How a knight makes his introductions

[Sir Caradoc the Brave]

It was only dawn, and the lush training grounds were teaming with activity as the soldiers of Caché Creux embarked on their drills, while the knights of the city, the people's finest, practised their well-honed skills in jousting and swordplay. The ringing of drawing swords and the clash of metal upon metal were sounds that Caradoc was accustomed to, having devoted the last decade of his life as a full-fledged knight of honourable reputation and valour, defending his beloved city, projecting a good example for his people, and of course, picking on welcoming the new recruits.

Leaning his well-toned frame against the wooden post of a fence, the golden-haired knight nudged one of his comrades, a giant of a man named Marcel, as he spotted an unfamiliar face walking amongst the crowd. "Have you seen that lad before?" asked Caradoc.

Marcel shook his head. "He must be new. First day of training, I don't doubt."

Caradoc rubbed his hands together cheerily. "Well then! Let us welcome him into our ranks!" The sudden clang! of metal made him flinch, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Emmeline working by the stables. The little squire was hard at work, hammering out the horseshoes she would later place on the steeds, looking more like a scrawny lad than a young woman as she was wearing an over-sized tunic and tights, her long black hair tucked away in a rather ridiculous brown hat. The knight chuckled in amusement. He would have to pester her later about that.

"Oi, you there!" he called out to the soldier. "Yes, you! What's your business here?"

[Benjamin James Fenwick]

Camaraderie was quite obviously something one would have to work for within the ranks of the military – and Benjamin, only being a boy of sixteen, had hardly prepared himself for the fight in which he'd be forced to endure in order to be considered one worthy amongst the ranks. As Caradoc's loud voice called through the soldiers, parting them as though they were weeds, Benjamin managed nothing more than a flinch as the Knight’s gaze fell so clearly to his own.

--was there a proper answer to his question? A pass-fail evaluation Benjamin had yet to be informed of?

Pursing his lips, Benjamin abrupt moved forward, closing the few meters that lingered between he and his supervisor. As confidently as he could manage, Benjamin puffed his chest and barked his reply: "Here to serve my country, sir."

The answer, one so clearly cliché, was the first and only thought Benjamin could manage to coherently form. It was the first day of training and already he found himself to be the butt of every joke. Surely, his supervisor would be the same – he was hardly up to par.

[Sir Caradoc the Brave]

By the time the reply was made, Caradoc and a few other knights had already made their way over to where the lad was, a wide smirk on his face, his arms folded across his barrel of a chest as he sized up the newcomer. It's not like he had forgotten that he once was in the same position as this youth; for certain that Caradoc was not one to forget his past. Yet all the same, he could not help but relish the fact that he now was one of the higher ups when it comes to the social heirarchy.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught his squire watching them intently from her place near the stables, although the girl quickly returned her attention to her work the moment she realised that he was staring right back at her. Satisfied, he turned back to the lad.

"He's straight-laced, this one!" laughed Caradoc as he clapped the lad on the back. "The only time you'll ever have to give that answer is when you're in the presence of royalty. You're among friends now, so relax, will you? Stick with me and I'll show you the ropes of this place, eh?" He then beckoned to his squire and called out in a bellowing voice: "Oi, Squire! Bring out the ale!"

He grinned at the lad. "The ale here is very good, as is the mead, but that's for another time. What's your name, by the way, lad?"

[Emmeline Vance]

Emmeline flinched a little at Caradoc's request, and nearly hammered her thumb in the process as she was finishing the last horseshoe. She had been glancing out rather worriedly at the group, wondering what might be in store for the newcomer. So far, the boys seemed to be behaving themselves. So far.

Grumbling to herself, she hauled up a small barrel up and over her left shoulder while holding several cups in her right hand, and carefully made her way over to them. Since when did being a Squire involve serving as a barwench for her Knight when the occasion called for it? She had to wonder if any of it had anything to do with the fact that she was female. Nevertheless, the lad looked tense enough without her having an altercation with Caradoc, and in the end, Emmeline decided to bite back on her words, merely giving Caradoc an icy look of annoyance as she handed the cups over to him.

"Tis a little too early in the morn' for a bit o' ale, is it not?" was all she asked.

[Benjamin James Fenwick]

Benjamin's eyes widened again as Caradoc's hand came slapping down onto his back, managing a small sound that resembled an "oompf" as he sprang forward at the impact. With a twist to the side did he only just manage to miss Emmeline as she approached, instead lifting his hands and placing them -- yes, that's right -- upon her breasts, supporting himself and attempting to regain some sort of balance.

