Lady Paige saw Walter hugging on Ralph and then remembered her talk with Walter about swimming so she walked over and entered the tent she shared with her husband. Thinking on what Walter said about Ray she made sure the flap closed properly. Paige went through one of her packs and found her floral print swimsuit she wore last Saturday with Walter and Ralph. She smiled at the memories and then undressed and put it on before getting her robe out. She put the robe on and belted it.
Walter was tickling Ralph when Paige stepped out of their tent and Walter looked up and smiled. "Would you be interested in going swimming Ralph?"
Ralph looked at Walter in surprise but nodded.
Walter smiled as he put him down and then whapped his butt. "Go change."
Ralph took off for the tent he shared with Cabe and Sir Sylvester.
Walter grinned at Paige as they walked towards each other. They slipped into each other's arms and kissed. "I didn't really think you'd brought your bathing suit." Walter said softly as they parted.
Paige grinned. "Well when you mentioned the lake I figured we might have the chance to swim. And since skinny dipping would be out of the question where I could be seen, it was better safe than sorry."
Ray leaned over to Cabe as he whispered. "When did that happen?"
Cabe looked at him and then over to where Ray was looking. "They got married the other day, why?"
Walter grinned as he winked. He gave her a quick kiss before walking over to their tent to put on his trunks.
Ray smiled as he remembered his last conversation with Walter. "Just curious mostly, but I knew there was more going on between Walter and Pamela."
Cabe glared at him. "It is the Lady Paige, even in private. Learn that before it has to be taught to you through pain."
Ray looked at him in surprise but nodded.
Paige walked over to Happy. "Thanks for comforting Ralph. Did he talk about it at all?"
Happy shook her head. "He just wanted some comfort. Are you sure letting this Ray character join us is a wise thing?"
Paige grinned and shook her head. "Probably not, but Ray is a friend of Walter's. And everyone needs someone who knows what they've been through."
Happy smiled. "Wouldn't that be you?"
Paige continued to grin. "Well the link forged between us by my ability certainly makes us understand and know each other so much more. But it is also the experiences shared between people that mean something."
Happy nodded. "I'll give you that." She looked Paige up and down. "Going swimming I take it?"
Paige laughed as she nodded. "We wanted to give Ralph a chance to relax and have some fun after finding out the truth. Walter is taking him fishing tomorrow."
Happy looked surprised. "I didn't realize we were staying here so long.
"We're not in a particular hurry that we can't take some time and enjoy ourselves. Perhaps you and Toby should take Alicia swimming." Paige looked over at Toby as he played with Alicia.
Happy shrugged. "Not a bad idea I guess. I didn't bring a bathing suit but I could put on some old clothes. You guys want some company?"
Paige smiled. "Well if you don't mind some kissing."
Happy grinned as she teased her. "Well it is about time. I thought you'd never ask me to kiss you. But I'm game for it. You think our hubbies will mind?"
Paige instantly blushed before they both laughed.
"You think Walter heard us?" Happy asked.
Paige blushed even harder. "I hope not. That would be really embarrassing."
Ralph ran out in his swimming trunks and over to the wagon and dug out a towel before running over to his Mom. Paige smiled at him before Happy left to go talk with Toby and Alicia.
Walter walked out of their tent wearing his trunks and a regular shirt. He saw Ray down by Cabe and walked down to where they sat with Allie. He stood there staring down at Ray.
Ray sat there for a moment and suddenly he felt a bit different. He looked up and saw Walter standing over him. Ray flinched as he jumped out of his chair and landed on the ground. "Man, you need to wear a bell."
Everyone looking but Walter was laughing at him.
Happy went up with Toby and Alicia to their tent where they began changing clothes to go swimming.
Walter reached down and Ray took his hand and Walter yanked him up. "I am glad to see you again Ray, but I meant what I said earlier. Don't for a minute think I didn't."
Ray swallowed and nodded as he watched Walter walk away. And then he whispered. "I told you it was about her."
Walter stopped and looked back at him.
Ray smiled and waved before he sat back down.
While Lady Paige, Walter, Happy and Toby swam with their kids Cabe and Allie took Ray and Sir Sylvester back to the outpost and got their mounts and other belongings they left there earlier.
