Hunted (Open - please PM before joining)

[Steiner]

Soon Brinn had everything packed up. He took her heavy cloak and bundled it - swapping it for something lighter with a nice brooch that he'd picked up. It would still be too big for her, but it would look nicer, and feel nicer, than carrying a ships sail around her shoulders.

He went down to the stream and refilled the waterskin he carried, checked round the clearing once or twice to be sure nothing had been missed, and then went down to the stream bank where the dark stranger had been. He got a good look at the hoofprints, looking for characteristic markings, in case he saw them again. One could never be too safe.

Finally he wandered back to where Alexia was finally having a decent meal. Sitting opposite her, he began to study her whilst her attention was elsewhere, she'd been through the mill recently, he decided, and was probably even younger than she appeared to be.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia sat by the fire, her attention, as ever, focused slightly beyond the destructive flames. She smiled as Brinn approached her and although the cloak was a link to her past, she knew it was impractical.
She smiled as Brinn laid the lighter cloak about her shoulders and fixed the brooch in place in order to allow her to walk unheeded by the length of material that still seemed to overwhelm her petite frame.

She admired the colourful item of jewellery and ate, leaving Brinn to move to the stream and fetch water for her journey.
She nestled into the cloak. It was still warm enough, but easier to move in. The cloak she had wrapped about herself was heavy and worn; this was much more suitable, she decided.

She ate, finding a genuine appetite at last. Her fingers toyed with the brooch, admiring and turning it, flattered by the “gift” or “loan” of the pretty article.
Her mother would have liked this, she mused. She would have been pleased to see her daughter wearing such a piece. She smiled in soft reminiscence. They had been a poor family; poor, but honest.
It seemed so unfair for fate to have dealt them the curse of illness and the curse of being shunned by their neighbours…

Looking up, Alexia suddenly became of Brinn’s silent presence as he sat opposite her.
She smiled shyly at him, having been caught toying with the trinket he had let her use …

”It’s so pretty… “

She explained self-consciously. She was unused to such things.

 

[Steiner]

Brinn smiled, like most generous men he was often embarassed if anybody called attention to it.

"If it pleases you, then its yours. Just a happenstance piece of plunder during a siege..." his voice trailed away and he blushed, knowing that the silver and amber brooch was worth far more than he was letting on.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"If it pleases you, then its yours. Just a happenstance piece of plunder during a siege..."

Alexia's blush of pleasure matched Brinn's.

"Ohhhh... thank you Brinn!"

She replied, stroking the brooch a final time before standing.
She was touched by his gift, but her mind was put at rest that, though pretty, this article was not of great value, for that would have been ... unfitting.... over-generous.

"I'm ready ... sorry if I've kept you..."

Alexia took a step towards him and smiled softly.
They had travelled along way together already;
first with great reluctance on her part and then,as her trust of him had developed, more companionably.
This was a new set of circumstances altogether and Alexia felt unaccountably shy all of a sudden.

She hoped he did not regret offering to take her under his wing ... for the winter ...

 

[Steiner]

Brinn shouldered his pack, shook his cloak clear of his calves and turned for the trail as Alexia walked up to him. Sensing something of a shyness, perhaps even a questioning in her eyes he decided to answer it in the only way a man not given to poetry can.

Turning to her, Brinn took Alexia in his arms and bent his head to hers. Unlike their previous kisses, this one was slow and unhurried, almost lazy, and as he broke from it he saw her eyes were closed. Not wanting to intrude in the moment for her, he kept one arm around her shoulders and guided her onto the trail - walking close by her in companiable silence.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia stood beside Brinn has he swung his pack over his shoulder and made ready to continue on the journey. She looked round, wondering momentarily which track led back to the main pathway through the woods.

Turning her face up to Brinn to enquire if her guess was correct, Alexia was totally taken by surprised as she found his lips pressed to hers. His arms were about her as his lips moved slowly, langourously, tasting her.
Alexia sighed as her eyelids fluttered shut.
She swayed against him; the soft touch of his lips as they stroked her own caused a heat in her cheek, which seemed to seep down throughout her body.
Unaware that he had gently withdrawn from that erotic contact, she sighed as she felt her body glow with a langorous heat.

Aware now of Brinn's arm about her shoulders once more, Alexia opened her eyes, her expression one of soft bemusement.
Wordlessly, she focused her attention upon the track before them, all the while her mind strove to make sense of the strange feelings the gentle kiss had wrought throughout her body.

