*Chapter 10*
~Paris~
Bobby was spared from a painful end as, barely a moment after he had finished speaking; the outskirts of Paris came into view. They came round the bend to see a sudden end to the patchwork of cultivated fields that had surrounded them for the past two days. The sight that met their eyes looked like all the other French villages; clusters of crude homes that were arranged in no particular order. The 'streets' were little more than dirt paths that wound aimlessly among the hovels, narrowing and widening, twisting and turning completely at random. People walked purposefully to their destinations, where ever they were, dodging other people, chickens, pigs, dogs, and cats that were in their way. Just another French town like all the others the group had visited.
Yes it looked like the average French settlement until they looked a little further. Beyond the clusters of huts there were silhouettes of larger, better constructed buildings and the vague outline of what only could be the Notre Dame Cathedral. This was Paris alright, the French version of London and their first major stop. Logan allowed them precious little time to admire the view before setting off again heading towards the city center where most of the inns were located. After they found rooms the plan was to seek out an ally of Lord Xavier's and look into any rumors concerning their target. The plan was to spend a month at the most searching for the Scrolls, and then, unless they had a good reason to, they would leave for the Germanic States to look there.
As the group wound their way through the narrow, twisted streets of Paris Bobby began babbling something about French girls, various alcoholic beverages, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Whatever it was that he was talking about no one else wanted to hear it so Kitty wasn't the only one to ignore him, everyone else did too. Instead they all focused on their surroundings, pondering their own private thoughts. Kitty turned from studying the twisted street to study her companions, amusing herself by guessing at their thoughts.
Shadowcat first turned her attention on Logan. He was the same as always, brooding silently, his face frozen in a grim mask of suspicion. Wolverine looked straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings, but Kitty knew better. Despite his apparent inattention he was perfectly aware of what was going on around him. Right now he was probably deciding how much of a threat each person they passed was. He also was most likely devoting a small corner of his mind to wonder about their mission and ways to complete it as quickly as possible. Only when they had stopped for the night would he think of much else beyond that.
Kitty smiled faintly as she shifted her focus from Logan to Jean. Jean looked like Kitty felt, tired and bored. Tired from all the traveling and bored from the monotony of the traveling. Perhaps she was thinking of her son and family back home, that would explain her faint smile. Or maybe she was remembering a pleasant memory of her childhood. Or maybe it was something else all together. Shadowcat had no real way to tell as she was no psychic like Jean. She could be thinking all matter of pleasant thoughts and Kitty had no sure way of knowing what those thoughts were. But oh well, there was nothing she could do about that. Kitty was perfectly content with her powers; she had no desire to have any others. To be able to move things without touching them and read minds did sound interesting, but Kitty knew that no Curse was perfect, everything has a downside to it.
Katharine once again shifted her attention to another, skipping over Bobby who was still talking about something and looking toward Piotr. Piotr Nikolievitch Rasputin, he was the lost and Cursed Russian solider who feared deep water and loved the poetic arts. When he was old enough he joined the Czar's army seeking excitement and adventure in distant lands. During a fierce winter storm Piotr became separated from his comrades and wandered into Poland. Not long after his Curse became active, turning him into a massive metallic golem with near unlimited strength. This frightened the Polish people he encountered and he was driven further and further from home. After nearly two years of wandering he stumbled across a friend of Lord Xavier's, Eric North. He helped the young lost Russian learn some Basic English and arranged for him to travel to England to join Lord Xavier's household. From the day Piotr arrived at the mansion he was a willing servant, guard, and friend to the aging psychic and exhibited no desire to return to his family or country. This puzzled Kitty, whenever she had asked about his home and family he always spoke fondly of it, so why he decided against returning was a mystery. At the moment Piotr's face was expressionless, this lead Kitty to think he was either remembering something or he was just as bored as she.
Katharine shook her head free of stray thoughts lest they distract her, she had to be more alert for they were entering a marketplace crowded with all manner of people. The market was like any other back home, full of both men and women seeking a good deal for the things they needed. The open space was lined with stalls offering everything from food and drink to cloth and jewelry. Busy marketplaces like these were also a haven for petty thieves and pick-pockets which was why she needed to be alert, Kitty had no desire to be stripped of her coins this day. She tried not to growl out loud when she noticed that Bobby was still talking about everything and nothing, not the least bit concerned about the people that milled around his horse.
