The sun had already set when they entered the quiet town of Domremy.
"Let's try and find an inn, and save ourselves from a night of sleeping on the ground." Will lead them down the main street, where a few houses still had flickering lights shinning through their windows.
"Great idea," Wat called from atop the horse. "I could use a good night's sleep. You've no idea how sore I am!" He seemed not to notice the glares coming from his companions, who had walked the entire day.
"This looks promising," commented Roland. A larger building with a sign reading 'Auberge Trois Rivieres' was off to their left. Many of its windows were lit, and they could hear the clinking of glasses and laughter emanating from inside. Will and Roland entered, while the other three waited outside with the horses and cart.
It was smoky and dimly lit inside. And it seemed that the entire town must have been in the small pub located on the first floor of the inn.
"Bonsoir, monsieurs," an elderly man said to them as he rose from a nearby table.
"Good evening. We're looking for lodging for the night." Will hoped the man understood English; his French was a little embarrassing.
"You have luck," the man quickly switched to English. "We have just one room remaining." He walked over to a counter off to the side, reached behind it and retrieved a key.
"One room?" Will asked. "But there's five of us." He gestured toward the door. "Surely you can find us more accommodation?"
"Excusez-moi, monsieur, but no. I have only one left. I am sorry."
Will exchanged glances with Roland, but they both knew that this was their only choice. In a town this size there would probably only be one inn. Everyone would just have to make do.
"Alright, I guess we'll take it," Will finally answered. He paid the man and took the key. Then, after receiving instructions for the horses, they headed outside.
"Bad luck," Roland began.
"What? All booked up, was it?" Chaucer asked.
"No," Will explained. "They only had one room left; we'll have to share." He looked over at Kate.
"Well, I don't mind," she commented. "It's better than sleeping outside."
"I agree," Chaucer added. "Just so long as you keep the snoring down." He poked at Wat.
"I don't snore!" His face flamed at the suggestion.
As Chaucer and Wat continued to bicker the others began leading the horses around to the back of the inn, to where the stables were. The groom there promised to take good care of them, especially after Will tossed him a tip.
"You'd better keep a tighter grip on that money, lad," Roland warned the knight. "You may have plenty of it now, but you never know when it'll run out."
"If I run out, then I'll simply go and win another tournament," he replied with a grin.
"Don't get cocky, boy," cautioned the older man. "My mother always told me 'Save a shilling for a rainy day.' You never know when your luck could change."
Will leaned in close to Roland. "Luck has nothing to do with it, mate." And he slapped him cheerfully on the back.
They returned to the still bickering couple and entered the inn together. The crowd who had barely noticed the pair earlier were now well aware of the five strangers. Most of the conversations ceased as the group made their way across the room to where the staircase was located. Will could see many of the men eyeing Kate greedily as they crossed, and was pleased to see Chaucer take her arm in a gentlemanly fashion.
As they reached the stairs, Will thought of how well their group fit together. They always looked out for one another, but he felt Kate was the one who needed his protection the most. Maybe it was because she was a woman, or because she was so trustworthy and naïve at times. He found that almost anywhere they went men were making passes at her. It disgusted him how drunken males would even grab at her in their intoxicated state. She seemed to be able to take care of herself well enough, but he couldn't understand how she had done so before joining their band. She acted defiantly self-sufficient most of the time, a trait that grew from working in a man's field, Will knew. But no matter how stubbornly she tried to prove her independence, he knew Kate was appreciative of his men's protection.
After two flights of stairs they found themselves outside their door. Will unlocked it and they entered. It was a rather small and plain room, with a large bed taking up most of the space. Moonlight shone in through the open window, illuminating their surroundings.
"So who get's the bed, then?" asked Wat, ready to fight anyone who'd dare challenge him.
"I think Kate should have it," replied Roland. "She is the lady; it would only be right."
"Oh, that's ridiculous," she protested. "I can't take up that whole bed. You four could probably fit. Why don't you all take it?"
"That'd hardly be very comfortable," grumbled Wat.
"He's right," Chaucer agreed. "Four wouldn't fit. You take a spot, Kate. And I think Will should have a spot, too. He'll be no good at jousting with a sore back from lying on the floor all night."
Suddenly the idea of sharing a bed with Kate, alone, seemed a little unsettling to Will. Not to mention what Jocelyn would say if she ever found out. A sore back would be the least of his problems.
"All right, but I'm sure we could fit one more," Will quickly added. "Perhaps Roland, being the eldest, deserves it."
"That sounds fair. So Roland, Will and Kate take the bed, while Wat and I hit the floor." Chaucer seemed quite content with the idea, as did everyone else, except for Wat. He stood there for a moment trying to figure out how it happened that he had been sentenced to the floor.
Finally everyone had settled into their assigned sleeping arrangement. Wat and Chaucer stretched out at the foot of the bed, while Will laid on his back with Roland on his right and Kate on his left.
"Hey, Kate," Wat called out, in a teasing manner. "How's about you sing us all a lullaby?"
