Trouble In Burgundy (part II)
Commission for kawauso98 and midnight_wolfess
Richard looked at the knight approaching the one that captured his heart; it was a shame that they were separated by a simple minded buffoon of that kind, but he knew that there was little to nothing he could do, for now. As weak as he looked, he knew that taking on a mercenary and a cohort of guards was not a brilliant move; although he trusted his skills, he was well aware of the reputation of the soldier in question.
As innocent and mundane as he looked, he had a history of a vicious fighter, being mostly a freelance warrior until some sort of higher duty struck him, making him take a path that was now his definite choice. Rumors were that he was a part of the Swiss guards, the same that the Royalty maintains to protect themselves and supplement the army. It would be a challenge to win a duel with him, without resorting to any tricks or deceit; but what could he do against long range weaponry? For now, all he could was to follow this strange procession until the opportunity would arise for him to intervene; day or night, it would arise, giving the chance to save her from a fate that would crush her if nothing was done.
To be trapped with one that she didn't care for, to be a mere prize, to be exchange for an alliance between families; the rumours were flying and he could understand the motives behind, but he couldn't let them go on with their plan, although, she might come with her plan. Perhaps he would be an element of it, providing his support to a scheme that was bigger than his comprehension; but as long as the result would provide her freedom and would bring them back together, he would play his role to the perfection, even if he would be a mere pawn. There was no shame in being a tool to the success of a greater plan; however, a part of him would prefer to do the dirty work, so she wouldn't have to soil her hands with it. There was no point in letting her soil her conscience with crimes and guilt; he had enough to bear for two, and adding more wouldn't make much of a difference now...
``Ah Milady, it is a pleasure to see that this rogue did not harm you; it would have been such a disgrace that he would have robbed you of your grace... or your purity'' said Guy, as he gestured to the guards, while sheathing his sword, although he had the impression that it was too soon to do such a thing.
Could that bandit be closer then he imagined? It was a possibility, but he couldn't start a search, for now; they needed to bring her back to their employer before it would be late. He had a reputation to uphold, one that couldn't suffer such a crucial blow. If such a thing happened, then he would be unable to find anyone else to hire him, except the lower classes; he didn't want to be deprived of the luxury he could afford, of the rank that he could parade with. To return to a life of simplicity, to be obligated to pretend that he was a simple civilian when he was so much more would be humiliating; he had to make sure that this would be a success, although he could always... pretend that it was the guard's fault for letting her down. If someone had to go down, it wouldn't be him...
``Guy, you are such a fool; why do you believe that I was in danger?'' she told him, while the company was getting ready to march. She knew that he had orders to follow, but she wished that he would be able to be a little flexible some times. He was too rigid for his own good, but she knew that his own future was in jeopardy, but he was a cunning one; there would always be someone else that would hire him...
But what could she do, for now? There was no way she could distract them or run away, back to the wilderness, freedom and Richard. She wondered if she could bribe him; she had her own personal fortune, after all, one that was enough to make her live a wealthy, pampered life. Would it be enough to make him change his mind and look the other way, for a while, giving her enough time to escape? But again, she wasn't sure it was an effort that was worth it; after all, it would be easy for him to refuse any offers, for he was a man of honor...
``Guy, would it be a possibility that you would let me go? I know that you are a man of promises, but there must be a solution that we can agree on together. You know, although I don't have the same resources your temporary lord possess, I do have enough to make it worthwhile; perhaps it would be wise for us to make a deal, so the voyage would end here, instead of going forward'' she told him, wondering if this would have an influence on his decision or if she was wasting her time trying to reason with him.
Guy looked at her a moment, his expression passing from surprised to shocked; it was as if she proposed something indecent, an act so immoral that it would have surpassed anything that he could have ever imagined in his life. Perhaps he was a bit too sensitive, a bit too stringed with his own code of virtue to see that the world could function in a different way. But it was a risk she had to take, for her sake; there was always a chance that he could respond to her offer with a potential opening...
``Milady, I cannot believe you would say such a thing! I know that the shock from the ordeal you lived was quite intense, but to propose to stop these preparations is pure nonsense. Why would you want to throw away your future like that, Milady? I know that it can seem a bit terrifying, but think about the good sides. You will have a better life, luxuries beyond your wildest dream and security. Why would you want to toss this all away for some mere pipe dream that, in the end, would serve no purpose else than to destroy you from the inside?'' he told her, as he passed a hand quickly on his forehead, as if he was about to faint.
As melodramatic as his move was, it was enough for her to destroy her initiative; if he was reacting in such a way to a mere proposition, then to hear her true intentions would send into shocks, a treatment she wanted to avoid, for now. Although, if it was necessary, she would cross that border, for she couldn't let him stand in the way of her happiness.
``That was a good scare, Madam; you nearly fooled me, with this talk of turning back and trying to bribe me so I could pretend that nothing ever happened. The destination is close at hand; we must make haste, for each moments passed here, in the open fields, is in invitation for an attack from the rebels or an army of peasants. Although we are armed, we cannot face an open rebellion from a determined and hungry force'' said Guy, as he gestured to the guards, giving them the signal for the beginning of the march.
She could always try to resist him, stay on the same position and wait for him to react; perhaps she would be able to buy enough time to attract attention to this strange wandering band, although this could be a bad idea. Why would she want to attract rogues and bandits to this location? Sure, the guards would dispatch them, but if the sound was loud enough, it could attract a part of the rebellion, an element she wanted to avoid.
She was part of nobility, after all; this wasn't the time to attract attention on herself, even if she was protected by some guards. How would they be able to survive that wrath of the hungry masses, tearing down through their ranks as they were mere piece of paper. No one could withstand the fury of those that were fighting for a cause they believed in; they had purpose and a goal that were bigger than them, giving them a reason to give up their lives for their greater good.