"Bobby will you please stop your incessant babbling and pay attention?" Kitty snapped.
"But Kitty I'm not babbling. Weren't you listening at all? I was wondering if they have decent wine here." Bobby replied, looking a bit hurt that Kitty hadn't been listening to him.
"Of course they have good wine here! They practically invented wine!" Kitty snapped, shaking her head at his idiocy. "We are still in France, you know this right?"
"Oh, well you didn't have to be so mean about it." Bobby replied defensively. "Do you think the taverns will be the same?"
"Yes Bobby the taverns will be like all the other taverns we've been to in France. Paris is the capital city of France, not some other kingdom; it will be the same as everything else here." Kitty replied, greatly exasperated and annoyed by Bobby's idiotic questions.
"Oh, alright, I understand." Iceman replied. He paused looking rather thoughtful for a long moment. "Do they have good pastries here?"
"Bobby." Kitty grated. Iceman cringed at her dangerous tone, waiting till they reached the edge of the marketplace before replying.
"Yes." He squeaked meekly.
"Has anyone ever told you that you ask too many stupid questions?" She growled.
"Um, yes." Iceman reluctantly admitted.
"I thought so. Why don't you do us all a big favor and stop doing that alright?" She asked. Her tone held a threatening edge that made Bobby shiver.
"Uh, sure, I'll try and stop." He mumbled, sliding lower in his saddle.
"Thank you very much." Kitty responded with strained cheerfulness. "Your cooperation is much appreciated."
Bobby slumped lower still, feeling quite dejected. All he had wanted to do was start a nice conversation with his friends but it seems he'd gone about it the wrong way. The other three simple shook their heads at the scene, they were glad that Bobby had stopped, but Kitty did not need to be so snappish about it.
Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to let Bobby come along after all. Jean thought to herself, all he'd done was get them in trouble with the locals and aggravate Kitty to no end. True he could tell a wonderful story to inspire and amuse them after a hard days ride but that all it seemed that he was good for. And though they all enjoyed his improvised tales it was getting to the point where his story-telling skills were not enough to balance out his other activities. If he did not learn to behave himself soon she could not guarantee his well-being.
Jean let out a small sigh as she aimlessly studied the nearby buildings. She was quite convinced that if Bobby could learn better behavior and Kitty gave him half a chance that they could make a nice couple. But with the way things were going now the chances of that happening were growing smaller with each passing day. Maybe she should talk with him, give him some hints to win Kitty over. Katharine was her friend and Jean hated to see her so lonely with no romance or excitement in her life. Bobby seemed to be the perfect solution to her friend's lonely, dull life. Jean was so lost in her plans that she failed to notice a curious pair of eyes that peeked out of a narrow side-street, they seemed strangely interested in her group.
***
The eyes watched the line of five horses march on down the narrow Paris street leading to the heart of the city. The owner of the eyes was intrigued by what he saw. These people seemed to be foreigners, that fact alone sparked his curiosity. They also were a mixed group, two women and three men; this was definitely a strange band, no doubt about that. The stranger decided to follow them and see what else he could learn of them. He put all his skills to use as he trailed the foreign riders, not wishing to be seen. He darted down narrow alleys to slip slightly ahead of them or behind them to avoid detection. He followed the mysterious group for several hours until they stopped at a tavern, the Black Fox, which also served as an inn and stable.
The stranger had seen enough and slipped away into the crowded streets of Paris. Perhaps he would come back tomorrow and see what they did. He wondered what sort of valuables they carried as well as what their business in Paris might be. If they had anything interesting or rare he would be the one to take it. This thought pleased him and he smiled slightly. He was no petty thief or pick-pocket but a member of a guild, the Thieves Guild, if these foreigners had something worth taking it was as good as his. His strangely demonic eyes glittered in the gathering twilight as he made his way into the darker districts of Paris to meet with his brothers and enjoy some wine. Yes the next few days would be interesting, he decided, interesting indeed.