Thread: Squire's Secret (Benny and Gunner)

He hoped the boy understood. The boy had to understand or there would be consequences most horrid and untenable. But Jacques gave his word and Friderick could have laughed again. His first interaction with a woman without his daddy or mommy present must have been an ordeal for the little lord. In any case, he seemed keen enough to learn and Friderick couldnt do anymore besides wait and not bore the kids ear with further lectures. Not like his own luck with women was any good. He watched Jacques roll over to sleep, clearly still uneasy. Well, he was going to have to get over himself if he wished to be a knight and lord one day. Soft and sensitive demeanor was good for the books and the verse but not for reality. Wouldnt Jacques be more comfortable shirtless as well? It was a cramp room, with a narrow window, and it would get stuffy very soon. But then again the boy had to learn some things through his own means and not be taught and coddled by Friderick. It took a short while for him to finally drift off to slumber but it came, a mix of childhood memories, the intensity of war, and a smiling woman all mingled together in his dreams. He awoke before the dawn and lay abed for a time, trying to distract himself from the despair of his fief and personal life to try and plot out the days journey ahead. That too was moot, seeing as there were other knights with input to be given. Bathing first time was a luxury for Friderick, for it indeed got very hot during the night. Bathing was subjective, consisting of him sitting on the edge of his bed, shirtless, and using a cloth dipped into the washbasin to run across his chest and arms. Jacques wasnt in his cot, which he had to admit was impressive that the boy could awake early. Most squires wanted to sleep in. Hell, most knights wanted to sleep in and some would take that privilege. But this boy showed promise with his zeal already! He smiled, having a rare situation where he began a morning with hope and eagerness. Perhaps the boy was more than he thought, not a docile, effeminate lord but someone with guts and steel in their blood. After a bathing to wash off the nights grit, Friderick picked up his armour and went in search of his squire, whos job it was to help him adorn the gear. Others found Jacques, or rather Jacqueline, first. The other squires did. They were all the sons of nobility, high and low, though none had such a claim as Jacques, heir to the Dukedom of Lancaster did. They were mostly the second or third sons of Barons and Counts, or the nephews of such. They were also to be Jacques colleagues and fellow squires. They did not like him. And slowly, one by one, they each appeared at the training grounds and saw Jacques so diligently going through the steps. They snickered and took any opportunity to mock when they perceived a misstep. They were larger and taller boys, fifteen, sixteen, one even seventeen years old. The Long Peace allowed the young men and boys to pursue other arts before taking up the martial sphere of activities. In times of total war between the kingdoms, soldiers and squires would have been heading off at much younger ages. Unfortunately. The largest boy, Fabien Duverger, had to make his authority known. When there were no knights around, he was in charge of the squires. He had already cowed, coerced, or bribed the others to follow his lead. Now there was this puny little son of a Duke on his grounds. Look at the little dancer. He said loudly to the other squires. He dances like a girl. I wouldnt be surprised if he was castrated at birth. Hey, eunuch boy! Fabien called over to Jacques with a sneer. What the fuck are you doing? He mocked for no reason. They saw Jacques sparring but they challenged him regardless. They all began to approach, with their wooden training swords which hurt like hell when one got hit. They had their own fitted chain mail and surcoats, the sigils of their own family displayed on their chests. They were already surrounding Jacques. What the fuck are you doing, Eunuch? They called, evidently making that term Jacques nickname. The moment Jacqueline tried to talk, because her voice came to them as a boy whos balls had yet to drop, they all would burst out in mocking laughter no matter what she said. I bet you sing very nice. Is that why they cut your balls off at birth? You going to sing us to death? What the fuck do you know to do with that sword? Fabien challenged, stepping to stand in front of Jacques, uncaring if she tried to keep doing her routine. He had his own wooden sword up, ready to fight her and teach this runt of a Duke who the boss was. It wasnt even a hour since the sun had risen. Friderick came too out of the further building, tying his swordbelt around his waist, dressed in his chainmail and checkered surcoat. He saw the confrontation and, though understanding boys would always be boys, he paused by a corner and decided to watch. Jacques already had his sword out. He'd give it a half-minute before he intervened. He was more curious and knew he should stop it at once but his delay wasn't borne out of cruelty.