Taken from the castle (closed)

[guyloveshotstories]

"To be honest, this is the first time we've ever had royalty in our campaign," he said before a brief pause, drawing a long breath and letting it out slowly, "I'm just concerned for your well-being." His left hand came up, "I do not doubt your abilities to take care of yourself, my lady," as his eyes looked down at her pup whose eyes glared back, "And Lord knows that this one will take down a dozen men," but this castle that we're going towards, he is a devil of a man. We've heard stories that he guts villagers and mounts their heads on poles. I don't want to see your head on a pole."

The knight turned his head to look at all of his men. He knew them, they were hardened, capable, and deadly. His eyes came back and connected with the Lady. "If you're going to learn from this, then you're not going to learn staying in the wagon. You'll ride with me, but you'll stay close. Be on your wits. This place we're going into, it's full of dangers." His words came out as soft and kind. He had concern, but it was trumped by their combined abilities.

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan understood what he was saying about the danger she could be in during this campaign. She looked down and then asked "do you think it would be alright for Azmith to ride in one of the wagons until we camp because I don't think she will be able to keep up any longer?" She turned and flung herself down beside the knight still a little sore from the ride. She heard her pup lay her head on the breast plate of the armor. She lifted her head up to say "you better start acting better to Sir Robert or he may tie you to one of the wagons and not stop until we make camp that day."

She moved the pups head while saying "you better go over and make nice with him or this trip is going to be a long trip for you." She was surprised to see what happened next. Her pup actually got up and and walked over to Robert. The wolf started to sniff his hand still a little cautious around him. She could tell that the pup still didn't really like Robert but at least this could turn out good.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

With a smile and holding out his right hand, Sir Wayne smiled and nodded, "Go ahead. Sniff it. That's a good wolf." The tip of the wolf's nose, soft and wet, brushed against his digits then the flick of the tongue rolled over his skin. It tickled slightly that made the Knight chuckle. "I wouldn't do that, not to such a pup dedicated to ones' master. Certainly, she can ride in the wagon. My 'house' is your house for the duration of this campaign."

The wagon was his house, it was big enough to hold several men. It had all of the luxuries of a real house. But that would come later. "Better get on board, little one" Sir Wayne said to the pup. "We're heading out."

The order rippled through the line. The men woke up, shambled onto the road donning their helmets and forming their formations. The back of the wagon was opened to allow the wolf to enter. There were many slats open to allow viewing and for air to flow in to keep the interior cool, plus there was an open hatch on top so the pup could climb to the roof and watching everything that was going on around it.

"Let us be off, then," Sir Wayne nodded to Lady Morgan, sliding his head into his helmet.

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan help her pup into the wagon before she got onto her horse and made her way up to the front of the troops. She didn't know if there was a way that Azmith could find her way up to to the hatch that was in the wagon but she felt that if there was a way the pup would find it. She seen Robert join her and the troops started to move. She heard a faint howling sound and looked back to see her pup was on top of the wagon. She couldn't do anything but giggle at the pup.

She didn't know how stable the ride would be in a little bit so she hoped that the pup would be smart enough to get down if she couldn't keep herself on the platform. She didn't know if Robert minded her pup being up there but. She didn't think there was a way to keep the wolf up there without her being able to see everything. She didn't know how much longer the ridecwas going to be for today but she hoped that this time she would last longer than before.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"We may be able to make it a few more miles today," the Knight said looking down the winding trail. "We'll need to find ourselves a good place to camp that would give us defense and have a good water source. One of my scouts say that there is such a place maybe four or five miles. The trail is going to get steep and rocky," his face turns to her with a warming smile, "Not to worry. We can make it."

Holding up his right hand above his head, he waves for the column to continue their march. The horse's flanks were pressed and they walked forward. The wagon rattled as it went as the pup appeared in the top hatch.

"So, tell me, Lady Morgan, what sort of things do you hope to learn while you're out here with us? There are many useful tools that you can learn that, while maybe not making you more lady like, it would make you a better person."

Behind them the men were laughing and drinking their sour wine from their canteens. It was better than the water and the cooks promised a fitting dinner for them once they get to their camp. Slowly the column wound their way down the road, around each turn Sir Wayne looked about, his eyes carefully going over for anything that was amiss. He kept a calm demeanor as to not alarm the others, but he felt that there were eyes watching them.

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan was going to try to answer him but when she seen the trail get rocky she decided not to because she didn't want to bite her tongue. She hoped that Robert wouldn't be offended by her not answering him. When they had finally reached the spot where their camp was to be at she finally said "I don't know what my father wants me to learn out here. It could be because I haven't really chosen someone from the princes that he has had come over so he sent me away so that I won't be so difficult." She took off her helmet befpr she asked "do you have that special person in your life?"

