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“So, is it everything you expected in the stories?” Henry asked, glancing back with a smile at Theresa as they could see Talmberg past the windmill.
“Well, the stories certainly don’t mention the bumpy ride. Or how covered the roads are.”
That was when Pebbles decided it was time to add to it, causing both of them to groan. “Really?” Henry added. “I take you off cart duty and this is how you thank me?”
Pebbles snorted, shaking his head as they continued on past the dung.
“Be gentle with him, Hal. He is carrying a heavy load.”
Henry exhaled. That was true enough, especially when he was dealing with bandit camps and had to walk so Pebbles could carry the load.
“Hail, traveler! A moment of your time!”
Henry turned his head - it was a knight, wearing battered armor, longsword at his hip. The armor he wore around his torso was covered with light brown velvet, which looked rather new…
“Hang on, is that you Sir Gunther?”
“Ah, Henry of Skalitz!” the knight laughed, raising the visor of his bascinet. “Good, I was hoping for a rematch.”
“Rematch?” Theresa asked, and Henry winced. Dueling ad honorem was not being careful…
“A bit of amicable combat, good lady,” Gunther said as he dipped his head. “Allow me to say that you are no mill wench.”
“ Sakra …” Henry muttered.
“And why is that?” Theresa asked, grip tightening enough for Henry to feel it on his shoulders. “Are millmaids not fair?”
“I- ah.” To his credit, at least in Henry’s mind, Gunther tried to look contrite as he glanced down. “Rescuing a miller’s daughter, goodman?”
“As much as she rescues me,” Henry answered as he hoped to defuse this. “We were traveling to Pryvitslavitz. We’re… ah…”
“Ah… ah…” Gunther took a step back. “Well then, I had hoped for it to be amicable, but it seems that I have unwittingly given offense to your lady.”
“So now I’m a lady?”
“Well, I did not know I had sparred with a Kobyla …”
“Only acknowledged,” Henry corrected. “With King Wenceslaus incarcerated, I doubt I will be legitimized anytime soon.”
“I see…” Gunther glanced side to side, clearly at a loss as he put his hands to his hips. “Please, forgive my words. It seems I spoke without knowing what I spoke of.”
“Apology accepted,” Theresa answered sincerely.
“Thank you, good…” Gunther paused, jaw slightly dropping. “Forgive me again, but I did not think to ask your name.”
“Theresa,” she answered.
“Then I thank you, Theresa, for taking my misspoken words with grace. I will not trouble you further this day. I bid you safe passage. The woods seem to be clear of the Cuman deserters this day, but be wary.”
“We will,” Henry added as he dipped his head. “Safe travels, sir knight.”
“And to you.”
They parted ways, the knight continuing towards the Inn at the Glade while Henry nudged Pebbles northwards to their destination.
“Amicable combat?” Theresa asked a few moments later, as they reached the turn to Talmberg proper.
“Sparring,” Henry explained. “No wager or anything, not like some of the other wayfaring fighters I’ve met. Basically just a tournament bout.”
Theresa exhaled, hopefully dispelling any thoughts of a well-meaning lecture. “Well, should we go back and tell him that you will fight for my honor?”
“I- what?” Now it was his turn to be flat footed as he turned his head and halted Pebbles. “I mean, I’m all suited up, but didn’t you want to get to Privytslavitz before it got dark?”
“Are you refusing to defend your lady’s honor?”
“Oh no, you are… you are, aren’t you?”
She simply smirked.
“Oh, alright," he grinned, "For you, my lady.”
Besides, he didn’t wear armor regularly just for show. And his legs could use the stretch.
He just hoped he didn’t crack Gunther’s bascinet like the one time he tried warhammer and shield together.