"Bugger off!" she told him and threw her pillow in his direction. "Ooof!" let her know she'd hit her mark.
"Thanks," Wat said without returning the pillow. Kate then realised her mistake; she was now pillow-less.
"Want mine?" Will asked, offering his pillow.
She met his eyes in the darkness, and could see the moonlight reflecting in his deep brown eyes. She found it slightly alarming to be lying so close to him.
"No, I'll be fine," she smiled, and then rolled over with her back to him. Will settled back down and eased into a dreamless sleep, exhausted by the long day of travelling.
He wasn't sure what woke him: Roland's deep, rumbling snore, or the contact he felt against his left side. As his eyes fluttered open it took him a moment to remember where he was. It was still very dark outside, and quite a few hours from dawn. He turned his head to the side and remembered that it was Kate curled up next to him. He tried to move over and give her more room, but he realized he couldn't. Roland was completely sprawled out taking up more than half the bed. Will tried to push him over, but the large man was too heavy and Will just didn't have the energy. He felt Kate move beside him.
"Kate? You awake?" he whispered softly to her.
"Yes, and about to fall of this bed," she hissed back at him. "Think you could move over some?"
"I would, but Roland's taken up the whole side. I can't get him to budge."
"Well if you hear a 'thump' later, you'll know I've fallen off."
Will looked over to see Kate wasn't exaggerating. Half of her was hanging over the edge of the bed.
"Do you want to switch places?" Will offered.
"No, that's all right, Will. Don't worry about me."
"Well, here, how about I hold on to you, so you don't fall."
Kate was about to protest when she felt Will's strong arms wrap around her middle. He easily pulled her up against him and she could feel the heat of his firm, bare chest against her back.
"Alright," she let out meekly. Being held in his arms was making her blood run faster and her head spin slightly. She was thankful he couldn't see her face, as she knew she must have been blushing.
Will immediately realized he hadn't properly thought out his plan. Now here he was, holding Kate way too damned close. The delicate scent of her hair surrounded him and he could feel her backside against a very sensitive region. She felt way too good, and Will was liking it way too much. Every slight movement she made, even the littlest bit of friction, heated his body in a way he thought only Jocelyn could.
Jocelyn! Why hadn't he thought of her before? He should not have been having these thoughts while he had Jocelyn. Yet, he was. But Kate was only a friend, he had to remind himself. True, she was very beautiful, but a friend nonetheless, and that was how she had to remain. Besides, he couldn't let go, or she'd fall off the bed. So that's what he told himself as he continued to hold her, and slowly drifted back off into sleep.
"Let's try and find an inn, and save ourselves from a night of sleeping on the ground." Will lead them down the main street, where a few houses still had flickering lights shinning through their windows.
"Great idea," Wat called from atop the horse. "I could use a good night's sleep. You've no idea how sore I am!" He seemed not to notice the glares coming from his companions, who had walked the entire day.
"This looks promising," commented Roland. A larger building with a sign reading 'Auberge Trois Rivieres' was off to their left. Many of its windows were lit, and they could hear the clinking of glasses and laughter emanating from inside. Will and Roland entered, while the other three waited outside with the horses and cart.
It was smoky and dimly lit inside. And it seemed that the entire town must have been in the small pub located on the first floor of the inn.
"Bonsoir, monsieurs," an elderly man said to them as he rose from a nearby table.
"Good evening. We're looking for lodging for the night." Will hoped the man understood English; his French was a little embarrassing.
"You have luck," the man quickly switched to English. "We have just one room remaining." He walked over to a counter off to the side, reached behind it and retrieved a key.
"One room?" Will asked. "But there's five of us." He gestured toward the door. "Surely you can find us more accommodation?"
"Excusez-moi, monsieur, but no. I have only one left. I am sorry."
Will exchanged glances with Roland, but they both knew that this was their only choice. In a town this size there would probably only be one inn. Everyone would just have to make do.
"Alright, I guess we'll take it," Will finally answered. He paid the man and took the key. Then, after receiving instructions for the horses, they headed outside.
"Bad luck," Roland began.
"What? All booked up, was it?" Chaucer asked.
"No," Will explained. "They only had one room left; we'll have to share." He looked over at Kate.
"Well, I don't mind," she commented. "It's better than sleeping outside."
"I agree," Chaucer added. "Just so long as you keep the snoring down." He poked at Wat.
"I don't snore!" His face flamed at the suggestion.
As Chaucer and Wat continued to bicker the others began leading the horses around to the back of the inn, to where the stables were. The groom there promised to take good care of them, especially after Will tossed him a tip.
"You'd better keep a tighter grip on that money, lad," Roland warned the knight. "You may have plenty of it now, but you never know when it'll run out."
"If I run out, then I'll simply go and win another tournament," he replied with a grin.
"Don't get cocky, boy," cautioned the older man. "My mother always told me 'Save a shilling for a rainy day.' You never know when your luck could change."
Will leaned in close to Roland. "Luck has nothing to do with it, mate." And he slapped him cheerfully on the back.
