6

Chapter 5

The next morning found Marek and Nikki out behind the Dancing Dove. Nikki was covered in dirt and sweating, while Marek just looked bored. He had been putting her through some basic knife training, but he seemed to find it more enjoyable to send her falling onto the dirt. She got up and dusted herself off again.

"Can't you do anything? Hasn't anyone taught you to fight?" Marek taunted her.

"Aren't you supposed to be the one teaching me?" she snapped finally. "George asked you to help me learn fighting techniques."

"He asked me to see where you were, not to teach a beginner," Marek drawled.

"Well you are stuck with a beginner, so get used to it."

Marek straightened at her tone. He pulled his knife into a basic starting position. "Do you really want to start that fight? I could kill you so easily and leave you in a gutter. I am the best knife's man in the Rogue's Court."

Nikki put her own knife in the same position and watched his body for any movement. He was a very impulsive fighter, she had noticed this just in the time they had spent together that morning. He would just lash out at anything and she wasn't going to give him a chance to hurt her. Marek grinned slowly; he would enjoy showing this girl that she was not a high and mighty thief. She was in the bottom tier; she had to earn her way up the rungs just like everyone else.

Marek started to circle slowly, eyeing up his prey. Nikki matched him step for step as he moved around her. She would not let him out of her sight. When he finally lashed out, Nikki was ready for him. She blocked his knife and rolled out of the way. Marek looked surprised at her quick reflex. She didn't let any emotion play out on her face. Nikki set into her stance again and waited. She noticed that Marek's face had set into a more thoughtful look. He was taking her more seriously. His next attack was more sudden, she hadn't seen his body move ahead of time. He went for her knife arm, but she rolled under him and managed to kick the back of his knee, unfortunately, he didn't fall. He turned back and kicked her hand, making her drop her knife. She kicked out at his face, but he moved and she used the force to propel herself up to a standing position, while grabbing another knife out of her sleeve. Marek grunted and then tackled her. They both went flying and landed with Marek on top of Nikki with his knife against her throat.

"I win," Marek panted. He got up and offered her a hand. Nikki took the hand and pulled herself up. She then dusted herself off and picked up her other knife from where it lay in the dust. AS she was cleaning her knife, she happened to look over at Marek and noticed that he was watching her.

"What? Did I do something interesting?" she asked.

"You're not actually that bad for being a girl," Marek said like this was some brilliant insight. "I thought you would just back down from a real fight or challenge, but you faced me anyway." He paused for a moment. "You really made me work."

"So now will you take teaching me seriously?" Nikki stuck her knife back in her belt and watched him.

Finally he nodded his head. "If you keep up the work, you'll be really good with that knife. I may have to worry about my title as best knife's man." Nikki smiled and they set to work.

That night, Nikki went to the Dancing Dove to spend time with the other thieves. She sat quietly at the bar and watched all of the people coming and going. It was interesting to hear all of the stories that were flying around. Marek waved her over and she joined him at the gaming table. He was starting to explain the rules to her when George put a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry, Marek, but could I borrow her for a moment?" he asked.

"I guess," shrugged Marek. "It really depends on whether she wants to go with you."

George laughed. "You found that out about her already?" He smiled at her, "are you coming?"

Nikki shrugged and followed George to the corner table she had occupied her first night at the Dancing Dove. It was now filled with four young men from the palace. Three were knights and the fourth, a small youth, was a squire. Nikki actually stopped and stared at the table as George went over and started saying hello. Nikki couldn't believe what she was seeing. The Prince and his friends were sitting surrounded by thieves in a local bar, this could not be happening. George motioned her over and she walked over stiffly.

"This is Nikki, one of my new recruits," announced George and everyone turned their eyes on her. "That is Gary, Raoul, Jonny and Alan." As George said their names each of them waved. Nikki nodded her head and then turned to George.

"And you are worried about me being caught by the Provost?" she asked.

"They are friends, they won't turn me in," George replied with a laugh, and then he left to go settle some other disputes.

"Why don't you have a seat?" offered Jonny. Nikki sat down slowly and fixed him with a glance.

"You're the prince, aren't you?" she asked quietly. They all looked at her and then Jon nodded.

"Yes, but not here in the city. Here I am just Jon or Jonny. I like it better that way."

