Chapter 3

The following days she kept going to the smithy and when her Master suggested she took over the apprentice room he had she agreed happily. His wife was at first doubtful about her but then she became fond of Kat and kept taking out her hair out of her pony tail and putting it in a braid. Kat let her since the woman had a soft touch and as she combed her hair a bit she felt safe and happy. Her Masters daughters also loved to fiddle with her hair and in the evenings they kept playing with it and using it to practise to do hairstyles. She became part of the smithy and the people around it that at first had given her suspicious glances now happily talked to her and she felt more at home than she had ever been. Everything was so simple and right. She liked how honest and open the people around her were. When she got a day off she walked up the castle again and started to look around and ask people for where Sophie was but her old group didn’t know and all she managed to do was to send a little note to her with a servant and as she walked back she realised she had forgotten to tell her where she was but then twitched her shoulders.

“Well it doesn’t matter. Now at least she knows I’m alright and that she doesn’t have to worry.” Kat focused on her training and didn’t think much about time passing but as she walked outside one day she realised that there was frost on the ground. “I must have been here for months. I had no idea.” She shook her head and started to take care of the smithy. As she was handing a tool to her Master there was a sudden explosion and she twitched as her Master grabbed one of his big hammers and walked to the opening. He looked at the guards running around then looked at Kat. -Protect the family with your life!” Then he rushed out and Kat blinked after him before she grabbed one of the swords and walked up to the doorway to the living part where his wife was standing. Kat placed herself there with the sword ready and then waited. It must have been several hours later when her Master walked tiredly back. Kat could see blood on the hammer and he simply dropped it in the smithy before he walked up to his wife. Kat saw them walking in and she hesitated before she cleaned off the hammer and closed down the smithy for the evening before she walked in too. Her master was sitting in a chair and looked exhausted before he looked up at her. -Closed the smithy?” -Yes Master. And I cleaned… As well.” He nodded. -Thank you. Don’t want the kids seeing that.” She sat down next to him. -What happened?” -Not completely sure. Some said bandits other betrayal. All I can tell is that someone attacked the royal castle and took life’s with them. We managed to fend them off but I have no real information to give, just rumours.” She nodded and felt worried. He looked hesitantly up at her.

 -You know I never asked where you came from but… I heard that some of the guests of the King was killed. The far way guests.” She turned pale and lowered her head as he nodded. -I thought so.” That was their full conversation. The next morning she tried to go in to the castle but she was stopped by the guards that informed her that the castle was sealed off for now and they wouldn’t even let her send a message. So she walked back and waited. Then finally three days after she was allowed in and she rushed to the rooms her old group had been given. There was guards there who had very little information and weren’t willing to share any neither. She sighed as she walked back through the castle then looked up. “Isn’t that…” -SOPHIE!” she shouted and several of the other people around her twitched and stared but the small woman she had shouted at froze at the spot and turned around slowly with a horrified expression. Then she looked confused. -Kat? KAT!” she ran up to Kat and threw herself in her arms as she cried. -Oh I thought you were dead or gone like the others!” Kat twitched. -What? What are you talking about? What happened? I was outside the castle so I don’t know what is going on really.” Sophie nodded and was just about to speak when a woman did it instead. -I am sorry my Lady but the corridors aren’t the best places for conversations.”  Sophie grinned and looked a bit excusing at Kat. -I’m sorry can you come with me?” Kat smirked and shook her head. -Sophie, Sophie. You have a long way to go. How about please join me or something next time?” Sophie blushed a little and looked at the woman who nodded before they all walked in to a room. It was an airy nice room and Sophie sat down on a sofa as she petted next to her and Kat grinned. -It is better if I don’t. I’m all dirty from the smithy so your dress will get sooty or something.” Sophie giggled a little. -Why are you at a smithy?” -Oh didn’t I say? I’m a blacksmith apprentice. So I work and live there.” Sophie stared at her. -A smithy? Why?” -I like it. I like to work and Master really makes me work for my food. They are nice people. I’m really lucky.” Sophie shook her head. -I really don’t understand you at times Kat. But as long you are happy then I am happy. As to what happened I’m not completely sure. I know there were suddenly a lot of warriors running around and I was with Rick… Eeem.” She blushed badly and glanced at the woman who had spoken before but she was in another corner of the room and hadn’t heard her.

