Mark and the Oisles Academy

[Men of Skye]

Introductions

The whole way to Oisles Academy, Mark thought of nothing but Chloe and Portia... fornication and death !!! How could he live with himself? With Chloe? How could he see her and Iain together, knowing full well... he and her...? His teeth ground together in angst. Murder in Skye... death sentence... especially murder of passion... He visualized his head on the chopping block. What had he done? How would he save Robin, if he is found out?

Save Robin? Soon he would be at Oisles Academy... “No plan now... do later...” he thought. Damn his mind... it veered right back to Chloe. How the hell did he wind up having sex with his Lord’s woman? He shook his head, and pulled the reins back on the horse. Outside the gate of the Academy, he leaned over and rang the bell hanging upon the gates’ wall foundation.

CLANG, CLANG... Then Mark sat straight in the saddle and watched the door.

When the front door opened, the doorman, Iomhar MacCaluim, who appeared, though from a distance, his graying head could not be mistaken and he squinted to see who was at the gate in the distance. Waving from inside, he pointed to the gate and two men appeared stepping around Iomhar to begin the trek down the drive to meet the guest at the gate.

As they reached the gate, they made no move to open it, yet. "What business do you have at Oisles?" [/b]One of them spoke with hand on the hilt of his sword.

From behind the gate, a voice spoke... “Tis Mark Collier, Guardian of Lady Chloestrain MacGregor, to see M’Lady Shyvonne MacGregor, upon orders from M’Lady for Master Robin...” [/b][/color]

When Mark explained he was here for Robin, both exchanged looks and the first ushered his head to the other who retreated and began to work his way back up to the Academy ahead of them to go let Kane know there were persons inquiring to Robin.

"Best not mention that to anyone but the Lady Shyvonne MacGregor you here?" [/b] The first cautioned as the gate was unlocked and pulled open to allow Mark access into the yard. "Off your horse, walk it from here and I'll be needing any weapons you carry on you before you're even allowed inside." [/b] The guard spoke as he shut the gate and put the lock back into place.

Mark canted his head and looked at the men as he hefted one leg over the saddle and stepped to the ground. Taking the reins in one hand, he unbuckled the swordbelt and handed it to the guard. Mark would feel naked, save the bootknife stuck inside his boot. Leading the horse inside, he pushed its rump aside to allow the gate to be closed.

When they reached the Academy, Iomhar was still waiting while the second guard had headed inside. "Well?" He questioned in his dark, never laughing or teasing tone. Ever dry. "Here to see Shyvonne." [/b] The guard answered for Mark while a hand came to take care of Mark's horse.

"Very well"[/b] Iomhar replied as he led the two of them inside. "She is giving her lecture in the Dining hall, you both can go inside and wait for her to finish, Don't interrupt her." [/b] Iomhar warned as he closed the door behind them and gestured the guard to lead Mark in the right direction. The guard in turn led Mark past the stairs and to the doors which had been left open to the Dining hall.

Mark nodded at their behest and followed the guard, then looked to where the man indicated, again nodding. As he entered the hall, he stood by the entrance against the wall, daring not to interrupt the Lady.

Shyvonne who had been in the middle of a speech stopped to regard them both, her mossy green eyes with black pupils as large as cats seemed to sparkle and then silently her eyes went to chairs and then back to the gathering of students all within fifteen to seventeen years of age who were also turning their attention back to her.

As Mark stood by the wall, he was a bit shocked and amazed, as the preconception of Lady Shyvonne, was an older woman, chubby, with binding clothes, unkempt hair with thick glasses. But to his amazement, she was young, slim, and beautiful. As her calm green eyes indicated to him silent instructions, he nodded and sat down at a nearby chair and listened...

"So, back to the lesson at hand. Anger, one attribute of human kind that we cannot live without nor is any human, without. Does this mean society is doomed to throw anger into a mix of bad decisions and wrong choices where wrong on wrong makes even more of a mess? Lets face it, young men and women. No one will ever say that two wrongs make a right and those that would support you making a mistake off of another, are usually in it for some kind of gain. So what can we do to correct this? What sets us apart from the animal world? Our brethren from sea to forest?" [/b]

Oh wonderful... she was speaking of anger, right and wrong... Mark just glanced at the floor, then back to her. She did not know about the sexual antics with Chloe and Portia, nor the anger that he imposed upon Portia... So why should he feel guilty? [i/] Because he was...

She paused to look around her gathering of students and then tapped her mind and then her chest. "Our minds, our hearts.... our emotions. Each creature shares a mind, shares a heart and has the ability to feel emotion, except..." [/b]

To this she lifted a single finger... "The emotion of right and wrong, of guilt. This is both a gift and a curse. The animal kingdom has its own set of laws and rules which do not apply to us until we step into their world. Wolves are known to take ONE mate, for life. Now, to get that mate they need to fight off perhaps three or four more of their brothers for the privilege of that mate. Three or four...our world is different, men bid for their women, a bride price, which goes to the highest bidder in high society and the lower society, is less restrained but no different. Now how is this a curse for us? Because just like the wolf pack, each animal race has an alpha, a top male who rules over their pack, as we do our clans. With the animal kingdom, the alpha can be challenged, if he loses, the winner takes his place and the pack accepts it and moves on, however, with the human race, the alpha or clan leader is it for life, until killed and the next in line takes his place. There is also deceit and lies, there is plots for murder to overthrow because each male feels he would be in better position for something not his. Why? some do it for power, others wealth. Can any of us say though we have met a ruler who stooped low for the good of the people? So I leave you to ponder with this closing. Our greatest assets in life are our mind and our emotions. When rage blinds us, it is not our eyes that do not see but our minds that close to all logic and reason to what we consider to be right with the knowledge we were given. We are given knowledge for a reason, only you, as people, as individuals can use that for the salvation or destruction of the people around you." [/b]

Again Mark glanced at the floor... silently he mused himself as she spoke of right and wrong... guilt... Oh he was an expert in guilt right about now... Emotions? Oh yeah he had quite a few of late... then he looked back at the teacher.

As the students applauded and stood. She smiled and nodded her head. "You are dismissed until your next class and we'll discuss this lecture tomorrow." [/b]

Mark stood and applauded at the lecture...

