Fates Intertwined - 1333

[Lord Iain Robertson]

((continued from Fates Ever So Twisted 1329))


Iain was now 28 years old, married to Kelaina for four years come the spring… They had 3 children, two sons and a girl… Alexander II age 4, Duncan II age 3, and Emily age 2…

Iain Robertson, Lord of Dun Durroch and Laird, Robertson Clan

Alexander Robertson, Alexander II of Dun Durroch


Duncan Robertson, Duncan II of Dun Durroch


Emily Robertson, Emily of Dun Durroch


Kelaina Reed Robertson, Lady of Dun Durroch

Iain ruled Clan Robertson with a strong hand, but less unyielding than his Father. Surprisingly, Laird Alexander was still alive… Had he lied, or even exaggerated, about his health? Of course, he had… Iain had even attempted to murder his Father twice, both foiled by Kelaina…

Iain and Kelaina’s relationship appeared to be a good one… but that was not how Iain felt… As long as Alexander was alive, Kelaina would be in power… once the old man was dead… Iain would be free to do as he wished…

In the meantime, Kelaina would play the good wife, subservient to her husband… never lacking in the sex department to cause her husband to venture out to others…

But… Iain’s heart lay elsewhere… far to the south in the lands of MacGregor… with a lass named Chloestrain… as it always had…

It had been over a year and a half since the two had even seen each other, much less spoken… Not because of the lack of desire, but the distance and their spouses saw fit to keep them apart… Had Kelaina and Searc conspired and made a pact? Were they cohorts of old man Alexander?

In the South in the Land known as Sleat, the MacGregor’s did indeed rule the land, clans had united under the Clan Leader Searc... Now that he had secured his leadership with a heir apparent and a Lady Wife who was the epitome of grace and gentility. Dunsgateich and it’s surrounding lands had prospered greatly due to both Searc’s great business and trade proclivities and the new opportunities that had come about by the great Gaelic Renaissance. It seemed as if in the Realm of Sleat and of the MacGregor’s… nothing could be finer...

The New Year of 1333 would find the Family MacGregor, gathered round the hearth, in celebration, a feast of the passing Yule and the New Year saw men raising their glasses at the stroke of Midnight... Pulling their ladies into their arms for a kiss to start the new year off right... Many a new McGregor’s might be conceived this night, if the empty barrels of ale were any indicator of what nocturnal activities might be carried out as the torches were snuffed later on... Loud chorus of booming voices were raised in Salute to Skye, and the Mo’r Traith and his Lady, then cheers again as glasses were raised for the Chieftain MacGregor, Searc and his Lady Wife, Chloe… and their son… His name a bit of a reflection of his Mother’s strong will, and his father’s bending on one occasion… perhaps a truce of sorts between the MacGregor and his Wife… the three year old boy tucked away in his bed in the Castle Tower... Robertson Rait MacGregor, a little idiom that she took secret pleasure in every time she called the boy by his full name… her own little F**k You to the world at Large… if her son could not be Iain Robertson II in his own right... He would still have the name… if only arranged slightly different...

Robert may carry the MacGregor name, but he was Iain’s son thru and thru... Already he was a curious yet intelligent hellion, intent on becoming the best at everything he set his mind and heart too… He was Chloe’s joy... Her life... And everything she did was to promote him and make his life the best it could be. Someday Robert would be the Chieftain of the MacGregor’s… if not the Robertsons…

Robertson Rait MacGregor

Searc made his way to his wife’s side as the hour chimed midnight... Claiming his husbandly kiss... It was as usual. Chaste sparse... And dignified... There were those who spoke of the Lady Chloestrain Modesty in such things... And there were those who spoke of the lack of a second child... To say that she was well loved by most was true enough... But like in most great houses… there are enemies even amongst the apostles… and in this case there were several wagging tongues... Both male and female to detract from both Searc and Chloe… power was after all… the name of the game. When the kiss was pressed to her lips, she fought the rise of bile in her throat... Three years had not tempered her feelings toward the man… at all... And now being privy to his great secret… he reviled her even more, even if she was bound to play the dutiful wife in public... To all the kiss was sweet if lacking passion, beneath gritted teeth she snarled where only he could hear… “Pressing you luck… aren’t you dear” she stepped back... And smiled to the crowd... As his large pawish hands wound round her slender waist…pulling her closer to his side...

Lifting his glass he smiled down at his wife… “To all those McGregor’s that are wondering… This year will bring a new Bairn to the McGregor’s… for I intend... To get my Beautiful Wife with Child… and fill this castle with the sound of pitter pattering little feet!” he lifted his glass as the crowd cheered them both...

It was noted by a few how the color drained from Chloe’s face… and how she seemed suddenly ill… perhaps too much wine..? Before the toast was concluded she had bolted from the great hall and up the stairs… Searc would finish his tankard and grin to the crowd… “It seems my Wife is most Anxious to get to bed… Goodnight Kinsman and Clansmen… wish me well…” he chuckled as his long legs took him up the stairs. He would be taming the shrew… tonight

Iain stood upon the veranda of the castle Dun Durroch looking south, out over the vast lands of the Robertson domain near Struan. His eyes looked over the land but his mind was somewhere else…. Chloe !! His heart is, was, and always has been with her… though his body is with Kelaina, every time he kisses her, touches her, and even beds her… it is Chloe…

In three years, Kelaina has managed to give birth to three children sired by Iain… in spite for Chloe… in spite of his livid dreams of a woman he cannot have… and in as many years, she has served Lord Alexander as Iain’s mate… Treachery is the name of the game in Struan…

Iain’s teeth grit as he pondered Chloe being sweat upon and thrust into by the likes of Searc MacGregor… if not for the Mo’r Triath, there would have been a civil war of clans long ago… Clutching the mug of hot tea, he remembers the words of Lord Alexander… “Seek out the MacGregor bytch, and yae lose everyth’ng… Ah’ll see that Dun Durroch stays in Robertson hands nae matt’r wot yae dae…” Iain knew he would lose Dun Durroch to Kelaina should he attempt to see Chloe…

Three years… three long years… and his heart wretched… torn between losing her or losing everything… That, in its most part was why he had tried to kill the old man thrice… Was the land of his birthright THAT important? He knew Chloe had a son… but he knew not it was his !! If he had, he would have ventured south to claim MacGregor land as his own… War or no war !!

Was there a love as strong as his? He knew not… He had not heard the words from her mouth since that evening long ago… Did she finally succumb to Searc? Did she love Searc… and forsaken a love between them? Oh there was that squeaky lil voice again… Kelaina calling to him from the bedroom… He shook his head as she stood in the doorway of the bedroom stark naked… her legs spread wide for him… luring him…

As he walked to her, his hand felt her luscious lips between her legs… and as she moaned, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed… “Yer an evil bytch Kelaina…” And she replied… “Yes my master, I am totally yers… Everytime you get that far away look, I shall bring those wonderful eyes back to me somehow…” And in the end, he would make love to her time and time again… whilst his mind convinced his heart she was Chloe….

[Lady Chloestrain MacGregor]

(warning Adult Situations , Violent and Sexual Themes)



After Chloe had departed the gathering... Searc followed... Drunken on the cheer of a New Year and the promise of prosperity he found his wife’s door locked against him as usual... He was a large powerful man... Towering over most men... Lanky and wiry with strength, in all things he was used to being obeyed. But His wife was a different matter...

Since they had wed she had refused him over and over again... Keeping to her own suite of room... And for the time, it had been well with him as he slaked his needs elsewhere. For his needs ran not to that of the normal man... And not toward his wife... No matter her beauty or her grace that was the talk of the county... How men envied him... Yet in council there were discussions of a lack of heirs to the Clan... Suppositions that he was not man enough to make more than the one son... A few rumors had even flourish that indeed he had turned from his wife... Finding other amorous activities.

A sweat broke on his brow, as he beat on the door determined to dispel the rumors... to get an heir on his wife. Before the moon was out, no matter how distasteful he found the task.

“You will not bar your door against me wife...” his voice boomed causing nearby servant to cringe. He was well known for his tempers and his meting out of punishment to those that offended him was swift and terrible... Pity was always felt for the unfortunate soul that crossed him, and relief that his ire was not turned upon oneself. So those nearby made themselves scarce... Leaving the Lady to fend for herself. From the past three years, it was obvious she could handle herself... And really, it was not their business to meddle in the affairs of the nobility... such was the comfort of servant’s life.

“Go away.. Your drunk...” she stood on the other side of the locked door, thankful for the heavy oak of the province of Sleat... and carpenters that had made such a strong door... “Do not think to press yourself upon me... This night nor any… go sleep it off...” she growled.. Her head ached with the aftereffects of too much wine and celebration and all she wanted was sleep. Damn him and his bellowing... She turned away from the door as he continued to pound at it... Demanding entrance... Then quieted... Thinking he had given up... She scoffed rolling her eyes... Then moved to the vanity to begin removing her jewelry and hair pins. It was as she settled she heard the sound of an ax... Or perhaps a maul... against the door.
“Wife you will open this door or I will break it down... You forget who is the Laird of these halls..” he bellowed.. As the ax continued to fall, splintering the century old wood.. It was like some horrible dream ( insert jack Nicholson here!) with every fell of the ax his anger multiplied; his frustration with being forced to take on his whorish cousin.. Iain Robertson’s mistress as his wife... His anger at having to claim the Robertson bastard as his own... By god he would remedy that this night if he had to kill her to do it... She would bear his heir...

“Stop it your mad!” she screamed at the door... “You’re drunk and being stupid go find someone to ease yourself with...” the sarcasm in her voice would not serve her well, as it only fueled his fire. She knew where his desires lay and it was not with her nor any other woman.. She mocked him foully “A stable boy perhaps...” her hands on her hips she hoped that he would go away, take her advice and seek out his male lover... or some boy he could buy for the night.. “You know I serve no purpose to your desires!” just as she finished her tirade the middle board splintered into... His face pressed between the planks... It was obvious he would not quit his quest... His drunkenness fueling his strength with that of ten men. She backed away picking up a vase and slinging it at the door hoping to turn him away or at least brain him into unconsciousness. “You’re causing a scene everyone in the castle will think you addled... Go away before you bring the guards!”

“Damn the guards...” more oak splintered and his hand reached thru the doorway, toward the lock. Instantly she was on him, smashing at his fingers with a thick candlestick. He growled and cursed. Yelling at her all the more... “bytch you will pay for this..” again his hand rammed toward the lock and again the candlestick was brought down their screaming heard from below but no one dared ventured up to see what the fuss was or to intervene. Finally his hand grasp the lock and slide the bolt from its captivity. The door flung open. And before she could bring the candlestick upward to strike him, his paw wrapped about her throat, lifting her from the floor. Kicking and screaming... His boot slamming the door behind him... He shook her life a rag doll... Throwing her to the floor... His self hatred, His hatred of her... All combined in this moment… booted feet kicked viciously at her sides... As she tried to crawl away. “You will not refuse me.. Ever again Chloe” he snarled another vicious kick aimed at her ribs... “You will bear me a heir... Not that bastard we pretend is mine!!” he had simple gone over the edge... and there was no coming back. Suddenly she was grasp by the hair and hauled upward from the floor. She spit in his face, cursing him like a back alley fishmongers wife.

“You miserable son of a bytch... You bungholing bastard...” her feet and hands lashed out at him, but the blows she landed seemed not to faze him.. And only succeeded in a resounding slap that sent her brain slamming against the inside of her skull. Lights flashing, and her nose and mouth spewing blood, yet the fight was still not gone from her, nor that mouth that spewed foulness at him. “I don’t have a coke... You cannot lay with me...” she hissed, her knee slamming into his groin, hoping that he would release the tangle of hair from his fist and she could run past him…and escape. He grunted but did not release her... dragging her kicking and screaming toward the bed and flinging her upon it face down. Before she could turn or crawl away his fist came crashing into her jaw.

“You miserable bytch.. You think to unman me... I am the Leader of the MacGregor... And you are nothing more than my bytch... You hard ass c*nt... Your leftovers... If it were not for me you would be back at that whorehouse or on the streets servicing sailors and meat cleavers... Your brat running the streets... Do you think the Great Robertson would allow you to marry his son?! When he could gain a fortune from the match that was made with the Reeds..?” his hands pulled at the lacings of his breeches. Freeing his maleness from its confines... While he stared down at her stunned form. The blow had quieted her, for now. Her skirts were tossed upward. Thighs pried apart. As he sought to relive himself and regain his virility on his wife. It was not to be. Even as he pressed against her he felt himself fail and become flaccid. Her body disgusted him... Soft and warm... He was nauseated at the thought of pressing himself into her... Yet it angered him, infuriated him... Of course this was all her fault...

Had she stayed down he might have given up at that point... and then he felt the hard smack of her fist against his jaw as she suddenly seemed to come to life... The addleness of his punch to her face, wearing off, a tigress was born defending herself. Tooth and claw against him, like a wildcat, she lurched upward, nails raking at his face like scalding acid, leaving a trail of blood across his sun darkened skin..

With a yelp he backhanded her once again.. Then tossed her down once again ripping the skirts from her body, rending the bodice open. Her breast, everyman’s dreams, were nothing more than sacks of flesh to him, not feeding his desire at all. It was the fight in her, the power as he pummeled her again and again that feed his rage and his need for dominion over her until his flesh responded. Unceremoniously she was turned almost unconscious onto her belly… his large hand on her neck pinning her like a flightless butterfly against a silken frame. It was pure brutality in the way he took her. Like a boy, but without priming or ease, a violent assault on her small frame. Unfamiliar to being used at all, some four years now. Screams primal and animal-like shattered the night. Resounding like that of the tortured souls of hell off the walls... And still no rescue came... It was only when darkness claimed her, she found relief from the horror. But even then, he did not cease. Fully enthralled in his madness… drink and anger fueling his rage… until he fell back from her. Into a sated exhausted stupor against the foot of the bed…

[Lady Chloestrain MacGregor]

It was just before dawn the next morning that Chloe’s Lady’s maid would come to her chamber door. Seeing the splintered wood, she peeked about the door. What she saw inside made her scream and run for the Matriarch’s room. Pounding at the door and throwing it open before an answer she went to Ivella McGregor’s beside. Pulling the stern grey haired widow from her bed, bidding her to come quickly. She could not even find the words of description… down the hall they fled with haste. Ivella pushing the door wide and gasping with shock when she saw the depraved scene before her of her son and daughter in law...

In the years Chloe had come to Sleat, Ivella had found a respect and fondness for the girl... Her lot as Searc wife was a harsh one... Women were expected to bear the aspects of a loveless marriage with grace and serenity... Chloe had not only done so, but affected the front of being a dutiful wife and a caring Lady McGregor. Beneath her exterior did indeed lay the noble blood of her birth, as well as a true and warm heart that cared for the people in her clan. She had not envied Chloe, her task... And while she loved her son Searc, she bore no illusions of him nor his unholy proclivities... And when Chloe provided an heir for the clan securing their fortune... Ivella had taken her as her own daughter... The two becoming closer than blood... Than mother and son… so it was that she gasp in shock when she saw the devastation of the night’s work in stark relief in the room... Chloe lay on the floor... Naked... Bruised beyond recognition... Blood pooled beneath her and smeared over her hips and legs... Her face swollen eyes shut... Blackened skin that related more to a plague than the face of a lady... From the doorway she seemed dead... A corpse already decaying... Yet it was Serac’s body that was the most shocking his long lanky frame was tied by wrist to the bedpost... His face also beaten to a pulp… he sat legs splayed apart... Castrated... The knife laying beside him… yet he lived... Breathed and moaned... Pitifully…

The smell and sights of the scene was enough to turn the maid’s stomach and she wretched outright, onto the floor… Ivella moved to Chloe first to ascertain her living or dead… and found her half-alive but unconscious… “Fetch Mark Collier… the horse trainer... And the Physician... And send only those you can trust to keep their tongues... Hurry...” She spoke in authoritative tones, shaking the girl from her stupor. As she crossed to her son, seeing Chloe’s form she could understand the girls rage... But never had she seen such harm to a man... And him still alive... His testicles lay between his legs, on the floor, detached from his body in a gory pool of thickened congealed blood, The area beneath his manhood raw butchered meat.. The wound was pressed closed with his shirt... While she awaited the arrival of help...

Mark had been roused by a houseboy... Told to come urgently to the Lady MacGregor’s room... When he arrived there, there was no words for his shock at the scene. He had no use for Searc, no love for the man, but seeing his wounds, he cringed. Before his eyes fell on Chloe’s fallen form, to her side he went.. Lifting her gently pushing back the blood matted hair, to see if she lived. His heart dropped to his stomach at the thought of Iain seeing her like this... or having to tell Iain she was dead, that he had failed in his task to guard her. Thankful to God above and all his saints she breathed... She lived... He turned his gaze to Ivella... And she nodded...

“Take her, no one need see what was done to her… The physician is coming for him.. Take servants to help you. And whatever you need send for... The spring house will serve well enough until this is sorted out... Pray she lives... I know you watch over her for the Robertson and her fate is tied to yours...” it seemed the stern Matriarch knew all… but right now she was intent on damage control… “I will devise a story.. To absolve her of this... Likely he will not live through this... No need for her to suffer the noose for this night’s doings...” pragmatically and practical she thought of the clan first... Always... No matter her son or daughter-in-law’s lives hung in the balance... The MacGregor must go on...

So it was that Mark left the Keep... With his precious burden... A few servants and the ladies maid that had served Chloe for years... Toward the small hunting cottage at the edge of Clan property… known as the spring house…

To the people of the Clan.. A story was told... Of how both Chloe and Searc had been beset by the plague. Plausible enough for those who had seen the blackened skin of her face as she was taken from the keep... or his pale and bruised form in the days after the incident when he too was removed from the keep and sent to mend… away from prying eyes that were set to overthrow his seat of power... To all around, they only knew that the Lord and Lady might not survive… meanwhile the household was disinfected as if indeed a plague had been visited upon them.. Continuing the ruse…


Mark was in tears as he lay her in a hay-filled wagon… Were those tears for Iain and what he would do… or were they for himself… He had failed in his responsibility to keep Chloe safe… not only for Iain…but for himself… Mark had watched her for years… only to see Iain and Chloe embrace, and more with secret rendezvous… He knew Iain loved Chloe… and Chloe loved Iain… and what of Mark?