-I mean his Majesty. I’m not sure what happened because he kept me safe and placed me in a room where I was constantly guarded. I know he has been troubled and I heard that the others had disappeared or died. I was so sure you were one of them. But here you are. I am so relieved that you are safe. Why didn’t you come directly after?” -I would have if I had been allowed but the castle was sealed until today so I had no choice.” Sophie nodded and opened her mouth to speak but the woman came up to them. -I am sorry my Lady but we need to go now if we are to see his Majesty.” Sophie looked torn in between but Kat got up with a smile. -That is alright Sophie. I just wanted to make sure you were alright and let you know I was. I will visit you again so we can catch up then.” Sophie smiled and nodded as they both left her room and then Kat hurried down the hallway. “Died or disappeared? What does that mean?” She twitched her shoulders and continued walking. It was two days later as she was talking to one of the bakers boys outside the smithy that he joked and she laughed loudly. -You are an idiot Frank. Why did you say that to her?” He twitched his shoulders and smirked. -I was hoping she would agree.” Then he opened his mouth to say something else but froze and looked worried behind her and before she could turn and look she got a hard hit in the back of her head and she whined and wobbled. -Ouch! What the f**k!” She wobbled around and looked at the one that had hit her. -Tim? What the f**k!” He grabbed her arms and shook her. -You idiot! Where were you! I thought you were dead!” He pushed her away a little and she grinned as she found her balance again. -Were? Here of course. I couldn’t just sit in the room. I can’t stand not doing anything. I go crazy by that. So I found a place where I could be of use.” Tim crossed his arms in his rage and she glanced to the side where his uncle was and nodded a little fast to him.

-Of use? I leave the castle for like a month and you are nowhere to be found. The only reason I had to not start a big search for you was that Sophie convinced me that you were fine and would contact us soon. Then I guess work came in the way but then the attack happened and I thought you were dead! How could you let me think you were dead?” He still sounded furious and she blinked surprised at him before she glanced one more time at his uncle that looked around a little worried. -Maybe we should move this conversation indoors. Kathrine why don’t you join us for tea?” She stared at him. -Tea? That actually sounds nice. I haven’t had tea in ages.” She was almost going with them before she grinned. -Yea, but I have to check with Master first.” She rushed in to the smithy and her Master twitched her shoulders when she asked but then froze and bowed deeply as he saw the two men follow her. -That is your friends Kat?” She smiled and nodded. -Yep. As I said I will be back soon enough.” He shook his head. -There is no need to stress. We are practically done for the day anyway.” He bowed again for Tim and his uncle before he moved away and Kat shook her head with a smile as she walked with them up the castle. Once inside a room Tim’s uncle sat down at a table with a sigh as he waived to a servant. -Tea. And some snacks.” She bowed and rushed off and he pointed at a chair that Kat tried to sit down in but Tim was there first and held it out for her and she stopped and stared at him. -Tim? Seriously?” He blushed a little and grinned but didn’t move and she sighed as she sat down gently. -I think you have been damaged by all the time you have been around Lords and Ladies.” He replied by slapping the back of her head gently and she grunted. -It is still hurting since last time. Slap something else next time.” He grunted. -If you say so.” Then he sat down with an angry glance at her. -But you are still not forgiven.” She laughed. -Forgiven? For what?” He looked away from her as he clenched his fists but it was his uncle that responded. -We all worried for you and mourned you as dead woman. We had no way to find out if that was the case since you had disappeared. Just like some of the others.” She looked a little hesitantly at Tim. -I see. Well I am sorry Tim. I didn’t mean to make you upset. But I really thought it was for the better. I mean you are a Lord after all and I will not stop being disrespectful really.” His uncle chuckled. -I didn’t expect you to neither.”

