D' Arc || The King

Chapter IV

"Henry!" Isabel called out, running forward. He turned around and his eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Isabel, you came," he said and she smiled up at him. "It's been a long day and I might have fallen asleep. Anyways I'm here, so lead me to your camp o' great king."

Henry chuckled and offered her his arm. "We're not that far away from town." Isabel looped her's through his and they began to walk. She looked up at him and tilted her head to the side, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"How is it that you of all people need me, a French peasant who learned how to heal by taking care of pigs and cows, to help keep your men alive? Shouldn't you have been more prepared?" She questioned, arching an eyebrow at Henry. His face was solemn, hiding anything he was feeling at the moment from her.

"Just a feeling," he said and she snorted. "Perhaps a tingling of a finger or your nose?" She questioned, tapping his nose with her finger. Henry batted her hand away saying, "Stop, stop."

She pouted and crossed her arms. "You're not fun. Have you ever been to a party or are you too high and mighty to attend one?"

"Trust me, I've had my own share of...entertaining parties," he said wryly and she arched an eyebrow. "Ooh, do tell!"

"First, before you make me reveal every little thing about me. I want to ask you a few things."

Isabel smirked and crossed her arms. "Do ask, Lancaster," she said and he placed his free hand behind his back and looked straight ahead. "Where did you learn to speak English? Many in England don't even speak English."

She paused and frowned slightly, trying to think when she had first learned English, a language that seemed so brash and violent compared to French. "Well...I do not exactly remember, but I believe my father taught me and Jacques."

A pang of sadness hit her as she mentioned her brother, but she shook it off. "He always planned on growing our farm and going into the trade business, his - my mother, spoke English and she taught him," she said with a sigh. "I never met her, she died years ago." Isabel was lying through her teeth at the last part. It was true she had and would never meet her mother, but Isabel did not know if the York lady still lived or had died ages ago. Personally, Isabel hoped she was dead so she wouldn't run the chance of ever meeting this mysterious woman.

"Henry," she began in a cautious voice. "Mmhm?" Isabel sucked in a breath before saying, "What are the Yorks? I-I mean who were they?" Henry jerked to a stop and she nearly fell onto her face at the sudden lack of movement. "Do not mention the Yorks in front of me, do you understand?" He snarled and Isabel flinched before nodding quickly.

"I'm sorry, Isabel," Henry murmured and she placed a hand on his. "No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have mentioned it, clearly, it's a touchy subject. I won't push," she said. It looked like he was going to say something, but nothing was spoken between them for the rest of the walk. Isabel didn't want to ignite Henry's strange rage again and Henry didn't know how to apologize.

Further ahead there was the sound of horses and the murmur of men as they moved around the camp. "I'm surprised you have not picked this whole place clean yet," Isabel said as they walked through the first few rows of tents. "We're leaving tomorrow for-" he stopped short and Isabel looked down. He didn't trust her. She knew that it was stupid for her to get upset over such a thing, after all, they had only known each other for a little while. But still, that small fact bothered her.

"Picked up a new whore, Your Grace?" A man called and Isabel whipped around, pulling her arm from Henry's grasp to glare at him.

"I am no whore and you best mind your tongue because your life might depend on how I feel towards you. Due to your assumption of me, I think if you end up with a dreadful cut or arrow embedded in you, I'll make sure to let it rot and let you come begging to me on your knees," she snapped before turning on her heel and marched away to a more secluded area where she wouldn't be bothered by men of Henry's army.