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When Shouta noticed the posters for a medieval market on one of his patrols, he initially thought nothing of it. Just another annoying and noisy event where far too many people would be. Once, however, he stopped too long next to such poster and read through it. In big red letters various attractions were mentioned: knight fights, medieval music, princesses, playmen and all sorts of other things. Shouta wrinkled his nose. But every time he saw one of the posters again, it occurred to him that Eri would certainly have a lot of fun there. Hitoshi would surely enjoy the tournament and Hiazshi would have the opportunity to experience a music genre live he probably didn't even know yet. For a few days, the hero carried this thought with him before telling his husband.
"Oh, yeah, I saw those colorful posters, too," Hizashi recounted. "But I didn't really get around to reading through them." Still skeptical, Shouta asked the blond what he would think about going to this market with the kids. It didn't take Hizashi long to be convinced and enthusiastic about the idea.
"I'm surprised that suggestion came from you," he teased the black-haired. "Does being a father make you a softie?" He smiled away the bitter look he received in return. "It's a great idea, Shou. The kids will have a lot of fun." The blond kissed Shouta on the forehead. "You're a great father." Shouta pulled his scarf higher to hide his blushing face, but Hizashi could still see his smile underneath.
So they went to the medieval market the following weekend. Hizashi had done some research on the Internet and explained to Eri and Hitoshi that it would be like a fair, but with a medieval theme. There would be knights and princesses or people dressing up as them and playing a role during the event and many visitors to the market would also come in such garb. He explained that there was a large fan base for such markets and that there were no limits to the imagination for the outfit.
Eri's eyes lit up with anticipation, whereas Hitoshi seemed unconvinced. He matched Shouta's expression, who was not convinced of his own idea himself.
"Are there really princesses, Papa?" asked Eri and Hizashi replied excitedly, "Yes, little listener. And there are also princes, dragons, wizards, all kinds of mythical creatures, orcs..."
"What's an orc, Papa?"
"They're fictional non-human creatures with green skin, fangs, and pretty ugly faces."
Shouta looked questioningly at his husband. "What?" the blond defended himself. "It said so on the Internet."
The closer they got to the area where the market was set up, the louder the music got and the more outlandish the garb of the people around them. Hizashi had put Eri on his shoulders, but once they paid the entrance fee and were on the market grounds, she wanted to explore everything and fidgeted so much that Hizashi had to put her down again.
She was completely fascinated by all the non-ordinary things, so she ran open-mouthed in amazement in front of her brother and fathers, who had to keep a close eye on her so as not to lose her. Many people were walking around in strange clothes, to her right and left were tents with wooden benches or cauldrons hanging over a fire. People were happy, laughing and singing, there were many animals like dogs or horses to see, but also strange looking figures that scared her a little. Her fathers always stayed close to her.
At a booth with different clothes, she finally stopped. "Look, Papa," she exclaimed excitedly, pointing to a green and white dress. It had long wide sleeves, lacing across the chest, and was decorated with pretty embroidery.
"Do you like it?" Hizashi asked, leaning down to her. Eri nodded her head, a little embarrassed. The blond looked to Shouta, who gave him a quick nod. "Then we'll buy it!" Eri beamed all over her face.
"Really?"
"Of course," Shouta confirmed. "I'm sure you'll look great in it."
Shouta helped Eri put on the dress while Hizashi went to the vendor to pay. When he returned, Eri spun in circles, letting her new dress fly in the wind.
"Do I look like a princess?"
"Yes, my little listener, you do," Hiazshi said with tears of emotion in her eyes. Hitoshi and Shouta's hearts also swelled when they saw Eri this happy.
Suddenly, a strangely dressed man climbed onto a kind of pedestal and opened a roll of paper. He cleared his throat and then spoke.
"Dear people, noble ladies, noble gentlemen,
I, the herald, on behalf of my liege lord, Sir Siegfried the Fearless, announce to you that the tournament for the hand of his esteemed daughter, Princess Sieglinde, is about to begin. Many noble knights have made their way to us to compete in the tournament for the hand of the fair princess. So be assured that the great tournament will begin when the sun is at its zenith."
The man rolled the paper back up, bowed and walked off the dais. A general uproar began and Shouta had to grab Eri's hand to keep her from being pulled along with the crowd.
"He sure talked funny," Eri commented, looking after the man.
"It's part of his role," Hizashi explained to her. "What do you think? Shall we go see the tournament," the blond suggested. "Yeeeeeeeeeees," Eri shouted joyfully and even Hitoshi said that he would love to watch this spectacle.
When they arrived at the battle site, it was already full of onlookers. It was a large oval square around which many benches and hay bales had that had been placed for seating. In the middle was a kind of fence and on one side a castle gate had been erected through which the knights entered.
Shouta took Eri on his shoulders and Hizashi found a hay bale for Hitoshi to stand on and see better. The two heroes stood side by side and Hizashi grabbed Shouta's hand. The black-haired returned the tender gesture. He did not regret having made this proposal.
So they stood together for almost an hour, cheering with the proud knights and their warhorses, who had to compete in various disciplines to win the hand of the fair princess. Eri whooped and cheered on Shouta's shoulders and Hitoshi could not hide his enthusiasm either. And when the princess went to the winner of the tournament and kissed him, Eri burst into loud cries of jubilation. Then the crowd dispersed again.
"I'm hungry," Hitoshi said and Eri's stomach gave a grumble as well.
"Then let's go get something to eat. I saw a stand with a big grill earlier or would you prefer something sweet?" Hizashi asked. "Something sweet," Eri rejoiced and since no one objected, they went to a small stand near the tournament area, that sold sweets called "poffertjes." These were a kind of small pancakes with different toppings. Hizashi chose chocolate cream for all of them.
While they were eating, a squawking noise suddenly sounded behind them. Eri winced.
"What was that?"
"I think that was a shalmay. That's a medieval instrument," the blond reassured her. Shouta was amazed at how well Hizashi seemed to have informed himself in advance. He himself didn't even know that word.
"I think there's a stage back there and the band is getting ready. Let's go there after we finish eating. I'd really like to see this or rather hear it," Hizashi suggested full of curiosity. He had never heard a medieval band before, but had read that they often performed with historical instruments. There were bands that played historically correct songs that were actually written in the Middle Ages, but also bands that played a kind of modern medieval rock with drums and guitar. He was very excited to see what was about to happen to him and his family.
It quickly became apparent that a medieval rock band would be playing, as a drum kit had been set up and two guitars were at the edge of the stage. The men and women on stage were all wearing robes, and Hiazshi showed his family which of the instruments was the shalmay they had heard earlier. He was also able to name the bagpipes, a hurdy-gurdy and various flutes.
When the concert began, they were all overwhelmed by this unusual sound. There was something old and exotic about it, even though some of the lyrics described modern themes. Hitoshi had grabbed Eri's hand at some point and walked with her to right in front of the stage, where people were singing and dancing along. Shouta tried to stop him, but his husband held him back by the shoulder. "Let them go," he said gently. "Hitoshi is 16 years old. He can take care of Eri." Shouta knew the blond was right. He sat down next to him on one of the hay bales and put his hand on his thigh. Together they listened to the music.
"This was really a great idea, Shou. Thank you so much for bringing us here."
"It's not as bad as I thought," the black-haired man quipped. Hizashi moved closer to him and rested his head on Shouta's shoulder. In front of the stage, they could see Eri and Hitoshi dancing with other kids.
"It's perfect," the blond said. "Everything is perfect the way it is."
Shouta looked at his husband. He smiled as he pulled Hizashi's chin up. "Yes, it is," he breathed, kissing the blond lovingly.