Medieval Fantasy: Closest Friend, Worst Enemy

((Good idea. :3 ))

Mitch smiled. "Her name is Aiyana- it means Eternal Blossom. She's a pretty good mare." He ran his fingers through her untangled mane. "Good to know Jaina wants to come to the stables," he added quietly. He glanced back towards the tent, then looked at Alyss again. "Sorry to interrupt you if you were headed somewhere.."

Henry could feel the tension and awkwardness. He sighed. "I..Just want you to be safe. There's a lot of men who would take advantage of you- because you're beautiful. And I don't want that for you. I'm just concerned and worried. You.. Understand, right?"
 
((Awkward turtle, omg XD.))

Alyss laughed. "She looks like it." She continued to pet the mare, but looked up at Mitch. "Yes! Should work in your favor, if we can stop Henry from acting like the overprotective brother he is," she joked, but inherently called out his attraction to the younger girl. "And--oh, no. No, I was just going for a walk. I'm happy to help. Anything else I can do for you?"

Jaina placed a hand on her brother's shoulder, smiling at him. "Of course I understand!" She leaned forward, hugging him. "I understand why the uncertainty would be scary. I promise, I'll be safe." Given their conversation earlier, she felt willing to push a little bit more. "I can't stay cooped up in this tent forever because someone might try and hurt me, right?" Besides. Jaina absolutely hated speaking ill of their father, but it was basically his fault that she was so completely naive and inexperienced.
 
"W-well..I.. Didn't think of it that way." Henry hugged her back, glad she was listening to him. "Just be very careful... And, thank you for understanding." He hugged her a bit tighter, almost protectively before letting go. "It's almost supper time... Want to get headed out," he asked, his eyes on his sister.

Mitch smiled a bit, and looked away from Aiyana to Alyss. "True, he is very protective. But he and I talked, so I think she'll be getting a little more freedom." Aiyana seemed impatient to get going, started to stamp her hooves and drag them in the dirt slightly. "Haha, well I was about to go riding. I don't generally eat with the camp- I don't really eat much of their food. If the two ask, just let them know I'll be back around the end of dinner." He smiled. "Thanks, Alyss." He nodded towards her, and then put his hands on the mare's back. He bounced on his toes for a moment, and then swung a leg up and over. He was used to riding bareback, and felt more free riding bareback. He stroked Aiyana's mane as he gently tapped her sides with the heel of his shoes. "Talk to you in a while." Moments later, he was flying out of the camp, out into the forest's riding trails.
 
"I promise I'll be careful," she repeated, giving his left temple a peck. She started laughing as he squeezed her. "That's a little too tight," she said, slapping his shoulder. She rose. "Yes, please. I'm starving. Do you know the way to the mess?" Thinking about it after she asked, they could always just follow the crowd or something. She really needed to sleep.

Alyss narrowed her eyes inquiringly, and then chuckled. "You talked? I was wondering why he shifted so suddenly with her after you left." She wanted to ask him what exactly they had spoken about, what Henry had said, what Mitch had said, how they had broken it off. But the horse didn't want to stand around anymore, and made that very clear. "No problem." She wondered a bit about the 'good' comment, but didn't ask. "See you later. Don't enjoy yourself too much, while we're all just eating," she teased. She spotted Henry and Jaina headed for supper, and tried to run to catch up with them.
 
-Skip to after the meal.-

Henry was leading Jaina back to the tent. "They have a lot of pretty good food. For what they have for materials, they really make due." He looked to Jaina, and smiled. "I liked the fish- hadn't had that type before." He linked arms with her while they walked again, brushing his hair back with his other hand.

Leeroy cut through a small crowd of people, and walked over to them. He smiled. "Hello, Miss Jaina, Sir Henry. I was wondering if I would be allowed to have the lady accompany me for a walk?" He asked politely, still smiling and looking directly at Jaina as he spoke.

Mitch had just finished watering Aiyana after the run, and patted her back. "I'll be back Aiyana." He said softly. Leaving the stables, he glanced around, trying to figure out where they were. Probably headed back to their tent. He jogged down towards their tent, and saw Leeroy over with them, and cursed under his breath, getting closer and slowing to a walk.
 
((Well THANKS, this setup is going to make her seem obnoxious XD.

I'm just messing with ya.))

Jaina nodded, smiling at her brother as they walked back. "The food was wonderful," she agreed. The comment didn't require much thought, so she didn't have to risk it slipping that she--lovingly--found it ridiculous that they were even discussing the quality of the food. After the dungeon, Jaina was sure a crusty loaf of bread would have had her mouth watering. But maybe this was Henry's defense mechanism. She didn't say anything about it. "I'm excited to--hello." She cut herself off as the man from earlier--Leeroy--approached. At the invitation, she grew a little bit colder and on edge. She wanted to be polite, but, so far, her only time spent with this man, he had come in on an emotional moment. She wasn't going to say no, but there was nothing about her that wanted to go with this man. And he stared at her so intently, in put her on edge. Not that she let that show.