"I--" and as he realised just where he had placed his hands did Benjamin spring back again, this time finding himself pressed to Caradoc's chest.

This day was surely turning into something unforgettable, and not pleasantly so.

[Sir Caradoc the Brave]

It took all of Caradoc's restraint to not laugh at both the fledgling soldier and his rather fiesty squire, who at the moment was giving Benjamin a look that no one would ever want to see on anyone's face. Being a knight, he had been in his share of fights, although he could never really claimed to have seen anyone have a true, genuine conniption. That is, until now. Later on, while talking amongst his friends over some ale, Caradoc would claim that poor Emmeline's face split down the center while her eyes burned like two fiery embers, and her mouth, drawn into a thin enraged line, resembled a crack in the walls of Hell.

Fortunately for Emmeline, at the point of contact, Marcel had caught the cups and the ale before she spilled everything on herself. However, that still did not prevent the little squire from lunging at the poor lad, her hat falling off in the process to reveal the long dark locks that had been hidden underneath, her main intent being to strangle the life out of one Benjamin James Fenwick.

"You cheeky little bounder!" she seethed. "You did that deli--"

In one fluid motion, Caradoc had the squirming Emmeline securely restrained with one strong arm, although by that time, he was nearly dying of laughter. "I meant to tell you, lad...I'm so sorry!" he said as he adjusted his hold on Emmeline. "In case you haven't noticed, my squire's a girl, and one of the best armourers I have ever met. She makes some of the lightest yet strongest blades. Treat her nicely and she might forge one for you as well. Laddie, this is Emmeline. Emmeline, say hello to the new recruit."

[Benjamin James Fenwick]

"No! No!"

With Emmeline's advance Benjamin found himself springing back again, squirming just out of her reach and settling somewhere behind Caradoc. It was his intent, at first, to bolt -- run as quickly and as far as possible, putting as much space between the fiery broad and himself as he could. However, upon Caradoc's quick action, initiating himself as a human shield between what seemed to be a full fledge war, Benjamin found himself calming enough to linger.

Linger yes, but still quite a large distance away from the still flailing woman. My, were they touché.

"It's.. it's nice to meet you." Certainly the introductions could have come at a more appropriate time, but Benjamin figured there wasn't much more he could find himself ruining. At least, not after coping a feel of a squire of one of his more important supervisors.

[Emmeline Vance]

At Benjy's attempts at a greeting, Emmeline tried to fling herself at him again, red of face from both anger and humiliation. Yet Caradoc's hold on her was strong and unyielding, and with a resigned sigh, she slumped against the knight, her proud head drooping as her long hair nearly covered her face. And it was probably for the best that her face was covered, for the girl felt like crying then.

It was a male-dominated society that she lived in, and Emmeline already felt enough pressures to measure up to her peers as is. It was the reason that drove her to excel in anything that came her way, whether it'd be forging the weapons she was renowned for, or to mending a flesh wound. She strove to either become an equal or outmatch those around her, and it became a source of pride to her that she was considered to be one of the soldiers after the long hours she had spent to secure that privilege for herself, a privilege that was often denied to women.

Yet to be...fondled by a new recruit, in front of her superiors no less, was uncalled for, and in her eyes, only served to remind them all that in the end, she was nothing more than than a mere girl, wayward and fragile.

Tucking back a lock of hair behind her ear, she glared at Benjy icily one more time before wrenching herself out of Caradoc's grasp and ran back to the stables as quick as her legs would allow her.

[Sir Caradoc the Brave]

A few of the other knights chuckled in amusement at the display that had just taken place, although Caradoc's eyes followed his squire until she disappeared from his sight, the look on his face being one of worry. He had seen her become this way before, and each time he would have to sit down and talk to her. She may be his squire, a worker under his employment, although he also saw her as a younger sister, and took great care to make certain that the girl was content. He would have to talk to her again tonight.

"They're a little sensitive, eh lad? he jested to Benjy in a carefree tone of voice, to go along with the current mood of his comrades. "This evening though, I will introduce you to more members of the fairer sex who wouldn't mind having a strapping young lad like you entertain them with a sonnet or two. I'll show you how to win them over. It takes a bit of skill, but you'll learn."

Then he lowered his voice so that only Benjy would hear. "Still though...I would still try apologising to her. Don't let her temper scare you off. She may intimidate at first, but if you win her trust, there will be nothing that she won't do for you."