But for now, she knew she would have to travel with this group, for there was nothing she could do; if she was lucky, she could always hear his voice or a few whispers, but she knew that the winds were capricious and she had little to no chance in getting what she desired...
``Do not fret, my lady; I know the road can seem long, but we are approaching a city, which will give you time to rest, before we depart for our destination. It would be a shame to see you be exhausted and without a time to deal with the trauma; the lord wouldn't want to meet a weeping bride, after all'' said Guy as he pointed toward the horizon, as she was able to see the top of a church, although it wasn't as impressive as in Dijon. It looked like a small village, one that was mostly built by peasants; it could be a gamble to pass by here, but since the royal army seemed to be everywhere these days, there was nothing to be afraid of...
``What is this city? I never seen before'' she told Guy, as she kept on looking at the horizon, wondering if something or someone would pop out, to break the monotony, but she wasn't gifted with a different vision. Maybe she was asking a bit too much...
The calico cat looked at her for a moment, unsure how to respond; she was truly a sheltered citizen, one that never saw the world. It was a bit sad to see her being amazed by such mundane things, but perhaps she had a vision that needed to be admired instead. One that could be amazed by the simple beauty of the world, without being jaded by it deserved to be listened to, for they held a key to a brighter life, or to a lunatic asylum. She could be a visionary or a dangerous person, one that could destroy the foundations of society; maybe he was giving her too much power, but he had nothing else to do, for now, until he would be back in his main unit, repressing the rebels.
He had to admit that this wasn't an assignment he was enjoying that much; the one that he loved was back in the Vatican, playing guard duty for the Pope. Back then, he was an important person, one that commanded respect and obligations from others, and event fear sometime. But these days, he was considered a bit lofty, too high for his bridges, but still reliable in his provided services.
``This city, or should I should the small village we are going to is called Crimolois; although it is not directly on our road, it would be unwise to continue without resting a bit. I will send a messenger to the lord; perhaps it would be possible for him to travel a bit, so we could met him in a city in between'' said Guy, as they advanced toward the town in question.
A small village? As much she wanted to see the world, she couldn't control the disdain that rose in her mind for a moment; to be with unwashed peasants, to be obligated to share the space as them. It would be a shame that she would be forced to walk among this kind of people, to lower herself with such acts...
But she realized that if she acted this way toward Richard, she would have lost a wonderful new life; she couldn't reject people because they seemed dirty or devoid of interest. She, who wanted to have a better world, was still trapped with these ideas of nobility; perhaps she needed to travel more, to open her eyes to the world, to lose this vision that still lurked in the back of her mind.
Maybe she would be able to learn things she never heard about before; there was so much she could observe and discover. Who knows what sort of wonders this little village could hold, although she had to be realistic; it was a small settlement, so the chances of meeting someone of interest were low, but not impossible.
She had to keep her hopes up; maybe she would be able to find some help in there, someone that could listen to her woes and provide some support, while she would escape this dreaded company that was surrounding her. Although she knew they were there to protect her, they were also a pain, suffocating her.
She needed space, to express herself and explore the world; with the constant sound of leather beating the earth. What could she expect from mercenaries? If these were soldiers, the ones that were wearing the proud white and blue uniform, the pace would be one, without missing a single beat.
Although it would be even more oppressive then this lax watch, there would be something attractive about real soldiers following her, as she could command a real force, not a band of rag tag mercenaries only interested in their next payment. But maybe they possessed honor, for they didn't rob them, yet. She had faith in them, but she knew that it was possible that they could betray them, given that their lord wouldn't give them what they asked for. The situation could also change if someone offered them an amount of money that was more generous than what they were supposed to receive in the first place. At least, Guy was there to stop them, to maintain some sort of order, for now, but he was alone, not enough to stand out against them if they decided to rebel against his authority. If only she tried to bribe them and not him; the result could have been quite different, but she was a fool and she needed to learn from her mistakes...
``You seems quite pensive, madam; is there something I could do that could help?'' said one of the mercenaries, as they waited for an order to assemble and go forward. Guy was a patient, yet indecisive fellow, plagued by the multiple choices that he could follow; while he pondered the situation, the others were free, until he would make up his mind.
``Oh, there is nothing; at ease, soldier. But you know, I thank you for your consideration; it is not common to meet people that are gentle and caring, these days. But what are you doing here? Should you be in your home country, defending those that your care about, instead of being here, being on a quest that is going nowhere?'' she asked him, wondering if she wasn't going too far with her questions. This wasn't the time to raise their suspicion, or to make Guy hover around her; his presence could be suffocating at times, an element she wanted to avoid at all cost if she could.
The mercenary looked at her for a moment, wondering if he should answer her question; although she was noblewoman and thus he needed to pay respect to her rank, there were things in life that were better kept alone, away from general inquiries, so they would fade with the passage of time. Some secrets were better left alone, but what harm could it do to tell a little more about himself to someone that would spend the rest of its life trapped in a mansion, cut away from civilization, as if she wanted to copy Marie Antoinette? But such copies would lack the depth and character that a life of intrigues, plotting and navigating in the royal sphere could bring to a person.
``To make a long story short, milady, I travel the land, seeking fame and glory, but mostly wealth. These times are troubled and there is a need for those that can serve with arm, even if it means to dirty my hands a bit. I know some people could believe that I am nothing more than a monster, selling my conscience for a mere pittance, but I ask you; who is the true monster? Is it me, who needs to survive, or those that hire, that are scheming and plotting, pretending to care for the people while waiting for the good moment to abandon them?'' he told her, as he returned to his unit, for Guy was about to tell them the direction to take; he couldn't show insubordination...
Although he was a simple soldier, the words he spoke were true; she had to take in consideration that the world wasn't black and white. Sure, there were bad and good people around, but without knowing what was happening, how could she be sure of who the real hero was?
