Chapter Something (I have kinda lost count).
Hello to all the people that are reading thing fiction. I say welcome and welcome back. I know I haven't been posting for a while but that will change.
As you can see I when through all of my chappies and changed a few things (spelling and grammar errors) but none of the big details. Some things also got mixed up and a few of the chappies got combined. Sorry for the confusion but to all you reads you should be able to pick up right here and be fine with everything!
"Did I leave my beloved Normandy to bear the rigors of this uncivilized island, Draco?" The arrogance in her voice permeated the air like a damp, chilling mist, leaving those it touched under easy and uncomfortable.
Ginny was in shock that Draco would allow anyone to address him in such insolence in front of his men. But if he were content to remain silent, Ginny was not about to stand still while her land and her people were insulted by this condescending sow.
"Nay, Lady Pansy," Ginny said, her tone unmistakably dry. "I heard you left Normandy to marry your beloved." Ginny extended her hand toward Draco. "However, if you find the hardships here outweigh your desire, then it would be prudent of you to return home."
The woman's face mirrored her disbelief at the rebuke. Aden appeared pleased while Draco remained impassive, yet a hint of humor sparkled in his slate eyes. Pansy's rage flickered across her countenance, but she maintained a tone of bored disinterest as she turned to Draco. "I'm very disappointed, cheri, that you would allow your slave to be so disrespectful." She then glared at Aden. "I am not surprised you are pleased by this peasant's behavior. Crudity is something that I would expect you to enjoy."
"My lady, you are mistaken. It is not I but Draco who is pleased by Ginny." Aden raised Ginny's hand and placed a chaste kiss on her palm.
By the quick tightening of her expression, Ginny could see that Pansy grasped Aden's meaning. "It would seem that this isle holds more for the men than I had thought." She started at Ginny with a pitying look that said far more than words. With a long suffering sigh, she turned to Draco. I had not realized that the campaign was so long. Now that I am here, things will be different.
Though he remained silent, Draco raised an eyebrow at the last remark.
"Are you giving Draco orders?" Aden asked.
Pansy shot Aden a sharp glance but turned a contrite face to Draco. "Masi oui. I am sorry, cheri. I am truly not myself from this dreadful traveling. Please forgive me incautious tongue."
"Pansy, do not worry yourself. I will have a room prepared for you." He turned to Ginny. "Tell Lavender to see to our guests' needs."
"Tell her yourself." A smile of pure satisfaction curved Ginny's lips. When Draco did not react to her defiance, she tired to goad his temper further. "I no longer will act as you interpreter," she said with a great deal of delight. Her family was safe; he no longer had leverage over her.
"Are you daring to challenge me?" Draco asked quietly while every Norman looked on in shock.
"Aye. There is nothing you can do to force me to your will."
"The insolent wretch," snapped Lady Pansy, and the deep-throated voices of his soldier grumbled in agreement.
"Blaise," Draco bellowed.
At the summons, the soldier appeared. "Oui, my lord. What say you?"
Staring stonily at Ginny, Draco spoke to his man. "Bring your charges here."
"As you wish."
A moment later, Ginny looked up to see Blaise escorting Bret and Kayla back into the hall. Her breath caught in her throat as she blinked to make sure she had seen right. Dear Merlin, her eyes had not played her false. With a sinking feeling in her stomach, she knew she had fail…again.
Draco looked at Ginny pointedly. With an angry oath, she spun about and order Lavender to see to the Norman lady's needs. Ignoring Pansy's gloating expression, Ginny held her head up, refusing to act humbled or defeated. When Pansy had departed, Ginny tried to move away but Draco clasped her arm and restrained her. "We will discuss your rebellion in a minute." With a slight incline of his head, Draco signaled Blaise.
The soldier immediately escorted Kayla and Bret toward them. Bret ran with the free abandon of a youngster unaware of the intrigues around him. Kayla followed cautiously, as though dreading the moment she would face Ginny.
"What happen?" Ginny asked as her brother ran around her and Draco.
"We were followed," Kayla stated simply.
"How could you be? No one knew of your departure."
Bret pushed his way between Draco and Ginny and pulled on her dress to get her attention. "It was the warlord," Bret said. "He knew."
"What are you talking about, Bret? He could not have known."
