The Rose and The Roman

Chapter Nineteen

Hey guys, am having serious block on this story so i finished this little section for you to keep you ticking over.

Enjoy

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Esma sat beside the river watching the fast water flow past, the occasional duck sitting on its skin gliding effortlessly from one side to the other. Daisy was by her side mixing the herbs they’d collected earlier for a poultice, she’d missed her only female friend, and Daisy had missed her too.

“I still can’t get over the fact Juan got you pregnant.” Esma laughed looking over at her friend once more, her rounded stomach more prominent than ever. “I’m looking forwards to it.”

“Me too.” Daisy grinned gripping Esma’s hand tightly, “You’ll be his aunty right?”

“Of course.” She laughed kissing Daisy’s hand. “I’ll help as much as possible, my brother Ed turned out a good lad.”

“Was it nice being home again?” she asked a wistful tone to her voice.

“Heart breaking.” Esma admitted, “I’ve missed so much and I’ve only been away a year, well nearly a year. Edwin’s taller than me, Ceolwulf is hanging after a girl from the village a mile away and Fyren’s started wrestling bulls for entertainment.”

Daisy laughed, she couldn’t help herself, “Your Fyren sounds like a handful.”

“You wouldn’t believe, Juan stole my spoon!” she exclaimed making Daisy’s laughter turn into howls as tears flowed down her cheeks. “Apparently, they’re dangerous.”

“Only if wielded by an older sister.” She grinned before turning serious, “I’m surprised you’re not pregnant.”

“Why would you say that?” Esma asked turning away from Daisy’s all seeing eyes to stare at Handbridge over the river.

“Juan told me about you and Albus, I told you he liked you.” She stated pulling Esma’s attention back to her, “I’m happy for you Es, I just wish it wasn’t secret.”

“Me too.” She sighed, “We should find Felix a lady friend.”

Daisy’s mouth fell open before it spread into a grin, “Who could argue with a pregnant lady and the wife of Blandus?”

“Exactly, we’ll have them cornered.” She grinned turning around to make sure Felix wasn’t in hearing distance as they started to plot and plan their revenge for the gentle giant.

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Almost frowned as he watched Esma heave Daisy onto the city walls and grin at every soldier they passed, leaving each watching them smitten as they carried on. He elbowed Juan who smirked and shook his head.

“Let’s see where they’re going first.” It didn’t take long for the two women to back Felix into a corner, one on each arm as he looked around madly for help. “I think they’re setting him up with some poor woman they’ve threatened.”

“My sweet Esma?” Albus asked quietly as Juan grinned, “This has Daisy written all over it.”

“Yes, but sweet Esma seems to be leading the way.”

“That’s because Daisy can’t move very fast.” He smirked, “Should we go and help him?”

“No, it’s time Felix had some fun.”

“That’s not what he thinks; I think I can hear him screaming in fear already.” Both men grinned at each other before swapping their stations with the next guards and returning to the pub, eager to watch Felix be tortured from a safe distance.