My Fair Lady: Chapter 6

Jack tapped a pencil against the desk.  Turner entered the room.  “Why don’t you knock, Turner?”  He asked irritated.  Turner frowned then smiled sheepishly and shrugged.  “Because Jack…”  He said dramatically.  “Ever since I was a boy, I was afraid the goons would get me so when I entered a door, I would run in as fast as I could just in case one was following me.  They plague me day and night.” 

Jack rolled his eyes.  “Really you should knock.” 

“Really?  Who has that kind of time?”  Turner asked folding his arms. 

“You will.  Now try it.”  Jack said pushing him out the door.  “Now go ahead.”  He said. 

There was silence. 

“You knock when you’re ready.”  He said sitting back down at the desk.  A couple minutes passed.  Jack frowned.  “Turner?”  He called. 

No answer. 

Jack walked over to the door, and opened it.  Sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall smoking, was Turner.  “Why didn’t you come in?”  Jack asked. 

Turner shrugged. “Alright.  If you’re going to keep bugging me I guess I’ll come in.”  Turner said starting to stand up.  “

No, I meant why didn’t you knock?” Jack asked.  “I’m not ready.”  He said. 

“I’m not asking you something that takes thinking.  All you have to do is knock on the door before you come in!” 

“Why do I have to knock?” 

Jack threw his hands up in the air.  “Ah!  You knock on a lady’s door before you enter, right?” 

Turner nodded his head.  “Yeah, because they might be naked.  Is that why I have to knock?”  Turner asked. 

“No!”  Jack said.  “Just knock on the door before entering or you can’t come in.” 

 Turner shrugged.  “I’ll be on my way then.  I only stopped by to see if you needed someone to talk to.”  Turner stood up, and started to walk down the steps.

“Get in here.”  Jack said. 

“I’m not going to knock.”  Turner said. 

“Get in here before I wring your neck.  Jack growled.  Turner smiled then walked into the room. 

***********

“So what’s on your mind?  I mean except the fact that you just threw Kezia in the tower.”  Turner said settling down into a chair.  

Jack glared at him.  “You don’t agree?”  He demanded. 

Turner shrugged.  “I can’t imagine her as one.  She seems very passionate about the war.”  Turner said. 

“You know the thing about traitors is they don’t seem like they could possibly be one.  That is why they are chosen to be spies!”  Jack said pounding his fist against the desk. 

There was a long pause before Turner spoke.  “So you’re not curious about what she said before I hauled her away?” 

“She was trying to get out of being thrown in the tower.”  Jack said rubbing his forehead.  A migraine was staring to come on. 

“You aren’t curious just a little bit?”  Turner prodded.

 “Turner, she’s lying!  You’re blind to this truth because you want to side with her.” 

Turner scoffed flabbergasted. His cheeks turned red.  “I’m merely trying to make sure we aren’t making a mistake.”  He scrambled to say.   

Jack looked at him.

 “Alright, perhaps I do like her.”  Turner said.  He paced the floor. 

“Well you best get over her because she’s a traitor.”  Jack said.

Turner whirled around to where he was facing Jack.  “What proof do you have?”  Turner demanded. 

Jack’s eyes narrowed.  He rose up out of his chair.  “She wanted to stay in town, she was miraculously at the meeting in the woods, she looks at us with hatred, and she was meeting with the general of the enemy.”  Jack growled.  “Now I suggest you lower your tone in your voice, and remember that I’m in charge over you.” 

 Turner gritted his teeth.  “Forgive me.”  He nodded his head, and left the room.  He knotted up his fists. He went to the banquet hall where the villagers were at.  He spoke to one of the woman from the village.  She pointed to a young girl.  He nodded his head in thanks then went over to the girl.

 “Can I talk to for a moment?”  He asked. 

The girl’s eyes widened in wonder.  “Um, I suppose.”  She said.  

Turner pulled her aside.  “You said you saw Kezia Stirling talking to someone.  Can you describe him?”  He asked. 

The girl thought a moment.  “He was very tall muscular man.  He had the mark of a general. I can’t really tell you what else because it was dark, but the light did shine his face for a moment.  He had a scar on his neck, and when I walking away I heard her say his name.  I believe it was Cole.”  The girl said.  “I could draw you a picture of him.  I am very good.” 

 Turner hesitated. “How long will it take?” 

“Oh, not very long at all.  I just need some paper and a pencil.”  She said. 

