Once Upon A Story | Fits & Starts: From the Beginning
Chapter 6

"Josi!” Troy whispered, “Josi! Wait a minute.”

“What... what do you want?” she turned, walking backward, her water bucket swinging by her side.

“I wanted to ask you,” Troy was slightly out of breath from running, “are they telling the truth?”

“They?”

“Your sisters.”

“Why should we lie?” Josi felt rather insulted.

“Well, I... I mean.. it’s just that; oh, never mind.” He said, exasperated. Then, shyly, “Are you all right, from all that’s happened?”

She laughed softly, “Yes, I’m all right, we’re all quite strong really.”

“Quite charming, as well,” Troy looked down at her delicate features, “and lovely.”

She blushed and hurried over to the clear pool of water, kneeling to fill her bucket. Troy took it from her as she rose.

“This is much too heavy for you.”

“Too heavy?!” Josi wasn’t the type to be patronized. She snatched the bucket from him, “I worked in the stables for years. I’m probably as strong as you; what do you do in your life of luxury, hmm?” she asked, disgusted.

“I... hey! Wait, stop!” Troy raced after her whirling her around. “I meant no insult, only to extend the courtesy due to any lady. Ladies should not have to do menial labor,” he told her, gently removing the bucket from her hands.

She looked down, “Perhaps I overreacted. It’s just that the men could be horribly mean.”

He frowned, “Why did you work in a stable?”

“Because I wanted to, I love horses. They’re so beautiful! I like knowing what to do around them, how to treat them, help them...”

“I know,” Troy interrupted, surprised to hear his feelings from someone else, “When I was young I spent all my time in the stables.”

“Aren’t you young anymore?” Josi teased.

Laughing, Troy remarked, “Oh, no. I’ve reached the age of marriage, soon I’ll be on my death bed. How old are you?”

“What a terrible impertinent question,” she rebuked.

“My apologies, lady, but how can you expect me to control my curiosity of such as you?”

She laughed, “Well said, I am 16 years of age.”

“Is that all?”

“Why do you sound so horrified?” Josi found all this amusing.

“I had thought you older. Not that you look.. er ..your ability to confuse me is unsurpassed.”

“Ah, but I have done nothing, you confuse yourself,” she replied merrily.

“It is your presence then,” he placed a hand over his heart, a silly besotted look on his face.

She laughed, “Well, my confused, no longer young, gallant, it’s time you ran along. Beth needs that water if she’s to prepare any dinner...” the rest of her words were lost to her laughter as Troy bolted comically back towards camp.

Beth stared in dismay at the meager ingredients spread before her. Trail rations for the most part, dried meat and fruit, nuts. There were however some fresh vegetables Alysian had found in the surrounding area. “Well, there’s not much I can do unless Tim manages to get something,”

“Don’t worry, he always does,” Allen assured her.

“And cleans it.”

“What?! He killed it-“

“Not yet, he hasn’t,” she pointed out.

He gave her a sour look, “Whoever kills it shouldn’t have to clean it.”

“Fine, someone else can clean it, just not me.” She looked primly down her nose, “I can do just about anything, but I can’t do that to some poor animal.”

“But it’s already dead,” he pointed out.

“Exactly.”

Allen gave her a confused look and went to help Lin collect firewood.

Alysian came up, several leafy plants in her hands, “Rosemary,” she answered Beth’s curious look, “It’s good for infections and headaches.”

“And dinner,” Beth grinned, “Could I use a little?”

Alysian broke off several leaves. “How’s your head?”

“It’s fine now, it hurt before so I made the tisane, as you told me, and I felt better immediately. Is this what you gave me?”

“Yes, that and mint leaf for flavor.”

“Where did you learn all this?” Beth asked.

“Many places, but mostly from an elderly couple I worked for. May I ask what you’re doing out here?”

“Cooking?” The swift change in subject confused Beth for a minute, “Oh, you mean out here, away from home?”

“Yes,” Alysian chuckled.

Beth looked away, “My father died in a fire, there was nothing to hold us there, so we left.”

“We?”

“Tchimney and I,” she smiled fondly.

“Why Tchimney? the name, not why did he come,” Alysian clarified quickly, trying to avoid more confusion, “Every time you speak his name you confuse our captors!”

“Your captors,” Beth grinned mischievously, “And I find most men aren’t hard to confuse.”

Alysian burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Tim had returned and walked up behind them.

“Confused?” Beth asked him angelically, sending Alysian into gales of helpless laughter. Tim gave them a strange look and turned to leave.

“Did you get anything?” Beth called after him.

“Wild turkey, Clayton’s cleaning it,” he tossed over his shoulder as he strolled over to Joy. She looked up from picking wild flowers, smiled sweetly, and daintily sniffed at her handful, peeking to see if her watched her. “Good day, my lord, did you enjoy your hunt?”

“Yes, I did, but do not call me lord,” he smiled flirtatiously, ‘I couldn’t bear such a breathtaking lady to call me aught but my given name. You must promise to always call me Tim.”

Joy watched him from the corners of her eyes, “I would not have you distraught, so I suppose I must promise... Tim.”

He offered her his elbow and drew her along with him, telling her amusing little stories. Joy stared up at his face, giddy excitement bringing a becoming flush to her cheeks, making her eyes sparkle.

Clayton patted his full stomach contentedly, the flavorful, hearty stew had been unusual, but very good. “So how can we best help you, girls?”

“We’re women,” Alysian quickly corrected, “And you can best help us by letting us have your horses.”