Allie looked at Ray as they began walking back. "I know your type Ray. So you better not screw up this chance Lady Paige has granted you. And don't think because you know Walter I will go easy on you if you do."
Ray smiled. "It never crossed my mind Red. I'm just here to visit my friend."
"Speaking of screwing up, what is up with this peeping that our Lady mentioned?" Sir Sylvester asked.
Ray coughed. "Oh I am sure Walter was just having some fun with his wife is all."
"Uh huh, I'm not a Paladin or Cleric and even I could detect that lie." Allie said.
Sir Sylvester nodded. "Well as long as you are around us it better not surface."
"I'm surrounded by the prude patrol. Maybe I should just let Allie put me in jail in Lancaster. It would certainly be more fun." Ray complained.
Allie smiled. "That works for me."
Ray rolled his eyes. "It was called a joke."
Shortly before lunch Lady Paige along with Walter and Ralph returned to camp and changed clothes. Happy and Toby had returned with Alicia while they were changing and joined them at the table shortly after changing themselves.
After Lady Paige prayed over lunch for the company Happy looked at Allie. "So Allie, how did you meet Walter?"
Allie nearly choked on her tea and her face went a little deeper red than her choking should have caused.
Walter chuckled as Allie began trying to clean up the tea that came out of her mouth. "Much the same as how I met our Lady, Happy. At the time I wasn't as well known as I am today and I was playing at a much seeder inn." He reached around Paige and hugged her.
Happy grinned as she put her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. "Oh really now, and just how seeder are we talking here?"
Walter shook his head. "Not the kind of place I would ever take our Lady or these two kids."
Allie nodded. "It was completely disreputable."
Happy laughed and then looked pointedly at Allie. "This just gets better and better. So if it was so bad why were you there then?"
Allie smiled. "I was told there was a very impressive young Bard playing there. So a few friends and I went to check it out."
Happy nodded. "Check it out or check him out?"
Paige leaned into Walter and felt him tighten his arm about her. Paige whispered. "I'm not sure I am enjoying this turn of the conversation."
Walter turned his head and kissed the side of hers as he whispered into her ear. "Think back to May 3rd, 2003."
Paige frowned as she did so.
Allie smiled. "Well check him out of course. But in the context of his performance."
Happy laughed. "That's what I want to know, did you check out his performance?"
Allie shook her head. "His performance as a Bard, yes Happy."
She saw a dingy and dank Inn. There was a very coarse and aggressive group of women within the Inn. They were grabbing at her and saying very obscene things. Most of them yelling so loud Paige couldn't even hear her own voice or Walter's in this case. As she made her way past the worst of the bunch she saw Allie sitting with several other women.
She ended up performing closer to them as they were fairly calm in comparison.
Following the performance she was back in her room when there was a knock on the door. She walked over and as the door opened she was surprised to see Allie there.
Allie smiled. "I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your performance. Well as much as I could what with all the carrying on."
Paige felt a smile. "Thanks." She heard Walter's voice. "Yea they call us new Bards tavern rats for a reason. I'm Walter."
Allie nodded. "Allie. If you'd like, I got a friend who runs a better class of Inn in town. I could speak with her. See if she'd be interested. You're certainly good enough to move up the rungs a few times."
Walter nodded. "Though I am supposed to perform here a couple of more days but the owner never got around to signing a contract with me."
Allie grinned. "Good. I'll go talk with my friend. See if I can set up an appointment for you. I'll be back."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." She saw Allie turn and walk away as Walter closed the door.
All the laughter brought Paige back to the now.
Happy looked at Walter. "Aww, the big bad Bard didn't like all the attention?"
Walter smiled. "For being considered nothing more than a beefcake no. But for my singing and story telling, I will always enjoy the limelight. Besides, the only person I want viewing me that way is right here." Walter squeezed Paige tightly against him.
Ray laughed. "Yea but you always made more money as beefcake."
Walter just kind of glared at Ray for a moment.
"What?" Ray asked innocently.
Alicia looked over. "What's beefcake?"
Happy grinned and pointed at Walter. "He is definitely beefcake."
Toby glared at Happy before looking at their daughter. "It's just a term used for men who are well muscled."
Paige reached up and caressed Walter's cheek. "I feel like I need a walk after lunch. Care to join me my Love?"