But as she thought about, wasn't it the same lesson Richard wanted to teach her in the first place, that people could be more than mere appearances? However, she knew that this time, there was a bit more to it, but she wasn't sure what it was; this was a fresh, new world and there was so much to see, to discover and to learn. One couldn't expect to understand everything without a few moments to adapt to this new reality, although she was trying her best to do so with the little resources she had at her disposal...
``Sorry for the inconvenience; there were some details that needed to be planned before we advance. The land, as beautiful as it is, can be treacherous; no one can know who is waiting in ambush, to plunder the riches we are carrying... and to drag you away again'' said Guy, as he looked at her for a moment, before turning his attention to the horizon, trying to determine if the road was clear or not.
At least it was a paved road, not a simple beaten earth path; it would make the travel easier, but it made her wonder who could have built that road. Could it have been the villagers that assembled it, or was it constructed by some external workers, hired by the Crown to make sure that the cities would be connected?
Although she wanted to talk, she restrained herself, for there was no purpose on giving more power to Guy; it was better to let him ponder what he was supposed to do than interact with him. With the time she would have, she could hatch a plan, one that would permit her to be free of the bonds that were shackling her to this group. But for it to succeed in a possible future, she would to be away from them, a possibility that seemed improbable, for her protection was a top priority these days...
If only Richard could come back; if only he could save her from this dreaded place, but she knew that it would spell his doom, for he wouldn't stand a chance against them. If only they would lower their guards, just for a moment... it would be enough for her to act on her own for a little while before she would be caught again.
The silence, as welcomed as it was, was also oppressive; she could hear the leather rub against the ground, a monotonous sound that would drive her insane it would last for days, but she knew that they were getting closer to the village, so it would stop soon. But would she get the peace she was promised, or would it be a golden cage?
She feared that the liberty she sought was nothing more than illusion, created to trap her in an illusion that she would crave more than the real object. It would be a beautiful trap, one that would ensnare her in such a way that she would be unable to determine if she wanted to escape or not.
But this could be just a simple fear of hers, one that was born out of mistrust of this group; she needed to reach the village before she jumped to conclusions, so she would be able to see if this vision of hers would be true or not. There was no point in trying to indulge in fears and panic if it could be disproved by simple evidence that she could gather herself on the field.
However, the village seemed so far; could they be able to reach it before the night fell on them, or would they be forced to camp in the wilderness, exposed to the elements and the threats that came from bandits? If it would mean pushing her body, she would prefer to reach it, for the relative safety of it was more than enough for her.
``Although I know the village is far, we must push forward; I know the distance is still great between us and the little village, but we have to advance. The night will soon be upon us and it would be unwise to be lingering on the fields, trudging in the darkness. There is no point in fighting when we can avoid confrontation'' said Guy, as he made a hand gesture toward the group before resuming the march, not caring about the surroundings.
Perhaps he heard her thoughts, or it was the will of a divine entity that they were now following what she was harboring in her mind? Either way, it was a phenomenon she had to embrace, for it would allow her to reach her own personal goal. But she had the impression that she would regret this choice, for this would be a race, one that she wasn't used to.
But she couldn't let that little element distract her; her mind had to be focused on the task ahead, on the road that she had to cover, but there was so much that wandered in her mind; what if she made the wrong gambit, what if this would spell her doom? There could be a chance that the liberation at the end waiting for her would be true, that it would be more than an illusion...
They walked for what seemed like days for her; she knew it was a false impression, but it was the first time that she walked for so long without taking a break or without having the chance to talk to someone.
Her feet were painful and she was tired, but she could see the church closing up; the pain was worth it, for it could be forgotten for a moment, until she would be able to reach her goal. Although it was a physical state that was unknown and unpleasant, she had to move past it, until it would be wise for her to care about the state of her health.
It was a surprise for her that they succeeded to reach the destination before the night would set its veils on the world; although it would be a romantic view, to be one with the road, she didn't want to experience it. In life, there were things that weren't worth the risks associated to it; of course, if she knew how to defend herself, then it wouldn't be a problem anymore. In fact, this entire situation would be different...
As she looked around, she wondered where they would be staying; it lacked the glamor and the beauty of Dijon, but it could a trick to deceive her. She had to investigate it, to make sure that there was nothing of value in it, which she doubted; there was always something to discover, even if it meant that she would need to talk to a few people.
``Here we are; this is the village of Crimolois. Although it is small, it will be sufficient for us, for the time being. I know you are not used to a... simpler lifestyle, but you will see that the people in here are good people. Just don't try to mingle too much with them; it would be... cruel to give them a taste of higher society'' said Guy, as he pointed at the center of the village for a moment, before looking around, searching for an area that could fill the needs he had in mind.
Following him, she decided to avoid the subject, for there was no point in having him lecturing her about a subject she had no interest about in the first place. She wanted to experience the world without having someone interfering; he was a stubborn fool, but maybe it was due to the fact that he had too much to lose in the process.
She was surprised when they stopped in front of what seemed to be a small house; she was expecting a larger building or some sort of mansion, but she couldn't be fancy, not in these times. Looking around, she realized it was a bit bigger then she anticipated, but it was still of a modest size, as if the size of the village was an obstacle to its growth.
``You see this building? It is where will we staying, until your husband will be here to accompany to your... new life. Although I can understand you are not enthusiastic about giving your life to someone your never met, remember that we all have a role to play in this play, even if we don't want to assume it'' said Guy, as he stopped in front of the building, giving her time to look around.
``My lady, this building is a humble monastery; I know that it is not impressive, but have no fears. The monks inhabiting it will provide food and shelter until we will leave. Do not expect the food and shelter to be of the highest quality; the monks will be sharing what they are able to share. You are free to do what you desire; we will guard the entrances of the village, so you can explore it in peace'' he added, before leaving her in front of the building, plunged in her thoughts. Before she had time to think, he stopped in his tracks and turned in her direction, as if he forgot an important message.
