“Mr. and Mrs. Hardling’s house sits on the second corner from the bottom, and Mrs. Hardling has a clear view down to your place.”

“A clear view?”

Rune met Adam’s cynical gaze and conceded, “With binoculars. A sniper in Tucson severed her spine, she’s in a wheelchair, and she watches her neighbors. So sue her. She’s a nice lady. The committee meets in her parlor. When we got the cancellation, she threw out your name. She wasn’t embarrassed about spying on you. Because you know what they say—a woman who likes younger men is a cougar, and a guy who likes younger women is...a guy.”

“It’s not the age difference. I thought I was unseen.” To know someone was watching as he fought invisible demons... Adam could hardly bear the thought.

“If you wanted to be unseen, you should have stayed in Denver.”

There was justification in that. Mrs. Hardling’s hobby also explained his ongoing sense of being observed, and that blessed him with a sense of relief. “A sword demonstration is a great way to get hurt.” Then, “What does a medieval knight have to do with a psychic fair, anyway?”

“You won’t get hurt. Mrs. Hardling assures me you know what you’re doing.”

Rune had not answered the second question, Adam noted. “I can dress in shorts and a T-shirt?”

“We know you have a chain-mail shirt, as well as a chain-mail coif to cover your head. Which you made. Like the sword.”

Of course they knew. It appeared they knew everything.

“You’ve got leather boots. We would provide breaches. Just one little exhibition,” Rune pleaded. “Adam, the GSPF needs you. You know I wouldn’t ask otherwise.”

Adam did know it. In his five years in Gothic, no one had ever asked him to do anything. “All right. No breeches. No pumpkin pants. Let me know the schedule.”

“Another reenactor will be here for you to spar with.”

Adam stood and leaned across the table, and his voice grew deeper and quieter. “Another reenactor?”

“There had been arrangements for jousting. That takes two.” Rune obviously knew she had left out an important element of the agreement, and she waited for Adam to knock her to the wall or go with it.

For a moment, Adam debated, then chose to go with it. “I’ll be there. Now, why am I here listening to you when I could be in bed and snoring?”

“No use. Your aura is turbulent. A lost soul is coming to challenge your being.” Rune sounded bedrock-certain. “Go down to the sea and find what you need.”