Rose left the tent of the grumpy knight, knowing fully well that he was staring at her until the last second. But even though he was such a complete bastard sometimes, she was grateful to him.

He had, in the end, fulfilled his promise to take her away from the village, from her family. She remembered them with scorn and disgust. She would choose him over them any time.

She walked through the camp like a shadow, finally arriving at her destination. A lone man was sitting at a dying fire. The man was bald by choice, and clothed with simple and cheap robes.

“Hello, young girl.” He said without even looking at her.

She sat next to him, taking her hood off. “Old man.” She said with a genuine smile.

“I really hope that warrior treats you nicely.” He muttered, with a sorry smile.

“Don’t worry about me. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this well. Let’s begin the lesson!” She said enthusiastically.

The old man chuckled. “Such energy. I envy your youth.” He took out a few parchments from a sack next to him. There were letters written on them, and a couple of short phrases. “Let’s see if you can remember the letters.”

She began spelling them out one by one, taking meticulous care to pronounce each right. When she was finished, she started to decipher the words. This proved a lot more difficult, as there were some letters whose pronunciation varied depending on which letters they was associated with.

She quickly got the hang of it though, as the words were simple and short, and since she already knew the words orally.

Learning how to read was a luxury, and it had been made possible all thanks to this old man. The old man’s name was Gorm, and he was following the army as a doctor. The man worked for free for commoners and prostitutes following the army, and only took money from those who had enough to spare.

She had met him on her first day here, Loïck having sent her to be checked for any unwelcome illnesses. The knight was surprisingly strict in that regard, as he didn’t seem as critical back in the village, when he had first laid eyes on her. They had talked, and the old man had proposed to teach her how to read, and perhaps even how to write later.

She had jumped on the opportunity, and was extremely grateful to him. Unfortunately, the old man was only free in the evening, as he was busy all day tending to the needs of various sick people and the few wounded soldiers.

Apart from him, she had yet to make any new acquaintances. She didn’t dare approach other men, for fear of Loïck going into a rage. She had heard the stories of jealous men beating their women to death, a fate she would prefer to avoid. In addition, she had no need for other men, Loïck already took good care for her, he hadn’t raised his hand on her even once, another thing that had surprised her about him.

There was, of course, the tail of followers accompanying the army, notably the prostitutes, who were probably the only women here. But she preferred not to approach them. It was not a path that she wanted to take, especially with the information she had gathered from the old man.

Sicknesses and beatings were not uncommon amongst them, while the dangers of abortions always loomed over their head. She shuddered. Another fate she would rather avoid.

It left her with only one option. Her best prospect was to marry Loïck, which was still a long shot. She knew nothing of his family, or if they would ever let such a thing happen. She was a seventeen years old peasant, the lowest of the lowest here in the dukedoms.

Although learning to read and write was a step towards nobility, she knew that she was still far from being able to pass as a highborn lady, something Loïck hadn’t hesitated to let her know.

Another thought she had considered, was to become like the old man, a doctor. She could become the personal physician of some rich noble family, but her being a woman would make the whole thing much more difficult, and dangerous.

No, the best plan was to stick with Loïck, despite his flaws. He was rich, handsome and noble. That was already much more than most girls would even dare hope for.

_____________________________----------

Mars slowly advanced, walking along the dirt road in a relaxed manner. Loïck, who was sitting as comfortably as he could in his saddle, was rather amused at the spectacle happening below him.

The page, George, was riding his sturdy pony with Rose sitting behind him. She didn’t have any experience riding a horse, so she was holding really tight around the poor boy, who was furiously blushing. Rose noticed his stare and became flustered too; she tried to ignore him and instead pretended to watch the passing trees at the side of the road.

He planned to have her regularly switch horses between Mars and the pony, as to not tire out either of them. Although the pony was barely half the side of his enormous warhorse, Mars had to carry him plus baggage, and their packing pony behind them was severely loaded too.

Nicolaus was nowhere to be seen, as Loïck had sent him back to his father with a message, in the hopes that it could convince him to call him back from the campaign. His hopes were slim, but they were there. Else, he had resigned himself to his fate, abandoning his other foolish thoughts.

They were marching towards Malburg, the northern capital of the Talian Republic. Malburg was a big city, and the centre of most of the northern commerce. The reason they were needed was because the north had been subject to recent attacks from the mountainous regions in the far north..

“Sir? Can I ask you a question?” George asked hesitantly.

Loïck took a deep breath. “You already have.” He said with a satisfied tone. His sword master had loved to prank him with that every time he could. It felt so good to do it to someone else for a change that a self-satisfied smile emerged on his face.

His page looked uncomfortable, awkwardly looked away.

