Emrys walked alongside Lila’s horse, and they conversed clumsily. From Emrys Lila learned the names of some of the knights. Each of them inclined his head politely when Emrys introduced them, and Lila waved back weakly. She had no clue as to how to conduct herself.

“Emrys,” she said, “you could ride with me.”

He blinked at her, startled. Even Arthur turned to look at her.

Lila floundered. “In my country, girls and women are allowed to fight. And ride horses. Alongside men. I am like a page, back home.” She hoped they bought it.

“Have you ever heard of such things, Emrys?” Arthur asked.

Something mischievous glinted in Emrys’s eyes. “My Liege,” he said, “I have heard many tales of foreign women. Perhaps Lady Lila, as a warrior in training, can defend her own virtue.”

Arthur laughed. “You just don’t want to walk.”

Sir Tor, who looked rather young to be a knight, gazed at Lila with wide eyes. “Can you use a sword?”

Back home, Lila would have been embarrassed to say yes. Here, she said it proudly.