The King's Artist

Ch 60: Respect

Watching Adelaide these days was almost physically painful for Kayden. She lightened a little as the winter gave way to spring, but he knew she was intentionally distracting herself with the new recruits.

Thomas Grey's introduction to their ranks brought along with it more bodies that needed molding. The Yorks already present that had initially been trepid to join them were now a bit more accepting of the situation and, as a whole, keener on being trained by someone they perceived as a Lancastrian, though Adelaide didn't belong to any such House. Their numbers were continuing to swell, too, as others who had fleed England arrived daily.

Though the majority had no training, no supplies, and no previous experience, they were all young and more than willing to commit to the cause. As usual with new recruits, though, there came the uncomfortable period of sizing one another up, and Kayden stood off to the side next to Adelaide as she watched them all closely. As the young men shouted and taunted one another, the lines between who was a Yorkist and who was a Lancastrian was apparent and divisive.

Lewis, Harry, and Lance were present, standing behind Adelaide respectfully, as was Thomas Grey, the latter looking stiff and out of place amongst the dirty fields. He had cleaned up and been given food, but he clearly looked annoyed that his presence had been required for every training session since his arrival. It annoyed Kayden as he suspected the young Lord had hoped for asylum without having to contribute anything in return.

"Are you sure you're going to be able to handle this?" Grey asked Adelaide, craning his head to intentionally overshadow and look down at her. The gesture was demeaning and Kayden, along with Lewis, Harry, and Lance bristled. Adelaide seemed unfazed, though, as she looked up at him, her blue eyes fierce and unflinching.

For the past few months, Kayden and the other three men had been primarily responsible for getting the soldiers in shape. It required little communication between the trainees and no particular skill set, so the mundane task had been relegated to them while Adelaide had assisted Henry and Jasper with other plans. She was, after all, a sworn knight to the young Tudor. But now that the men were looking more muscular and in better condition, she had been sent to start honing them into soldiers.

Being underestimated was unfortunately something Kayden knew Adelaide was used to. Many of the men looked at her with laughing eyes, clearing dismissing her on account of her small stature and feminine eyes. Kayden, of course, was the only one who knew she was a girl and he was somewhat grateful that Adelaide's other characteristics were more androgynous and did a better job hiding who she really was.

But while Kayden was annoyed by their behavior, Lance seemed to boil with rage at the disrespect. He found it ironic considering the other man had been one of the first to dismiss her. But since she'd very skillfully humiliated him in front of the other soldiers during his first recruitment six years prior, Lance had been a firm supporter of 'Arthur' and a loyalist to 'his' strength and skill.

As if knowing he was being silenced, Grey hung his head sheepishly and stepped away from Adelaide as she turned her focus back to the men. Some were beginning to turn in her direction, gradually becoming aware that she was watching them. While others continued their bucking, a strange silence seeped over the crowd. Everyone went silent as Adelaide stepped forward.

"I understand your hesitation to train with one another," she began in a steely voice. Any traces of leftover chatter died away immediately as all the young eyes trained on her movements throughout the crowd. Though some were still clearly doubting her rank and capabilities, they all at least seemed to understand that she held a higher position than any of them. Arthur Dedrick was Henry Tudors more trusted confidant, his childhood friend, and his most loyal supporter. Kayden couldn't help but wonder how they would take the news that 'he' was also the young King-to-be's longtime lover.

"Your houses have been enemies for a long time. And I don't expect that resentment to disappear overnight," Adelaide continued. "This war between the House York and the House of Lancaster has been going on for a very, very long time. But should I remind you that most of you weren't even born when it first began? You hadn't even taken your first steps when the first drop of blood was shed. The first life taken occurred years before you were even conceived. And none of you here have even stood on a battlefield, fought for your life, or watched others die for a cause they believed in."

Kayden knew Adelaide was recalling the time years ago when Henry had been nearly handed over to King Edward by the Duchy of Brittany. Neither she nor Kayden had forgotten that betrayal, though it had been Duke Francis's people who had placed the order while he had been ill. However, it was still one of the reasons why Jasper and Henry were still hesitant to trust the Duke's advisor Pierre Landais who was handling the majority of the negotiations and governmental affairs.

"Any grudges you bear towards one another are nothing but pride and stubbornness: pride for your House's legacy and stubbornness to put aside your differences." Adelaide's tone was sharp and clear. Kayden couldn't help but smile a little. It was interesting watching a girl who had run away from home to become an artist somehow transform into a commander of an army. When he had first learned that Adelaide was a girl, he had deluded himself into believing she needed care and protection. But watching her now, Kayden had to admit his feelings at that time had only derived from a twisted place of wanting to have a reason to be close to her. "You all stand here today as allies. Men who have a common enemy. It is no longer Lancastrians and Yorkists rebels, but soldiers of the House Tudor. You all fight for England, you all fight for Lord Henry, and so, therefore, you all fight for one another."

Kayden knew it would still take time for them to trust one another. But for now, he could see it. The spark spreading through the men like a wildfire, lighting their eyes with hope. They had a purpose, they had drive. And now, they had a reason to stand next to one another.

When the first battle cry sounded, Kayden joined in, fisting the air as the hollering for victory sounded.