She shook her head and looked at Tim again who still was turned away from her and she sighed and grabbed his hand which finally made him look at her. -I am sorry. I really am Tim.” He snorted but looked a little less angry as he looked back at her. She started to feel a bit strange and shook her head before she looked at the uncle again. -Anyway, I do wonder my Lord. What do you all mean with disappeared? Do you know what happened really? Master didn’t know what happened really and neither Sophie.” He sighed. -Well we do know a little. But there is no need for you to concern yourself with that.” She grunted and got irritated. -But..” -Yes uncle. She should know some at least. For example how some of the people she came here with suddenly disappeared in a white light. And those who didn’t lied dead on the floor.” She blinked and turned pale. -A white light? Just like when we got here. Were they sent back home? Or well sent. Then there has been some thought behind it. Rather fell back or something. But I am still here. And so is Sophie.” She grinned. -I really hope I don’t fall back too.” Tim swore. -Of course you aren’t! You and Sophie won’t go anywhere.” She nodded. -I really hope you are right. I like it here.” He sighed and she looked at him. He looked tired and she tilted her head to the side. -You really look like s**t Tim. You should get some sleep.” He grinned at her. -Offering to tuck me in?” She blushed a little and looked away from him. -You are a grown man. Do that yourself.” His uncle cleared his throat. -Anyway back to seriousness. You are fine and that is good. We shouldn’t keep you here any longer really.” Tim looked irritated at him and she smiled. -Actually, If it is alright. I was kind of hoping if I could ask you for a favour Tim. Kind of a huge favour and I am sorry that I am asking but I feel like I’m out of ideas at the moment and above all time.” He looked worried at her. -You know you can ask me anything Kat.”

She smiled at him. -It is just. Well. I am really already too old to start as a Blacksmith apprentice. There is a boy in the right age that want to learn from Master and I know he would like to take him on but… He already have me.. I kind of feel in the way so I was kind of hoping that you could employ me.” He blinked at her. -What? Employ you? But you are my friend. I can’t hire a friend.”  His uncle stopped him. -Good, then I will employ her. You can read can’t you?” She smiled and nodded. -Yes my Lord. And count pretty well.” He looked surprised. -Now that is useful. Of course when we travel you would have to be a horse handler but for now you will simply help me with a little bit of everything.” She nodded eagerly but Tim grabbed her hand. -Uncle no! She is my friend. Of course she don’t have to work!” She shook her head to him. -Don’t you get it Tim? I don’t have to I want to. Well looking at it strictly I have no money and I really do have to think of my future really.” His uncle nodded. -You are right. It is wise to think of the future for a woman without no contacts or family.” Tim clenched his fist. -She has contacts! She has loads of friends. Don’t make it sound like she has no one that looks out for her!” His uncle grunted. -I will expect you tomorrow Kathrine. You can come here.” She nodded and smiled. -Yes and again, thank you my Lord.” He nodded at her and she got up. Tim looked irritated at her but she smirked at him. -Get some rest idiot.” He pulled out his tongue at her as she left. “I hate to admit it but I have missed Tim. A lot. It is really nice to see him again.” Her Master looked at her a long time as she had told him about her new employment. Then he sighed. -You heard me and the missus talking didn’t you?” -Yes Master. I am sorry to listen to your private conversation but I am a curious sort.” He smirked and then shook his head. -It is alright. I had fun. Be sure to say goodbye to the others as well.” She nodded. -I am sorry to intrude but I haven’t been given a new room just jet. I will probably get that tomorrow.” He nodded. -That is alright. The boy lives close by. He can take the room as soon as you have moved. Whenever that is.” She smiled and shook his hand before she walked in to his wife and children to say goodbye as well. The day after she packed her bag with her few possessions and walked up to the same room again. As she knocked on the door she wondered what she would need to do really. “I know Tim’s uncle isn’t too happy about me addressing Tim so lightly but he isn’t a too bad sort. I don’t think he would lie to me at all.” She twitched her shoulders and then knocked on the door again. “Is this the wrong room? No I’m sure it was here.”

