/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Six

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." –Romans 5:3-4

Standing at the window in her suite, Sibylla dully looked at the passerby. It was hard to believe this whole place was just one man's land and not just a small town going about their daily business. Hearing the door being opened, Sibylla turned away from the window and went to her desk, hoping to dissuade the curious that her mind wasn't on her work.

As the person entered, Sibylla noticed that it was her servant, Ailis. Sibylla inwardly sighed with relief. The girl wouldn't question her actions like any good servant was trained to do. As the servant came closer, Sibylla noticed that she was carrying a small tray filled with food and drink. Someone must have noticed her lack of going down to dinner and fixed her food automatically and sent it up.

"My lady, your dinner is served," Ailis stated and set the tray on the edge of Sibylla's desk and curtsied politely.

"Thank you, Ailis. I don't know how you people know that I want dinner brought up to my room," Sibylla exclaimed, giving the girl a small smile.

"One presumes that you would like something to eat since you've missed dinner yet again," Ailis said simply, "we miss seeing you out and about."

Sibylla sobered quickly and frowned. How long has it been since she left the room that she came to call home? Days, weeks? She had long since stopped counting the days ever since Balian's proclamation that he wouldn't marry her no matter what the circumstances. A lump arose in Sibylla's throat just thinking about it.

"I miss being out and about, as well, but I have many things on my mind and things to tend to, Ailis. I can't risk leaving it for a second in case it piles up on me," Sibylla stated, hoping that Ailis wouldn't question her.

Much to Sibylla's disgust, the servant girl did. "But my lady Sibylla, you've been in this room for over a week. Even the highest nobility needs to get away from it all every now and again. Not even your brother locked himself up in his room despite every reason for it."

Sibylla sat thoughtfully. She hadn't thought of her dead brother in a long time. Well, maybe not that long ago. Maybe not since Balian came, but still. She had a sudden wish that her king brother never got leprosy and that he never died.

"I'm sorry for bringing up your brother, my lady. It was out of my place to mention it," Ailis stated. "Please excuse me, I am needed elsewhere."

Sibylla watched the servant girl leave miserably, completely forgetting her dinner that was brought up. So many things were clouding up her mind that she didn't even know where to begin and the sudden reminiscence of her dead brother didn't help much.

Standing suddenly, Sibylla crossed the room and headed outside. She needed to talk to somebody and she knew exactly the person she needed to talk to. Crossing the courtyard, Sibylla asked the guard in front of the barracks for John.

"I would do that, surely, my lady, but he just went out for the day. Would you have me leave a message for him?" the guard asked.

"No…no, thank you. This is too urgent to leave a message. I need to see him immediately," Sibylla said distractedly, "do you happen to know where he went today?"

"I do believe he went to the practice rings today, madam. Would you like an escort?" the guard asked.

"No, that won't be necessary, sir," Sibylla exclaimed, "but I would like the company, if you will."

"Very good, lady," the man said and fell into step beside Sibylla.

Sibylla walked on, hardly paying any attention to the guard beside her. She was too preoccupied to get to have a light conversation with the man.

"I hear that the lord Balian is practicing there today," the guard said suddenly, "I hear he is very good."

Sibylla stopped cold. Balian was going to be at the practice rings today? This was what Sibylla had been dreading for over a week now—a meeting with Balian. She couldn't stand seeing the man that would never be hers within a few feet away from her.

"Is he indeed," she muttered. "We'll just have to see about that, won't we?"

"The woman he marries will surely be a blessed woman," the guard said, "he's everything a woman dreams of, I hear."

"Indeed," Sibylla said and hurried on, wishing fervently that the guard hadn't said anything about Balian. Well, there wasn't any way around it now; she'd just have to pretend that he wasn't there.

Leaning against the fence pole, Balian looked around him silently, not caring that the sweat was pouring down his face and trickling down his neck and into his sweat soaked shirt. It was barely noon and the air was already pulsing with heat and humidity. One had to make do when he had to live in the desert.

His practice partner for that day was John, much to Balian's bitter disappointment, but there hadn't been any one else there at the practice rings at the time. Glancing at the man, Balian watched as John took a wet cloth from one of the serving girls whose job were to give the men water and clothes if needed and washed his face vigorously. These men were too well pampered, Balian thought.