“Come on, ask your question.” Loïck said, as he took pity on the boy.

“Err... Why does the Republic of Tal need our help, when they have such a big army?”

“Well yes, they have a huge, professional army, but it is spread thin amongst the long borders and conquered regions. They sometimes have to reinforce their legions with local troops and mercenaries to form entire armies. Does that answer your question?” He said, with a knowledgeable expression.

“Yes, yes it does sir! Thank you!” George said with excitement. It was the first time he had a semblance of conversation with Loïck, his supposed master.

Loïck couldn’t help but notice the little smile on Rose’s face.

“Loïck!” He heard a shout coming from behind. He turned around on the saddle, and saw Jason approach. “So it’s true. You still have the peasant with you.” He said, taking a quick glance at Rose.

“Yes. She... she’s still with me.” Loïck said hesitantly, like he too had difficulties to believe it. He took a quick look at Rose who feigned like she hadn’t heard them.

“Anyway, tomorrow evening, Sir David is organising a small betting tournament. You’re in?” Jason said with a relaxed smile.

“Of course I’m in! When have I not been in?” Loïck exclaimed indignantly.

Jason smiled. “That’s what I thought. Don’t cry when I win though.”

“Hey tell me, who did you bet on last time?” Loïck said, feigning that he was trying to remember something.

Jason sighed, with a little hidden smile nonetheless. “I seem to remember that was you.”

“And why was that?” Loïck asked with a smug smile.

“Screw you, man.” Jason said, knowing what was coming.

“Because you were eliminated, by me! Oh, and I won, so technically you should thank me for your gains that day.” Loïck grinned.

“I’m gonna leave you with this idiot.” Jason said to no one in particular and continued up the line of knights.

“You really won?” George asked with wonder in his eyes.

Loïc’s smug smile resurfaced. “Yes I did. You see, there was this enormous guy...” And then he slowly began telling that story again, while Jason rolled his eyes a little up further. He knew that story all too well.

The same evening, they put up the tent with a little more difficulty than usual, as Nicolaus was absent. Even Rose helped, though no one expected her too. George proposed to have her sit by the fire and rest while they put it up, to which she had gracefully declined. She was really trying to act like a noble.

While his page slept under the stars, Loïck finished polishing his sword. He had found a good stone, and had been tirelessly going at it for over an hour. One could accuse him of many things, but laziness certainly wasn’t one of them.

Loïck soon stopped, satisfied with his sword. A brief look at Rose’s alluring silhouette was enough to make him lose all interest and he joined her in the bed.

They soon lied enlaced in bed, both covered in sweat and catching their breath. Suddenly their eyes met, Rose looking into his mesmerizing blue eyes, and she gently approached her lips to his and gave him a soft kiss. It felt strangely intimate, and Loïck rolled away without returning it, leaving Rose disappointed.

“I know what you’re doing.” He said neutrally, staring up the roof of the tent.

“And what’s that?” She said, refusing to bite.

“You want me. My wealth, respect, privilege. My nobility.” He said, maybe with a hint of bitterness.

“You’re so... arrogant.” She muttered vehemently. She didn’t mean to, but the way he said it... The way he made it sound like he had such a huge burden being rich and privileged just ticked her off.

“Am I wrong?” He hissed back.

“I am learning to read and write. I don’t need you anymore. Yet here I am, in your arms.” She retorted.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You’re what?”

“The old man, you sent me to, remember? He’s teaching me...” She said uncertainly, fearing his reaction.

“Why?” He asked. To her surprise, he sounded genuinely confused and curious. For him, the literacy lessons had always been the most boring, falling short to fighting and riding, and even dancing lessons. He knew several knights who barely knew how to read, much less write.

She was taking short by his question, and had to take a moment to gather her thoughts.

“Reading and writing are skills which are very important to become anyone of importance. Without even mentioning all the practical uses, like sending letters...” She gave him a little wink, as she knew he had just sent one such to his father. “It also garners respect from others, and Gorm told me it develops your mind.”

Impressed, Loïck made a faint smile as he processed her words and found in himself new respect for her.

“Not to mention, if I am to become your wife one day, then I will have to be worthy of it.” She smiled sweetly.

He smiled back to her in disbelief. Then he opened his mouth, and all her hoped were crushed. “You’re good, I’ll give you that. But I’m not buying that load of bullshit.” He said as he slowly shook his head.

Her smile faded, leaving place to a woman who had just seen her goal come within arm’s reach, where it then had been mercilessly crushed.

“But you know what?” He said as his smile widened. “You’re smart. Beautiful. Good in bed... We may just work something out.” With that said he turned around and closed his eyes, leaving a confused woman at his side.