Turner studied the drawing.  Like the girl had said, she was very good.  He nodded his head in thanks then left the banquet hall.  He walked out the door to the stable.  He saddled up a horse, and mounted.  He rode out through the gate and headed to the royal palace. 

Turner pulled his hood up so his face wasn’t so easy to see. He glanced down at the drawing again then shoved it into his pocket.  It was night time and the royal courtyard had come to a lull.  Turner quietly entered the castle and began to search for the man.  He went through a small passage that led him up some stairs.   He slowly went through doorway.  It was the balcony that hung over the throne room.  Inside was the king talking to someone else.  Turner stepped into the shadows and listened.    

******************

Kezia stared down at the courtyard as everyone was preparing to move into the mountains.  She played with a puddle of water on the window ledge.  She still had no success getting out of the tower.  She wasn’t quite sure why she had said that she was there at the entrapment of the soldiers, but it had slipped out.  It wasn’t something that she really wanted to bring up, let alone have Jack know about it. 

The door unlocked.

Kezia turned to see Jameson.  “Mr.  Hall said that you were to come with them.” 

Kezia lookedback down at the courtyard.  “Why would he want a “traitor” to go with him?”

“Traitor?  Didn’t you hear?  Turner cleared your name.”  Jameson turned and left.

Kezia turned.  “How in the world did he do that?”  She shrugged, stood and followed Jameson down the stairs.

 Kezia staggered into her room.  After helping moving the people into the mountains to the caves along with the supplies they would need to survive, she was tired.  She fell back onto her bed and closed her eyes.  “This feels so good.”  She murmured.  She pulled herself up to her feet, and rubbed her eyes.  “Got to keep working.”  She slowly walked out of her room, and headed down the hall.  She stopped at the steps, and sighed.  “I’ll rest a couple days before we fight.  Just not right now.”  She thought.  She plodded down the steps to the door, and headed to the smithy.

 Turner yawned, and stretched.  “Are you saddle sore?”  He called to Jack as he was coming out of his room. 

“Why are you?” 

 “I asked you first, man.”  Turner said walking down to him.  “I’m not telling you.”  Jack said starting down the stairs.  He grunted and groaned as he went down.

 “You are saddle sore.”  Turner teased. 

“Shut up, Turner.”  

“It’s your turn to handle the troops today.” 

“I know it.”  Jack said heading towards the kitchen.  “Where’s Jameson?”  He asked Turner.

 “How would I know?  I just got up same as you.” 

“Go find him.”  Jack said picking a slice of bread off of a platter.

 “Yes, sir.”  Turner picked up a piece of bread, and left the room.  Jack nodded his head to the cook then left for the courtyard. 

In the courtyard the troops stood waiting for him.  “How are you all feeling today?”  He asked. 

“Well, a bit sore from yesterday’s ride.”  One of the younger men quipped. 

Jack stood in front of him, and looked down at him.  “Sore, huh?  If you can’t handle a ride then you aren’t fit for fighting yet, boy.  We’ll go riding today to practice fighting on a horse.”  He headed towards the stable. 

“Nice going, Toby.”  He heard someone mutter.  He looked over his shoulder to see the younger man be elbowed in the ribs by someone else.  He smiled to himself.

My Fair Lady: Chapter 5

Kezia walked with Marla again as she lit the lamps.  “I really do appreciate you walking with me, Kezia.”   Marla said lowering her pole down from the now shining light.  Kezia only nodded her head.  “This is my last time though.  We are to be moved into the castle tonight and then go on to the mountains from there.”  Marla continued. 

“I wish you the best of luck.” Kezia said quietly.  They were silent as Marla continued to light the lamps. 

“Kezia.” 

Kezia about jumped.  Cole walked to her side.  “I’ll see you later, Marla.”  Kezia said.  Marla waved goodbye uncertainly then walked away. 

“What is it now, Cole?”  She hissed. 

“I told you I’d be around.” 

“Yes, but I thought you meant that you had work for me.”  Kezia said nervously. 

“You know that’s not what I meant.”  He said lowly, stepping closer to her.  “I want to start from where we left off.”  He brushed his fingers down the side of her face.  Kezia froze.   She stepped back.  “There’s nowhere to start.  I was a prisoner of war; you were a general that hauled me around with you.” 

“I took you with me because I knew you’d be safe with me.” “We are of two different classes.” 