"So you are new to Corus? I haven't seen you around here before," Gary commented.

"Yes, I just came to Corus. I think George just kind of wrapped me up with his other rogues," Nikki said with a sigh.

"That is so like George, I mean, he let's all of us spend our free time here," laughed Gary and the others nodded.

"So you're a thief?" asked Jon.

"I guess, but I don't really enjoying stealing or anything." Nikki shifted uncomfortably.

"We really don't mind the stealing, as long as we leave the town with full purses we are fine," said Raoul. "We've even been learning how to pick pockets a little." Nikki looked up at them with surprise.

"You don't think palace boys can pick pockets?" asked Gary impishly.

Nikki grinned a little. "I just never expected this group of palace boys to be interested in such a thing."

"How is it you know so much about palace people?" asked Alanna slightly suspiciously.

"I spent some time among nobles in my travels, not that they always knew I was there," said Nikki. She crossed her fingers under the table, hoping that no one would see through her lie. She need not have worried.

"You must be quite accomplished if you can go out among nobles and not be noticed," commented Gary.

"She is very good at sneaking up on others," said George as he swung himself into another seat at the table. "She is also a fairly quick learner." He directed his attention to Nikki. "Marek told me all of the work you did today. I may have to set up some duels to test my people one of these days."

Nikki shook her head and stood up. "I should really be going. I need to get to my quarters before it is too late." The others groaned and complained a little, but they said goodbye. George watched her as she left.

"What is it George?" asked Alanna.

"I really want to know where that girl goes at night. She won't tell me and I promised not to follow her." George shook his head. "I'm worried that she'll get herself into trouble."

"Well, you said you were training her, hopefully she will be able to take care of herself," said Jon, but he had a worried face as well. They continued chatting for a while and then the palace boys returned home and George went and roamed the streets, hoping to stumble across Nikki's hiding place.

Nikki ran back to the barn as quickly as possible. The farmer's son would not be happy if she kept evading him, and she needed somewhere to stay. As she ran up the road, she saw the light was still on in the barn loft. She took a deep breath and climbed the ladder leading to the loft from the outside of the barn.

"You are late again," drawled the teenage boy who was lounging on the hay.

"I'm sorry, but some of the people in town wanted me to stay and spend time with them and I couldn't come up with a reasonable excuse," she replied, still breathing heavily.

"I thought you wanted to spend more time with me," he said.

"Colin, I told you that I am only here for a little while and then I will move on. Don't get used to my presence."

"Don't go usin' that fancy language, it ain't fair," Colin mumbled. "And I thought you wanted to be my girl. I am gonna need a wife in not too long." Colin stood up and came over to brush some hair out of her face. Nikki wanted to cringe, but she stopped herself using all of the self-control in her body.

"I am not looking for a husband. I have told you that before, Colin," she said with forced calm. She would never marry a person like Colin. He was far too sure of himself.

"Aw, you might change your mind," Colin said as he started to climb back down the ladder. "I put some supper there for you and you should come by the stream to do laundry with me tomorrow morning." Nikki smiled and nodded as he climbed down and then she let out a deep sigh when he had left the barn. She couldn't stand Colin, but he had allowed her to stay here in the barn and he would give her food when she really couldn't find anything else. She kept trying to keep him at arm's length, but he was not getting the message.

Nikki sat down on one of the bales and ate the biscuits that Colin had brought. She would have to go and meet him by the stream in the morning, but she was worried that he was looking for more than someone to wash clothes with. Also, if she didn't go, he would tell his parents and then she would be out of a place to live. Nikki sighed again, changed her clothes, wrapped herself in a blanket and fell asleep.

Back in Corus, George wandered around the edge of the city. He would stop and talk to some of his scouts, but then he would keep moving. Finally, he climbed up to the top of the wall and met up with the last of his look-outs.

"Anything new happen tonight?" he asked as he sat down besides the other man.

"Not much, but I did see a shadow movin' mighty fast down that road there," the other man commented.

George perked up and turned his attention more fully on the news. "Was it really Nikki? Did you see where she went?"

"I'm pretty sure it was our new lass and she was movin' towards the barns down to the right. I wonder if she's livin' with one of them farmin' families down there."

"That would make sense, wouldn't it?" said George thoughtfully. With that, he leaped down from the wall and started to wander the road, looking for any sign that Nikki had passed.

