Disclaimer; A/N: As usual... I actually had planned to wait a bit with this to clear up my mind (and to write at my other stories, too) but I couldn't wait for them being reunited. I hope you like it.

Feel free to review.

Enjoy.

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~Geoffrey had been summoned to an audience at the king's palace. But he hadn't seen the king himself. A delegate had spoken to him and given him an engagement. He now was official member of the Royal staff! He would do some of the correspondence, entertainment and later perhaps even diplomacy and representation, depending on how useful he would turn out to be. He was very sure that he was indebted to the Black Prince for this. He had spoken to him at the last World Championship in London. Shortly after Prince Edward had sired Geoff's friend and (at that time) employer and patron William Thatcher. It was a dream-hiring: Geoffrey had all freedoms he wanted, he could work at home, earn a lot of money and had the benefit of the court's protection. How could somebody like him hope for more? He had an own house in a respectable area, an own house-maiden, even an assistant, Bob, who copied his writings and put it into some neat form. And that was hard work, for there was much to do for Bob. After his performance at the World Championship Geoffrey Chaucer had become a well-known name under the upper class of Great Britian. And now, to top everything he got the Royal hiring which meant a secure income - he would need a second assistant. Life was perfect! Although he still had that little gambling-problem. Nobody but he and some of his friends knew about that. And that was good so. He would fight it down he was very sure. He didn't want to think about that now. Life was just too wonderful.

Still in his very best clothes he walked along the streets of London, observing the busy life in the lanes. There was still Lord Imry waiting for a "nice little story about typical London life" for his daughter. She obviously was fed up with her life on the country but was still too young to be introduced to London Society. He father wanted something to give her to make her waiting somewhat shorter. What could probably be suitable to satisfy a pampered noble brat from the country?? It was Valentine's Day. Perhaps a love-story would do???

It started to rain. Not unusual at this time of the year. But for some reason it was different this time. It made him remembering that very special day in November last year. When he had met the young boy. What had been his name? Reese? No. - Ryan! Yes, that was it. He did not know why but he had thought about this meeting a few times before, too. What was so special about it? It just had been a normal lad being on the way to his uncle in London . except the fact that he obviously had not known the right way. He had looked so unbearable sad. Again Geoffrey wondered about what the story of the lad might have been.

He had looked so vulnerable. Deep dark eyes and a skin for whose paleness every noblewoman would have envied him.

Why was he thinking about the boy's eyes and skin? - He should rather think about where to go this evening. Helen or Kathy? Or Gina? Difficult decision.

If Ryan had found his uncle's house? If he REALLY had been on the way to his uncle? - Kathy! She would provide the best dinner and then. Well, considering the after-dinner-entertainment he should better choose Gina. Original red-haired - and people knew what this meant.

He allowed himself a dirty grin as suddenly a small figure came speeding around a corner - and directly into him. He heard a muffled sound as the person slipped in the mud and fell backwards. It was a boy in ragged large clothes. He looked up and Geoffrey's smile froze: it was Ryan! Geoffrey held out a hand to help the boy scrambling up to his feet again and could see that Ryan was recognizing him now, too. However his features did not relax. He looked haunted, again (or still?), and somehow in a shock. What had happened to him? Was even somebody chasing him? The boy was panting in an uneven sort of way.

Suddenly another man came around the corner, coming to a sudden halt.

"AAAAAAAH, GOT YOU!!!!!" he yelled and then came slowly towards them. He limped as if someone had hit him hard at the right knee. He looked evil and very untrustworthy. One of the very low class of London. Geoffrey had seen people like him before: procurers and criminals of the worst possible sort. How did it came that Ryan had meddled up with these? More than ever he wished to have a good talk with the boy still sitting infront of him not able to move at all.

The man now had reached the shaking lad and, unimpressed by Geoffrey, heaved the boy up to his feet.

"YOUUUUUU!" he pressed out without loosening the firm grip. Geoffrey had to do something! He took a step forward, placing his hand on Ryan's shoulder. The teenager looked at him in amazement.

"Any problems with my servant?" Geoffrey asked the fuming man who looked at him in big surprise only topped by the look on Ryan's face. Geoffrey had to fight back a hysterical laughter.

"YOUR - WHAT?" the man seemed out of words then stopped yelling. His voice turned lurking, almost friendly "This isn't your servant. He's my errand- boy, or better he WAS." Ryan swallowed hard. What might be awaiting him when he let him go with that man? "You must be wrong. Look at him again and you'll see."

"I have looked at him very well. How could I probably mix him up?" he did not look it but Geoffrey became nervous. This could turn out very nasty. Why did he do this?? For an almost complete stranger-lad? But he began it and would bring it to its end - whatever this would be. He had to help Ryan. "I know him ever since he was 10 years old when his mother brought him to me. I would pick him out of hundreds being the spitting image of him." Stop it Chaucer! That was more than enough! It was the same with his gambling: he could not stop at the right moment.

The man looked confused, not knowing what to do. He watched Geoff closely from head to toe noticing his fine clothing. He really looked noble. All the time the boy had not said anything but stared anxiously from Geoffrey to the man. Geoffrey decided to play the last trump card.

"Of course we could also get one of the guards." He looked around him pretending to search for one of the uniformed forces of the city. "They surely will clear up this unpleasent incident in a short time." he gave his best smile to the now frightened-looking guy. It had worked! He had been sure that the reference to the guards would do it.

"Oh, um, no ... I don't think that the help of the guards is required here. Just a little confusion I suppose. I'll better go now. Goodbye, sir."

The man made a bow and then disappeared in the crowd but Geoffrey was sure that he would not go very far. He decided to take Ryan with him. At his house he was in safety - at least more than on the streets.

He looked down into the boy's face. He stared back, still shocked and in great amazement.

"Th.Thank you very much, sir. Again you have helped me in time when I needed it most. At least I presume that you have recognized me, too?"

Geoffrey nodded, smiling. The boy spoke fair - at least too fair for a street urchin. Where was he from???

"Um, thanx again. I hafta leave now." Oh, not that fair, yet. And why leave? Was he really so naive?

"You cannot just leave now. He will follow you, don't you think?" Geoffrey asked while looking into the boy's eyes - that wonderful dark eyes which seemed to tell a story Geoffrey HAD to find out . did he just thought "wonderful"??? Note to himself: keep a good distance from the Royal wine the next time.

"Well, yeah. That's just a thing Pete would probably do." he aprubtly looked despaired and lost "What shall I do?"

"What about coming with me?" Geoffrey suddenly had an idea "I have called you my servant. So why not really making you my servant? By chance I am searching for a second assistant. Are you interested?"

"I'd like to but I can neither read nor write."

"That is no problem, that is. I will teach you." Geoffrey said smiling, and out of a feeling he added "For the innocent child will always learn fast."°

"What?" Ryan didn't understand.

"Oh, nothing. Just a line I thought of in this very moment."

And with that he placed his arm around the boy's thin shoulders and led him through the crowd.~

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° Original: "For sely child wol alday soone lere." It's from the Canterbury Tales - The Prioress' Tale. I just like this line. That's why I imbedded it. Hope it fits.

Would you please have the courtesy to review? ::smiles::