***It gets kind of gross, but not for long...***
After York fell, more and more men snuck into England and joined our brigade. By now we had well over one thousand men, and growing fast. We continued to raid villages and towns in the weeks after, and the effect we had on York spread terror throughout England. We now had a reputation as 'The Savages of Wallace', and stories were being told to the English children about what horrors we did, most if it untrue. I participated in a few raids, but luckily no one in my band got hurt, including me.
Though I had gained the men's respect when I had that bout with Jeremy over three months ago, I learned that some of them thought me as something else. Late one night, as I was returning with some rabbit meat for my starving friends, i heard a sound in the woods and stopped. The noise was a branch cracking, and the rustling of leaves in front of me. I got down on all fours, and hovered over to the closest bush. I pulled out my sword, but as i was doing so I felt a tap on my back.
I whirled around, my blade stirdy, ready to cut whatever it was that touched me. My eyes found only one of the older men, in his mid thirties, with a scruffy beard and a bad smell. I sighed with relief.
"Begin yer pardon lass, but could you please put the blade away, so as i dont'...well....get hurt?" I smiled, and relaxed my grip on the sword.
"Sorry, sir, I didn't know who it was. You really shouldn't sneak up on people like that." My voice was blunt, but I didn't care. His grey eyes searched me from head to toe. As he stared, I noticed his eyes twinkle with something I had seen only once before.
"Quite alright, missy." He looked at my dead rabbit. "Food is scarce 'round here. Your lucky you bagged this here thing. But be careful, you never no when people may try to steal something of yours. It's a hungry world, it tis." He licked his lips slightly, but his eyes weren't on the food. They were staring right at me. My uncomfortable feeling inside caused me to shift my weight, and I ducked my head down, not wanting to see those haunting eyes.
"Well, I best be getting back. Do you want me to walk you to your camp?" He asked with delight.
"No." I eagerly stated, and with that I picked up my carcass and walked slowly toward my friends' camp. After I was about 40 paces from where we had stood, I looked back, and saw him still there, staring at me.
For once in about a month, we got to stay in one village for over a week. I was happy beyond words, for all this moving had done its toll on my body. In the mornings I practiced sword fighting with Jeremy and Owen, followed by lunch with Hudson. After my meal, I usually taught Douglas and Peirce some healing techniques, such as arrow wounds and sicknesses. My day then finished with a quick scouting ride, supper, and a warm, relaxing bath. Bathing was a scarce thing to do, for usually we moved out every day, and I had no times for such things. Though all my friends began to smell, well, savage like, I tried to maintain my dignity as a woman and bathe whenever I could.
Luckily today was one of those rare occasions. I lathered the soap all over my arms, chest, and legs, not wanting any spot to remain dirty. The warm water relaxed my aching muscles, and my body was in total peace. I closed my eyes and sighed loudly. Life was bliss, and for once I felt I had a place in this camp. With these thoughts hovering in my mind, I failed to hear the sound of somebody moving closer and closer towards me. As I lathered soap up my left arm, I saw a shadow right above me. As I twirled around in the wooden bathtub, a hand went over my mouth, and I tried to scream, though no sound would pop out. I struggled against his tight grip on me, and water splashed everywhere. My eyes searched his face, and I clearly recognized him as the man in the forest a couple days earlier. I knew he had looked at me in a hunger that night, but I failed to see any real harm later on. I was so stupid!
He was now trying to pull me out of the water, with his arms wrapped around my middle. One of my arms was free though, and using it as my only weapon, I whacked him across the face, and my nails had dug into his cheek. Blood now started to come out, but he still held on tight. "Your not getting away from me, lass. Do you know how long I've wanted you?"
His lusty voice scared me, and I knew I had to do something quick. I tried to whack him again, but this time he blocked it, letting one of his arms grab my wrist. "Let go of me!" I demanded.
His eyes were full of desire, and nothing else. "Please, precious, don't fight it. I know you want me as much as I want you..."
