This is my first AKT fic, and, unfortunately, nothing belongs to me. What I wouldn't do to get Rufus Sewell -vbeg-

Friends of Fire
by: River

"I cannot believe I am doing this," Jocelyn said between laughs as she walked at a steady pace beside William. "Never in a lifetime would I even consider walking this far on foot."

William smiled and tightened his hand around hers. "And I'm happy you've agreed to come with us."

While the two led the way the others moved slowly behind. They had only two horses but both Will and Jocelyn refused to use them, leaving them for Wat and Kate. They preferred walking, enjoying the wonderful day while it lasted.

"They've been staring at each other for so long, I doubt they would even notice a cliff before them until they would hit the ground," said Wat with a sigh and looked at Kate riding beside him. She smiled but stayed silent. Not only was the day warm, it was also humid. She had not slept well last night and the lack of sleep was finally catching up with her, making her feel dizzy and sometimes even disoriented. She was thankful in a way that William and Jocelyn had refused the horses, Lord knows how far she would have been able to walk without falling with fatigue.

"When are we stopping for food?" Roland's voice cut the silence that surrounded the team for the last few minutes or so.

"Very soon, Roland. I can see trees a few yards away!" Will shouted from the front, his hand pointing before him. Due to floods they had been forced to walk through the mountains, a place where there was only rocks and very few trees, which didn't help Kate at all that much.

"Good, I am starved!" Roland breathed with relief, struggling with his heavy backpack until he felt comfortable enough to resume walking.

"You always starve, my friend," Chaucer quipped, keeping his eyes on the road.

"I warn you, do not start in this heat," Roland glared at the blond man staring at him with innocence.

"I do not know of what you are talking about!"

As the two men began arguing, and for once Wat wasn't involved, Kate found herself getting dizzy again. She had no more water and curiously enough she looked like she was the most affected by the heat than anyone else.

"Are you feeling well, Kate?"

The young woman glanced to her side at Wat watching her with a worry expression in his eyes.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, like Roland I could use some food."

The red-haired man nodded and looked back before him. "I doubt they need some," he lifted his chin in direction of Will and Jocelyn sharing a quick kiss. Kate exhaled softly and nodded. She had come to like William, maybe even a little too much. She thought her feelings would no longer deepen for the man even after he and Jocelyn were together, but she was wrong. It had and it was becoming harder and harder to control them. She knew it wouldn't go away, but it should, so if her heart would be unable to stop them from growing, she would lock them away herself and force herself to ignore them.

"We've been walking for hours, don't tell me you're not hungry," Roland growled at Chaucer.

"Are you sure you're alright, Kate? You look pale, perhaps we should rest--"

"No, Wat, really I am feeling well. Perhaps a little tired but nothing threatening," she replied a little harsher than she intended. She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled deeply before apologizing.

"I never said I was not hungry!" Chaucer shook his head. "But unlike you, I do not complain."

Roland let out a rather sarcastic laugh and looked at his friend. "You complain all the time!"

"You are mistaken me for Wat, mate."

"Hey!" Wat defended himself immediately. "I'm hungry, too. Don't get me started!"

"Are they always like this?" Jocelyn whispered to Will with a frown on her features. The knight smiled and nodded.

"It's worse when they're tired, though."

"It does not annoy you?"

Will shook his head. "Only when I have a fierce headache. With time, you grow to get used to them." He turned around to face his friend and tilted his head to one side.

"As I said before, we are getting closer to the trees. If only all of you could be quiet un--" his voice stopped abruptly and his eyes grew wide in horror. "Kate!" he shouted as he watched her body fall from the horse as if she were dead. He let go of Jocelyn's hand and sprinted to his friend lying motionless on the ground.

"She's unconscious," Roland informed him, his hand resting on her forehead. "And she has a high temperature, too."

"Why has no one informed me she was not feeling well?" Will demanded, touching her forehead himself to see just how high her temperature was.

"She didn't tell us anything," protested Wat who stood between the horses.

"How is she?" asked Jocelyn over Will's shoulder.

"We need to get her to a doctor," he said, pulling off his own woollen backpack from his shoulders. He lifted his head from the unconscious Kate and scanned the area. He spotted a lake further away and held out his bag to Chaucer.

"Bring my bag, I will bring her to the lake." He gently took Kate in his arms and turned to Wat. "Give me a horse!" he ordered and mounted the animal.

Before anyone had a chance to speak, Will was already heading to the lake. Wat mounted his own horse and took Will's bag from Chaucer. Receiving odd looks from Jocelyn, he outstretched his hand and helped her on the horse.

"We are at least a day from the next town," panted Roland who tried to keep up with the rest of the group.

-=-

t.b.c