Hi, my dear readers!

Sorry for the long delay! If you want to know the reason read the 13th chappie of my HP-fic "Ruby Goes To Hogwarts". It's an Author's Note on my writer's block on that story. It's pretty the same with this story here. But now as you are reading this the newest chappie is finished! YAY! GO ME! Ahem…

Well, thanks to my lovely reviewers and my nice beta (I know I'm unnerving you though you aren't admitting it! ^^)!

@Rainne: Bawah, you hate me? ::cries:: I don't want to know what you will be thinking about me after reading this chapter… Nah, just a joke, don't feel hindered to review again ::smiles::

@Totally cliched: so you're reading this story, too? Cool. But what do you mean with "Review us just not now cos we haven't put up the next chapter!"?? You aren't still going on about that "deal" are you??? I said NO, remember? *ARGH*

@Paranoid Seat: It's pretty obvious isn't it? Hihi. But it gets better with the time, promised! Finally I have a beta now! Perhaps some day I will do a good reading and correcting over (including plot and set mistakes…).

@Jesus-freak: Sorry in forward!!!

@Lady Arianna: Thank you! ::bows::

Oh, people, I'm really sorry but I just LOVE writing cliffhangers for this story. I have them in my mind for ages until I finally come to the point to write them down… By the way there won't be a cliffhanger in this chapter.

Oh, you are all SO gonna hate me for this chapter!!! ::Screams, ducks away and hides in her Smial::

By the way I noticed a mistake in former chapters: I mentioned "Great Britain" but I'm pretty sure now at that time there was no such thing as Great Britain. Sorry for that!

Anyways, this chapter is dedicated to Quetzal, my dear mail pal, because in this chapter the one and only Sir William Thatcher appears for the first time!

*IhavethedvdIhavethedvdIhavethedvd* Heum *blush*

Feel free to review.

Enjoy.

~*~

~Geoffrey was happy – and somehow relieved. He now knew why he had reacted so strangely to his new assistant: he looked completely like his mother – who had been a downright beauty. Ryan kept a little drawing of her in a chest bandage – to have her near to his heart as he had told him. But Ryan was not willing to reveal more than that his mother had died during his birth. However Geoffrey was not in an inquisitive mood either. Not only that the boy was looking too miserable to tell more (though Geoffrey sensed that there WAS more), also Geoff was feeling too good (and a bit guilty about that). It was nobody's fault that the boy had his mother's face. Once he matured his features would get harder and more male. Geoffrey denied that his feelings for Ryan were not only based on Ryan's looks but his whole appearance and personality. Instead he promised him to keep it as a secret then went downstairs with him. Ryan still looked pale and frightened – as if he had been close to give away a secret much bigger than the picture of his mother in the bandage …~

*Maureen felt worse than ever. It had been close. When Geoff had seen her bandage she thought everything was over. And somehow she had felt relieved about that. It would have meant the time of lying was over. But then she had noticed she hadn't been able to tell him – not yet. She had given away only a part of her secret, the picture of her mother. The idea to tell him just that had washed over her like a lightning. It was reasonable. She would have to think about another reasonable story for the next time things were getting close… Now that Geoffrey led her down to the backyard she felt bad about having lied to him again. She sighed inwardly. Now it was too late to tell him everything. The perfect moment for that was over and would probably never come back! Now, Maureen thought, it was probably the best to never see him again. But still she didn't know if she could stand it. Arriving in the backyard her mind was immediately distracted by a rather shocking sight: Troilus, ready for the tour. James was standing next to him, looking proud.

"On with you!"

Maureen backed away – and stepped onto Geoff's foot.

"Ow! What's the matter?" Geoff looked down at her "Oh, it isn't Troilus again, is it? You knew we would be travelling on him!"

"Um, well, I thought YOU would ride and I would, well, walk…"

"Naah, that is taking too long. Now, come on, it is almost a day ride and if we stay any longer we won't arrive before sunset."

Maureen was thinking fast about how she could avoid being placed onto this huge horse when she heard a voice behind her.

"What, aren't you gonna say good-bye? How impolite!" Elana was coming from the kitchen huffing.

Maureen smiled at her. She considered her as a real friend – it would be hard not to hear her hearty laugh every day anymore. Now Ela had stopped in front of her and shoved a bag into her hands.