His face now came at mine, and I felt his tongue lavish around my neck and lips. I felt so disgusted and ultimately helpless. This is what happened to my mother, and I had to fight! I would not end up scarred for the rest of my life! I noticed he had let his grip on me lessen, and I used that to my advantage. I head butted him directly on the face, and he fell backward. I jumped out of the tub, which, thankfully I had a gown right there next to it, and tied it quickly on me while he was still stunned.
"You bitch!" He called out, and got up from the ground. I would have knocked him out right there, but at that moment Jeremy barged into the bath house, and immediately attacked the man. I felt both relieved and embarrassed. I could have taken him on! I saw the anger in Jeremy as he punched the man repeatedly, not caring that the man cried out for mercy. i was a little scared myself, for I had never seen Jeremy so mad. He yelled all sorts of names at the bloody faced man, and continued to hit him. I took that moment to dress into my tunic and breeches, all the while shouting at Jeremy to stop.
Why was he doing this? After I was dressed I lunged at Jeremy, prying him off the crying man. By now more men emerged into the room, and helped me hold back my friend from killing the bastard. Jeremy ripped apart from us, and dived for the man again. "You filth! You call yourself a Scottishman?" He kicked the man in the stomach, and I felt his ribs crack. I held back as Hudson and a man I didn't know got hold of him again, only now he didn't resist. Jeremy continued to stare at the man with hatred in his eyes, and his fist ready to punch the hell out of him. I was more than scared now: I was terrified. it was as if something posessed Jeremy, something I never wanted to see again. I looked from man to man, then burst out of the room, running as fast as I could away from the village and deep into the forest.
I don't know why I ran; I just knew I couldn't stand it any longer. Finally, when my legs began to tire, I collapsed unto a heep of dead leaves, as tears poured from my eyes. "How...DARE...he..." I stuttered to say as I cried. I was so utterly confused as to why I was crying. I should be grateful to Jeremy; but instead I was angry, and all i could think of was how stupid I had been to let my guard down. Now I had truly proven my unworthiness to be here. After all I had accomplished in the last couple of months; I would now be subjected to ridicule for almost being raped. Wallace, once he got back from his visit with Princess Isabella, would see me as weak, and he would send me away. And Jeremy did not help by coming to my rescue and proving how incapable I was. It was over.
I stayed on that leaf bed all throughout the day, my pride not wanting to go back to the village camp filled with humiliation. By nightfall I decided that it would be best to return when all were asleep, and I made the journey back. My absence must have been known to all my friends, for our camp was the only one with a lit fire still burning. As my shadow descended into the light, I saw Douglas and Owen look up. Jeremy and Pierce were nowhere to be seen. I straggled into the camp and said nothing; I crawled into my blanket and turned over. I felt their eyes searching me, but I continued to stay silent, and they also said nothing. I couldn't blame them, I sure wouldn't know what to say either. My last thoughts were of Jeremy, savagely beating a man while he apoligized while screaming in pain. It was a thought that gave me nightmares.
I awoke to find everyone still asleep. There was still no sign of Jeremy or Pierce, and I thanked the Lord for that. I wasn't ready to see Jeremy again. I decided to take a little walk along the village, so I washed my face quickly and straightened my tangled hair, which still had a few leaves in it. Hardly anyone was up and about this early in the morning, but I decided to go to the tent of someone who i had not talked to for weeks. I had scarcely placed one of my fingers on the tent opening when he ermerged out, scaring me half to death.
"Sorry, Maura. Didn't know who it was. Are you okay?" His kind eyes told her she was right to think she should see him.
"Sorry, Sir Wallace, I just...thought I should tell you that you don't need to tell me today that i have to leave; I can go right now."
He rolled his eyes dramaticly. "Not this again, girl. I swear, the next time you say that I'll...." he stopped suddenly. "Maura, If this is about what happened yesterday.."
"great, you know about that?" I burst out. Then i regreted speaking out. "Sorry, sir. I didn't mean to-"
"Later. Maura, are you sure your okay? The lads say you ran off right after it happened." His voice spoke only sincerity.