She waited until each student as gone and the doors were shut behind them to turn to the two men not students left in the room. "I see Oisles has a visitor"[/b] She offered with a smile as hands clasped before her and she turned her attention to the guard... "Leave us..." [/b] and then Mark. "What brings you here?" [/b]

Mark and the guard now stood against the wall, and as the teacher approached and commented, Mark smiled and bowed slight... He looked to the guard as he was dismissed and quickly back to Shyvonne... “M’Lady... I am Mark Collier, first to Lord Robertson... Guardian to Lady Chloestrain... She instructed me to come here and has assigned me Master Robin’s personal safety. Much is amiss and she felt I would better serve Master Robin here...” [/b]

Mark was unaware of what Chloe was actually planning; assuredly, he would have refused to leave her had he known... “I am sure he is very safe here with you, but I have my orders, M’Lady...” [/b] handing her the letter from Chloe... it must have been some cryptic code, for Chloe would not have sent the information in the clear, should Mark been captured... but as far as Mark knew, it was just a plain letter assigning him to Oisles Academy with Master Robin...

He could not take his eyes off the beautiful Shyvonne... entranced... captivated... whatever the word, he was!! “Ummm, Rob... Robin, how is he? Tis been months since I saw him last...” [/b] and before Robin’s arrival at Oisles, he had been with Mark almost everyday... The man had been more of a Father to the boy than Iain or Searc... Despite no blood relation, Robin, and Iain, called him Uncle Mark... for the boy’s sake... [/color]

She waited with a patient smile for him to introduce himself. When he said he was first to Lord Robertson, her head tilted a bit to the side in confusion and a brow lifted. "First to Lord Robertson?" [/b] Her lips pursed as her hands folded in front of her. Was he a Robertson man then? Did her brother know, she doubted it and she doubted Mark had meant to say so, surely he knew she was Searc sister? How could he know he could trust her with such information? Still she kept any hint that this knowledge was potentially dangerous in her hands and continued. "Guardian to Lady Chloe I knew. My sister in law has mentioned you before." [/b] Moss green eyes slid down to the letter he held out and ever so slowly as if she were calculating each move, she took it and tapped it against the open palm of her other hand. "I see"[/b] She answered simply as her eyes left his to look to the corner for a moment then back at him where she saw Kane flicker into her vision and then back into the shadows. So her shadow had arrived. She had been wondering where he was.

His eyes were focused upon the ground, and not at her... “Yes M’Lady... I serve both... formerly Lord Robertson, then Lady Chloe... and now I have been reassigned to Master Robin, and you in trust I believe...” [/b] He had looked at her and saw her eyes glance to the side, and he too looked, then refocused back upon the ground, his concern was upon the shadowed man. [/color]

The smile flickered onto her lips again as he mentioned Robin. She had heard of how the Collier man had taken a shine to the boy more then his father ever had. Shyvonne was not stupid and had called into question many times the legitimate claims of her nephew to her brother. Not that she was accusing Chloe of being a slut and never did her opinions go past Leigha but how could her brother not have a more active role in his son’s life unless in fact Robin was not a replica of his father.

"He is quite well and enjoying school but for the sake of keeping him safe, my mother Ivella and I both agreed he needed to assume a new identity why he is here so those that would see him harmed, knows not that he is here. He is known as the son of a foreign dignity, Marcus Henry"[/b] She paused as the bell in the tower tolled an voices began to fill the halls as class let out and the children began to make their way to the next one.

“Marcus Henry? I shall remember that...” [/b]he glanced up then back down... “How shall I fit in then?” [/b][/color]

"Come with me to the gardens. Marcus will be on his free period next and I shall arrange for you two to see each other again." [/b] She tipped her head and moved out into the hall, weaving between the kids who called good day to her until she reached Leigha. "Could you see that Marcus is brought to the gardens? His class riding class with Sergio should just of gotten out." [/b] Leigha smiled and nodded before weaving through the kids to do as Shyvonne bid. With a smile she bid Mark to follow her out the back doors to the larger gardens fanning out across the grounds.

Anyone could see the aura about Mark as the Lady told him he could see Robin... His eyes now looked around, no longer to the ground.

"While you are here, you will need to assume a new name. Should those who wish my family harm realize Mark Collier is here, they will also assume Robin is here and to maintain with the students that Robin is who we say he is, it is better if you assume a new name." [/b] As she walked with him down the stone paths, she continued to pat Chloe letter against her palm. "I shall make sure rooms are prepared for you while you visit with Marcus, the whole staff and student body all take breakfast, lunch and dinner together. The children are given an hour of free time after dinner to do homework or study and then it is lights out. I shall make sure Leigha gets a teacher’s guide to you, it contains a list of do's and don'ts. Most importantly, there is no inappropriate behavior between the staff or the staff and students here. It is strictly enforced and I hope you understand, despite the reasons why you are here, you will maintain a professional manner while at the school or I will dismiss you without a second thought to it regardless of Chloe instructions that you are to guard Marcus. My mother Ivella has all ready assigned a whole mess of guards to him, I will not condone one more but nor will I have you make a mockery of my school." [/b]

TaskMaster !! That was the nicest adjective he could find to describe the woman... Such beauty, and such a... well, yu know... first impressions. He nodded, and when she looked the other way to give instructions, he just shrugged.

She paused to turn a look at him, Shyvonne was many things, a spoiled rotten open mouthed brat to be exact but she was most importantly, head mistress of the Academy and saving its reputation was her main priority besides the students. "You need to find a place for you here, while Marcus is in class, I see no reason for you to be guarding over him. It takes a lot to house and feed the staff here and you are no exception. They all pull their weight around here and I expect you to as well." [/b] She offered with an indignant lift of her chin just as a "UNCLE MARK!!" split the silence and Robin came sprinting across the gardens.

“M’Lady, I swear, I shall not...” [/b]then he heard Robin’s voice... distinctly with his title associated with the voice... He smiled bright and looked at the boy running to him. Mark knelt down just as the boy shot into his arms. “Master Ro.. er Marcus... tis good to see you again. I’ve missed ya...” [/b] He kissed the boy’s neck and rose, hefting the boy as he looked at Shyvonne. [/color]

Shyvonne smiled as she took a step back and nodded her head. "I'll allow you two to catch up, he does have studying to do so please do not keep him long. Feel free to wonder until dinner." [/b] She took a step back and then another. Turning to walk away, she paused after a few feet and turned. "And Mister Collier, I expect to see you at lecture tomorrow afternoon." [/b]

Mark smiled and nodded... “Come MiLord, let us walk together... “[/b] and he set the boy down and took his hand as they began to walk...