"Lunch." Elana just said shortly. Maureen heard her gulp silently a "Well...Farewell!"

Maureen looked up – and was dismayed to see Ela's eyes glancing with tears. Elana quickly but heartily hugged her then hurried back to the kitchen before Maureen could stutter any words in response.

Geoffrey followed Elana with his eyes until she had disappeared behind the back door. He sighed then turned back to Maureen.

"There you leave a broken heart, son."

Maureen's mouth fell open. She didn't know what disturbed her more. That Geoffrey thought Ela to have had a crush on her or that he had called her "son". She opened her mouth and the first thing coming out connected both of these things though she didn't notice it.

"Elana and I are only friends! Nothing more!" She was about to ramble on as she felt herself being heaved from the steady ground and onto the horse's back. She was too stunned to say anything more. Instead fear was washing over her like a dark wave which had been hidden behind her back just to take her when she had been expecting it the least. She was about to let herself fall on purpose so that the horse wouldn't do it when Geoffrey swung himself behind her, took the reigns (so that his arms were close left and right next to her) and goaded Troilus to leave the backyard and trot towards the gate of the town.*

~They had been on their way for some hours, riding along silently. Geoff sensed that Ryan was not in a talkative mood. Geoffrey was not either so they both just sank deeper and deeper into their own thoughts. Geoffrey scolded himself over and over again that he had called Ryan "son". Well, he was more than double as old as him but still… That had sounded so grandfather-like. But saying "my dear" would have sounded much more stupid, wouldn't it? He had been relieved that Ryan had reacted so outraged to the thought of him and Ela being some sort of couple. And he was more than ever convinced that he was doing the right thing: as soon as they had left the city and came into more rural areas the skinny figure in front of him had relaxed a bit though he still was shaking because of sitting on a horse. Geoffrey could feel his heart beat faster because they were so near to each other and was scolding himself for that. He tried not to touch Ryan too often for then his skin was prickling at the contact. He neither knew nor guessed that the person in front of him was feeling the same.

It was March 21st, the first spring day – with the best spring weather one could wish for and the boy was looking around as if he was searching something. And soon Geoffrey thought he knew what Ryan had been looking out for: they turned a bend and suddenly the tree where they first had met came into view. Out of a feeling Geoff took a break there. He glided from Troilus' back then helped the trembling boy to do so, too. Geoff tried to be cheerful.

"That has not been that bad, has it?"~

*Maureen just sent him a glare then walked some steps glad that she felt steady ground under her bare feet again. It was like being reborn. She hadn't been in the country in what felt like ages. The silence was almost tangible. She sat down under the tree and listened to her heart beat which was slowly calming down again. Silently she watched Geoffrey releasing the food bag from the saddle while her mind drifted back to that very place four months ago. It was different this time: the weather was warm and dry, Geoff wasn't a stranger anymore – and she had got quite used to wearing trousers and a chest bandage.

Their ride had been rather fast and Maureen barely had had time to look out for the breech in the wood that finally would have led to Corton. It was amazing. They had taken so short for a way she had only been able to master in several days. Perhaps horses weren't so bad after all. Thoughtfully Maureen watched Troilus trotting off in the search for some fresh grass and noticed another bag (apart from her own) tied to the saddle. What might have been in that?

She desired to question Geoffrey about her new master, finally they seemed to be some sort of friends but she couldn't muster the courage. Too many memories assailed on her ever since the incident in her chamber that morning. She had been forced to remember and now she couldn't stop her mind to replay the last day at home over and over in her head. She expected her body to burst with guilt and lies every moment. But it stayed in one piece. Not even a capillary crack appeared, her skin remained pale and soft as ever. She had hated that skin ever since she had been old enugh to understand that only noble women had such soft skin. She had been a working girl. She should have had rough hands. And sunburnt skin. She didn't want to look like some spoiled noble brat. She had been happy her skin had turned a steady rosy shade the last month. She didn't know the paleness came from the sorrow she had been suffering during her short life.