My cheeks blsuhed with embarrassement. "I'm fine. I just thought, maybe you wouldn't want a girl that causes your men to....act unlawfully."
"Lass, what that pisshead Richard did to you was something only a traitor would do. You are not the problem here. In fact, you are showing me who is truly on my side. What he did...what he did was the same thing that happened to....to Mullen." He stuttered to say those words, and i knew had been years since he talked about his wife. "Bastards like him deserve to die along with the English. I only wish I could have done the honor myself."
That statement blew my mind. "You...you mean he's dead?"
Wallace nodded. "Hudson told me after you left Jeremy took his sword and...slit Richard's throat." My stomach felt queasy, and I did not know what to think. This was worse than ever.
"Where is he?" I demanded.
"Maura-"
"WHERE is he?"
"He only wanted to protect you..."
"If I wanted his protection, I would have yelled for help. He had no right to do that!"
"He was just worried about you.." William pleaded.
"Worried? He was in a rage! All I wanted was to knock the guy out, make him swear not to tell a soul, and then no one would know! William, please..where is he?"
He sighed. "Over by the stream." I stormed out of the tent, and kicked the nearest thing: a bucket. I then decided to pay Jeremy a little visit.
William was right; Jeremy was right at the stream, sitting on a boulder, throwing small rocks into the water. I approached him not in a silent matter, though he didn't turn around.
"How DARE you!" I screamed. He still didn't turn around, but conitnued to throw rocks into the water. "you...you embarrass me in front of the whole army, severely beat and kill someone you had no right to do so with, and don't even ask if I needed help!" he stopped throwing.
He whipped around, his eyes a dark shade. "ASK you? Maura, I saved your life!!"
"I had it under control! I didn't want everyone to know that this had happened! Now my reputation is ruined, thanks to you!"
"Your reputation??!! You only give a damn about your reputation? Maura, i saw a man about to hurt you, so I naturally tried to help!" He screamed back at me.
"By beating the hell out of him, and then slitting his throat? Oh yeah, what a saint you are...Jeremy, you can't go fighting my battles every time I'm in trouble! I'm not a baby!"
He jumped off the rock and barged up to me. "Is that what your mad at? I swear, your pride is bigger than your head! You think that your invinsible, and you can take on anything. You think that if you get help, everyone will think you're weak. Well guess what Maura, not everything revolves around you! You focus too much on what people think of you that you fail to delve on the concept of love, loyalty, and trust. What did you think I would do? Stand back, eat some meat, while watching you battle a guy in your bathgown??? Stop being so naive, and realize that I'm your friend: and friends are suppsoed to help each other." His heart was pounding, for he now took deep breaths.
I was speechless. All that he said was true, and I knew it. I was too prideful to let ayone help me. I regretted saying what I said. But there was still another point to let him consider. "That's not the only thing I was mad at. Jeremy, when I saw you beat Richard, I felt your anger, and I felt your hatred. It terrified me to see you so mad at a fellow Scotsman. It was like you were some total stranger out for blood. I...I didn't know what to think of you." I hung my head, not wanting to see his expression.
He took a few breaths, before finally answering, "I'm so ssorry you saw that side of me. But Maura, why did you think I got so angry in the first place? Why do you think I helped you? Why do you think i killed him to prevent you from getting hurt? I care about you, lass. The last thing I would ever want was to see you hurt. And when I saw that guy going after you, something inside me awakened, and it was like I was possessed to keep you from harm. I'm so sorry." It was the first time I had ever seen tears in jeremy's eyes, and I now understood why he had done what he did. I felt horrible.
I hugged him, and didn't let go. I had never hugged him before, and it felt so right. I placed my head on his shoulder. "No Jeremy. I'm sorry. And I thank you." We both released.
I held out my hand. "You are a good person, and I'm proud to call you my friend." He took it, and our hands shook. "The next time you need help, I will be there....you can count on it."
