Chapter 10

Asa stood in the bow of the boat his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the ship Danielle was on. Despite what he said the prince and the confidence that he definitely had in Danielle he was still a little worried.

The prince was pacing by the wheel. he was clearly worried too. Asa hopped down from the railing he was standing on and headed down to the water barrel to get a drink.

He was just lifting a dipper of water to his lips when he caught the sound of the prince's voice.

"Danielle…no, no, to familiar…Duchess…no, no, to formal…Milady, yes that's better…Milady, would you do me the honor…,"

Asa shook his head then drained the dipper and walked back to his previous vantage point.

"He's rehearsing," Asa Mused to himself, "He's trying to figure out how to ask permission to court Danielle!"

Suddenly Asa was brought out of his musing when the sight of a ship about up ahead of them registered to him.

"Ship dead ahead!" he cried out bringing everyone to full alertness. They immediately began to gain on the ship causing Asa to think that the people of board must have something besides sailing that was occupying their time.

As they approached the ship, they saw exactly what was occupying them too. Danielle had somehow gotten out of her chains and armed herself with a sword and a dagger. She was currently on the steps that led up to the wheel taking on three swordsmen at the same time and winning.

Asa grinned and shook his head as his boat pulled alongside the one Danielle was on. His grin disappeared when the saw a man emerge from the door behind the wheel and start to sneak up behind Danielle! Asa bolted forward and made a flying leap onto the deck of the other boat.

As soon as the landed he darted up the stairs passed Danielle and grabbed the would-be back stabber and threw him overboard.

"What took you so long?" Quipped Danielle playfully

"Nice to see you too," Replied Asa as he deftly caught another sailor who tried to jump down on him from the rigging and tossed him overboard to join his buddy.

The prince and his guards finally board the ship and the battle ended very quickly after that.

"You probably already know this," said Asa, "But La Croix was behind all of this! He was trying get rid of us by splitting us up so he chained us up on separated ships going in opposite directions."

"Yeah," said Danielle, "That matches the scuttlebutt I overheard from down in the hold while I was picking the locks on the chains, that they put me in."

"Scuttlebutt?" asked the prince

"That's sailor talk, for idle gossip, your highness." Replied Danielle by way of explanation.

"Come on," said Danielle, "Let's get this ship underway and get back to Calais, I want to have word with La Croix!"

"No need," said Asa, "I already caught him, that's how I knew which direction that they took you in."

"Yes," said Prince Henry, "By now La Croix should be in the Hauteford dungeon."

"Good," said Danielle, "Let's get home then."

Asa nodded and they all set to work getting the boats underway again.

A few minutes later they were well into their trip back.

Danielle was at the Wheel. She had even put on the captain's hat for effect. This got a laugh of Asa and Henry.

Danielle looked around and smiled when she caught sight of Asa laying on top of the captain's cabin skylight which looked light a large wooden box with windows sitting on the deck. he was using a coil of rope for a pillow. He was lying there with his eyes closed.

Danielle didn't blame him, she was sure he was tired. Suddenly a yawn took her by surprise reminding her that it had been a while since they had both slept. She asked one of the guards to take the wheel for her and she walked over and climbed up on the top of the skylight.

She laid down perpendicular to Asa and used his chest for a pillow. As soon as her head touched his chest Asa opened one eye. When he saw her, he smiled slightly and closed it again.

She wasn't sure how long they slept when all at once they were being nudged awake by a guard who told them they were coming into the port at Calais.

As soon as their feet touched the shore, they were met by more of the Hauteford Royal guards, who brought them their horses. The guards bowed to the prince and informed him that he was needed back at the palace because La Croix and the Baroness were being brought before the king to answer for all the trouble they had caused

They all mounted up and headed for Hauteford. As they rode through the woods the prince rode up next to Asa and Danielle and asked to speak with Danielle alone. Asa nodded and make an excuse about scouting on ahead and rode off.

The prince cleared his throat nervously and spoke to Danielle.

"Milady," he began, "would you do me the honor of allowing me to call on you some time?"

"It's very kind of you to ask," said Danielle

"I hear a but in there." replied Henry

Danielle nodded.

"The 'but' is this, I am not the only one who would be endanger if the Baroness manages to wiggle off the hook there is also Jaqueline and the servants at the Manor de Barbarac that have been like family to me since my father died. I'm afraid that when the Baroness realizes can't get to me, she'll start taking it out on them. So, until I'm sure that the Baroness is permanently dealt with, I can't think of myself.

Once the Baroness is dealt with, then I'll consider having callers."

Prince Henry nodded a little numbly but he understood. He sighed as he watched as Danielle rode off to catch up with Asa.

What Danielle said was true to be sure, but she was also battling her own insecurity. She wasn't sure her feelings for the prince were the same. Asa smiled is she rode up next to him.

Danielle smiled back. This was a situation that she never thought she would ever find herself in. Yet her she was between two handsome guys and realizing that she could see herself happily married to either one of them!

To Be Concluded…Please Review

What will Danielle's choice be?

Will the Baroness finally be punished or will she manipulate her way off the hook again?