Dragged away by such unpleasant thoughts Maureen ate her cheese and bread without saying a word, only half listening to Geoff who tried to cheer her up and dramatically performed a spring poem. The beauty of his words took Maureen back to the real world and she listened open-mouthed. Finally he ended, smiled at her gawping (did he blush a bit?) then leaned against the tree and closed his eyes. Maureen was sitting halfway behind Geoffrey and taxed him shyly. The sunlight was playing with his messy hair causing Maureen's heart to open widely. She tried to memorise every inch of this sight. And in case she would feel lonely some day she would dig out that memory: how the man of her heart was sourrounded by an angelic light coming from heaven itself.

Maureen sighed then leaned against the trunk side opposite from Geoff. The lacking of sleep during the night together with the warmth took effect and soon she had dozen off. She didn't know how long she had been sleeping but it couldn't have been too long as the sun was still standing high when Geoffrey shook her gently awake. For a moment Maureen felt the urge to sink into his arms but then he stood up to call for Troilus and the moment was over.*

~Reluctantly Ryan trudged over to the horse looking gloomily at the proud beast. He showed no signs of a will to mount so Geoffrey once again heaved him onto it. He could have simply helped him, too, but he enjoyed the short moment of direct body contact, even when it had only been hands under arm pits.

The rest of the journey went lazily by. Geoff began to tell the boy about Will. He didn't tell everything about his story. It was Will's decision how much Ryan should know about him being born and raised as a thatcher's son and later being a common squire. About him taking the name of his old lord once, then entering the tournaments as Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein from Gelderland. Geoffrey could not suppress a grin at the memory of that name – and all the other memories coming with it. Oh yes, that had been a great time – the gang on tour! Would that time ever come back? Or had it just been one of these miracle once-in-a-lifetime experiences one told their grandchildren by the fire in the evening? There was nothing bad about what they had done but Ryan had a rather naive view onto dividing things into right and wrong. He still was too young to see the complexity of life and the decisions which are to make. Geoffrey liked this kind of naivity, it's such a pure way of living only children had. Mostly adults, including himself, were not able to preserve that way of thinking. Sometimes it would make things much more easy!! Geoffrey sighed when a village came into sight in the distance. He pointed into that direction, saying to Ryan~

*"That's Cowfield, the village together with the small fields and an even smaller part of the woods are Will's fiefdom."

Maureen watched in awe. A real village! They had passed two or three settlements during their journey today. But now, in the grey light of the night entering the world, this village looked like a cosy home. Everything was small, most of the cottages looked poor and dilapidated. To Maureen they looked perfect and before she could stop it a smile spread over her face. The last four months she had felt as if she had been missing something but hadn't been able to find out what exactly she had been lacking. Now she knew. Now, in that very moment, Maureen felt complete again. Life in a village, that was what she had been born for. The daily tasks, the quiet walks in the wood, the fresh air and warm sun on your skin. Maureen's heart made a jolt and her stomach began to prickle emphaticly as she thought about how wonderful it would be to live in one of those cottages which were steadily drawing nearer – together with Geoffrey, and Elana, and James, and Bob. Yes, that would be the perfect combination!

Meanwhile they had reached the first cottage and Maureen was abruptly ripped out of her dreamy thoughts by Geoffrey who had glided merrily from the horse's back to leave her behind whining and cluthing Troilus' mane with shaking hands.

„Oy, hello there!"

He had addressed two men on the roof of the cottage. The younger one, a tall muscular (he had no shirt on and Maureen blushed heavily at the sight) man with blonde curls was so surprised he nearly slipped off the fresh straw he and the other man had been attaching to the roof.

"Geoff!! How does it come you're here? Yearning?" Nimbly he climbed back onto steady ground and embraced Geoff with the enthusiasm only long-time-friends show to each other – or people who went together through quite a big thing... Maureen was wondering in which way they both were connected and cursed herself for not having asked about the people in her new master's village.

Suddenly the blonde got aware of the miserable figure on the horse "Who's that? Did you bring him here?" Geoffrey nodded but before he could say anything the stranger already spoke on "He's not your son, is he?" and grinned mischievously at the writer. Then his expression turned into a mock severity "Now you see what I meant with 'consequences of your wild life'."