``A last word I need to add before I depart; I know this might seem a bit excessive, but please, for your own safety, do not try to leave the village when night falls, just like this situation. This land can seem peaceful and quiet, but it would be very easy for you to disappear, captured by unknown forces and never to be seen again. Here, you are safe; please, do not put yourself in jeopardy'' he told, as he turned around, bowing before her.
She was curious about what these religious people could offer to her, although there was a lot that she could explore in the village. However, she was sure that this area was as dull as it was presented to be, even though she had the premonition that it could follow the prophecy she had in mind. But the night was upon her; it would be unwise to walk and risk unnecessary danger, when she could wait for the morning to do what she had in mind.
However, she was sure that there would be wonders that would escape her grasp if she retreated for the night; what sort of untold mysteries were waiting for the veil of darkness to unfold, to amaze those that would be brave enough to participate in them? But it was also a gambit, for where there could be beauty, there could also be darkness. She didn't need to fear the same thing Guy did, although he could speak the truth this time...
There was no need to risk anything, for now; even if she wanted to escape them, what would she be able to do, isolated in the shadows, without anything to defend herself or a map? She would be alone, wandering on the roads, until someone would find her or until fatigue struck her; either way, there was nothing to gain...
Shaking her head for a moment, she decided to knock on the door in front of her; after all, there was nothing else she could do for the moment than to get inside the building in question, so she could pass the night in peace.
She waited for a moment, unsure if her knocking was heard or not; perhaps the ecclesiasts were already sleeping, making her task a rather difficult one. She could try to break a window and climb in; it would make a change in her life, to cause some havoc in the city, to be a perpetrator of entropy.
However, as she was about to turn around and investigate the area, in search of a potential idea she could follow, the door opened, as if someone was observing from afar, making sure that she wouldn't indulge in any criminal behavior.
A hooded figure was staring at her, as if she was supposed to talk to it; although she knew that it was the common act to do, she still expected that person to greet her, for she was the one that made the effort of knocking on the door, after all.
``What are you seeking at this time of the night, my child?'' said the figure, as it approached a lantern near her face for a moment, before moving it away. The light, although it was supposed to pierce the darkness, was not strong enough to blind her; perhaps there was a need for a new one, but for the moment, she didn't care much about it.
The voice seemed familiar, as if she would know the person; it didn't make sense that she would knew a religious person that spent its entire life in a monastery, isolated from the rest of the world. But the voice... it was as if it was him...
But that was impossible; he was away, fleeing from the armed forces, separated forever from her. She had to realize that it was her mind playing tricks on her, for her own desire was toying with her, making her see and hear elements that were not here in the first place. She had to snap out of it, before it would overwhelm her and construct a new reality, one that would isolate her...
``You must be seeking shelter; come in, there is no point for you in standing outside, waiting for a manifestation of God'' said the hooded figure, as it invited her to step inside. Determined on knowing more on what was going on, she decided to follow the person, so she would able to figure it who it was, or at least, have some sort of clue about its identity.
Without a word, she followed the monk inside the building, wondering where she was going to be led. Although she trusted the person, she wasn't sure that she would be receiving the proper treatments; she wasn't sure they would be able to provide all she needed and desired, but there was nothing she could do in this situation.
The corridor she followed the monk in was modest in size, as if it wanted to contrast the door; perhaps it was a desire to maximize the space inside the building, although there was the possibility that there was another possibility that could explain it. However, this wasn't the time to deal on architectural debates; she had to follow the monk, even if it could spell trouble...
They walked for a little moment in the corridor; it was dull, for the walls were gray and austere, a look that could well fit a monastery without any pretention or desires. It could be a place of intrigue and mystery, but she had the impression that if it would ever happen, someone would try to negate that sort of atmosphere from developing. Fortunately, she wouldn't have to test it, for she would be gone before she had the chance to raise a ruckus; it was a shame that she didn't have the chance to do it, though...
``Your room is right here; don't worry about the door, it is a bit hard to open'' said the monk, as he grabbed the handle, struggling with it for a moment before succeeding in opening it, a low, cracking sound following the moving wood. The door was visibly old and yet, it was still resistant; perhaps the passage of time didn't affect it as much as one could believe.
She looked inside the room; it was small and discrete, a room fitted for a monk or a scholar in quest of solitude. The fact that there was a comfortable looking bed made her wonder if this was really made for the monks or for visitors; after all, the ancient vows of poverty were still in order, until they would be revoked by the higher authorities of the Church.
``I hope you will enjoy it'' said the monk, as he looked at her explore the room, looking around for hidden features and utilities. It was always a possibility that these old buildings could hide a secret or two, although the search could also reveal itself to be futile.
Seeing that she was satisfied with the room, the monk was about to leave when he felt a resistance; she was holding a part of his sleeve, for a question was still haunting her. She needed to know who he was, to clear the ideas in her mind before she would fall asleep; there was no point in waiting when she could know the answer now.
``Before you leave, could I know... who are you? I have the impression that I have met you before and yet, I must be wrong, for I don't pass time with those that dwell within the realm of the divine'' she asked the monk, wondering what sort of answer she would receive. Would it be honest, veiled with mystique or something else?
The monk looked at her for a moment, as if the question she asked was a bit too much to answer, for now; perhaps she wasn't ready for the knowledge it could convey, or maybe he wanted to let her guess the answer by herself. Either way, he stayed silent for the moment; this simple action in itself was benign, but it was enough for her to grab his arm instead of his robe, so he would be obligated to stay in the room until he would answer.
``Persistent, aren't we? I have to admire that trait, for it wouldn't be the first time that you would be getting the information you desire by pushing forward. You know, I should applaud it, but I don't want to attract too much attention around here'' said the monk, as he removed her hand from his arm.