Her words went in one ear and out the other, his entire focus now upon Robin... and as they walked away, their conversation was one a father and son would have... with messages from mother and inquiries on school. [/color]

Shyvonne watched them walk away catching bits of their conversation as they went and smiled though, in the back of her mind, she was wondering at the way they conversed. As if father and son, when not even Searc and Robin had that relationship. Her head tilted so that she looked first at Robin's features and then Mark's. She could see no similarities but nor could she see any between Robin and the Searc of her memory. This brought a frown against her lips as she began to again tap the letter against her hand. Remembering then it was there she moved to a stone bench and slid upon it to break Chloe seal and scan the letter.

Shyvonne had a fondness for her sister in law and in their short time together, had developed a way to write letters no one else would understand, coded as they were the only two able to distinguish what was within. The letter detailed Mark's reassignment to the school and guarding Robin, her most prized possession. It detailed her longing for her son but also the knowledge he was in good hands and in so many words, spoke of an action to protect Searc life which was in danger and thus Mark's reassignment as he would not approve of what she, Chloe, was doing. This made Shyvonne frown deeper. Chloe was a smart woman, driven and Shyvonne could fathom several things Chloe could do in protecting her husband, none of them good. Her eyes rose from the letter to watch Mark and Robin together and grinning again.

"Oh, he is a handsome one"[/b] A voice sounded behind her and Shyvonne slid on the bench to look behind her at Leigha. With a huff of a sigh, she shrugged but grinned at her assistant and lady in waiting. "So is that Kane." [/b] Leigha voiced as she slid to sit beside Shyvonne. [/color] William the monkey jumped from Leigha shoulder to Shyvonne lap and Shyvonne hummed a laugh as she offered her hand to the curious little creature.

"Are they? I hadn't noticed"[/b] She teased the girl who had been with her since they were both children. Leigha knew Shyvonne as well as William (the monkey's namesake), her lifelong friend did. How she missed her friend but she understood his reason for leaving. Searc. He had belittled the young man so much when he had asked for Shyvonne's hand, that there really was no reason to stay. He would prove Searc wrong! He had angrily stated and then had left Shyvonne there. Part of her understood, part of her felt abandoned.

"Trouble?" [/b] Leigha asked throwing off Shyvonne tease. She knew her mistress too well. [/color]

"I don't know"[/b] Shyvonne answered honestly. "I am not even sure how to broach it with the staff and yet I feel the need to let them know there might be danger in store for the future but Chloe obviously doesn't want Mark there beside her doing whatever it is she is doing and I fear saying to much will mean he will disobey his orders and go after her." [/b] As she spoke she folded the letter and set it on her lap again.

"Shyvonne, you are smart. You will find a way to relay the dangers as well as asserting the wishes laid down by the Lady Chloe." [/b] Leigha responded both truthfully and telling Shyvonne what she wanted to hear. [/color]

"Leigha, I fear for our Academy. Behind the walls nothing can seem to touch us but there are shadows; shadows I can not place nor name that linger outside the gates. Sooner or later, they will find a way past the gates." [/b] Shyvonne frowned as she spoke to her only friend left. She did not like the idea of danger to her school, mainly in protection of her staff and students.

"Shyvonne, let your star be your guide." [/b] As Leigha spoke she reached for the North Star pendant around Shyvonne neck with the blue stone in the middle. It had been with Shyvonne since before she could remember; even Leigha could not remember a time Shyvonne did not wear it. "You are a beckon, as it is, whatever comes, you will still be a beckon people will flock to. You are strong, as all MacGregor women are. You are scared now but only because you do not know what is to come. When you do, you will fall into action. I am sure of it." [/b][/color]

Shyvonne sighed as she took Leigha hand into her own. It was then the bell rang for dinner. Shifting on the bench, she looked towards Mark and Robin then back at Leigha. "Let the teachers and staff know there will be a meeting after dinner. At least I have an hour to figure out what to say..." [/b] She rose from her seat, signaling to Mark and Robin that the dinner bell was toiling and they should come before she turned with William on her shoulder to make her way back inside. The light had not left Shyvonne face at the sight of her school but still the frown that pulled at her lips spoke of trouble. She would face this meeting head on but did not doubt the nightmares that would plague her tonight.

Robin had excitedly explained all the things that had occurred of late, bringing Uncle Mark up to date on his long life. Mark would smile and walk hand-in-hand with the lad. Robin even explained about the pretending he was someone else... and how momma had told him, no matter what anyone said, he was to remain Markus until momma had told him it was okay to be Robin again. Mark would smile... “I think I shall play too... what shall my name be?” [/b] [/color]Robin laughed... “Mud, if’n ya get caught...” [/b] That unexpected comment made Mark laugh... both erupting into laughter.

As the two laughed and teased, off in the distance, a dinner bell was being rung... “Yahoo... food !!” [/i][/b]Robin exclaimed and then began to tug on Uncle Mark’s hand... “Yu eat now, or ya don’t eat... lets go...” [/b] And then the two started toward the building.

Robin caught Mark’s eyes as he looked across the courtyard at Shyvonne, an odd smile upon his face. “oooo, I see ya looking Uncle Mark... but Lady MacGregor is tuff... an’ strict... she’ll pay ya no mind...” [/b] he teased and started walking backwards, one finger rubbing across his other. “Careful boy... yu’ll fall, or I’ll bust yer butt...” [/b] then Mark winked and made a circular motion with his finger to turn around and walk right. “Right nice looking woman...” he thought silently. [/color]

At the doors she waited for Mark and Robin to catch up. With a grin at the boy, she gave a swat to his bottom, not hard but playful and teasing. "All right, go catch up with your fellows at the table while I talk to your uncle." [/b] She watched Robin go before turning to Mark and gesturing her head that he should follow her inside. "Have you chosen a name to go by?" [/b] She questioned as she moved inside and shut the doors and locked them. No one else would be going to the gardens tonight if she could help it. "I am having a meeting with the staff and teachers tonight so they will know your real name and the reason you're here. I trust them with my life so I will trust them with the truth but for the students sake your chosen name will be used for now. I want you to attend the meeting; it concerns you as well as the school. In fact any meetings from now on, I think you should attend, for the good of Marcus. I understand why you are here and probably at this point know more than you do but you must understand my position, as much as I love my nephew, I also love my students just as much." [/b]

Mark watched the interaction between the Head Mistress and the boy. Waving to the boy, he canted his head toward the woman listening. “Yes M’Lady... My name shall be Tomas Mudd... I am sure I will get a lot of attention being the new person here, so what better way to divert interest as to have an odd English name...” [/b] he smiled... “Besides it was partially Rob... er Marcus’ idea...” [/b] then he began to explain how he got the idea. Nodding, he agreed to the meeting and again nodded to her comments. Mark was not a man of many words... usually short and to the point. [/color]

As they passed the students making their way into the dining hall she paused. When some of the older girls saw Mark next to her, they grinned and giggled. "Girls..." [/b] Shyvonne cautioned with a slit of her eyes in their direction in warning. The girls all blushed and ducked their heads under the watchful eye of the Head Mistress whispering as they moved on. "She's so lucky, all these handsome men around her." [/b] One of them whispered to the other and the gaggle of girls looked back, giggled and continued on. Shyvonne groaned with a shake of her head and nodded her head towards the hall.

