Chapter 6

Kayla had long since learned there was always a way. Or at least there often was. When she woke up the next morning, she had decided that, despite the fact that she would only be present in the past for three weeks, she could still play an important role in the run of things, and really get to know these people. Plus, she was determined to find a way to get Jane and Jester back together, for not only would it help their relationship, it perhaps would get Jester to not be so annoying around Kayla. So she would have to find a way to get Jester to fall in love with Jane again. Upon thinking this, Kayla wondered if perhaps she was intruding too much on their relationship, but then again, Jane did want help. She couldn't believe she had only arrived yesterday. Kayla already had a sense of belonging. But then she realized something quite dreadful. If Kayla were to make friends of these people, and perhaps have romantic feelings for Gunther, once she returned to her time, they would all be gone, and would have been for a thousand years. She decided she shouldn't get too close to anyone.

Kayla discovered the best way to get from her room to the outside. She went through quite a few hallways and staircases before she arrived at a door opposite the Throne Room, so she entered by the courtyard. She then went to the kitchen to get breakfast, and was uncomfortable as no one else was there. Pepper was in the kitchen, already preparing a meal for later and said as Kayla entered, "Hello, Kayla. You're up awfully late."

Kayla had checked her iPhone clock app a few minutes ago, and it had only said 9:00. When did these people get up? Pepper handed a bowl of fruit and returned to her work. Kayla went to the table to sit by herself as she ate breakfast. She wasn't quite sure of what she was expected to do. Was she to go to the King and perform? She decided she would ask Jester? As soon as she had finished her breakfast she went to find him, and did so in the gardens, where he was sitting by the fountain, writing a ballad.

The way he smiled at her made her uneasy. It would certainly be difficult to get him and Jane back together if he had feelings for her. None of these people realized she would only be around for three weeks. "Good morning, Kayla," she said fondly to her. Kayla might have feelings for Gunther, and perhaps Smithy, but she certainly knew she did not like Jester.

"I was wondering what I should do. Should I just be lazy and sit around all day and write songs like you do or is there anything else I should be doing?" Kayla hoped her insult would make Jester not like her as much.

Jester did not seem to be offended. "I usually like to help anyone around the castle with their work. The King likes to be entertained often, so you should always have something prepared for him. Pepper needs a lot of help in the kitchen, since she's preparing food for the whole castle all by herself. You should help her.

Kayla laughed and said, "Oh, I should think she would be better off without my help. I assure you, I am probably the worst cook you've ever met. Even if she only wanted me to boil water, I'm sure I would mess it up somehow!"

Jester laughed as well. Oh great, Kayla thought. Now he likes me even more.

"Well, there are many other things to do. You can help Smithy in the stables, though I doubt you would enjoy a messy job like that." His voice started to betray sadness. "Jane always likes company when she's practicing." His voice now seemed to get happier. "Of course," he said. "You can always help me."

Kayla got more uncomfortable now and said, "Well we need to work more on Mean so we can perform it for the King soon so how about we practice that after lunch." Having said that, Kayla left the courtyard as quickly as she could. She couldn't believe she was already having problems like these and she had hardly even gotten to know these people. Kayla found Jane in the practice yard battling against the dummy. The moves she was using were very complicated, and Kayla marveled at her skill.

"Hey, Jane!" she called. Jane turned around and waved. "Do you want to try?" she called back. Kayla nodded and Jane went to get another wooden sword. She handed it to Kayla and showed her the proper way to hold it.

"So do I just hit that pile of wood?" she pointed to the dummy with her practice sword.

"No, it's harder than it looks. You can practice against me. Just try to block my lunges." Jane got into a fighting position and Kayla just stood there holding the sword. Jane lunged and Kayla threw the sword out and it hit Jane's sword sideways, but Jane was quick and just lunged at her again. Kayla was able to block Jane's thrusts but each time she blocked it she became less coordinated. After a few blocks she accidently dropped her sword. She picked it up and they continued practicing and Jane taught her more positions.

"Hello, Jane. Hello, Kayla." Gunther's voice sounded from behind them. Kayla whirled around smiling, and Jane, who was facing Gunther's direction, glared. She didn't know why Kayla liked Gunther but it made Jane more irritable seeing the two of them together. As Jane had expected, Gunther started to show Kayla his skills, trying to impress her. She could see that Kayla was enjoying the attention. Jane started to realize that she had some problems she had to sort out. Her relationship with Jester was not working out and she was fifteen and he was seventeen. They had courted briefly, but after he had told confessed his love, they had drifted apart. They had already spent a year avoiding each other. And Jane didn't know how to feel about Gunther. She was jealous when he liked another girl yet she wanted to be with Jester, right? Rake and Pepper were planning to get married as soon as they could. Things were getting too complicated.

Meanwhile, as Gunther was showing her some sword skills, Kayla felt bad for letting Gunther teach her, and she would rather have Jane teach her, but she liked him showing her things. Even though she had decided not to get too close to anyone, she couldn't help liking him. Sir Theodore then came and asked Kayla to leave so he could give Jane and Gunther a lesson. Kayla didn't want to leave, as she enjoyed Gunther's company. It was noon, though, so Kayla headed off in search of Jester.

He was at the table by the kitchen. They began practicing and Jester finished the lute part for the song. He had his part memorized and they practiced the whole song a few times through and decided that it was at a good enough level to perform. Jester went off to tell the King that they would be ready for their first performance whenever was a good time, and came back, informing Kayla that their performance was to be after dinner.

She then left Jester to practice by himself and went off in search of Jane, so she could apologize for letting Gunther take over their lesson to show off. She could tell Jane and Gunther had some rivalry going on and Kayla must have made it hard for Jane by paying so much attention to Gunther. Kayla soon found Jane, and Gunther, and was not happy at what she found.

Jane and Gunther were in the practice yard and they were in the middle of a fight.

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