, miss,” said Hal.
    â€œHe’s beautiful.”
    â€œI know.” Suddenly William was by her side, beaming. “I knew you would think so, too.”
    â€œYou could have shown me last night,” said Eleanor plaintively.
    â€œSorry. I just wanted to get to bed. I thought it could wait until the morning.”
    Eleanor smiled, but swallowed hard. The separation was beginning. Soon William would no longer automatically include her in his schemes. “Of course,” she said, and then to cover her disappointment, she smiled and asked, “What’s his name?”
    â€œHosanna,” said William, looking at the horse with nervous pride.
    â€œHosanna,” repeated Eleanor. “It’s a good name.” She patted the horse, who, turning his head, fixed her with his great dark eyes. “Hosanna,” repeated Ellie again, this time addressing the horse. “Yes, it suits you.”
    Gavin’s voice suddenly filled the air. “Fancy him yourself, Ellie?” he shouted as he swung himself onto Montlouis. “Don’t you think that he’s nothing but a pony? Now this is what I call a proper horse.” Gavin dug his spurs into Montlouis’s side, making him leap forward. Then he looked for William. “See you in the jousting field, little brother,” he called. “We’ll have a quick display before we leave. Assuming the horse is up to carrying your weight,” he added, delighted with the laughter his comments provoked from the other knights. Adam Landless winked at William.
    â€œSee you out there,” William said sullenly. He ignored Adam. Landless by name and landless by birth, he said to himself. This morning he refused to lose his temper, contenting himself with kicking a loose stone into the gutter as he followed Hal and Hosanna back to the stables.
    In front of Hartslove Castle was a long, flat plain with a view falling away into the valley. The grass was kept shortby grazing sheep who had, this morning, been herded into a pen and were making a terrific noise. There was no fencing, but some rough stands constructed for an audience formed barriers on either side. Running down the middle of the jousting ground was a single removable pole running lengthways. The knights used this for practice sessions, to see if their horses were galloping straight. In rough jousting, when more than one knight was involved, it was removed and the sport was a free-for-all. Sir Thomas tried to discourage this, since so many good horses and knights were injured as a result.
    Nevertheless, at Hartslove, tournaments were a common occurrence. Sir Thomas, although no longer taking part himself, was keen enough, provided order was maintained. Gavin was something of an expert, and it pleased Sir Thomas that William looked set to shine in his turn. Riding his own horse out into the field, having swept Ellie up and put her in front of him