After York fell, more and more men snuck into England and joined our brigade. By now we had well over one thousand men, and growing fast. We continued to raid villages and towns in the weeks after, and the effect we had on York spread terror throughout England. We now had a reputation as 'The Savages of Wallace', and stories were being told to the English children about what horrors we did, most if it untrue. I participated in a few raids, but luckily no one in my band got hurt, including me.
Though I had gained the men's respect when I had that bout with Jeremy over three months ago, I learned that some of them thought me as something else. Late one night, as I was returning with some rabbit meat for my starving friends, i heard a sound in the woods and stopped. The noise was a branch cracking, and the rustling of leaves in front of me. I got down on all fours, and hovered over to the closest bush. I pulled out my sword, but as i was doing so I felt a tap on my back.
I whirled around, my blade stirdy, ready to cut whatever it was that touched me. My eyes found only one of the older men, in his mid thirties, with a scruffy beard and a bad smell. I sighed with relief.
"Begin yer pardon lass, but could you please put the blade away, so as i dont'...well....get hurt?" I smiled, and relaxed my grip on the sword.
"Sorry, sir, I didn't know who it was. You really shouldn't sneak up on people like that." My voice was blunt, but I didn't care. His grey eyes searched me from head to toe. As he stared, I noticed his eyes twinkle with something I had seen only once before.
"Quite alright, missy." He looked at my dead rabbit. "Food is scarce 'round here. Your lucky you bagged this here thing. But be careful, you never no when people may try to steal something of yours. It's a hungry world, it tis." He licked his lips slightly, but his eyes weren't on the food. They were staring right at me. My uncomfortable feeling inside caused me to shift my weight, and I ducked my head down, not wanting to see those haunting eyes.
"Well, I best be getting back. Do you want me to walk you to your camp?" He asked with delight.
"No." I eagerly stated, and with that I picked up my carcass and walked slowly toward my friends' camp. After I was about 40 paces from where we had stood, I looked back, and saw him still there, staring at me.
For once in about a month, we got to stay in one village for over a week. I was happy beyond words, for all this moving had done its toll on my body. In the mornings I practiced sword fighting with Jeremy and Owen, followed by lunch with Hudson. After my meal, I usually taught Douglas and Peirce some healing techniques, such as arrow wounds and sicknesses. My day then finished with a quick scouting ride, supper, and a warm, relaxing bath. Bathing was a scarce thing to do, for usually we moved out every day, and I had no times for such things. Though all my friends began to smell, well, savage like, I tried to maintain my dignity as a woman and bathe whenever I could.
Luckily today was one of those rare occasions. I lathered the soap all over my arms, chest, and legs, not wanting any spot to remain dirty. The warm water relaxed my aching muscles, and my body was in total peace. I closed my eyes and sighed loudly. Life was bliss, and for once I felt I had a place in this camp. With these thoughts hovering in my mind, I failed to hear the sound of somebody moving closer and closer towards me. As I lathered soap up my left arm, I saw a shadow right above me. As I twirled around in the wooden bathtub, a hand went over my mouth, and I tried to scream, though no sound would pop out. I struggled against his tight grip on me, and water splashed everywhere. My eyes searched his face, and I clearly recognized him as the man in the forest a couple days earlier. I knew he had looked at me in a hunger that night, but I failed to see any real harm later on. I was so stupid!
He was now trying to pull me out of the water, with his arms wrapped around my middle. One of my arms was free though, and using it as my only weapon, I whacked him across the face, and my nails had dug into his cheek. Blood now started to come out, but he still held on tight. "Your not getting away from me, lass. Do you know how long I've wanted you?"
His lusty voice scared me, and I knew I had to do something quick. I tried to whack him again, but this time he blocked it, letting one of his arms grab my wrist. "Let go of me!" I demanded.
His eyes were full of desire, and nothing else. "Please, precious, don't fight it. I know you want me as much as I want you..."