Then the door opened and a sleepy Tim blinked at her with an open shirt and hastily dressed trousers. She giggled as she walked in and he closed the door. -Your uncle would get a stroke if he saw you open the door like that.” She started to close the buttons and he snorted as he looked down at her. �" It is just because you are so god dammed early. No one gets up this early.” She snorted as well. �" I even waited in the smithy a little longer than I usually starts to work. They have already been working an hour.” He sighed. -Alright. No one with a title gets up that god dammed early.” She giggled. -Fair enough. Do you think I should leave and come back in an hour or two?” He shook his head. -I’m already up. Just give me a few moments to get ready.” She nodded and he walked in to another room as she sat down at the table. A little later she flew up again as Tim’s uncle walked in for yet another room. -Ah you are already here? How did you get in?” -Tim opened the door for me my Lord.” He looked surprised. -He got up this early? Then where is he?” She grinned a little. -I think I woke him up really so he needed some time to get ready.” He snorted. -He opened the door without getting ready.” He shook his head and looked at her small bag. -Your things?” She nodded and he sighed. -I will show you to your room as we walk. I have already sent up some new clothes in the room so I expect you to wear those and toss the ones you are wearing away.” She nodded. -I don’t mind changing but these aren’t broke yet. If you don’t mind my Lord I will simply wash them and keep them for when I am off work.” He grinned. -Fair enough. As long as I don’t have to see them.” Tim came back out correcting his shirt and his uncle just gave him an irritated look before he turned to Kat again. -Since we are all up you may walk with us as we get breakfast and I will show you your room. I guess you can use the time we are gone to change and wash the last of the smithy off you. I will pick you up when we are done.”

 Tim shook his head. -What about her breakfast then? She has to eat uncle.” She smiled. -Thank you Tim but I have already eaten.” His uncle grunted. -I wish I could order you to say my Lord to him as well but I am certain that I would be ignored.” She grinned. -Yep. I can’t create a distance like that to a friend. It is not nice no matter how grateful I am for this opportunity.” Tim’s uncle sighed and simply petted her head before he pointed at a door further down. -That one. That is your room.” She nodded and walked up to the door as they kept walking down the hallway. She could see Tim argue with his uncle but he was whispering so she couldn’t hear about what. Once inside she started to swear. The clothes there for her to wear was all dresses and she hesitated for a long time and thought about walking out of the room before she sighed and looked around the room instead. It was simple but nice in size and even if the bed was in the first room that also had a desk there was a small toilet connected to the room and she could guess that she had gotten a pretty good room. “Seems like I am a bit spoiled. No other of my friends in the yard would ever live this nice. I shouldn’t wine about having to wear a dress considering how much I am given.” She sighed again before she grabbed a dress and walked in to the toilet. She washed up fast and then changed to the dress. It was not bad in size and she tried to see how she looked but without a mirror she had no idea really. “Luckily enough it is brown and black. Orange haired people like me don’t look good in all colours but brown is alright at least. But of course I don’t care how I look.” She shook her head forcefully. “I don’t!” She sighed and then sad down on the bed to wait for Tim’s uncle to come back. As there was a light knock on the door she walked fast up to it. Outside Tim was standing and he stared at her. -That is a dress.. Why are you wearing a dress?” She giggled. -Oh my, what a reaction Tim. I guess you have forgotten already but I am actually a woman you know. Your uncle is remembering that and is doing his best to remind me as well. Hopefully I can have my hair up as well. I can’t work with it in my face.” -No Kathrine. Up in a braid is fine with me.” He was standing a bit further away and smiled at her. -Much better. Come now.” She nodded and closed her door as Tim kept staring at her. His uncle chuckled. -That goes for you too Tim.”