She hoped that she wasn't being to forward with him but she wanted to know. She didn't know where she was going to sleep that night but she figured that more than likely she was to be in the knights wagon. She heard her pup yipping and barking as she made her way though all the men between her and Morgan. Morgan bent over and gave her pup a quick pat on the head. She waited for Robert to take off his armor before she would start to take off her's. She couldn't help but to start to stretch herself out from the long trip. She hadn't ever rode a horse for that long in her life.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Sir Wayne listened to her, but didn't say anything when it came to her father, The King. He knew to never challenge the orders of a king, no matter how mad they may seem. But when she asked the next question,"No, m'lady. I do not" he replied sliding off of his horse and tethering the animal to his wagon. "I have spent too much time campaigning for your father to really have someone stay in my life," looking up at the Lady on her horse, "Perhaps the closest relationship I've had is with my horse!"

The servants with the wagon began setting things up for their Lord as the column entered the clearing and started setting up their own tents, nothing as grand as compared to their Lord.

"Why don't you come on down," Sir Wayne said, undoing the clasps to his breast plate and pulling it off his heavy shoulders where a servant quickly claimed it. "We'll have our sentries out, so the armor won't be necessary," but pointed at the blade at her side, "But always keep that close by, even when you're sleeping." He began to walk away, but paused to look back, "I do hope to have the pleasure of your company at dinner. You can meet my fellow commanders and go over our strategy for this campaign."

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan got off of her horse and began to take her armor off. Robert's servant collected the pieces when he got his Lord's armor put away. She sat on a grassy hill for a bit her pup laying across her lap. Azmith was never really intended to be a lap dog because the wolf would get way to heavy for it but Morgan had tried multiple times. to break the habit but couldn't yet. Morgan could feel the air start to cool which caused her nipples to press themselves against the light fabric of her shirt. She loosened the draw strings which kept the linen shirt closed so her cleavage wouldn't show. She figured that her nipples poking through may be a little worse for her around all these me than showing some cleavage.

She walked over to where Sir Wayne was standing and asked "what time will dinner be held?"

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"At around 6 in the evening," he replied. The chefs were hard at work starting a fire as men came back with arm fulls of firewood. The men started their camp fires and made their dinners with what they were given, nothing near the level Sir Wayne, his guest, and his commanders were about to have.

With Lady Morgan sitting on the hill looking down at the column and the campfires sprung up, it was easy for their gaze to turn towards her as she was the only lady in the entire column. She was of age and attractive, but as the dirty, tired, men looked up as saw the wolf pup draped on her lap, they knew that she was off limits, but that didn't mean that they could stare and lust at her. Then one pool soul decided to send a cat call her way.

Sir Wayne was in his tent as it was still being set up. He poured himself over a map, plotting his current position as well as where he planned on going for the next day. His scouts were already out and looking for proper routes. One of his lieutenants, Cocoran, stepped under the fly and called out, "Sir! We have not ventured far this day" speaking concerned.

"I know" Sir Wayne replied with a low tone. "Our men are tired. I didn't think they could make it far today. The marching will work out the spirits from their bodies. But they're going to be bitter for the next few days."

"Of course, sir, but I also have concern over having Lady Morgan with us," Cocoran said approaching the map and looking intently at Wayne. "I think her mere presence will be enough to make the men....hungry."

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan decided to walk around the camp for a bit. She could feel the men's eyes on her wich she didn't mind it at all seeing how Sir Wayne was entrusted to protect her. She heard the cat call as well and her pup's ears perked up. She didn't pay any attention either. She could hear some murmering around the camp about her being here which they were somewhat right that she could end up slowing them down or causing them more headaches than they usually have.

She just happened to stumble by where Sir Wayne was holding a meeting with his top people. She stopped to hear someone talking about the other men and her. She walked into the tent and said "you won't have to about that if it does happen they will lose their man hood before it's all over with." She walked to Robert's side hoping that he wasn't mad at her for walking in on his meeting. She didn't mean to but she knew that she was to prove herself as the campaign wen on.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Seeing the Lady made some of the commanders stand up out of respect. "I believe we all know Lady Morgan. She will be with us during this campaign," the Knight says as the commanders sit down. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Sir Wayne nods to her, "Not at all. Why don't you tack a seat and listen as we go over our plan."

Cocoran stood up and pointed towards the far north-east corner of the massive map that shows the outline of the enemy castle that they were suppose to seize as well as outlining villages. There was only one winding highway that took them to the castle, it was narrow, in some cases they wind around mountains and had many choke points. Sir Wayne looked at it concerned.

