Page 65 of May Queen: May Day

“Aye, it’s Flora,” Ricard confirmed. “It looks like she’s having a conversation with her father. Nash, get up here and tell me what they’re saying.”

“You want me to spy on Flora after you promised her I wouldn’t do that anymore?” asked Nash.

“Aye,” answered Ricard.

“I’m not sure she’ll like that.”

“And I’m not sure you’ll like cleaning out the gong pit either for disobeying orders, will you?”

“Out of my way,” said Nash, pushing his way between Lang and Dayton to get a better look.

“What are they saying?” asked Ricard.

“It’s a hard to tell since Flora’s father just turned sideways a little, but I think he’s saying something about the smoke from the bonfire. Aye, he is telling her how it cleanses and purifies.”

“Purifies what?” asked Lang.

“Hold on.” Nash held a hand in the air to silence them, peering hard through the foliage to see them. “If they had cattle here they would ride . . . no, drive them between two bonfires of smoke. Doing this on Beltane pokes . . . nay, protects . . . them from disease during the summer and winter.”

“That’s silly.” Dayton pulled the flask away from Lang and took a swig.

“What else?” asked Ricard anxiously.

“I think they are talking about . . . making love in the outdoors.”

“Ugh, I don’t want to hear that,” said Lang, covering his ears.

“Not them together,” said Nash over his shoulder. “Everyone does it to bring good luck to the garden.”

Dayton spit a stream of whisky through the air. “I’d say that’s a bit of good luck for the man involved, not the garden.”

“Now they’re talking about humping . . .”

“What?” spat Ricard.

“Didn’t you just tell us that?” asked Lang, ripping his flask away from his brother.

“Nay . . . jumping,” continued Nash. “Aye, that’s it. Someone is going to jump through the fire for good luck.”

“Jump through the fire for good luck?” asked Dayton. “I wouldn’t consider that lucky if they get burned. Nash, I think you’ve been drinking more than us. What you’re telling us is crazy.”

“Nay, he’s right. Look.” Ricard pointed at the bonfire where a man was jumping through the flames.

“This is addlepated,” said Dayton, making a face and slicing his hand through the air. “I’m leaving.”

“Let’s go back to the castle and get something to eat,” suggested Lang. “I’m hungry.”

“Nay, you’ll wait here for me until I return,” Ricard commanded.

“Return?” Nash stood up straight and turned toward them. “Where are you going, my lord?”

“I’m going to get my wife,” he told them. “I’ll not let Flora stay here a minute longer when she should be with me, not them.”

“I’ll go with you,” offered Nash.

“Nay.” Ricard shook his head. “I think it would be better if I am by myself. After all, it’s easier for one person to sneak into their camp and have a better chance of not being seen.”

“Call for us if you need help,” Nash told him.

“If you see them attacking me, then you have my permission to come to my aid.” Ricard tried to clear his head, and snuck through the woods to get his wife.