“Oh the joys of youth...” he thought as he caught the girls watching him and heard her silently reprimand the girls... All he could do was watch the younglings as they continued. His attention quickly brought back to Shyvonne.

"Una should have rearranged the seats so that you can join the rest of the new guards at their table. Unfortunately, you cannot sit at the high board with me and the rest of the teachers as you are not one and I don't want the students thinking you are. I know this must be a big change for you, I apologize for that and will try to make it as smooth as possible." [/b] As they entered the Dining Hall with the students, she pointed at the table already filling with Kane's men. Where was Kane? Moss green eyes scanned the hall and her lips pursed as she realized he probably would be the last to arrive and was perhaps rather upset with the new arrival at the Academy. Giving a nod of her head to Mark, she began to her weaving through the lingering students waiting to take their seats to meet the rest of the teachers at the high board. No sooner did she reach her spot that she tapped her mug on the table making the wood rap and the students fall silent.

Mark bowed and then left Shyvonne’s side to go to his designated table. Taking an empty chair, and inquiring upon its status; having received positive gestures, he pulled the chair out and stood before it. “Just like at court, or the military...” he thought, followed by a smile.

"Good Evening ladies and gentlemen. Please take your seats and we will say grace." [/b] Her voice rang out over the silence before chairs scrapped as the large congregation took to their seats and the blessing was said. The conversations were more like the buzz of a honeycomb of bees when it picked up again and plates of food were passed around and portions taken before the cling of fork hitting plate began to ring along with the conversations. Dinner was an hour long to allow the students to eat their fill not only of supper but also a treat either a slice of cake or honey bun. Una was a paramour of food and insisted on treats after dinner, the lack of made the stomach want it in the middle of the night she said and Shyvonne did not have the heart to refuse her. As the conversations began to die, Shyvonne’s cup was once again rapped on the table as she stood to address the crowd.

Mark bowed his head, his hands together in the front, fingers interlaced. It had been a long time since he had prayed, and after all that had occurred, he could use all the help he could. He silently prayed for the food and shelter he was to receive, the boy’s protection, and forgiveness of his sins, past, present, and future... his lips muttering AMEN. Once again, the Head Mistress rapped her cup again, and his attention went to her, he finally sat, careful not to scrap the chair.

"Before you all take your leave I have a couple of announcements. First of all, its reached my attention that some of you are still trying to pull pranks on your teachers. You know who you are even if we have yet to figure it out. Trust in the fact you will be weeded out eventually. Since none of you will come forward, keep in mind your actions mean retribution for the whole class, this being said while you all groan. Free time before bed has been canceled for tonight. When you leave tonight, you are all expected to go to your bed and lights immediately put out. Those who make noise will be pulled from bed and made to stand in the corner until told to go back to bed. I understand your need to be children and socialize, however the antics of your classmates have inevitably ruined it for the rest of you. This is not a ploy for you to as it is said, rat out, the rest of your fellows but hopefully ensure that this pranks against the very people who have taken to devoting their life to further your education, will cease.”

“Now on to secondary business. As many of you will notice, there is a new face at the Academy. He is Mr Tomas Mudd... taking a position with the new guards, let me perfectly clear that this does not mean there is danger to your lives but rather my obsessive need to make sure that there is no danger to your lives to begin with. I know you all will make him feel very welcome in his new surroundings and may I take the time to remind some of you, he is not a play thing in which to roughhouse nor flirt with. Such action will result in disciplinary action. Now that I have kept you long enough, remember your prayers tonight. Goodnight"[/b]

Standing at his name being mentioned, he smiled and sat back down. “Flirt? Me?” he thought and smiled, feeling as if she was talking about him.

Finished, she retook her seat as the scrapping of chairs commenced again and the students began to file out of the hall. The teachers and staff mingled within the hall when the children were gone, chatting, waiting for the meeting to begin but Shyvonne waited until Leigha was the last to enter the hall again and nod to signal the kids were in bed so she could begin. The doors to the hall were shut to give them privacy and all eyes turned to Shyvonne who sighed, feeling the weight of the word on her shoulders.

"First of all, I would like to thank you all for giving your time into what could be your sleeping hours before tomorrow up for this meeting. I know some of you may feel you did not have a choice but please rest assured I would not have asked for this without good cause. I'd like to introduce you all to Mark Collier, former guardian to the Lady Chloe, my brother’s wife and now guardian of Robin." [/b] She paused as eyes went to Mark and then back at her. Some of them masked a look she knew all too well, why a new guard with Kane and all of his men here? Leaning back within her chair, her fingers began to tap against the high board table as she looked across to the people in her case as much as the students were.

At his introduction, he nodded to all those looking at him; and sat back in his seat.

"I know what you are thinking, why do we need more guards if I have repeated constantly there is no danger. While I say there is no danger, I am anticipating everything. Robin is next in line if Searc dies of his illness and there are those who would see Robin put into the grave with my brother in order to gain control. We must not forget that there are people out there very different from ourselves, who wish power and money regardless of the lives of others. I know that some of you are questioning having Robin here if it puts so much danger in your lives or the students but we must not also forget that with the events that have transpired that not only will there be bids for power in the MacGregor but also other clans to contend with. While I hope this does not lead to war between clans, I cannot say that it is not a likelihood and this to puts the school in danger, as much as I wish it were not so." [/b]

Again she paused and the buzz of conversation went up amongst the teachers and staff. It was not she felt the weight her mother wore on her face bearing down on her but she understood well what she was doing when she agreed to take Robin and hide him at the school. Finally when the arguments started, her hand waved and when that did not stop it, her cup banged down upon the table.

