Timeless

17

Alexis, forgotten, scurries behind the screen to continue her work on the flowers. She's already got bundles of them on the floor and it hasn't even made a dent in the amount left in the tub. Besides Jeshua kinda scares her although having such a big man to protect her does make it easier to concentrate on her work.

She is so concentrated on her work that when Jeshua asks, "What are you doing?" that she jumps and turns frightened eyes on him.

"I didn't mean to startle you so. I didn't know you didn't hear me, I wasn't trying to be quiet." Jeshua is quick to reassure Alexis, and casts quick glances behind him. He doesn't want Ariele to come after him again. That is one female that he is terrified of.

"No, it's alright. I just got so caught up in my work that I didn't hear you." Alexis is fine now that she realizes that Jeshua has kept himself to the other side of the screen. She just edges around the tub a little farther away. "Lady Ariele, asked me to save what flowers I can and do whatever I can with the rest. I guess they are gifts from the lord commander and someone rampaged through their room and did a lot of damage yesterday." Alexis explains.

"Oh, yes. It took hours for Lady Anna and commander Taren to fix things up." Jeshua says. He'd forgotten all about that but, he has an idea of who was responsible. At least failed to guard the room.

"Let me get some of those flowers out of your way." Jeshua says slowly going in and grabbing vases full of flowers. "I'll just place these on the table and you can arrange them however you wish when you're ready."

Alexis throws him a big smile. "Thank you, I was going to have to stop in a bit to do that, now I won't have to."

Jeshua keeps his movements slow to not alarm her and keeps his distance as much as he can. In short order he has the table filled with vases and pots of flowers. And he goes back to the other side of the screen.

Grey is now in an even fouler mood. "The child came with your message and the guards wouldn't let him through. Just brushed him off like he was dirt and threatened him not to come back."

Now Jeshua is angry as well. It took a lot of courage for the little one to run his message for him. The child has no family and is often bullied by others.

Grey knows of Jeshua's soft spot for kids. "I took care of it Jeshua. If there are any problems I'll make sure that Taren hears about it. Do you understand me?"

Jeshua looks at Grey with dislike. "Yes, sir." Jeshua says and the dislike is evident.

"You don't have to like my orders Jeshua, just follow them." Grey says. Not happy about this. He doesn't like having to order Jeshua to leave the guardsman alone, but the guardsman isn't going to get off lightly. "That means no unfortunate accidents around him. If he gets hurt and I find out you were in the vicinity I will take action, Jeshua. I may not be your commander anymore but I am still ranked above you. Don't make me use that."

Alexis's gasp reminds everyone that they aren't alone. Grey takes a deep breath to calm himself enough to modify his tone. "What you hear in here isn't for others' ears. The announcement won't be made public until after the enemy is defeated. Taren is the new commander and will still work with me until this disaster is over." Grey manages to say without scaring the girl further.

"I won't say anything, but Jeshua won't have time to go after anyone. I thought, maybe I was wrong, but I thought Lady Ariele here assigned Jeshua to look after me? I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood." Alexis sets the flowers she was carrying on the table and once more turns to leave.

"No, you're right. Jeshua is assigned to your protection." Grey smiles happily. That will keep Jeshua out of trouble. Or at least out of some trouble. He has no doubt that little Alexis will cause Jeshua no end of trouble. Especially if he reads Ari's expression correctly.

Jeshua's expression turns at first downcast then brightens. "Remember what I told you Jeshua." Ari's warning just makes Jeshua's face turn ingenuous.

"Don't worry Lady Ariele. I'll make sure that nothing harms Alexis." Jeshua says and Ariele's eyes narrow.

But before she can retort there's a short knock then the door opens and Taren walks in. "Later Jeshua, I'll talk to you later." Ari promises and Grey is amused to note the grey pallor that Jeshua's skin takes on.