She moved along, their bodies touching side by said as they found the main path and continued onwards.
Finally she looked up at him again, her expression still somewhat dazed, her voice somewhat breathless as she spoke;

"Will the journey be long? Is it far to get to Wales?"

She surmised that by this time, Brinn had guessed that there was no ailing aunt, yet felt the need to make this plain.

"'Tis fortunate that my "aunt" does not exist in truth, for she would have been gravely ill by now, if Hue de Bois told us true ... and I have seen enough sickness to last a lifetime... "

She could not bite back the sigh, nor the haunted look that entered her eyes as she fought to hold the memories of prolonged illness at bay.

"Fortunately I am not one to succumb to the sickness.... "

Alexia assured Brinn with a smile.

 

[Steiner]

"Wales, Alexia? It's a good seven day at the pace you walk, I'm afraid. Still tonight, with luck, we'll sleep in a proper Inn with heated water and hot food and a soft bed. How does that strike you?"

Brinn smiled, glad to see Alexia coming out of her shell. He liked the way her eyes lit up when she smiled - and he liked the way that HE lit up when she smiled at him. As she spoke about sickness though he saw a film pass over those shining eyes, like a cloud across the sky. He reached down and grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze as they walked along. "Then we will not try and seek lodging there. In fact, your aunt would have taken us out of our way, were she not imaginary!"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"Wales, Alexia? It's a good seven day at the pace you walk, I'm afraid. Still tonight, with luck, we'll sleep in a proper Inn with heated water and hot food and a soft bed. How does that strike you?"

Alexia tried not to let the dismay show in her expression.... seven long days still before she could be assured of safety. The stranger had gone, yet there was no telling who may be on her trail.

She looked up as Brinn spoke of the comfort of the inn, yet before she could reply Brinn spoke teasingly.

"Then we will not try and seek lodging there.
In fact, your aunt would have taken us out of our way, were she not imaginary!"

Alexia could not hold back a chuckle. She smiled knowing that Brinn had forgiven her her falsehood, yet her eyes clouded with concern. She spoke tentatively making sure she did not offend...

"Brinn... I.... the inn sounds ... perfect ... 'tis almost three weeks since I have slept in a bed, but... I must confess that I have no coin to my name."

She blushed as his eyes met hers.

"All I have are the clothes I stand up in and the food I purchased in the last village... so ... for me... such luxury is impossible... "

Her voice trailed off as she trudged determinedly on, her eyes on the pathway. She was not going to be a burden to him, she determined, in any way, but certainly not financially....

 

[Steiner]

"I must admit, I am confused... I have given my word, even though it was to a stranger, that I would see you to Wales. Would you have me break my word?"

Brinn looked down at her, scowling in mock anger.

"I will not have you, living hand to mouth, starving and freezing and smelling like a farmhand, when I lie me on flax sheets, drink good ale and wine and eat roast meat and fresh baked bread. You'd make a knave of me, woman!"

Brinn softened his expression, keen to let her know he was joking.

"Besides which, you're travelling as my Lady, remember? What if the stranger places agents on our path? For the next seven day, at the least, you and I act as man and wife."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"I must admit, I am confused... I have given my word, even though it was to a stranger, that I would see you to Wales. Would you have me break my word?"

Alexia hung her head before his anger.

"No.. but... you cannot... "

She mumbled in protest...

"I will not have you, living hand to mouth, starving and freezing and smelling like a farmhand, when I lie me on flax sheets, drink good ale and wine and eat roast meat and fresh baked bread. You'd make a knave of me, woman!"

She looked up hesitantly only just daring to meet his eye.
Her eyes widened as she saw his expression soften and a glint in his eye. She realised that he had spoken in jest, only just beginning to realise what a strange sense of humour he had.
She smiled shyly, knowing she could do nothing but accept his generosity if she did not wish to risk truly offending him.

"Besides which, you're travelling as my Lady, remember?
What if the stranger places agents on our path? "

Alexia's eyes widened worriedly.
Did Brinn not think that she was truly out of danger?
Did he suspect that the stranger might yet be on their trail?

"For the next seven day, at the least, you and I act as man and wife."

She nodded, consenting without considering the full ... implications ... of the married state...

She turned worried eyes to Brinn.