The voice was so familiar to her; at first, she believed it was her mind playing tricks on her, making her believe that it was someone she knew, but now, the reality was different. The fact that he spoke about a personality trait she possessed, in a way that indicated that he experienced before made her realize that her mind wasn't creating illusions for her to dwell in them.
``Richard, is that you? How were you able to reach this small town before I did? It seems so improbable that you are here...'' she told the monk, wondering if this wasn't a mistake; there could be a small chance that he wasn't the one she thought he was.
The monk stood still for a moment, as if the words he heard were a shock; perhaps she made a mistake, thus compromising her entire plan, for what could stop the monk from babbling to his superiors what he heard a moment ago. It was a possibility that she wanted to avoid, to quell the rumors and speculation that could attach to her character; she didn't want the escort to learn about her little incursion...
As she was about to regret her words, she observed the monk remove his robe, revealing who was hiding under it. Her intuition was true; it was indeed Richard, which was now staring at her with a satisfied smile, as if her persistence was an element he appreciated.
``It seems that you were right, Milady; I know that you would have preferred to see me before, but I had to hide, for I couldn't let myself be captured by these wandering guards. I cannot fall into their hands once more'' he told her, as he tossed the robe away, making sure that it didn't send anything to the group; it wasn't the time to create a loud noise that would attract the attention of the rest of the monastery.
``I know, you must wonder how I got here before you did; it could be surprising for an observer to follow my adventure, but with a little explanation, it makes a lot of sense. You see, it is not the first time that I explore these regions; as one that lives of many talents and abilities, I always need to escape rapidly. With time, I learned to recognize the shortcuts that lead to several cities in the area, but even that would be child play if that would be the only thing I did. With time, I was able to create a few caches, with enough resources to last for a while. I was fortunate enough to also let a horse graze in one of them. With enough food and a small barricade around it, it had no desire to run away, thus giving me a way to cross the plain easily'' he told her, letting the information sink in for a moment. After all, there was a lot he told her; it would be foolish to expect someone to quell their questions and interrogations when presented with an interesting scenario. Perhaps he should have skipped the details and have assumed the veil of mystery, but sometime forthrightness can be rewarding; only time would tell if he assumed the right decision or not.
She stayed silent for a moment, as if the information she heard was a bit too much to process; she had a little difficulty believing what he told her, but it did make sense. After all, he was used to the life on the road, making this scenario quite credible, although there was a chance it was all a tacky dream, one that was made up by someone in the shadows, a person that would be never be seen...
For the moment, what she heard was enough for her; perhaps in the future she would have more questions for him, but for now, there were other things she had in mind. All she had to do was to make sure that he would stay in the room, a task that wasn't difficult.
``It was a pleasure seeing you again, Milady, but I have to depart again, for my presence here could raise suspicions. Not that I wouldn't love to be here, though, but I have the feeling that I have to keep moving. You know, it would be quite painful if we were caught here; it would be better for us to wait for a better time. Perhaps in a close future we could enjoy some time alone'' he told her, as he was about to put the hood back on his head.
However, before he was able to do it, she grabbed his hand, stopping his action before he was to perform it. Although she could understand the logic behind it, she had the impression that it was due to over exaggeration. The need for safety was a necessity, but to sacrifice all in order for it was a bit too much for her, which was ironic.
Him, the bold thief, who braved the dangers, was now afraid of being caught by mere monks; she wanted to laugh at the reversal, but she knew that he was being cautious. However, his zeal was getting on her nerves, which was impressive; she never though that she could be the one putting him back to his place, but it had to be done. She couldn't let him go back to the darkness with the impression that he could slip away with nice words, not with all she went through...
``You're not getting anywhere tonight; I know that you want to ensure discretion, but I'm sure that the monks aren't the investigating kind. I am sure that by this hour, they are already asleep, getting the sleep they need for the next day'' she told him, as she pushed him on the bed, not sure if it was too rough on her part.
He looked at her for a moment, unsure of why she had done such a thing, surprised by the sudden outburst; he always though that she was a quiet and reserved individual and yet, there she was, overpowering him. She was filled with surprises, an element that was always pleasant to know and learn, although he wondered how it was going to go next.
``Aren't you full of surprises; I would have never expected you to be... so straightforward. I have to say that I admire it; perhaps the travels served you well'' he told her, as she joined him in the bed, pinning him, making sure that she would still have enough room for movements.
As he was about to talk, she placed a finger on his muzzle, stopping him in his process; although he was quite pleasant to listen to, this wasn't the time to hear him, not when she had other things in mind. It felt strange for a moment to be the one in charge, but it wasn't unpleasant at all; perhaps it was a sensation she needed to explore more...
Grinning, she moved to the side, as she pulled his robe away; he wouldn't need the bland, boring looking uniform for the time being. It took a moment before she was able to remove it completely; being a one piece outfit, she had to make sure he would be cooperating with her.
She was surprised that he didn't oppose any resistance to her actions; perhaps his initial fears were greatly exaggerated and he was aware of it, or he was enjoying the role reversal. Either way, it mattered little, in the end, for she was going to get what she desired and he wasn't going stop her, although she had the impression he desired it too.
Under the robe, the undergarment awaited her; although it wasn't the first time she was seeing it, it was the first time she could explore it with more time and precision. The fact that it was stretched was even more of an invitation to her; how could she resist it?
``Seems like someone is quite pleased to be here, in this situation'' she said, as she pinched the tip of the covered member, making it twitch for a moment. To feel his member, even if it was covered with the clothing, made her shiver in delight for a moment; the memories of what happened when they were together for the first time were still fresh in her mind, of how it felt when he touched her.