"Please"[/b] She started and then stopped. "We have enough fighting going on outside of the school. I want this Academy to be a beacon of hope, something that when this is all over, will still be here, something that can change as much as the times do but the one thing I do not want to change is the unity we have all found together and that is the unity of our youth. We must not forget these students we place our knowledge into will be the hope of our future. If we divide we so divide them. So I am asking you now, please, for their sake, do not allow a divide to happen here. Let this place continue to be the reason that we grow, let this place, and our mission, be the reason we fight not amongst ourselves but those that would see or dreams torn down put in their place. Do not think that I value any of your lives less than I do Robin’s or even my own. It is very far from the truth, I value all your lives above my own and would not put your lives in danger if I did not think that I could handle it; if I did not think I would be able to offer protection, I would not ask this of all of you. I do need value all of you and your lives. So please, trust me. Trust that I know what I am doing." Her hand lifted as the conversation buzzed again. "I ask also, that you take tonight to think, do not say things you cannot take back. I will free my schedule tomorrow so that any of you who wish to discuss this matter with me may have the opportunity to discuss it with me, in private. With that being said, I bid you all Good Night." [/b]

It was unfortunate that Mark had arrived AFTER her increase of guards, and he believed he was the reason for the stir of people’s emotions at the Academy. Apparently he was not well appreciated as an addition to the guard force.

Rising from her chair she signaled to Mark waiting while the adults now filed out of the hall. "Your rooms are ready for you. Since Kane's men take shifts throughout the day and night, they all share a couple of rooms among them so you will be able to have a room to yourself. You will be on the third floor with the teachers, fifth door on the left. Leigha is the last door on the left, and I am at the end of the hall, the only door in the center. Should you need Kane or any of his men, they are on the right, the last three rooms down the hall from mine. Kane and his men take shifts during the day and night patrolling the halls so you have no need of doing so yourself. You may walk the halls tonight or tomorrow if you like to learn your surroundings. I confess no knowledge of being a guard myself but I would suspect you need to do so." [/b]

He listened intently at her words... but his attention peaked when she mentioned where her room was. Then he went back to focusing on her words.

She gestured with her hand for him to follow her out of the Dining Hall and upstairs to the rooms. "Again, I know this will be a change for you, so should you need anything please do not hesitate to come and ask me." [/b]

“Yes M’Lady...” [/b] [/color]

At his door she paused to gesture this was his room. "You should have a packet of information in your room for you, Kane and his men have the same. A layout of the Academy and a small biography of the staff and teachers. I trust my staff though but this is also for your benefit if you're to take position of guard here. I find it pertinent you have all the information you need about the Academy and its teachers and staff." [/b] Moss green eyes moved over his face then down the hall to her rooms and back again to his face. "I hope you have a good night and sleep well"[/b] She offered before her position turned and she began her trek of the rest of the hall to her rooms.[/color]

“Yes M’Lady...” [/b] he once again said softly. It, and his nods, seemed to be his only response most of the night. “Sleep well, M’Lady...” [/b] he said in response; though there was much more he wanted to say, but didn’t.

Mark entered his room, and saw a small lantern was already lit. From that, he began to familiarize himself with his new surroundings, finishing with sitting on the edge of the bed and looking at his packet. A while later, and still he was not sleepy. Taking the layout of the Academy in his hand, he set out to explore.
[/color]

Long walks thru the hallways, passing guards he would be working with in the future, he offered a smile and a nod, only to be ignored. Glancing at the map drawing, he walked outside the main building and found his way to the stables. Sliding the bar, he opened a smaller door and entered.

Inside the stables, he smiled and looked at each animal inside their stall. Fine horses all, a few burros, and outside even a few oxen. “Maybe I should have taken a job as a hand... less stress...” [/b] he chuckled to himself... For the last three years, he had been both a stablehand, a horsemaster, and Lady Chloe’s personal guard... the latter two enjoyed the most... but horses were easier. He stopped by a large black mare, who stuck her nose out... Smiling, he pet the curious nose, which snorted at him... A fine looking animal, he took a currycomb and entered the stall and began to comb the equine. [/color]

She had seen that Mark had wanted to say more and yet she was not one to press. Leaving him standing at his door, she moved towards her own as she pulled the hair broach from her hair to let it fall against her shoulders. The weight she had felt earlier still did not fall from her shoulders, she felt so very much more then her twenty years. Pressing the door open that lead first into her sitting room, she stopped when she saw Kane standing in the candlelight and gasped before relaxing from her tension. "I was wondering where you went after the meeting"[/b] She pressed in a way that said she shouldn't have been even in her sitting room. Her eyes went to the door to her bedroom and then back to him. There was no way he was getting in there. Clutching the broach in her hand she floated towards a chair, pausing to set the broach on the table in front before she glided downward into the chair. "You needed to see me I presume?" [/b]

He watched her enter the room, his lean upon the mantle did not stir, steel grey eyes fastened to her as if she were quarry, and with the set of his jaw and the line of his face it was obvious he was not amused by recent turn of events where Mark Collier was concerned... "Wha did tha letter sae ?" [/b] his voice was harsh and commanding, he took no warrant of her pressing nature nor did he apologize for intruding upon her sanctuary... "Wha is Collier doin in thase parts, fer wha gain does he seek?" [/b] dark brows drew together it was obvious his distaste for the man. Slowly his arms crossed over his chest as he watched her take more care in settling a hair adornment that she had questioning the arrival of an non kinsman under her roof, giving him access to the very boy they had both swore to protect.. "I s'pose that pretty face the milk maids swoon over and his charmin ways got him thru yur gates... I wonder where else it'll get em with ya ?" [/b] [/color]

As he started in on Mark, she lifted from her chair feeling the need to stand. Shyvonne had never been taller then Kane, even when they were younger and she felt the need to be on a level higher then sitting with him. He asked about the letter tucked against her breast and corset, the weight of it more noticeable now that he mentioned it and she was glad she had hidden it in a place he would dare not touch even with his need to know all about it. "The letter was between me and Chloe, but it also detailed Mark's reassignment here." [/b] She moved towards Kane to jut that indignant chin up at him. "You expect me to defy the orders of the Chieftain's wife? My own brother’s wife?" [/b] Her jaw tightened and she waved a hand with a sigh. "I do not think he is here for his own gain, Kane, he seems to generally care for Robin, like a father would..." [/b] Moss green eyes turned to the fire but when Kane questioned Mark motive with her and what his charming looks would get him with Shyvonne, her head jerked up as her hand lifted to smack soundly against his cheek. "How DARE you. As if I could be bought with charming looks. Is this what I look like to you? Some cheap thing that can be swooned over with a handsome look." [/b] Pulling the letter from its hiding place, she held it up for him to see then threw it into the fire in the hearth as surely as it went up in flames; her lips were sealed to the true meaning in the letter.

