Her Ladyship and The Knight's Son

[Ambrosia_64]

The thundering of hooves sounded, somewhat silenced by the dense forested lands around the farm. Faint at first it grew louder suddenly-and then with a great crash of breaking branches and small shrubbery torn asunder, an impressively large black horse burst from the treeline, reared up as its much smaller rider pulled back on the reins, wheeling the mighty steed around as she took in the farm before her, her stormy grey eyes widened with panic and alarm.

She wore a dark green cloak quilted from a fine, heavy cloth over her slender shoulders and a beautiful silk gown beneath that. It was emerald in color and bore gold trim and detailing on the hem of the skirt and collar, the ends of the long sleeves. Riding boots clashed with so fine a dress, a dark leather that matched her horse's saddle.

The hood of her cloak was back, revealing tousled waves of dark red hair and a braided gold headpiece keeping it back and mostly away from her face-which was heart shaped and rather beautiful-though the young woman had clearly been through a fright, a smudge of dirt one one delicate cheek bone, a twig or two in her hair.

Her eyes settled on the man she had nearly trampled, remaining seated on her horse so very far above him, her fingers tight on the reins. "Please, I am looking for Sir Winthrop. Am I close? I must speak with him, it is very urgent." She had a pleasant voice, and even in her obvious distress she spoke with perfect enunciation, a refined quality to her words and manner of speech.

Her horse snorted, breathing hard after many miles of racing through the woods off path-the loyal beast bearing its passenger through the treacherous wood.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

He whistled to himself as he worked using the whistle as a cadence of sorts as he dug the shovel into the dark. His powerful shoulder muscles flexed along with the sound and his large hands dug into the simple wooden shovel as he dug a small line of holes. Sweat and dirt caused his shirt to cling to his wide chest and the simple pants he wore was covered in various clumps of dirt and stains.

He finished the line and stopped stretching his back and sighing when it popped. His dirty hand went to his forehead wiping the sweat and leaving a streak of dirt that went across his prominent forehead like a slash. What little could be seen from his features were handsome with a handsome chin, bright blue eyes, and a pointed nose. Full lips puckered and opened as he grabbed his water skin taking a long swig as he eyed his work.

Next would be the seeding and planting. Winter was coming and he and his father were expected to contribute to their keeps food storage while also providing from themselves. It was a hard life but his father always said that it was rewarding.
Gregor was still on the fence about that.

It wasn’t that he didn’t love working with his hands (because he did). It was more that he longed for a change in scenery. They rarely left the farm and when they did it was just to go to the keep or the village market. The market was full of exotic merchants to browse but it was a mere glimpse into their lands.

He wished for something more

He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn’t hear the horse until it was on top of him. With a start Gregor realized he was about to be run over and dove jumping to the side just as the horse reared and came to a stop. He hit the dust and coughed hacking up a lung as an impossibly beautiful young woman above him spoke.

“My father?” Gregor said still coughing as he rose out of the dirt “What could you possibly want with my father?”

“Gregor!”

Before he could say anything more to the girl said father was making his way down the hill. Gregor was shocked to see the usual knife on his hip gone replaced instead with a sword that looked freshly polished. Was that his father’s officer sword? The one that hung atop the mantle? He knew his father was in the military for the lord of the region but couldn’t quite believe he knew how to handle a sword so well!

“Father this woman is looking for you” Gregor said coming over “Is something wrong”

“If she is here than yes” His father said clapping him on the back “that is her ladyship daughter of his lord”

“She is?” Gregor said his eyes widening as he took her in.

“Yes” Father said nudging him forward “Go wash up while I talk to her I have a feeling I am going to have need of you today boy”

“I understand Papa” Gregor said nodding his head. He gave the girl another quick look before he dashed off grabbing his bathing supplies and leaving his father alone with the girl.
………………………………………………………..

“That was my son Gregor” Sir Winthrop explained leading her horse into the barn and out of sight “If you are here it is because your father sent you. Tell me what it is going on and how best I can help you my lady”

He moved to get her some water limping slightly as he did. There was an old wound there a hitch in his step that spoke volumes about what her ally could do. Yet he held his sword with a steady practiced hand and when he came back with the water skin his eyes were calm and warm.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

The girl’s eyes lifted to the man as he called out, hurrying down from a small house on the hill. Alice freed her left foot from it’s stirrup, rising up on the right as the two men shared a quick exchange-and then he was by her side, helping her dismount. Her boots had hardly touched the ground before she was speaking, having grasped the older man’s arm.