"You.. think we are still... persued... if not by Hue de Bois .... I ... I have made more than one enemy ... Brinn.... ?"

Alexia hesitated uncertainly, still not sure of this man to whom she was already so indebted. Yet still she did not know what would raise him to anger...

"Are you sure ... sure what you are taking on by ... escorting me to Wales...?
I fear I will bring you nought but trouble and ... expense...
I ... do not wish to become a burden... "

Her eyes pleaded for understanding, reassurance, whilst holding a tinge of fear, uncertain if he would in truth be enraged by her words...

 

[Steiner]

"For whatever reason, I've pledged myself to your protection. Like it or not, my arm shields you at least as far as Wales - at that point I have to decide whether or not I'll overwinter there - it's not as comfortable as some places, but it does have it's compensations."

Brinn let his face assume a serious mien for the time being. "As for whether you are sought by more than he - I assure you, he is enough to be concerned with. He is fell in his own right, if I'm any judge of a fighting man, and I don't doubt that his arm is long enough."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"For whatever reason, I've pledged myself to your protection. Like it or not, my arm shields you at least as far as Wales - at that point I have to decide whether or not I'll overwinter there - it's not as comfortable as some places, but it does have it's compensations."

Alexia nodded. So, she may be on her own in Wales afterall, but, at least that place was considered safe, safe from those who persued her ... she was sure that she could make some kind of life there...

She looked up noting Brinn was no longer jesting.

"As for whether you are sought by more than he - I assure you, he is enough to be concerned with. He is fell in his own right, if I'm any judge of a fighting man, and I don't doubt that his arm is long enough."

Alexia shivered, feeling the weight of the threat which persued her. She turned her head away. She had been right. The sense of security had been fleeting at best and most likely false. She was still in danger and the road ahead of her was hard. The pathway of her life would be still harder.

She trudged onwards, lost in doleful thought.
The simple, serene life had never been an option for her.
If she had become ill and died with her parents it would all have been much easier ...
Why was she even bothering to struggle for a meagre survival.

Wrapping the cloak protectively around her, she trudged on, studiously avoiding Brinn's eyes, her own locked on the path, her mind preoccupied in dark thoughts ...

 

[Steiner]

Oblivious to the dark mood of his companion, Brinn found himself whistling as he led the way through the mud. The road was damp, but not muddy, the air cool enough to keep him fresh and the sunshine bright as it dappled through the swaying boughs above him.

He attributed Alexia's silence to the weighty things that were no doubt on her mind, her innate shyness and the unaccustomed exercise. Once or twice he'd found himself stretching his legs in longer strides until she was puffing to catch up. He was always solicitous after these breaks, and his obvious good humour seemed enough to make her forgive him.

Still, it was almost dusk as they approached the lights of the town. Most of the townsfolk were drawn inside the pallisade for the evening, and sounds of entertainment were already audible from inside the town. Brinn drew Alexia aside from the road, and spoke to her in a low, conspiratorial voice.

"We're newly married - just last month. We're travelling to your brothers in Wales to Winter. You know who I am, but you don't know that much about my work - just that I'm a fighter by profession, and that I have enough money to keep you fairly decently so far."

He paused for a breath, and then went rummaging around in his backpack.

"These were gong to be trade items - they'll do for a disguise of sorts now for you. They're precisely the sort of things that a sellsword might give to his woman, and nobody would ever dream that I'd give a woman I'd just met half of my booty."

He passed her a woman's betrothal ring, of gold with a cross incised into it, a thin woman's belt of beaten silver and a bracelet of gilded copper that could either be worn on the wrist, or the upper arm - depending on how you stretched it.

"Any questions, Alexia?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia continued to walk beside Brinn.
At times he seemed to speed, at times he took a more leisurely pace.
The travel was exhausting. It seemed as if she had been travelling all her life, yet in truth it was not that long since the death of her mother and her subsequent flight.

Brinn proved to be a good-natured companion, whistling along most of the time and quietly solicitous if the way became too onerous for Alexia to tackle without a short respite. Despite her weariness, he encouraged her to continue, rather than nagging her as she did her best to keep up.

Finally, just when Alexia had all but given up hope at seeing civilisation that evening and was already expecting to sleep out in the woods once more, they were rewarded with the sight of a town. The lights winked welcomingly and she could not hold back a sigh of relief.

