“I am sorry for taking you away,” Alistair said quickly. “But it's time for our training.” Alistair refused to call it his own training, ashamed that he needed fighting lessons.
Joseph shook his head and smiled, “Worry not. Frederick was just asking me about my father’s mail again, then became odd about his employment of the Duke’s guard.” The man was very strange he had decided, though not whether he was a dangerous fellow or simply a little mad. Nevertheless, if Joseph was to spend any amount of time in his company, especially on a travel like this, he would much prefer to have Frederick’s fondness.
Joseph shook his head and smiled, “Worry not. Frederick was just asking me about my father’s mail again, then became odd about his employment of the Duke’s guard.” The man was very strange he had decided, though not whether he was a dangerous fellow or simply a little mad. Nevertheless, if Joseph was to spend any amount of time in his company, especially on a travel like this, he would much prefer to have Frederick’s fondness.
Alistair watched as Joseph’s gaze grew farsighted. He was clearly being introspective once again, and would need Alistair to snap him out of it. “Wake up!” he said clearly, snapping his fingers in his face. “I need your help, you know. I do not call you over for fun.”
Joseph, startled from his thoughts, lightly punched him on the shoulder, “Aye? I should not call you friend then. I will be your manservant, or mayhap your mule?” The boys grinned at each as a roughhouse started. Alistair was learning somewhat from Joseph and landed a few smarting hits on Joseph’s torso.
“Silly boys,” Anne called from afar. “We have chores to do, you know.” She haughtily swept up to them, as best as her fifteen years could hold her. Tried as she might, she could not quite manage the high born voice other ladies had. Joseph told her she had to be born with it, as it came special.
“Aye, milady,” Joseph drawled. He took a moment to shove Alistair aside, who fell with a thump on the dirt. Dust swirled up and settled on his tunic. Joseph bowed, low enough so that his nose near touched his knees. “Dear milady requires her bathwater be warmed? Milady needs her dancing partner?” Grinning, Joseph took Anne and twirled her around in a mockery of the highborn dance.
From the ground, Alistair watched as she shrieked, demanding to be let go. Joseph and Anne had the sort of sibling relationship that he wanted for himself and his own sister, though this was unlikely to ever happen.
Beatrix had rarely been seen since they had set out. She had shrieked, begged, and pleaded to be left behind. She had now taken to hiding in the covered wagon day and night, partially from sadness and from embarrassment. Alistair could only hope that she would understand that they could not let her live out her life there.
Thump! Anne fell to the ground beside Alistair and startled him from his thoughts. She laughed and Alistair watched as she gathered herself and her skirts up. The fun only stopped when the call for food rang out and the three raced for the cooking pot.
Joseph, startled from his thoughts, lightly punched him on the shoulder, “Aye? I should not call you friend then. I will be your manservant, or mayhap your mule?” The boys grinned at each as a roughhouse started. Alistair was learning somewhat from Joseph and landed a few smarting hits on Joseph’s torso.
“Silly boys,” Anne called from afar. “We have chores to do, you know.” She haughtily swept up to them, as best as her fifteen years could hold her. Tried as she might, she could not quite manage the high born voice other ladies had. Joseph told her she had to be born with it, as it came special.
“Aye, milady,” Joseph drawled. He took a moment to shove Alistair aside, who fell with a thump on the dirt. Dust swirled up and settled on his tunic. Joseph bowed, low enough so that his nose near touched his knees. “Dear milady requires her bathwater be warmed? Milady needs her dancing partner?” Grinning, Joseph took Anne and twirled her around in a mockery of the highborn dance.
From the ground, Alistair watched as she shrieked, demanding to be let go. Joseph and Anne had the sort of sibling relationship that he wanted for himself and his own sister, though this was unlikely to ever happen.
Beatrix had rarely been seen since they had set out. She had shrieked, begged, and pleaded to be left behind. She had now taken to hiding in the covered wagon day and night, partially from sadness and from embarrassment. Alistair could only hope that she would understand that they could not let her live out her life there.
Thump! Anne fell to the ground beside Alistair and startled him from his thoughts. She laughed and Alistair watched as she gathered herself and her skirts up. The fun only stopped when the call for food rang out and the three raced for the cooking pot.