Jaina looked at her brother, not saying anything for a few moments. There was a bit of an awkward feeling in the air. She wasn't entirely sure what to say that wouldn't be taken the wrong way.

((She's definitely not into him. I sorryyy.))
 
Henry looked at Leeroy, tensing slightly, but released his hold on Jaina. "Well, I guess Jaina will have to answer that question for herself." He surveyed Leeroy, who smiled and winked at Jaina.

Mitch walked up behind them, and cleared his throat. Henry glanced back. "Leeroy, didn't I ask you to take care of the recent delivery? We have a new shipment, and Lilly can't lift everything herself. She wanted your help," he said cooly, and then smiled, walking around to stand near Jaina, but also in between her and Leeroy a bit. "How was the food? I hope it was to your liking."

After being somewhat rudely dismissed, Leeroy stared at his brother. "I was asking the lady is she'd like to go for a walk. Lilly and I can take care of the shipment later, besides, it's all inside, it just has to be organized."

Mitch glanced at Leeroy. "Yes well, I needed to know something." He turned to Jaina, his voice softening. "I'm sorry about my brother, excuse him. Anyways, I was wondering if you were ready to go to the horse stables and decide which horse you'd like to keep and take care of?"

In a spoiled brat manner, Leeroy started to tap his foot on the ground. Henry glanced at Leeroy, holding back his disgust.
 
((Shit's goin' doooown.))

As Henry released her arm, Jaina folded her hands in front of her, forcing her eyes to stay focused on Leeroy, who didn't hide the fact that he was looking her over. Jaina didn't like that. She didn't like how it felt. But she still wanted to avoid confrontation, and simply looked away from Leeroy when he winked at her. She heard footsteps behind her, and turned, still not responding to Leeroy's question, and actually smiling when she saw Mitch. She took a step back, away from Leeroy and closer to her brother, when Mitch moved to come between them.

But it didn't take her very long to realize that a confrontation was starting. She visibly tensed by the moment. At Mitch's question, she bit her lip, nodding very slightly. "It was wonderful, thank you," she told him, her voice soft. She quickly realized that she was acting, perhaps, more like a teenage girl in an uncomfortable situation and less like a princess. Oh well.

Mitch had given Leeroy a way out, but he hadn't taken it, and Jaina tensed up a bit more. She looked up at Mitch, programing Leeroy out of her vision, as the younger brother spoke to her. She hesitated and then nodded. "I would actually like that a lot," she responded, nearly immediately.
 
"Wonderful!" Mitch seemed excited. "Henry, will it be alright with you if I take your sister out for the evening? I promise to have her back soon." He smiled, and Henry nodded.

"Rather you than him," Henry said honestly, and forwardly. He gently touched his sister's shoulder, letting her know in a silent way that he was here too- she didn't have to go.

Leeroy almost scowled at the situation. Mitch offered his arm to Jaina so he could escort her to the stables.

"And away we shall go. Thank you, Henry." He slowly led Jaina away from Henry and Leeroy. Once far enough that Leeroy was sure not to hear them, Mitch spoke up. "Please excuse Leeroy's actions. He is a bit... Competitive. I hope he didn't bother you too much." He looked at Jaina, genuinely concerned for her.

Henry watched as Mitch walked off with his sister. Then he turned around and Leeroy was already going off to help Lilly. Now what? He decided to explore the camp.
 
Jaina diverted her gaze to the ground so as to avoid Leeroy's stare as Henry gave his own permission to Mitch for her to go. She felt his hand on her shoulder, and understood the message, but all of the tension she felt was about Leeroy. She was sure that if that had not happened, she would have been much more eager to go with Mitch. As it was, she looked forward to it. She heard Henry's comment about Leeroy and had to force herself not to wince at how harsh it was, but, then, he was the king. Who was going to call him out on it?

Not Leeroy, it seemed, although he clearly struggled to keep himself under control.

Jaina gave Mitch a small smile as he reached out, placing her hand in his. Before they left, she turned, smiling at her brother, before it turned into a frown as she caught Leeroy's eyes, maintaining the eye contact for a moment before finally breaking it off. There was just something about him that made her so uncomfortable.

Jaina blinking, smiling at Mitch again. "No, it's all right. It was...uncomfortable. But I'm fine. Thank you for interfering. I've never been in a situation like that one before."