John caught Balian watching and grinned. "It's mighty hot out here, Balian, why don't you get yourself a wet cloths. These girls will get one for you if you wish it."

"No, thank you, indulgence spoils the mind and softens the heart," Balian said simply.

"Is that so?" John walked over and sat on the second rung next to Balian. "You have some strange ways, man."

"A simple upbringing brings simple practices," Balian said, quoting what his mother had drilled into him every day of his life.

John chuckled softly and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know, Balian. I just can't figure you out."

And I hope you never do, Balian thought bitterly.

As Balian stood looking over the land, he noticed to figures hastening towards the practice ring. As they came closer, Balian felt his body stiffen. It was Sibylla and one of the guards. Surely she hadn't come to talk to him, the two of them had been avoiding each other since that moment in the gardens when he said that he didn't want to marry her.

But as she came closer and her figure came into sharp focus, Balian felt his pulse quicken and he took in a sharp breath. She was even more beautiful than when he last saw her over a week ago. Maybe he should make amends; maybe he should apologize and say that he really DID want to marry her…

Seeing her haughty face as she came closer, Balian's quick romantic thoughts dissipated as quickly as they came. She looked like she wasn't as near as forgiving about what happened as he was. Balian frowned bitterly. Silly woman, why was she so stubborn? There were plenty of other men more worthy of her than he, yet when he tried to leave, the guards has thrust him back, saying it wasn't time for him to leave just yet.

Finally stopping next to the fence in front of Balian and John, Sibylla looked at both of them quietly. When her gaze rested on Balian, she gave no look of recognition that she ever met him before. That suited Balian perfectly well, he didn't want to have a conversation with her just yet.

"Sir John, I wish to have a chat with you," Sibylla said loudly and clearly, as if wanting Balian to hear every word that she said.

"Now, my lady?" John looked surprised, but to Balian, he didn't think that the man should've been surprised. Every night was supposed to act as if they were waiting for appointment at just that moment no matter how unexpected the confrontation was.

"Yes, John, and I need to chat privately, it's for your ears only," Sibylla said coldly.

John grinned, stood and bowed to the woman. "As you will have it, my lady Sibylla."

"Good." Sibylla turned to the guard that was with her. "Thank you for walking with me. Your services are no longer required."

The guard bowed. "It was my pleasure, my lady."

Sibylla didn't pay attention to the guard's comment and turned back to John. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as you are, my lady," John said and hopping over the fence, followed Sibylla, the two of them disappearing into the distance as quickly as the lady had come.

Balian gritted his teeth. He hadn't really expected her to be nice, but surely she could've said something to him. But no matter, if that's the game she wanted to play—then he'd play along with her. Hopefully before too long she'd realize that he didn't want to be king and find someone else worthier of her time and energy.

He was just standing and getting ready to leave when the guard that came with Sibylla spoke up.

"I take it that you are Balian d'Ibelian? I've been longing to make your acquaintance, sir, I've heard so much about you," the man exclaimed, his eyes shining eagerly.

"Well, you've made my acquaintance, then," Balian grunted, the man reminding him strongly of the man that had come to make sure he dressed the first time he came here.

Balian climbed over the fence and began to walk away, already forgetting the guard and thinking of other things that he had to do. One surely was the cultivating of the crops and then maybe going around inspecting that the walls didn't need fixed anywhere. Maybe even after that to make sure the workers were treated well.

"If you need anything, anything at all, my lord—" the guard called after Balian.

"I'll be sure and let you know if I need anything," Balian called behind him.

These men are too eager to please, Balian thought as he walked back up to his room to get cleaned up. You would think they didn't have anything else better to do.

When he reached his room, Balian noted a tub of hot water ready and waiting for him. Someone must have seen him coming back up to the building.

Stripping his clothes, Balian stepped into the tub and sunk deep into the water. It was so relaxing on his sore muscles. Balian smiled softly. Perhaps his priorities would wait for another day. He had been working too hard since he came here; it was time for him to reward himself for all the things that he'd been doing to make the place more livable.

Grinning, Balian sat up and began scrubbing himself thoroughly. His duties would wait for another day.