George kept up a steady pace as he trotted down the lane. He didn't want to come upon Nikki too quickly, but he did want to catch up with her. As he finally rounded one of the larger fences, he noticed a small dark figure peering around a gate and into one of the yard. George crept forward and was close enough to see that the figure's long hair swept out behind her as she ran through the gate and into the yard. George waited a moment and then let himself through the gate. As he looked around, he noticed that there was light in the hayloft. That seemed odd to him because no one should be up there at this time of night, and if Nikki was up there, she wouldn't call attention to herself by lighting a lamp. Then he realized that Nikki was just nearing the top of the ladder on the outside of the hayloft. She paused for a moment and then climbed in through the window. George had to know what was going on, so he crept in through the barn door which had been left ajar. Once he was inside, George snuck over to the inside ladder to the hayloft and climbed up so that he could better hear what was going on. Much to his surprise, he found that this trapdoor was also still cracked, so he could catch a glimpse of what was going on inside.

Nikki climbed in to the loft with her back facing the inside. She moved the ladder aside slowly and then turned to face Colin. She could tell from the look on his face that he was not happy.

"You told me you were goin' to be back earlier tonight," he demanded.

"I'm sorry, but there were people at the inn that I had to meet," Nikki said as she moved to sit on one of the bales of hay.

"I don't believe you," said Colin. "I think you been lying to me about where you at. I think you're avoiding me."

"Colin, why would I do that?" asked Nikki in her sweetest tone. "You are giving me shelter and food, why would I be avoiding you?"

"I think you are trying to get out of your side of the bargain. I told you I want a wife out of this," said Colin as he moved in her direction.

Nikki stood up. "Colin, I have told you many times that I am not planning on staying here much longer. I'll move away from Corus really soon and then you won't ever see me again. I don't plan on being married."

"You should change your mind," Colin said quietly, but forcefully. He took her one hand in both of his. "I could be a great husband and everyone would be jealous of my beautiful wife. We would have our own farm and lots of children." Nikki swallowed loudly and tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn't release his grip. George was starting to grind his teeth at this boy's impotence.

"Colin, no, I will not marry you, and there is nothing you can do about it," said Nikki as she finally wrenched her arm out of his hands. "I don't want to be married, and especially not to you." She knew she had just lost her right to stay there, but she didn't care at that point. Colin was becoming too possessive.

"My pa told me that some women don't know what they really want and we have to show 'em," said Colin as he moved towards her again. He reached for her waist, but Nikki slapped his hand away. Without hesitation, Colin reached up and smacked Nikki hard across the face. Stunned by the force of the blow, Nikki fell over onto the floor and Colin crouched over her, pinning her arms to the floor. "This is woman's proper place. You need to remember that men tell you what to do, not the other way around." Nikki struggled, but she couldn't get out from under Colin. He was practically strangling her by sitting on her rib cage. Both Nikki and Colin jumped when the trap door slammed open.

George had gotten so mad with Colin's behavior that he knew he had to step in. "Get off of her," George demanded. Colin just stared at him.

"And who are you thinkin' you can tell me what to do on my property?" said Colin indignantly, but he still had not gotten off of Nikki. "This is my woman and you can't have her now go away. "

George smiled a grim smile. "She ain't nobody's woman, especially yours. Now get off of her before I make you." Colin just stayed there, so George walked over and grabbed him by the back of his shirt and easily lifted the boy off of Nikki and then pinned him up against the wall with his knife point at the boy's throat. "Nikki, if you want to get your things I think you should gather them now while he's occupied."

Nikki sat there on the floor and stared at George. She was thankful for his appearance, but also upset that he had seen her in that sort of position. She did not want men to think they had to help her and fight for her, but George really had saved her. She got up shakily and stuffed her things into her bag. She wrapped her cloak around her and as she moved towards the loft opening with the ladder outside the building George started to back away from Colin, who leaned against the wall for support.
"Now, you are going to let us go and you are never going to touch Nikki again," said George threateningly.

Colin stood there and stared at Nikki and George. "I just wanted a wife, you would have been happy with me."

Nikki shook her head. "I would never be happy as a wife," she said quietly and then she began to climb down the ladder. George waited until Nikki was halfway down before he climbed down to join her. When he reached the bottom, he realized that Nikki was already nearing the edge of the farm. George ran to catch up with her.

