As daylight replaced the darkness, Matilda realized the life changing revelations made the day before, caused her to feel pensive in the early morning, bewildering her emotions. Pierre's admission that he was her father, had caused turmoil in her young mind. Thoughts about her earlier life and the future, left her yearning to know more. Her life had been turned around, she knew not what the future held. She sighed to herself wondering what the new day would bring.
Catherine, who had been her friend since childhood, was also her older sister. Matilda was aware that there had been two sisters, Catherine being one of them not only looked like Matilda, but had sometimes shown similar tendencies. Pierre had revealed his identity at a very poignant moment when Catherine had been hurt by a stray sword tip and as things turned out, she was able to continue for the remainder of the day's riding. Her wound had been superficial, causing no further discomfit, much to everyone's relief.
Soon after dawn, the party of men accompanying Pierre and the two girls, gathered by the stables. They had almost finished mounting, ready to continue in the early morning, when Pierre appeared with his daughters, helping them onto their horses. A young groom held the horses still, then handed the reins to the two girls. Catherine's leg seemed to be healing. She eased herself into the saddle with no apparent problems. So too, was Henry's gash to the shoulder.
Pierre looked up, addressing Catherine in particular. 'Now lass, will you be able to ride this morning?' He was frowning slightly, still worried about her as she settled herself.
'Yes...yes, I think so my lor....' Catherine hesitated for a moment, then nodded to Pierre, smiling briefly.
'Good, as we have a long ride today. If you need to stop and rest, then you must let me know immediately. Do you understand?'
'Thank you. Yes, I will.' Catherine nodded, holding the reins, sitting upright in the saddle, the cantle visible from under her clothing.
Pierre was still gazing up at her and asked, 'Do you suppose you could call me 'papa' from now on?'
'I'll try..., papa.'
'I'd like that. I know it won't be easy for a while until you and Matilda get used to it, but if you can but try, I'd be very pleased. Now, it's time we got started.' He smiled at both girls, briefly checking their bridles, expecting the groom to have done his job correctly.
Pierre was aware that all the men were now mounted. He wanted to get underway as soon as possible. Fixing his gaze on Matilda, asked her, 'will you be happy riding a long distance today, Matilda my dear?'
She looked down from her horse, then nodded. 'Yes, I'll be fine, really I will.'
'Good, then let's be on our way, shall we?'
Pierre sprang into his saddle, gathered the reins indicating to his men it was time to leave. The party were on the move once more, heading toward the coast. It was still early, the morning feeling fresh as they got started.
Pierre knew it was necessary to keep a closer eye on the road ahead in future days. He would see to it that a scout was sent up ahead to check there was no apparent trouble.
They set off at a slow pace at first. Pierre concerned that Catherine would not be capable of riding for a good part of the day without further pain or bleeding from her leg. He stayed close to her, ready to help should the need arise, not wishing to quicken the pace until he was satisfied his daughter was coping adequately. Thankfully the weather was fair, warm even, as they made their way over undulating countryside, constantly heading in the direction of the sea where, once crossed they would continue on to their destination. They were making good time. It had previously been arranged they would meet up with a boat that would take them across the sea to England.
They were riding at a good pace now, Matilda was beside Catherine, Pierre on the other side. William followed behind Catherine, making sure surreptitiously, she was not in any way feeling discomfit. Often throughout the long journey both girls would chat if the going was easy. Matilda looked over, asked how Catherine's leg was.
'Oh, I'm sure I will live a few more years,' she laughed, taking the matter lightly.
'Well it was thought the sword tip catching your leg like that would be a lot worse. I'm pleased you are able to ride.' Matilda frowned, her expression was one of concern for her sister.
Catherine gave another short laugh. 'It was nothing really, just a nick and some blood, that's all,' she answered, brushing it off lightly.
At this moment she noticed the young man named William, just behind her. He smiled at her causing Catherine to blush. She felt the colour rise to her cheeks, looked straight ahead, hoping he had not noticed the change in her appearance. A slight smile was upon her lips, feeling a lightness in her heart.
There were still several day's riding before they reached the coast. Safety played a large part in the mind of Pierre. He was not prepared to risk any further incidents, specially involving his daughters. It was essential they arrived in England without experiencing further trouble.