Walter smiled. "I would love to join you."
The couple got up and walked off hand in hand.
Happy leaned over to Sir Sylvester and whispered. "Think they are going to be talking about low class Inns?"
Sir Sylvester laughed with a nod.
As Paige and Walter reached the rocks they'd stopped at and told Ralph the truth Walter quickly let go of her hand and scooped her up in his arms and swung her around. Paige she laughed as she threw her head back and kicked her legs. Walter just smiled as he continued to carry her as he walked. "We didn't really finish our lunch. Am I in trouble my Love?" Walter finally asked.
Paige shook her head. "I just didn't like the direction of the conversation. If you are going to be discussed in such a manner then it is going to be by me to you. So I either needed to step away from it or make a fool of myself."
Walter smiled. "You're the Lady. You could never make a fool of yourself."
Paige laughed before nodding her head. "Oh yes I can."
Walter just grinned.
Paige looked at the ground. "Not that I am really complaining but this was suppose to be a walk for us, not you."
Walter kissed her and let her legs down.
Paige reached around behind him and he took her hand in his while putting his other arm around her back as they continued walking. "Well at least now I have a better idea about what this term I heard back at the Keep meant."
Walter looked at her puzzled. "What term is that?"
"Tavern rat," Paige told him.
Walter looked at her shocked but slowly smiled with a slight chuckle. "Lisa must have talked to some others then. Yes, it isn't a very polite term. It would be better that you not repeat it again. You are a Paladin of the wise Lady after all."
Paige frowned. "So what is so bad about it?"
Walter blushed a bit. "Well it is similar to a dancing chicken but with lots of unsavory sexual connotations as well. New Bards are referred by it. Basically they are called that because they are willing to take almost any job to get experience and renown."
Paige looked over at him puzzled. "Dancing chicken? I don't think I have ever heard of one."
Walter smiled. "Some festivals have a side show called a dancing chicken. They use some kind of pain to make the chicken move around on the stage. Heat usually as it is easier to control. Usually they use magic or some kind of gas. I was actually at a fair once where the container of the gas was leaking and when the guy lit the fire it exploded. Killed him and I think six other people. The chicken survived because the stage protected it and it flapped its way back down to the ground."
Paige stared at him trying to decide if he was serious.
Walter looked at her and nodded. "True story my Love."
"I've got animal cruelty laws that should keep something like that from happening in my lands. But perhaps I need to revisit them to ensure they cover this." Paige gripped his hand a little tighter.
Paige looked down. "So, did you and Allie ever become physical?"
Walter looked over at her and smiled. He stopped walking and pulled back on her hand. Paige turned to look up at him.
Walter shook his head. "No. She kind of took the place of my older sister whenever we have been together. I doubt you'd ever have to worry about any old conquests of mine. Of course that doesn't mean that you won't hear inappropriate comments about me. You've kind of hitched yourself to a wagon with a loud squeaky wheel some people might enjoy making fun about. Are you going to be okay with that?"
Paige reached up and caressed his cheek. "I'm not under some delusion that I am your first and I am okay with that. Just be truthful if we meet someone and don't try to delay telling me. I'd rather you tell me upfront. It would be much easier to handle than thinking you were trying to hide it. And anyone who dares to bad mouth you will need to defend those words against my blade."
Walter grinned as he bent over and kissed Paige deeply.
Allie looked at Happy. "It doesn't look like they are discussing low class Inns to me."
Happy looked at her. "You know, I really figured you and Walter might have been involved before but now I'm getting the feeling you were something else."
Allie smiled. "I came into his life at a time of sorrow. He'd received word a few days earlier that his sister had died a few months before. He was kind of like the younger brother I never had."
Happy's eyes opened wide. "Wow, now I feel bad for teasing and suggesting such things. How did she die?"
Allie shook her head. "I'm not sure. They hadn't put a name to it. Something that made her lose control over her muscles. Sometimes it got better but almost always progressed."
Greetings! Hope you are all well! Doing okay here.
Susan - I think I forgot to reply to a question you asked a few chapters ago around the time of the last review snafu. Walter can not become a Paladin now. Certain things need to be taught before real world experiences.
To the Adventure! -Tim