He helped the others to the wagon and with a slap of reins, the wounded Chloe and her entourage left MacGregor castle… Across MacGregor lands, they rode to the farthest point of Clan property, to a small cottage in the woods, etched out long ago… Pray she lives... I know you watch over her for the Robertson and her fate is tied to yours... echoed in his mind as he pulled back on the reins… “Let us get MiLady into the cottage… make her comfortable… see to her needs…”

He had to let Iain know… but he could not leave… nor could her hand maids… not for a trek like that… With the Lady MacGregor concealing the truth, even rumor would take forever to get to Dun Darroch… Once he was satid=sfied Chloe was being cared for properly, he exited the cottage to put the wagon and horses away… still his predicament ate at his consciousness…

[Lady Chloestrain MacGregor]

The days following passed slowly for Mark and those servants loyal to the Lady Chloe... The Physician came and went each day with a shaking of his head and still she did not rouse from her sleep; it was not a good sign. One would be hard pressed to akin it to sleeping beauty for there was no beauty in what lay in the small cozy master room of the spring house beneath coverings of fur, was a woman beaten almost beyond recognition of being a woman, a bloody bruised body of flesh, her face swollen and battered until almost no trace of the fact that it was Chloe remained.

Mark had been tasked by his Lord, and his friend, to watch over something very valuable... His Beloved... and now it appeared he had failed. His stomach would churn each and every time he would look at Chloe, not from the bruises, but fact that she lay there beaten to a pulp, and moreso, raped... Mark wanted to kill Searc... or at least do to him, what he did to Lady Chloe... What would Iain say... or do?

“I’ll be surprised iffn she ever wakes... The wounds to her body be enough to bring down any man... Four ribs broken, and bubbling sounds in her lung...” the wizened old man shook his head toward Mark. It was not good. “The blood loss from the sodomy, the tearing, was repaired. But what happened in here?” he pointed to his head as he washed his hands in an ewer of water before going over to her and pulling back the lids of her eye; swollen and distended like a prize fighter. Even the whites of her eyes showed hemorrhaging from where she had been choked almost to death then released, only to be choked once again. A candle was held before her eyes as he watched for the response to the light.

“Oh MiLord, nay say that... she cannot die... or even patronize death...” Mark stood beside the physician... watching.

For days now there had been none... “...draw closed the curtains.” he said suddenly a bit of excitement in his gruff old voice. He leaned down further letting her eyelids close for a moment... “I thought I saw something...” he whispered almost hopefully.

Quickly, he drew the curtains and returned to Chloe’s side. “What sir? Praytell the truth...”

Arcee McGregor, the physician had attended Chloe in her pregnancy and Robinson’s birth. He had grown fond of her and thought well of her... And hated seeing her come to this. In truth, she reminded him of his own wife, God rest her soul, Marilee, when she was younger. Many times he had come in contact with his far off cousin Searc, and held no high opinion of the man. Now seeing his handiwork, he could not even offer a prayer for the man’s recovery; instead he offered a prayer of fast and swift passage to hell for the bastard.

“Yes… see there… she responds to the candle light... Only a little only a little.” His words did not show hope but the tone in them did... “She may be coming back to us boy... She just might... she just might!!” He puttered about in his bag withdrawing a long sharp needle. Lifting up her hand he poked at her fingers, and sure enough it flinched slightly. The wizened old physician smiled and nodded, “just so... Just so... She’s a strong ‘un, she is...” He checked the wound dressing and listened with a bell and tube to the sound of her breathing and heart. Feeling her head for fever and happy to find there was none; then he began packing his medical bag once again.

Mark had no medical background... all he knew how to do was drink, attend parties, satisfy the ladies most willing, and ride a horse... he was good with horses. Oh yes, he was good with a crossbow, okay with a sword, but nothing to brag about. He could only trust Arcee, the physician. “Aye MiLord, she is strong...” He cupped Chloe’s bruised hand in his flat palms... fingers lightly curled around hers. “C’mon lass... come back tae us... I am right here...”

He looked over at Mark who had remained by her side for days now. He looked worse for it, haggard and dull eyes, full of worry, the shadow of a beard now soft and dark on his cheeks. “You’re looking as if you yourself took the blows…” the old man patted his shoulder softly giving him a squeeze as he passed. “She may be able to hear you... There are those who think they can... And iffn they don’t, what harm can come of it. Talk to her lad... Give her reason to come back to us… afore we lose her for good...” in all his days he had never seen a man so devoted to a woman as Mark was to Chloe.

Hair unkempt, face needing a shave, his eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. Spotting a chair, he brought it to her side... he took up her hand again and sat down... “Chloe...?! MiLady... tis I, Mark... I shall be by yerside lass, just come back...” and that was all the physician would hear as he had departed the area, able to do no more. Mark continued to speak to her, some important about Iain, some not so important as the weather.

He paced outside the doors when Robinson was born... He watched over both mother and son... Always in the background, never far away. When Robinson had rode his first pony, it was Mark who had seated him upon it. Mark, who had taught him how to ride... To fish... Mark who gave him his first bow and arrow set... Never Searc... And all the while Mark and Chloe danced around the… the old man had to wonder. What kept them from acting upon it? What narrow divide? What wall came between them? Oh there were rumors about some Tanist in Straun... But Arcee could see with his own eyes the caring that Mark had for Chloe... “Let her know your feelings, Boy… before it’s too late.”

Weeks turned into months, months into years... Mark had remained there to protect Chloe; and he and Searc had some confrontations over the past 4 years... but still Chloestrain convinced Searc that Mark was one of the best servants the MacGregors had, especially with horses...

The only time Mark was far away from Chloe was when Iain made trips down to Sleat, and he would help facilitate their meetings, or if he returned to Struan, or to Turas Lan on business. In the years that passed, Mark had watched over her... and eventually her son... whom she confided that belong to Iain and not Searc. Mark smiled as he reflected back on how much Robinson was similar to Iain... in both looks and attitude.

[Lady Chloestrain MacGregor]

Meanwhile in Cartervale Abbey, Searc fought for his life as well... Fever and septic humors ravaged his body as the physicians and monks of the Abby took care of him… Ivella, herself however did not go, electing to stay at Dunsgate Castle and show a public face of power and bravery. Already murmurings of who would take Searc’s place should he fall to the plague; and what of his son, not yet 5 years of age... The Tanist Robin...

Many who sought power surmised the boy could be taken care of... sent to a monastery under guise of education and a terrible accident befall. But it was the stern, haired-grey, dragoness Ivella, who would put a stop to their plans. In her capable and wily hands, Searc’s limb of the Clan McGregor would survive. A letter was penned to her youngest daughter Shyvonne... Who was head mistress presiding over Oisiol Academy… She was to come and take young Robinson... His guards and Nanny with her for safe keeping. A contingent of men would be sent with the young one to see to his safety. Another note was penned to Mark Collier telling him of the plan as well as inquire after Chloe’s wellbeing.

At Cartervale Abbey, the monks and physicians were not so lucky as to have a silently sleeping patient. Searc cursed and swore, lashing out at everyone, demanding that Chloe be brought to him. His hatred, real and deep now, he would see the bytch dead for her deeds. Physicians were shocked at the damage the woman had wrought on his male parts. Never had they seen wounds so grievous and yet he survived. The Monks of the Abbey crossed themselves and prayed for the man’s soul each time he blasphemed and cursed. The man was horrible in every way imaginable. Even more so when his friend arrived to be at his side, the Lord of the Clan McGregor yelled and cursed such thing that made the Monks leave the room heading for the alter to pray for forgiveness in just hearing such things.

“Why have you come?? To gawk at what the bytch has done to me?” he demanded as Travil, his lover of some years, stood at the foot of the sick bed he lay in, his upper torso covered in fine linen bed clothes.; his lower covered by warm sheets. Hair slicked by feverish sweat. His complexion wan and tinged with the yellow of infection… his anger was palpable. As was his grief over the loss of his manhood... “When I can stand I tell you I will see her dead... I will strangle the life from her body myself” his voice broke. What kind of man was he, without his balls? And the infection smelled as rotted flesh began to creep and seep into healthy flesh.

Earlier, a Physician had told him if the infection did not quit it spread his entire manhood might have to be amputated... “They say I might die... Or be left pissing thru a straw...” he raged, tossing a soiled bedpan at the wall the mess decorating the abbey masonry with filth. Travil merely stood there taking the rage and grief of his lover to heart; moved to tears for the man he had devoted his life to, now come to this... “Get out… you stand here to mock me... Your presence mocks me... What good am I anymore??!” the voice strong and commanding broke... And finally Travil moved from his post to settle on the bed beside his Lord and Lover...

“I tried to kill her once before when I though she was stealing your love from me...” his dark curly head bent toward his wounded love tenderly he pressed a kiss to the sallow, hollow cheek, burning with fever. “Now I will see her dead for what she has done to you...” he vowed. His arm going about Searc’s shoulders comfortingly... “I did not come to gawk as you say... Only to let you know this is not your time... Whatever you need of me... I will be here for you...”

In all these years, Travil had loved Serac knowing they could never truly be together... For the tide of the day was for marriage between men and woman... And men, such as Searc needed marriage to secure title and privilege... He had listed thru the years, content with his portion of Searc’s love and passion... Watched from afar as the Clan toasted the Lady Chloe and her bastard spawn... Watched as Searc spent his passions on younger men... But in his heart he knew they meant nothing... Searc loved him... Didn’t he?! Now he was not so sure anymore… for it seemed Searc’s love of power, power over anything, including Chloe had brought him to this end. But now was not the time to question his reasons for bedding his wife… now was the time for Revenge.

At the Spring House, Mark watched over Chloestrain, hardly taking any time for himself. He would befriend her in everything from washing her face to carrying her to the outhouse. His only absence from her side would be to chop wood, or ride in to the village nearby for supplies. With each swing of the axe, he forcibly made his mind work as to the best alternative to inform Iain of what had occurred, and what would become of him since he was ultimately responsible for Chloe’s well-being.

Meanwhile, spies of Alexander Robertson returned from Sleat to Struan... In the bedchambers of the aged and dying old man, they whispered the fate of Searc and Chloestrain... and Alexander began choking immediately as he laughed. Had fate finally accomplished what he could not? To keep Iain from marrying Chloestrain and to her die before due time?

In the web of intrigue and murder, Iain was no stranger, for he had his own spies in Alexander’s camp. And by word of mouth, Iain heard of Searc and Chloe’s death... In a room with the door locked, secluded from all others, Iain rant, raved, and broke every piece of furniture as he grieved for Chloe’s premature death. Behind closed doors, he cried, and swore to kill all those who took her from him.

Why had he not entered Sleat, killed, Searc MacGregor and took his wife from him? “Four long years of waiting... for what her death? I’ll kill every MacGregor on this Isle...” he slammed the vase against the wall...

Outside the door, people would listen, then run away, afraid to be caught in the path of his wrath. “And what of my dearest friend... of Mark? Had he too been killed? He had better since he was responsible for her safety!!” he took a table and bashed it against the wall... The man was definitely heartbroken and distraught... by false information and rumor...

“Get my G’Damned horse... I shall ride to my Father’s house...” Standing in the doorway of the castle, he yelled down at the stableman... Meanwhile, strapping on his sword, and putting in the daggers to his boots.

Keliana was dumbfounded... After the rampage of her husband in his room, she followed him, yet just out of striking distance... her pleas for information was totally ignored. “Husband, go not to Lord Alexander’s home... You shall be arrested... he has ordered yu to stay away...”

Iain stopped abruptly, grabbing her by the collar. “Bytch, this is all yer fault... You and that old man... First, I kill him, then I will kill Searc MacGregor...” he points the other finger at her... “Then I shall deal with yu...” then he roughly releases her, almost shoving her backwards to the point of falling.

In the Spring House, Mark had no idea of what was occurring northward, either at the Abbey nor Dun Durroch... He was dutifully attending to the Lady Chloe... Least of all, he would have never suspected that a Clan War was brewing that might sear Skye in half...

[Shyvonne MacGregor]

Ivella:: Ivella McGregor was in the drawing room entertaining Vargus and his Wife Portia McGregor.. they had come down from Armadale to " help" with things since Searc and Chloe's illness left the Clan and the Shipping enterprises without a Figure Head.. Vargus being a distinguished grey hair middle aged man, and next in line of succession to the Chieftans position in the clan after Searc and Robin.. he was a wiley creature intent on power and Ivella didn't trust him as far as she could throw him.. but then again.. one should keep their friends close and their enemies closer.. so Vargus and his simpering coy wife Portia were now in residence at Dunsgate... Ivella however was in control and serve the pair tea.. just as a sevant knocked on the parlor doors and announced that her youngest daughter Shyvonne, had just rode in and would be in momentarily.

Shyvonne: Hard at work in Oisles Academy, Shyvonne had sent a letter before the holiday season detailing her work and her apologies she could not attend. Her work was one reason, not being able to stomach her brother even in the holiday cheer was the other. Though she missed her mother and Chloe terribly during the weeks of celebration. She cursed her stubborn resolve when her mothers note reached her and asked her to come. Ivella had not taken precaution and had detailed everything in her letter which was now just soot in the fireplace of her rooms at Oisles Academy, least someone get their hands on it and the cold rush of air as she rode hard to the home of her brother and his wife did not soothe the anger within her. Instead the cold wind that blew on her face and stung in her throat as she pulled in deep breaths only made her anger all the more acute. She was thankful her mother had the sense not to tell her where they both were for her anger clouded her reason and she had a deep desire as she rode to see her brother in the grave, much as it was unsure he would survive anyway. Stupidity, utter stupidity. What those two had done! Now there was a knife stabbed into their own court raising two sides when they should of been united. Pulling into the courtyard, she pulled the horse to a heavy stop and took the hand that was offered to her to help her down. Pulling her hood downward, it had protected little in shielding her hair from being wind swept and she brushed a hand through it as she hastened inside. "Mother" She purred in a sweet voice belittling the opinionated woman beneath. She was trying so hard not to rant, easier to do when Vargus and Portia were there.

Ivella: " darling girl " Ivella was already beside the door welcoming her .. youngest and brightest offspring into the warmth of the parlor, with a hug and a kiss to each cheek she greeted her warmly " You remember your cousin.. Vargus..and his wife.. Portia..." she nodded to the couple sitting on a sofa beside the fire.. " Come warm yourself.. have a cup of tea... tell us of your Acadamy?" she would let her daughter know with her eyes that it wasn't safe to speak of things at this moment.

Vargus:" cousin.. your looking beautiful .. the cold weather flushes you to looking like a school girl " he stood and moved to Shyvonne grasping her hand and kissing it's back.. lingering.. inhaling the sweet young scent of her... " Still a bookworm I see... no suitors yet that Searc approves for you.. what happened.. to that nice young man.. what was his name.. William... I had hoped to dance with my wife at your wedding " he smiled like the viper he was... he knew good and well Shyvonne had a thing for young William and he for her.. but Searc had seen and end to it.. as William was not landed nor titled.. and of no use to the family as a husband to Shyvonne.

Portia:" Indeed we had hoped to clebrate your wedding.. I do so love weddings.. you could have worn your hair up.. such lovely hair.. " she giggled.. and took a sip of her tea.. one could never tell if she was being cruel or she was just dimwitted..

Shyvonne: Lids closed against moss grin eyes as she embraced her mother. Her mother had been her first teacher and in so many words had given her the courage and the mind to be more then a womb for the heir of a power hungry man. It was Ivella standing as a strong woman after her husbands death, not encumbered by the restrains of a man that gave Shyvonne the courage to seek knowledge above marriage. Releasing her mother, she turned to Vargus and gave a small curtsy trying hard that her smile did not crack as he took her hand and kissed it. When he lingered to sniff her hand, she pulled it away with a shy looking smile and dipped her head to hide the anger within her eyes. "Still a bookworm yes but no knowledge gained can prepare me for an ameable match and Searc as Chieftain has right and knowledge over that." She had an affection for William but it had been cut long before she could grow in more then a tender affection for him. They had been best friends and he understood her above all others. Whats more is he did not mind her opinions and views. It would of been a good match and she would of been happy with it whether her love for William had grown to be more or remained that of a best friend. "William needed something Sleat and Skye could not give him. He is traveling the world. He writes me sometimes." Her attention turned to the tea sipping Portia and her head lifted as a slender brow arched upward. She saw Portia as just plain dumb. "There is more to life and marriage then how one wears their hair. I am young yet, there is time for weddings and marriage still." She turned a smile to her mother at the offer to warm herself and have tea. She was freezing but then she loved the winter weather. "The school is lovely, the teachers bright and the students willing. I have such high hopes for Oisles." As she spoke, she moved to a seat and gently eased into it.

Ivella: Yes.. well.. that is good then dear.. Vargus.. you and Portia must send your Barthomew to Shyvonne next year when he becomes 5 and begins his education.. " she smiled at the two.. secretly wishing they would choke on their tea.. vermin power hungry rats that cared nothing for the clan but only wanted power and weatlh for themselves.. " I do hate to be rude.. but I have some matters to attend to... with Shyvonne.." she tilted her head at the couple.. " You will of course forgive me.. and Shyvonne.. and continue with your tea " She moved a hand over the small of Shyvonne's back guiding her out the door, her wine colored skirts swishing with the movement.. " We will see you at dinner later " she nodded leaving them without their consent.. but hell she didn't need it.. she was the Lady of Dunsgate..