However, this time, she wanted to return the pleasure, the same the felt; she knew that she lacked the skills that he displayed, but her passion would make up for it. The night was young and the ideas were flowing in her mind; she couldn't let the opportunity slip away...
Grabbing the garment, she moved it away, letting his shaft poke through the air; it was a sight she welcomed, one that would be a pleasant memory for a long time. It was up to her to make sure that he would feel the same...
Tossing it aside, she moved back on top of him, the place where she belonged, for the time being; sure, it wasn't the same position as last time, but it felt to so good to be in charge, to be one leading the dance.
Passing her hand on the member, she felt the warmth of the flesh, calling for her; there he was, ready to be explored and played with. Pinching the tip once more, she could feel it pulsate under her digits, as his breath accelerated for a moment; she wondered how he would react when she pushed the exploration further, but for the moment, she wanted to take it slow, to keep all her possibilities open for the moment.
There was so much she wanted to do, but she knew that there was a limit he could stand; although he had more experience than her in the realm of the pleasures of the flesh, it didn't mean that he could endure hours of passion without getting tired. However, it wouldn't stop her from doing all she could to extend it...
Bending down, she passed a finger on the length, feeling it shiver under her touch; her touch was delicate and caring, making the otter squirm as she explored the length that drawed her attention.
The flesh was warm and hard under her digit, a wonder for the senses; she could feel it pulsating, as if each of her passages were more of then a simple touch. She wanted to stroke him, to make him moan, but she resisted the urge; it wasn't the time yet to give in to the urge that inhabited her, not yet.
Lowering her head, she grinned as she grabbed his member and squeezed it for a moment, making him gasp in the process, before releasing it. A marvelous sound, one that she didn't expect him to produce; perhaps there was a lot more she needed to learn and explore, on her journey to self-discovery.
Closing her eyes, she licked the shaft, savoring the flavor; it was a flavor she never tasted before, but she knew that it was already one she could crave for the future. Although she could continue this exploration, licking it further and further until he would succumb to her passion, she had no desire to give him that satisfaction, not for now.
However, if he was to return the favor at the same as she would please him, then she wouldn't oppose it, but this wasn't the plan she had in mind, for now. But it wasn't a possibility she was discarding; she had to keep her mind open for all that could be done in this domain, although she wasn't sure she would be comfortable with everything that could exist...
Kissing the tip, she stopped for a moment, before moving her head away, as she positioned near it, rubbing the length against her bottom. To feel the warm, hardened flesh against her, ready to impale her was enough to motivate her to push herself forward.
But before she would do so, she wanted to feel him squirm, beg for it, to hear him plead for release; the urge in her surprised her, but it seemed natural. After all, how could she resist the pleasure it brought to her? Only a fool would refuse it...
Although he did not a say a word, she could hear him whimper; words were useless when his body was begging for more attention from her. Grinning, she grabbed his member as she moved again, placing herself on top of it, rubbing the head against her flesh.
``Let's make this night special'' she whispered to him, as she lowered herself down, feeling his member enter her. Before he was able to say a word, she embraced him, as they gave in to the lust that was building in them...
``My Lord, a messenger just arrived; it seems that the mercenary you hired to save your future bride succeeded in his job. She is now located in Crimolois, a small farming village not so far away from Dijon'' said a voice as Lord Dubois was sitting behind his desk in his study, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do next.
These filthy peasants, rising against the natural order; they could become a threat if the ideas they were carrying were to spread out of this country. What sort of nonsense were they talking about anyway? Freedom? Equality? Brotherhood? Rambling of a mad man that served a rallying cry for disfranchised, illiterate people that were unable to understand the noble order of the universe they lived in.
It had to be contained, before it would reach the rest of Europe; if the peasants and the lower classes in Prussia would hear this propaganda, it wouldn't take long before they would revolt and join this little circus. However, it was possible that they would reject these silly notions; after all, the Prussian spirit was far more noble then the lazy French one, loyal to their nation and countrymen, unlike the English. As long as they would abide by the virtues of Prussia, nothing would happen...
``Excellent news! Prepare the carriage and the escort; we will head out for this city... Crimolois, isn't it? How long will it take to reach it?'' he asked the voice, as he opened a drawer and grabbed a map. Detailing the surroundings, it was a valuable tool for anyone that wanted to travel. However, these days, the presence of bandits and roving bands of murderers made planning a bit more difficult.
``My liege, we would be there at the end of the day, tomorrow if we leave now; but if we do such a thing, then we would expose ourselves to the rogues and bandits on the road, for the night is their domain, after all'' said the voice, as it approached the room. It Lord Dubois' butler, perusing the letter he received from the messenger; the bored servant was prepared for any sort of fits his employer could throw at him, although this time he was in a good mood. He had to take advantage of that; it wasn't every day that he could enjoy a few moment of peace, before the inevitable explosion of anger. But, one day, he would be free of all this, one day, he would the master of his own destiny; until them, he would have to bide his time...
``Splendid! Get everything ready; we will depart now, for we must reach this destination before it is too late'' said Dubois, as he left the room in a hurry, leaving the plan on the study, while his butler was waiting in the room, wondering if something else was going to happen.
``As you command, my Lord... but you should enjoy it while it last; I heard some nobles would love to see your head roll'' said the butler, as he picked the map from the study table and left the room, wondering if his plan would ever come to fruition; there was so much at stake that he couldn't let himself be caught in traps or emotions...
It was morning in Crimolois; although some wanted to enjoy a little more sleep, the morning rituals and activities of the village were more than enough to awaken those that were afraid of the sun.
Waking up from their night of passion, she looked around, wondering where her clothes were located now; at least he was still there, snoring. She was a bit afraid that he would have left her alone in the morning, although she could have understood why he would have done such a thing.