His face now came at mine, and I felt his tongue lavish around my neck and lips. I felt so disgusted and ultimately helpless. This is what happened to my mother, and I had to fight! I would not end up scarred for the rest of my life! I noticed he had let his grip on me lessen, and I used that to my advantage. I head butted him directly on the face, and he fell backward. I jumped out of the tub, which, thankfully I had a gown right there next to it, and tied it quickly on me while he was still stunned.
"You bitch!" He called out, and got up from the ground. I would have knocked him out right there, but at that moment Jeremy barged into the bath house, and immediately attacked the man. I felt both relieved and embarrassed. I could have taken him on! I saw the anger in Jeremy as he punched the man repeatedly, not caring that the man cried out for mercy. i was a little scared myself, for I had never seen Jeremy so mad. He yelled all sorts of names at the bloody faced man, and continued to hit him. I took that moment to dress into my tunic and breeches, all the while shouting at Jeremy to stop.
Why was he doing this? After I was dressed I lunged at Jeremy, prying him off the crying man. By now more men emerged into the room, and helped me hold back my friend from killing the bastard. Jeremy ripped apart from us, and dived for the man again. "You filth! You call yourself a Scottishman?" He kicked the man in the stomach, and I felt his ribs crack. I held back as Hudson and a man I didn't know got hold of him again, only now he didn't resist. Jeremy continued to stare at the man with hatred in his eyes, and his fist ready to punch the hell out of him. I was more than scared now: I was terrified. it was as if something posessed Jeremy, something I never wanted to see again. I looked from man to man, then burst out of the room, running as fast as I could away from the village and deep into the forest.
I don't know why I ran; I just knew I couldn't stand it any longer. Finally, when my legs began to tire, I collapsed unto a heep of dead leaves, as tears poured from my eyes. "How...DARE...he..." I stuttered to say as I cried. I was so utterly confused as to why I was crying. I should be grateful to Jeremy; but instead I was angry, and all i could think of was how stupid I had been to let my guard down. Now I had truly proven my unworthiness to be here. After all I had accomplished in the last couple of months; I would now be subjected to ridicule for almost being raped. Wallace, once he got back from his visit with Princess Isabella, would see me as weak, and he would send me away. And Jeremy did not help by coming to my rescue and proving how incapable I was. It was over.
I stayed on that leaf bed all throughout the day, my pride not wanting to go back to the village camp filled with humiliation. By nightfall I decided that it would be best to return when all were asleep, and I made the journey back. My absence must have been known to all my friends, for our camp was the only one with a lit fire still burning. As my shadow descended into the light, I saw Douglas and Owen look up. Jeremy and Pierce were nowhere to be seen. I straggled into the camp and said nothing; I crawled into my blanket and turned over. I felt their eyes searching me, but I continued to stay silent, and they also said nothing. I couldn't blame them, I sure wouldn't know what to say either. My last thoughts were of Jeremy, savagely beating a man while he apoligized while screaming in pain. It was a thought that gave me nightmares.
I awoke to find everyone still asleep. There was still no sign of Jeremy or Pierce, and I thanked the Lord for that. I wasn't ready to see Jeremy again. I decided to take a little walk along the village, so I washed my face quickly and straightened my tangled hair, which still had a few leaves in it. Hardly anyone was up and about this early in the morning, but I decided to go to the tent of someone who i had not talked to for weeks. I had scarcely placed one of my fingers on the tent opening when he ermerged out, scaring me half to death.
"Sorry, Maura. Didn't know who it was. Are you okay?" His kind eyes told her she was right to think she should see him.
"Sorry, Sir Wallace, I just...thought I should tell you that you don't need to tell me today that i have to leave; I can go right now."
He rolled his eyes dramaticly. "Not this again, girl. I swear, the next time you say that I'll...." he stopped suddenly. "Maura, If this is about what happened yesterday.."
"great, you know about that?" I burst out. Then i regreted speaking out. "Sorry, sir. I didn't mean to-"
"Later. Maura, are you sure your okay? The lads say you ran off right after it happened." His voice spoke only sincerity.