Vargus:He watched them depart standing and bowing as dictated by custom and deference.. but he wanted to slap the old harridan.. how dare she walk out on them.. for that chit of a girl " Do you belive that.. she left us for business.. as if a woman has business above a man.. whatever they are discussing you can bet it's no good "

Portia: Sliding back in her chair, she smiled at the pair as they depatured before turning a look to her husband and then back to her tea as she stirred some honey into it. "Easy my husband, when Searc is dead, and he will be soon by the talk of how his wife looked when they carried her out of here, we will take care of little Robinson, little boys meet with accidents do they not? Then we will take what should of been ours long ago. What does it matter what they are discussing? Ivella is old, and when we take our place, we can be assured the old woman dies in her sleep. That little twit of a daughter is so occupied with her pathetic school, we don't have to worry about her." When he had sat down again, her hand went to his thigh. "Is there nothing I can do that will calm you" She purred as her hand traveled up his thigh. She hadn't liked how he had lingered with Shyvonne hand and Portia would see the little bytch met an unfortunate accident as well. All in due time.

Shyvonne: "Cousin...Portia" She purred as rose from her chair at the hand of her mother incling her head as she followed her from the room. When the door was closed on the rotting pair, Shyvone face shifted as she let out a low growl as she stomped her foot. "It figures they would come at a time like this/ Vermin, snakes..." She tugged the end of her hair as she heaved a sigh, closing her eyes for a minute to calm herself least she get to loud and to put them out of her mind. "How are they? Is there any news?" She breathed in a sigh as she opened her eyes again and linked her arm with her mothers clasping her mothers fingers with her own. She knew her mother adored Chloe and loved her son. This was likely tearing her mothers heart into pieces as it was testing Shyvonne's loyalty to her family and clan.

Kane: Kane was waiting in the Library, her presence riding in , had seen a servant come and let him know that the Lady Shyvonne was home, Ivella had already told him that when the girl arrived to meet them in the Library.. so there he sat hat in one hand a cup of whiskey in the other.. annoyed that he be sumooned without so much as a how do you do.. to attend the Lady Shyvonne.. what was Ivella up to.. he didn't' care.. if it had to do with Shyvonne and her opinionated mouth he could just as well do without.. it.. with that thought he took a long swig and let out a sound of breath.. it stung all the way down... good whiskey.. Kane rolled his neck from one side to the other releasing tension.

Ivella: "I received a letter from Father Prious... Searc's condition is grave he had infection and they may have to " her voice faltered and hitched over the thought.. " They may have to finish the job " she shook her head then crossed herself in the trinity " God help him and keep him " they continued to the library and she " Chloe however still sleeps.. Arcee McGregor the physician does not hold hope " she shook her head softly " The girl was tortured I tell you.. I never saw anuthing like that.. not even from the captives brought back by the crusaders.." again with the trinity " Lord Keep her and bless her " The library door opened and revealred they would not be alone.. Kane McGregor Third cousin and royal pain in the ass sat there awaiting them... " Your Cousin Kane will accompany you and keep watch over you and Robin.. " she spoke as Shyvonne was ushered in, and the door closed behind her.

Shyvonne: "It will serve him right and be a fine punishment though not a complete one if that is the case." Her teeth ground together as they walked. "No man should ever hold that power over a woman, to force themselves upon them, all men should suffer the same fate. Children, power, wealth. It is not a blessing to them, it a right, a birth right and its theirs whether they deserve it or not." Lips pressed tightly shut and she squeezed her mothers hand as she spoke of Chloe. "Acree is a good physician, with him there is always hope Mother, and Chloe is strong, she has always been strong. Do not loose hope." She pulled in a breath and crossed herself as well. "God keep her indeed, but God help us what have they done...Everything was finally drawing into place. Searc in his stupidity though drunken mind listened to those idiots who look only for their own gain and wealth and he listened, drunken or not, like he always does and though I do not fault Chloe, what she has done has ensured his wrath and the dagger into our household to split it apart. God help us mother, it is more then a thread that has been pulled from the weave. I feel it." Lips closed as they entered the Library and her eyes swept to Kane. Instantly her face hardened and she scowled at the man before turning a sharp look to her mother, her neck straining out as she gave her an 'are you kidding me' look. "No, I will take Robin, I'll take him in the night, no one needs to know where he has gone and none of my staff would give it away. His Nanny will come, some guards, all right but not him." Her eyes gestured to Kane.

Ivella: Shyvonne..! " her mother hissed in that way that mothers have in shushing their children.. " your manners " she pointed to a chair beside Kane, her eyes telling her child to sit.. as she moved behind the desk to settle and regard them both " This is not up for debate.. as you said the thread has unraveled and their is a rent in the fabric of the clan a mile wide.. there are few I can trust and Kane is one of those few.. be it to your liking or not.. You and Robin are to precious to me.. and this clan to let just anyone be responisble for you.. for all that You never got along with your cousin.. He is the best man for the job.. and he is loyal.. beyond reproach to ME and Mine " she scolded her daughter thinking back on the times that Shyvonne and Kane had fought and baited each other when they were children.. Kane always the troublemaker and Shyvonne never willing to back down.. it was how she had come to break her wrist when she was 9.. because she woudlnt' back down from the challenge to jump a creek like the boys on horseback.. but it was Kane who had carried her back to the Castle and took a Lashing from Searc for his trouble an letting Shyvonne do such a foolish thing.. even today she bore a tiny scar on the inside of her wrist from the accident..


Kane: "Well hello little cousin I see teaching school has not taught you manners.. " he drawled.. offering her a sip of his whiskey and then chuckled with a sigh as Ivella proclaimed his loyatly and worth to the Clan.. " It is not what I wish either to spend my time and that of my men guarding a boy and his she wolf aunt.. but as your mother says.. YOu and Robin are important "

Shyvonne: Lips pressed closed in a thin line as she was scolded for not having more manners but then she would not be who she was. She was opinionated and that meant she was often viewed as unkind or lacking manners but she cared greatly for their clans well being. Kane had always been a thorn in her side. Always there to remind her not only that she was a girl but youngest in the family beside the cousins the family had. She was youngest in the ruling family was what he had meant. There had been many challenges and she had always rose to every occasion, hurt or no hurt though she never knew Kane had taken the brunt of Searc anger when she broke her wrist. Kane's loyalty was not in question, it was whether she could stomach him for an extended and questionable length of time. She took a seat near her cousin but turned her head away from the offer of a his drink, not that she thought it was poisoned but because it was his. "His loyalty is not in question Mother and I am not as important as you make me out to seem but Robin is, I will protect him to my last breath, I always will." Her attention finally turned to Kane. "You need to throw that out before it idles your head. If you must come, then I won't have you cloudy headed in your duties."

Kane: "Wonderful " he murmured and drank the last swig " All done " he smiled sardonically at her dark brows lifting in challenge every thing about him was dark and brooding.. which usually made the Ladies swoon and basically throw themselves in his direction.. but you never heard of him with a woman, nor taking advantage of the fact his mystery seemed very attractive to them.. he lifted his hat up onto his head.. " We leave tonight after the house has gone to sleep my men are readying themselves now.. if we travel straight thru we should be there by dawn..." he stood and looked at her.. " I'd take a nap if I were you little cousin " then he winked at her.. turning back to Lady Ivella. "I shall see you at Dinner Lady " he bowed formally, Ivella had taken him in when he was orphaned by war.. and while she could have treated him different than her own she had not, he had grown up with the same luxuries and education and opportunities her own children had.. and was indeed though of as one of her own.. though.. he had never felt that he was a true sibling.. he was part of the family.

Ivella: Then it is settled.. I'm glad we all agree Kane will be in charge of the guards and your safety at all times until we have mended this riff.. Make sure you accommodate him close in quarters to you and Robin.. and Adminster Robin in under an assumed name.. he will play along he likes games bright child that he is.. Perhaps call him Mark.. he does so adore Collier " she rattled off and stood " At dinner then Kane " she watched as he left and then settled back down to face her daughers wrath.

Shyvonne: She was going to wear her teeth down the way she ground her teeth together. Lord how she would love to smash that glass into his face. Where she not charged with stealing her nephew away tonight, she would of challenged him to drink and see who slept under the table tonight. Shyvonne saw his mystery as an annoyance much as women flocked to him and yet he was never seen as a rogue. Men did not flock to her, not because of her mouth though there were rumors as to the male professors at the Academy. They were rumors and Shyvonne knew of her purity because she was intelligent enough to know, a wild fling would cost her, or at least cost Searc and should he decide it, she could be thrown out. No, the risk of it was not worth it. Then again it could of been a silent challenge of cousins, who could withhold the longest. It was always one challenge after another with them, spoken and unspoken. "I wasn't the one just drinking cousin, perhaps you are in more need of a nap then I. Until dinner then..." Her fingers dug into the armrest of her chair until the door clicked shut leaving her and her mother alone. "Kane?! Mother! He is an egotistical snob who thinks he is better then everyone else! He acts as if he is the only person in the world ever to be orphaned and that gives him a right to be any way he wants." Her hand slapped against the armrest of the chair as she stood and began to pace the room. "He torments me, little cousin, honestly, I am Head Mistress of Oisles Academy and yet it seems it does not matter, how can I have him at my Academy showing no respect in the face of my students and professors? I've worked hard and done something no one else has done in Sleat before and he sits here, sits and does nothing, gloating that he commands men as if it means more then what I do."

Ivella: She waved her hand as if dismissing the matter all together and shook her head at her daughter " He is loyal and a good man.. he cares about this family and I trust him with Your Life and Robins.." she suddenly looked defeated as Shyvonne continued to rant, the years showing on her face and the stress of the past weeks, the tension in the clan not to mention the pair of pit vipers now under Dunsgate's roof, waiting for an opportunity to turn the dagger into the heart of the Clan and rip it apart.. her hands slapped the desk as her temper rose " Shyvonne.. this is more than some pissing contest between you and Kane, and if you were honest and as intelligent as I raised you to be you would see this is a dire situation.. with Him guarding you and Robin I will be at ease on that front and be free to worry over the rest of what Hell on Earth your brother has wrought in his violence upon his wife.. We are in terrible times.. do not make your petty arguments more important than the lives of your people.. That Little boy is an innocent in all this... and You and Kane are charged with his protections.. Learn to work together.. or tell me now and return to your Academy and prayer for us all " a hand lifted to her head as if she were pained there.. it was perhaps the first time that Shyvonne would notice her mothers age.. and the frailty the advancing years had placed upon her hands and arms.. once stong yet gentle they now resemebled a birds wings.. thin and fragil..

Shyvonne: When her mother slapped the desk, her lips pressed into a thin line and she knew to be quiet as she turned to look at her, hands folded in front of her piously with her head dipped. Shyvonne had a temper about her, much as she was intelligent, sometimes she could not hold her tongue. With a sigh, she moved to fall in front of her mothers chair and take a lean against her knee as she had done many times when she was a child. "I am sorry Mother, you are right." She squeezed her mothers knee and let out another sigh as she closed her eyes and leaned her head against the opposite knee. As much as she was opinionated, Shyvonne was loyal and when the Clan needed her, when her family needed her, she would sacrafice for them. Even if it meant her very happiness. She did not like the haggid look on her mothers face, how worn she looked, how old. She could not think of a time when her mother would not be there. It was to painful to even imagine. "I will learn to hold my tongue and work with Kane to ensure Robin is safe." Moss green eyes stared at the floor then in deep thought of what Searc had done, what it had brought Chloe around to do. Searc was to blame but so was Chloe though she loved them both. It had been foretold before he had captured Chloe and brought her back that it would be a bad marriage. Time had been a speck of red hot cinder and now the fires were raging and threatening everything she loved. "God help us, for all my knowledge, I know no way I can fix this and I wish I did. I can do nothing but protect Robin but I will do so with my very last breath. Don't ever doubt that Mother, despite all my ranting."

[Lady Chloestrain MacGregor]

It was the middle of the night when she finally awoke... Her hand reaching out in the dim flickering light of a waning fire, to find his thick curly hair, caressing it softly as one would a child, her voice raspy as he looked up from where he had sat night after night and day after day at her side, now fallen asleep his head close to her middle... his body slumped over the chair and bed, he was exhausted, but vigilant over his charge, The Lady Chloe... “You need to shave Mark.” she whispered into the dark... Her hand sliding down over his face tenderly… “You should take better care of yourself...” her hand fell away weakly as her eyes still swollen and dark took in her surroundings...

Mark snapped awake, her touch as if an angel caressed him. “Yes MiLady... I shall before yu wake again... I take care of myself when yu and MiLord are together and safe...” he offered her a charming smile, one she had not seen since that day at the stables months ago before Searc returned from Sleat’s upper hills.

“Where are we… where is Robin ?” slowly the horror of what had happen came back to her. In flashes of memory that were full of violence and blood... Pain and horror... What had she done…? as the truth settled into her mind; she reeled with the facts; paled, and begin to panic… “Robin... Where is he...? Searc will have him killed just for vengeance on me...” suddenly she bolted up with only the strength a mother could offer in her state... “We have to get to Robin…” she fought against Mark’s restraining arms… “My son… My son.. I need to get to him!!”

“Calm yerself MiLady... yu have suffered greatly... do not excite yerself...” he calmed her down a bit then spoke. “We are in the MacGregor Spring House upon Sleat West.” His hand pushed her back down, the other caressing her face lightly not to irritate the swollen portion. “He is safe MiLady... Lady Ivella has him secured away from Searc...” then he began to explain his version of why Ivella hid the boy from Searc... “A Lady Shyvonne is keeping him at her academy, MiLady...” his hand unconsciously held hers. “Once things have settled down, then I shall ride to Oisles Academy and see Robin for myself... Fear not lass, all shall be well once more...” Mark smiled at Chloe.

Meanwhile in Cartervale Abbey...

Searc had had the company of his friend and lover Travil for the last few days, which helped the priest and friars as they cared for the man, for while Travil was about Searc’s ire was turned to him, as was his good graces, dependant on the mood of the moment. Even though the good Fathers and Friars of the Abbey, prayed and crossed themselves for knowing the truth of the relationship between the men, they were also certain that Searc’s current misery was brought on by this unholy relationship... But they dared not keep Travil from staying at his side... Better to ask the forgiveness of the Lord, than stand against Searc’s wrath.

Yet it was Father Prious who pastured to Searc each day, and Travil would be cast out, it was obvious that Father Prious did not like the man, after all he was Satan’s temptation he was sure of it. Before Travil had come round, being the traveling troubadour, with the voice of an dark angel, and appetites from hell itself, Father Prious believed that Searc was indeed, a normal man, it was Travil who was the cause of all this... And in the end he would see Travil away from Sleat... Or worse...

“My son…” Prious crossed himself blessing Searc as he settled in a hard backed chair beside the bed... There were few luxuries in the abbey, and cushioned chairs were not one of the few... “How fare’s thee today.. The Physicians say the decay is gone.. And the wound now heals…” they had poured maggots into the rotted flesh beneath his maleness to eat away at the green and putrid flesh... Now only pink and healthy flesh remained, yet it was a gaping hole... For if they sowed it and it became septic again... They would have to cut away flesh, so for now it remained open. “You are truly blessed to have lived... And kept yourself intact after such a wound...” he shook his head... “not many a man could have survived it... God still has use of you Searc… your path on earth is still to be traveled.” it was meant to be encouragement that the Divine One True God did indeed, spare Searc for greater things… “Now you must repent and cleanse yourself, open yourself to the work that God has set before you...” he droned on yet Searc heard in his fevered mind what he wanted to hear… God had kept him alive for vengeance… he was certain of it.

Iain had his horse saddled and donned his sword... then with no strain at all, he mounted the horse and rode hard toward Lord Alexander’s Struan home... On his mind was his Father’s death... Not far behind was Keliana... she had ordered her horse saddled, and having a fast horse and being light, she could catch up and even pass the man and his warhorse... On her mind was her security and safety... and who did she think could give her that...? Alexander !!

He had barely stopped the animal as he dismounted and walked in furor toward the old man’s bedroom... Kicking the door open, he found the old man in the bed, still dying... and beside him, an out-of-breath Keliana... “Yu sorrowful bytch... yu cannot stop me from doing what I know is right...” Iain spoke with anger.

“Yae cannae stop wot bae, boy...” the old man said, then started coughing... Once he hacked up flem, he spoke again... “yaer dear Chloe bae dead, or will bae... Jest accept dat Yu and Keliana are married... tis baen 3 years naew... Chloe t’was gone from yer life laeng agae...”

“Shut up yu old bag of bones... yer cursed words hurt me nay more...” looking at Keliana... “Once this is done, then I come for yu...” as he pointed at her. Looking down at Alexander... “Just die old man !!” Murder was on his mind, and in his heart, but he could not accomplish what he desired as a prisoner of Blue Castle...

Only rumored information is what caused the events now to transpire... Iain stood before his Father and his wife, ready to kill both, vowing to bring blade to his nemesis, Searc MacGregor... he did not know that Searc was in worse shape than his beloved Chloestrain.

Iain Robertson: Iain cursed at Kel as she stood next to Lord Alexander's bed... "Bytch, tis yu that have caused this... yu and that Kur of a Lord..." pointing to his Father.

Keliana Robertson: “Really?" she glared at him as she leaned down taking a linen napkin and wiping the drool from Alexander’s lips... Poor man had suffered yet another stroke that palsysied one side of his face, taking his dignity and leaving him a drooling fool, who’s words now slurred when he managed them. "Searc and Chloe have the plague and it's somehow my faulty?" she laughed and rolled her eyes... "I have powers but not those kind..." her mouth twitched just to say Chloe's name... oh how she hated the bytch... how she wanted to tell him that Chloe still lived, but not for long, because she had dispatched Travill to tend to the whore for once and all... "I have done nothing... and yet, you treat me as if I betrayed you... I'm your wife... the mother of your children... a little respect Iain..." she settled beside Alexander, holding his hand tenderly, like a good daughter-in-law... after all he was the one who had set her up to become one of the most wealthy and powerful women in Skye.

Iain Robertson: He wanted to choke her... and his Father... but he would not be charged with murder... when there were other ways to kill a boar. "Wife? I'd cut yer throat and take my children from this place... but yer death would serve me no purpose..." then he looked at Alexander... "Yet."