Brinn drew to a halt and looked over at her.
She glanced at the shadows within the buildings of the town, listened to the music, which rose into the air combined with shouts and laughter.
She felt Brinn urge her aside and she drew near as he spoke softly to her, the low timbre of his voice making her shiver for some reason.

"We're newly married - just last month. We're travelling to your brothers in Wales to Winter. You know who I am, but you don't know that much about my work - just that I'm a fighter by profession, and that I have enough money to keep you fairly decently so far."

Alexia nodded, knowing that it was essential that they pass for man and wife.
She watched as he searched his backpack and drew out a selection of items.

"These were gong to be trade items - they'll do for a disguise of sorts now for you. They're precisely the sort of things that a sellsword might give to his woman, and nobody would ever dream that I'd give a woman I'd just met half of my booty."

Alexia watched as Brinn took her left hand and slipped a betrothal ring onto the fourth finger. Her eyes looked up at him, flushing slightly, overcome by the intimacy of the act. Her right hand moved over to stroke the cold metal, her fingertips grazing along the cross-shaped incision. Next he handed her a bracelet, which she slipped onto her wrist, the fine item held in place by her thick clothing, then finally, he laid a fine silver belt across her hand and watched as she shyly slid the “gift” into place and secured it.

He nodded his approval, then enquired softly.

"Any questions, Alexia?"

Alexia looked at the given items and felt more secure knowing Brinn had all this worked out somehow.

”We married … just a priest and two witnesses? … apart from my brothers we have no family … ?

She continued to fill in the gaps.

”My brothers names are … ?”

She paused thinking, then breaking off she asked him.

”You are sure we can pass as newly weds?”

Alexia enquired innocently.

 

[Steiner]

Brinn considered...

"Your brothers name is Alwynn - if anybody asks any more I'll just tell them to mind their own business. He lives just over 3 days from the border near Shrewsbury. You're right about the ceremony - it was a priest up near Oxford way and the witnesses were your employer at the Weavers where you served and a sword brother of mine whom you haven't met since."

Brinn smiled and grasped her by the hand.

"As for passing as newlyweds - try to blush everytime someone talks to you. Spend most of your time gazing adoringly at me, play with your ring constantly as if it's unfamiliar but sort of exciting. After I've booked us in, we'll spend all our time in our room. I'm pretty sure we'll pass for newlyweds."

Brinn smiled at her nervousness - which would ironically work FOR them in this case. She was already fiddling with the ring in that manner that newly married women always seemed to - twisting it round her finger and running her fingertip over the cross shaped incision in the gold.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

"Your brothers name is Alwynn - if anybody asks any more I'll just tell them to mind their own business.”

Alexia flashed a smile and listened as Brinn continued.

”He lives just over 3 days from the border near Shrewsbury.”

She nodded,

”Alwynn … Shrewsbury … “

She echoed, memorising the information.


”You're right about the ceremony - it was a priest up near Oxford way and the witnesses were your employer at the Weavers where you served and a sword brother of mine whom you haven't met since."

Alexia nodded wordlessly.
In her mind’s eye she saw the ceremony, imagined herself standing next to Brinn, standing hand in hand, looking into each other’s eyes as they repeated vows…
Catching herself, she blushed at her outrageously romantic thoughts.
She started as she felt him draw her small hand in his.
The warmth of his regard did nothing to still the hammering of her heart as she looked up at him, almost superstitiously believing that he had guessed at her thoughts.
Desperately she tried to summon her common sense, remind herself that this was all play acting, yet try as she might, she could not ignore how comfortable her hand felt nestled in Brinn’s strong grasp.

"As for passing as newlyweds - try to blush every time someone talks to you.”

Again the rosy hue of her cheeks deepened at his teasing tone.
She looked up at him through hooded lashes.

”Spend most of your time gazing adoringly at me, play with your ring constantly as if it's unfamiliar but sort of exciting.”

She glanced down at her ring, knowing that she had already been caught toying with it.

”After I've booked us in, we'll spend all our time in our room.”

Her eyes widened fractionally at his suggestive tone, yet she calmed as she felt him squeeze her hand soothingly.

”I'm pretty sure we'll pass for newlyweds."

She smiled shyly as he reassured her with his soft spoken words.

She was touched by the care he had taken to ensure her safety and felt at a loss as to how to express her gratitude for the obligation he had taken upon himself.

”Thank you Brinn,”

She whispered simply as she leaned forward and brushed a light, chaste kiss upon his rugged cheek.

