Chapter 23

As she and Siroc prepared to leave for Rouen, Jacqueline could scarcely believe that a month had already gone by...a month that she'd spent training with Rebecca so that her comrade could focus on facing his own demons, particularly the one who called himself Bernard.

Truth be told, after a month under Rebecca's tutelage, Jacqueline was seriously considering taking the former Amazon up on her offer. Nothing against Siroc, but the difference between their teaching methods was like night and day. Siroc was, in a word, intense. Not to mention a perfectionist-to him, mistakes were simply intolerable, as she'd quickly discovered. Rebecca, on the other hand, was a bit more laid back. No less serious, but she was far more patient and allowed room for mistakes-so long as Jacqueline didn't keep repeating the same one. She also taught the younger immortal the quarterstaff in addition to the short sword, reasoning that knowing more than one weapon could very well come in handy someday.

The biggest difference, she noticed, was their views on the whole 'head taking' thing. Siroc was pretty adamant that it was the only way and that she'd be a fool not to go for the kill when the opportunity presented itself, while Rebecca believed that though it was sometimes necessary, not all fights had to end in decapitation. It was another reason for teaching her the staff as well...so she could learn a way of fighting that was far less likely to result in death. And though she was still far from an expert, Jacqueline found herself picking this new weapon up almost as quickly as she had the short sword, which was already fairly familiar...a somewhat modified version of the rapier technique she'd long since perfected.

As Jacqueline was tightening the cinch on her horse's saddle, she felt the warning buzz and turned to see Siroc making his way to the stables with his gear. "Ready to go?" he asked as he walked in.

"Just about," she replied, turning back to finish readying her mount. "So what did you do with Ramon?"

"I haven't done anything."

"Okay, so what has Amanda...never mind," she muttered, shaking her head to clear the unwanted mental image. It had been a month, and Ramon's attraction to the immortal thief showed no signs of waning. "I'm just wondering how we're going to convince him to go back to the garrison once this is over."

Siroc chuckled. "I'm sure we can work something out." He quickly readied his horse and mounted it. A moment later, Jacqueline followed suit. "You have your sword, right?"

She rolled her eyes. "Of course I do."

"Where is it?"

"In a safe place." His eyebrow shot up. "Trust me, it's right where I need it. Okay?"

"Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "Just checking." He shook his head, and the two of them urged their mounts forward. Lapsing into a comfortable silence, they rode until the horses started to tire. Then, after a short rest, they walked their mounts for a bit before riding again, repeating the pattern until the sun started to disappear from the sky. "Well," Siroc said as they entered a clearing, "I think this is as good a place as any to set up camp for the night."

Jacqueline shrugged. "Works for me." The pair quickly dismounted and began to unpack their supplies. As they worked, Siroc kept stealing glances at his comrade, still trying to figure out just where she was hiding that sword. Unfortunately, before he could come up with any theories, he stumbled across something in his gear...or, rather, the lack of something.

"Where the hell is my bedroll? I have a blanket, but that's it. What about you?" he asked, turning to Jacqueline.

"Uh...I have a bedroll, but it doesn't look like I have a blanket." She frowned. "Rebecca swore she packed everything."

"Wait...you let Rebecca pack your gear?"

She shrugged. "She offered. But you packed your own...right?"

"Actually...Ramon offered to pack it for me." They both looked at each other for a moment, and it hit them. "Those little...I think they're trying to play matchmaker on us."

"What? They wouldn't...would they?"

Siroc shook his head. "How else would you explain this? Looks like we're either sharing a bedroll, or one of us is sleeping in the dirt. And I'm guessing that our would-be cupids are banking on the former."

"But why? What on earth would give them an idea like that?" While she'd be lying if she said she wasn't attracted to the ancient blonde, she couldn't recall saying or doing anything in either Ramon or Rebecca's presence that would indicate how she felt. And she hadn't really spent much time with Siroc since he'd told her about Jocelyn, anyway. What in the world was going through their friends' minds? She sighed, vowing to have a long talk with both of them when she returned to the abbey. "Well...we're both mature adults. Surely we can spend a night or two in the same bed without...well...you know..."

"Turning into a couple of lust-driven animals?" he offered.

Blushing, she gave a slight nod. "Something like that." She paused. "Any suggestions?"

"Well...why don't you sleep under the blanket, and I'll sleep on top of it."

"No way," Jacqueline muttered, shaking her head. "I can't let you sleep out in the open like that."

He shrugged. "Believe me, I've had much worse. A night or two without a blanket is hardly going to kill me. One of the perks of immortality," he added with a grin.

"Funny," she muttered, rolling her eyes. Nice as it was to see Siroc relaxed for a change, he really needed to work on his sense of humor. "Why don't we just find an inn for the night?"

"On what money?" he asked. "I don't know about you, but I didn't bring any since we were staying with Rebecca. Didn't think I'd need it."

Jacqueline sighed, knowing he was right. She hadn't thought to bring any money either. "Alright...we'll go with your idea for tonight, but tomorrow we switch places."

Siroc frowned. "What kind of gentleman would I be if I left you sleep exposed to the elements like that?"

"I'm immortal too, remember? It won't kill me any more than it would you."

"Fine," he conceded. "Let's just get something to eat so we can get to bed. We've got a long day ahead of us."

She nodded, watching as he pulled several food items from his pack and proceeded to mix them together in a small pot while she worked on starting a fire to cook it on. The resulting stew didn't look like much, but actually tasted pretty good. They ate in relative silence, then set up the one bedroll their well-meaning but misguided friends had left them with. As agreed, she snuggled beneath the blanket, while he lay on top. Unfortunately, neither one of them was able to get to sleep. After several minutes of trying unsuccessfully to drift off, Jacqueline rolled over to look at Siroc, who was staring at her rather oddly. "What?" she asked, propping herself up on her elbows.

