Thread: Squire's Secret (Benny and Gunner)

Jacqueline waited for the side of the blade to whack her head. She didn't think it would be hard enough to knock her out but she didn't doubt Friderick would follow through with his threat. Yet the blow never came. Rather he approached, sheating the weapon, and...gave praise? The young squire blinked up at her knight. Given all previous interactions and his clear frustrations with her she didn't expect praise. She hadn't lasted all that long with the shield. Not as long as had been requested. Her mouth hung just a little open as Friderick slung the shield onto his own back with ease. He didn't linger with the praise in the air. Quick, sharp commands. They would depart soon. Jacqueline stood upright, arms still unfeeling, and gave a sharp nod. Right away Sir, she said before scampering away. There wasn't anything in the village she needed. Instead she went to the horses. With tired, numb arms it would take a little longer to get them prepared. She started with Wingfoot. The horse seemed to glower a little and nipped. He received a quick, sharp smack to the nose for his efforts. The horse whinnied and shook his head. None of that now. I thought we had come to an agreement, she said with a huffy sigh as she took up brush and pick to clean him up before they set out. Jacqueline took her time, recalling the events of the morning. Heck, everything had been eventful since she had arrived. Too much really, the mind reeled. Between the tavern woman, the other squires and Friderick laying out shirtless...just too much. Jacqueline buried her face with a soft groan into the neck of William. Her horse didn't understand but whinnied softly at her at her. That was certainly an image she wasn't going to forget soon. With both horses finished she took them to the courtyard as demanded and grabbed up the flasks. Horses tethered she went and filled up the flasks. A few days and a possibility of not finding fresh water. A low one, she supposed, but still possible. As she returned to the horses Friderick appeared with the large banner in hand. HIs dry comment about the Lancaster banner brought a surely, sideways glance at the knight. Mmm very exciting, she replied as she unfurled the banner a little to look at the three roses. His three victories. It wasn't that Jacqueline had forgotten about how Friderick came into his title, somehow it was still so surprising. His sort of story wasn't unique nor was it common. Still it was somehow surprising. Do not lose the roses....understood, she said with a sharp nod as they headed to the horses. Jacqueline was ready to go but Friderick had one more errand on his mind. She looked up as he called out to the other knight, her eyebrows raised. Beside the burley older man stood...that boy! Duverger or something like that. Jacqueline growled low in her throat. She had promised to apologize, she just didn't realize the apology would have to come so soon. Her hands gripped the banner until her knuckles turned white as the pair came over at Friderick's hail. Blue eyes narrowed at the other squire as they approached. Immediately accusations were thrown. She wasn't going to be able to tell her own side? Her lips pursed together, eyes narrowing to slits. If she were a cat all her hair might be standing on end. In fact, with how short it had been sheared it may very well be standing on end at that moment. Her body jerked as Fabien pleaded that she had started it all, that she had been the aggressor. Yet she stayed put, not wanting another thrashing from Friderick. His outstretched hand was not entirely necessary even as another growl issued low in her throat. The triumphant look from the other squire brought bile to the back of her mouth. She took a long slow breath to calm herself. I am greatly sorry for beating you so soundly, she said with all the contrition of a stonewall. Next time I shall...remember my place... Which was to treat the less fortunate kindly. Killing the little toad would have been a mercy for the world. The words burned her throat but they got through it. Fabien didn't seem entirely content with the apology but his knight, Hermannus, was more than ready to simply move on. He gave a gruff nod and ushered his squire away. Jacqueline let out a long sigh. Remember not to spar with the village idiot.... she grumbled softly under her breath. Not waiting for Friderick she went back to the horses to ensure everything was tied and attached properly before they venture out. She was careful with the banner when mounting and rode precisely where instructed. To the side and a little behind, the banner fluttering in a light breeze. The rest of the knights and squires joined the long procession up towards Archmouth. Somehow Jacqueline hadn't imagined the entire group would travel together. It was strange. These men were going to compete against one another and yet traveled the roads together. It was almost...more like a traveling troupe of performers than knights. Luck would be on their side, the weather stayed fine, a bit clouded but no rain and the weather still pleasantly warm. Fabien and his little group were well away and segregated with their own knights so the ride was pleasant enough. Jacqueline was not entirely looking forward to a continuation of training that evening. She wasn't even sure if she could lift the massive shield let alone hold it up to block attacks. Only a day but Jacqueline was growing more comfortable with hiding her gender. Everyone believed she was Jacque. No one had cause to believe otherwise. Comfortable if not exactly easy. The men were free with their humor around other men and certainly free with relieving themselves. She was careful to avoid drinking too much. None of the men went far from the procession to relieve themselves. It wouldn't work out particularly well for her if she insisted she needed to go further back into trees and bushes. In a single day she had seen more of men than she cared to.