"I can chose who I want.”
"Then choose someone who wants you back.”
"You are that person.” 
"No, I’m not, nor do I want to be.  You have to accept this.”
“I won’t because I know you are lying.  I want to keep you close to me.”

He held her by the waist; leaned down and kissed her.  She pushed herself away from him.  “You are the enemy who hurt me greatly, and I just can’t forget that.”  She walked towards the stable. 

“I’ll be around, Kezia.”

**************

Kezia hurried and hitched up the horses to the wagon.  “How could I forget that they were leaving so soon?”  She chided herself.  She loaded her tools, and what she needed into the wagon along with whatever else she wanted to bring.  She tied the couple remaining horses to the back then went off on the road into the woods.

There was a knock at his door. “Come in.”  He said setting down his papers.  A young girl entered. 

“You know Kezia Stirling, yes?”  She asked. 

Jack frowned.  “Yes, I know her.”  

“Well, when I was lighting the lights, she was with me.” The girl paused.  “While we were lighting the lights, this man came up to her.  He knew her by name.  I could tell something about him scared her.” 

“I see.”  Jack’s brow furrowed. 

“I think she might be in some kind of trouble.”  She said.  “I’ll see what I can do-” 

“It’s Marla Ross.”  The girl said.  She nodded her head in thanks then left. 

Jack rose the instant the girl closed the door, and left the room as well. He strode down the stairs, and went straight to the stable.  He collided into someone.  “Why don’t you watch where you’re stepping?”  He growled.  His eyes widened.  “Kezia?  What are you doing here?” 

“Well, I couldn’t very well stay in a ghost town without there being suspicion, now could I? Besides, I said I’d come sooner or later. Is the smithy still available?”  She asked.  Jack nodded.  “Your friend Marla was talking to me a couple minutes ago actually.”

 Kezia’s face blanched “Oh, really?  She’s a nice girl, isn’t she?  She’s the light keeper’s daughter.” 

“She mentioned that the night before you were talking to one of the generals of the enemy.”  He said. 

“You know girls.  They get excited sometimes, and exaggerate.”  Kezia said nervously. 

“What were you talking about, Kezia?” 

Kezia fiddled with her hands.  “Nothing, really.  Just wanted to know what I was doing. She said quietly. 

“Does he suspect anything?”  Jack asked.

 Kezia shook her head.  “No nothing like that.  He just discovered where I was a couple weeks ago.”

Jack cocked his head slightly in question.  “What else, Kezia? “Nothing else.  Does it matter?  You know the palace guards.  They always want to know what you’re up too. ” Jack folded his arms.  “You’re not telling me everything.”  “What makes you say that?  Were you there standing right next to me?”  Kezia asked sarcastically. 

“No, I wasn’t.  But that doesn’t mean I’m blind to truth.” Jack said staring down at her.  

“Are you insinuating that I’m a traitor?”  Kezia growled. 

“I am.”  Jack said. 

Kezia’s eyes widened.  “Well, I’m not.”  She huffed, angrily.  “It all looks that way, now doesn’t?” 

“If I was, I would have turned you in when I saw you in the woods, which I.”  She exhaled.  “This is all a bit awkward. Can you just tell me where the smithy is?”  She asked.

 Jack eyes narrowed.  “I will be watching you, and leaving the castle is out of the question.” 

Kezia glared at him.  “I’m not a traitor.”  She left the stable and headed for the smithy.  Jack stared after her, uncertain.

****************

Kezia pounded the hammer against the metal on the anvil.  She wiped the sweat from her brow then continued on.  She placed the metal into the fire to cool it off then continued to hammer it till it took on its purposed form.  “How dare he call me a traitor!  I have been working just as hard as everyone else.”  Kezia thought pounding harder with every second that passed.

“When are you going to quit for the night?” 

Kezia looked up to see Turner standing in the doorway. She tried to bank the fire that had grown inside her. “I didn’t notice that it had gotten so late.”  Kezia said looking out the window.  “I just am so behind in my work; I can’t seem to stop.” 

“There are other smithy’s that are coming.  They have been working on weapons as well. They should be arriving in a couple days since we should be declaring war in a week or so.”  He said. 

“It’s hard to imagine that it was two months ago when I stumbled upon this place.”  Kezia said shaking her head.  “It’s harder to believe that war will be starting soon.” 

“Will you be fighting?”  Turner asked

Kezia stood still.  “I guess I haven’t really thought about it.”  “So how bout?”  He asked. 