“All right,” he replied, a smile teasing at his lips, “How can we second best help you?”

“By getting us someone else’s horses.”

Clayton gave her an exasperated look, but Beth spoke before he could retort, “I can’t give you Tchimney, but if you let me come with you, he could carry two.”

“You want to come with us?” Josi was surprised, “Why?”

She shrugged shyly, “Well, it’s rather lonely with just me and Tchimney, and it’d be safer, for me, I mean; although, maybe I’d be able to help you, if more soldiers were to come. And I’d like to learn of herbs, if Alysian were willing to teach me.”

“How can you talk of traveling together when none of you know where you’re going?” Allen pointed out.

“We know where we’re going,” Lin smiled, “Away from Queen Amethyst. Where are you going?”

Tim grinned, “Same place!” Everyone laughed. “Maybe we should travel together!”

“That’s actually not a bad idea,” Troy said thoughtfully.

“Yes it is,” Alysian did not look happy, “It’s a very bad idea, you can’t come with us.”

“Why not?”

Josi touched Alysian’s shoulder, “It might be wise, Lisy,” Alysian winced, “They could help us; try to be objective.”

“Yeah,” Tim put in, “After all, you’re letting Beth come.”

“We are?” Joy looked uncertain, “I didn’t know we’d decided that.”

“We haven’t,” Alysian told her, then turned to Tim, “And even if we do, none of you are anything like Beth.”

“Yeah, Troy’s a lot prettier,” Beth murmured. Joy sitting on the rock next to her giggled, then whispered, “And taller.”

Beth smiled at Joy, then chuckled at some of the insults Tim and Alysian were eagerly throwing at each other. Leaning over she whispered, “Would you like to trade clothes? You don’t seem to like those breeches very much. My skirt is probably too short, but I could let down the hem.” She peeked around to make sure no one was listening, then confided, “I miss breeches, I used to ride in them. And your eyes would look lovely with the color of this skirt.”

“Really?” Joy was almost shocked, “You’d rather wear breeches than a dress? I hate them, you can have them.”

Beth grinned, happy her peace offering had been accepted and looking forward to comfortable clothes, then turned back to listen to the argument in progress, just as Troy’s voice cut across the others’.

“What if we had a place for you? A house, barn, fields – you could live there, be safe, no-one would bother you. The nearest village is a half day’s travel, there’s plenty of water nearby, good soil, a wood full of plants,” this he aimed at Alysian, “And all you have to do for it is allow our company.”

“How can you promise that?” Alysian eyed him, thoughtful, but distrusting.

“It’s quite simple, the house is a hunting cabin, and ours to do with as we wish.”

Lin and Josi looked at one another, then, hopefully, at Alysian. She winced under the pressure of two pairs of puppy dog eyes. “We want to talk privately.”

The four men and Beth rose to give the sisters some space, but Joy stopped Beth, “I think she should be with us.”

Alysian grinned, “What happened?”

“She said I could have her skirt,” Joy said happily.

“Ok, first question, then, does Beth come with us?” All four nodded, and Beth smiled hugely, eyes sparkling and sat back down. “Next, do they come?”

Josi laughed, “They aren’t that bad, Lisy.” Alysian winced as Josi continued, “And I think we should let them come, I’m tired of riding every day, and sleeping on the ground, I want a home.”

“Me, too,” Lin agreed.

“Besides, they’re all so handsome,” Joy peeked at them through a screen of eyelashes.

Alysian couldn’t help but chuckle, “What about you, Beth?”

“Me? Oh, well, I don’t suppose it would hurt to let them trail along; they’d probably follow anyway. Besides, this way, if we want to get away later, it’ll be easier to sneak away.”

“Good point. Ok, so they come too, and we go see their cabin. Agreed?”

Alysian walked briskly, keeping an eye on the ground in case any herbs happened to be growing there. Her supply had gotten quite low, so when she spotted some shepherd's purse growing in a sunny spot on the forest floor, she was pleased. As she knelt to pluck the stems, Beth came up beside her and offer her a leather pouch.

“No thanks,” Alysian shook her head, “I’ve got a bag to but them in.”

“Actually, I thought you might put the whole plant in here,” Beth said, “That way you could take it with you and plant it at the cabin. Then it’d be there when you needed it.”

She blinked, “Good idea, too bad I never thought of that before.”

“What is it?” Beth pointed at the plant Alysian was uprooting.

“This is shepherd's purse; you can use it for wounds, among other things. You use it as a poultice, with self-heal or yarrow usually.”

“Oh. Do you mind if I ask you something?”

“You just did.” Beth sighed, making Alysian laugh, “Go ahead.”

“Whenever your sisters call you ‘Lisy’ you wince, why is that?”

She grimaced, “It was Joy’s baby nickname for me, she couldn’t say my name, and somehow it ended up sticking. I wince because I don’t like it much.”

“I suppose I’d better not call you that then; is Aly all right?”

“Sure, that or Alyce.” She finished easing the plant into the bag and poured a little water from her pouch on it. “We’d better rush, they’ve gotten pretty far ahead.”

“No problem,” Beth gestured with a flourish to where Tchimney was taking advantage of the break, grazing. She scooped up the reins and mounted.

Alysian grinned, “Enjoying riding astride?”

“Oh I always ride this way, it’s just more comfortable in breeches. Even if they are a little too tight and long.” She looked ruefully at her curvy frame. Then she kicked her foot out of the stirrup and reached down to assist Alysian onto Tchimney’s broad back.