"No I don't' expect you to defy Lady Chloe's orders..." [/b] he was exasperated with her as she lifted from her seat, hellcat, she had been waiting to fight with him it seemed as if it was a constant state of being with her... then she slapped him, turning his cheek and leaving a blazing welt against his tanned flesh... slowly his face turned back to her, dark brows lifting at the sheer violence of her tirade, his jaw set, lips thinned to barely a line and his eyes hardened as he stared her down while she burnt the letter... for spite and nothing more, he knew it… she could not last the span of a few days without starting some chaos... it was her very nature she was like a thunderstorm always just over the mountains and threatening... he took a deep breath.. to control the need to lash out at her... and regained his stance, feet splayed slightly planted like an ancient oak… "Are you thru with your tantrum or do you need some more time?" [/b]his words were droll, with a hint of barely concealed anger, both directed at her and Collier [/color]

Moss green eyes widened and fell, slanting in the anger that crossed over her face. He was gloating her by asking if her tantrum was over when he had started it. He knew very well he had deserved it calling into question her own honor. She was like a man in the need to protect her own. She was a virgin for Christ’s sake! Her fists balled at her sides, one hand jerked to raise as if she would punch him this time then lowered to her side. "I do not answer to you Kane, let me make that perfectly clear." [/b] Her voice shook, rocked with the anger she was fighting to keep at bay. "I don't know what you have against Mark. Why you hate him without even knowing him yet. Is this because you feel he is entrenching on your territory?" [/b] She turned it all back on him as she stood still by the hearth, fists still clenched at her sides.

"What I have against him is that he is a man whore, had you been around Dunsgate you would know his reputation well... there is hardly a pair of legs that haven't spread for him." [/b] he did not move as she balled up her fist but gave her a warning look.. "Next time you raise your hand to me like a spoiled brat I will see you bottom red for your trouble." [/b] he warned, and not teasingly, he meant it... he would turn her over his knee, toss up her skirts, down her knickers and cherry up her bottom... "Not to mention that his eyes were all over your backside as you walked... I may have been in the shadows tonight but I saw well what... rise he got from sizing you up… If I were you I'd be worried about my school girls and teachers… falling under his spell…"[/b] Kane was a moral man, there were no gray areas in morality for him, there was good and evil , black and white, and Collier was certainly a black horse, out to stud in the fields of Sleat. "But if you think yourself... experienced enough to not take warning, then by all means, continue batting your long lashes and sashaying your hips for him, keep offering him your help and your smiles. I dare say you'll be teaching your own whelps here soon, but they won't carry his name as he doesn't seem the marrying type..." [/b] he shrugged his shoulders lightly... "Do what you will you always do, no matter who…"[/b] he stopped his own tirade at her and turned abruptly... "Lock your dam door when I leave..." [/b]he wanted to strangle her, he wanted to silence that harpy's tongue, he wanted to be out of her sight she was poison, an diabolical herb... that would kill him... belladonna... beautiful yet deadly.. [/color]

Her brow rose in challenge. He would not dare touch her bottom even if she struck him again it warned. He would have to catch her first and though she had not been very fast as a child, she had learned and quick how to take fast of foot. "I am very well of my girls and my teachers and they in turn know the rules. I may care about them but I am not above tossing their butts out of the gates should they disobey the rules I laid down." [/b] She stalked a step backward, oh he was raising her ire by the second, her cheeks alone began to flame with the anger boiling beneath her skin. "Get out"[/b] She hissed without realizing that she was moving and that her hand was moving again, slapping at his cheek before shoving against his chest, pushing him towards the door. "Get out of my school!" [/b] She hissed while battering at his chest with her fists to shove him backward. She could not believe he would say such a thing to her. That she would open her legs for just anyone, especially with when he knew what Searc would do if she turned out to be unpure at her wedding, if that ever came about. "First you talk about a man you don't know, though heaven knows why, what do you envy him he is able to even get a girl into his bed when you can't? You question my honor and my purity when you can't even rid yourself of your own! That's perfectly right, I'll teach my children here someday but they will be by who I damn well please, bastards or not, they will be MINE and I give a damn what no one else says about it. Who the hell do you think you are huh to talk to me like that? Someone supposedly who has known me my whole life and what, now I am some common whore? Now I see what you make of me, and you know what, you look no damn better. I damn well will be locking my door when you are gone, so get out!" [/b] She gave a final shove to his chest and backed away to her bedroom door.

He strained himself to the breaking point as she slapped him again, and begin to pummel his chest in addition to her newest tirade, did she not listen on purpose, did she only hear what she wished, the last shove was the final straw, and with a growl he grasp her by the waist as she backed away toward her bedroom door, up and over his shoulder she went, like a sack of potatoes, as her door was kicked open, then kicked closed as they entered her personal sleeping chambers, the cursing and screeching over his shoulder along with hands pummeling his back, were annoying, "Go ahead beat my back until your fists are blue, there's no feeling left in the flesh." [/b] he growled as he settled harshly on the end of the bed, the jostling motion, likely striking the air from her lungs, before she was unceremoniously hefted down and over his knees, the cool air of the room now up and under her skirts as they were tossed over her head, then on her flesh as her knickers were notched down, a resounding set of slaps across her ass, as she kept wiggling and screaming at him, "Keep it up, I can go all night Little one…"[/b] he threatened the more she cursed and yelled the more he brought his hand down on the cheeks of her ass. [/color]

The gasp that left her lips was nothing compared to the shock on her face as he advanced on her only to heft her over his shoulder. "KANE!" [/b] She screamed like a banshee no doubt waking or stirring the household within the immediate hall. Her cheeks flushed darker in anger even as he kicked her bedroom door open. Balling her fists she began to shove them against his backside. "PUT.ME.DOWN!" [/b] She screamed only to be rebuffed that he had no feeling in his backside. She growled only to be hefted down against his lap as he sat on her bed, knocking the air from her lungs it wasn't until the first strike hit her bare bottom that she screamed in rage again and kicked with her feet while shoving her skirts off of her head at the same time the flush of her cheeks in anger and embarrassment that he was not only looking but touching her bare ass. She wiggled against his lap, trying to gain her bearings enough that she could raise up, not caring or rather not thinking about what her wiggling would do. "KANE! LET ME UP RIGHT NOW!" [/b] she screamed just as the pounding started on her door and Leigha voice called worried “My Lady! My Lady is everything all right?!” [/i][/b] Finally she stopped her wiggling with Leigha at the door, praying the woman wouldn't just walk in with her bare assed over Kane's lap.

