000
Jayne-
I ran from the kitchen and into the back where the animals were kept, barely in time, before I emptied the contents of my stomach. Tears stung my cheeks as I placed my hand on my stomach. It had been three moons since Lance had left, and I knew exactly what the problem was. My stomach had grown slightly, but not enough for anyone to notice, except maybe Queen Bethany who looked often at me, her eyes looking for an answer.
I missed Lance, and needed him here with me. Not only for emotional support, but for the fact that if I did not marry him before the king found out about the child I would be sent away. If I were simply slave who worked in the fields or in the kitchens, then a child out of wedlock would not be a problem. But any slave who worked near the nobles, were expected to abide by their rules as well as the rules of a slave. A slave in my station had to be formal in every way, and having a bastard child was anything but that.
I stood up and brushed my hair back, wiping the tears from my eyes. I took a leather string that was wrapped around my wrist, and tied it around my hair into a ponytail. I headed back towards the kitchens, but not before Joyce, the head chef, walked into my path. She held out the tray for me that had the food I was to take upstairs to Leah, and then she squinted her eyes looking me up and down.
"You have been awfully sick lately, Jayne." I just nodded my head and tried to walk past her but she held my arm, she had a sympathetic look in her eyes as she spoke "There are potions for such" she paused, "problems."
I smiled, "Thank you, Joyce, but I am fine, really." I gave another smile, but I was sure it didn't quite meet my eyes. She just let me be on my way without another word and I was grateful for that. But all I could think was, how many others could tell? How long could I keep this from the King?
000
Lance-
The words "They're absolutely malicious animals, aren't they Lance?" drew my attention back to the room and from my wandering thoughts of Jayne. I nodded in agreement and started to pace my tent.
"We have to find a way to take them by surprise." I started, scratching the back of my head, "I'd suggest coming in from the back, but that would involve an extra six moons, due to the amount of walking and preparing we'd have to do. It has to be discreet, which means we'd have to go far out of our way to trap them." I sighed and looked up at the man that stood in front of me. My dear friend, Zeke, and my second in command, "What do you suggest?"
He sighed as well "We go in from the back. Though I wish there was a way to make it quicker." I placed my hands out onto the table that was in front of me, as if to stabilize myself. "Lance?" I heard him say faintly.
"Yes?" I replied without looking up.
"Is there something you're hiding from me?" he asked cautiously, "I've never seen you so…restless…in battle before or so eager to get back home." He tilted his head to the side and smirked, "Tell me, is there a lady you forgot to mention to your friend?"
I just shook my head and exhaled in mocked annoyance, "I would never miss an obnoxious noble woman, you know that as well I." It was the only honest answer I was willing to give. I almost wished I could tell him about Jayne, and as much as trusted him, I couldn't risk someone overhearing.
I walked out of the tent, and past the soldiers who were either practicing, or laughing together, sharpening their swords. I walked into the forest and leaned up against a tree, running my hands through my hair in frustration. I felt the aggravation well up in me and I felt the need to hit something, anything. I wanted Jayne, I need Jayne. I wanted to feel her smooth, tan skin against mine. I wanted her sweet voice to whisper loving words into my ear. As always I couldn't get her out of my head. I was driving myself crazy with these torturing thoughts. Is love always so harsh?