“I don’t know.  I probably don’t remember how.”  She said smiling. 

“Nonsense!”  Turner grabbed two swords that were leaning against the wall.  He took Kezia by the hand, and took her out to the courtyard.  He handed one to her.  “Show me what you got, girlie.”  He challenged. 

Kezia stared at her sword.  She raised it slowly and stood in her position.  Her eyes were overcome by determination yet fear and uncertainty were at the edges. 

Turner lunged at her.  She dodged, and kicked his rear causing him to fall to the ground.  Turner rolled over and froze.  Kezia’s sword tip was within inches of his throat.  Her jaw set, her eyes blacked. 

“Kezia.”  Turner said nervously.  Her features softened.  She stepped back.  “Sorry.”  She stammered.

“Sorry?  That was terrific.  I can see you were a good fighter in the war.  No hesitation.”  He said.

 Kezia took his sword.  “I best get back to work.”  “I’ll be no good if they think I’m a traitor.”  She thought.

****************

 “I don’t know if this is such a good idea, Jack.”  Turner warned. 

“Are you saying I can’t beat her?”  Jack asked. 

“It’s not that, it’s just she gets very serious about it.  She had me to sword point in seconds.  Her whole character changed.”  Turner said sitting down on one of the benches to the side of the gym.

“Really?”  Jack’s mind wandered. “Perhaps  out of hatred for us.”  He thought. “I need to see how she fights so I know if she needs any training.”  Jack said unsheathing his sword then putting it back into its sheath.

The gym door slowly opened.  Kezia cautiously walked in.  “What is going on? Jameson came running like a mad man into the smithy saying to come to the gym right away.” 

Jack threw her a sword.  “You’re here for a sword fight.”  He said pulling his sword out.  

Kezia frowned.  “You brought me from my work so that we could fight?”  She asked folding her arms. 

“We’ll be doing so in a couple weeks.  Need to see if you’re any good.”  Jack said smiling as cunningly as he could.

Kezia stared at him, suspicious.  “Alright, but let’s make this fast.  I’m still very behind in my work.”  She took the sword out of its sheath.  She and Jack walked to the center of the gym.   They stood there unmoving.  Kezia cocked her head. Jack charged her unexpectedly.  Kezia dodged him, and kick his legs out from beneath him, knocking his sword out of his hands.  Her sword raised in the air ready to slice him.  Jack held his hands in front of himself in surrender.  

 “Now if you’ll excuse me..”  Kezia started walking towards the door. 

Jack jumped up and side swiped Kezia’s legs, and held her sword point to the floor.  She looked up at him in bewilderment. 

“Turner, take her to the tower.”  He said firmly. 

“What is going on?”  Turner asked standing up. 

“She’s a traitor.” Jack said.  His eyes narrowed. 

“Now what makes you say that, Jack?  She’s been out there working.” 

“I can tell by the way she fights us.  She looks at us with hatred.  She probably has us set up.”  He said. 

“Jack...”  Turner started. 

“She was talking to one of the enemy’s general’s, Turner!”  Jack shouted in his face. 

Turner looked at Kezia.  “Is that true?” 

Kezia sighed.  “It is, but he had sought me out.”  She said quickly.  “I am no traitor.”  She said glaring at Jack.  “He was in charge of the group of prisoners I was in during the war.  He developed feelings for me over the time I was with him.”  Jack rolled his eyes. 

“He saw me when I went to the palace to drop off Carter’s bridal.”  Kezia explained. 

“Take her to the tower.”  Jack said. 

Turner grabbed her by the arm. “Come on.”  He said quietly. 

Kezia struggled to get free from his grip.  “I was there when you were pushed into that building.”  She shouted.  

Jack whirled around.  She was already out of the gym. 

My Fair Lady: Chapter 4

Kezia wandered through the royal courtyard.  She wasn’t quite sure where she was supposed to take the bridal. 

“Well, I never thought I’d see the day when you would enter the royal courtyard.” 

Kezia froze. 

The man walked in front of her.  “So what brings you here, Kezia?”  He asked. 

Kezia slowly lifted her eyes.  “Horse bridal.  I’m supposed to drop it off with Carter so if you could tell me where he is I’d be grateful.”  Kezia said. 

 “The same spunky girl I saw on the battle field.  You always were a determined little thing.”  He  studied her.  “I’ll take the bridal to Carter for you.”  He said reaching for the bridal. 

