The hour was drawing near; the battle would soon begin. Sweat, tears, and victory were in the minds and hearts of all the fighters. To the mundane world, many looked upon this tournament as a stupid game for stupid people, but for the populace that attended, it was a culmination of what they believed they could be.

Jacklyn could hardly contain her excitement; this was the first year that she would don her new armor and help her King win the crusade. Jacklyn first entered the world of medieval times while she was in university in Kansas. A little group that called itself the Wellington Medieval Association. An organization that prided itself in its love and knowledge of magnificent days gone by. Live steel was their game, and fighting well was their greatest passion.

In the real world, she was a pencil-pushing accountant for the Kansas City Pentacle, one of the biggest firms in North America, but in the WMA, she was Contessa Gabriella Valentina del Giardino Bella, an Italian noblewoman from the early fourteenth century. She loved everything about this era. Women were cherished and honored, with lavish clothes and jewelry bestowed upon them.

What she was wearing right now, however, was anything but lavish. Decadence was not without its place, but for the moment, Gabriella was garbed for war. She was wearing a thigh-length quilted shirt called a gambeson, which would serve as padding under the chain maille that she would later don prior to the beginning of battle. She bore her heraldic arms upon her fighting tabard worn over the gambeson.

Gabriella threw her armor into her pavilion; the duffel bag containing the full suit of Italian plate clanging against the table leg as it landed. She could not wait to wear the black steel plate armor, with its shiny polished brass trim, in a bid to defend her king.

Glancing at her hourglass, she thought, “Why not take in some of the wondrous sights of the day, while I have a chance?” It was true after all, and well known by all her peers, that her excellency was a great fighter. Last year’s Queen by right of arms to be exact. There was lots to admire at the event. Medieval food, armor, embroidery, and just about anything else your little chivalric heart could desire. Gabriella, however, had her eyes set on something more specific. The most exquisite gems in the world.

The jewelry display was like nothing she’d ever seen before. The trinkets, as well as their maker, seemed eccentric and strange, yet she was drawn by their wonder. Looking at all the different pieces, Gabriella instantly saw the item she wanted. A magnificent golden necklace with a large amethyst charm.

The old, eerie merchant glared at the Contessa as she picked up the charm to closer examine the stone. Tracing her finger across the gem, she couldn’t help but notice the macabre chill that suddenly filled the air. There was something about this object, but she liked it.

“I would like to purchase this most beautiful piece,” Gabriella stated, placing her new treasure down on the table.

“Ah, young lass,” said the old lady, “just leave the money. Thou shouldn’t be prepared, though, for all that will appear.”

Gabriella walked away from the old lady, grinning. “What a crazy old woman,” she thought. “Hmm, but I got this necklace for such a steal.”

There was still a little time before the event was to begin, so Gabriella walked down by the river to better survey her upcoming opponents. As she glanced towards the field, a glimmer from the amethyst caught her eye.

“What a beautiful piece of jewelry! I think I will try it on,” she thought. “I bet this will go wonderfully with the garb I have chosen for court.”

Using the water as a mirror, the Contessa fastened the clasp of the necklace upon her neck. It seemed to be perfect, complementing her beauty. She delighted in the reflection that shimmered in the water, but suddenly the water started to ripple. The air around her turned smokey and grey. Then without warning, a tremendous flash outshone the midday sun, lighting up the practice field for the briefest of instants. A rumble like thunder that belied the clear blue sky was overtaken by an horrific crash, and the world faded to black...

... “She’s a fiery one,” said the unsightly man with the wart on his nose.

“Aye,” said the other man, “that she is, Haggart.”

“Hmm,” Haggart snarled, pulling off his chain maille, “Jacob, methinks she needs a lesson in manners.”

Grabbing her by the back of the neck, the men threw Jacklyn to the ground. With one slash of Jacob’s dagger, Jacklyn’s gambeson was slit from neck to thigh. Haggart ripped the clothes the rest of the way, revealing her voluptuous tits. Her nipples stood straight in the air, causing both of the men to yearn for her body even more.

“Please don’t,” Jacklyn pleaded, getting to her knees as she tried desperately to hold back her attackers, “Please, please I beg you, stop.”

“My darling, you will beg for your life before we are done,” snorted Jacob, slapping her face, slashing the skin on her cheek.