The night before their arrival at Dieppe found the small band in a tiny clearing, a few miles from the city limits. Once again they were gathered around a fire, Wat and Will returning from the thick woods with another armload of firewood each. They were all laughing and joking about Wat's latest misfortune and Kate was savouring every moment of it. She knew that this was likely the last night they would all be together, as she still planned to separate from them when they reached Jocelyn's home tomorrow. Her plan was to continue along the coast to Calais, then cross to England. She had her portions from the tournament winnings safely tucked away, and knew she would have few problems making her way back home, to the south of Scotland. Thought Geoff had cast her many knowing looks since she confided in him her secret, he thankfully had not said anything more about the subject. Perhaps he was finally able to understand what a difficult, yet unavoidable, decision she had been forced to make. Sitting by the fire, Kate was lulled into a comfortable trance, brought on by the mead, and hypnotic dance of the flames. Geoff's voice snapped her back to reality.

"I'd say now's as good a time as any, wouldn't you Kate?" he smiled at her innocently.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" she sat up a bit straighter when she noticed all eyes were on her.

Geoff continued, "I was just telling everyone how you had something important you wanted to tell them all." He continued to hold her gaze thought she was glaring at him, with a fake smile pasted upon her lips.

"Oh, well you know…" she tried to calmly blow off the subject with a careless wave of her hand. "It's not that important. I was planning on waiting until we reached Dieppe to tell everyone. So I think I'll wait a bit."

"But why bother?" he pressed on. "Why not just tell everyone now, we're all gathered here together, who knows when you'd get another chance like this one?"

The others were now eyeing her suspiciously, clearly intrigued by the secret hidden between Geoff and Kate. It was evident to Kate that this would be difficult to avoid now. She abruptly stood. "You know, I'm feeling pretty exhausted from all the traveling we've done today. I really just want to get some sleep. I'll just tell everyone tomorrow, shall I?" She turned on her heel but barely made it three steps before they all called out to her.

"Oy! Wait a minute!" "Hold on, one second!" "You can't just leave without telling us!" She slowly turned back to face them. Roland, Wat and William were all looking up at her, a combination of curiosity, impatience and worry on their faces. She sighed and resumed her seat once more, resigning herself to the fact that she couldn't avoid this anymore. She cast one angry look toward Chaucer, and then started to explain.

"First of all, I want you to all know how much I have enjoyed these past few months I've spent with you. You've been such wonderful friends to me at a time when I truly felt like I had none. I'd been alone for so many years that I really had forgotten what it felt like to be part of a family, and that's what this has been for me. That being said," she took a breath. "I think it's now time for me to head back home, to see the family that I left so long ago, my parents, and brothers. I hadn't realized how much I missed them, but I really do." As Kate explained, she didn't have to imagine the pain she would feel for missing loved ones. In truth, she did miss her family back in Scotland. And she could only imagine how much she would miss these men in front of her, when the time came for her to say good-bye. Especially one man in particular.

They were silent as she spoke, and when she finished, much of the confusion remained in their expressions.

Wat was the first to break the silence. "So, you're leaving us? You're going? Back to Scotland?"

Kate couldn't help her eyes from filling at the offended tone he held. She could see this was going to hurt them after all.

"Yes, I am. I know it'll be an adjustment for you all but I'm sure you'll make do!" She tried to smile and encourage them to do the same. Stubbornly, the three just looked at her with wide eyes.

"But what about Will's armour?" Wat asked. "Who's gonna fix it anytime he get's knocked about?" Roland shot him a disapproving look. "What? Don't pretend like it's never gonna happen! Who'll help him if Kate leaves?"

"Roland has been very quick at learning anything I've shown him," Kate reasoned. "I'm sure he could sort out any minor problems, and every tournament has plenty of smithies you can choose from, if there are any serious repairs needed." Her heart lurched a little at the thought of what would cause the armour to need repair. She now knew she wouldn't be there in case Will was seriously injured.

"I'm sure we can figure all that out," Roland reassured her. "But are you sure this is what you want? I always thought you were so happy with this life, and traveling around with us?"

"I was, Roland, truly. But sometimes I long for a place where I can just stop, and stay. I suppose I'm not made for this type of work, long term. I'm sorry if this is a shock to you all, I really don't mean to hurt any of you."

"Well," Roland seemed to be thinking. "What if you went home, back to Scotland for a while, but met up with us again a few months from now? We could decide on a tournament in the north somewhere, and meet up again?" He looked at her hopefully.

She paused and looked into their faces, holding Will's eyes for a moment, then slowly shook her head. Dropping her eyes she bracingly said, "I don't think I'll be returning."

Chaucer had been watching them from the side, seeing the others take the news of Kate's departure. Just one person had refused to comment thus far.

"What do you think Will? Of Kate's decision?" he asked.

Kate raised her eyes again, but this time the knight was looking elsewhere. His face was turned up to the stars, as though he was considering something about their placement.

"Well. It doesn't really matter what I think, does it? She has clearly made a decision, and it appears as though no one would be able to convince her otherwise." He looked at Chaucer. "I don't see as it matters what any of us thinks, really. If it'll make Kate happy to go be with her family, then that's where she should be." There was a finality in his tone which stung her. Kate knew Will felt nothing romantic toward her, but she had hoped her friendship meant something to him. He seemed quite at ease letting her go. Fearing what emotions were threatening to overtake her, she stood once again and addressed the men.

"I hope you all can try and understand why I'm doing this. I am really quite tired, so I think I'll be getting to sleep now. Goodnight." They mumbled their respective goodnights, and prepared themselves for sleep.

Kate expected a huge wave of sorrow to overtake her the minute she was alone, but surprisingly it never came. Perhaps it was finally seeing the truth, that Will would continue without her, that was a comfort to her. Knowing that he could go on and be just as happy and successful as he was before they ever had met, she could rest easy. Their final farewell would not be completely heartbreaking for all.