"He told me that as the man of the household I had to take care of my family. He said that running away solved nothing." It sounded like Draco, but how could he speak to Bret? He did not understand their language. Suddenly, an ugly thought occurred to her. "Bret, when did he first talk to you?"
"Ever since her first came, 'twas a secret. We play a jest on everyone."
"Impossible," Ginny muttered, trying to still the fear that this was not a game. "Little boys who make up stories often find themselves going without dinner," she warned.
"Little girls who call the lord and master a dim-witted lout often find themselves in a more precarious position than going without dinner."
She heard Draco's voice—clear, crisp, and concise as he uttered each word in Saxon. Not only did he speak her language but he did so flawlessly. Merlin's teeth! What a fool she had been. Humiliation burned deep within her, her pride ground beneath a Norman boot. Slowly, she tried to pry Draco's fingers loose from her wrist but to no avail.
Kayla picked up Bret and held him. "What will he do to us, Ginny?"
There were times when she wanted to box Kayla's ears. Ask the warlord yourself. He understands our language! Ginny wanted to scream, but instead held her tongue. If Kayla were to challenge the warlord, he might take his angry out on her.
Swallowing her pride, and giving Kayla a reassuring look, Ginny took a deep breath. "I am responsible for their action and will bear the punishment.
Draco ignored her and spoke to Kayla. "You will retire to your rooms." The frightened, pleading look Kayla sent Ginny wrenched at her heart.
"What do you plan to do?" Ginny demanded of Draco, unable to keep the touch of panic from her voice.
Whatever I decide, the boy will not suffer. I hold him innocent- unlike those who unwisely control his actions."
"Any Kayla?"
"Kayla is not bold or smart enough to execute the escape by herself. Still, I cannot let her actions go unpunished."
"You could show mercy."
"I'll think on the matter," Draco relied. He turned to Kayla. You will await my decision in your room."
Kayla nodded then scurried out of the hall with Bret in her arms. Ginny tried to follow, but Draco gripped her arm. "You are to go to our room and await me. I will be up after the work is completed."
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"This ring is the answer to their prayers," Ron muttered to himself. Ginny was a smart one, thank goodness. He held the ring up to the light. "'Tis no mistaking the emblem. 'Twas Snape's ring."
Ginny had heard the story and knew that Snape was their last hope. Though a Scotsman dinna like to admit to defeat, Ron would have to depend on the Norman King to honor the debt he owed to his father, Arthur. Ron had little choice but to leave for London, England.
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The hours had dragged as Ginny waited for Draco to return and announce her punishment. Suddenly, she heard the unmistakable sound of crying outside her chamber. She pulled the wooden door open and found little Bret covering his cheek trying to stifle a sod. She knelt and hugged the child to her. "What is it, Bret?"
"That bad lady hit me."
The words chilled her. "Who?"
"The one that wears all the shiny stones."
Only one woman in Renwyg castle had jewels. A Norman woman. "Shh. It will be all right." She rocked her brother in her arms. When his sobs quieted, she whispered. "Why did she strike you? Were you bad?"
"Nay! I was bringing you this from the warlord. 'Tis your punishment." He held out his hand and she grasped the missive.
Ginny quickly scanned Draco's directive, written in Kayla's handwriting, her jaw tightening at the tone and list of instructions detailed as her chastisement for the escape plan. Her only consolation was that he held her accountable and not Lavender, for drugging the guard's wine. "Merlin's teeth," she muttered, thinking that cleaning his armor and weapons, the very instruments of her vanquishment, was a task designed to remind her of her status. Seething, she folded the note and placed it in her smock.
"What was Kayla's punishment?" she asked.
"Kayla must rise early to help Lavender with the bread." Bret sniffled and through his hiccups, he said, "When Pansy saw me, she said I must read her Draco's message. She hit me when I could not."
"Don't worry, Bret. I will deal with her." A red haze slipped over Ginny's vision as rage welled up in her heart.
"I want her to go away," he wailed.
Ginny rose with her nephew in her arms and went down the stairs. Long past midday, the night meal was being placed upon the table. Pansy sat between Aden and Draco. Ginny walked over to Kayla and handed Bret to her, then turned and approached Pansy. When she glanced up, Ginny slapped her hard across the face. "If you ever touch my nephew again, I will kill you. Remember my threat," she stated in a low, even tone that belied the turmoil roiling inside.