"She is fine"[/b] his voice growled out at Leigha. "Go away we are discussing matters of none of your import." [/b] he dismissed her sternly, and was rewarded with the receding sounds of her shoes upon the stone floor... he jerked Shyvonne upright and settled her across his lap, holding her with an arm that was like an Iron band, as he lifted a finger to her lips, indicating she should hush, his look was dark and dangerous, but when he spoke it was almost soft, like someone speaking to a disobedient child… "I will never for the life of me understand how someone as intelligent and controlled as you, someone who works with children and can understand human nature better than any I know... cannot see that I only say words against Collier in warning to you... because I would not see you hurt or mistreated, nor... used by such..." [/b] his hand lifted to her stubborn jaw, turning her chin, holding it tightly within his fingers forcing her to look into his eyes... "You needed to understand, that while you are independent and strong, you are not above being accosted, and that when you strike a man, you will likely be struck back... Men are not all gentlemen, and you bring out the worst temper in most... including myself... The ease of which I captured you should serve a warning... No other would leave you to your dreams…"[/b] with that he hefted her off his lap and settled her on the bed as he stood… "You can hate me all you want... but it was a lesson you needed..." [/b] he moved to the door then turned looking at her with eyes that were both full of regret and sadness, he knew after this she would hate him for all eternity, and he would abide it, if she learned a lesson, and would keep herself safe... "I'm sorry if I hurt you..." [/b] he manned up to his regret.. "It was not my intent to lay hands on you..." [/b] he sighed opening the door and saw Leigha standing there... "Goodnight Lady McGregor "[/b] he spoke to Shyvonne without turning his head, ashamed she had goaded his temper so badly. "I will send another guard for your door." [/b][/color]

She could not believe Leigha would go when she hadn't told her to! Her face was a mixture of shock and still anger as he hefted her off his lap and held onto her arm so she could not retreat from him. As his grip claimed her chin, she fought against it before stilling as his grip tightened and would not release. The look in her eyes was pure rage and hate. "Are you quite finished with your tantrum?" [/b] She hissed back as she jerked her arm out of his grasp and was promptly settled onto the bed. Arms folded over her chest even as he stalked to the door and her chin jutted out indignantly. "You can take your sorry Kane and shove it where the sun don't shine. Tomorrow, stay away from me. Do you understand me? If you come within an inch of me, I swear to God I will kill you." [/b] She warned, she was more then anger, hated him above even her brother at this moment. As he jerked the door open and Leigha staggered in with Iomhar on her heels she rose from the bed and held out a hand to both of them. "I'm fine." [/b] She managed a smile for them even as Leigha came to her side and Iomhar backed up a step for Kane to pass. "Don't bother sending one." [/b] Her hand fell to Leigha arm on her own. "Iomhar, I am fine, please rest assured of that." [/b] She waited till Iomhar walked out the door with no short of a dark look at Kane. Her staff was so supportive and didn't even know what had happened! She all most laughed but didn't. "Kane, it may not of been your intent to hurt me, but you went all wrong about your lesson, questioning my honor and intelligence to know the difference between men. You may think you are better then those who take many women to their beds, but men laying their hands on women in anger, are no better then those who use their hands for pleasure." [/b] Her eyes were daggers that could kill. She sought to wound him as he had wounded her in treating her like a child. "Your warning is noted. Now heed my warning, I will be thinking very hard the next few days of your position at MY academy, despite my mother’s wishes"[/b] Leigha frowned at her side and squeezed Shyvonne arm who in turn squeezed back in a comforting gesture. "Goodnight Kane." [/b] She offered but none the less colder then the rest of her words.

"There will be a guard at your door each and every night until Me and My men are no longer required to guard you and young Robin." [/b] he spoke evenly and without emotion after her lecture... "You have made yourself perfectly clear, and we will have to agree to disagree, as it was you who laid your hand in anger upon me repeatedly before I gave you back your own medicine, do no preach to me about men Laying hands upon women, when you yourself cannot control your own emotions and hands, I suggest you look up the words hypocrite in my absence, I'm sure you will find a likeness of yourself there." [/b] he opened the door then stopped and gave her a wounded look "I never questioned your intelligence nor honor... and I never will... but I do question your nativity... the world is not as clean and pure as you would see it so." [/b] with that the door was closed behind him, he took note of her gesture of goodnight that was not meant in the least, perfunctory manners, nothing more nothing less... a leper would have received the same well wish from her... for the next week she would not see him, and if she asked one of his men of his whereabouts she would be told, he was outside the academy on patrol around the lands that cradled the institution of learning... it seemed she was granted her wish, and her shadows was no longer her own... although there was one of his men near or at her side every hour of the day. He saw true no harm would come of her... [/color]

When the door closed, Leigha cradled Shyvonne within her arms. Dully Shyvonne heard her asking if Kane had harmed her though there was a deep frown of worry on Leigha lips, Shyvonne did not notice the doubtful look on Leigha face nor the sadness of Kane leaving. For a long while Shyvonne looked at the door Kane had left through until finally the spell seemed to be broken and she turned a look at Leigha who looked anxious that Shyvonne answer her. She managed a weak smile at her friend and slowly untangled the girl’s arms from around her. "Do you know if Mark is still in his rooms?" [/b] Leigha shook her head, more surprised than answering. [color-teal]"Someone said they saw him in the stables"[/b] She answered[/color] and Shyvonne nodded. "Thank you, please go rest, I'll put myself to bed tonight." [/b] She ushered Leigha out the door, waiting till her lady in waiting went to her own rooms before she was off to the stables to have a chat with Mark Collier.

She was not surprised when she opened her door to find a new guard at her door. She glowered in his direction but did not order him away even as he followed her down the stairs and out the front doors. Across the lawn she trekked towards the stables, stopping only when she reached the open side door. "Stay Here." [/b] She commanded to the guard who seemed to debate her wrath or Kane's. Shyvonne could easily throw him out despite his duties in Kane's guard and so he would stay put, at least outside the door where he could hear if there was trouble.