Keliana Robertson: She turned her eyes toward him, they were green, hard glittering emeralds, not the soft mossy green of Chloe's... her hair shinning like spun gold in the candlelight... to any one but Iain she must look like an angel... this beautiful provocative woman... yet he hated her still after all these years... "I've done nothing to deserve your abuse... I've been a good wife... bore your children... " she stood and faced him... "You never want to kill me when I'm in your bed..." she made move to pass him by... going to get an ewer of water from the dresser and pour a glass for Alexander...

Iain Robertson: Grabbing her arm, he pulls her to him, their faces close... "Still yu suck up to this man... he has set yu to be the Lairds wife... the wife of a Chieftain... only to keep Chloe away.... nothing else... I wish he had died long ago..." he paused... "And yu are good in bed wench, thats for sure... and yu gave me beautiful children thats for sure...” Then he let go of her arm and glared at Alexander who was trying to speak... Iain just chuckled... "Shutup old man..."

Keliana Robertson: She looked up at him as he captured her by the arm her bottom lip trembled a bit. Was she scared of him, or was it for show? Perhaps anger the few days events past, her meeting with Travill, the truth of what had happened between Chloe and Searc, and the consequential pact made with Travill to end Chloes life, had taken a wicked toll on her patience she normally had with her love- lorn husband.

Emerald eyes cast downward to his hand then slowly back up to him... "You chase after a dream... when you have reality in your hand willing and ready... Why cannot you care for me the way you do her? Is it any wonder I would pay Lucifer himself to keep her away... when all you do is pant after her like a bytch in heat..? You think I don't know..?" her words were ground out lowly for only him to hear... "If Alexander knew you snuck off to f*ck that bytch... do you think for one moment you would still be Laird?" her eyes narrowed darkly.. as he let her go... behind her Alexander futilly tried to speak..

Iain Robertson: Iain grit his teeth, his hand subconsciously going to his hilt. "My dear...yu are so right..." but his eyes said something completely different. The steel gray lightened.

Keliana Robertson: "Your anger is as impotent as Alexander." she scoffed at him, her eyes lowering to his sword... "Harm me and you lose everything... or have you forgotten the contracts your father had made legal and binding... without me you are nothing..." she turned to Alexander and looked at him with a soft smile... "Your son is upset; it seems there are problems in the south that rouse his Ire. Perhaps you need persuade him again on the need for him to stay in Struan... " slowly she turned back to him... "Your lover is dead... nothing to be done for it... you life is here... now..." even though she knew full well Chloe lived, Iain didn't, and it would stay that way... Chloe would be dead soon... With that though in her beautiful head she moved toward the door, heading down to the kitchen to get Alexander’s lunch. She had been playing the part of a dutiful daughter-in-law, nursing the ailing man... but all the while they conspired and contrived... against Iain...

Iain Robertson: Oh yu bytch, he thought... Without Alexander, she is a dead woman for sure... his gray eyes light as if he was a zombie... he shook his head at her, as if to say, do not go there...

Keliana Robertson: It was when she was gone from the room, that her things were left unattended... a mending basket sitting beside Alexander’s bed... a sheaf of paper , just the corner showing from the baskets edge... true enough it could have been something as menial as a shopping list, or one of the children’s schoolwork... but instead it was a careful report, on the situation in Sleat... it did not mention Chloe at all... but that the Laird Searc was not in residence at Dunsgate... but at an Abbey in Cartervalle... attended by monks... That Vargus McGregor was in Charge of the Clans... not all information was accurate at the time of the report... as it took almost a week to get to Keliana's hands, and had spent some time there before making way to Alexander’s ear...

Little did Iain, nor Keliana, nor Alexander know or realize that the Borderers from Mainland Scotland had linked up with the MacDonald... nor did they know they intended to move on Dunsgate and Sleat... All Iain knew was Chloe was dead... and Searc killed her... and he and 100 were gonna ride south to Dunsgate...

Meanwhile at Dun Durroch, the men were being rallied for a ride south... a clan war fervor was brewing... Swords sharpened, armor prepared, and supplies gathered. The men, anxious for war, waited for their leader.

Kyleakin, the home of the MacDonalds... fueled by the rumors of the death of MacGregor’s Clan chief and his family, and eager to regain lost lands of Sleat and the acquisition of the MacGregor shipping business, was abuzz with discussions of war. With the Mo’r Triath busy with international events, how could they regain lost lands without upsetting the balance of power in Turas Lan? Would the Mo’r Triath enter the fray with his full power to quell what was rightfully theirs? The city was busy with the preparations for a clan war.

[Lady Chloestrain MacGregor]

The days that Passed after Chloe’s awakening were slow and painful, each day she grew stronger and with Mark’s help and constant attention she soon gained the use of her legs... Making small trips out onto the porch of the spring house to sit in the meager sunlight… Now the bruises were fading, from dark black patches across her face, to sickly purplish-green... and now a jaundice-yellow... her nose reset, would forever be just a bit crooked; but only if you looked closely... and one eyelid would be just a bit wider than the other when opened... the effect of a solid punch that severed a ligament, but She didn’t care... She was alive... Her son was safe... She had survived. Each breath felt as if it were ripping her apart, broken ribs healed the slowest... and then there was the more intimate injuries... Painful and humiliating, and even with Mark’s understanding... She cringed when they were discussed.

“Mark…” she called to him as he chopped wood in the yard, herself sitting in a rocking chair on the porch... A blanket tucked about her to ward off the chill... “I think tomorrow you will go and check on Robin… After you escort me Home to Dunsgate...” her words might bring a chill down his spine. Was she serious about returning to Searc’s Family home...? Oh yes she was... very much so… “After I speak with Ivella… will determine if you go to retrieve Robin... or guard him.”

The axe swung up and over head, striking the log, splitting it in half. Picking up the two halves and laying them on the cart. His muscles flexed... “Aye MiLady...” then he swung the axe again. Muscles and sinews tensed and relaxed as he chopped wood. He paused a bit, laying the axe handle upon his shoulder... “Dunsgate milady?” Then she answered his question before he could ask it... Only thing he offered her was a shrug.

She stood slowly now, folding the blanket over her arm and hugging it to her body she watched his reaction with almost a laugh; a small smile creasing her features. It was something he hadn’t seen in a great while... “Come in and eat... I think Mary has dinner on the table...” a wave of her hand as she moved… not so gracefully as she once did; but with a step that was hesitant, wary of life’s pain...

One-handedly, he buried the edge of the axe in the large wooden trunk he used as a base. Making his way to the water barrel, he used the lye soap to wash his hands. Slipping his shirt over his shoulders, he walked into the cottage. As the couple sat down, he looked at he, his head canted sideways. “MiLady, I nay wish to disagree with you, but tis a dangerous game yu play... I trust nary a MacGregor, save yu lass...”

Then he began to fill his plate with the roast duck and jerky, potatoes, and vegetables. “He grumbled at her when she tried to explain her reasoning... he didn’t reply only because he had a mouthful.

“Saddle yer horse?” he almost choked when she told him her method of transportation. “Lass, Lord Iain be havin’ my arse as it is, letting yu get all hurt...” he shakes his head as he fills his mouth again.

The next day saw Chloestrain and Mark riding into the courtyard of Dunsgate... She did not come in a carriage, as would have been expected of one only 3 weeks gone with plague. And while she still showed signs of illness, a frail thinness, a tinge of jaundice; there was no arguing that she was very much alive; and very much back, the Lady MacGregor was home.

Much to his consternation, she had her way... and as she stood holding the reins to the horses, he hid the carriage in the woods, covering any remnants from sight with limbs and brush. If looks could speak, he would have talked her ear off. He winced when she winced as he helped her upon the horse.

Ivella, Portia, and Vargas met them in the courtyard, as Mark helped her down from the saddle, none of them the wiser that Chloe had indeed rode by cart just to viewing distance, then switched to horseback. But a strong showing was what she was after... after all... Jackals now roamed the halls of Dunsgate... “Mother MacGregor,” she hugged her mother-in-law softly… the older woman’s arms enfolding her. Several letters had passed between the women while Chloe was recovering… and Chloe knew that Ivella still loved her; well, despite the horror she had inflicted on her own son… stepping back, she regarded her husband’s cousin... “Lord Vargas… Lady Portia,” she nodded softly to both. “I trust you are enjoying your stay at Dunsgate...?”

Mark stood close by, making sure that she did not falter; and escorted her inside as the group made their way into the main sitting room. He settled her near the fire, while the others looked on.

“You can go now, Collier,” Vargus waved his hand dismissively toward Mark as Chloe was settled... “Tell the housekeeper to bring Lady Chloe some tea... She must be chilled after her ride.” Vargus was always a snake; always thought that Chloe was attractive, and envied Searc of his feisty yet elegant wife... not that Portia wasn’t a beauty in her own right... but Portia knew as well as Vargus he would never be faithful in body… and neither would Portia… but it was to a common end they both aspired. To Vargus, being Chieftain of the MacGregor. He wanted Collier nowhere around the Lady Chloe. He sensed that Mark Collier was more than a horsemaster, and trusted friend of the Lady.

His mind was cranking as the man spoke. A different place would have been the man’s downfall, for Mark would have shown him who was who. Still, Mark did not move, nor offer any facial expression.

“Mark is not a servant... I have promoted him Head of the Castle Guard, and my own personal Guard...” Chloe spoke as she settled near the fire… “He will be under my direction from now on, and is to be looked upon as a ranked officer would.” her words though, while still tinged with the lingering effects of her illness, were strong and full of strength. Chloe was assuming the role of Leader of the Clan.

Mark’s appearance as he stood by the fire near Lady Chloestrain would better befit a lady’s spouse, or well-deserved bodyguard... or yes, even Head of the Castle Guard. With her words, Mark smirked as his eyes glanced toward the man of his ire.

“I will go see that cook prepares a light lunch and some tea…” Ivella smirked toward Vargus, watching as his futile hopes of taking over the clan dispersed like ashes in the wind with Chloe’s revival from the plague.

“I meant no disrespect, Lady Chloe.” Vargus backpedaled and nodded in a respectful manner toward Collier, but inside he was seething with anger, and planning his vengeance on both. How dare she elevate a mere horsemaster to Head Guard of the Castle, and her own personal Guard..!

Portia merely sat eyeing Mark, sizing him up from head to toe... and everything in between... A master of horses… how well he must ride... The petite blond with the twinkling blue eyes settled forward on the small sofa, leaning forward just enough to give Mark a glance at her more than perfect creamy cleavage. It would indeed be a warm night if she could coax him into her bed... and more than that... he could tell her all the Lady Chloe’s secrets, both things she would enjoy immensely. “How wonderful, you’ve been promoted,” she spoke to Collier as she rose from her seat… “I suppose you will now have to move into the castle and give up those dreary stable quarters… so you can be more… available... to the family, should we have need of you.” a double edged sword was now pointed straight at Collier.

Mark’s attention was on Vargas, but soon shifted from the man to his lovely wife... “Nice...” he thought as she leaned forward, offering him a good show... He’d bet he had seen more than Vargas... which made a smile come to his face. Mark’s attention was soon veered to Lady Portia... “The stables are nay so dreary MiLady... I have been quite comfortable, e’vn during the winter months... but if MiLady Chloestrain wishes me near, so shall I be...” Mark spoke softly as not to interrupt Vargas and Chloestrain... “We, MiLady? I am Lady Chloestrain’s guardian...” then he winked and smirked... “But any damsel in distress, I shall respond...” he spoke nearly a whisper. Mark too, considered, her cold bed, to be warmed, and maybe even in the throes of orgasm tell him what he needed to know to ensure Chloe’s safety.

Meanwhile at Carterville Abbey, Searc’s recovery did not go as swiftly or as well as Chloe’s… festering wounds, were etched away bit by bit by maggots, feasting on dead and rotted flesh, leaving behind the healthy, yet fevers and fits racked the Chieftain of the MacGregor. By his side, each hour, was his beloved Travil; devoted and caring for the man he loved deeply. Each minute that Searc spent in pain, and hovered near death convinced him all the more that Chloe’s death would serve the world well. It was at this time he sent a letter by messenger to an undiscovered ally. For years now, he and this ally had forged plans to rid the earth of Chloe. It would serve both their purposes, but in fate’s fickleness, over and over they had been thwarted. First, in his attempt to shoot her with a cross bow, narrowly missing the girl, but still a miss. Then twice, he had tried to poison her, only to have her not drink or eat the poisoned offerings. Then yet again, to have her abducted on a sojourn to Turas Lan to meet with her lover Iain Robertson for a tryst... The bytch had stayed with the Robertson the whole time and not a moment was when she could be snatched away and later killed. It seemed as if Chloe had nine lives… but she would run out of luck soon... He and his Ally would see to it.

Lady Keliana Robertson,

As you well know, the thorn in our side still pricks heavily upon our hide, precluding any real joy in our lives. This thorn is more alike the Serpent in the garden, and only when it’s head is struck from its body will we enjoy the fruits of Eden.

To that end I require a meeting with you...Two days hence midway. May your travils be easy.

That was the cryptic note that Keliana received, all these years Iain had suspected Searc and Keliana, perhaps even Alexander, in a plot to keep him and Chloe apart; but in truth, Alexander and Searc were innocent of such... As it was Keliana and Travil that had cursed and crossed the lovers at every turn.

They would meet in Turas Lan, at the Crown and Thistle... To discuss the plan of ending Chloe for good.

Keliana received the letter from Travil while Iain was gone speaking to the clans... Crytic as it would have appeared, Keliana knew what it meant... Travil was an odd man, hellbent on eliminating Chloestrain... for reasons he knew well. Lord Alexander and Searc had made an agreement as to the marriages, but that was for the politics of the clans... she was in it for the profit she could gain...but Travil... he was in it for Searc...

She was ally with Travil, at first, by the nature of profit she would gain from Iain’s death... but over the years, she had come to love Iain, but despised Chloe, for she, and she alone had Iain’s heart and affection. Somehow, Travil had advantage over Keliana... and she hated it, but the letters she had written in the past, could now incriminate her in the murder of Iain Robertson or Chloestrain, should anything ever happen to him, or her.

The attack by Searc and the announced death of Chloe scared Keliana, knowing she would meet the executioner should the letters she wrote came to bear. She crumpled the letter and tossed it into the fire and cursed the day she aligned herself with Travil but now it was too late, the damage done. Now she cursed herself as the paper burst into flames. “Why had I know kept the damn letters...?” he murmured. “I could have used it against him...” her fist pounded the mantle. “Two days hence... what can I do in two days...?”

Sleat is a large shipping and merchant center for Skye... Just as Stornoway is on Lewis, Sleat is on the Sleat peninsula. The MacDonald-South were evicted from Sleat, by siding with the English, in the Skye wars with England and lost all rights to the lucrative trade business. After years of banter and frustration, the MacDonalds now found a renewed interest as Searc and Chloestrain MacGregor were diseased and dying... the clan left heirless...

In the MacDonald-South, camps, signs of war brewed with fervor... clan mottos were issued with a bated breath... Even clans upon mainland Scotland now were being involved as rancor for the Bruce’s relinquishing the throne to the Aberdeens. Once a squabble between Iain of the Robertson and Searc of the MacGregor, now has grown into resentments long held deep as the Mo’r Triath resided.

[Lord Iain Robertson]

Chloestrain:A few days at home and Chloe was concerned in bringing Robin back to Dunsgate; there were rumors on the wind of ill will toward the MacGregor from the MacDonald and more from the mainland. In Searc’s absence, she called a clan meeting of the MacGregor, to answer questions and concerns, and was warned cryptically to beware the snake in her own household...

Mark:As always, Mark was on her heels, and armed, whenever she dealt with the clan, or any official meetings... the latest not excluded. Blue eyes scanned the room, his arms always crossed over his chest.

Chloestrain:Vargaus had been holding court it seemed while Chloe and Searc were shuttered away with illness. As far as she could tell the ruse of plague and illness had indeed pacified most, though they were still concerned with Searc’s well being. Many were loyal to Chloe, and Ivella, in fact many owed Chloe’s acute business sense for their growing fortunes and business.

Since the first time Mark met Vargus and Portia, he trusted them not... no more than he could lift a castle wall with his bare hands. Vargus always made him feel as a servant, trying to get Mark to wait on him... meanwhile Portia always tried to lure her into her bed when Vargus was away. It was menial, and under the circumstances, he never mentioned it to the busy Chloestrain.

When Chloe and Searc had first married, though it was not a marriage of any real demeanor, Searc was smart enough to listen to her ideas. Chloe had been educated not only by her family but by the infamous Mistress Aramoire in business aspects, and even if he did not respect her as his wife, he did respect and often go to her for council on business aspects.

It was during those first years that Chloe and Searc had come up with a business plan for the clan to enrich their lands and holdings beyond that of which the MacGregor of Sleat had ever held before; and it had worked brilliantly. A niche filled with infused cross treading of streams of revenue and industry; perhaps a model that would indeed, begin to show other clans and even nations how commerce should work hand in hand with the land and natural resources of the region.

Sleat peninsula was home not only to fertile lands, but great natural ports, both sea and strait side; deep bays and lochs that were easy in and outs for the great ships of the MacGregor Shipping Fleet. But until now the MacGregor had been satisfied to only control the shipping and not the cargo that was shipped on the fleet. Chloe and Searc had devised a plan and put it into action, using their own monies to jumpstart the plan, loaning and buying seed, fishing boats, and livestock as well as starting two processing plants. The first endeavor was to use the natural fishing grounds of Sleat to provide a much needed commodity. In Aramadale, as well as Tarskavaig ports, fleets of small fishing boats were now on daily trips, their catch of the day brought into the new processing plants to be smoked.

