Joust

When the trumpet sounded the next day, Elendar came to stand be side Reb, who was again mounted on Blaze. At the far end of the jousting field, a very large knight in black armor was waiting.

“He looks as big as a house,” Reb said. “I don't have much of a chance, do I, Elendar?”

[...]

He knew he had but a small chance of victory. The champion was a fierce warrior, Sir Hector, who had slain many men in battle and was the champion of the joust. The king had said, “If you can survive Sir Hector, I will believe that you are who you say.”

[...]

“Good, lad! Now—” Elendar raised his hand and let it fall, and the herald by the king suddenly blew a blast on his trumpet.

Instantly Reb put his heels to Blaze and narrowed his attention to the black knight.

The rest of the world seemed blotted out for Reb. He ignored the bright colors—the reds, the blues, the greens of the ladies' dresses. He ignored the shouts that came from the on lookers. All he saw was a black shield and the visor of Sir Hector as the huge knight lowered his lance.

The two rushed toward each other, and all sounds too seemed to fade. Yet there was a clear voice that came not into his ear but into his heart. Do not be afraid, Bob Lee, for you will not fail!

Reb would never know whose that voice was, but it sounded much like the voice of Goel.

And then he was in front of the great knight. The gleaming lance tip came straight at him. He lifted his shield and at the same time pointed his own lance at the head of the black knight.

Sir Hector's reactions were fast, and he was not completely fooled. His lance struck Reb's shield and shook the boy to his backbone. Nevertheless, he lunged forward, and as Hector moved his shield three inches to the right, Reb lowered his point and caught the large man in the side.

He felt the shock as they met—and then the pressure was off, and he was past. Wheeling Blaze around, he saw Sir Hector lying flat on the ground and his horse galloping away. He became aware also of the silence of the crowd.

Pushing back his visor, Reb lifted his lance and shouted with all his might, “Goel forever!”