The Maiden Who Fell Through Time

CHAPTER 11: "New Beginnings"

We make our way back to camp and after having spoken to father Beocca- who was already half finished with digging the grave for Juliette (and building up quite a sweat in the process of it), groaned in annoyance at Finan's request. It wasn't until father Beocca looked over at me and I suppose realized that this wasn't so much a request on my behalf as it was a demand from me directly (me- the grief stricken previously blood-soaked psychopath) that his face softened a bit and he nodded his head in agreement. They had Juliette's body wrapped and prepared, and then attached to the back of a spare horse.

We would soon be on our way, and while the men took the opportunity to pack up the rest of camp- I decided to wander around a little bit. I made my way towards the horses and counted six horses total. One for Uhtred, one for Sihtric, one for Finan, and one each for each one of the holy men, and a spare one I assumed was now being used for supplies...and well of course Juliette's body.

I approached the steeds and began looking at the small group of horses apprehensively (understandably considering my last encounter with a horse didn't end all that well), and one looked over to me and snorted- seemingly reassuring me a little. I began to stroke and pet it's nose; and this calmed me a little bit and brought me a kind of momentary inner peace- if only for a few seconds.

Then everyone began to mount up. I was unsure really of which horse I was to ride, so I decided to just hop atop the one I had been petting. Once I was topside and had begun to situate myself upon the horse's saddle, I heard a cough from behind me.

"Ahem..."

I whip around to see Finan staring up at me (Well, turns out that that particular horse belonged to my insufferable new pal Finan...the pal that had been so annoying- yet comforting- yet also made me feel weird and awkward all at the same time...oh, and the one that I had just shared the most cringe worthy awkward hug moment with too...so there's that folks as well).

"It appears ya've made yourself mighty comfortable up on my steed there lass. But, do 'ya mind scooting down a bit so I can get on?"

"I'm not riding with you."

He chuckles looking over at his mounted companions all around him, before turning back to me.

"Well, it's either me or you ride with your friend back there." He says pointing to the horse carrying Juliette's corpse.

My face darkens at the thought of riding with my dead friend- nay my family...and I gulp loudly, essentially swallowing down a choked sort of cry. (Harsh you Celtic bastard harsh...like seriously kind of a low blow there mate.)

I decided to not respond verbally to him- for my voice would most assuredly crack. I shook my head no and then nodded in agreement to the previous suggestion that he had made.

He looks to the horse and then stares at me long and hard. "Well are you going to move back?"

I take the small moment to collect myself and rebuild my confidence a bit...and during that particular moment I felt an odd little surge of defiance spark up in me. (Basically, I wasn't inherently opposed to the idea of sharing a horse- especially not with Finan...I just really didn't want to ride bitch.)

"You can ride behind me you know..." I say looking down at him from atop the horse.

He scoffs at the idea and I hear Sihtric and Uhtred snort and let out a chuckle.

(I finally somewhat understood the context and humor of this situation, and I found myself rolling my eyes in response to it- I really wasn't in the mood for this macho male bullshit and couldn't see why it was such an issue riding behind me...it wouldn't kill Finan or his apparently fragile masculinity to ride in the back...so it had to be that...or he was like me and just really didn't want to ride bitch.)