I'm trying to update as soon as I can, but it's hard with work and other responsibilities. Don't worry though I'm still working on both. This one is a little more involved because of introducing the new characters and inserting them into the story. Plus, this one is starting a little earlier than my last one. Also, please, please review! I thrive on your feedback and comments! It's what inspires me to write more and lets me know I'm not just writing these for myself! And there will be more fluff in the future I promise! The girls just haven't had time to change things yet.
The time for the boating party arrived and Shaina and Sophia accompanied Mary, Greer, Kenna, Lola, and Aylee to the riverside. Shaina was giddy over her gorgeous blue and gold silk dress with intricate lace designs on the bodice and the bottom of the skirt. Her thick soft blonde hair was swept up in a simple, yet complimenting updo with curls framing her face. The neckless and hairpiece added to the whole royal lady's maid look. Sophia wore a deep maroon dress with complimenting silver designs on the bodice. Her thick black hair fell in soft curls to her waist and the matching neckless and headpiece made her look like a real noblewoman. She looked around and wondered how much of this was actually in the series and what was left out.
As they made their appearance Shaina ignored the curious looks and just hung close to Greer and Aylee. Mary had walked towards the Prince who'd rescued them, and she wondered why she wasn't with Francis. She suddenly wished she watched more so she knew what was going on. Sophia had made fast friends with Lola and they were talking with each other by one of the torches. She watched as Francis stepped onto the boat with his father and Mary was speaking with Tomas. Greer seemed a little disheartened and left not long after they had arrived heading towards the kitchen. She was standing by one of the boats with Kenna when a handsome looking stranger approached them. Kenna gasped excitedly and ran to the grinning man. "Rydan!" she said. He swung her around both laughing happily before he set her on the ground and kissed her. Shaina was a little surprised but was distracted when she felt a touch on her arm. She turned around and her stomach did a little flip as she came face to face with Francis' half-brother Sebastian. "Good evening m'lady." he said. Shaina composed herself enough to give him a small curtsy. (She'd practiced most of the day.) "No need for that. I'm just Sebastian tonight. I'm guessing you are one of the girls Tomas found in the woods?" he inquired. Shaina nodded still not having said a word. "Is your friend here as well?" She wasn't sure if he was genuinely interested or if he was interrogating her. "Yes, she is if you need to know. Why all the questions?" she said. He gave her a small smile. "Oh no reason. It's just that there are some here who don't take kindly to strangers showing up unannounced." Shaina raised an eyebrow. "Are you one of those people?" He chuckled softly and shook his head. "I just wanted to warn you. England isn't a small country, so no one can know everyone. Just be sure you want to throw your lot in here. French court can be a very hostile place." Shaina refrained from rolling her eyes. He wasn't telling her anything she didn't already know. "Well now that is out of the way would you like to join me tonight?" Shaina hesitated looking around for Sophia. She saw here laughing with Lola and a few other nobles, so she figured she would be ok. "Of anyone at French court I am one you can trust. Let this be the start of friendship. Good ones are hard to find here." Shaina smiled then and recalling from the previous episodes she did know she could trust Bash. "Thank you, Sebastian." she said taking his hand. "It's Bash m'lady." he said helping her on the boat. "Shaina." she said returning his smile.
Sophia looked around and spotted Shaina stepping into one of the boats with someone vaguely familiar. She'd been so caught up in talking with Lola and a few of the handsome nobles that she'd almost forgotten about her friend. She excused herself from the group and made her way to the dock where the boat Shaina was on started to move out onto the water. She took a glass of wine from a passing footman and watched as her friend made conversation with none other than Sebastian half-brother to Francis. Boy would she have a lot of questions for her later.
Francis had cornered his father on his boat and much to his surprise Henry had agreed to send men and to find the fastest rider to rally them. He knew just the person and was looking for Bash. He was surprised to find him at the party and talking with a lady no less. He recognized her and her friend who was standing on the bank as the two girls Tomas had rescued. He still cringed at the thought of Mary trying to negotiate a deal with him possibly accepting his proposal. He walked over to send his brother on a mission that would hopefully change the tide. He approached the one called Sophia and smiled when she saw him. "I hope you are enjoying yourself." he said. "Yes m'lord." she said seemingly nervous at his attention. "I must hear your story sometime, but for now I must speak with my brother so if you'll excuse me m'lady." She curtsied, and he walked to the end of the dock. "Bash I must speak with you at once!" he said. His brother looked up and gave him a rather annoyed look before signaling to the boat master to go back to the dock. He helped the Lady Shaina off the boat before stepping off himself. "Thank you for that engaging conversation m'lady." he said inclining his head to her. She smiled and returned his gesture. "I hope to have more of them." she said before taking her friends arm and walking back to the middle of the torches where Aylee and Lola were.