"You know...you never did tell me where you keep your sword."

Rolling her eyes, Jacqueline turned to face the other direction. "I really don't think now is the appropriate time."

"Why not? I can't seem to get to sleep, and apparently you're not having much luck, either." He frowned. "Come on...what is it, some kind of big secret or something?"

"That's right," she shot back, looking at him once more. "It is a secret...girls only, in fact. No guys allowed."

"Well, technically you're..." he trailed off, seeing the rather stern look she was giving him.

"Don't push it."

He sighed. "I don't see why this is such a big deal."

"Because I promised Rebecca I'd keep it between us, alright? Now drop it."

"Fine...have it your way..." he muttered, rolling over so his back was to her. Shaking her head at his immaturity, she laid back and stared up at the stars. It wasn't that she didn't trust him. But a promise was a promise. Truth was, the whole sword thing was a bit of magic that, according to Rebecca, had been passed down from one female immortal to the next for centuries, supposedly starting with a witch named Cassandra. Though Jacqueline wasn't particularly comfortable with the idea of magic, it made sense once Rebecca had explained it. Female immortals didn't have the same luxury as the men when it came to carrying their blades, and their clothing was hardly practical for concealing one in a way that it could be accessed quickly. So this Cassandra had created a spell that would send the blade to some sort of nether-region while it wasn't being used. And once you knew it, all you had to do is whisper the words-or, with enough practice, simply think them-and your blade could be concealed or retrieved anytime, anywhere, in a matter of seconds. Jacqueline still had to actually say the words to get it to work, but she was getting better. She just wished Siroc would stop being so nosey.

Several minutes later, Jacqueline was finally starting to drift off when she felt something moving across her stomach. Her eyes shot open, and she found herself staring up at Siroc. The next thing she knew, her comrade's lips were touching her own. She didn't resist at first, more out of shock than anything else, but when he tried to deepen the kiss she put her hands on his chest and shoved him off. "What the hell are you doing?" she demanded, looking at him in confusion. Mumbling something that sounded like 'sorry,' the blonde immortal quickly returned to his side of the bedroll, turning his back to her. Frowning, she reached over and gently laid a hand on his shoulder. "Siroc?" she asked softly. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head. "Forget it...you'll think it's stupid."

"No I won't. I promise."

"It's just..." he sighed, turning back over to face her. "This might be my last chance."

Jacqueline's eyebrow shot up. "Last chance for what?"

"To...to show you...how I feel." Another sigh. "I-I think I'm falling for you, Jacqueline," he whispered, reaching up and brushing his fingers along her cheek. "I know I shouldn't...that things never end well when an immortal gets involved with their student. I've spent centuries shutting off my heart...letting my head take control so I didn't get hurt again. But I can't do that anymore, and I don't want to die without being able to love you properly." He leaned in for another kiss, but she gently pushed him back.

"You're not going to die, Siroc."

"You don't know that."

"And you do?" She paused. "That's what this is about, isn't it? You're afraid that Bernard is going to win."

Nodding, he turned away from her once more. "Beltranus...he's always had this hold over me. It...it's hard to explain, but...well...much as I want-need-to see him gone, there's still part of me that just wants to curl up in a corner and beg him for mercy. Been like that for as long as I can remember." He sighed. "I've spent my whole immortal life perfecting my skills...suppressing the memories of my childhood so that when and if the time came I'd be able to face him. But all I have to do is look at that bastard and everything comes rushing back...I'm that scared little boy again instead of the man I've worked so long to become." He turned back to Jacqueline, and she could see the fear in his eyes. "What if that happens tomorrow? What if I freeze, and he takes my head without a fight?"

"He won't."

"How do you know?"

She squeezed his shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile. "Because...this time you have something to fight for. Me, Ramon, D'Artagnan, Duval...what happens to us if he takes your head?"

"Great..." he muttered. "Just what I need, more pressure."

"I'm just saying that fighting for something beyond your own survival is going to make a big difference. What does Bernard...Beltranus...have outside of his own self-interest?"

"N-nothing that I can think of."

"Exactly," she nodded. "As long as you remember that, I know you'll do just fine. There's no need to rush into anything," she added softly.

Siroc seemed to deflate a bit at that last comment. "You don't share my feelings, do you?"

She sighed. "I care about you a great deal, Siroc. I'm just not sure that it's love...not the kind you're hoping for, anyway. Until I figure things out, I don't think it's a good idea to do anything we might end up regretting."

"Are you saying you'd regret being with me?"

Jacqueline shook her head. "I don't know how I'd feel about it, and that's the point. I don't think that it's worth risking our friendship over."

"Alright," he nodded. "If that's how you feel, I suppose I can hold out for awhile longer. Wouldn't want to push you into something you're not ready for. Just...tell me there's some hope. Please...."

The female musketeer smiled, gently running a hand through his slightly shaggy blonde locks. "Well...I'm not entirely opposed to the idea. One day, when it's not life or death and we're both ready, I don't see why we couldn't give it a go. I just don't want my first time to be a hurried grope in the middle of a forest."

Siroc chuckled softly. "It's not exactly my preference, either." He sighed. "You're right...the first time should be special. I'm just...I don't know..."

"It's alright...I get it. You're afraid of losing your chance." Shifting position so she was behind Siroc, she wrapped an arm around his waist. "Don't worry...I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you."

"Promise?"

"Absolutely. You're stuck with me." At her whispered reassurance, Siroc finally seemed to relax. He soon fell asleep, and it wasn't long before she joined him.