They returned to the still bickering couple and entered the inn together. The crowd who had barely noticed the pair earlier were now well aware of the five strangers. Most of the conversations ceased as the group made their way across the room to where the staircase was located. Will could see many of the men eyeing Kate greedily as they crossed, and was pleased to see Chaucer take her arm in a gentlemanly fashion.
As they reached the stairs, Will thought of how well their group fit together. They always looked out for one another, but he felt Kate was the one who needed his protection the most. Maybe it was because she was a woman, or because she was so trustworthy and naïve at times. He found that almost anywhere they went men were making passes at her. It disgusted him how drunken males would even grab at her in their intoxicated state. She seemed to be able to take care of herself well enough, but he couldn't understand how she had done so before joining their band. She acted defiantly self-sufficient most of the time, a trait that grew from working in a man's field, Will knew. But no matter how stubbornly she tried to prove her independence, he knew Kate was appreciative of his men's protection.
After two flights of stairs they found themselves outside their door. Will unlocked it and they entered. It was a rather small and plain room, with a large bed taking up most of the space. Moonlight shone in through the open window, illuminating their surroundings.
"So who get's the bed, then?" asked Wat, ready to fight anyone who'd dare challenge him.
"I think Kate should have it," replied Roland. "She is the lady; it would only be right."
"Oh, that's ridiculous," she protested. "I can't take up that whole bed. You four could probably fit. Why don't you all take it?"
"That'd hardly be very comfortable," grumbled Wat.
"He's right," Chaucer agreed. "Four wouldn't fit. You take a spot, Kate. And I think Will should have a spot, too. He'll be no good at jousting with a sore back from lying on the floor all night."
Suddenly the idea of sharing a bed with Kate, alone, seemed a little unsettling to Will. Not to mention what Jocelyn would say if she ever found out. A sore back would be the least of his problems.
"All right, but I'm sure we could fit one more," Will quickly added. "Perhaps Roland, being the eldest, deserves it."
"That sounds fair. So Roland, Will and Kate take the bed, while Wat and I hit the floor." Chaucer seemed quite content with the idea, as did everyone else, except for Wat. He stood there for a moment trying to figure out how it happened that he had been sentenced to the floor.
Finally everyone had settled into their assigned sleeping arrangement. Wat and Chaucer stretched out at the foot of the bed, while Will laid on his back with Roland on his right and Kate on his left.
"Hey, Kate," Wat called out, in a teasing manner. "How's about you sing us all a lullaby?"
"Bugger off!" she told him and threw her pillow in his direction. "Ooof!" let her know she'd hit her mark.
"Thanks," Wat said without returning the pillow. Kate then realised her mistake; she was now pillow-less.
"Want mine?" Will asked, offering his pillow.
She met his eyes in the darkness, and could see the moonlight reflecting in his deep brown eyes. She found it slightly alarming to be lying so close to him.
"No, I'll be fine," she smiled, and then rolled over with her back to him. Will settled back down and eased into a dreamless sleep, exhausted by the long day of travelling.
He wasn't sure what woke him: Roland's deep, rumbling snore, or the contact he felt against his left side. As his eyes fluttered open it took him a moment to remember where he was. It was still very dark outside, and quite a few hours from dawn. He turned his head to the side and remembered that it was Kate curled up next to him. He tried to move over and give her more room, but he realized he couldn't. Roland was completely sprawled out taking up more than half the bed. Will tried to push him over, but the large man was too heavy and Will just didn't have the energy. He felt Kate move beside him.
"Kate? You awake?" he whispered softly to her.
"Yes, and about to fall of this bed," she hissed back at him. "Think you could move over some?"
"I would, but Roland's taken up the whole side. I can't get him to budge."
"Well if you hear a 'thump' later, you'll know I've fallen off."
Will looked over to see Kate wasn't exaggerating. Half of her was hanging over the edge of the bed.
"Do you want to switch places?" Will offered.
"No, that's all right, Will. Don't worry about me."
"Well, here, how about I hold on to you, so you don't fall."
Kate was about to protest when she felt Will's strong arms wrap around her middle. He easily pulled her up against him and she could feel the heat of his firm, bare chest against her back.
"Alright," she let out meekly. Being held in his arms was making her blood run faster and her head spin slightly. She was thankful he couldn't see her face, as she knew she must have been blushing.
Will immediately realized he hadn't properly thought out his plan. Now here he was, holding Kate way too damned close. The delicate scent of her hair surrounded him and he could feel her backside against a very sensitive region. She felt way too good, and Will was liking it way too much. Every slight movement she made, even the littlest bit of friction, heated his body in a way he thought only Jocelyn could.
Jocelyn! Why hadn't he thought of her before? He should not have been having these thoughts while he had Jocelyn. Yet, he was. But Kate was only a friend, he had to remind himself. True, she was very beautiful, but a friend nonetheless, and that was how she had to remain. Besides, he couldn't let go, or she'd fall off the bed. So that's what he told himself as he continued to hold her, and slowly drifted back off into sleep.