Alexandra

With the rising of the sun, pandemonium reigned in the palace grounds. Horses were being exercised and the contestants were either stretching, meditating or fencing at shadows according to their mood. Rings for sword play and the lists for the tilting were being given their final inspection by the judges.

Alexandra had woken early to discover that once again she was expected to sit on display for the entire day.

For a brief moment, she ...