 As she walked up to his uncle Tim shook his head and stepped up as well. -You look really different.” She twitched her shoulders. -I guess so. But it isn’t bad is it?” He looked shocked. -What? No! I didn’t mean that. Just. Different.” She nodded. -Thanks Tim.” The rest of the morning she had to follow Tim’s uncle around and carry papers and listen to him talking to other Lords. It was quite boring work for her but she soon learned to do her work and do it fast. She could see that Tim’s uncle was impressed by her work and she was pretty pleased in doing a good job. The third day he walked in to an assembly room that the King was sitting in and listening to some Lords as Tim’s uncle made her give a document to the Kings secretary he looked at her fast then he looked back. -Kat?” She smiled. -Afternoon your Majesty.” He nodded relieved and then looked at Tim’s uncle. -She is working for you? I would have liked to know that. She is my ward after all.” Tim’s uncle bowed deeply. -I do apologise your Majesty. I did send a letter about her but maybe it got lost among others.” The King sighed. -Yes there has been quite a few. I must have missed it. Well she is alive and healthy. That is good.” She looked confused. -I am sorry your Majesty, but what is a ward?” He smiled at her. -I am responsible for you. No unmarried woman can be without a male ward of some sort. A father figure sort of.” She blushed. -Then why is it you your Majesty? Did you just become ward to every unmarried woman in our group?” He shook his head. -No we chaired the honour among us. I got you and the doctor woman. She is dead now sadly.” She looked down and shook her head. -Yes her. I remember. Thank you your Majesty.” He nodded and waived her away and she curtsied as she walked back to Tim’s uncle and saw how Tim looked like she would explode of laughter as he held his hand over his mouth and she simply gave him an angry glance before she stopped at a corner. “I know I’m not extremely good at curtsying but does it really look that funny?” A week later Tim’s uncle looked down at her paper as she was writing.

 -I need you to come with me tomorrow.” She looked up at him. -Where are we going my Lord?” He sighed. -To ride around a little. I would prefer if you were in dress but I am aware how complicated that is so I will allow you to wear trousers instead.” She smiled at him. -Thank you my Lord. Will Tim come as well?” He grinned. -Yes. I can’t leave that one on his own. We better keep a strict eye on him. He hasn’t been with any women in a while so I am just expecting something to happen soon. I can’t betray my brother and let something unavoidable happen.” She looked confused at him and he grinned again. -Like a child outside of the marriage.” She blushed and nodded. -Oh that. I see.” He looked at her. -Would you mind keeping an eye on him too? He listens to you at least unlike me.” She giggled. -Hardly, but yes I will try my Lord.” He sighed. -Oliver.” She looked confused. -What?” -My name is Oliver. When we are alone like this or with Tim you may use my name instead.” She smiled widely. -Thank you Oliver.” He petted her head and then told her to look something up for him in his books. The next morning she walked down on the courtyard behind Tim and Oliver and didn’t look up until she was close to the horses -George! Are you going too?” He smiled at her. -My, my. If it isn’t Kat. It truly was a long time ago. Where have you been?” -Oh you know. Around.” He smiled charmingly at her and she rolled her eyes as she looked at Oliver. -So which horse do you want me to take my Lord?” Oliver smirked and pointed towards Tim who was leading her old horse as well as his own. She sighed deeply and he laughed at her. -Tired of this one? I can understand you. He is feisty.” She nodded. -And all over the place. Well, Well. I should be grateful that I don’t have to walk at least.” Oliver chuckled. -Precisely.” The ride around was really a ride around. It was mostly the Kings way to show himself to his subjects and also look around his kingdom with his own eyes. Kat mostly rode with Oliver and had to keep helping him with paperwork even on horseback and she hardly saw Tim who was guarding the big party and rode all over. For the first nights she didn’t see him neither as he was occupied but then after four days she was sitting at a table at the inn they were in. She was in the bar area and listened to the other travellers but felt pretty bored. Even if she was surrounded by people she was lonely. Everyone was occupied and she didn’t even had to take care of the horses since there were already enough horse handlers.