As she gazed up at him, with a sweet smile and shining eyes, she had no idea that her expression could be misinterpreted as “adoringly” by anyone who happened to pass by …

 

[Steiner]

Brinn was completely disarmed by her kiss - whilst a full kiss on the lips might have felt like an obliged transaction, this seemed like a heartfelt thankyou from a beautiful young woman.

He felt himself flushing - he a seasoned warrior well used to barrack room banter, and the company of "professional women". He lifted a gentle hand to stroke back a few strands of hair, and then caught himself. "Now - how does a nice hot meal, some good mead or wine, a hot bath and a proper bed sound to YOU, my lady?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia smiled seeing that Brinn accepted her gratitude in the way it was intended.
A look passed across his features, a look of understanding, of tenderness and then the banter was back in place.

"Now - how does a nice hot meal, some good mead or wine, a hot bath and a proper bed sound to YOU, my lady?"

Alexia giggled and sighed happily.

"Mmmm... that sounds heavenly, my husband ... "

She purred huskily.

The endearment intended to be mere artifice, fell with amazing ease from her lips...

 

[Steiner]

Brinn had never heard her use that particular tone of voice before, and he was surprised by how arousing he found it. From the look on her face he could see she was a little confused too. He grinned and wrapped his arm around her shoulder steering her back to the road. As they left the trees he could see the low buildings crouching beneath a haze of woodsmoke - after two days in the woods, the smells of civilisation were arresting.

As they walked through the wooden gates, Brinn could see militiamen preparing to close the gates. Brinn could see the soldiers leering at Alexia as she walked past, and grinned - he could well imagine she was a nice distraction from boring guard duty.

As they clattered up the wooden stairs Brinn tightened his arm around Alexia's shoulder - he could tell she was a little concerned about her first visit back to civilisation after her brush with the dark stranger, so he chatted about inconsequentialities as he steered her over to the counter.

The Innkeepers eyes were suspicious as he watched Brinn approach, but his manner turned suitably unctuous as Brinn slapped two medium sized silver coins on the counter. Coins were still fairly rare - most local trade took place in barter - and the innkeeper would get a good return on the coin if he used it to buy goods from any distance away, or to pay his obligations to his own lord.

"How can I serve you, good Sir?" the man said, almost tugging his forelock.

"I need a private room, lockable door, good food, good drink and enough hot water for two to bathe. My wife and I are sore tired after our journey, and will not want to be disturbed tonight."

The Innkeeper grinned widely, and then remembered his manners. "Certainly my Lord. I'll have Jack here show you to your rooms, and bring you wine. Sally will be up to take your order for food and serve you, and then we'll have the bathing water brought up. We have a tub large enough for two, if your lordship requires it?" he asked.

Brinn blinked - taken aback a little - before remembering he was newlywed. "Yes - that will be perfect." The larger tub had the advantage that they would only need to fill it once, so the pair of them wouldn't be disturbed once the bath was drawn. He sneaked a look at Alexia to see her reaction, hoping she would understand.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia felt safe as Brinn wrapped an arm about her and guided her back to the road. She watched as the buildings came into sight, the smell of smoke made her falter in her steps, but she was able to continue almost as before, realising that the fires were tended and functional, rather than the unrestrained burning of a building.

Alexia pressed close to Brinn as they walked through the gates. She let her eyes run nervously along the gathering of uniformed men, but found the attention they were according her disturbing and unable to read their expressions, Alexia flushed and turned her gaze onto the uneven surface beneath her feet, concentrating instead on ensuring she did not lose her footing.

It was not until they neared the inn that Alexia hesitated momentarily, surveying the building before her. She could hear the voices, the laughter, the music and was suddenly nervous. She had spent the long weeks of her flight out of company and before that many months, years even without experiencing the noisy bustle of such a place. Even before she looked over at Brinn he seemed to sense her need for reassurance and tightened his grip about her shoulders, whilst urging her forwards up the stairs.

Step by step she advanced. His protective arm remained about her and as he began to recall anecdotes of his adventures to inns in his youth, she found herself drawn into his chatter and even giggled as he described how he was once ejected from a certain establishment for raucous behaviour. Totally drawn by his comic description, Alexia laughed heartily, then immediately sobered as she found herself stood at the counter looking into the wary eyes of the Innkeeper.

