Ransom

[Master_of_RP]

Issy was his true home. He hadn't been there ever since he escaped for being wrongly accused. In Eva, he had hope. What if he could save her in return for her to help him go back home? The thought was too good to be ignored.

"Glad you comprehend" His hands were tangled in hers as they walked towards the lake. "It is difficult to escape the camp of Sir. He would never let me go" Jay replied, fully knowing how important of a servant George considered him to be. But inside he realised, he had found someone to trust in Eva. He knew she would do as she said if ever she were to return back home, which seemed quite impossible knowing the fate of the previous eight girls.

As they reached the lake, he let her free of him. “I...do not swim either.” She laughed. “We can wade in the shallows? That would be nice.” He nodded. "Okay".

He watched her peel herself off the blue silk dress. His eyes fixated on her back. He could only admire the physical beauty of this sweet little princess. He followed her to the tree branch. He ripped the cloak of him and hung it besides the blue dress and belt, hooking the thick rope on to another branch and looked at her as she turned to him.

"Please to. The water in the summers is nice and warm." commented he. He lead her into the water, holding her hands. His tall figure shadowed her as they stood in the shallow waters. "Why not swim? Don't you learn back home?" He asked, curious as to why she didn't know swimming.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Sir Jay was a prisoner to George also, Eva realized. That...that was terrible. She would tell her father, he would know what to do. He would help him, she was sure of it.

He had denied her little before, after all.

"My father will help. I will beg if I have to." She said seriously, resolute. Eva was clearly compassionate, not one of those empty headed, uncaring nobles. "He will know how to help, I promise."

But for now, there was the water. Eva allowed herself to be lead into it, the sand soft beneath her feet. She smiled as they traveled a little deeper, the shift clinging to her legs as the material became soaked.

"My...my father, he is very cautious." Eva explained, her eyes following the ripples, looking at the stones just beneath the water's surface. "There are many things I am not allowed to do, as he is afraid I may be hurt." Her eyes lifted to him, a small frown. "I worry about him, at times. It is not good to worry so very much." She gave a squeeze to his hands, a smile. "But perhaps that is what fathers do."

He must be so very worried now, Eva thought. She felt terrible for making him worry-but surely he knew she would be safely returned to him. That was good-she would hate to make him sad. That was why she followed his orders, and did not fight with her attendants who were charged with ensuring her safety.

"That must seem very silly." She mused. "There are many fun things I have been kept from doing."

Protected. This girl had been protected from anything Lord Lyons felt posed a danger-real or imagined. It wasn't entirely difficult to see why-she was so very innocent, naive. At the same time, it was a shame to keep so pretty a bird caged up. And yet Eva didn't seem to resent him. She clearly trusted him implicitly. She was too sweet to rebel, it seemed.

 

[Master_of_RP]

Jay listened to Eva while they walked towards the water. He could sense the compassion in her, the truth in her voice. She did feel terrible for the poor chap.

"Appreciate your concern" He said. He had never seen any ray of hope back home after his escape. He longed to return. In Eva, he could see his home, his people. Moreover, he could free himself of the cruel George.

He stood there in the warm water, listening to her. He understood that she was always protected, that all her life she had been confined to those courts, not being let free, not able to do the things she wished to. She had never been exposed to the harsh truth of life until now.

"Lord Lyon. He would do anything for you. Isn't it so?" He asked, rather rhetorically.

He held her hands and lowered himself, taking a dip into the water. Coming out, he looked at her. Water dripping down on to his face from his brownish hair. The sun was bright and shining upon them. "What fun things you wish you did?" He inquired with a smile as he wiped the water on his face.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Eva laughed as they resurfaced, her honey colored tresses curling slightly now that they were damp, water beading and dripping from her skin, down her jawline, her slender throat, the girl’s delicate collar bone. The white shift clung to her slight curves, a lady’s cream colored undergarment cinched around her small waist and concealing her from him-but it was still rather scandalous. No doubt poor Eva would be mortified to realize this.

“Oh, so many!” Eva said, her eyes lighting up, many a day dream now spilling from her soft lips. “Climbing, horseback riding, going to the city, a market-or travel by ship! Perhaps archery or fencing, things a son would be allowed to do. I would do so many things, if I thought I could. But I could never cause my father to worry, not more than he already does.” She shook her head.

“I am lucky to have my walks in the countryside...though I suppose even those will be taken away, now.” She gave a small, slightly saddened smile. “I do love flowers...but my father keeps no gardens, not since…” She trailed off, then waved the thought away. “Well, that is alright. I shall read about them, I suppose.” Eva did like to read.

She looked up towards the sun, then to where the rays were falling. Eva was intent on not causing him trouble-she had not forgotten his instructions.

 

[Master_of_RP]

Jay held her hand while she spoke. His eyes wandered all over her body. Her skin, collar bone attracted him. He had not been so close to a girl of her stature before. He stood there, his eyes admiring her curves, and then he noticed the undergarment. How he wished he could see through them.

"Ehm ehm" He cleared his throat. "I can teach you archery" He said, smiling at her. He understood the discrimination she faced being the female in the house. He sympathized.

“I do love flowers...but my father keeps no gardens, not since…” . Intrigued, he asked further. "Since?" She had made him curious. Every conversation he had with her, he wished to dig deep and understand her more.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Eva had been distracted, did not notice his gaze. Not yet, anyhow.