Her work for Oliver wasn’t really occupying a lot of her time and at first she had spent time with George and some of her other old friends but now they seemed busy as well. She sighed again and was thinking about walking back to her room when Tim dropped down in the chair next to her with a sigh. -Gosh I’m tired. I could kill for a beer.” She smirked. -I would be happy to get you one but I really can’t afford it.” He laughed tiredly and picked up some copper coins. -Then how about I pay and you fetch?” She laughed and nodded as she got up and got the beers. As she sat down again and handed him one the others came as well and they had started to become a bit loud but Tim smiled at her and nodded. -Thanks. Are you alright? You looked..” -Hey Kat!” She blinked and had to look at George who grabbed her shoulder. -I had enough of our back and forth. What do you say?” -What? Back and forth what?” He looked irritated. -You have been playing me along a while now. What do you say?” She stared at him but before she could continue Tim moved forward angrily. -She isn’t playing anything. She probably wouldn’t even know how to do really.” She nodded a little. -Yeea. I don’t really know what you are talking about.” George snorted and shook his head. -I want you. That is all.” She stared at him and then looked in panic at Tim who looked away from her and she felt confused. “Helooo idiot! Some help please! What do I say to that?” -Eeeem… Thank you? But…” George grabbed her hand. -Thank you Kat!” She shook her head. -I think you misunderstood. I don’t…. Well I don’t see you like that..” He stared at her. -But.. You.. Encourage me. All the time!” She blinked. -I don’t think I treat you any different from any other friend. I am sorry if I have seemed..” He turned furious. -What? Promiscuous? Inviting?” She blushed badly. -What? I haven’t… No… I didn’t mean to.. I don’t think like that at all. I don’t want to!”

She looked depressed down and then Tim leaned forward again and pulled away George’s hand from her. -There you have it. She has spoken.” George swore. -So what? She has been inviting all the time and now this? I want her!” He stood up and Tim followed angrily as Kat just looked between them. -She has spoken and you better follow. It is her choice after all!” George shook his head. -She has been flaunting herself around to all of us all the time and you are fine with that? I give her a huge opportunity and she denies me? Like you can give her any better?” -I at least listen to her and care for what she say. Unlike you!” The seemed to be working themselves up in a frenzy and she got up quickly and placed one hand on each chest as she pushed them apart. -George! Tim! Calm down for f***s sake! I am sorry again George that you got that impression. I will remember to not simply be myself in front of you if that is now too much for you to handle! I can’t help that I don’t know or care how people act here!” George looked down on her then snorted. -True. You aren’t from here. We all really don’t know anything about you. You could be anyone! He pushed her and she fell in to Tim’s chest as he placed his arms protectively around her. -Shut up George! You of all people knows she isn’t lying about herself! We know her and anyone can see that she is who she says she is. Just because she is different and you managed to loose doesn’t give you the right to lash it out on her!” George turned white of anger and he just stood there a little and looked at them before he rushed out of the room and she stared after him. -Do you think I should go an apologise again Tim?” He snorted and as he sat down he pulled her down as well. -No! He is just cranky that he lost his face like that when he confessed to you.” She blinked. -Confessed? Like emotions? Seriously? He just wanted to go to bed with me. That has nothing to do with real emotions.” Tim blushed a little and the others who had watched the argument with horror started to laugh lowly as Tim sighed. -He asked you to marry him Kat.” She became tomato red. -Whaaaat! You are joking! But he didn’t say that!” Tim shook his head as the others started to laugh louder and then the inn went back to being calm and relaxed again while Kat shook her blushing face.

-Oh no. And I was so mean to him. I didn’t mean to let him down so roughly. I just thought he was talking about..” Tim grinned. -I know. So what? Do you want to marry him?” She shook her head still stunned. -No.. I just was so mean. I don’t want him to hate me.” He stared at her still angry. -Because?” His voice was like ice and she shook her head. -He is your friend isn’t he?” Tim stared at her and his whole face changed and he looked confused all of a sudden. -For me?” He almost whispered it as he couldn’t believe it and she blushed. -Well you make it sound like.. Well I do care for your friends of course. But he is my friend too.” She tried to continue to smooth it over and looked away as she tried to stop her blush. “I don’t mean it like that. I don’t! Come on Kat! You… You don’t see Tim like that! You of all people know how he is! Keep in control! And you promised Oliver! Focus.” She cleared her throat and changed the subject and Tim kept looking confused at her and the rest of the evening he seemed to be thinking.