"Nikki! Nikki, please wait!" called George as he finally caught up with her. "I didn't mean to follow you, but I had to know where you were staying and why you always disappeared earlier at night." Nikki just kept walking. She did not want to talk about what had just happened. "Nikki, where are you going now?"

Nikki walked on in silence for a little bit, but then she started to slow down. She sighed deeply. "I don't know. I'll probably just move on to another town and start over again. It's not like I have anywhere else to go, also this was my original plan anyway. I just want to keep moving."

"Are you sure that is what you want?" asked George as he kept step with her. "Could I talk you into staying around Corus? I still want you to be part of my court."

"Where would I stay? I can't pay for an apartment or inn room and I will not take pure charity. Where can I stay?"

"I know of someone who will let you stay for free, and you can find some way to balance it out later," said George with a hopeful glance in her direction. Nikki thought about his offer. She wanted to stay in Corus as much as she wanted to leave. She was starting to make friends and fit into life in Corus, but she did not want these people to learn about her and her past. Maybe it would not hurt to stay for a little while longer, she could always leave later.

"Who is this person that will let a thief stay in their home?" Nikki asked with a sideways glance at George.

George smiled broadly and put an arm around her shoulders and steered her back towards the city. Nikki let him steer her because she trusted that he would not do anything to her. He had stood up for her against Colin and he did not seem interested in the same things that Colin had been interested. George led Nikki through the streets of Corus until they stopped in front of a gate with the Healer's sign on it. Nikki gave George a raised eyebrow, but he just smiled and opened the gate. Nikki was surprised to see that the lights were still on in the house at this time of night. George led her right up to the door and opened it for her.

Nikki stepped in slowly and took in the spotless and welcoming kitchen. There were herbs hanging from the ceiling around the hearth and there was a pot of steaming water hanging over the fire. Nikki turned to find George watching her from his spot by the door. Then a door behind Nikki opened and an elderly woman stepped out into the kitchen. Nikki spun and realized that the woman had the same eyes as George.

"And who is this young woman?" asked the elderly lady kindly. "I was not expecting visitors at this late hour. Would you like some tea?"

"Tea sounds great," said George happily as he seated himself at the table. "This here is Nikki, one of my new recruits. Nikki, this is my mother, Eleni Cooper."

Nikki stared at this seemingly respectable woman who had the king of the court of the rogue as her son. Eleni looked Nikki over as well. "You are one of George's thieves? You must be good then, he only takes the best."

George smiled a little. "She's getting there. We are still training her."

"You want me to stay here? With your mother?" asked Nikki staring straight at George.

He gave her a steady glance back. "It would be a good place for you to stay. She is used to having thieves around and she has some extra rooms. You would be inside Corus and thus safer. I think it is a great situation."

Eleni looked at Nikki. "You are looking for a room? That is easy to accommodate. I have a few extra patient rooms upstairs that are not being used. In fact most of them are usually empty."

Nikki started to shake her head. "No, I can't take a room away from someone who may need it. This just feels wrong, and I don't know how I would ever repay you."

"You wouldn't have to repay me child," said Eleni gently, but seeing Nikki's face she continued. "But if you feel you must, you can help me with some of the more routine patients and preparing some of the herbs."

"I still can't take rooms that you might need for patients," insisted Nikki. "I can make myself perfectly comfortable in the loft in the barn. Then I won't ever be in your way."

Eleni gave Nikki a long look. "I guess you could stay out there if you insist, but it would really be more comfortable to stay here in the house where it will be warmer when the cold weather hits."

"No, really I would much rather stay in the barn," said Nikki quickly. "Thank you very much for your hospitality, Mistress Cooper." Eleni smiled and poured tea for George and herself and then got out a cup for Nikki. When she turned around though, Nikki had already let herself out the back door. Mistress Cooper sighed.

"Where did you find that child?" she asked George as she set his cup in front of him.

"I heard about her when she came into Corus and started pick-pocketing people," said George. "I honestly don't know anything else about her other than that." He hesitated for a moment. "I am not sure she trusts me yet."

"Well, your line of work does not necessarily encourage trust," said Mistress Cooper with a small smile. "But, I hope you will find out more about her. I think there is more going on here than meets the eye."