Kezia pulled it away from his reach.  “That won’t be necessary.  Besides, I need to pick up the payment for the work.” 

“I’ll deliver it to you.  Where is it that you work?”  He said grabbing hold of it. 

Kezia panicked.  “You know what?  I’m sure I’ll see Carter around some other time.  I’ll get the payment then.  He probably doesn’t have it on him anyway.”  Kezia said nervously.  She let go of the bridal, and started to walk away. 

“I’ll find you, Kezia.  I always have been able to in the past.” 

Kezia picked up her pace walking out of the courtyard as fast as she could.

************************

Kezia sat down in a chair.  Her heart raced.  “Idiot!  I should have had someone else deliver the bridal, or have Carter pick it up.  Now Quinn knows where I’m at.”  She banged her fist against the arm of the chair in frustration.  She rubbed her forehead.  She stood up and walked to the window. 

The light keeper’s daughter was lighting the lamps.  The light keeper had gone and joined up in the army so now she had the responsibility.  The girl looked about herself several times.  Then it occurred to Kezia.  She was scared. 

Kezia  went out to her. “I might not have an answer to my problem, but at least I can try to help her.”  She walked up behind her. “How are you and your family doing these days, Marla?”    

The girl jumped, and about dropped her light.  “Oh, Kezia it is you.  The family is doing well.”  She paused. She leaned closer.  “Any news on my father?”  She whispered. 

“He’s doing fine.”   Kezia whispered back.  “It’s been a bit colder than usual, hasn’t it?”  She said louder.  

She gestured for Marla to do the same.  “Oh?  Yes, indeed.  Very unusual.”  She said.  Marla lit another lamp. “We will be moving into the mountains by next week.”  She whispered. 

Kezia frowned.  “Who told you that?” 

“It was a note from Mr.  Hall.  He sure is nice ,isn’t he?”  She said. 

“I guess each to their own opinion.”  Kezia muttered. 

“You don’t like Mr. Hall?”  Marla asked lowering her lighting pole.

 Kezia sighed.  “He’s tolerable enough I suppose.” She kicked at a stone in the road. 

“Well, this is the end of my route.  Thanks for walking with me, Kezia.  I never liked walking in the dark by myself.”  Marla said.  She took off down the road towards her house.

Kezia walked slowly back to the stable, thinking.  She was startled out of her thoughts to see a tall black stallion tied up in front of the stable. 

It was Cole’s. 

Kezia panicked.  “What am I going to do?”  She thought frantically.  She turned around quickly and was about to break into a run. 

“Kezia.” 

She slowly turned around.  “Cole.  What are you doing here?”  Kezia messed with her hands.  Her whole body shook; it wasn’t from the cold wind around her either. 

“I brought your payment from Carter.”  Cole said walking out to her.  His brow furrowed. “What are you doing out at this time of night?”   

“Oh?  I was taking a walk.”  Kezia said. 

Cole’s brow deepened slightly more.  He handed her a pouch of money.  “I assume that this is the right amount.”    “Yes, this will do.”  Kezia said clasping the pouch.  “Thank you.  Goodnight, Cole.”  She walked towards the stable. 
 He caught her by the arm.  “I’ve missed you, Kezia.”  He whispered into her ear.  Kezia’s knees shook so hard she thought she was going to collapse. 
“We are too very different people, Cole.  It just wouldn’t work out.  You’re too much of a blackguard for me.”  Kezia said quietly. 

“You’re holding yourself back from what you know is true, and to being a blackguard, I had to do what was necessary in the war, Kezia.”  He released her arm.  “I’ll be around, Kezia.  I’m not going to let you go this time.”   Cole mounted his horse, and rode off.  Kezia walked into the stable, and collapsed into a chair.

*******************

 Jack pulled the wagon in front of the stable.  He jumped off the wagon, and walked into the stable.  Kezia was inside sitting at a desk, writing.  “I’ve come for the order.”  He called. 

Kezia stood up quickly.  “Oh. The order is up in the loft.  I’ll go get it.” 

Jack frowned.  “Sorry to be a disappointment.” 

 “Oh, no. That’s not what I meant.  I was afraid it was someone else.”  Kezia said. 

“Who?  That Carter guy?  You mean to tell me you’re scared of him?”  Jack teased. 