Alyss had finished eating early and gone for a walk. As she returned, she saw Jaina and Henry and Mitch and Leeroy, engaged in what seemed to be an incredibly heated discussion or argument of one kind of another. She sped up to reach the group, but by the time she arrived, they had broken. "What the fuck was that," she hissed to Henry, alarmed.
 
((SHE SWORE AT THE KING! I say we arrest her! Lolol))

Henry sighed. "Leeroy asked for Jaina to go for a walk with her.. But she wasn't too happy about it, so Mitch came over and asked her to the stables. I said I'd rather her go with Mitch than Leeroy." He said simply. "And she did." He glanced at her. "And watch your language.. Should wash your mouth out with soap like my father did to me." He gave her a slight smile.

Mitch nodded. "Leeroy can have that effect, I understand. You didn't look too happy either." As they got to the stables, he smiled and got behind her. Then her put his hands over his eyes gently- easy for her to pull them away if she wanted too. "I have a surprise for you in here. Just trust me, and I can lead you to it," he promised, softly speaking into her ear.
 
((Because that's totally an option for him =P.))

Alyss walked along with Henry, her eyes widening as he relayed the story. "Oh, wow. That sounds incredibly uncomfortable. I'm sorry I wasn't here to help." She rolled her eyes. "Oh, do forgive me, my king. Do, do forgive me." She shook her head at him, laughing. "I don't really like Leeroy either," she admitted, shrugging. "Not sure what it is. He just seems off. Maybe selfish is the word. I really can't pin it."

Jaina sighed. "I had hoped I was hiding it. I guess not." Her failure was probably from the lack of experience. Jaina raised a hand to push some hair behind her ear, uncertainly freezing in place as he moved behind her, covering her eyes. It was very, very light, and she could have pulled them away if she wanted, but she paused as he moved down to whisper in her ear, her heart rate speeding in anticipation and curiosity--and also from their proximity--as he did so. "Okay," she responded with a light laugh, allowing him to continue to lead her along.
 
Keeping one hand over her eyes so she couldn't see, he put his other hand in hers. He gently led her through the maze of stables, all the way to the last one. Changing his second hand's position, so that it was ontop of her hand, he slowly brought her hand up to the horse that was now head on in front of her. He held her hand out, palm up, and she could feel the hot breath from the horse's muzzle on her palm. Still in a slow manner, he placed her hand on the horse's head between it's ears, and uncovered her eyes.

The horse was a beauty. All black, with a thick mane and tail, it was the only pure bred there. It's coat was shiny, and the horse looked absolutely wonderful. It was a male, and it nuzzled into her hand gently.

"Surprise." Mitch smiled as he looked to see Jaina's reaction.

Henry smiled. "Never shall I forgive you!" He laughed as well, and then it faded. "Me too, it's a weird feeling, I agree.. I think Jaina realizes it too. Hopefully." He looked over, seeing they were near the archery range. "Archery.. I used to be one of the best. Have you ever done it before?" He glanced at Alyss, then back at the range where there were a few people shooting.
 
Jaina moved forward uncertainly, pacing forward ever so slightly. When he took hold of one of her hands, she moved more deliberately, not worried about tripping or falling over anything now. Mitch led her, and she felt safe with him. She laughed, a little bit awkwardly, as he pulled her hand forward, and she felt a warm mist suddenly covering it before he moved her hand again to touch short, soft hair. She blinked as he moved his hand, her eyelashes flicking against his palm before her vision cleared entirely once more. The horse was majestic and strong, and Jaina did not hesitate to take a step forward and stroke his back. She turned to Mitch, just a step away from him now, her hand still moving along the horse. "He's beautiful," she told Mitch.

Alyss shrugged. "I mean, I wasn't there. Sorry for that, again. But from the situation you described, Jaina seems to realize it. If she didn't want to go with him, surely there was a reason... Especially after that talk you two had." She grinned at the range. "You know I always preferred sword-fighting. Hand-eye coordination--not my thing. But I do remember you being amazing at it." She laughed. "Why don't you go take a few shots?"
 
Mitch smiled, watching Jaina as she almost naturally worked with the horse. "He's a pure bred, what's called a 'Friesian Stallion.' Name him. He's yours." Mitch looked at the horse. "When we save a horse for someone, we only give them general care, and little extra special attention and so on. That way when their partner comes, they can get that love and connection from them- and create a stronger bond with their partner. This one has been begging for some love. It's been hard to keep to my own stable rules about other people's partners.." He laughed softly, opening the stable door for her to go in if she so desired. Then he squeezed in between the stallion and the left side of the stall, reaching up onto the shelf. He grabbed two carrots, a sugar cube, and something to write on and with. He got out, and gave the food items to Jaina.

