CHAPTER 2

-Back at camp-

"Have any of you guys seen Kate?" Sir William Thatcher asked the Geoffrey, Watt, and Roland, when he noticed she wasn't with them.

Geoffrey answered, "Yes, she was at the faire, when I last saw her." Then he added, "Why? Are you worried about your precious Kate?" Watt and Roland chuckled lightly at the comment while they continued to pack up camp.

"What's so funny?" William asked not having a clue what they were laughing about.

"Apparently it isn't as obvious to you as it is to the rest of us." Geoffrey said with a smirk on his face.

"What's so funny?!" William repeated this time sounding much more aggravated.

"I believe what Geoff is trying to say is that you have feelings for Kate that you don't have for us. Hence the use of precious." Watt said.

"Why would you think that she's precious to me? I have no feelings for her except friendship. She is no more precious to me than Roland is."

"Of course she isn't, at least not while Jocelyn is here. But as soon as were back on the road you'll start to stare at her. And she will become your Kate; precious, beautiful Kate." The rest of the men snickered.

William had a felling of uneasiness growing in his belly. He did not like were this conversation was going. "If she is precious to anyone it must be you, with your calling her like beautiful and precious."

"Actually, those words came out of your mouth. You tend to mumble them in your sleep." At that comment Watt and Rolland burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"Its true." Watt managed to say in between his laughing. "You..(Laugh) you talk in your sleep." Then watt became more serious and closing his eyes, and tilting his head back in fake sleep he said slowly and sounding tired. "Kate? Pretty... Kate. With pretty lips-"Watt was interrupted by his own laughter and was unable to continue his imitation of the sleeping William.

William felt terrified, what if he had said those things while in bed with Jocelyn. He cringed, and wondered if there was any poetry that could remedy that mess. "I can't help what I say in my sleep." Will added trying to justify actions he couldn't remember making.

"And I do not stare at her, maybe a casual glance here and there but I wasn't ever staring." Will added as a second thought.

"Of course you weren't, there was just something on her breasts."

"Maybe there was." Will said as he started to walk away, he was suddenly not very comfortable in the situation.

"And something on her bum as well." Geoffrey called after him.

"Maybe grass stains?" Will said back quickening his exit.

"Every day Will?" Geoffrey added.

"Soot?" Will said in desperation. He was caught and could no longer deny it. He new what they were saying was true; he had been paying particular attention to Kate lately. I seemed to get worse when they were on the road, traveling from tournament to tournament. He would catch himself staring at her form wondering what she was thinking, comparing her to Jocelyn. At first when he was comparing them Jocelyn was always the victor, in his mind she was perfect. But lately he was having trouble deciding who was better, finding many faults in Jocelyn's character.

William stopped walking away and came back to the group. "You won't tell Jocelyn will you? Or Kate for that matter." He said to Geoff desperately.

"Now why would I do that?"

"I mean it Geoff. Please."

He need time to sort out the feelings he had for both women after all he did not want to jeopardize a happy future with Jocelyn because of some passing attraction to Kate; and he was certain that a passing attraction was all the felling was. He was simply attracted to her because of the lack of female contact on the road. She was normally the only decent woman to look at. But she was his friend and did not what to ruin their relationship for one night's passion. It would be better for everyone if he kept his feelings for the woman to himself.

"What would I have to tell? Besides I normally don't like to meddle in things that involve as crucial an organ as the hart."

"Look I don't need to worry Jocelyn over, these passing feelings I have with Kate."

"I won't tell anyone and neither will Roland of Watt." There was a thick pause. "And besides we all like listening to your dreams to much to have you stop. They are very entertaining to listen to at night."

William hit him playfully in the arm then began to walk away.

"Hey were are you going?" Roland called after him.

"To walk of this head ace you all have given me." William called back. He could hear their laughter as he walk subconsciously towards the fair.

-At the fair-

Kate was being led by the elbow through the crowd at the faire, "Excuse me, kind count," Kate added being sarcastic "my camp is in the other direction."

"How very observant of you." He said as if he were speaking to a toddler. Then added "Your not going back to your camp there are matters we need to discuss."

"I am unaware of anything that would warrant a discussion from you, Count. But I do have plenty of work that needs to be done and I really should be getting on my way."

"Well that's exactly what I would like to discuss with you."

"Well then stop dragging me around and lets here it." She demanded, planting her feet and refusing to let him take her any further.

He let out an irritated grown and yanked her by the arm to an ally away from prying eyes. "I want a suit of your armor."

"If that is all you wanted I could have saved you a lot of time. No."

"No?" Adhemar said both mocking her and questioning her.

"Yes, no."

"Now you're not making very much sense. First you say no, then yes, now it's no again."

Kate let out a frustrated sigh, "No I won't make you a suit of armor. That plain enough for you?"

Ignoring the last part of her statement he said, "Now of course I would pay you top dollar, and offer you a job as my companies fairess. That is unless you already have promised your," He paused and looked her over from head to foot, lingering around her chest, "services, to another lord."

His gaze made her uncomfortable and she shifted. His predatory gleam and wandering eyes did not go unnoticed. She crossed her arms over her chest and said bitterly. "Yes I am employed by Sir Thatcher. I believe you two have met, the last tournament you were through from your horse by him."

"So I should be discussing the matter with him since you are no longer freely employed?"

Kate didn't know what he was getting at. Why he was asking questions about her work and who employed her was. They seemed irrelevant to her. What was he getting at?

"It doesn't matter who I am employed by, I wouldn't make your horse shoes let alone you a suit of armor." She was through trying to be civil to this man.

"Now what have I done to deserve this hostility?" He said not at all insulted by her remark. In fact he seemed to be amused.

Kate let out a loud growl and turned away to leave, having not taken two steps from Adhemar she ran directly into someone's chest. She fell backwards and into Adhemar's arms. Looking up she saw the angered face of Sir William Thatcher.

-Authors Note-

Thanks a bunch to all of you who have reviewed. I would have stopped typing if it weren't for you all.