Fortune's Fool — Kathleen Karr

A well-mapped medieval road trip.--The Bulletin

Orphaned and left to make his own way in the world, Conrad the Good serves as court jester to a most unworthy master: Lord Otto the Witless, who rarely appreciates jesting and acrobatics and more often rewards his good fool with a good whipping. So one night, Conrad flees, leaving Otto's realm in search of a more enlightened master--taking with him only his noble horse, Blackspur, and his beloved, the servant girl Christa the Fair.

As they take to the road, they soon learn that along with their quest comes hardship. But with Christa disguised as a boy, they are able to make their way as traveling entertainers, and for all the difficulties they encounter, there are as many unexpected joys and friends in unexpected places, and there is their love for one another. And always, their destination lies before them: somewhere, a sanctuary where they'll have the freedom to be together and be themselves.