Page 7 of Knight of Chaos
“Together?” he teased, giving her a wink.
She leaned forward. “Aye! Together… you know… inthatway,” she hissed.
A chuckle finally escaped him. “Best to keep up appearances so your situation looks as though you are spoken for,” he replied. “Keeps the rabble away.”
Before she could answer the maid came back with a heavily laden tray. Dishes were put before them: roasted venison, meat pies, root vegetables, and even fried fish. Their tankards were topped off and they were then left alone to consume the feast in front of them.
“Is there someone else who is joining us? There is enough food here to satisfy the whole of the Empress’s army.”
He reached over to stab a piece of venison before placing it on the trencher in front of him. “You best eat your fill. This may be the last decent meal we have for a while.”
She attacked the meal as though it would indeed be her last meal for some time and he did the same. The food filled their bellies, the ale quenched their thirst, and before long Theobald sat back on the bench satisfied. Those in the tavern began to disperse, giving testament that the hour was growing late. Knowing they must rise with the dawning of the new day, Theobald left coins on the table, stood, and held his hand for Ingrid to take whilst he assisted her from her place at the table.
Her fingertips gliding into the palm of his hand caused a reaction he did not expect. Tingling sensations ran up his arm but he dismissed such a sign as his body reacting to a woman since he had not been with one in some time. He tucked her hand the crook of his elbow and escorted her from the inn to return to the stable.
He checked on the horses whilst allowing her a few minutes of privacy. When he heard her softly spoken words that he could come up, his boots echoed on the wooden stairs. The stable was now dark and only one nub of a candle was lit on the table. She had taken the time to place one of the blankets on the mattress where he was to sleep whilst she was already tucked into her own.
Thoughtful but he would not rest until he was assured that no one had plans to follow them. He hoped no one would be so aggressive, especially since there were plenty of willing maids offering their services in the tavern for the taking, but he still would be careful. He took a seat on the last step, resting his back on the wooden railing.
“Surely you do not plan to stay there all night long,” she asked quietly sitting up and clutching the blanket to her chest. “You must get your rest, Sir Knight, lest you be useless come the morn.”
“Go to sleep, Mistress Ingrid, and know this knight protects you during your dreams.”
She sputtered a reply before finally laying back down. An hour or two passed before Theobald felt ’twas safe to find his own rest. Silently, he moved to his mattress, took up a corner of it, and pulled it closer to the stairs before laying down. His sword was placed in reach in the event he needed its use.
Chapter Six
Ingrid awoke toa stream of sunlight shining in her face from a crack in one of the planks in the roof above her. Birds chirped outside giving testament to the lateness of the morn. A soft snore gave her a moment of alarm before the realization of where she was and with whom registered in her tired brain. She raised herself up on one elbow to see the knight who slept nearby. She was pleasantly surprised to see he was protecting her whilst she slept by moving his pallet to the entrance of the stairs.
Theobald had been true to his word, and it had not taken her long last eve to be thankful for his presence and the ruse he conjured to make their situation appear as though they were a couple. She had already confronted one scoundrel who offered her a lewd suggestion of spending the night with him. From the jeering looks she received when she had entered the dimly lit tavern, had it not been for Theobald, she was certain there would have been more. Ingrid had not been sure she would have made it out of the inn on her own without being compromised.
His words, and that of Charles, were a constant reminder that she, in truth, had not thought out her plans well enough. Aye, she could handle a sword with skill but she would in no way be able to hold off multiple men if they were bent on harming her. She shuddered at the thought of losing her virginity in such a manner.
She began folding the blanket that had covered her for she had slept in her garments last eve. She trusted the man still asleep nearby but only to a point. There was no sense in tempting Theobald to whatever gentlemanly limits he may or may not have. After all, they had only just met.
With thoughts of repaying his kindness, she took up her boots and scabbard from where she had placed them near her satchel, carefully climbed over the dozing man, and tip toed down the stairs. Sitting upon the last step, she put on her boots, stood, and then belted the scabbard around her waist. She would go to the inn and get them something to break their fast before they began their journey again. Since the new day had dawned, surely everyone would now be sober and would be more intent on preparing for their departure rather than seeking companionship, thereby allowing Ingrid to go about her business without confrontation in the early morn hours.
Leaving the stable, she noted that there were several people who idly milled around the yard between the barn and inn, but not nearly the number she had expected. She began to wonder exactly how late the day had become, for it appeared as though the majority of the Empress’s army had already begun their journey to Winchester. She began to hurry. She entered the inn, quickly procuring her and Theobald a light meal with the few coins she owned, although the smell of hot porridge tempted her. But there was no time to take their ease with breaking their fast. Her stomach growled in protest whilst the innkeeper’s wife wrapped their meal in a linen and handed it to Ingrid.
She had just rounded the corner of the inn, her bundle held closely to her chest, when the same knight from last eve who had slurred his snide comment, stepped into her path.
“Where are going in such a hurry, my pretty?” he asked with a grin that more than spoke his intentions.
Ingrid went to go around him, but he continued to side-step into her path, blocking her way back to the barn. “Let me pass,” she warned before putting her meal on the ground at her feet. If this was to turn into a fight, she’d need her hands free.
“You must have time for a bit of fun,” the knave continued. “We can have some sport together before you head back to your husband.”
“I think not.” She pulled her sword from the scabbard at her side holding it menacingly before her.
The man laughed before pulling his own blade and swinging the weapon to meet her own. “Your husband is not here to protect you, foolish woman. You actually think you can defend yourself from me?” he jeered. “I shall teach you your place in life and then take what I want!”
Ingrid observed the crowd that had begun to gather before she laughed, causing her adversary’s scowl to deepen. “You can try but you will not win,” she taunted before striking her blade against the sword the man held in front of him.
The man was momentarily taken aback, giving Ingrid a moment’s advantage that she seized eagerly, swinging her blade again and again. The people gathering in the yard began to exchange bets on who might become the winner in the contest before them. When their blades met again, the man gave Ingrid a mighty push causing her to stumble and a groan rose up from those few who had bet their monies on a woman. But she recovered quickly and noticed her opponent had turned his back to her, assuming the fight was over. A mistake no one with any common sense would make—but it was apparent her opponent had none. With arms raised above his head, he pumped his fists with his sword raised high causing the crowd to cheer.
With his attention averted, Ingrid made her move and took her blade and slapped the flat side onto his arse. The noise of the crowd rose along with the rude comments made to the knight who was being mocked by a woman. He turned with murder flashing in his eyes and Ingrid realized that her attempts to humiliate the man may have gone too far.
Their swords met again and again but Ingrid was still able to hold her own even though she could feel her arm tiring. She caught a brief glimpse of Theobald who had come to the sidelines to watch her performance. Was that respect she saw flickering in his green eyes? She had no time to ponder the matter whilst she fought for her life. Thankful for the hours of training her father had given her, she continued to swing her blade until she saw an opening in her opponent’s defense. Quickly, she took the advantage, and her sword went to the man’s throat.