Meanwhile, Chloe and Searc had secured contracts with both French and Irish, as well as the new Governor of England, to supply the nutritional and travel-well foodstock of smoked fish that would become key to the MacGregor’s new empire. The Irish were half-starved and beaten down by the recent war with the English and needed goods and food from their Scottish brethren... So it was with the fishing industry underway, the MacGregor turned their attention to farming. Sheep and cattle stocks were bought and distributed to the MacGregor clans; soon enough wool, cheese and meat from the stock were added to the shipping manifest of the MacGregor clans. Then after that, in summer and fall, fresh produce, with shipping times only days between loading and unloading in Ireland and England... all in all... The fertility of the soil and sea of Sleat was turning into a boon that brought the MacGregor’s up on par to the most affluent, influential, and powerful of the Clans, something Searc basked in… and Vargus coveted.

Mark:In the early years of Chloe’s marriage to Searc, Mark had been assigned to care for Iain’s most prized Chloestrain... and with such responsibility, Mark left his life at Dun Darroch for Dunsgate... to live in close proximity to the object of his task. And in the succeeding years, he watched over Chloe, whether she needed it or not... and he was amazed at her talent for business. Meanwhile, he, himself, had been promoted from horse handler to Protectorate Guardian of the Chieftain’s wife... Still, he was always arranging meeting times and places for Iain and her to see one another, amazed at their love for one another.

Chloestrain:It was morning bright and early just after dawn, Chloe had been up for hours, mulling over the situation. The MacDonald were amassing a army, ready to move into Southern Sleat; her spies had brought her reports of it during the night. Between Dunsgate and the MacDonald, lay Cartevalle Abbey… her husband recouping there after the wounds she had inflicted upon him…

One part of her soul screamed to send out a messenger... guiding the MacDonald there to the injured and barely guarded Chieftain of the MacGregor. That would solve one of her problems and make her a widow. But as the hours had passed till dawn, she had indeed worked out in her mind that being a widow in these treacherous times would serve her nor Robin well... nor the MacGregor Clan. For without a Chieftain, a target as big and bold as the sun was painted on Robin’s back. Far too much depended on the 5 year old child.

Mark:Since the violent fight she and Searc had, no secret lover’s meetings were held, no responsibility but to protect Chloestrain. He never left her side... except to stand at her door ever vigilant... A dawn, he always relieved his guards right after his morning meal... but this day, the guards remained... no Mark Collier.

The night before, near the witching hour, he had been drinking a bit of wine in the kitchen, now abandoned... and out of nowhere, the beautiful Portia MacGregor came up beside him and wrapped her bare arms around him. When he jumped up, he turned to find the robe she was wearing was open, and underneath, nothing...

He was a man, and for weeks, she had tempted him whenever her husband was absent. This night was no different, save one circumstance. Mark had been drinking... reasons unknown... and now this vixen was flashing her wares to a man who had not been with a woman in a while...

Chloestrain:From her window she had a good view of the lands of Dunsgate, the village and fields that were just coming into being furrowed in preparation for the spring planting season. All the people who depended on Searc and Chloe’s reign as Chieftain... all the things they had built as a people, a virtual empire... All hinged on Searc’s survival.

It was with that thought that she dressed, and left her room heading down the corridors in search of Mark Collier and then, the Leaders of the Clan. They would be moving their forces to Cartevalle Abbey to protect the Chieftain. God had a whimsical way of bringing irony to a situation.. First Searc’s wife would try and kill him… and he her… now Chloe was tasked with saving him... and with him all of the MacGregor...

Down the hallway she moved with purpose, her strides that of a decision well made and in effect... until they faltered... Seeing the door of one of the guest rooms open and close... The partially dressed Mark Collier, leaving Portia’s room.

Mark:Dawn had come too fast... and he was errant in his duties... The Lady Portia was still in her bed, and Mark had slipped from her arms, and warm body, into trousers once crumpled into a pile upon her floor. As he took his boots in one hand, and shirt in the other, fingers gripping the loose trousers, he opened the door and backed out... closing the door, he turned... his eyes grew and it was as if he was choking...

Chloestrain:Mossy green eyes widened, then narrowed... In disbelief, then disgust, as he turned toward her. One eyebrow raised and her head tilted with the look of a scorned woman pulling at the corner of her lips, making them a thin line… “I trust you enjoyed your night...” her tone was waspish and snappy, cold and unfamiliar... her nose wrinkled as if she had smelled something offensive from the back end of an oxen... “I see your duties in protecting me have not stopped you from partaken of Vargus’s wife’s charms...” her arms crossed over her bosoms, then uncrossed and settled at her side balling into fist, as she watched the charming smirk drift across his face.

Mark:Mark swallowed hard... Dropping a boot, he quickly picked it up, then his shirt fell, and his trousers were slipping... “Yes M’Lady... I mean, No M’Lady...” gathering his self as much as possible; he was being reprimanded and she had not said a word after her first question... “Yes M’Lady.. I mean No M’Lady...” awww chyt, he was still hung over, his head now pounding like a minstrel’s drum... and he was stumbling across words like a schoolboy... “M’Lady, let me...”

Chloestrain:It was enough to make her want to smack him. Her heart beat in her chest like a kettle drum, and her cheeks blushed scarlet. Whatever in the world was causing her to act this way, like some jealous wife. Her jaw clenched tightly, Chloe in a temper was something beautiful to behold, like an approaching thunderstorm full of lightening and sparks. Her eyes snapped back to his face, and she hissed quietly not wanting to alert the worn out, no doubt sleeping of a night of lust Portia, to come past her doorway... “I care not where you bury your coke only that you do you duty... You are a guard, nothing more.” her last words were meant to wound. Of course, the two had grown close over the years, he had been her only confidant and champion. He was a stand-in for Iain... a substitute, and it was that thought that gave a stricken look on her face.

Mark:He did not look down ashamed... he was a man, single, and free... beholden to none... “M’Lady, let me explain...” then her words stabbed him in the chest << I care not where you bury your coke only that you do you duty >>. “Yes M’Lady...” His best friend, besides Iain, had just verbally stabbed him... << You are a guard, nothing more...>> It was then that he lowered his blue eyes to the floor... and as she turned quickly, he watched her walk away... and something snapped, and he took off after her.

Chloestrain:As she whirled around from him, marching back to her rooms… but if she thought that he would let it go at that, she was wrong. His footsteps behind her.

Mark:“Chloe, wait...” as he reached after her... and she entered her room, the guards looked at him, he motioned them away... “Leave NOW...” and he turned toward the door...

Chloestrain:Barely slacked up as she slammed the door in his face, as his guards were leaving with no complaint. They did not want to be around this hellstorm.

Mark: “Oh hell no...” Marks hands were full... and the door had been slammed in his face... with one swift foot to the frame, the door popped open and he entered...

Chloestrain:The door opening wide, then closing again, the sound of the lock clicking. She turned in full wrath... “What in the hell do you think…” her voice was cut off by…….

Mark:All in one motion, Mark tossed the shirt and boots aside, grabbed Chloestrain’s arms... instantly, when he let go of the trousers, they drooped low... and he crushed his mouth upon hers, and forcefully wrapped his arms around her, securing her in his embrace... It was a passionate kiss, one by all means of a single man’s expertise.

He was Iain’s closest friend and partying partner of many younger years... Did not one’s personality rub off onto another? Immediately, the trousers shifted and fell under Chloe’s initial struggle, revealing something only Portia had seen in many months.

Chloestrain: Her arms grasp she was almost hefted against the wall by both his anger and passion.. Lips claimed hers silencing the stinging words she cast toward him.. For a moment.. Her hands pushed him away.. But as the kiss continued.. They pulled him closer.. Lifting about his neck to twine in his hair.. Passion, anger, hurt, betrayal, loneliness all combined in moments that left them breathless.. Years of being close.. But never acting on the underlying currents of fondness that had turned to friendship and now something more expressed in a moment of heat and passion.. Pressed against the wall, she was pinned, her legs lifting, skirt rising to reveal the sweet flesh beneath as they wreathed his hips.. His own trousers fallen.. As his hands moved over her thighs and upwards beneath the skirt to release the drawstring of her under drawers. The kiss broke, her long elegant neck bending backward as a soft moan of pleasure was released.. the feel of his lips upon the skin of her neck ever lower to the tops of her breast.. Fingers raking over the back of his neck, as her body arched in invitation toward him.. He was not the only one who had been without the touch of someone who cared for months.. “Make me feel…” she whispered darkly.. His kisses and touch erasing the ugly truth of the violence that Searc had plagued her with… the sound of cotton drawers ripping.. In haste.. The feel of his warm hands upon the flesh of her hips as she was lifted higher.. Made her tremble in his hands.. Dark lashes falling over her cheeks as she leaned her head back , suddenly it was as it should be.. It was Iain who held her, Iain who could erase the blackness in her soul.. And Iain she loved.. Her one true love.. “ Iain…” his name was whispered, as If to conjure him all the more with her…

Mark: Lust-driven, wine-fueled passion held her against the wall, yet kisses endured upon both parties... In the midst of haze, he found her drawers and ripped them asunder... and wriggled himself to pleasure's doorway... "I'll make ya feel... feel me til the day ends..." was his response... and as he pressed himself upon her, and slide into already slippery lips, and as he thrust into her in sloven midst of alcohol's haze, she uttered a name... Pulling himself away from her, staggering backward, realizing what he had done... he quickly grabbed his trouser hem and hefted it over a swollen manhood, pulsating with desire... "Oh M'Lady... sincerest apologies..." his face wet with sweat from passion's heat... and yet flushed with embaressment.

Chloestrain: As he jerked away.. her hand flew to her lips.. and her breath was taken away.. " Mark.. " she whispered his name, pure shame and horror at what she had done.. what she had allowed.. what she had wanted... her otherhand worked her skirts back down over her legs.. as she leaned against the wall weakly.. watching him grasp and fumble at his clothes.. for a moment she looked as if she would faint.. then walked to the window and pressed her cheeks against the cold panes.. reliving the burning there.. as she composed herself.. " You owe me no apoligees.. it is myself.. who wronged you " her voice held a tremor of still wavering passion.. that of a lover.. yet recovering from.. a heated bout.

Mark: Walking to the window behind her, his hands upon her waist... "Yu have nay wronged me M'Lady... tis my drunkeness that has..." Resistance was thin and feeble, and she smelled so grand... She felt so good, even if only for a second... the memory burning his mind... yearning to be there once more... His arms wrap completely around her and his hands cup her breasts... his hips press upon her buttocks, pressing her to the window sill. "By the grace of God, strike me down... yet I yearn for yu, for so long have I done so..." he whispers at her neck, the warm breath of air, stenched by whiskey and sex... "My brother has so long forsaken yu... and I, here, have been so close, without even an acknowledgement from yu..."

Chloestrain: When she felt his arms go about her waist, she relaxed back against him.. human contact.. just the touch brought her relief and joy, how long had she been without.. the years of tryst that only lasted hours.. and never enough nor often.. leaving her lonely and bereft.. there was no doubt she loved Iain deeply.. he was her heart.. but how long was she to endure.. this loveless life of waiting.. for only stolen moments.. She could not say that with the news of each birth of his children her heart had not broken.. and yet she resolved that in their meetings.. their precious time alone, she would not waste it on questions of his and Keliana's marriage.. it was obvious by the children she bore him, that he was not as faithful as she had been.. often times she had though to take a lover.. just to ease the physical need... every woman had... but never had she.. always waiting for Iain.. Marks lips upon her ear whispering for the forgiveness of god.. his grace.. and confession of his longing, made her body tremble with need ... as she turned in his arms.. her lips finding his in a slow sweet kiss "Do you know.. how hard it's been... to wait.. to live a loveless life .. until the few hours I can be with Iain.. this year alone I've only spent.. one night with him... I don't know... how much more I can take.. " her weakness was apparent in the fact that she had not dissallowed his hands their roaming nor his lips their quest.. as she leaned more into him.. she whispered against his cheek... "I've always known you were here.. .. always Mark "

Mark: When she turned in his arms, and found his lips with hers, his eyes closed and he returned the kiss. The shame he felt once, moments ago, now mingled with the alcohol in his system... One hand fumbled with his trouser strings, the other moving the material of her dress... and when both were free, he pressed himself into her and forced her back against the wall... On hand held her up as the other forced a hand over her head... his lips began to gnaw at her skin... His stumble of a beard wore against her skin, redding its path... and thrusts of passion forced groans of pleasure from her lips... In the pit of his stomach, he felt this was wrong, but the physical needs of them both, and the loneliness they both felt made all wrongs right... She spoke of loveless nights... love strained to the very fibers of absence... and her confession of such... and now she moaned for a man who had protected her for the last 3 years... a man who would die for her... and his Lord... Thumps against the stone wall, and the moans both offered evidence of the passion they now enjoyed...

Chloestrain: It was a passion that indeed.. would rival the midsummer’s sun in it' brilliance, flaming hot, burning sweat slickened bodies engrossed and engaged upon each other.. from the wall.. to the floor.. they moved.. lost in everything but the moment.. she moved easily with him.. her body still showed evidence of the violence her husband had reeked upon her.. yet Marks hands and lips seemed to erase the hurts and wounds, replacing them with feelings of being alive... she had feared ever having a man touch her after Searc’s abuse.. but within Marks embrace she bloomed bright and vibrant, new like the spring, dewy and soft, yet a stroke of brilliant color against the backdrop of loneliness that had been her life these past years.. astride him she took charge.. riding him until she achieved release, that came in spasm of sweet honeyed pleasure that loosed moans and violent shudders of erotic origin from her body and lips.. breathless laughter erupted from her lips, a sign of unadulterated joy and bliss in the moment as she fell forward her lips claiming his, dark hair brushing across his shoulders and chest.. as she continued the movements of her hips goading him on further.

Mark: Scars of abuse were now toys of pleasure as he soothed her pain, and his as well... only to trade one torment for another... Had it not been for Portia, this would have never come to past, but he praised God in throes of passion as they traded places... wall, for floor., floor, for table, and table for bed... when now she rode him to orgasm... and into her soft confines, he exploded with a muffled groan... for surely they would be discovered... and as he rose to kiss her lips as she pay spent astraddle him, the kiss they shared was one that would linger a lifetime... But short-lived it would be as a knock upon the door... rapping, rapping upon her door... the male voice outside asking if she was alright... that the man feared for her with the absence of the usual guards.

Chloestrain: She laughed softly, something that had been ongoing as she had released several times and each time brought about a new bout of laughter.. it was an oddity that was enduring and sincere.. that she laughed and giggled when well loved. as the rap came at the door.. her fingers pressed against his lips as he seemed to panic.. "I'm fine Alistair... Go have breakfast I'll be down in a bit" she called out not needing anymore explanation than that.. she waited to speak to the man beneath her until Alistair’s bootheels upon the stone floor had vanished. A deep breath and she eased off him to roll onto her side.. then off the bed... grasping her robe she slipped it on and moved.. to a basin of water wetting a rag and tossing it toward him.

Mark: Release had an odd way for them both, as one giggle started another... and the embrace was enjoyed until the knock upon the door. Now he lay tense under her... but as always, her commanding presence dealt with the situation... And as bootfalls waned, so did his tenseness... He watched her roll off him, the sheer beauty she held nakedness... he could only smile, and see why Iain loved her so... He laid his head upon his hand and watched her ass as she moved from the bed... only to receive a wet rag in the face shortly after. "Yer right M'Lady, I should be getting downstairs well before yu..." as he gathered up his own trousers, boots and shirt... "How shall I get to my room M'Lady...?" once again the proper protocol assuming its place, even though both still were naked.

Chloestrain: She proceeded to get dressed.. as he cleaned the remnant of their lovemaking from his coke and belly.. tossing the torn undergarments into the fire, no evidence... as she settled before the mirror to pull her hair into pins the enormity of what had happened between them settled upon her like a weight.. and she felt guilt and shame.. that she would hide from him to the end of her days... "When I was looking for you this morning it was.. because I had made a decision... You are to leave Dunsgate today.. travel to Osilos Academy.. and guard Robin.. he is your primary concern now.." she was dismissing him.. it seemed her tone had returned to all business and protocol... though her eyes would not meet his in the mirror.. for fear she would give herself away.. She knew that Mark would never let her move troops to Cartevalle Abbey.. especially not now.. after.. this...

Mark: Pulling his boots on, he secured the strings of the trousers as she spoke. And when she gave him his orders, he slowly looked up... "Yes M'Lady..." though his blue eyes would say many things, agreeing with her was not one of them. And yet, she avoided his eyes directly... Slipping the sleeves of his short over his arms, he bowed... "By yer leave M'Lady..."

Chloestrain: The minute the door closed behind him, her hands lifted to her hair raking through it in aggravation, her other hand swiping over the dresser she sat at, sending the bottles flying.. in a fit of rage.. "Dammit.. Chloe " she gazed back in the mirror at the woman before her... a tear sliding down her face... where there had been joy only moments before.. now there was nothing more than cold indifference.. and resolve... if she couldn't be happy.. if she couldn't have love.. then she would make sure that Robin had everything in life.. that she had sacrificed for.. She would lead the McGregor Troops to Cartevalle, and Make sure Searc survived.. for Robins Sake

Mark: And she checked the halls for him, and when the hall was clear, he snuck down the hall to his room. Opening the door quietly, he entered and closed the door behind him, leaning upon the door. "God forgive me..." he uttered softly... And beyond the door, in his bed, a voice came from behind the curtain that hung on the bed... "Why Mark m'luv... tis about time yae returned... Was she as good as me?" Portia had entered Mark's room, and waited for him to return. And now she was a witness to the transgression of moments before. "Ah tell yae wot lad... yae keep me sated... and Ah swear Ah ne'r tell anyone..." Mark's mouth was open, but nothing came out....