After all, he was impersonating a monk, so waking up before the sun was high in the sky would have been in his advantage. Being still asleep could compromise his disguise, but he could always make a few lies to covert himself; all he would need was a fertile imagination and a few credulous monks to believe him in the first place.
``Hey, wake up; the sun is high in the sky, you know'' she told, as she shook him for a moment, while she still looked around, wondering where she could have tossed her clothes. Perhaps they were under the bed; bending down, she poked her head in the darkness, to see if they were trapped in there.
It was at this moment that she felt a sharp clap on her rear, making her rise her head in haste, to see what happened. She could observe Richard sitting on the bed, a sly grin on his face as he moved his arm from her. Perhaps he wanted an encore, but this wasn't the time to indulge in it, not yet...
``Ah, good morning, my lady; I hope that you had a pleasant night'' he told her, as he grabbed his undergarment lying at the bottom of the bed. They still looked good, although he knew that it wouldn't be long until he would have to replace them. Perhaps he could indulge in some fantasy and get some fancy clothing, although with the current situation, he knew it would be difficult to get some...
She watched him put the monk robe back on, while she pondered over the utility of the some act for herself; the day would the same and she would face the dreadful excuse of a husband soon, unless she could escape from here. But the guards and the ever so clueless Guy were on duty, making any sorts of attempts perilous at best; she had to do something about it, but what?
``I have the impression that you are not here of your own volition; although I cannot know how painful it can be, rest assured that I will do my best to save you from this situation'' he told her, as he grabbed back the robe and put it back on, realizing that he had to pretend to be a monk for a while once more.
She looked at him, wondering what he could do; it's not like there was a secret passage in each city. This time, there was nothing they could do, nothing that came to mind; perhaps they could throw a diversion and hope the guard would be not clever enough to figure out the trick.
``Do you have a plan to escape this village?'' she asked him, wondering if he would be able to answer the question without trying to go into schematics. Not that she was hoping one; after all, she wasn't able to find one herself...
``Unfortunately, I have none for the moment, but do not despair, Milady, for I am sure that I will be able to come up with one before the end of the day. Also, although I am supposed to play the religious, I will by your side today'' he told her, as he put his hood back on and waited for her by the door, wondering if there was something he missed.
Finishing getting dressed, she got up and decided to leave the room, bent on exploring what the city had to offer her; with the escort she had, nothing could happen to her, although she wondered if she would be forced to move again, for Guy wouldn't let her run away on her own...
The day passed slowly, as they wandered around, avoiding the outskirts, for the guards were still on duty, making sure that she wouldn't be kidnapped a second time. Although they were armed, the population seemed to care little about them, for they posed little danger; after all, they were stopping revolting peasants from coming near, an element they appreciated.
However, there was a rumor running around, one that spoke about an important noble coming to this humble village at the end of the day. It was a curious one and it made the duo curious, for this wasn't an important nor a strategic place; why would a noble waste its time in such a place?
Although they were a duo, Midnight was the one that was worried more about the rumor in question, for she had the impression that it was a bearer of bad news. But she couldn't panic with a simple rumor; she needed to hear more about it, to see if it was a mere rumor or a fact that she needed to take in consideration.
Passing near the guards patrolling the southeast exit, she could hear a conversation, one that grabbed her curiosity, although she could feel Richard didn't want to stay near them. She could understand his hesitation, but she couldn't stay in the dark, not when her future could be in trouble.
``Have you heard about the important noble who is supposed to arrive here?'' said the first guard, as he kicked the dirt from his boot before placing his weapon at his side, not worried about any potential attack.
``You mean the Dubois fellow? I heard he is supposed to marry the woman we accompanied not so long ago. I suppose she will be quite the lucky woman, to be married to a rich person like him; she only has to wait a few hours and he will be there'' said the other, as he took a sip from a gourd, before resuming his march.
Not saying a word, she looked at Richard, unable to process the information that she heard; all the plans, the ideas and the dreams she had in mind were about to be crushed if nothing was done.
``Isn't that Dubois fellow the one that claimed your hand?'' asked Richard, as the guards continued walking around, uncaring about the fact that a monk was standing near the entrance of the village, beside the one they needed to protect.
``He is the one that indeed claimed it and if he arrives at this village before I escape, then I will be obligated to marry him, an act I will never agree to'' she told him, as they walked from the patrol, trying to find a solution to the new dilemma that presented itself to them.
``You know, I could always try to distract their attention long enough for you to escape; it would be a perilous mission, but to know that you would avoid such a fate, I would be glad to take it'' he told her, trying not to be too loud, for the mercenaries were still wandering near them.
She shook her head in disapproval; although she was moved by his gesture, she couldn't allow him to place his life in danger for her. There had to be a better way to get out of this situation; why wasn't she able to think of one in this critical moment?
As he was about to say something, they heard someone running toward them; who could be in such a hurry, in a place like this? There was no fire or cataclysm striking this land, thus making this race quite suspicious, although there could always be someone a bit more determined on finishing its task for the day ahead of the others ... ``There you are, Milady! I was searching you all over this miserable haven; I have received new orders today. For the rest of the day, I will have to make sure that you are prepared for the coming of Lord Dubois; I know that you are reticent about the ordeal, but orders are orders. I am here to obey, not think about what is right and wrong. There are people with this sort of duty, after all'' Guy told her, as he was followed by several of the mercenaries, giving her no choice but to follow him.
``Your presence will be required, monk; all the congregation will be present for the ceremony, while your leader will perform it'' added Guy, before he started marching, turning his head once to make sure they were following him.
With little choice, they followed him back to the monastery, wondering how this situation was going to finish; it was like a bad dream coming true, although there was always a way to wake up from nightmare...
She passed the rest of the day trying on different dresses, trying to choose the most comfortable of the proposed assortment, so she would be able to move easier if she ever needed to escape with haste.
