" This is nothing but shit. That's what it is," a merchant said. It was a few days later. The strange following of the two knights and their men found their way to Jocelyn's home town, by no mistake.
" The bastard of a lord keeps raising the taxes he'll find himself on the end of something he doesn't want to be on," another man said.
The caravan rode quietly through the streets. Aurora eyes wondered over to the weary Will. She perhaps let the linger for too long, and quickly dropped her head down and to the opposite side when he looked her way. He then returned the favor and they shared a smile.
Kate saw this and cleared her thought to break up the moment. " Aurora, I have your armor done. Once we get things settle, how's about you try it on,"
" Thanks Kate. I appreciate it greatly,"
They again fell into a silence as they approached the doors of the great manor that belonged to Jocelyn's father. They were greeted by the doorman and their horses were taken to the near by stables to have their tack removed and to be washed. The doorman led them into the main courtyard, where they were greeted by Jocelyn and her father.
" We are so pleased that you and your friends could come to see us William, my boy. You will be joining us for banquet tonight?" Jocelyn's father asked.
" Yes. Of course, I don't know if my men have the dress for it," William answered.
" Oh, we shall manage. Oh, who is this lovely young lady? I don't think I remember seeing her before,"
" Sire, this is Lady Aurora Draco. Aurora, this is…."
"Yes, we've met, though it has been many years. He and Father used to go on the hunt together," Aurora answered.
" Yes, a fine man, Elose Draco. It saddened my heart to learn of his death. The old boy did love the lists though, I don't know of a better place for him to have spent his last moments. But how are you dear? It must have been hard on you,"
" Yes, but the good Lord puts obstacles in front of us only to make us stronger," Aurora said, her voice quivering some.
Later that night, Kate and Aurora where in the room that had been lent to the lady knight. Both women where helping each other dress for dinner. Kate had a simple pale blue dress that stopped just short of her feet. But the lady, she had a more extravagant banquet dress. It was a bit tight in the top.
"Too bad I don't have time to have a new one made. I'm spilling out all over the place in this thing," Aurora said, trying to pull the low neck of her dress higher, with no success.
" One of the many joys of growing more into a woman," Kate replied, peering at her in the mirror from her position behind Aurora. She'd just finished lacing the last eye holes in the dress and pulled the strings tight.
" But…." Aurora said as Kate did this. She thought that all the breath had been squeezed out of her, " I'm usually just the little girl in ridding boots and dirty pants. I'm more than a knight than a lady,"
" Well, I know of a knight that's breath will be taken from him also. That's the plan anyways," Kate said with a bit of a giggle.