[Shyvonne MacGregor]

This takes place before Chloe turned to Dunsgate


Kane: It was near 12 hours from Dunsgate to Oisles Acadamy.. Kane and his men rode fast and hard.. their precious ward riding in front of one of his most trusted men, Hamish. Hamish was the fastest rider of them all, his horse known for it's speed and stamina his orders should any trouble happen.. run like the wind with the Tanist Child Robin.. save him at all cost... Thus the little cadre did proceed into the inky blackness of the night..hooves known for it's speed and stamina his orders should any trouble happen.. run like the wind with the Tanist Child Robin.. save him at all cost... Thus the little cadre did proceed into the inky blackness of the night..hooves carving up fertile ground, newly sprigged green grass , fresh from it's winters nap, now clods of earth cast aside over the hills and dells of Sleat.. hours had passed by.. when he noticed his other charge slumping in her saddle.. her horses steady gait lulling her to sleep.. or perhaps it was the exhaustion of already having made this journey in the previous 24 hours.. catching up with her? regardless her circumstance it would not do to have her fall from the saddle.. pulling along side, she was plucked easily as if she bore no weight at all, from her mount and settled across his legs.. his right hand circling her waist to hold her steady.. " Arrange yourself and relax.. you can sleep in my arms little one " yes he knew she hated it.. but.. it was after all.. his pet name for her

Shyvonne: While Kane had told her to sleep some before their journey out in the dead of night, there was to much to be done for sleep. Papers to forge in order to hide her nephews identity. She trusted her staff completely although others weren't so sure of them, she would quill any arguments by agreeing to a disguised name. There was all ready to much fighting and yes, half the time she was the cause of it which she knew. At least this once she would be a voice of reason if only for the sake of her mother. There was also an excitement as the troupe rode out into the black night. She loved her family but she loved Oisles more, as much as it was guilty. Oisles seemed her own personal kingdom where she was not the youngest McGregor child but the head mistress. It wasn't power that brought her joy but the foundation on which she established the once great castle now turned school. Yet through the hours of riding her body wore thinner then her mind and was soon lulling her to sleep atop her horse. That was until Kane decided to pluck her off it! Her jaw set stubbornly as she struggled against him. "Kane! I can ride atop my own horse. I wasn't sleeping, I was resting my eyes!" Stubborn to the core her chin lifted in that little indignant manner of hers when her anger flared. "Shyvonne, its Shyvonne, I'm not a child. I don't call you names."


Kane: "Your always so dramatic.. " he growled at her settling her against him " If you fall and break your fool neck you slow us up.. your exhausted.. take a gift when it's offered " he muttered nodding to one of his men to take the reigns of her horse and lead it.. not once in all this exchange had the speed of the horses slowed.. he looked to his left, and nodded to Hamish who held the sleeping child.. as they barreled on thru the darkness.. ignoring her comments about what her name was for the time being.. So far all was well, but he and his men remained on high alert , his body rigid and ready for attack at anytime.. his senses attuned to the land around him, the land of his birth.. it was as if his blood ran through this land.. he was so linked into every sight and sound... as they crested a ridge.. he nodded.. to his men to turn their heading to the east now.. " Careful we cross the creek at the hallow.. before we turn , careful of your footing.. it's still a chill to get wet and a long ride ahead" his voice was both commanding and reassuring.. he knew exactly where they were.

Shyvonne: Her teeth ground with her suffering the urge to growl at him from within. As she shifted around to find a moderately comfortable position on the horse her elbow 'accidentally' slipped right into his gut. "Apologizes" She hissed low and smiled in the darkness. "Oh I break my neck and your worried it would slow you up. My deepest apologizes for being such a burden. Did you forget all ready I didn't WANT you coming with us?" With his arm about her keeping her steady, she tugged her travel cloak wiggling against his legs to loosen it and wrap it tightly around her with the chill. Amazing the agility the young woman had on a moving horse. "I'm not tired" She huffed like a pouting child. "I'm not about to drift off riding in your lap" She stopped then and laughed. "Oh wait, what am I worried about, you've never courted a woman in your life much less touched one." Now she was being mean, she well knew it but weren't they always mean to one another?

Kane: When she had accidentally gut punched him he grunted, though her elbow found no softness at all, rather a hard wall of muscle beneath his shirt.. when she finally settled, he added his cloak about her as well for extra warmth.. his arm still tucked about her waist, in support.. " I'll break your neck myself if you don't stop acting like a child " he countered to her sulking diatribe.. "I'll wager I could ride better with your corpse than your constant chattering self " had it been light enough to see, she would have saw a dark gaze dropped down to her when she discounted his experience with women.. " You have nothing to worry on.. Shyvonne... my charge is getting you to your academy.. no thoughts of your luscious little body pressed against mine rocking in time to the gait of this horse like a lovers romp will invade my mind, nor cause my hands to do what you so imagine and perhaps long for " he smirked.. yes he was baiting her.. but she made it so easy/


Shyvonne: "Your the one who insisted on dragging me onto your lap. You chose your torture Kane." She turned her head to look back at his dark features, seeing only the shadowed outline of his face in the darkness. "Ha, my corpse, I run a school Kane, did you honestly think I didn't learn how to fight to defend it?" She shrugged her shoulders as he laid his cape around her, fingers moving to wrap it around her. She loved winter and would ride till she was thoroughly cold from inside out but she was exhausted even if she said she was not, those two combined together meant a week in bed and that was not going to happen as stubborn as she was. As he spoke of her body, she blanched and would of fallen off the horse had he not been holding her. Realizing after a minute he was baiting her, her teeth began to ground again and with the play she was wiggling to get comfortable again, she elbowed him once more as hard as his stomach was, this time she shoved harder. "I hardly think your the man to satisfy whatever my imagination can come up with." She retorted giving an airy shake of her head. "You know when we get to Oisles, you and your men are to assume the identity of the new security of the school despite its Robin who you're looking out for, and I will be your boss. There are also rules for being an employee of the school." Despite trying to keep her back straight and away from his chest it was all ready sore from a hard days ride and ached to relax and so she let herself go cursing her aching body for needing the relaxation.

Kane: He chuckled as she finally settled, relaxing against his chest " you may be surprised as my ability to satisfy........ your rules " he grinned into the night knowing his pause had gotten her by the way she stiffened.. when she relaxed finally again.. they were crossing the small creek, his hand holding her all the more tightly as the horse jumped and made it's way up the steep bank... prancing about until all the men had crossed and thundered past.. " A couple hours and we shall stop to.. relive ourselves.. sleep for now " he murmured down to her as they again took off toward her home.. the academy...


Shyvonne: "That's not what I meant!" She hissed into the night, her cheeks flaring cold not only from the wind but anger. God he was insufferable! She jerked as his arm tightened about her waist and she gave a slap against his hand. "Your holding me to tightly!" Again that pouting voice but she stopped as they crossed the creek, holding tight to the horn of the saddle as she surged forward and then slammed back against his chest as the horse jumped the creek and then climbed the embankment. Her head turned as the horse pranced looking for Robin with Hamish and seeing the child sway like a doll in the breeze and still sleep, she smiled. Children. It was amazing what they could sleep through and how they could bounce back from falls and injustice. Stifling a yawn as they took off again, her hand left her mouth to grab at the horn again. "I told you, I'm not..."She paused this time the yawn escaping before she could stop it. "tired" She finished with a small sigh as the ease in which the horse galloped lulled her into eased into a sleep that still made her vaguely aware of her surroundings.

Kane: Finally she slept.. he almost laughed but feared of waking the harpy in his arms by doing so.. moonlight filtered thru the trees and occasionally cast her features in high relief.. it was in these moments he would be caught unaware by her beauty.. everyone knew she was beautiful.. a pill.. a tegument.. a brat.. but beautiful none the less.. but he had to wonder.. if anyone knew she was as beautiful as he believed her.. just the smell of her wafting in the breeze was enough to make him want to inhale deeply the feel of her body warm and soft against him somehow right.. was he letting his imagination run away with him again... again... he chided himself.. and looked away from her face.. wishing now he had left her on her own horse... yes he had chosen his own torture.. and her name... was Shyvonne.

Shyvonne: She was not beautiful, at least in her own eyes. She had find dresses to display herself as someone of importance in Oisles and perhaps they made her more like a china doll then she actually was but the truth was, her forehead sat to high and her chin was like a large hill on her face. No she did not think herself beautiful and she didn't use her wiles of womanhood to get her way, she used her words. As stubborn as she was, as much of a brat, Shyvonne was smart and because she was the youngest MacGregor apart from Robin, she had learned long ago to toughen up to not be stepped upon. She also knew with being a pill that it was very unlikely she would make a match all on her own, perhaps that was the point. It left her open to begin Oisles Academy and tend to her greatest passion, furthering the minds of youth. In the face of the school she was as tough as she was soft catering only to the whims of educating children, in private and with her students, she was impassioned with them standing up for themselves, of having their own minds to take life by their own hands and not someone else's and as the creed of the school stated, to seize the day. The school was so much more then education for her and she would protect it to her dying breath. It was why she slept with such awareness, to excited to sink into an abyss of blackness, she wanted to see her home. The one place she felt herself and not just some puppet. As she slept, she wiggled against the horse, her arm curling around Kane's side as her head pressed into his shoulder. She only needed a few hours of sleep a day, he had better enjoy the silence while it lasted.

Kane: Soon enough the hours had passed and they progressed to the stopping point.. once there.. the men dispersed to relieve themselves.. and Hamish saw after young Robin.. while Kane shook Shyvonne lightly to rouse her.. " Wake up sleepy head.. fifteen minutes to ease yourself and stretch , have a drink, and a biscuit before we are on our way again.. " as he spoke to her he was already lifting her down from the inky warhorse.. to the ground... and followed her in dismount as soon as her footing was secure.. "Pick your bush.. " he nodded away from where the men were disappearing to make their water... indicating that he would stand guard for her while she emptied her own bladder.

Shyvonne: It was the horse's slowing that roused her first, for a while she sat there with her arm around him and her head on his shoulder. Oh god lord she wouldn't live this down if he discovered her awake and so she kept her eyes closed until he shook her to wake her. Gripping his arm, she slid down to the ground releasing only when she found her foot in the dirt. "We're not far now" She spoke up with a short look around as she dusted her hands against once another. She saw Robin being taken care of before turning towards Kane with a 'your kidding me' kind of look as he took a step to follow her. "No" Her voice rang sure and clear that he was not standing guard while she went to the bathroom, her hand out affirmation enough that she meant it before she was floating off to find a bush. After a few minutes she returned straightening the folds of her dress as she moved. "We should reach Oisles by dawn. Then we can all have a good breakfast. Una the cook makes fabulous sausage gravy and biscuits. I should ride ahead and make sure there is enough for everyone, and to make sure Lady MaCalium has rooms prepared for Robin and some of the teachers quarters prepared for you and the men."

Kane: "you'll not be going anywhere without me " he commanded.. as she disappeared behind her bush.. he did just that stood watch.. with his back turned... " You will ride with the group.. no sense in letting you go out on your own.. my rules.. till we reach the academy " he grinned at her in the darkness.. holding out a flask for her.. " Watered whiskey to warm you " soon enough the rest of the men were choking down cold biscuits and wine.. as well as Robin, save his was water.. " Only about 4 more hours best get to it " he nodded to the men who all mounted up and then looked at Shyvonne.. " Mi Lady ?" he nodded to his own horse as hers was already almost out of sight being pulled along behind one of the men's... " You need a boost?"

Shyvonne: "I rode all the ways to Dunsgate without you, I can make it back to my own home without you" She spit back now refusing the flask out of being utterly stubborn all over again. Large doe eyes the color of moss slitted in his direction. "ohhh your rules, you don't own me Kane!" As the men mounted up and her own mount was lead off, her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as her cheeks began to flush with anger all over again. Swiping back her skirts, she pushed past him to the horse. Throwing her skirts back, she cast him a dark look with her foot in the stirrup and a hand on the horn, she gave a push and then a hop as she pulled herself up onto the horse. "I don't need help as you can see. An we better stop way outside of the gates of Oisles, I don't want to ride in on your horse it won't look good and I'm not going to ruin the reputation of my school for your ego."

Kane: She was beautiful in a fury he would give her that.. and in moonlight she looked almost like some fairy creature.. perhaps and evil hateful sprite.. that lulled men to their deaths.. the more she raged the more amused he became, letting his arms cross his chest as she ranted, then piled up atop his steed.. he just stood there looking up at her.. " Get down.. " he spoke calmly... not moving.. standing there like a rock.. unmovable object.. meet the mountain.

Shyvonne: "What?!" She looked at him as if he had grown two heads. "I just got up here." She shifted on the saddle and crossed her arms over her chest to begin a staring contest with him below her. Soon her jaw was tightening and her chin was poking out indignantly again. "Oh fine!" She hissed, gripping the horn of the saddle she shifted her skirts and slid down from the saddle bouncing as she landed. Turning to face him, her arms crossed over her chest again. "So?" A single eyebrow arched upward at him.

Kane: "Why do you do this? this wasteful use of your energy.. with your hatefulness? Do I really offend you so ?" his brows drew together as he questioned her.. still his arms remained crossed over his torso, like a giant obelisk in the dark.. stone cold and menacing to most, and yet he had never raised a hand or voice to her..

Shyvonne: Her head drew back even if the rest of her body didn't move. The question caught her off guard. He really didn't get it did he? "I don't hate you" She answered simply though she still hadn't moved or relaxed. "An yes you do offend me. You refuse to see what I have done for myself, that I am not the little girl you once knew. I've made something of myself, maybe not something Searc would be proud of, hell he would like to see me married off to the first person that would bring him more wealth and power but I am proud of what I have done for myself and the respect I worked at earning. I care about my school, the teachers, the students and the reputation of it. It's just a school to some but its so much more then that to me. I am prideful in praying God see's it grow into what I always dreamed of. I am prideful in dreaming it become great, admired and sought after and come hell or high water, I will see no one destroy it. Yet here you are insisting on undermining me and why? Because I am a woman, because I am younger? Why does it seem to you that I cannot stand on my own two feet? Yes, you offend me deeply in doing so." Her lips pursed together in silence for a moment and finally she scuffed as she unhooked her arms and waved a hand at him. "An this is what we do, we have always fought."

Kane: He merely stood there as she ranted on then took a few steps closer to her, backing her against the horse and pinning her there.. almost touching her with his body, looming over hers but not quite.. " I have refused to see.. nothing.. you are not the only one who is proud of you.. for your accomplishments.. and if it is undermining to you to make sure you are safe and watch over you.. then so be it.. I've watched over you since your mother took me in... and I will do so until you find someone to take the job from me " his voice was calm and even, but laced with a dark danger.. " I don't wish to fight with you anymore this night " he leaned a bit closer.. and perhaps she though he would kiss her.. instead he waited just a moment after looking deep into her eyes, and swung himself up onto the horse... holding down a hand for her... once she was up and secure he would kick the horse into a gallop and in no time they would be caught up with the group.. where unceremoniously she would be transferred to her own horse... all the while still galloping down the road toward the academy..


Shyvonne: She backed up into the horses flank, turning her head even though she knew what she bumped into until it turned back again and her mouth opened to see Kane so close, her hands balled at her sides, ready to swing if he tried anything. As he spoke, her mouth closed, her jaw tightened. It was his calm demeanor that angered her now and the fact he was looking out for her when she didn't ask for it! She liked standing on her own two feet! She slinked down as he leaned closer, nearly kneeling on the ground as he leaned in closer to her. She wasn't afraid he was going to kiss her, she was afraid she was going to hit him if he did! Besides, Searc would kill him! Much as her brother angered her, he was still family and she was still bound to obey, to an extent. Pressing her lips tight to commenting, she took his hand to get back onto the horse and did not argue when they caught up to the group and she was transferred to her own horse. She want not say she was wrong nor sorry and that was just stubborn Shyvonne. When they reached the Academy she was off her horse and within in a fly to make sure there was enough breakfast for everyone arriving, seeing Laiden had rooms made up for the men and Leigha had Robins forged papers as a new student. It was going to be a busy morning and despite the rough night, Shyvonne glowed to be back home in her own personal Kingdom.

[Lord Iain Robertson]

That evening, Mark had been reprimanded, whether verbally, or silently. Robin... His orders issued by Lord Iain had now, three year later, been revoked and issued new ones... “Guard Robin... He is your primary concern now...” but yet, Chloe and he had a secret that must be laid to rest, and forgotten, if not only to bring ill to those that knew. Portia... She knew.

Later that night, Mark had made every arrangement for departure. And now Portia MacGregor waited for him in her room. Standing outside her door, his hand reached for the knob... Hesitation... In combat, hesitation could be deadly... but here?! The hand turned the knob and he pushed the door open...

There she was ... waiting for him... nude, legs spread apart... she was open to all who would enter and see... except, he was the only one to enter, without even a soft knock upon her door. It was as if he expected to be there... She was the wife of Lord Vargus was she not? Didn’t she get anything she wanted? From Mark, she would get more than she bargained for.

He stripped down to nothing, and she lured him to her bed... and in moments she had him breathing hard, his manhood hard and pulsating... Physically, he was excited... mentally he was revolted... She knew about him and Chloe... and was a liability... and still he gave her what she wanted... him inside her... her, panting like a she-dog... her, screaming into a pillow so no one would hear... and in his mind, he wished her dead...

Her legs was spread, and he was between them, and she was pulling the pillow to her face as something to scream into as he pumped himself into her hard and fast... and in a moment, he stopped, his hands went to the pillow and pressed down hard... she screamed but no one heard... she fought but she could not overcome the devil’s handiwork...

He pulled himself from the now lifeless body of Portia MacGregor... He was not ashamed... he was not apologetic... He just used her gown to wipe himself off, rolled off the large bed, and dressed... his blue eyes never left her...

At the door, he opened it slowly, looking up and down the hall... It was clear, and Mark made his way down stairs unseen, out the side door and out to the stables, again unseen... “Guard Robin... He is your primary concern now...” Saddling the horse, he soon mounted and rode hard, away from Dunsgate... away from Portia... away from Chloestrain...

All that evening, he rode... putting Dunsgate and Chloe far behind him. His orders, and his new responsibility, drove him forward to a new destiny... Early morning, he stopped briefly to care for the horse and feed himself. He was not tired, just concerned for the repercussions of his actions last evening. Would anyone know who committed the sin?

Once again upon the road, he made his way toward Oisles Academy... and Robin.