Geoffrey laughed and shook his head. Then he helped a shaking Maureen to climb down out of the saddle and pushed her slightly forward towards the tall cheeky man. "May I introduce? This is Ryan Pickle, my faithful second assistant." (Maureen blushed) "Ryan, in front of you you see the one and only Sir William Thatcher, World Champion in Jousting and new favourite to the Crown." Introduced Sir William Thatcher performed a deep bow with a mocking grin on his face while Maureen gawped at him. There was a tall shirtless man standing in front of her, with a skin far away from noble white and a behaviour far away from knightly dignity.

She didn't know what to say which seemed to amuse Sir William. "Ah, you didn't tell him the whole story yet, eh?"

"No, that's your own decision. And Will, we...we aren't here by chance. I'd like to ask you to take Ryan for a while, maybe forever... I'll explain later." He added with a nod into the direction of the peasant on the roof.

Sir William looked up then into Maureen's face. She couldn't withstand his intense stare and looked down at her bare feet. She could hear him say lightly "Yes, why not? You know I can always do with workers. Though he doesn't look too strong. So he won't be any help for the building I fear..."

Geoffrey groaned. "You aren't going to tell me you're still living in the old ruinous house of the old lord? Doesn't Prince Edward support you anymore?"

"Oh well, you know, there is still the war in the south of France, the Crown has to keep together its gold..." A cheeky glitter came into his eyes "And as I heard it now squanders its precious money to some Johnny-come-lately writer who had managed to impress the Black Prince during the World Championship last year..."

Geoffrey laughed but Maureen gasped. She took a bold step forward and propped her hands at her hips forgetting all the awe against a Sir. "How dare you calling Master Chaucer a Johnny-come-lately writer? He truly deserves all the attention he gets!! And when the Royal Family thinks him worth their support it's only fair and beyond any doubt!!"

Sir William stared at her dumbly while Geoff had to stifle a laugh "See what I meant with 'faithful'?" Now Sir William grinned, too, and Maureen felt very foolish. What had she said? It had been all true though...

"He can read and write I assume?" Will asked and Geoff shortly nodded "Fine, he can help to order the book-keeping and wherever he is needed else. You know the way to the Manor." he put a strange emphasis on the word 'Manor'. "I just will help Pete" (Maureen flinched at that name but Geoff gave her a reassuring squeeze at the shoulder) "finish the roof then follow you. My father and Roland will be pleased to welcome you" And with that he scrambled back onto the roof and Geoffrey led Maureen through the village. They didn't mount the horse again. A small group of young boys passed them and curiously eyed Maureen who did her best to ignore them.

When they passed what looked like the local inn the door was opened and a man with fiery red hair came out of it carrying a huge wooden basin with dirty water. Without looking left or right he emptied it with a giant splash. Maureen was only saved from getting soaking wet by the fast reaction of Geoff who had quickly dragged her back by the collar of her shirt.

Geoff's eyes had a nasty glitter and his face bore a malicious grin when he cried out "Oy, dishwasher! Look out where you're pouring out your water. Noble people are on the road!"

Maureen looked around her to see if there was Sir William or other nobles but couldn't see anyone. However the red-head's face had turned the same colour as his flaming hair. He almost seemed to glow. Maureen backed away – right into Geoffrey, and for the second time on that day she stepped onto his foot. This time he didn't reply at all. He seemingly was much too delighted by the sight of the literally steaming man.

"YOU!" the stranger pressed through gritted teeth. "I still have to settle a score with you. And now there's no Will to save you! So what was that you've been saying about my inn the last time you've been here, eh?"

Maureen winced and gave a small squeak. Geoffrey shoved her behind him then took a step forward with open arms. "Aaah, who wants to be dwelling in the past? Nobody! Come to my bosom my dear friend!" Maureen could hear the mocking in his voice. And obviously the stranger could, too, as he pushed away Geoffrey with a grunt. But he indeed looked more friendly when he nodded into Maureen's direction who had been busy to try and hide behind the horse. "Who's that?"

Geoffrey turned towards her "You don't have to hide! Come here and introduce yourself properly as you have learnt."

Maureen slowly trotted towards the fierce red-head and collected all the composure which was to be found inside her. "My name is Ryan Pickle. At your service." And she deeply bowed "May I get to know your name, too, sir?"

When she looked up again the stranger bore a crooked grin "What?"

