So, no reviews for the last chapter. :(
I forgot to mention at the beginning of the story that I changed the story of how Alec and Jane become vampires. They aren't accused of being witches at the end. I made up my own story for them.
Chapter 3- Jane
o~O~o
The brisk morning air bit at Jane's nose. She had been shivering since she left the warm covers. The summer had almost passed. It was in transition between summer and fall.
While the frost hadn't arrived just yet, William was working harder than ever to harvest the rye and wheat.
Jane had her own work to do, including fetching the water for the whole day. Normally, she was able to squeeze by with three pig bladders full. One for William, one for herself, and the last one for cooking.
Today, the three bags were hanging on her back as she walked to the stream. The sun was barely up, but Jane had enough light to see. As soon as she came back with the water, she would begin her own work.
Along the path, Jane saw her little village of grass houses. It brought a smile to her face.
"Why do I even make those silly things?" She said to herself.
Nonetheless, she still bent down and created a new one, laughing to herself.
Why such a little thing made her laugh, Jane didn't know. It was still childish. She was a woman now.
No matter many times she tried to discourage herself from doing so, a new house was made every day.
The bubbling stream seemed full of activity today. This was the time all the animals were preparing for the winter. Squirrels in the trees jumped around making the yellowing leaves fall.
Fish was abundant. Jane saw one at least every other minute or so.
If only we could hunt and trap some fish, she thought to herself.
It was almost scary to even think about hunting. The penalty for doing so on the lord's land was their hands. They would be cut off and without the ability to work, the couple would die of starvation.
Shuddering, Jane stooped down and collected the water. Once all three sacks were filled, she made the walk back.
Living as a wife for the past few months, Jane had learned how to have the meals ready for William the second he walked in the door.
Most meals were the same vegetable pottage, but when the lord and his wife went hunting, sometimes they shared their plunder with the rest of us.
Sometimes it was venison while other times it was bear meat. Whenever they had the chance to earn meat, Jane and William jumped on it like there was no tomorrow.
The two were better off than most people they saw around, but life still threw obstacles at them.
For one, William was behind in his harvesting. If he couldn't harvest all the rye and wheat before the frost hit, they would be behind when taxes came.
Finally at home, Jane emptied the water into smaller containers easier to hold while working. One for William, and one for her.
The rest was saved for other needs.
Once she finished that chore, Jane picked up the broom to sweep the dirt floor. It was embarrassing to even think of having a dirty floor.
Starting at one end of the cruck house, Jane swept all the loose pieces of straw and loose dirt. She proceeded to sweep the pile outside through one of the cracks in the house.
At this point, she brought William his water. Today he was farther out which would mean Jane would have to endure a longer walk. Maybe a half of a mile this time?
She shrugged at her estimates and loped out the door.
The further she walked, the more she realized it would be a much longer walk to her husband than she anticipated.
"Where is he?" She muttered to herself.
Sighing, Jane walked to the top of the hill where she might get a better look at things.
Far off to the east, was a small figure hacking a scythe at the wheat around him.
"Oh!" She exclaimed. "Why did he decide to work so far out here today?"
Curiosity and annoyance filled her. But she pushed them down far enough to gain the energy to walk that much farther to him.
The air was warming, and it wasn't much of a problem. It was the soreness Jane felt. Every morning she had woken for the past week was wretched for her for some unfathomable reason.
"William!" she called when she thought he might just be in hearing distance.
His head snapped up to meet her eyes. His lip lifted revealing his teeth. A smile.
His warm voice sighed in relief. "Thank you, dearest Jane."
Putting on a smile herself, Jane handed him the water skin. "Here you are."
He pulled her close and proceeded to kiss her.
"You truly are an angel, Jane," He whispered.
His comment melted the earlier annoyances of walking so far. It was for a good cause anyway. Walking wouldn't kill her.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Jane asked, hating every moment she saw her husband slaving away out here.
"Not anything a woman should have to do," he insisted.
Frowning ever so slightly, Jane nodded. "Well, I'll be back at high noon with dinner."
Closing his eyes with pleasure, William sighed. "To that I do look forward to."
When his lips pressed against Jane's, she let the pleasant thoughts invade her mind.
Since the day they had moved in together and lived as a married couple, Jane had grown to love the man she called 'husband'.