[Lady Chloestrain MacGregor]

(Takes place before Iain Leaves for Dungate with his men )


Iain cursed at Kel as she stood next to Lord Alexander's bed... "Bytch, tis yu that have caused this... yu and that Kur of a Lord..." pointing to his Father.

Really?" she glared at him as she leaned down taking a linen napkin and wiping the drool from Alexander's lips.. poor man had suffered yet another stroke that palsysied one side of his face, taking his dignity and leaving him a drooling fool, who's words now slurred when he managed them.. " Searc and Chloe have the plague and it's somehow my faulty?" she laughed and rolled her eyes... " I have powers but not those kind.. " her mouth twitched just to say Chloe's name oh how she hated the bytch .. how she wanted to tell him that Chloe still lived but not for long.. because she had dispatched Travill to tend to the whore for once and all.. " I have done nothing.. and yet you treat me as if I betrayed you.. I'm your wife.. the mother of your children.. a little respect.. Iain.. " she settled beside Alexander.. holding his hand tenderly.. like a good daughter in law.. after all he was the one who had set her up to become one of the most wealthy and powerful women in Skye.

He wanted to choke her... and his Father... but he would not be charged with murder... when there were other ways to kill a boar. "Wife? "I'd cut yer throat and take my children from this place... but yer death would serve me no purpose..." then he looked at Alexander... "Yet."

She turned her eyes toward him, they were green, hard glittering emeralds, not the soft mossy green of Chloe's.. her hair shinning like spun gold in the candlelight.. to any one but Iain she must look like an angel.. this beautiful provocative woman.. yet he hated her still after all these years... " I've done nothing to deserve you abuse.. I've been a good wife.. bore your children.. " she stood and faced him.. " You never want to kill me when I'm in your bed " she made move to pass him by.. going to get an ewer of water from the dresser and pour a glass for Alexander..

Grabbing her arm, he pulls her to him, their faces close..."Still yu suck up to this man... he has set yu to be the Lairds wife... the wife of a Chieftain... only to keep Chloe away.... nothing else... I wish he had died long ago..." he paused... "And yu are good in bed wench, that's for sure... and yu gave me beautiful children that's for sure... Then he let go of her arm and glared at Alexander who was trying to speak... Iain just chuckled... "Shutup old man..."

She looked up at him as he captured her by the arm her bottom lip trembled a bit.. was she scared of him.. or was it for show.. perhaps anger the few days events past, her meeting with Travill.. the truth of what had happened between Chloe and Searc.. and the consequential pact made with Travill to end Chloe's life, had taken a wicked toll on her patience she normally had with her love lorn husband . Emerald eyes cast downward to his hand then slowly back up to him.. " You chase after a dream.. when you have reality in you hand willing and ready.. Why cannot you care for me the way you do her.. is it any wonder I would pay Lucifer himself to keep her away.. when all you do is pant after her like a bytch in heat..? You think I don't know..?" her words were ground out lowly for only him to hear.. " If Alexander knew you snuck off to f**k that bytch.. do you think for one moment you would still be Laird? " her eyes narrowed darkly.. as he let her got.. behind her Alexander futily tried to speak..

Iain grit his teeth, his hand subconsciously going to his hilt. "My dear...yu are so right..." but his eyes said something completely different. The steel gray lightened

"Your anger is as impotent as Alexander " she scoffed at him, her eyes lowering to his sword.. " Harm me and you loose everything.. or have you forgotten the contracts your father had made legal and binding.. without me you are nothing.. " she turned to Alexander and looked at him with a soft smile.. " Your son is upset.. it seems there are problems in the south that rouse his Ire.. perhaps you need persuade him again.. on the need for him to stay in Struan.. " slowly she turned back to him... " You lover is dead.. nothing to be done for it.. you life is here.. now.. " even though she knew full well Chloe lived.. Iain didn't and it would stay that way... Chloe would be dead soon.. With that though in her beautiful head she moved toward the door... heading down to the kitchen to get Alexander's lunch.. She had been playing the part of a dutiful daughter in law, nursing the ailing man.. but all the while they conspired and contrived.. against Iain..

Oh yu bytch, he thought... without Alexander, she is a dead woman for sure... his gray eyes light as if he was a zombie... he shook his head at her, as if to say, do not go there...

It was when she was gone from the room, that her things were left unattended.. a mending basket sitting beside Alexander's bed.. a sheaf of paper , just the corner showing from the baskets edge.. true enough it could have been something as menial as a shopping list, or one of the children's school work.. but instead it was a careful report.. on the situation in Sleat.. it did not mention Chloe at all.. but that the Laird Searc was not in residence at Dunsgateich.. but at an Abbey in Cartervalle.. attended by monks.. That Vargus MacGregor was in Charge of the Clans.. not all information was accurate at the time of the report.. as it took almost a week to get to Kelliana's hands, and had spent some time there before making way to Alexander's ear..

Little did Iain, nor Keliana, nor Alexander know or realize that the Borderers from Mainland Scotland had linked up with the MacDonald... nor did they know they intended to move on Dunsgateich and Sleat... All Iain knew was Chloe was dead... and Searc killed her... and he and 100 were gonna ride south to Dunsgateich..

[Lady Chloestrain MacGregor]

(cross posted for coninuity of SL)

Only rumored information is what caused the events now to transpire... Iain Robertson stood before his Father, Lord Alexander, and his wife, Lady Kelianna, ready to kill both, vowing to bring blade to his nemesis, Searc MacGregor... he did not know that Searc was in worse shape than his beloved Chloestrain.

Meanwhile at Dun Durroch, the men were being rallied for a ride south... a clan war fervor was brewing... Swords sharpened, armor prepared, and supplies gathered. The men, anxious for war, waited for their leader.

Kyleakin, the home of the MacDonald, was abuzz with discussions of war... fueled by the rumors of the death of MacGregor’s Clan chief and his family, the MacDonald saw their chance to reclaim Sleat as their own and the acquisition of the MacGregor shipping business. With the Mo’r Triath busy with international events, how could they regain lost lands without upsetting the balance of power in Turas Lan? Would the Mo’r Triath enter the fray with his full power to quell what was rightfully theirs? The city was busy with the preparations for a clan war.

Riders went out to all parts of the Robertson lands... and out to the cattle lands of clan Reed, a sept of the Robertson... the alarm sounded, one so familiar in Scotland... the threat of clan war spread far and wide, not just in Skye, but into the clan lands of Scotland, all the way to Hadrian’s Wall.

The Borderers, who long ago ceased their border wars with England, now found reason to bend plowshares into swords, fence-stakes into arrows... northern families joined the MacDonald, the southern families favoring the MacGregor.

Along with the alarm of a clan war, came the rumors of the death of the MacGregor, Searc and Chloe. It was Ivella MacGregor, who forged the blame upon the MacDonald, rumoring it was they who brought the plague to Sleat from Kyleakin... It was Alexander, who spread rumor like a wildfire of MacDonald aggression against the MacGregor shipping business... his motivation was to have as many clans at each other’s throat, which would make Iain killed in combat much easier an effort.... Fueled by words of deceit, lies, and skullduggery, Alexander’s own coins lined the pockets of MacDonald assassins...

Iain had left his Father, and his wife, alive, at the old man’s bed... Not that he did not want to kill both, but that trail of actions would derail him of any loyalties of other clans in time of need. The ride south would not be in opposition of the MacGregor, instead, in support of them against the MacDonald. Of the issue of Iain against Searc, there was always time for that...

Sleat is a large shipping and merchant center for Skye... Just as Stornoway is on Lewis, Sleat is on the Sleat peninsula. The MacDonald-South were evicted from Sleat, by siding with the English, in the Skye wars with England and lost all rights to the lucrative trade business. After years of banter and frustration, the MacDonalds now found a renewed interest as Searc and Chloestrain MacGregor were diseased and dying... the clan left heirless...

In the MacDonald-South, camps, signs of war brewed with fervor... clan mottos were issued with a bated breath... Even clans upon mainland Scotland now were being involved as rancor for the Bruce’s relinquishing the throne to the Aberdeens. Once a squabble between Iain of the Robertson and Searc of the MacGregor, now has grown into resentments long held deep as the Mo’r Triath resided.

A few days at home and Chloe was concerned in bringing Robin back to Dunsgate; there were rumors on the wind of ill will toward the MacGregor from the MacDonald and more from the mainland. In Searc’s absence, she called a clan meeting of the MacGregor, to answer questions and concerns, and was warned cryptically to beware the snake in her own household...

Vargaus had been holding court it seemed while Chloe and Searc were shuttered away with illness. As far as she could tell the ruse of plague and illness had indeed pacified most, though they were still concerned with Searc’s well being. Many were loyal to Chloe, and Ivella, in fact many owed Chloe’s acute business sense for their growing fortunes and business.

When Chloe and Searc had first married, though it was not a marriage of any real demeanor, Searc was smart enough to listen to her ideas. Chloe had been educated not only by her family but by the infamous Mistress Aramoire in business aspects, and even if he did not respect her as his wife, he did respect and often go to her for council on business aspects.

It was during those first years that Chloe and Searc had come up with a business plan for the clan to enrich their lands and holdings beyond that of which the MacGregor of Sleat had ever held before; and it had worked brilliantly. A niche filled with infused cross treading of streams of revenue and industry; perhaps a model that would indeed, begin to show other clans and even nations how commerce should work hand in hand with the land and natural resources of the region.

Sleat peninsula was home not only to fertile lands, but great natural ports, both sea and strait side; deep bays and lochs that were easy in and outs for the great ships of the MacGregor Shipping Fleet. But until now the MacGregor had been satisfied to only control the shipping and not the cargo that was shipped on the fleet. Chloe and Searc had devised a plan and put it into action, using their own monies to jumpstart the plan, loaning and buying seed, fishing boats, and livestock as well as starting two processing plants. The first endeavor was to use the natural fishing grounds of Sleat to provide a much needed commodity. In Aramadale, as well as Tarskavaig ports, fleets of small fishing boats were now on daily trips, their catch of the day brought into the new processing plants to be smoked.

Meanwhile, Chloe and Searc had secured contracts with both French and Irish, as well as the new Governor of England, to supply the nutritional and travel-well foodstock of smoked fish that would become key to the MacGregor’s new empire. The Irish were half-starved and beaten down by the recent war with the English and needed goods and food from their Scottish brethren... So it was with the fishing industry underway, the MacGregor turned their attention to farming. Sheep and cattle stocks were bought and distributed to the MacGregor clans; soon enough wool, cheese and meat from the stock were added to the shipping manifest of the MacGregor clans. Then after that, in summer and fall, fresh produce, with shipping times only days between loading and unloading in Ireland and England... all in all... The fertility of the soil and sea of Sleat was turning into a boon that brought the MacGregor’s up on par to the most affluent, influential, and powerful of the Clans, something Searc basked in… and Vargus coveted.

It was morning bright and early just after dawn, Chloe had been up for hours, mulling over the situation. The MacDonald were amassing a army, ready to move into Southern Sleat; her spies had brought her reports of it during the night. Between Dunsgate and the MacDonald, lay Cartevalle Abbey… her husband recouping there after the wounds she had inflicted upon him…

One part of her soul screamed to send out a messenger... guiding the MacDonald there to the injured and barely guarded Chieftain of the MacGregor. That would solve one of her problems and make her a widow. But as the hours had passed till dawn, she had indeed worked out in her mind that being a widow in these treacherous times would serve her nor Robin well... nor the MacGregor Clan. For without a Chieftain, a target as big and bold as the sun was painted on Robin’s back. Far too much depended on the 5 year old child.

From her window she had a good view of the lands of Dunsgate, the village and fields that were just coming into being furrowed in preparation for the spring planting season. All the people who depended on Searc and Chloe’s reign as Chieftain... all the things they had built as a people, a virtual empire... All hinged on Searc’s survival.

The northern Borderers, for almost a week, had ridden north and east, toward Kyleakin... And at the gates of the city, they made camp... their leader venturing into the city to speak with the MacDonald generals. In two days time, they would ride toward Dunsgateich and again reunite the MacDonald clan with their rightful lands...

In the MacGregor homestead, men milled around, Vargaus was busy preparing the men to ride out to meet the MacDonald. But the lands of Skye now divided as Iain Robertson, with 100 men, the combined forces of Robertson and MacLeod, rode south towards Dunsgateich...

Preludes to a clan war was building... and from Turas Lan, rode a messenger... one who carried the Mo’r Triath’s royal declaration of cessation of all hostile actions...

A day had passed since Mark had ridden out on Chloe's command. He probably thought it was because of their tryst... that she felt guild and shame... and he would be partially right, but the matter at the forefront of it was that she was taking command of the forces of the MacGregor. She would lead them to Cartervalle, and defend Searc; a move he would have never allowed under his commands from Iain to keep her safe.

A meeting of the council had been called and while they argued and debated the presence of a Woman in command, the novelty and the sheer brashness of it would indeed inspire fear in the McDonald... that the MacGregor had gone stark raving mad... and a woman who had lived through the plague now commanded an army. It was something out of myth and legend. When asked why she would risk her life in such a venture she spoke as if a ruler of nations...

"I have survived the plague, with the grace of our Lord. He has spared me, and as Chieftain’s wife of the Clan MacGregor it falls on me not only to protect my Husband... but the very land on which we live. Would God have spared me for anything less to sit and wring my hands while you are all off defending Sleat with sword and shield?? I say Nay... that I have a purpose... and so does Searc... and so do the MacGregor... and we will see our Land free and forever in the hands of the MacGregor as God and the Mo’r Traith.. have decreed... "

A rousing speech that swayed almost every fervent heart in the Clan Council... save Vargus of course, who argued against it for various reasons, but in the end it was Chloe's way with words, and her political savvy that won the day, and her suit of armor. Now they moved out, some 300 men in armor, on foot, and horseback trekking across Sleat's fertile valleys... toward the Northern Abbey where Searc lay recuperating... Wagons pulled by oxen, carrying tents and supplies... this would be a cruel war, waged by sword and shield... there were no time for mechanized weapons... no trebuchets, or catapults... no cannons... it would be man and beast against man and beast... Their hearts beat with a certainty of those who were being invaded... a righteousness of defending their country and kin... and no further inspiration was needed than the miracle of Dunsgateich returned from the dead... victorious over the plague and now sitting astride a war steed, leading the army of men to defend her ailing husband. In this light, it was a tale for the bards.. romantic and heroic.. stunning and awe inspiring... but rarely did myth and legend read well as the truth... and so the MacGregor Clan would move like pieces on a chess board to meet the oncoming McDonald...

[Lady Chloestrain MacGregor]

The thing about killing someone in the heat of passion, sans britches.. was you were always in such a hurry to gather them and your wits.. one or both were bound to fail and fall.. as it was.. his britches held as he hurried away from the scene of the crime.. disappearing into the dark.. thundering on toward Oisles Academy... and his new mission in life.. to protect the Tanist Child Robin.. but his wits.. had failed him completely, for he had not killed the hedonistic heifer that had lured him, then blackmailed him between her thighs.. no she was not as fragile as he thought.. although she would wear his fingerprints upon the base of her neck, as a reminder of his rough funking style.. she did not perish as he would have wished.. perhaps his strength had forsaken him, all dispelled in his lusty activities within Dunsgateich walls, it's Mistress and her cousins wife.. Portia..
As it played out.. Mark was long gone.. and perhaps feeling the weight of his sins, both murder and fornication.. the first unjustly so in the matter of Portia.. for she roused.. nethers still wet and sore from the pounding he had given her... none the wiser to what had happened.. indeed thinking she had fainted from sheer joy of funking the equestrian master..

All in all she was happy with his performance, but when hours later she had found that Chloe had sent him away, mission unknown.. whereabouts unknown.. she was furious.. the poor servants taking the bulk of her rage as she threw a tantrum.. wrecking her room, like a woman gone mad.. it wasn't often she was denied anything.. it was her husband that finally managed to calm her.. the servants not envying his his task.. and thinking him some worker of miracles when the door closed behind him and the screeching and breaking of objects ceased.. but in truth it was no miracle.. but a hand about her throat pinning her to the wall.. Vargus was angry.. and his wife would bear the brunt of it.

"What manner of fit is this your throwing did you hear of that bytches deceit.. she practically castrated me in front of the Clan Council.. now she is to lead the Army to Cartervalle and I'm to second her command..!" his fingers closed round her throat as always.. his temper found it's outlet upon her pale flesh.. but she did not flinch.. merely purred.. as the air was cut off from her lungs.. a sad sadistic pair perfect for each other.. his knee lifted parting her thighs and shoving cruelly and abusively against the bone there.. already sore from Colliers efforts... " I will see her and that pup of hers dead.. hopefully Searc will perish before I have to take him out as well.." he laughed as he kissed her harshly.. his lips grinding her own against her teeth until blood seeped over her tongue.. he finally released her.. turning to go to the sideboard where a bottle of whiskey was perched.. " Now that I finally know where Searc is.. I may not have to kill him.. the McDonalds may do it for me.. " he laughed harshly and lifted the bottle in salute to her " To the new Lord and Lady McGregors... my dear.. for the current ones have little time left on earth" he swigged from the bottle.. then sat it aside.. " Show your husband how much you will miss him while he is at war"

[Shyvonne MacGregor]

Shyvonne: There was plenty amounts of stares and gapping mouth to the anterouge that came with the young MacGregor to the Academy though Shyvonne had introduced Kane and his men as the new security over the grounds. Robin had settled in fine under his assumed name and the gaps and stares still followed to have a dignity son attending the school, visiting from abroad no less but Shyvonne had given a fine speech at Breakfast to still any thoughts of roughhousing with the new students and the importance of society of peers rather then standing alone. At the Academy, Shyvonne became a totally different person. She took charge, problems came to her and they each were dealt with respect regardless of how silly it seemed. She did not whine nor pout at not being the center of attention for surely she wasn't when problems were dealt with behind the scenes but she was kinder and gentler to the students and the staff. Their lives giving hers a breath a fresh air. Every day some of the older students went to the dining hall rather then take their free period to have a lecture session with her. There was a glow in her face to know her opinion of them and their thoughts were so highly regarded. Despite the abundance of new people the household did not miss a beat, Liaden kept everything in order with her staff of seven and Una though complaining some, kept the kitchen busy twenty-four seven with her own staff of five. For a few days Shyvonne had managed not to bump into Kane keeping busy with lecture, meals and time in her office. Said door opened only a short time before the evening meal and Leigha, who had been the one person happy to have Kane here having gotten along with him since she herself grew up in the MacGregor household, emerged carrying papers and turning to wait for Shyvonne who was not far off with the Capuchin monkey William on her shoulder, his tail curled around her neck with hands on her shoulder he perched. A favorite of the school and beloved pet of Shyvonne. "Leigha, please let Una know I've approved her list for shopping tomorrow, and Liaden needs to know she missed rooms seven and twelve on the teachers floor for candles. I don't want the teachers or Kane's men to go without light and get hurt. and let Lisa Bell know she is off punishment only after she helps Liaden and her crew with laundry tomorrow. Better to remember no crime goes without punishment." Leigha nodded smiling the whole time as they talked and walked, scribbling on her notes. "Yes my Lady.." she murmured and continued on as Shyvonne headed upstairs to freshen up before dinner.