Was he hard of hearing? Slowly and a bit louder Maureen repeated what she had said. He repeated "What?" with more emphasis. Maureen knitted her brow and was about to shout her question when Geoff laid a hand on her shoulder. "He is not deaf, that's just his name: Wat, without 'h'!"

"Oh..." Maureen bit her lip then turned to Wat "I'm truly sorry." and bowed again.

"It's all right." he grumbled and Maureen felt very relieved he forgave her the foolishness she had shown again that evening. Wat turned back to Geoffrey "How long are you staying?"

"I will leave tomorrow morning, Ryan stays. Don't worry, I'll explain soon enough." He added hastily at Wat's confused face. Then he again led Maureen further on the way. "I expect to see you at meal." he shouted after him. They rounded a corner and Wat was out of sight. Instead they now entered a round dusty yard in front of a big old building looming in the increasing dark. It looked strangely crooked. In the middle of the vast yard was a well. Around the yard were some smaller buildings: stables, a barn, tool-shed and what looked like an unfinished stone house, a little smaller than the old one. Nobody was on the building site.

"Welcome to the Thatcher's Empire!" a jokingly voice came from behind them. Maureen turned around to see Sir William, now in a proper shirt, coming from behind. "It still is getting dark too fast. We had to quit working." he explained why he had been able to follow them so quick. "Well, I guess we cancel the tour around just now and do it tomorrow morning, all right Ryan?" Maureen nodded and allowed him to lead her inside the deformed building while Geoffrey brought Troilus to the stables.

"You are lucky you arrived in spring, so you'll probably be able to sleep in your own chamber at the attic. We've made the experience that the upper rooms aren't save during rain periods." Maureen nodded. Her room in Cheapside hadn't been very waterproof either. She had usually caught the water in a little bucket and used it for washing for buying water on the streets was very expensive. Sir William opened the door and let her enter. They stood in a large room with a low ceiling. On the right of the door was a massive scrubbed table with a door to the kitchen behind it. On the left was a fireplace where a merry fire was crackling illuminating the room with an unsteady light.The floor was scattered with fresh rushes. In the back of the room Maureen could make out another wooden door (which lead to the private chambers of Sir William as she later learnt) and a flight of stairs. But first they both made their way to the open kitchen when a rather large man came out of it. Maureen could see a friendly smile spread out over his bearded round features.

"Finished the unruly roof, Will? Whom do you bring for dinner there? Welcome, young man! My name is Roland. May I know yours?"

Maureen found him very nice at once. He seemed a bit like a young James with some elements of Bob. She smiled, too. "Of course you may. My name is Ryan Pickle. At your service." And she took the deep bow she was so proud of. She had a feeling she could bear life amongst these people for a while.*

~When Geoffrey entered the building, too, Ryan had already been shown the house and his chamber at the attic. He sat at the table with Roland, Will and Wat. They were waiting just for him to begin supper. Geoff frowned. Where was John, Will's father? He asked him.

"He wasn't feeling well and went to bed early. He will get to know Ryan tomorrow morning."

They spent the evening digging out memories about what they had gone through together. Partly they did it for Ryan, so that he was informed about the whole story, partly they did it for themselves: revelling in fine memories...

"Have you heard about Kate? Is she doing well down in Brighton?" Geoff asked his friends.

"Ah yes, she's been here over the turn of the year." Roland answered "She has a small forge and will be able to accompany us to the National Championship this season."

"That's so great!" Will exclaimed. "I'm missing these times: we five on tour. A pity Jocelyn is back in France with her father." (Roland suddenly sighed heavily but Maureen didn't dare asking why) "But I hardly can offer her and Christiana this ruinious hut here..." Maureen frowned. When Lady Jocelyn loved him as they had told before that wouldn't matter... But obviously it did – at least for her new master who spoke on now "And a pity Adhemar won't be there, too. I'd like to rub him into his face that I'm riding his prized horse, now..." He grinned wickedly.

"You aren't using Barney the Wonder Horse anymore?" (A/N: I couldn't withstand taking that phrase from the dvd commentary...)

"He's getting old. I gave him to the village, they have a far better use for him on the fields... And I still have also Sir Hale's Fox, a well-trained steed. I'm just worrying about when I shall practice with all the problems which are to be solved in the village..."

