CH 2

The two women were facing each other in the center of the square.

The larger one seemed about to burst; she was a massively built figure, and the scarlet woolen robe she wore seemed to accentuate the rage that radiated from her. Despite her size it was clear that she was powerful and dangerous. Her cheeks were puffed up with anger making her eyes look no more then slits on her face. Her name was Kathryn and she was the wife of a simple merchant named William.

"Harlot, thief" the huge woman shouted and her whole face contorted with venom.

The object of her insults was a brown haired woman in her early twenties. They had been shouting insults at each other for a good ten minutes. The skinnier woman having been more educated being the daughter of Knight, was just baiting Kathryn now. The simple shift that she wore with a girdle at the waist was a light blue that should off the color of her eyes. She was well aware of her attractiveness, for that's what this whole thing was about. Her name was Lois and while her courage matched her younger sister's she had no desire to learn to fight.

The older woman was in a rage because she caught her husband looking at Lois. She accused Lois of having an affair, which was absurd, because why would she want that thin rail of man when she had her good-looking husband with his rippling muscles at home.

"You can call me a harlot, all you want, it's not my fault you can't keep your husband's eyes from wandering." Lois said smiling "Perhaps you are not satisfying him properly"

The crowd laughed with her. She was the daughter of nobility, her father and her husband Clark were well respected around the village.

With the sound of laughter ringing through her ears and the sudden embarrassment of having made a fool. Kathryn charged at Lois in a fit of rage.

Kathryn had ripped Lois' shift off one shoulder and knocked her to the ground before crashing on top of her.

Against the weight of Kathryn, Lois had little chance. Her hair was pulled, slaps rained upon her face, but still she fought gamely. Using her greater agility to kick the older woman off her. But when she did the woman would just charge again with even more force. The crowd did nothing to intervene.

Lois knew her possibilities were getting slimmer by the moment. But then suddenly the crushing weight was lifted off her.

She sat up and opened her eyes slowly. Her sister was standing there with fire in her eyes and a smile on her face.

Kathryn slowly pulled herself back up. "I have no wish to fight you" she said knowing that Chloe was known to have beaten men in wrestling matches. Her face was already bleeding profusely from where Chloe had struck her.

The circle of spectators suddenly parted and fell silent as Alexander the Knight strode towards the women.

He had heard the screaming from the hilltop and rushed to see what was happening. He came just in time to see the young petite woman throw the older woman off the one lying on the ground. Then proceed to hit her with her fists. He had never seen such strength in a woman before. He was even more impressed when the older woman backed away from her, as if she was afraid of her. But she is so small he thought to himself. Who was this woman, who scared old Kathryn

He rarely ever came to the valley, had had no use for it. Nicholas would come down here to get the supplies they needed.

"You are breaking the peace," He said in a strong voice "What problem is this?" he asked the women.

"Just a minor misunderstanding, good sir" said the young brown haired beauty that broke up the fight.

"See that it doesn't happen again" he said "Dispense" he cried as he waved his hands at the crowd.

He knew of Lois, because she was the wife of Clark the farmer, whom he had business with this afternoon.

"Who was that woman?" he asked Nicholas as they were walking back.

"That was Chloe, my Lord" he replied, "She is the daughter of Gabrielle the Knight."

"The sister of Lois?"

"Yes my Lord" he nodded.

"What is known about her?" Alexander asked with interest

"It is said that she is a master horse rider and as won duels with many men" Nicholas said. Telling only of what he had heard about the young tomboy from the village. "She doesn't follow the proper ways of a woman. Her father is worried that she will never marry"

"So she is not promised to anyone then?" Alexander asked

"No, my Lord" Nicholas replied

TBC.

A/N: Thanks to all that reviewed on the first part!

A/N part2: Reviews are the only thing that will make this story continue.