We ended up camping a little further from where we were attacked, Arthur and Willfest took care to bury the bodies of their comrades, to say a proper goodbye and they were even saying a few prayers to their fallen comrades, I didn't manage to hear much of what they were saying, but I identified the "Our Father" prayer.
They left Lay as my personal lookout in case it occurred to me to escape from them, and I have no intention of doing so, in fact they are taking me just where I want to go, even if it is somewhat counterproductive, I already gave information that I knew Baron Thomas and John Wage, two names that for some strange reason make even Sir Willfest nervous, and that for some reason that Lord Irish did not like to be mentioned, I will have to see what is going on, why is Lord Irish the one in the post, instead of the other two.
Lay didn't say a word to me, he just kept looking at me while they left me leaning against a tree with a blanket to protect me from the cold, but I wasn't allowed to do anything but stand there quietly, and now I'm surprised that Lay doesn't want to talk to me, I know he's someone who doesn't talk much, but before at least with me he did.
-Can't I really do anything but stand here?
-Really.
-Do you want to talk about something?
-No.
-You know I'm not going to run away, don't you? -You know I'm not going to run away, right?
-I do.
-Then why don't you go and see your mates off? -Yeah.
-The captain gave me the order to keep an eye on you, that's what I'll do. -I'll do it.
I think it's the first time I've heard her refer to her father as captain.
There is no case with her when she won't talk, she just won't do it.
A gust of icy wind made the cold night feel even colder. Willfest ordered no one to build a fire, as we would be easy targets for any attackers, but the way things were going I don't think a couple of blankets would keep us warm enough... Lay had begun to shiver with cold.
-Lay, this blanket is big, don't you want to cover up here with me?
He looked at me as if I had offended him.
-I'm not weak enough to have your concern.
She sneezed.
-Put your pride aside, I'll make room for you here.
Reluctantly, she sat down on the floor, wrapped the blanket around her and stood a few feet away from me.
-Big, why did you save me, I know it wasn't for bravery, otherwise you wouldn't have peed in your trousers, I also know that in the short time I've known you, despite knowing how to fight, you have a weak mind, that's why I don't understand your action.
-I think you've just destroyed what little pride I had left.
-I'm sorry.
-If you want an answer is that I don't know, I just saw that I could do something, when I realised my body was already moving, maybe unconsciously it was due to that cold look of yours.
-What do my eyes have to do with all that... don't tell me what do you like?
-Don't get me wrong, you're beautiful, but I don't have those kind of feelings for you, besides, as you said, we hardly know each other.
-I see.
Apparently my answer pleased her, she almost made a grimace on her lips.
I have the impression of having been rejected, without even being interested in her.
-But your answer makes me understand less now why you saved me.
-The way you look at people has an air of the person I love, I think that's why I couldn't let them hurt you, now that I'm separated from her, your eyes are the only thing that have kept me from sinking into despair.
There was a knot in my chest that bothered me, but the touch of Lay's hand on my cheek made me forget it, I didn't understand it, but she had wiped away a tear.
The tears came out of my eyes without being able to control them, I didn't feel like crying, but my body said the opposite.
-Why am I crying?
With my hands I wiped my tears.
-Don't worry, I don't think there's anything wrong with a man crying.
-Thank you, although that's not why I was wiping them away.
She left her stiffness for a moment, relaxed, wrapped herself completely in the blanket.
-You're lucky, at least you have someone to love.
It was the first time he had seen her without her mask, he had to admit she was radiant.
-I think we could be good friends, if I'm still alive after my encounter with the Lord.
Again her coldness returned.
-Believe me, you won't want to be my friend.
I was silent for a while, thinking hard about what to say.
-I'll be selfish, so I'll be the judge of whether or not I want to be your friend.
-As you wish.
-Lay ordered you to keep an eye on him, not... whatever this is.
-That I do father, besides it's cold.
Willfest was about to reproach, but Roy grabbed his father, and pulled him away from us so we wouldn't hear him.
-What are you doing, father?
-What do you mean, I reproach the attitude of someone who disobeys an order.
-Roy grabbed his father's face and turned it towards us.
-Since when have you ever seen Lay so talkative, or when have you ever seen her enjoy a conversation?
-Never since she's been back with us, I guess you're right...but let go of me before I spank you, remember I'm your captain on the job.
Roy let go of his father's face.
-Yes, yes, yes, yes captain, but you wanted Lay, well he's more normal, now thanks to the stranger, he's become someone more... like I said normal.
-Are you saying that they like each other?
-Why would I know that, but since you ask, I don't think so, I don't think she'd allow herself that at least, maybe friends?
-There are many things that don't add up with this Gran, he blatantly lies about his "memory problem", I'm exasperated by his innocence at his age, it seems that he was spoiled too much even in his adulthood, he knows things he shouldn't know, according to you he fights well with that dagger he has, but at the slightest drop of blood he sees it breaks, and with all that I somehow think he's a good person.
-A compliment from you father, are you ill?
Willfest put his hand on his son's man, then punched him in the stomach.
-Captain boy, captain.... What do you think Lay will do when Lord Irish calls for his head?
-I hope nothing, but if he tries anything counterproductive, I'll stop my sister myself.
-I'll try to intercede for the boy so he doesn't get killed, I owe him that much for saving Lay.
-I like Gran, I don't deny it, his strange way of talking is a bit funny, but you've already made enemies with Lord Irish, and then there's that pig Mons, don't do something unnecessary that could cause you trouble, me and Lay will be fine if anything happens to you, but remember that my younger sister still needs her cantankerous father.
-Do you want another hit Roy?
-No thanks, by the way we have to pick her up at the fort from where we left off to come here, she's going to be very upset with you for leaving her behind.
-I suppose so, but bringing her would have been dangerous Roy, leaving her in the same town where that pig is would have been even more so.
-If you had come with us you would have suffered from the events we went through, captain.
-You're right, at what point did you become more grown up?
Willfest looked proudly at his son.
-Roy, listen well, if anything should happen to me in the future, take good care of your sisters, that's your father's order.
-Of course, but we both know that Lay is the one who has better sword skills than me, you should tell her that.
-I will never accept the path she took, she should not walk this cruel path that we walk.
-Lay made her decision with the support of Edward the second, even you can't do anything there.
-I can still stop them from giving her a knighthood, if they knight her, what do you think the other Sirs will say, I'm sure they won't allow a woman to take that position.
-Father, she clung to knighthood, will you really be so cruel as not to allow her to advance?
Roy glared at Sir Willfest.
-Changing the subject Roy, I need to talk to the boy, maybe he has an answer to what happened to Thomas, if he told the truth that he had a message for him.
-You have plenty of time before you get to Dublin, but don't avoid my question Sir Willfest.
-If that is the way to keep Lay safe, I will be cruel as you say.
-Then I don't think we have anything to talk about any more, Captain.
-If you go back to your post, hand out beef jerky to the rest of the men so they can have something to eat.
-As you command.