"You know what, Will? I think it was a blessing for Cowfield the old Sir Hale died without leaving heirs. He wouldn't care about helping the people with their problems when the National Championship was drawing nearer."

And they began to ramble about who they would be meeting during the tour through the country. Ryan listened with wide eyes but looking fascinated. Geoffrey smiled. Before they all went to bed he took the youngster aside. "So what are you thinking about your new master? Think you can endure your time here?" he asked half dreading half hoping the boy would shake his head in rejection. But Ryan nodded bravely. "Sure." he just said shortly.

"I feared you would have a problem with what we did." Geoff tried but Ryan just stared gloomily at the ground shuffling his feet "Sometimes life forces you to take on another idendity..." then quickly turned away and climbed up the stairs heading for the attic. Thoughtfully Geoffrey stared after him.~

*Things had been getting close again... Maureen cursed about her inability to tell him the whole truth. Why was it so dificult for her? Whenever the moment would be good her throat felt like there was an apple inside it... Perhaps she should try a letter?

Sighing Maureen laid down on the straw-sac on the damp floor fearing she would find no sleep but she was so exhausted from the day that almost as soon as her head hit the sac she was asleep.

The next morning Maureen woke up by a stray sun ray tickling her nose. That was probably the best way to be woken up – except perhaps the gently shake of Geoffrey's talented hands. Maureen frowned at such a thought in the morning and stood up. After searching in vain for a wash basin Maureen dressed and slowly walked down to the huge room on the ground floor. Nobody was there. The kitchen was empty, too, but she could hear voices outside. The window holes were covered with partly ripped parchment. Maureen peared through one of those slits and saw Sir William and Geoff standing not far away deep in a talk. Geoff would soon be leaving and she wanted to spend some time with him near to her before he was away forever. Maureen scolded herself for being such a foolish girl in love but she couldn't do anything against it – she simply enjoyed being near to Geoffrey Chaucer.

She opened the heavy oak front door and immediately Geoff and Sir William looked at her with stares which were almost guilty – so they had been talking about her. Probably Geoff had told Sir William about her background – as far as he knew it... Maureen shrugged the uncomfortable feeling coming with the memories of her early London-time off and scurried over to them taking care of standing right next to Geoffrey.

Sir William gave her a tour around the area explaining everything and with Geoffrey following them. The old building looked much more crooked in the bright sunshine of the early morning. And the building site revealed how much unfinished the needful new house was...

Their tour ended at the stables right opposite of the residential buildings at the far end of the yard. "Now you enter the holy place of every knight's property – the stables." Sir William laughed, then entered. Maureen hesitated but a small nudge in the back by Geoffrey made her enter the stables reluctantly. Sir William was already waiting for them at the box of a proud steed as black as the night. Maureen didn't like that sight at all.

"This is Brutus, the horse I got when I defeated Count Adhemar." a triumphant glitter went through his eyes "He is a bit tricky so be careful when you tend his box." He walked on to the next box "And this is..." but Maureen had walked a step backwards staring wide-eyed at Sir William. Had he just suggested she should tend the horse's box???

Sir William turned and looked at her, his brow knitted in confusion. "Something wrong?"

Geoff gave Maureen an encouraging rub on the back "Erm, Will, he...well, he is afraid of horses I think." Maureen nodded fervently. Sir William first blinked dumbfoundedly then smiled again. "Little nitwit, you don't have to be afraid of horses! They are probably the best humans you can find..:"

But Maureen didn't care for stupid horses being compared to humans. He had called her "nitwit". Jane had done that. And only Jane was allowed to do so either! "DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME NITWIT AGAIN!" she shouted then left the stable pouting leaving behind the blankly staring Geoffrey and Sir William.

Shortly after they followed her outside leading Troilus. Geoffrey took a packet out of the mysterious bag at the saddle and gave it to her. "Open it when you're feeling lonely, all right?" Maureen nodded gulping. "You will see, Ryan, this place is much better for you – and healthier if you know what I mean..." Maureen nodded again not knowing if she was able to speak. She certainly didn't like being left with almost complete strangers, be they nice friends of Geoff or not... She didn't know what to do so resisted the urge to wrap her arms around Geoffrey and just clumsily stuck out a hand for shaking farewell. Geoffrey took it bearing a strange expression. Was he regretting to say good-bye, too?