Alexia tried not to gasp as she saw the coin Brinn laid on the counter. Still held securely by his side, she managed to stand calmly as Brinn spoke with civil authority to the man who reached out to pick up the precious currency. Eyeing the precious metal, Alexia realised that she knew very little about Brinn, but knew that he had a kind heart and had obviously earned the “booty” he carried with him by hard service.

"How can I serve you, good Sir?"

Alexia noticed the courteous tone the Innkeeper now adopted as he looked at Brinn with new respect.

"I need a private room, lockable door, good food, good drink and enough hot water for two to bathe. My wife and I are sore tired after our journey, and will not want to be disturbed tonight."

Alexia did not need to feign the blush that painted her cheek as the Innkeeper directed a lascivious look in her direction. Alexia dropped her eyes as she felt the man’s assessing gaze and unconsciously stroked her new wedding ring, whilst pressing instinctively closer to her new “husband”.

As if rousing himself suddenly, the Innkeeper responded.

"Certainly my Lord. I'll have Jack here show you to your rooms, and bring you wine. Sally will be up to take your order for food and serve you, and then we'll have the bathing water brought up. We have a tub large enough for two, if your lordship requires it?"

Her eyes widened at the final offer of the shared tub.
Alexia clearly remembered the outline of Brinn’s naked body as she had seen it that morning in the stream.
If the stranger hadn’t interrupted their bathing then …

"Yes - that will be perfect."

The blush remained, highlighting her otherwise fair complexion as she heard Brinn’s response.
They had seen each other naked, she tried to reason with herself, so what was the fuss?
Yet somehow, Alexia felt that a hot tub in their own locked, secluded room would be still more … intimate than the accidental nudity they had experienced that morning.

”Jack! Quickly boy!”

She heard the Innkeeper call over the youth and instruct him to escort them upstairs.
Wordlessly she watched as Brinn thanked the Innkeeper for his services and nodded to indicate her own demure gratitude.

Brinn moved before her and with a loving word and a smile took Alexia’s hand and drew her after him up the stairway. Having reached the threshold of their room, Jack unlocked the door and threw it open, indicating respectfully that they should precede him inside.

”I hope t’will be to the Lady’s liking … “

He murmured anxiously as Brinn drew her forwards.
Alexia stood uncertainly in the doorway, her eyes taking in the large double bed and comfortable seating. The room was far larger than she had imagined and looked comforting and welcoming.
She turned her head towards Brinn, her eyes shining with naïve pleasure and her mouth curving in a delighted smile.
Never had she been treated to such luxury; to enjoy a bath and food and drink and a luxurious bed all in her own room was beyond her wildest imaginings.

 

[Steiner]

Brinn lifted Alexia by the waist as she stopped in surprise in front of the door and swung her aside into the room with a pat as she jumped.

He turned to the boy and said - "I need a plain chair with a high back, boy - this armour needs to be tended properly. If you'll clean it properly with wool I'll give you either a penny or a proper dirk - your choice."

The boy grinned widely, a proper fighting dirk would look very smart on his belt, and would make him the envy of his mates!

As the boy brought the chair, Brinn loosened the tight straps of the armour, laying it aside on the chair back and placing his helm on the top. The boy took the armour out on the chair and Brinn turned to grin at Alexia as she wandered about the room in pleasure. "Try the bed!" he suggested, sitting on the padded surface with a sigh.

Jack returned with a jug of good wine and two goblets, and Brinn gestured to the table as he put them down. "Let's have a goblet of that, love. I've thirst on me after our walking."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia tried not to blush as Brinn lifted her and swung her into the room. She caught his eye and smothered a giggle, wandering away from his gaze as if to inspect their chamber.

"I need a plain chair with a high back, boy - this armour needs to be tended properly. If you'll clean it properly with wool I'll give you either a penny or a proper dirk - your choice."

Alexia stood at the head of the bed and watched as Brinn loosened his armour and laid it out carefully. She had not realised that such items needed careful tending. She was not averse to cleaning and would gladly have helped him, yet she knew that it would be unseemly as his lady to offer.

"Try the bed!"

Brinn’s voice broke into her thoughts. She hesitated and sat beside him, as if testing it, but for what? A bed was a bed in her experience. Brinn looked at her, keen for her assessment no doubt.