"I've talked to Father and he agreed to send men. You must send a message to all six companies of our men between here and the channel. Tell them that they'll board ship at Outreau." Bash held up his hand. "Slow down Francis! I'll go don't worry." Francis started walking toward the stables with Bash following. "Are you sure you can do this?" Bash rushed ahead of him and turned around walking backwards and gave him a smirk. "I'm a riding fiend little brother. You'll be happy, Scotland will be happy, Mary will be happy, and she will stay." he said stopping Francis and patting him on the back. "Just be careful." Francis said returning his smile. "Aren't I always?" Bash said raising his hands and smiling. Francis laughed and shook his head. "Well if always means never. And I'm sure there is someone who may be disappointed if you don't return!" Francis called after him. Bash chuckled as he ran to the stables admitting to himself he would be disappointed too.
Shaina and Sophia retired to their quarters after they said goodnight to the others. They let the maids help them out of their dresses and then dismissed them for the rest of the night. "I'm so exhausted, but the energy from tonight!" Sophia said as they settled on the very large bed. Shaina nodded laying back against the headboard. "It was pretty crazy. But we have to keep our heads about us and make sure we don't waiver from our story. You know from watching the show how dangerous French court can be." Sophia flopped down beside her friend and nodded. "Seriously though why are we here? This isn't some kind of dream. I touched that rock and we were here. How are we supposed to get back home?" Shaina shook her head. "I've no idea." Sophia closed her eyes and sighed. "Well I think the exhaustion has finally caught up with me." she said. Shaina scooted under the covers and closed her eyes.
Mary stood by the window and watched as the last of the guest from the boating party left. Then Francis walked into the corridor. "Mary, it's done." she turned to look at him. "Six companies are on their way to Scotland tonight." He said smiling. "What? Oh Francis!" she said moving to embrace him. "But how? You said the King wouldn't change his mind, that you'd done all you could. He looked at her softly. "I suppose I was inspired." She smiled laughing softly. "I can't believe it." He smiled wistfully. "I still can't offer to marry you right, away like Tomas. You'd have a secure alliance there. Here, we can only hope." Mary kept looking at him softly as he spoke. "Someday it will be right for our countries." She knew what her heart wanted. Only that morning she and her lady's maids had discussed their first kiss and right now she wished it was Francis who would kiss her. "I would rather have hope with you than certainty anywhere else." They both smiled and embraced one more time before bidding each other goodnight. Maybe everything would work out and she realized how much she wanted it too.
The next morning Shaina and Sophia were learning how to sew on the canvas with Lola after breakfast while Mary was discussing what would be happening when the six companies arrived at Scotland with Francis. Suddenly there was a commotion in the hall and they rushed out to find men carrying an unconscious Bash to the infirmary with a worried Francis rushing behind. They followed Mary into the infirmary and Shaina gasped when they saw Bash lying on the bed his shirt stained crimson with blood. Francis stood beside the bed looking like he might be sick. Mary was a few meters behind him looking extremely worried and Catherine actually ignored the two new girls as she saw one of their own injured. Sophia gripped her friend's arm as they watched Nostradamus inspect the wound. He seemed to zone out for a moment and then he looked up at Catherine as her hand touched her necklace. "The cost of war shall reach inside this castle." Shaina assumed from her knowledge of what Nostradamus did he'd told them of some vision or prophecy he'd seen. Francis and Mary turned white at the realization of what Nostradamus had said. Just then the doors burst open and King Henry entered rushing to his son's side. "I can tend to his wounds, but I cannot make any promises." Nostradamus said as he began cleaning the wound. "Father..." Bash whispered hoarsely his eyes still closed. Francis knelt by the side of the bed. "The English rode out from Calais to face us. We never made it to the ships. It was a slaughter." Mary visible paled and Shaina moved to take her hand. "He should sleep now not talk." Nostradamus said pulling out a potion and giving it to him. "You should clear the room, so he can rest. It's what's best now." Francis drew closer to his brother looking as if he would break down. "Bash I'm so sorry." he said. "Come." Henry said firmly. Shaina almost jumped back at the anger in his voice. Sophia had come to stand beside them, and she gripped Shaina's hand. Francis stood and followed his father out with Mary following. Shaina glanced at Bash one last time before following them out. Catherine was the last to leave. As the others turned left to walk back to the Great Hall Shaina and Sophia turned the other way heading towards their rooms. They didn't feel like dealing with anyone's wrath after the awful thing they'd just witnessed. Shaina took a deep breath as they walked down the hall trying not to think of the image of Bash lying almost lifeless on the bed.