“Sir Winthrop, my father-our castle is under siege!” She blurted, her eyes wide and afraid, panicked. “I have barely escaped with my life, my father sent me to find you-”

“Under attack by whom? Your father’s army is-”

“Dwarfed by our enemy’s! Oh, it’s awful-the King’s brother, he has returned!” She had gone frightfully pale. This was dire news indeed-for a small war had already been fought between the sitting King and his half brother, the latter of which was mercifully banished rather than executed. And it seemed he had returned this kindness by gathering forces and returning to restart the civil war that had already claimed many lives, years ago.

“He has returned and I am to warn the King-but my father knows not how long they can withstand the attack, or this siege.” Her stormy grey eyes filled with tears. “I am so afraid for him and our sheltered vassals, Sir Winthrop.”

He had begun to lead her and her horse to the barn, looking grave and thoughtful. He had been injured, Alice could see that now. She feared it would mean she must press on alone-though she did not know the way and was greatly afraid to do so. She had grown up surrounded by people and attendants-the thought of being alone was daunting-and intimidating, were she honest. It was a frightening prospect for the daughter of a lord, his only heir-to go riding into the wilds alone with no protector.

Having talked so panicked and so much, the ride having been hard and fast-Lady Alice only now felt the exhaustion seep into her, accepting the water with a soft “Thank you.”

She wiped at her eyes daintily. “Oh, poor Gregor-I almost ran him down Sir Winthrop, I am so very sorry. I wheeled my horse around in time, but he had already dove out of the way.” She took a sip of the water.

“Nevermind that, my lady. Come, let us feed you, get you some rest for now.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve had a frightening day and pushed your steed hard-you both need rest before starting on such a long journey.”

“You will help me then?”

“In a manner of speaking…”

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The retired knight stood staring into fireplace, his wife having gone into town to purchase what supplies they could, what they themselves lacked for their Lady. She slept in their room even now.

He was leaning against the mantle, a rolled map in that hand while the other trailed over the hilt of his sword. He was waiting for his son. He was too old and too injured to be a good protector-while Gregor was still young and strong. He was no warrior, but he would do well enough to keep watch of Lady Alice and guide her safely to the King. When he heard the boy enter, he gestured to the bowl of stew still laid out for him at the table.

After several moments, he turned to look at him, finally.

“You will go with Lady Alice, tomorrow morning.” He said, brooking no argument. “You will protect her with your life Gregor, as best as you are able.” He exhaled tiredly, falling back into one of the other chairs. “I am too old to properly protect her. She bears a message that must reach the King, and quickly. Our Lord Roland is under attack by the king’s traitorous half brother. You were too young to remember the last war...but our country can ill afford another one. The longer Lord Roland can withstand the siege, the longer his army is there instead of ravaging the countryside or gathering more followers to the cause.”

"The way is long and you must avoid taking the roads-bandits and brigades are about, and you travel with the daughter of a lord. She is his only heir, there are those who would capture and force her into marriage so that they may lay claim to her inheritance.. You must not allow that to happen."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

Gregor washed quickly in the pond stripping naked and scrubbing at every nook and cranny. While he washed he scowled murmuring to himself as to what a shower was needed for! Not that he didn’t mind the company but he was just going to get dirty again when this stunning girl left and he went back out to the fields. There was still so much to be done to! The reseeding and the tilling!
Gregor was something of a simple young man. He wasn’t dumb per say but he was relatively small minded. He preferred to call himself extra focused on one specific thought. It didn’t allow him to see the bigger picture but it did allow him to get his tasks done to the best of his abilities. Which was of course fine by him since there was never anything to do BUT his farming.

He got dressed in a fresh pair of slacks and a white shirt and made his way back to the homestead. By the time he got back the sun was dipping low in the horizon casting everything in shadows as a cool breeze filled the valley. He paused to breath it all in before going over to the coop and feeding the chickens. He did his best not to get dirty as he stepped inside not wanting to be sent for another bath.
He stepped in and his father began to speak talking quickly about quest and wars. Gregor blinked and sat down his mind reeling from such a rapid-fire shift in his job. There was a war to come! But what about the crops!