"My lord" Cocoran began, "May I suggest that we abandon the highway and strive to take or make a road that will take us off the beaten path that it easier and shorter than this?"

To build a road through this land would take a lot of time, time that Sir Wayne didn't want to take. They didn't want to be caught out here when the winter hit or else they would be cut off from all outside help.

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan didn't know if she was allowed to speak or not so she kept quiet for a bit until she heard someone talk about taking paths less traveled. She didn't know what that would take but she figured that the process would be a long one. "I'm sorry to interrupt but wouldn't that take longer than the path we are on now. Also if you guys have fears about the men with me being here isn't taking more time a bad thing?" She hoped that she didn't upset anyone by saying all the things she said but the plan seemed to be a little less desirable for the men in both moral and in the fact that there wasn't any women for the men. She caught a glimpse of her pup walking in and then setting between her and sir Wayne. She could smell the food cooking on the fire and began to wonder why Azmith wasn't trying to sneak food like when she was at home. Morgan then seen the pup start trying to make nice with Sir Wayne again. She was happy to see that Azmith was trying to be friendly to someone else.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"There's always a place at the table for someone new!" said a loud voice on the far end of the table. It was Michael O'Dowry, a older man with a fully grown red beard. He was a old, loud, but capable commander. He pulled up a seat and patted it for Lady Morgan to sit down beside him. "We don't have, or at least I don't have, any fears of having a woman with us are dash with your companion here."

Sir Wayne felt the wolf pup rubbing up against his leg that he reached down and carefully scratched behind her ears. "To address what Lady Morgan has said, yes, it would take more time for us to go around through the woods, but, at the same time, trying to go up this highway, this one highway, would leave us vulnerable. The enemy will know we're coming and lay lots of ambushes and the passes there, they'll be easily defended and a tough nut to crack," as he spoke his finger traced up the winding road slowly showing the narrow mountain passes and steep cliffs.

His eyes turned towards Lady Morgan, "As you can see, we have ourselves a tough choice to make. What do you think, m'lady?"

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan looked at the map before saying "I really have no idea on this matter. The only thing that I know is if we take more time then tbe men would start to lose moral because my father had asked them to leave almost as soon as they got back into the kingdom." She could feel her pup nuzzle her hand and she began to pet the pup. She didn't know exactly her father had wanted her to learn while out on this campaign but she figured at this may be one of those things. She could smell the food cooking outside and couldn't help but to start to get hungry. She could even tell that her pup was getting hungry and she began to wonder what time it was. She just sat there and listened to the rest of the meeting because she didn't have any knowledge in troop management or movement.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

It was true. Cutting a way through the forest would cost precious time and morale. Hacking through it would also leave them vulnerable to ambush, but so it would trying to go up the road. It was a tough decision that none of the commanders have the will to express. It was either or and both of them were a deadly choice.

"Perhaps we can make the choice after a hot meal" Sir Wayne, "Never make a decision on an empty stomach." The lieutenants all stood up, bowed, and quietly left the table leaving Lady Morgan alone with him, except for the wolf pup.

"It is time to eat" he said with a brief smile, "Come. Let us dine together," holding out a hand towards his tent. What was presented to them was a lovely dinner of roasted beef with vegetables and a rich, dark red wine served with it and sliced light bread. It was a good thing that the chefs were able to forage some from the countryside and filled their wagons with fresh food when they were back in the castle.

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan couldn't believe the spread and happily ate her food. She couldn't believe how tasty everything was. She didn't know what was going to happen after dinner but she hoped that she didn't have to show how inexperienced she was at it. She could feel her pup start to paw at her leg for some food. She cut her a small portion of the meat and dropped it down to her pup. She didn't know if she had already been fed or not.

When she was done eating she asked "well good knight what's next for the day?" She wanted to take a bath but she knew that she would need to have an escort to the place she was to take a bath. She really didn't know how they operated and for all she knew she wasn't going to get a bath.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"If you're up for it, we can try your hand at some sword practice," he smiled at her. He opened a small box and pulled out two practice swords made of wood and handed one over to her. "Don't know if your parents tested your mettle, but here, we can go over what you know and what you need to know," beckoning her outside the tent and into the clearing. As a Lady of the court, she was viewed as a woman who didn't know how to protect herself. But Sir Wayne was going to kindly test her and make her improve herself. He needed strong people in his ranks and at his side.

"The King and Queen were kind to allow you to come with us," he said with a cough to clear his throat. Tracing a few steps out there into the open he turned around and asked her, "I want you to show me how you handle the sword. Now, show me how you hold it."