But now, she was separated from Richard, as he was trapped with the rest of the monks, pretending to know verses in preparation to what was bound to happen. Although she wasn't fond of the context, she had to admit that the songs were beautiful; in another circumstance, she could have fully enjoyed it...
``Milady, please hurry, for Lord Dubois has arrived and is requesting your presence; it would be wise not to make him wait to much'' said Guy from behind the door, as he was standing guard, awaiting new orders.
Not responding to Guy, she ignored him for a moment, before opening the door and sighing; Fate was a relentless pursuer, one that wouldn't stop until she would be trapped in a destiny without any chance of escaping. But perhaps luck would be on her side...
Following Guy, she crossed a few corridors before reaching the inner chapel; it was as modest as the rest of the monastery, but it seems worthy enough for the ceremony that was about to happen. It was surprising to see that no one of the village was sitting around, as if this was a private ceremony. Although, there were the monks assisting the ceremony, so they wouldn't be alone...
Passing near the opened door, she could see that the carriage was still there, waiting for its master to come back; perhaps she could use it later, but if nothing would happen, she would ride it back to her golden cage...
Then she saw him, near the altar; the black and red wolf was indeed an impressive sight, but she couldn't let it faze her, for he wasn't a gentleman. He seemed displeased, as if it was taking too long for his own liking, or maybe it was something else that was agitating him...
Not having the desire to raise his suspicion, for the moment, she decided to rejoin him, taking place in front of the altar, wondering where was the priest that was supposed to perform the ceremony. Was he too terrified to do it?
``You are finally here; you had me worried for a moment. But the horror is now over, for you are in security with me and soon, we will be together forever, under the watchful eye of God'' he told her, as he grabbed her hand, nearly crushing it.
``You can come out of your hiding; there is no point for you to try to escape your responsibility'' he said to the altar, as a figure emerged from behind it. It looked terrified, as if he was forced into this role; she pitied him, for he was a poor soul that had nothing to do with this story, caring more about finding an answer that did not exist than his own safety.
Looking around for a moment, the still shaking priest grabbed a bible from under the altar and cleared his throat, determined on finishing the ceremony before the noble would lose his temper; his congregation couldn't suffer because he was unable to deliver such a simple act...
``Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join...'' as he tried to say, but when he crossed the menacing glare of the noble, he knew that he had to cut short to his speech.
``Lord Dubois, will you take Lady Florente to be your lawful wedded wife, for the better and the worse, until death separates you?'' said the priest, as he looked at his bible for a moment, not willing to cross his gaze again.
``I do'' he replied, looking at her for a moment, before returning his gaze to the altar, making the priest shiver for a moment. It was a pity that the religious was that afraid of him, for the service was quite good...
``Lady Florente, will you take Lord Dubois to be your lawful wedded husband, for the better and the worse, until death separates you?'' asked the priest once more, as he stared at her, not terrified by her.
Resisting the urge to reply what was passing in her mind, she paused for a moment, not to make the situation worse for her. There were other ways for her to change her future than an open confrontation in front a priest...
``I do'' she replied, angry at herself, wondering if she would be able to live with herself. But for the moment, she had to be careful with what she was doing, for other people were also in the area and they could suffer from her action.
``Before they exchange the vows, if anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold you peace'' said the priest, as he looked around, wondering if someone would dare speak up against the couple.
Breaking the expectation of the priest, a monk rose up from the crowd, pointing a finger at the couple, as if he was about to shout something important about them. It was surprising that such a thing would be possible...
``The bride is not a virgin anymore! She slept with another man, right in this monastery!'' said the monk, as he continued pointing at the couple. If they were a low status couple, this wouldn't have impacted them, but to hear that she wasn't a virgin anymore was a setback for him, for the deal he had with the family was now off.
Looking at the monk, the lord passed his thumb across his throat, sending him a clear message, which didn't seem to impress the clergy member, which continued pointing, intend on sending his message.
``Silence you lowly clerk, before I have you executed; I will not tolerate that rumors will be spread about my future wife'' he said to the assembly, wondering if this was enough to dissuade them from talking back.
Chuckling, the monk advanced toward them, as if he wasn't afraid of the threat that he heard a moment ago; perhaps it wasn't enough to make him stop, or maybe he knew more then he wanted to show...
``You can believe what you desire, but I know and the Lord knows that your wife has sinned with another man. Go, blind yourself to the reality, but the screams of their union last night have reached the heavens and I am sure everybody here knows about it'' he told him, as the congregation stood silent, for they wanted to keep quiet on that matter.
Is this true? Did you really hear such a thing?'' he asked the assembly, before turning his attention to his future wife and asked herDid you really commit such a grievous act with another man?''
Facing the silence that accompanied the questions he asked, he realized that what he heard was indeed the truth; how could that have happened, when he placed his trust in all of them, when he tried to make it a better world?
Dubois looked at her for a moment, his left twitching as his anger was rising; he wanted to strangle the monk, the bearer of the bad news, and yet he knew that it was better for him to know about that sort of thing before going forward.
``How dare you... how dare you give in to such lowly carnal desires? I could have given you the world, made all your dreams come true, but you had to give in to your carnal desires...Get out of my sight, you whore, before I call the guards on you'' he told her, as he turned his head from her, in disgust.
Troubled that someone could have heard them last night, she didn't wait for a second opinion and headed for the door, wondering what would the future hold in reserve for her now. She was now free, without any restrains...
``There you are; although I didn't plan on the interference, I believe that the monk did an admirable job, didn't he?'' said a voice she was glad to hear. It was Richard, waiting for her at the side of the carriage.
``Where to? We can go everywhere with this'' he told her, as he pointed the carriage, before taking the place of the driver, preparing himself for the long ride that was bound to happen.
``To Paris; I want to see what's happening over there first hand'' she told him, as she entered the vehicle, wondering what her life would be now...