“But the crops father!” He said in a hushed tone “who will help you?”

“Son focus” His father said “If a war is to come then there will be no NEED for crops we will all have to fight and your mother could possibly be captured by the enemy”

“Mother could be hurt?” Gregor said frowning as he thought of it “So I must take her and bring back the army right?”

“If you can” His father said relief as he watched his son think it over “You’re a good lad Gregor. I have taught you some about fighting. Keep your head on a swivel and hide when its needed and you should be fine”

“But surely if I tell someone about her they will offer their services” Gregor countered folding his arms “she is our lords daughter for goodness sake! Where are the knights to protect her?”

“You cannot say a word!” His father hissed “We have no idea who is friend or foe. You are the only one I can trust. You must do this Gregor this is important”
Gregor sighed and nodded. The harvest was dispelled from his mind and replaced with the task at hand. A lady needed protecting and they were traveling. He allowed himself a small moment of pleasure at the thought of leaving.
It seemed Gregor would be having an adventure after all.

“I understand father” He said rising “We should leave as soon as possible I am well versed in night travel and hunting”

“I have some supplies” His mother said her soap stained hands coming up with a back pack “And a cloak for you to wear”

“You can take my sword and bow” His father said tapping the weapons on the table “You were always better with the bow so favor that remember if you get into a fight to be aware of your surroundings that simple head of yours will get you tripped up over a branch if you let it”

“This is happening so fast” Gregor murmured blinking as he took the supplies and cloak “I will go tend to the horses while you explain father. I suppose the lady would prefer to hear the plans through you.”

With that he stepped outside moving towards their horses and preparing them for the journey to come

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Husband and wife did not sleep that night. Hours of quiet conversation about the coming war and their hopes it wouldn't extend past Lord Roland's lands and, of course-of the heartache of sending Gregor, their only child and beloved son, on a long, dangerous quest to guide and protect the Lady Alice from harm-with his life if need be.

It was not a decision Sir Winthrop made lightly.

It was dawn when the two young people were roused and given a small breakfast-first Lady Alice, and then, not long after, Gregor. "You must remember to keep your manners, Gregor." His mother chided, spooning more eggs onto his plate. "It would not do for the son of Sir Winthrop to be a boorish fellow."

Outside, the old knight was giving instruction and advice to Lady Alice before talk turned to her horse. "He is no horse for a young woman." He commented thoughtfully, and the girl nodded.

"Conrad is my father's horse." She stroked the beast's neck fondly. "He is fast and very strong-a warhorse. Father deprived himself of him to give me the best chance of escape...it was a very frightful night. I shall be very relieved to return Conrad to his master, when all is done."

"The King will help, child. And Lord Roland's castle walls are strong." He helped her onto her horse, then took the reins of the second waiting horse and, once Gregor exited, handed them over to him-a hand on his son's shoulder. "Remember what I have taught you, my boy."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

“Of course I will father” Gregor replied coming outside and cinching his olive green cloak as he studied the lady and her horse. She certainly was pretty! A woman born into a life of leisure and finery. He doubted she would be much use in a fight and would probably complain about living off the land in such a way. He glanced at his father once more still wondering if this was the right thing to do or if he was the right person to do it. He knew nothing of women after all and was barely a fighter to boot!

He remained quiet instead being polite and remembering his mother’s words. It would be bad to back sass his father in front of company after all. Instead he simply climbed on his horse sadeling up and taking the parcel, his father and mother packed full of food and supplies. His bow went up next along with a small quiver of arrows and his father’s old Calvary sword.

“Be good my son” His father said reaching out to pat his leg “Ride to the king and don’t let anyone harm the lady”

“Aye papa” He said nodding his head and pulling the cloak up to hide his features. He motioned for the young woman to do the same and without another word nudged his horse forward on the trail. They moved down the dirt road his house getting father and father until they turned a bend and it was gone.

“We won’t stay on the main road for long” Gregor explained pointing to the thicket of trees that pressed down upon them from all sides “We will travel through the forest taking back roads to get to the king”

Ten minutes later he guided her off of the trail and into the forest. There was a small trail that snaked through it that hunters were fond of. He led her through it his hand on his bow and ready to draw it at the slightest sign of trouble.

“Have you ever hunted my lady?” He asked deciding it would be polite to try and be conversational.