Author's Note: I am on a roll! Let's see how long I can keep this up. I'm quite excited for the upcoming episode. Once again, I hope you READ and REVIEW. Let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I am simply letting my imagination run free.
"And I think of you in Glasglow. You're all that's safe, you're all that's warm." Feather on the Clyde, Passenger
It was very early in the morning, the sun had yet to completely rise from the clouds. The wind was still whipping cold with the chills of the night. The morning dew remained untouched, except for those stepped on by the man pounding on Kenna's door.
After much hustle and bustle, and a peek from behind the curtain, Kenna found her husband in the doorway.
"Sebastian! I was supposed to fetch you from the infirmary this morning." She said, as she ushered him inside and shut the door behind him.
"Yes, well, I could walk and I could leave. So I left." Bash replied, untying the knot of his cloak at his neck. He pulled the heavy cloak off him, and Kenna took it from his hands to be hung on the peg by the door.
"But did Nostradamus say you could? We wouldn't want you to worsen your injuries, Bash." she gently chastised him. Kenna watched him slowly pace about, fiddling with this and that.
"I get the same injuries as always, Kenna. It's just a matter of combination. This time, it's a mix of cuts and bruises. That's not as bad as broken bones. I'll survive." He smiled, despite the groan that managed to creep its way into his voice.
"Yes, and don't forget about that black eye." she teased as she followed him into the kitchen.
"Ah, yes. The eye. I had forgotten. I thought only half of the world existed for it's only half I can see." he retorted with a grin as he eased himself carefully into a chair. Kenna gave him a sly grin as she threw a white cloth at him. He laughed and caught it easily.
"What's this for?" Bash asked, suppressing his chuckles and holding the cloth in front of him.
"It's to wipe the sarcasm that's dripping to your chin." she replied easily, as she sliced some bread and cheese. A hearty laugh escaped Bash, and the great smile caused his lips to stretch and split open again.
"Ow. Ow. That hurts." He yelped, holding his bleeding lip. Kenna looked over, and seeing his bleeding lip, had her turn of a hearty laugh.
"Good thing I tossed you that rag. Wife's intuition!" she said, clutching the kitchen counter and shaking her head.
"Or wife's conspiracy. You wanted me to split my lip." he teasingly accused as he held the rag to his mouth. Kenna shook her head at him and let that comment slide. She set the bread and cheese in front of him and sat across him.
"You should have at least told me you had the intention of leaving early today. I could have gotten more food at the court's kitchen. I'm still going to the market later to replenish our stocks." Kenna said, running a hand through her hair. Bash set the red-stained coth down, and picked up a slice of bread.
"No matter." He said, taking a small bite of food. "I'm not really hungry. I'd much rather sleep in today."
Bash looked around their humble abode. It has not changed much over the years.
After being violently forced into marriage, Kenna had no intention of resuming her interactions with the King. It was quite evident to her, and to everyone else, that the King was mentally unwell and was on the brink of destruction.
She would hide from him, staying close to Mary or to Bash, to avoid any chance of being forced into intercourse by the deranged King. She remained a low profile, wanting to stay alive and safe, more than to gain more power and recognition. The King was dangerous, and there was no way of telling what he would do next.
Bash just wanted to be away from Francis and Mary, Kenna wanted to be away from Henry. But they can never move too far away. This union was to keep both of them, threats in the eyes of King Henry, in check. Fortunately, she and Bash were permitted to move out of the castle and into their own home on the outskirts of town shortly after their marriage.
Out here, they had the freedom to live as ordinary people. They buy food and supplies at the market, they befriend their neighbors, they owe nothing to anybody. As a knight of the King, and a Lady of the Queen, they are regarded with much respect by the people. But they are left alone, and it is a privilege that is not given in the castle.
Bash and Kenna live simply, in a spacious bungalow that lets in much light and air. They each have their own chambers, and a room for weapons for Bash. Aside from that room, much of the rest of the house is as Kenna wishes it to be. Their furniture is of wood and wool, nothing grand but serves its purpose. They did not furnish much, for they spend most days in the castle as their duties require, and return home in the evenings. But they have made the house a home, comfortable and welcoming, even though they rarely have guests, save for Kenna's lovers.
After taking a sip of wine, Bash pointed at Kenna's chambers across the house.
"Do you have a guest...?" he asked, the thought just dawning on him as he surveyed his wife. She let slip a soft smile and shook her head.
"Is it still David from the bakery, or it someone new now?" he teased, setting down his goblet and taking another bite of bread. Kenna rose from her chair and began packing the food away.
"It is no one. Now, I thought you said you were exhausted and needing sleep." she said, placing her hands on her hips and throwing him an accusatory look.
"No, I suddenly feel wide awake." Bash rubs his stomach and leans back in his chair. Kenna turns her back to him and puts the food away.
"Go away, Bash." she replies, struggling to hide the grin that pulls on her lips.
"Keeping secrets now, are we, wife?" he continues to tease, leaning his elbows on the table. "What aren't you telling me?" Kenna places her hands on her hips once more, facing him in a defensive position.
"There is nothing to tell, hence, I'm not telling you anything. Go to sleep, husband." she states jokingly, but firmly. Bash raises his hand in defeat and gets up from his chair. Kenna turns back around and cleans the kitchen, listening to Bash's shuffling steps get softer and softer, before disappearing behind a shut door.
She finishes with the kitchen and dresses up to leave. She gets her wicker basket and leaves a note on the tablefor Bash, saying she was off to the market to buy food and drink, promising a swift return. Kenna pulls on her cloak and, with a final glance at Bash's closed door, shuts the front door behind her.
Life at French court has begun for the day. There is much movement in the castle, as its tenants stir and wake, preparing for the day ahead. But its King and Queen are already wide awake and have begun their duties hours ago. King Francis was pacing back and forth in his study, feeling the aching throb at the back of his neck along with the seering gaze of his wife.
"The Portugese are closing in on the shores. We must send 2 companies to meet them." Francis said, halting his pacing to face his wife.
"No, I don't think there's need for that. It may be an amicable visit. There has been no inidication that they mean us harm." said Mary, attempting to appease her husband.
"Well, the last time a Portugese extended a helping hand, it was a hand that burned us all. I don't think so, Mary." retorted Francis, reminding her of her fleeting and horrifying engagement to Tomas, the violent heir of the Portuguese throne.
"We must send our men immediately. I will send for Bash and have him assemble his men." Francis said, gesturing to the guard by the door for a messenger. Mary halted him with astonishment.
"Francis! Did you not see the state of your brother yesterday?" Francis simply blinked at her.
"Well, what of it?" Mary let out a baffled breath, as if the wind was knocked out of her.
"What of it?! Francis, your brother has been battered! Now, you want to send him and his men off again for what is most likely an amicable visit?" Mary countered, blocking Francis from the messenger who has appeared by the door.
"Are you challenging me because you think I'm genuinely mistaken, or because this is Bash we're talking about?" Francis spat out, placing his hands on his hips and cocking his head to the side, glaring at his wife."Because I think your heart is clouding your head again, Mary." he accused.
"And I think the same of you, Francis." she threw back at him, crossing her arms in front of her. "After all these years, I still don't understand what you have against your brother. He is married and we are married. It's high time you stop acting like a child, is it not?"
Francis opened his mouth, as if to give another counter argument, but he snapped it shut again. After some thought, he spoke in a calmer tone.
"Fine then. Send who you wish. But if the Portuguese do attack, this is on your head." he said simply, turning his back on Mary and returning to his desk.