Kezia shook her head.  “No, I’m not scared of him.  Just forget about it.”  She disappeared into the loft.  Moments later she returned with a bundle.  She handed it to Jack then went back up again.  Jack stuffed the bundle into the straw in the back of the wagon.  Kezia brought out a dozen or so more bundles.

 “You’ve been busy.”  He said packing the last bundle into the straw. 

“I try to be.”  Kezia said.  She went back to the desk. 

 “Something’s defiantly wrong.”  Jack thought.  He walked over beside Kezia.  “If that guy is bothering you, I can take care of it.”  He offered. 

“Jack, that isn’t a problem.  Now just forget about it, and take the bundles.”  Kezia said writing in a ledger. 

Jack started to walk away then turned around.  “What is wrong?”  He demanded. 

Kezia stood up.  “Nothing is wrong!”  She insisted. 
Then why are you acting all strange, like you’re scared?”  He asked.

 “The only problem is that you haven’t taken the load back to the castle.  Now go!”  She said.  Jack stood back offended. 

“I’m sorry.  I’m just a bit on edge from lack of sleep.  The preparation of war is stirring up some memories I’d rather forget.”  Kezia said rubbing her forehead.  Jack was silent.  He shook his head and muttered something under his breath as he left.

**********************

“I’m telling you, Turner.  Something has her scared.”  Jack said. 

“The war does have everyone on edge though, Jack.  Besides,  Kezia scared of war?  That’s hard to believe.”  Turner said leaning against the wall. 

“I just can’t put it aside, Turner.”  Jack said.  “Even though I dislike her very much.” He added.

Turner shrugged.  “She doesn’t seem to need any help, but perhaps we should move her into the castle.  Someone might start suspecting something if we are always stopping by with a wagon.”   Jack nodded his  head.  “

That’s what we’ll do.”  Jack said standing up.  “We’ll move her into the castle.”

******************

  “What do you mean you can’t?”  Jack asked, frowning. 

“I can’t.  If I just up and leave then there will be even more suspicion.  Trust me.”  Kezia said. 

“From who, Kezia?  People up and move all the time.”  Turner said. 

“It’s more complicated than that.  Look, I know you are trying to help, but it’s safer for all of us if I stay here.”  She said. 

“Why?”  Jack demanded. 

“For one thing, if I leave who’s going to keep an ear out to make sure that they haven’t found anything out?  And..”

 Jack cut her off.  “It’s because Carter, isn’t it?”  

 “No!  For the last time Jack, he is not the problem.” 

“Then what is if it isn’t him?”  Jack questioned. 

 Just then, Carter strode in. 

“Hey Kezia.  What are you doing tonight?”  He asked. 

Kezia walked up to him.  “Listen, Carter.  I’m not going to go out with you tonight or any other night, ok?  Only  come in here when you need some work done.”  Kezia said. 

“You’re joking.”  He said.  “Come on, Kezia…”  He said pulling her close to him by the arm.  Kezia squirmed out of his hold, and slammed her fist into his face.  Carter stumbled back, wide eyed.  “Alright, Alright!  I can see when I’m not wanted.”  Carter left the stable. 

 Kezia turned around, and faced the two men.  “He isn’t the problem.”  She said. 

“Then what is?”  Jack challenged. 

“Can’t you accept that there isn’t a problem?”  Kezia asked anxiously.  “Look, I’ll make you a deal.  I’ll come to the castle right before the beginning of the war, alright?  Until then I’m staying here.”   

“Then we can’t accept your work.”  Jack said. 

Kezia’s eyes widened.  “

It’s too risky for us to keep coming into town like this.  The only way is if you work at the castle’s blacksmithy.”   

 Kezia bit her lip. “But…”  She sighed.  “Then I cannot work for you then.” 

 “Alright, you were right.  Satisfied?  But we now know it isn’t Carter that is the problem.”  Turner said on the ride home. 

“I don’t get it.  I was so sure she would come with us when I told her she couldn’t work with us unless she was in the castle.”  Jack said shaking his head.  “Whatever it is, it must really have her scared to refuse to leave.” 

“Well…..”  Turner said.  He hesitated. 

“What?”  Jack growled. 

“You both don’t get along very well.  Perhaps she’s trying to avoid conflict, and maybe she doesn’t want to look like she needs your help.”   

“Why would she not want my help?”  Jack asked gruffly. 

“Would you want to ask her for help? You’re both stubborn.”  

“If she doesn’t want help, then I won’t be offering it again.”   Jack muttered.