[Benjamin James Fenwick]

"I'm not so sure I can win her trust, not after everything--"

Benjamin was never one to give up so easily, no matter the circumstances. It was how he came to secure a place there in the ranks of soldiers that had much more experience, much more strength, and more nobility in their blood. At least amongst the Knights who surrounded him now. However, a fight for a girl's affection -- as innocent as it was in nature -- left him dizzy at the very notion. Emmeline was worth fighting for, surely, as Caradoc pointed out she offered her undying loyalty to those who proved themselves .. but as it was, Benjamin had very little idea how to go about such an act and spent the next few moments entirely in silence as he searched for a possible answer.

Coming up with nothing, and finding himself staring into the space to the left of Caradoc's shoulder, Benjamin managed to clear his throat and continue: "I could use a drink."

[Sir Caradoc the Brave]

"Then you shall have your drink, laddie," grinned the knight, clapping Benjamin on the back again. "....after your drills!"

And Caradoc was good to his word, for after grilling the boy with the usual training drill until dusk, he and a few of his mates took the lad to the tavern they often frequented whenever their schedule permits them. It was clear that they were there quite often, for no sooner did the golden-haired knight stepped in through the door were they all ushered to their usual round table, situated near the back of the tavern, before a round of ale was brought to them by one of the buxom bar wenches.

"So you're not sure how to win a woman's trust, eh?" inquired the knight after taking in a generous amount of ale. "First of...how do you plan on going about it, after...what happened earlier today? You're going to need to approach her first, right? Make certain you have charmed her enough so that she will actually listen to what you have to say. Have you any plans on how you're going to do that?"

[Benjamin James Fenwick]

Charming Emmeline enough to let him near, and winning her trust in the process, was something Benjamin found frightened him more than the thought of an overly drawn out war to the death. The spiteful look over her face and the grimace that accompanied it were all meant to pierce his soul. If looks could kill.. The very idea now of approaching her (where weapons were readily available and he would, ultimately, be alone) certainly meant embracing the possibility of no return. Benjamin wasn't sure he was quite ready for that yet.

"I was thinking.. a note, maybe."

A note, simple enough, left at her work station with a scribbled apology across the front. Surely that ought to ease some of the tension between them and offer Benjamin another day to enjoy life. "To say sorry that I-- well. Just to say sorry."

[Sir Caradoc the Brave]

Caradoc stroked the stubble on his chin while listening to Benjamin. "Hmm....I suppose a note would suffice. It would certainly get the message across. But you know, you will be missing that element of physical contact the womenfolk look for. See Marcel over there? When he sees something he wants, he just reaches out and grabs it."

Sure enough, the burly knight, who had been talking to several of the other knights by the bar, apparently saw a barmaid who struck his fancy, and simply reached out and pulled her effortlessly to him, as the maid did not put up one bit of a struggle.

Smirking, the knight leaned back in his seat and downed the last of his ale. "See, laddie? With some practise, that's all you need to do and the maids love it. You should try it on my squire whenever you see her next."

[Benjamin James Fenwick]

A long sip of his ale had been taken before Benjamin turned in time enough to see Marcel do just as Caradoc had insisted: in one sweeping motion the barmaid came to rest in the Knight's arms, swooning heavily with a flush to her cheeks. Is that really what women wanted? Benjamin could certainly see the appeal of strong, muscular arms wrapping around their torso, protecting them from the evils of the world. But still, Emmeline didn't seem the sort to swoon.

Yet Caradoc insisted, and Benjamin was only young yet. What did he know about the wooing of a woman?

"Alright, if that's what they're after, I'll certainly give it a try."

[Sir Caradoc the Brave]

"That's the only thing they're after!" declared Caradoc as another pint of ale was handed to him. "The other things they mention wanting from the menfolk...sentimentality, romantic trysts, sweet words whispered softly to them...all rubbish. In truth, the women only want men to claim them, to take them as theirs. I guess...it gives them a feeling of pride that they were chosen out of the other possible available women."

He took another long sip of ale before nudging Benjamin in the shoulder again. "See how well Marcel is getting on with that maid there now? He's living proof that women are just waiting for someone to stake their claim on them. So...what I recommend for you to do here, laddie, is that if you want to go by the note route, you can. Just place the note in a place where she can find it, but be hidden somewhere nearby too. Give the girl a few moments to read it. Then, while she is thoroughly engaged in the note, you jump out and seize her!"

Chuckling at himself (and most likely his wit and cunning in the whole plan), Caradoc took in a hearty draught of the ale before setting the pint back on the table. "She's yours after that. I can assure you."