“Oh, that would be wonderful Sir Jay!” Eva brightened, her eyes returning to him. “I am sure with your help, I might learn something.” She was excited by the prospect. Her father would not like it-but perhaps, just this once, he wouldn’t have to know. She would be careful. His fear lay with other archers, and less with her somehow injuring herself.

She was sure Jay would be careful.

But her sunny expression dimmed slightly when he inquired further about the gardens, a more serious expression taking its place. She considered him a moment, then spoke softly. “My mother...died when I was very young. There have been no gardens since. My governess told me roses were her favorite…and now my father cannot bear to see them. He...he loved her very much, I am told. Enough he refuses to remarry, despite having no son.” Eva’s gaze drifted away. “He has only me, and I him. I...I feel terrible for getting kidnapped, Sir Jay. He must be so worried.”

There it was again-Eva more concerned over someone else rather than herself. She clearly loved her father. Worried for him.

She felt guilty then-being at the lake, enjoying the sunshine while he fretted at home, alone. She would translate another book for him, or embroider another set of linens-anything to make up for his sadness while she had been away. The francs she did not think would hurt him any. But the time worrying...she would be glad to be home and assure him.

And to ask for help on Jay’s behalf, of course.

 

[Master_of_RP]

His fingers intertwined with hers. He felt those soft hands. Smiling at her, he said. "But you look weak. Strengthen yourself so as to be able to lift the crossbow" He mentioned. It was not an easy task for her to lift the heavy crossbows. It required some strength and Eva had not had food in days. She had been living on water and a fruit or two everyday.

His eyes became watery when she revealed the tragic death of her mother. He understood the feeling of separation. He had been separated for eight years now from his parents. "Sorry to hear" were his words. He learned how much she cared for his father.

He let go off himself of her hands and swam in the lake. He thought about the reward, about Eva, about Lord Lyon. He had learned so much about them in only a day. On the other hand, he had never betrayed George. It scared him, the thought of committing treason. He knew the result would be death.

Returning to Eva, he asked "Lord Lyon and Lord Foy know each other well? Comrades?" He wanted to know all the facts before contemplating on his decision.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Eva nodded to him, watching him swim as she moved closer to shore, realizing just then how see through her shift had become-giving a start before she wrapped her arms around herself, embarrassed. A deep blush had spread over her face, but she was worried leaving the water might look like an escape attempt. She did not want to betray his trust, even by appearance.

"Th-they are allies. Should one face attack, the other is sworn to assist." Eva provided, her arms still wrapped around herself. "My father was educated in the senior Lord Foy's manor, long ago. They g-grew up together. If Lord Foy had a son, I should think I'd have been married to him." She nodded, but was very anxious to don her dress again.

"I'm sorry Sir Jay, may I step out of the water now? Please forgive my...my improper attire, I was not thinking clearly." She took a step towards the shore, then another-waiting for his approval before she took a third.

Despite her embarrassment, she gave another assurance. "M-my father will write to him, I'm sure of it. You deserve that much from me, having been so kind."

 

[Master_of_RP]

"Th-they are allies. Should one face attack, the other is sworn to assist." Jay smirked at this. He had his confirmation right there. "Pleased to hear" He whispered.

Jay's eyes repeatedly fell on her white shift that had become increasingly transparent with time in the water. He couldn't resist having a glance at her chest every now and then. "I'm sorry Sir Jay, may I step out of the water now? Please forgive my...my improper attire, I was not thinking clearly." She said walking out of the waters. He lead her out. "It is fine. In the wild, I've seen worse" He mentioned, clearly used to seeing women with more revealing outfits, largely because of their inability to dress themselves properly. But Eva was different. She was gorgeous and pretty, a princess.

They reached the branch of the tree to collect their clothes. "I believe you. Lord Lyon seems like a noble King" He said and smiled at her. Picking up his cloak, the rope and the crossbow, he turned around letting her put on her blue silk dress again, saving her any more embarrasment.

"You don't choose your prince? Lord Lyon does?" He inquired.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Sir Jay was very forgiving, and Eva felt a little better, even if she was very embarrassed. She hesitated at the tree branch, her arms still tight around herself-when he smiled and turned his back.

Only then did the relieved girl take and redon the dress, slipping into it with a relieved sigh. She tightened the laces and stepped daintily back into the blue slipper shoes, the gold thread braided belt retied around her small waist.

"Ah, no." Her small hand slipped into his again, the petite woman once more companionably at his side. "Father is more knowledgeable than I in such matters, so it is for the best. Although he has turned away many suitors, is reluctant for me to leave his household." She did not seem saddened by that in the slightest. Rather cheerful, in fact, smiling up at him. "Most noblewomen are married off very early. I am happy to still be home-though...it is rather unconventional."

The gossip in the courts. She was glad Sir Jay did not know of it. Know the other Lords and Ladies wondered if something might be wrong with her, to be unmarried at nineteen. And with rumors of a sickness on her mother's side...

Eva shook her head. "Someday I will probably be forced to take a husband. A woman cannot hold lands, after all." The thought was sobering, and she frowned.

"Have you married?" She inquired curiously. "Or have the choice..." A realization struck, surprise in her honey hazel eyes. "To marry whoever you wish?"

The thought had never occured to Eva, being able to choose a wife or a husband for one's self!