He embraced Sir William for good-bye then mounted the horse mumbling something about "meeting dishwasher boy and Roland in the village". Then suddenly he was away. Maureen blinked, he really totally unmistakebly was away leaving only a dusty cloud and distant hoof clapping – and she still was living. No heart breaking to pieces, no tears – only a heavy emptiness inside her trembling body.

Her new master had come to her and placed a hand on her shoulder when a "Will?" from inside the house dragged him away "Coming, father! Come with me, Ryan, you have to get to know my father." Maureen followed him without thinking. However her thinking came back fast when she saw Sir Williams father: an old man standing by the cold fireplace. His pale eyes seemed to look into nowhere. Was he blind? Maureen stopped short. Blind people were another fear of her.

"Have you noticed we're almost running out of firewood, Will?" he addressed his son "it's so damp in here we have to put on a fire inspite of the warmth outs..." he broke off the sentence and listened hard. Could he hear her breathing? Maureen held her breath. But to no use.

"There is somebody in the room I don't know. Come forth and introduce yourself!"

Sir William looked at her expectant and encouraging so Maureen plucked up her courage and frightfully clutching the heavy package she had got from Geoffrey against her chest she took a step forward. "My name is Ryan Pickle, and I'm now newly employed to your son, Master Thatcher, sir." She bowed though he couldn't see it. He smiled. "Fairly spoken, my son. Say, where are you from?"

"Um, from London. Master Chaucer brought me here..." She hesitated.

"Oh, London!" he turned to Sir William "You know what, Will? I'm missing it somehow. Even the stench of Cheapside."

"Cheapside?" Maureen squeaked. She began to lose her fearfulness against the man "I've lived there, too – well, some short time ago..."

And in no time she and the old man were in a deep conversation. It turned out that Master Thatcher had been living not too far away from Jane's place though he couldn't remember her.

The first meal of the day was lunch which was a thing Maureen would have to get used to. Hopefully it wasn't as difficult to begin a day without breakfast as it sounded. A strange habit Maureen thought. After lunch Roland took her out on a tour through the village and the area while Sir William was called to a fight between the miller and a peasant. After the tour Roland set off to help his friend with settling the quarrel and took her with him so that she could get to know the people.

Also that afternoon Maureen was introduced to the community vicar. She felt very intimidated in the small church and under the intense stare of the tall thin man. She felt like he knew she hadn't been to confession ever since she had left Corton... Well, she had learnt to hide certain things from the vicar in Corton, so she would be able here, too. She felt guilty about it but it seemed better than confessing the whole truth. Maureen had learnt to make out things with herself rather.

After the talk with the vicar Maureen had been given off the rest of the day. She returned back into her little chamber on the top floor. If Geoffrey had reached London yet? Elana was surely busy preparing a proper dinner for him – Maureen smiled to fight back the tears she felt welling up. Then she remembered the package she had placed on the floor next to her bed before lunch. She took it up, unwrapped it – and gasped astounded: in her lap lay a book – a real bound book! The Book of the Duchess by Geoffrey Chaucer was glittering in bold letters on its front. Maureen smiled down at the little note pinned to it, recognising Geoffrey's handwriting: A little help to stay in practice. Maureen wrapped her arms around the precious present with a feeling she never wanted to let it go again.*

~*~

So what do you think?

I'm truly sorry I didn't let Geoff find out but he will later, promised! I already finished the chapters where he finds out. Just be patient, ok? ::pretty please with sugar on top::

I don't know if I'm writing the lot in-character or not. I don't terribly care either but I try not to be too bad...

Now, for anybody who'd like to know where I placed Corton and Cowfield (I copied a rather detailed map and made two points where I'd locate these villages...):

Corton – it's between Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Tonbridge

Cowfield – near Horsham (somewhat south of it) is a village/city (dunno...) which begins with cow, I forgot what exactly it was so I turned it into Cowfield. The place originally jumped into my eyes because it reminded me so much of the German word "Kuhkaff" which is a slang word meaning pretty the same as the English "hamlet".