”It seems … sturdy enough… “

She declared and saw him turn away, in a belated attempt to hide an amused glint in his eye, then chuckled as he realised that Jack had returned and set the wine upon the table.

"Let's have a goblet of that, love. I've thirst on me after our walking."

She smiled, pleased with his good humour and pleased to be away from prying eyes.

”Aye husband, it will be good to enjoy such .. refreshment .. “

She spoke the words shyly, almost with the same breathless wonder of a new bride becoming accustomed to addressing her man as “husband”. She had paid no heed as to whether the servants were in the room, she had followed Brinn’s lead, supposing that they would be disturbed whilst the arrangements for their bathing and their meal were made.
Taking the goblet from Brinn’s hands, she looked into his eyes as he held the goblet towards her.

”To us … “

He toasted, his eyes holding hers with all the adoration of a new husband.

”To us … “

She echoed softly.

Both sipped their wine, both realising that they were becoming … adept … at playing the roles they had assigned themselves.

 

[Steiner]

Brinn kicked off his boots and relaxed back against the soft pillows holding Alexia's gaze as he drank the wine a little too quickly for its obvious quality. Two men carried up a large oak tub and set it before the fire, and then the barmaid wandered in to take their order.

At first she flirted openly with him, and it took him a little while to realise why. A happily married man would let his wife take care of this sort of thing, and Brinn was behaving as if Alexia couldn't be relied upon, dealing with it himself. He flushed and turned to her. "Could you deal with this, Alexia? You could place an order for fresh food for the journey on too." He took a seat and busied himself checking the edge on his longsword, honing out what few burrs were on it, and checking over it for rust.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Alexia Kenton

Alexia watched Brinn kick off his boots and relax on the bed. She felt awkward with people coming and going and hovered by the fire, watching as the oak tub was set in place.

From her vantage point by the fire, Alexia watched as the barmaid came in to take their food order. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the girl flirting with Brinn. Her tone was playful, as she looked teasingly up at him and totally ignored Alexia. Was this the type of woman Brinn usually found attractive she wondered, turning to hide the hurt expression. After all this was just play acting, but surely he wouldn't compromise it all just for one pretty face ... and she was pretty, Alexia noted enviously and more worldly and no doubt experienced ...

"Could you deal with this, Alexia?
You could place an order for fresh food for the journey on too."

Brinn called her over. Alexia tried to hide the look of surprise as he instructed the barmaid to ask his wife as to her preferences.
The maid was equally taken aback, a gaze darting between them to reassess the situation. Alexia took a deep breath, hardly knowing how to proceed, trying to remember she was a moneied married lady.

"Let me see girl, what did my husband suggest we might have ... "

Alexia watched as the girl read out the proposed menu and took care to agree with much of it, but amend certain of his choices, claiming to know what he would prefer, though in truth she had no idea as to his appetite.

Ordering fresh supplies for the onward journey was simpler. Being country bred, Alexia spoke knowledgeably about the cheeses and breads and cured meat, even arranging for preseves to be provided and a flagon of cider.

All the while she was aware of Brinn sat attending to his sword and that although the girl's eyes darted occasionally in his direction, his remained focused upon his task.

The girl finally left the room, daring to throw a last look over at Brinn who studiously avoided her gaze. Alexia moved to the fire once more and remained silent. For the first time she was aware that the room was too small to avoid conversation or contact of some sort.

She wanted to ask him if he was meeting her later, and if not, if he would return at some future date to take up where he had been obliged to leave off. She told herself that it was merely because his dalliance could put them in danger, but she realised with a start that she actually was jealous.
It was an emotion she had never recognised in herself before and it came as a shock!

Ashamed of her unreasonable reaction, Alexia busied herself arranging the bundle she had carried with her, her eyes downcast and determinedly silent.

 

[Steiner]

When everything had quietened down, Brinn cast his eyes up at Alexia. "Thanks for taking care of her for me - I thought she was never going to take the hint! Can you believe it? Flirting with a married man right in front of his wife?! Makes you wonder what some of the other people who stay here must be like!"

He sheathed his sword quickly and stood, hanging the belt off the corner of the bedpost. He saw her standing by the bed and crossed to her, recognising the look on her face, that she tried to hide as he approached. She was definitely upset about something. Given what she had been through this was hardly suprising, and he crossed the room quickly to take her into his arms.

"It's okay, you know. You're quite safe here. There is nothing to worry about tonight - you're warm, protected and cared for."