Being a wife wasn't something she knew she had to be anymore; it was something she wanted. She wouldn't want to share her life with another man.
"Good bye." She smiled happily as they pulled away from each other.
"I love you, Jane."
Blushing scarlet red, Jane covered her smile and walked away back to home.
The sun had traveled higher in the sky, and bore down on Jane.
Finally, she took refuge under the trees by the stream.
At least here it is shady and smells of oak wood. It didn't matter that the wood was green. It still smelled lovely to her.
Her bare feet sunk into the bank slightly as she walked. Tempted to wade in the stream's water, her toes inched closer to the inviting bubbling stream.
No. I mustn't. She stopped herself. She had work to do. Jane would not waste one more second of today's light.
Though the thought of getting up and walking another long distance was undesirable. Jane squeezed her eyes shut. She had been in pain too much. But it didn't matter what state she was in. Jane had to get to work.
Abruptly, she turned back to her cruck house.
Though, as she walked on, four figures met her eyes. They were too far to detect at first, but the closer she came to the mysterious figures, the more she learned.
Two people and two horses stood next to the stream. Well, one of the people were huddled on the ground.
A few more steps and Jane heard a girl's crying.
It was a girl on the ground who appeared to be ten. Her foot was cradled against her chest and the other figure stood, it too a woman.
"Hello?" Jane called out.
The two women looked up. "Who are you?" the standing woman asked with a gentle voice. She was definitely older than Jane. Possibly seventeen or eighteen years old?
It was obvious this woman was rich by her clothes. And the fact she was wandering freely through this land meant only one thing.
Jane was looking at the lord's wife.
"My name is Jane. My husband works on this land; his name is William."
Recognition spread across her face.
"That is where we are." She mused.
Jane examined the girl on the ground.
She asked "What is the matter with her?"
The noble lady looked down upon the crying girl who was obviously a servant. Maybe even the lady's personal maid.
"Well, we were riding together along the stream looking for possible game to hunt, but unfortunately Thea has fallen off. And it appears she has strained or even broken her ankle."
"I-I'm s-sorry, Mistress." Thea sobbed.
The noble lady bent down to the girl. "Sh... Thea, this isn't your fault."
"Why are you still here?" Jane asked curiously.
The noble lady frowned. "I'm afraid she couldn't possibly get up and ride home. And the pony she rides with me will never follow us back without someone directing him."
Suddenly her head popped up and snapped to Jane.
"You! Can you ride a horse?" The lady asked with excitement.
Embarrassment filled Jane to the core. "No, ma'am. I never did learn how to ride."
"Never mind that. Do you think you could climb on the pony? He's a stubborn old mule, but I could lend you my switch to make sure he keeps up. I'll help you."
Jane scratched her head. "I could try. I'm not sure if I could direct him though."
"Please!" the lady begged. "I promise I will reward you handsomely."
Blinking with shock, Jane nodded mutely.
"Thank you." She breathed.
Jane walked closer to the two. "What shall we do with Thea?" Jane asked meekly.
"Help me lift her up into my saddle. She can ride with me. Rock will be enough for you to handle."
Unsure and slightly afraid of angering the lady, Jane scooted forward.
Thea looked up in pain.
Jane expected to have to lift her on my own, but the lady was kind enough to aid her.
Her small frame, after all, wouldn't give her an advantage in lifting Thea.
"I am Madison, wife to Lord Richard." The lady admitted.
"It is nice to meet you, Mistress."
"Oh, please, just call me Madison."
"Madison."
She smiled at Jane as they bent down and lifted the girl on the horse.
"Thank you, Jane."
o~O~o
Thea was receiving medical treatment. Madison was truly a kind soul. She took good care of her servants.
When Jane left to begin her trek home, she carried bread and meat. Meat! And the bread was made of wheat. Jane had never felt a lighter loaf of bread in her twelve years. After so many of the same meals of pottage every single day, she could finally surprise William with the joys of meat and good bread.
"Thank you, Lord for this blessing you have bestowed upon us this night." Jane breathed while looking up toward the sky. She should be able to finish supper before William arrives from the fields. And with that, Jane added a spring to her step.
Alright, how about this. Whoever reviews gets a preview of the next chapter. :)