Chapter Ten

In honour of me going to Wroxeter today, i would say i'll bring you back some samian ware, but i think i'll get told off :P

Enjoy!!

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They rounded the last bend and the village alongside Whitley Castle came into view, it was just like home and Esma’s heart strings tugged slightly at the thought. Albus reigned in the horse as they reached the village and jumped down.

“Courtesy call.” He smirked passing her the reigns as Juan’s horse trotted over, pleased with the exertion.

“His grandma’s still alive and here.” Juan explained as he disappeared into the village, a squeal of delight pierced the air as he must have found her.

“Should we head into the fort?” Esma asked feeling uncomfortable without her protector behind her.

“Nah, he’ll want to show off for her.” He smirked, “She’ll love you.”

“Why would she love me?” Esma snapped turning to glare as he pretended to see something in the bushed and lead his horse towards them.

“Who’s this beauty on the horse then?” An old voice asked in Saxon making Esma jump, instantly she slid from the horse to greet the tall old woman beside Albus.

“Esma.” Albus stated as his grandmother patted his arm.

“She yours?”

“No.”

“Shame… whose is she?”

“Blandus.”

“That pig snorter?” she laughed his name away and turned back to Esma who wanted to climb back onto the horse behind her and run all the way back to her father at that moment in time. “Shame, anyway whose are you?”

“Aethelwald and Elva; from the flats.”

“I knew your grandfather, hmmm he wasn’t a nice man.” She stated nodding, “Good warrior though, and his wife very pretty.”

“Thank you?” Esma tried as Albus smirked from behind his grandmother.

“Spaniard, come here!” the old woman demanded, Juan snapped around at hearing his nickname in Saxon and sent her a smooth smile.

“Tell him he’ll curdle milk with that look.” Esma couldn’t contain her burst of laughter and neither could Albus as he bellowed out the laughter.

“She said you’ll curdle milk with that smile.” Esma translated eventually, Juan shrugged and kissed her hand.

“Mama you are sly as always.” Juan grinned; Esma turned to translate but was stopped by three shaking heads.

“I know the language of those snakes; I just refuse to utter it.”  She shrugged without a care in the world that her grandson was one of those snakes.  “You’re coming to eat with me tonight?”

“Have I ever turned it down?” Juan asked winking at her as she slapping his arm laughing.

“No, you’ve always been a pig when you’re visiting me… Esma, you’ll come too?”

“That would be nice.” She grinned up at the three people around her, feeling like a child in stature.

“We’ve got to go now, see you later Mama.” Albus smiled at his grandmother as she patted his cheeks affectionately.

“I didn’t know your grandmother lived here.” Esma stated feeling a little put out that he didn’t mention her before.

Albus shrugged as he sat behind her on the horse once more, “Didn’t think it was important, anyway she’s just Mama.”

“Just Mama.” She teased in disbelief, “If my grandmother was still alive I’d be telling you about her all the time.”

“Well life was hard when I lived with her, I don’t particularly like remembering it.” He snapped sharply causing Esma to crawl into herself.

No one liked being snapped at, Esma’s no exception.  Her jaw stayed firmly clamped shut as they headed around the huge earthen embankments towards the gate, she refused to comment on anything Albus pointed out and when they stopped to greet the Generals and other Centurions, he refused to let her off the horse.

“Stay here.” He stated, putting the reigns in her hand, “He obeys me, so don’t try it.”

“Next time my wife is riding before you Octavius, make sure you obey me.” Blandus sneered poking him hard in the chest. “I know you like her, you know I can make her life hell and there’s nothing you can do about it so don’t push me.”

Albus felt every part of his body clench, but his training kept him from grabbing his scrawny neck. “My grandmother has invited her to dinner, is she allowed?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“I suppose, if you find me a replacement.” He sneered, “Else dear little Esma is all mine tonight.”

Esma watched in silence as Blandus come towards her, a smirk across his face. A more friendly expression she’d rarely seen. His hands found her waist and he lifted her carefully from the large horse and let her slide against him till her feet touched the ground.

Anxiety swarmed through her as she glance up at him face, only to see he wasn’t even looking at her, the nasty sneer on his face was directed at someone behind her. His hand cupped her cheek, with surprising kindness as he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her lips.

Her first kiss.

“Go to our rooms; don’t leave unless someone tells you to.” He ordered, but his eyes never once left whoever was standing behind them.

Nodding she quickly disappeared leaving Blandus smirking over at Albus. He loved having something so perfect over the older, taller, better looking man. Oh this really was perfect.

Stupid little Albus falling for his brother’s wife.

How perfect.