After the first hour or so, the pace quickened, several small villages were passed, a river crossed, countryside traversed as the riders continued without further delays. Matilda and Catherine had become accustomed to the daily routine spent in the saddle, their bodies quite conditioned with the grueling miles undertaken, but they were looking forward to arriving at their destination. Pierre had been pleased, keeping a close eye on them both, when soon it would be time to board the vessel for the sea journey to England.
The night before they were due to sail, they were bedded down at an inn, where Pierre was in constant touch with the ship's captain. It was expected they would catch the early morning tide and sail for England on the morrow.
As dawn broke, plans were afoot to load everything onto the ship without further delay, the tide waits for no man.
Matilda and Catherine felt a little uneasy about boarding the large vessel, as it was their first experience. They were unsure what to expect. The weather was looking hopeful, apart from a possible storm in due course, but thought to pass further north, certainly not severe.
The two girls were very apprehensive as they were shown to a small area where they could settle, not feeling at all confident. Pierre assured them all would be well as they sat cl0se together for comfort and support.
The boat left the port of Calais as the tide was favourable. They breezed out of the harbour in the early hours, the sun still low on the horizon. The air was fresh, brisk, as it took the boat in a vague westerly direction at this stage. Matilda and Catherine were a little more at ease with their surroundings, watching the last of Calais disappear into a slight sea mist forming. The boat slid carefree across the waves, the captain keeping a watchful eye on all around him, giving orders to his crew as the small ship eased it's way toward open water.
Not too long after the boat was clear of land, it began to pitch and toss slightly, its bow dipping low into large waves. The party of men took it in their stride as they played several games on deck to wile away the time. The captain kept a close eye on the weather for the intended storm, thinking they would be safe as they made their way further west, causing the boat to dip into oncoming waves that appeared to be getting larger. He wouldn't want to sail directly into it. On the other hand, it was possible it would miss them completely, they would be spared the inconvenience and disruption of a possible soaking.
The wind increased, moaned as the sea hissed around them. Spray was finding its way on deck, the larger waves spilling over the sides. The ship tossed on the brow of the white foaming sea, the stern shuddering as it came right out of the water before diving into the next oncoming swell. By now the two girls were becoming increasingly anxious as Pierre tried to reassure them. He too, was becoming more than a little alarmed, anxious as he looked at the oncoming swell, grimacing when it soaked the deck time after time. The crew were busy as the captain gave orders, keeping them busy. The party of men accompanying the two girls gave up their games as the weather became rougher, the decks wetter. It had started to rain, the wind by now increasing to gale force, the vessel tossed about like a cork on the hissing, spewing sea. The noise of the wind was deafening as the sea rose even higher, braking and crashing across the bow of the vessel, thundering back over the sides.
Catherine clung to Matilda who appeared the braver of the two. 'I'm frightened Matilda. Do you think the ship will sink?'
'I hope not!' Matilda's expression was grim, not at all reassuring, Catherine became even more frightened. 'There wasn't supposed to be a storm. Specially one as bad as this.'
William, the young man with whom Catherine had exchanged glances several days earlier, approached them to make sure they were safely taken care of. Pierre by now, was not only anxious, but hoping the storm would soon blow itself out. Its force was taking the ship off-course and he wondered if indeed, they would ever reach England. The storm was far worse than even the captain had expected, but being conditioned to it, remained steadfast in his quest to reach England safely. He glanced up at the mast which was tossing to and fro in the strong wind, the rain intensifying.
The storm didn't get any worse as the day wore on, but the wind never relented either, as it tore at the ship for many hours.
It took two days to finally reach English shores, the wind having finally blown itself out. The vessel, although taking a pounding, had survived the storm, carried them into Dover as the morning light dawned watery in the east. A sunrise of immense beauty greeted them as the boat slipped quietly into the harbour. The ship's crew prepared to dock, the passengers relieved, exhausted, looked forward to stretching their legs. The feeling of solid earth under their feet and eventually completing their ongoing journey, was what occupied everyone's mind. The captain had held his crew together well, no one had fallen overboard, they had all survived and so had the vessel that had brought them to England, the storm finally relenting. But soon news reached them that two smaller ships had been lost, the captain and crew taking the news with deep regret and sadness.
Catherine and Matilda, together with Pierre and his men, finally stepped ashore upon English soil, the two girls smiling at one another as they did so. There was huge relief expressed, they had survived the savage sea, the terrifying storm will become but a memory. A mutual sense of achievement was acknowledged by all at the long distance travelled earlier on land and the time it took to reach safety by sea.
The next stage of their journey was about to begin.
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