Chapter 10!!! You have no idea how exciting this is for me =)
Sorry this is such a late update, I've had exams this week. =P the next one should be up by next weekend.
As ever Please Review!!
Well, here goes...
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'A little young to be out aren't we ladies?'
Marian and Alice stepped instinctively together, watching warily as the tall man crouched down and pulled the dog by the scruff of the neck towards him. He batted it hard on the nose and whispered some words of reprimand in its ear, before rising and looking straight at Alice.
'I hope he didn't hurt you. He doesn't mean to be boisterous, he's just made that way.'
The dog smiled up at them adoringly and then flopped down, head on paws.
'No- I'm fine.' Alice was somewhat unnerved by his unblinking gaze, and glanced quickly at Marian for support.
'Whether we are out by ourselves, or indeed not, is no concern of yours I am sure.' Marian glared at him and gripped Alice's wrist tightly. 'Thank you for your concern.'
She began to walk briskly away, towards the lane leading down towards the market place and the centre of the harbor town.
'You'll have to make sure people don't get the wrong impression then ladies. I was only worried for your safety.'
'Yes, well. We can look after ourselves, thank you.' Marian replied scathingly, not bothering to turn and address him properly.
He muttered something incoherent, and watched as the two girls hurried away from the quay, hearts sinking.
'Is he following?' Marian glanced quickly behind her, but could not see the man behind them in the crowd. 'What do you think he wanted?'
'Maybe he was just genuinely concerned?' Alice gave Marian a quick glance, but could see she was in no mood for arguing.
They walked slowly, avoiding the larger puddles and pulling their cloaks tight around them. The streets were relatively crowded, and growing darker by the minute, and Alice felt herself being jostled and shoved by numerous passers by. She concentrated on keeping up with Marian, who was forging a path through the people a few meters ahead.
All of a sudden, Marian disappeared.
Alice looked frantically at the crowd milling in front of her, searching for a gleam of Marian's chestnut hair.
She caught a flash of movement at the edge of the street and a muffled cry. She pushed her way through, her heart beating fast and adrenaline beginning to pump through her system.
'Marian?'
A large man, his back to Alice had Marian pinned against the wall, a short stubby knife held up to her throat.
Alice froze, fear coursing through her. Oh God. What did she do?
Someone shoved past her, pushing her roughly aside.
They thwacked the man who held Marian hard on the back of the head and wrenched the hand holding the knife hard behind their back.
The man crumpled, hitting the ground with a wet thump and Marian's rescuer held out his hand to her.
'Rupert D'Lacy. And I did warn you.'
Marian's expression, which had been one of relief, became one of stubborn annoyance.
'Not you again!'
Rupert laughed, and shook his hair out of his eyes.
'I can wait till he comes round again.' he nudged the man on the floor with his foot. 'And leave you to it, if you wish?'
Marian scowled and it appeared she had gotten over her panic of the past few minutes. 'Thank you. For saving me the trouble of dealing with him myself.'
Alice stood at her elbow, watching Rupert carefully.
'I have a feeling that is the best thanks I will receive.' He smiled.
He fell silent for a moment, and Marian looked as though she were about to excuse them and walk away.
'Wait-' He said suddenly. 'You want passage? Am I right?'
Marian stopped and turned.
'You want a ship that can take you to Messina? And from there to the Holy Land.'
Alice stared at him, suddenly suspicious. How..?
'I confess, I did not let my dog run into you without intention.' He pulled a wry smile. 'I thought I might be able to assist you- Sailors take more kindly to ladies accompanied by a gentleman, than by-'
'And you count yourself a noble do you sir?' Marian raised both her eyebrows.
'I did not say nobleman Miss. I am no nobleman, but a gentleman I consider myself to be. Gentleman enough to assist those who look to need help.'
Marian was cowed.
Instead Alice spoke up.
'If we accept your offer sir, what would you want in return? I know enough of the world, to be sure that anyone who offers anything, must surely be after something in return. We have nothing of value, and little about our personages anyway. I fear that you will have to make your way back here alone once we have reached the Holy Land.'
Rupert looked down at his boots, and then glanced at both girls.
'If I were to say, as a friend, I would be happy to accompany you both to the Holy Land, and ensure your safety on the journey, would you accept my offer? Sans charge.'
Alice scrutinised him.
'As far as Messina. For now.'
He smiled briefly, and Alice turned back towards the quay, where the ships were still bobbing.
Rupert made to follow, but Marian grabbed his arm.
'Anything funny, or out place. And I'll make sure this is pressed hard against your throat before you can take two steps towards either of us.' She revealed the hilt of a small dagger, hidden at her belt, and let him have an eyeful of the dark, sharp metal.
Rupert nodded briefly, but did not move on. 'You can trust me.' He said sternly, before turning and following Alice towards the ships.
•••
Guy pushed the rough cloth back from his wrists and picked up the long, thin scimitar. He weighed it in his hands and let the blade balance for a moment, flat on his palm. It was thinner and lighter than his heavy, two bladed broadsword, but almost as long. He ran his fingers along the length of the blade and then swung it once through the air. It make a swish, like the rustle of silk, and the blade sang for a second, the sound hanging in the hot, dry air.
A guard shouted from somewhere in the battlements and Guy glanced up at the walls of the courtyard, rising high above him, dusty and the colour of red ochre.
It had been another week, since his talk with Mordred, and the anger was still hot and scorching in his soul. Later that day, Mordred had come back with some clothes for Guy to exchange with his earth coloured breeches. A long tunic, and loose breeches, all of the same dark material, and a pair of worn riding boots.
The clothes were not new, the boots were cracked, and for all the new found hatred in his heart, guy did not feel as much his own person, as he had when Marian taunted him as a child.
There was a single tree in the courtyard, whose walls provided shelter from the sun for most of the day round, and a well stood to one side.
The women of the palace drew their water from the well and stood, chattering around it in the morning and evening, their bright voices and ringing laughter reaching Guy, even when he retreated to the confines of his room.
The women often glanced at him, his pale skin and his foreignness, a novelty to them. He was so quiet, they sometimes wondered if he were mute, and his manner so harsh and uncompromising, that they supposed he had been hired, or brought from a far off country to help the Englishman.
They didn't like Mordred. His smile was always too false, and his charm too slick to tempt them. He was the right hand for Amil Ak'Salib and both his ears. In fact, the women sometimes wondered if Mordred didn't have Amil's hands pinned behind his back and that short dagger of his, pressed into his ribs.
Oh yes, they wondered. But they never said anything.
'Gisborne!' Mordred came striding out across the courtyard, scattering the women by the well.
They hurried away, water pails swinging.
Guy turned and sliced the scimitar quickly down through the air.
For a second, he thought he saw a flash of unease in Mordred eyes, as the weapon came slicing down through the air. Guy laid the scimitar down on the ground and ran his fingers over the handle.
'Beautiful weapon.' He said quietly. Before standing up and taking a step over the scimitar, and towards Mordred.
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Ok! Thank you for reading! =)
Please Review, and thanks to all those of you giving me such encouragement!
Love
V
xxx