The others in the area, seeing the Knight stepping out with the Lady, they became curious and turned their heads to witness this, but kept their distance.

When he gave the instructions, Sir Wayne gripped his sword tightly with both hands and held it above his head and froze waiting for her to take up her popse.

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan had been trained to use weapons when she was very young but she didn't know if her skills were still sharp. When she seen him pause in his stance she held up her sword and side stepped a couple of steps before saying "you do know a downward slash isn't the greatest for straight swords like these. A good slashing weapon would be something that is curved." She held her stance of a bit before addind "oh and one more thing side step to a stabbing attempt to the throat or hacking your joints which isn't properly protected by armor."

She hoped that he would not get mad at her for the things she said and make this duel a lot harder than he intended it to be. She waited to see what he was planning on doing next because she hadn't really spared in a ling time.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Sir Wayne smiled. She possessed some skills not only with the blade, but also with words. "Good. I'm glad to see that you're not a novice," taking his sword with both hands and bringing it back. His blade was straight because he preferred fighting on the ground rather than mounted. Mounted made him vulnerable to being surrounded and stand out to archers. "But, do you want to be worn down by armor to protect your vital areas on off chance of protection, or, are you going to stay light with only the breastplate and helm?"

As he spoke, he tightened his grip on the shaft of the sword and narrowed his eyes at Lady Morgan. He wasn't enraged or even threatened, he was focusing on her body, on her moves, how she carried herself to study her actions when he began to move. His sword was powerful in the stabbing, but a stab could easily be deflected. He had to make her vulnerable, exposed, to deliver the killing stroke. That would come with a charge.

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan waited for him to strike because she wanted to gauge his speed knowing that he had power on her. She waited to answer thinking hard about what she was just asked. "There is not a right or wrong answer for one reason it's like asking do you want to be able to move or not get killed." She didn't know what he had planned for her but more than likely it was something that he thought that would catch her off guard.

"I can tell you would rather use a straight sword over anything curved but you do have to think a curved blade doesn't take as much effort to slice at someone than a straight blade does." She said relaxing her stance a bit knowing that she would have to be light on her feet to be able to keep up with him. She wondered what he wanted to to she wasn't going to strike first because she wasn't sure of what he wanted to do.

 

[SRP_lover19]

.....

 

[SRP_lover19]

.....

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"It would depend on the scenario," he replied to her question. "In most of my battles I have faced men wearing little to no armor. The armor that they did wear was leather or cloth, so a slice or a stab would go through them easily. The tricky part would come when facing another knight. Now there...that's where either or would be enough if you know when to strike." Hold the sword slightly higher than his head, his wrist rotated slowly to cause the blade to twirl.

His smile was still on his face as he readied to engage Lady Morgan once again. "I was raised with the straight blade. It's a tradition in my family. You, though, seem to favor the curved blade. Perhaps later you can show me how you handle in the saddle with that."

Taking a few steps towards her, his sword was lowered, left hand let go of the handle then did a upward swing with the blade and yelled, "Ya!"

The other men of the column began to gather forming a line around the two combatants. It was a friendly match, but that didn't stop them from placing bets back and forth. Their lord had easy favor, but there were many that placed their coins on Lady Morgan, they loved to root for the underdog.

 

[SRP_lover19]

Morgan quickly got out of the way of his strike side stepping to the left then following up with her own attack letting him only hear the wooshing sound of the wooden sword. She didn't know she was going to actually get a victory with this strike but she knew many attacks she could redirect to in order to gain another chance. She wondered if her trunk had her practice things in it still or if her mother had gotten rid of all of it.

She quickly snapped back to the event at hand because she needed to stop herself if he didn't block so that he wouldn't get his neck crushed. She didn't know if she would do damage but if she could she didn't want to. She would hate to have his whole battalion mad at her because she put their leader out of the fight. She didn't know what his next move would be but she was ready for it if she needed to counter it.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Missed. Was it planned? He wanted to keep her in the dark, but he spun on his heels in a wide arc towards the left, coming back around in a near full circle with a yell.

Those of the battalion were cheering, throwing bits of food into the 'arena'.

The sound of steel on steel echoed through the clearing. The fight was working up the wolf pup, it sat with her eyes staring contently at the two fighters as they worked at each other, but kept itself still, perfectly still, waiting for the right moment.

When their blades contacted, Sir Wayne slid his sword until their hilts were touching and they were face to face, separated. "Don't hold back" he told her, "I want to see everything you have. Don't worry about the men, and don't worry about me. Defend yourself. I want to see if you have what it takes," grunting as he gave her a push back.