Chapter 39-3

"It ain't nice to be sneakin' on peoples." Jamie snapped glaring hotly at the unknown man before him. "You're very right." the man nodded, with a small bow of his head to Jamie. "My apologizes Sir. It was very rude of me to disturb you, however I seem to be rather lost." The man informed Jamie, taking a step forward and causing Jamie to take a wary step back. The act of which stopped the man’s movements towards Jamie completely. “I mean you no harm.” The man offered, holding up his hands in a gesture of harmlessness. "How do ya get lost on a beach?" Jamie asked, watching the man much like an ill-treated dog would watch an incoming human hand with suspicion and fear coiling about his body preparing him to run or bite. "Yes, I'll admit it does sound rather absorbed." the man nodded sheepishly, appearing so useless that even to Jamie this full grown man seemed somewhat pathetic. "I was told you could view Stonbrook from this beach so I –“ "Aye, ya can see Stonebrook from here. Ya can also see it from the town, the road and lots other places 'bout here.  Ain't no need for dandies what don't know north from south to be comin' down here just to see Stonebrook." Jamie admonished with a disbelieving snort, even looking as pathetic and useless as he did, Jamie could not believe such a blatant lie. The beach was only a few miles long and surrounded mostly by cliffs, but still there were three easily accessed points of entry and they were by no means difficult to find. Though those few narrow paths up the cliffs themselves were another matter and could be very dangerous if traveled during at the wrong time. "You're down here." The man pointed out with a small nod and wave to Jamie, at a loss for any other reply as it seemed Jamie did not believe his for explanation, nor would he if that was the best he could come up with. "I ain't no dandy, who don't know where he's at." Jamie replied with an obvious cock of his head, bored and slightly annoyed by the man’s stupidity. "What ya be wantin'  ta see Stonebrook fer anyway?" Jamie asked, his suspicion mounting as he observed the man and his steady shifting from foot to foot as he sought a reply that the boy might believe. "And it'll be the truth this time, or I'll be leaven’ ya where ya are." Jamie stated, crossing his small arms over his chest just as he'd seen Nan do so many times while waiting for him to answer her own questions. "If I tell you the truth you'll take me to Stonebrook?" The man questioned, surprised by Jamie's statement. And by the sudden light Jamie caught gleaming in the man’s eyes’ the boy knew this man hoped what Jamie was offering was true. "Ya ain't given me no reason not ta?" Jamie shrugged, truly seeing no reason to deny the man the journey. And if for no other reason, it could be Jamie wordless reward to the man for keeping Jamie’s thoughts from dwelling on Willey. "Very well," the man nodded happily straightening his cravat as he offered his explanation. "There's a certain young lady who works within its walls. I would greatly like a word with her, however doing so without the notice of her Master has proven rather... difficult." He swallowed uncomfortably as his thoughts clearly drifted to Sir William and his parlor became slightly pale and nauseous looking  with the thought. "You're afraid of Sir William." Jamie remarked, cocking his head at the man with a cock-eyed smirk tugging at his lips. For some reason it amused Jamie that so many were afraid of the loud overbearing knight that walked the world riddled with scars. Yet he a boy of ten held not the slightest shred of fear towards him. "Indeed. I've been informed by several persons that the wrath of the Black Knight is not something one wishes to incur upon one's self.” the man nodded, his hands fretting away at one another as he spoke, his eyes cast upon the damp sand much like a frightened child’s. "However I... I must see her. Speak with her. I could not bear the thought of her not knowing my feelings for her, despite her Master’s wrath. Whatever that may be." The man declared holding his head high, though fear held to his words far greater than the bravery he was trying to display. "You're afraid of Sir William but ya still want to see her." Jamie replied, repeating the man's statement with a slightly amused smirk. Thinking on the various outcomes of such a meeting several of which ending with the man pissing himself at the mere sight of Sir William, the thought in and of itself giving Jamie reason enough to bring the man to Stonebrook. "Foolish. I know." the man nodded with weak grin. "But I would be forever in your debt if you would—“ "Ahh ain't no need fer debts!" Jamie spat words back at him, casting a removing hand before him as if to swipe away the man's words. Jamie would have his rewards a plenty if his any of his guessed outcomes came true. "Ya wants ta see your lady love I'll take ya to her. But if she don't want ta see you, or ya tricked me--" "She will! And I haven't." The man assured Jamie quickly, rising up a hand to stop Jamie from thinking the man might have tricked him in anyway. "All right." Jamie replied with yet another shrug. "What's your name anyway?" "Oh quite right. James Waters" the man replied with a beaming smile. "And you?" "Jamie Harris." Jamie replied and turned for the narrow path leading up the cliffs to Stonebrook.