Henry nodded. "It's fine. And I'm kind of glad we had that talk. And that she ignored Leeroy's offer.." He glanced at Alyss, then back at the range. "What do you bet that my first shot will be a bullseye?" He slowly started to smile. When they were kids, he'd bet with his trainers, almost always winning the bet and gaining something out of it.
 
Jaina continued to pet the horse's coat, but turned her head to Mitch, listening thoughtfully as Mitch told her how the stable operated. She took the carrots and the sugar cube from Mitch and stepped in front of the horse again, rubbing its side and holding out the carrot for it to eat. She laughed as he finished the carrot, licking her hand and immediately started thinking of names. Jaina was excited to develop the connection Mitch spoke of with this horse--the few lessons of Henry's type she had had while growing up had been limited to horseback riding, and she had always enjoyed it, but the horses had still always been taken care of by stable hands. She had never had the opportunity to do much more than feed it. And she was sure this horse would make her happier when her thoughts did start to stray to her parents. She turned around, facing Mitch now. "Thank you," she said.

"It was probably hard for her," Alyss commented. "Your sister doesn't like disappointing people." She laughed at his proposal. "Why don't you just shoot and we'll see what happens," she teased. Alyss wasn't one for bets. Primarily because she didn't have anything to gamble with.
 
Henry smiled, and made his way over to the bows. He tested a few out, and took one that wasn't on a marked shelf. Then he grabbed a quiver of arrow and brought it to an empty target. Knocking the arrow, he pulled back, the string lightly resting against his cheek, one eye closed as he aimed upwards and a little towards the left. He was always a odd shooter in that regards, where he needed to aim northwest to get the target. But as he focused, he took a deep breath and held it. He released the string. The arrow flew through the air, gliding through the 100 foot distance and striking down the middle of the red dot- a bullseye. Not only was it a bullseye, but he also got through the target, the arrow embedding itself deep in the material. He smiled. "Hah."

Mitch watch as Jaina seemed so enthusiastic over the horse. He had never really seen someone so happy over getting something that to most royalty and noble people, was such a small, meaningless gift. She must have had horses before, surely. He heard her thank him, and he smiled at her. "Anything for you, Jaina," he said softly. Then a bit louder he added, "I can show you how to take care of him. He's your responsibility now. No one else is going to feed him, muck out his stalls, give him water, clean his coat, walk him- anything. Only you. But he's a pretty well-mannered fella, I think you'll like him." Mitch could feel his own desire start to heighten as they were in fact alone. This was unusual for him, so instead of addressing it, he decided to change his mind's topic onto something more acceptable- horses, and their care.
 
Alyss followed behind Henry as he sorted through the bows and arrows, finally grabbing a set and then making his was over to an unused path, setting himself up. She stood several paces behind him, smiling as she watched him set up. That aim, gah, he was so weird. He let go of the string, and Alyss rolled her eyes as the arrow sailed forward, her mouth opening slowly as it sailed through not only the red dot but also the target itself, splintering the wood. "Show off," Alyss called out from behind him. She glanced to either side and noticed there other shooters around the range looking at the two of them. Although a part of it was probably because Henry was. Well. The king, she was sure an even greater part of it was the fact that his shooting style was impeccable, once you got over the ridiculous aim.

Jaina's brow creased, a small smile tugging at the sides of her lips, as Mitch responded.

"Anything for you, Jaina."

He stared at her intently, just as Leeroy had, but her reaction to it was different. She wasn't sure why, but the stare sent her own heart racing. And it made her want to be closer to him.

Jaina nodded eagerly as Mitch described her responsibilities to the stallion. She liked that word, responsibility. She was excited to have a meaningful way to spend her time, instead of just hiding in her tent, thinking and drawing. Turning towards the horse again, she fed him the second carrot, and then the sugar cube, before turning back to Mitch and placing a hand on the horse's back. "I'm going to take good care of him," she said, smiling at Mitch. She was doing a lot of smiling that evening.
 
Henry laughed at her comment. "Just practicing." He smiled and got another arrow, repeating his aim and the pulling the string back. He waiting a few seconds, then let go. The arrow flew down the same path, hitting the exact same spot, splitting into the other one.

"William Tell," called one archer, excitedly. "He shot a William Tell!" Henry grinned. A William Tell was a phrase used for when someone split something down the middle, or shot something off someone's head- and it was generally hard to do. Hnery was proud of himself. He hadn't done much archery within the past two years, but he still was good at it.

Mitch nodded, smiling. "I know you will. What are you going to name him?" He looked at the horse, then at Jaina. Then he reached over into a stall next to them, and grabbed a pitchfork and a bucket. He got another pitchfork as well. "Some horses respond well to names, like mine does." He offered her a pitchfork.
 
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