Chapter 6: Chapter 6

THE DAGGER

I stared angrily at Arin, who had completely forgotten about me again. I was his wife, you could override my will and just marry me, but no one would ever oppress me.

Jacob taught me in the fields. He showed me how to hold my own against the men, even though of course I couldn't defeat them. After all, they had enough strength. But I would get my respect. Jacob always insisted that I earned my respect from others. "Don't let anyone tell you you must or mustnot do something just because you're a woman. Slap that ass in the face and laugh at it!"

Ulrike never wanted to admit it, but she was mighty proud that the men all respected me. At least they left me my pride.

What do you think Father would say to Arin? "Slap that ass in the face and laugh at him!"

But I couldn't do that. Arin would crush me easily. Or fight back. And starting a fight knowing I didn't stand a chance against him would be stupid. Plus he was my husband... But maybe it would do me good?

"Don't be ridiculous, Elain. A man is and will always be a man. You can stand up for yourself and prove yourself. But never underestimate that they are the stronger sex after all." I remembered Ulrike's words. And where she was right...

So I took a deep breath and forced myself to come down a little. Nothing was of any use.

Arin lifted his eyes and looked at me. "Are you angry, Elain?"

"No, my lord." I growled.

He certainly didn't mean it. I guess I was just exhausted from the long rides and the events of the city.

"You lie quite often, my lady."

Now I was angry again. "I'm not lying. I just don't want to be treated like your squire."

For the first time, I clearly recognized an emotion in Arin. He was shocked. "Milady?"

I felt ridiculous. So he hadn't even noticed."I'll be right back..."

I needed my rest now. Try to keep a cool head. So I got up and disappeared behind some trees.

What on earth was that? Arin wondered, confused. He didn't treat her like a squire. He didn't even treat his squire like a squire!

When Elain ran away, Arin sat in front of the fire and didn't know how to react. He doubted that Elain would have to step out. She probably just wanted to get away. Away from Him!

She didn't want to send her to bed either! He meant well for her. After all, it was his job to take care of her and protect her. That's how it was as a man. What was her problem?

Arin just decided to keep sharpening his dagger. Wasn't he so tired of life that he followed her. Biting as she was, she would be able to drive any animal away.

Elain reappeared a few minutes later, sat down again by the fire and didn't look at Arin. If she could play bitter, so could he.

He cursed in his head. The ten-year-old boy had never been such a problem. He would have beaten him up too if he'd thought of something like that. Actually, Syman came up with a few ideas...

Had he actually become the idiot of mankind?

Arin looked at Elain to tell her to look at him and explain what she really wanted from him, but he kept his mouth shut. His wife slumped her shoulders, forced herself to sit up straight, and seemed so miserable that he felt guilty.

i missed my home I was terribly homesick. My mother. My father. I was so happy there. I thought I might come back. Just endure the weekend under Florence rule and leave again. And now I was sitting somewhere in the forest with a Black Knight and his squire. I wanted to go home. Just back home...

Arin's throat cleared the silence before he asked; "Did you like the city?"

Puzzled that Arin once started a conversation, I looked at him through my eyelashes.

"Yes. There was a lot to see." I lowered my gaze again.

"Did you see anything special?"

Before I could stop it, it just slipped out. "The black alleys you disappeared into, my lord."

It was quiet for a moment.

When I looked up, he was staring blankly at me again.

"Why were you special?"

"It seemed like the only place in town that no one wanted to be."

"You must be very observant." Arin lifted a corner of his mouth. "That's where I bought the dagger, for example."

So the dagger. "It is very beautiful, my lord. Looks like High-grade Steel."

Arin got up, came around the fire and sat next to me with a smirk. "Do you like it?"

"You have a good eye for weapons, my lord."

He smiled. Very rarely, but just now he did.

His brown eyes glittered and the same dimples Syman has appeared in his cheeks.

Arin looked so young and charming. That smile showed a whole other side of him.

He held out the dagger, hilt first. "I got it for you. As a kind of wedding present."

Stunned, I looked at the noble handle, the firelight shimmered on the sharpened cutting edge and it seemed almost dainty in Arin's hands.

And this beauty was for me?