My cheeks blsuhed with embarrassement. "I'm fine. I just thought, maybe you wouldn't want a girl that causes your men to....act unlawfully."
"Lass, what that pisshead Richard did to you was something only a traitor would do. You are not the problem here. In fact, you are showing me who is truly on my side. What he did...what he did was the same thing that happened to....to Mullen." He stuttered to say those words, and i knew had been years since he talked about his wife. "Bastards like him deserve to die along with the English. I only wish I could have done the honor myself."
That statement blew my mind. "You...you mean he's dead?"
Wallace nodded. "Hudson told me after you left Jeremy took his sword and...slit Richard's throat." My stomach felt queasy, and I did not know what to think. This was worse than ever.
"Where is he?" I demanded.
"Maura-"
"WHERE is he?"
"He only wanted to protect you..."
"If I wanted his protection, I would have yelled for help. He had no right to do that!"
"He was just worried about you.." William pleaded.
"Worried? He was in a rage! All I wanted was to knock the guy out, make him swear not to tell a soul, and then no one would know! William, please..where is he?"
He sighed. "Over by the stream." I stormed out of the tent, and kicked the nearest thing: a bucket. I then decided to pay Jeremy a little visit.
William was right; Jeremy was right at the stream, sitting on a boulder, throwing small rocks into the water. I approached him not in a silent matter, though he didn't turn around.
"How DARE you!" I screamed. He still didn't turn around, but conitnued to throw rocks into the water. "you...you embarrass me in front of the whole army, severely beat and kill someone you had no right to do so with, and don't even ask if I needed help!" he stopped throwing.
He whipped around, his eyes a dark shade. "ASK you? Maura, I saved your life!!"
"I had it under control! I didn't want everyone to know that this had happened! Now my reputation is ruined, thanks to you!"
"Your reputation??!! You only give a damn about your reputation? Maura, i saw a man about to hurt you, so I naturally tried to help!" He screamed back at me.
"By beating the hell out of him, and then slitting his throat? Oh yeah, what a saint you are...Jeremy, you can't go fighting my battles every time I'm in trouble! I'm not a baby!"
He jumped off the rock and barged up to me. "Is that what your mad at? I swear, your pride is bigger than your head! You think that your invinsible, and you can take on anything. You think that if you get help, everyone will think you're weak. Well guess what Maura, not everything revolves around you! You focus too much on what people think of you that you fail to delve on the concept of love, loyalty, and trust. What did you think I would do? Stand back, eat some meat, while watching you battle a guy in your bathgown??? Stop being so naive, and realize that I'm your friend: and friends are suppsoed to help each other." His heart was pounding, for he now took deep breaths.
I was speechless. All that he said was true, and I knew it. I was too prideful to let ayone help me. I regretted saying what I said. But there was still another point to let him consider. "That's not the only thing I was mad at. Jeremy, when I saw you beat Richard, I felt your anger, and I felt your hatred. It terrified me to see you so mad at a fellow Scotsman. It was like you were some total stranger out for blood. I...I didn't know what to think of you." I hung my head, not wanting to see his expression.
He took a few breaths, before finally answering, "I'm so ssorry you saw that side of me. But Maura, why did you think I got so angry in the first place? Why do you think I helped you? Why do you think i killed him to prevent you from getting hurt? I care about you, lass. The last thing I would ever want was to see you hurt. And when I saw that guy going after you, something inside me awakened, and it was like I was possessed to keep you from harm. I'm so sorry." It was the first time I had ever seen tears in jeremy's eyes, and I now understood why he had done what he did. I felt horrible.
I hugged him, and didn't let go. I had never hugged him before, and it felt so right. I placed my head on his shoulder. "No Jeremy. I'm sorry. And I thank you." We both released.
I held out my hand. "You are a good person, and I'm proud to call you my friend." He took it, and our hands shook. "The next time you need help, I will be there....you can count on it."