Kane: Kane and his men were never far from Robin nor Shyvonne.. settled upon the walls of the school.. some out a few miles in all directions from the school should any venture near.. they moved in twelve hour shifts.. it seemed.. all but Kane.. he was never not around.. at least it seemed that way.. always near.. both Robin and Shyvonne.. silent but near ever watching.. since the night they had arrived he had hardly said three words to her, keeping his distance in speech but not proximity.. she was his charge as was Robin and neither of them would go without his surveillance for long.. so it was that when she left her office, monkey on her back and all.. he would dutifully follow.. some paces behind.. clad in dark tunic pants and boots.. he was like a death knight on the prowl.. or so some of the older girls at the Academy and not a few of the Lady Teachers had whispered about the silent yet.. undeniable handsome man that followed after the headmistress and the new student..(d)

Shyvonne:"Honestly Kane, even if you don't trust my teachers, I do. You don't need to follow me" She stopped on the stairs to turn and look at him. William tail unwrapped and he turned, using Shyvonne head as a hang on to look at who she was talking to. He let out a screech as he wrapped his tail around Shyvonne neck and held on with it to roll over her shoulder and into her arms as she brought them up to cradle him with a laugh. "Oh you poor little thing, just look at you, so cowardly" She cooed down at the monkey who grinned at her as if he understood. Raising her hand, he rose to and curled over her shoulder again, hunched as if sitting on a short branch of a tree. "Was there something you needed?" A singular brow rose as she passed the second level and continued up the stairs to the third floor and the wing for teachers and herself, the very end of the hall and biggest sitting room and bedroom out of the whole castle.

Kane: He merely crossed his arms and gave her the undaunted look of an automaton.. " I have responsibility to see to your security and I will do so.. " the words were a bit callus and cold, and showed not of the affection nor kidding he had offered her before.. as if to recall her own words to mind.. he added " Mistress MacGregor " not calling her by her given name nor even little one.. though they were quite alone, save of course the grinning ape in her arms.. no sooner than they arrived at her door did Hamish Appear to relive him.. had she even noticed that Kane had been every where she had been for over 24 hours now.. outside her doors shadowing her in the halls.. it was a silent exchange between the men.. as Kane took his leave.. turning his back on her and Hamish as he retraced his steps back down the flights of stairs to the second story where he and his men were roomed.. He wanted nothing more than a hot bath, a cigar and a bottle of whiskey.. and to strangle that woman.. Shyvonne.

Shyvonne: She stopped by her door, clasping her hands in front of her body as she turned to look at him. Waiting to see if there was an answer to her question. Was there something he needed? Oh she could just slap that look right off his face, she had asked politely he respect the laws of the school that she laid out. It was for the reputation of the school did he not understand that! Her lips pursed tight as Hamish appeared and Kane disappeared to his own rooms. William screeched at her shoulder and she turned an annoyed look at the monkey. "Hold on to your tail for a moment. Don't raise your voice at me." As he shrank against her shoulder she hummed in a laugh and opened the door a smidge to let the monkey in. "You don't have to stand guard Hamish, supper will be ready soon, everyone should be gathering and I shall be down in a moment." She all ready had troubling nightmares, with guard at her door every night now it felt like doom was a doorslam away. She was begging him in a way for just a moment of peace.

Kane: "I cannot milady Kane would skin me fine and dandy.. I'll just wait outside your doorway while you do your Lady things" Hamish was tryin to be respectful.. but lacked in social graces thinking her going to her rooms to use the chamberpot before supper.. he looked at the little monkey and couldn't' help but smile thinking the wee thing quite the cats meow.. he would love to have one hiself.. looked like a little man it did.. Meanwhile Kane had slouched down into a waiting hot bath.. smoking a cigar and sipping whiskey.. as he tried and relaxed, to take his mind off Shyvonne and her high flaunting ways... she irked him to no end.. he should have Told Ivella to Send someone else.. refused the task.. he cursed darkly " To hell with her " he lifted the whiskey once again.. to his lips looking over at his clothing laid out on the bed that he would wear to dinner.. spying the once dark purple ribbon that now had faded to a lighter shade over the years.. it had fallen from her hair when she had jumped the stream.. falling and breaking her wrist.. it had been days later he found it.. and it stayed with him always.. stupid fool of a man.. " You a stupid fool Kane.. a stupid fool " he muttered as he downed the rest of the whiskey.

Shyvonne: Her face twisted at his wording but she did not turn her nose down at him for his less then sociable wording. She merely grinned through strained and nodded her head. "Well I wouldn't tell anyone if you didn't" She teased with a wink as she flicked the door open and stepped inside. "I'll only be a moment" She spoke before closing the door behind her. True to her word, she only was a few minutes before she emerged with the dark green dress of wool to her usual flashy show of purple and blue satins. She liked to be comfortable after dinner when she saw the students off to bed before finding her own if only to finish off work in the privacy other then her office. Her hair had been unbound where it had been mostly pinned up and curled around one shoulder, now it fanned darkly against the dark green. William screamed again and she sighed holding the door open to let him out as he scampered up the door and then jumped to her shoulder. "You're spoiled" She spoke to the monkey before following Hamish down to supper. Leigha was coming to the door with a tray as she passed and she stopped to give her a quizzical look. "For Kane, he watched over you so long now, thought I would relieve him of having to come downstairs" Leigha replied sheepishly. Shyvonne pursed her lips and gave a low growl which had William leaping from her shoulder to Leigha. "Give it to me, you didn't even get to eat lunch with everything today. I'll take it upstairs. I'm not very hungry as is. Hamish eat, I'm only going to Kane room and if you fear Kane's lashing, fear my skinning your hide for a new pair of boots." She muttered as she took the tray and turned on her heels. oh Leigha had offered but that didn't irritate her less for she knew Leigha was right and Kane was to stupid to realize she could protect herself. He was going to kill himself just watching out for her. She stomped up the stairs and did not even bother to knock, focusing on balancing the tray as she pushed the door open and breezed on in. "Supper is coming to you tonight, no need to wear yourself out more by going downstairs to eat."

Kane: He had just risen from the tub.. his feet still in it up to his knees.. and from her vantage point she would see his form in all it's glory from the back... and it would be his back that perhaps shocked her most.. from shoulder to hip it was criss crossed in lash marks long healed.. but wicked looking none the less.. just the sight made many a grown man cringe.. for when they were fresh and new.. few could have survived such a lashing.. much less that of a 11 year old boy... at her words.. he turned dropping into the tub with a splash.. " Shyvonne what the hell.. don't' you knock ?" he growled.. the cigar dropping from his mouth into the water.. almost comically he scooped it out.. mourning it's loss.. he was only half through with it.. " Your supposed to be at dinner.. Milady McGregor " the cold tone returned once he had submerged himself up to his hips covering himself from her eyes.. god in heavens she was trying to make him strangle her.

Shyvonne: "oh" She uttered in a soft gasp and then a louder "OH!" As her eyes registered him naked. Whirling around, the contents of the tray clattered together and remarkably did not spill as she turned her back on him, her mouth screwing up as if she were witnessing a lashing first hand. "I'm sorry!" She shrieked and kicked her foot as she closed her eyes. "I didn't think you would be in the tub!" She retorted sharply as she once again stared at the door amidst the splashing that told her he was back in the water. "I won't turn around until your properly clothed but I can't well open the door with a loaded tray, it was hard enough coming in the door. The water gets cold quickly around here, drafty castle and all..." She idly kicked her foot as she waited. "I brought dinner to you, Leigha says you have been at watch for twenty-four hours. There was no need to tire yourself out more by coming downstairs."

Kane: More splashing and he was out of the tub once more, hastily drying off and sliding into his pants.. once they were buttoned " You can turn now.. " he assured her.. pulling on his shirt.. before she could get another glimpse of his back.. settling on the edge of the bed.. he lifted one knee and began to pull on his socks.. " I wasn't aware that you cared Milady " he brow lifted slightly in irritation.. " Leave it on the table.." he nodded to a small table by the fire.. " Where the hell is Hamish?" he stood now in sock feet stalking toward the door to look outside , his face a thundercloud of anger that Hamish was no where to be seen.

Shyvonne: "Despite all our arguing and irritation of one another, I do care about you Kane." She spoke without turning around until he told her too. He had put on his shirt but that did not erase the sight of the scars on his back from her mind. Crossing the floor, she slid the tray onto the table and then folded her hands in front of herself as she silently grinned to her triumph in scaring Hemish enough not to follow despite Kane anger at it. "I threatened to turn his skin into a new pair of boots if he didn't stay downstairs and eat something. You push your men to hard and besides, I was coming here. There was no reason to follow me to further protection once I was here." She closed her mouth then and only opened it again when he was about to step in water on the floor, splashed from the tub no doubt. "Watch it!" She warned taking a step forward as she spoke.

Kane: He turned back to her closing the door behind him "He'll be lucky to have enough skin to turn to boots once I'm done with him " he growled.. seeing her self serving grin.. " Do you see what your doing... I've played by your rules Dammit.. calling you by your Title.. staying 10 paces away.. not interrupting your schedule.. but now you undermine my orders with my men on the whim of you smile ?" he was angry with her.. at her.. when she called out to watch he.. he lightly stepped over the water.. moving to where he had dropped his towel and tossed it over the puddle.. still on the bed, his doublet.. and overcoat.. and the purple ribbon with the pink roses embroidered on it.. as well as her initials.. faded long time from it's original beauty.. after many years of being carried with him.

Shyvonne: "He listened to me, you have no cause to be angry with him. If you wish to be angry with me then fine but I did not need a shadow to bring you dinner. Did you expect me to be attacked between the dining hall and here? It is not that long of a distance I assure you." again her hands folded in front of her as she moved around the tubs other side from the water, tiptoeing to puddles on the other side as well. "An you wonder why we do not get along, because your always so angry and sour." She retorted not answering his question, she found no wrong in what she had done. Spying his eyes going to the bed, she moved in the intent to collect his doublet and overcoat when she spied the ribbon. She released the doublet and the coat back onto the bed and plucked up the ribbon, her thumb running over the embroidered roses and initials. Faded with years of being carried away and friction of cloth where he had kept it hidden. Her frown puckered as she turned to hold it out at him. "Where did you get this? I lost it when I...fell.." the words poured slowly from her lips as she turned mossy green eyes now with black pupils as wide as cats eyes. "how long have you had this?"

Kane: He scowled seeing her pick it up, and his swarthy skin blushed slightly.. for a moment he didn't' say anything.. " A few days or so after " he didn't lie.. never had.. granted from time to time he just didn't' offer the truth.. but never an outright lie.. his voice was gruff.. as he eyed his treasure that now resided back in her hands.. for once he was without words.. then he turned from her moving toward the tray of dinner.. though his mind was not on it... at all... how to explain to her why.. he hoped she would not ask.. but when had she ever done what he hoped.. the answer to that was never... " Have you eaten.. there is enough here for ten men " and exaggeration perhaps but maybe it would sway her from the subject of the ribbon.

Shyvonne: He answered as least one part but not the other and for a moment she was thankful he had not for she felt her cheeks flushing with the asking all ready. Winding the ribbon, when his back was turned, she put it inside his coat within the pocket. If asked, she would never really have an answer of why she gave it back. Perhaps it kept it as a reminder that once she had been hurt by his proding. She didn't know and now was glad he didn't answer, unsure she wanted to know the truth. "For as long as you've had those scars?" She questioned as she turned to join him at the table though food had been a mere pin prick before, it was nonexistent now. "Will you at least tell me where you suffered those?" She shook her head to eating but waved a hand off to food as she took the pitcher of wine and poured him a glass and then one for herself before taking a seat across from him.

Kane: "aye they go hand in hand " he spoke as she handed him the wine.. waiting for her to sit before he did.. " Tis not a story for a Lady's ears " he tried to change the subject as he cut up some of the food and begin to divide it onto the bread plate.. a portion for her.. cutting and buttering a piece of fresh bread as well for her.. " You have to eat.. you used to eat as much as the boys " he chuckled.. " now your as skinny as a stray " he was hoping to get her off the subject of him and somewhere else.. " Robin seems to be ... settling in well.. I think Lady Chloestrain will be pleased with your care of him... "

Shyvonne: Rearranging her skirts, she took a sip from her cup and watched him shifting the food around. She snorted some into the cup and cleared her throat as she set the goblet to her thigh. Much as she was laughing at his statement of how she used to eat, it was now weighing heavy on her that his scars were because Searc had beat him for her broken wrist. Another reason to hate her brother. Idly she wondered through any memories to find one where she had loved him simply because and not had to. "That's what happens when you become a woman, stuffed into corsets, you begin to eat like sparrows better to show off those child bearing hips" She teased with a smile and idly shrugged. "Robin is the age he should of been enrolled to school to begin with, not under an assumed name. He needs boys his own age and education to further his ever growing mind though I am sure Lady Chloe misses him. I wish their actions would be cause to punish only them but I fear they have condemned innocence in the process for surely they have not learned from their misdeeds but strive to make new ones. I support them for my mothers sake, and the peoples." She picked at a piece of buttered bread but none of it went to her mouth, more like the small pieces were pinched into balls and made into a pyramid atop the original.

Kane: "you still do that?" he asked watching her build her pyramids with the balled bread and butter.. " Ever since you saw the pyramids in Searc's books.. you did that.. I think you were all of 4 when you saw the illustrations.. " he chuckled and watched her creation as he ate.. the food was good, hearty and simple fair.. just as he preferred it.. once done he leaned back and regarded her over his wine glass... " The things that passed between Chloe and Searc are things of nightmares.. no woman.. nor man should be subject to such things.. that is the reason ones passions have to be tightly reigned and kept under control.. " it was perhaps one of the few times he had uttered the truth behind his self imposed celibacy... " They were unequally yoked from the beginning.. it was bound to end badly... as for Robin.. well.. you and I will see he comes to no harm.. for you are right he is an innocent in all this.. " he lifted his glass to drink once more.. stretching his neck from side to side as if he had a ache or the exhaustion of the past few days was catching up to him.

Shyvonne: Her brow lifted as he marveled at her and she shook her head, silently wondering what he was talking about before she let out a laugh "Yeah, I uh, its become a habit" She offered and wiped her hand on a napkin before sitting back in her chair and let out a sigh. "Yeah, nightmares I am plagued with because of them. It's unfair no?" Her hand passed through her hair drawing the ringlets back behind her shoulders though she had to grin at his wisdom. "You think a mans passion makes him a danger?" She shook her head waving off the question. She didn't want to know the answer and did NOT want to be discussing passions with Kane of all people. They were at least getting along for once. One step at a time. "It was a very bad match from the beginning but you know Searc, what is his...none will stand in his way of taking back what is his, good or bad." She sniffed and unladylike rubbed a hand against her nose as his head lulled side to side. Slowly she unwound herself from the chair "Yes, Robin will not come to any harm with the protection he has here." Slowly she rose from her chair. "You're tired and I've lingered far to long. Get some sleep Kane, I'll not make any more of your men defy your orders tonight" She smiled though it wasn't a joke.

Kane: He stood as she rose.. always the gentleman.. not really, but she had his respect.. he grasp her arm as she passed him.. his thumb moving over the scar on her wrist lightly as he pulled her into him " I believe anyone's passions.. can be dangerous.. " dark gray eyes smoldered with unspoken words as he held her lightly captive, his thumb stroking softly over her pulse that jumped beneath it suddenly.. he smiled his other hand lifting to push through her dark curls.. and from the ringlets he pluck out a little piece of seed or shell her pet had left there earlier.. bringing it before her he laughed.. " I shall escort you to your room... it's my duty and if you wish.. watch over while you sleep and slay your nightmares before they visit you " the world had grown smaller.. it seemed.. nothing existed outside this room for the moment...

Shyvonne: "oh you know me Kane, I attract dangerous like bees to honey" She mused in small tease that was so minimal as he held her wrist in his hand and traced the half moon scar on her wrist. She both hated and loved that scar. It reminded her she was breakable but it also reminded her, nothing was out of grasp when one worked hard enough. It had taken her months to heal but when she tried again to jump the creek bed, she had done it and hadn't fallen off hadn't she? Fingers curled into her palm as she stood as still as a breath as he moved his hand to her hair and when he showed her the little bit of something, she laughed as well. "William!" She hissed but she couldn't stay mad at the monkey for long. A knock sounded at the door before she could answer and she smiled again as if saved from whatever she was going to say. "Ah, saved by the knock, you need rest. I insist you rest tonight, please, for my sake. That's my escort right there and Leigha can bed with me tonight in case there is...trouble of nightmares." Slowly she untangled her arm from his grasp. "Pleasant dreams Kane. For once sleep well." She backed to the door and opened it as it opened from whoever was on the other side. "Hamish, I hope you ate well to stay awake so Kane can sleep." she took the guards arm and dipped her head at Kane. "Sweet Dreams"