Ayra was completely confused, her hunger momentarily forgotten as she turned to stare at Isaac, her right eyebrow raised in question. Why would she care if he had washed? He could spend a week in a stable and she was sure she would still enjoy his scent... the stables always were appealing to her; they had a smell that she had grown fond of. Had coming to the South maid Isaac forget that she spent a good deal of her time with her horses!? That silly boy! Besides...She doubted she’d be able to even notice his scent at the moment, in slew of all the other smells around – especially the one emanating from the dusty old cloak she was wearing! It smelled mustier than Isaac would after a week without washing. Turning to her friend, as if looking for answers, her dainty eyebrows shot up in alarm.

He couldn’t detest them, surely... As far as she knew he never went without back North, unless he had a fancy for fine clothes and council meetings. Who was she to say really, she had been born into nobility – her life was set before her, her next meal never a question. With real distress, she too eyed the lake – he would tell her if he was unhappy, would he not? Ayra blocked out her friends rambling until she went and jump upon Isaac – startling her as well as him. A smile cracked her lips at his outburst, before she rolled her eyes at their antics. Perhaps she would go buy him some perfume, just to show them how silly they were being!

“Oh you two...” She mumbled, her grin turning into a sheepish smile at Carries suggestion. Of course she thought he was handsome, beautiful even in his stable-boy simplicity... But Carrie was the bold one of the two, not her so she dare not voice it. But the image of Isaac in a dress sent her into a fit of giggles. His broad shoulders and muscular build would be more suited to chainmail and armor – like the knight he played at being when they were younger, when he’d save them from the ‘dragons’.

Head turning towards Isaac and his flailing arms she looked at Carrie, feeling much braver about voicing her opinions now that Isaac was out of hearing range. “I don’t know, I think I’d much prefer to watch him pay for it with his body.” She said smartly, giggling at her own gumption. Winking at her friend she grabbed her skirts, and with a squeal of glee she was running after the other, ready to dig into whatever meal the road-side stand had to offer. In her haste, she didn’t notice the young boy before knocking into him. Slowing, but not stopping she quickly chirped a ‘Sorry! Pardon me!’

With a laugh, and some odd looks from villages as to why these three people seemed to be enjoying themselves so much, he grabbed onto Isaac and Carrie’s hands and marched up with them to the vendor. “Good day sir! We’ll have three plates of your finest cuts! And, perhaps a pinch of mint for my friend here to help with his breath once he’s finished.” She said, winking at Isaac and nudging him with her hip so he would know she were only kidding around. The food smelled delicious, for coming from such a place – and it tasted just as good as it smelled! With her rump parked between her friends, she chewed thoughtfully – before tilting her head first on Carries shoulder, than Isaac’s affectionately. “You guys really are the best! Today has been so much fun; I almost forgot what it was like to really laugh!” She could have continued, but shouts coming from the other side of the bridge silenced her and drew her attention, and the attention of many others it seemed.

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Harry turned around in shock as one of the guards who had been escorting him struck down a peasant man. He was fearful for a second, until the man had his hands tied behind his back. His mother had taught him to be wary of peasants – because more often than not they mean you harm. he recalled, taking a step away from the dirty man. Eying him suspiciously, he noted his soiled trousers, and matted hair – and felt bad for the other, until his knight handed him back his golden pocket watch. That had belonged to his father! And this man had tried to steal it? The twelve year olds eyes darkened – he disliked people messing with his father’s things... especially if they were trying to steal them.

He told the man to explain himself, but was much more focused on the fact that now his fun was ruined. Nathan and a few of the soldiers had taken him into town – a rare treat indeed. And it didn’t take long for the observant young boy to notice a familiar red haired girl. “Hey! Isn’t that my lady wife?” He had asked. He noticed she was dressed as a peasant. What fun! Nathan had told him it was a game, and that he had to go spy on her without her catching him. If he were caught than that would mean he lost – and that wouldn’t be much fun at all!

He had been about to return to Nathan, to tell him what he had overheard – because that was a part of the game – to be honest, the chatter didn’t make much sense to him. How the stable boy was smelly and handsome, and liked to dress like a woman. What kind of man would want to dress like a woman? The idea was absurd! But, perhaps it would make a good show for the fools at court!

“Your Grace?”

“Yes?” The boy asked, being pulled from his wandering thoughts.

“We would like to know how you’d like to deal with this... creature.” One of the soldiers said, spitting at the last word. Nathan turned his baby brown eyes to the man again, knowing that he should be punished – for no one was allowed to steal from the King, but he really didn’t want to chop the man’s hands off. The thought made him squirm.

“I- I don’t know.” He admitted at last, looking up to Nathan. “The dungeons I suppose.” He finally said. The guard nodded, hitting the man. He fell over, and the guard continued to pull and drag him away. People were losing interest now, as he man continued to plea and beg. He should be glad it was only the dungeons! He would keep the man there until he decided what to do with him.

Moving to stand beside Nathan, he spotted the familiar red hair in the crowd again – as she eyed them angrily while others in the crowd were now fully uninterested and were going about their daily business. Pulling on Nathan’s cloak, to get him to bend over so he could whisper in his ear, he said “I think we were found out.” While discreetly pointing in Ayra’s direction.

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