Sliding the door open, she squeezed inside and moved down the stalls pausing when she heard Mark conversing with the horse. A slow smile played over her lips despite Kane's warnings thundering in her head. Crossing her arms over her chest, she stepped lightly to not scare the horse nor him especially with him in the stall combing the horse down.
[/color]

[Shyvonne MacGregor]

"You have a way with horses. Cleopatra is queen of the stalls. If she doesn't like you, none of the horses do. She isn't usually used with the kids. She's....mine"[/b] She spoke nearly in a whisper as her arms folded over the stall door and her chin came to rest on her arm. So...are you a man whore? She didn't say it but was thinking it. Despite her efforts to block out anything about Kane at this point, his warning was ringing in her ears as if a cannon had gone off right next to her. She had to find a better way to approach this. For a few minutes she let the silence follow, drumming her fingers on the stall door. [/color]



The black horse snorted, and as he combed the tail, he looked at what interested the equine. Smiling over the rump of the horse, he smiled… “M’Lady… yer up late…” [/b] he smiled offering a greeting, surprised at her appearance at such a late hour. He let go of the mare’s tail and walked toward the door. “Cleopatra? A befitting name…”[/b] as he patted the flanks. “All horses like me, seems I have a special way with them…”[/b] he smiled… ”or they with me…”[/b] And as the Lady informed him of the steed’s ownership, he smiled… “Why of course… such a fine animal for such a fine Lady.” [/b] Once again offering her a charming smile. [/color]



"Mark..." [/b] She finally started and lifted her head. [/color]



He started to brush the mane… its long strands matted with a bit of straw. “Yes M’Lady?” [/b] he responded glancing left over his shoulder… [/color]



"I don't know you, not well, I don't know if protecting Robin is the real reason Chloe sent you here but I have been told about your way with women at Dunsgate. I am not accusing you, I just..." [/b] She stopped and pressed her lips together and sighed. For a woman who had a way with words, she didn't know how to say she wanted to know about his past and not only to give herself peace of mind but put peace in mind over her school. Damn Kane and his warnings, she could not help but wonder now and the only way she would get sleep tonight was to find out if the rumor Kane told her was true. "I need to know?" [/b] There that was the best way to pose it, question and statement all in one. [/color]



Then he went back to brushing the mane again… the question he dreaded now asked… think fast lad… think fast. “My way with the ladies?” [/b] he asked in a confused sort of tone. “What way is that M’Lady…?”[/b] he was not lying to her, just dodging the truth… Good thing he was in his element now, for if she caught him elsewhere than the stables, he would have stumbled, choked, or blushed. But here in his element, he was able to maintain control.



Pausing the combing, patting the rump as he passes, he walks to the opposite side of the horse and begins to comb the shoulder… He looks at her across its back, so she could see his face… “M’Lady… My past should not concern yu, only my capability of sense and sword…”[/b] pausing.. “…unless yu have a desire to truly know me…”[/b] Oh yes, that charming smile again… “…which would be fine with me.” [/b]



There were things he wanted to ask her… [/color]

[Shyvonne MacGregor]

Shyvonne: The thing about Shyvonne was, as hard as she was on the students of Oisles, she wore her heart on her sleeve and did not believe in hiding her emotions(has much as people wished she would!) so when Mark was teasing her in the stable about truly knowing him, she didn't take it as a sexual advance and her face did not flinch in surprise nor blush at any underlining reason behind the words. Her worst fault was perhaps not that she didn't know how to tease for she could with the best of them, but that she didn't usually get underlining reasoning behind peoples words. She was usually a good judge of character where people were concerned. He was feigning ignorance and then asking if she wanted to truly know him and that indignant chin went upward as she considered what he was saying. "Your past very much concerns me if I have to worry about any flirting behavior with my staff or students." Her arms unfolded from the stall door as she rocked back on her heels. "I don't think you truly understand yourself Mr. Collier" She wagered with no amount of uncertainty. "I'm not judging you, lord knows I could but then I could be called many things in return." She shook her head and cokeed her head as she smiled. "This place, is a North Star in that the students are drawn here and given the chance to excel and become who they want to be, not what others want them to be. Maybe in time you will see that, and you'll find your way, to the true self. You have potential Mr. Collier, ones you haven't even reached for yet." There she had left it, she had walked away leaving him to think over what she had said. For days later she avoided being caught alone with him, but it wasn't hard to do with how busy the school was getting ready for exams and the two week period the students would be away for break. Of course there would be those who stayed behind, their parents to busy to be bothered with them but the students were irritable with tests coming up so by the weekend, Shyvonne ordered teaching and studying away and opened the gates of the school. What a sight to see, the student body enjoying being children even if for a short time. Shyvonne sat on the lawn with blanket to keep her bottom clean and book on her propped up knee, enjoying for once not having to be Head Mistress and just Shyvonne.

Mark: Mark continued to curry the horse... he could sense some odd feelings, thru the jitteriness of the steed... "Easy girl..." patting her neck... glancing over the equine to Shyvonne. "M'Lady, I apologize for causing hostility in yu... I merely do not wish yu to become involved in my past... Rest assured that I shall not disrespect the teachers nor the students... but I cannot say I won't flirt..." he winked at her and took the mane once more. Needless to say, she continued to say her piece... and there after he just listened... nodding... saying Yes M'Lady... nodding... Yes m'Lady.... all like a good servant... Then she left... and he shook his head... For days, he performed less and less guard duty, as there were more than enough guards... and his duties turned more for the horses... and from the stables, Robin...or Marcus, as he uses when in public... he could watch the boy, and even had him, and others in some impromptu classes... not on the schedule, but he would be sure he'd heard from the Head Mistress sooner or later about it... In the meantime, when he wasn't tending horses, or giving classes, he would snoop around... watching Robin from afar... as he always had... in one form or another... yet it was always Uncle Mark to the rescue... Now he was sure it was he who needed rescue.... for there she was... elegant as always... beautiful as a spring scene... Staring? Was he staring? he didn't think so....

Kane: For the remainder of the week, She would avoid Collier, but have no reason to avoid Kane, for he was absent the grounds of the school, though his guards dogged her every step, even the ones that had led to the stable meeting with Mark Collier the night that Kane had left, though it had been documented and sent in report to him. His days had been spent in patrolling the nearby area, and sending out scouts far and near to ascertain that no unwanted company had arrived with Collier, following or by invitation, a rider was sent with dispatch to Dunsgate for news of the situation, as well as to inform Ivella of Chloe's, sitting Collier as Guardian of Robin, along with a veiled wish for permission to rid the world of the man.. For some Reason Collier and his ilk, titled , over proud, preening peacokes had always set his teeth to edge, Collier however set his whole being on high alert. As for Shyvonne, he cursed her roundly, for her temper, her very nature, her beauty and her nativity.. he was sure as the sun rose that she would not see beyond the slivered tongue devil and his merrily twinkling eyes, only see the cobra dancing before her weaving it's beautiful spell, before it was too late and she was dumbstruck and captured..She was blind as a bad, and for someone so intelligent, she was perhaps the most guiless and stupid woman on the face of the earth when it came to men.. something she needed to learn, and be protected from.. even himself.

Shyvonne: The page was turned, her arm with the book propped up on her arched knee, the other hand playing with the north star pendant around her neck. Now no wonder where the school got its symbol but her reading was lost as some of the boys of the Academy came racing up behind her, blindfold in hand they tied it around her eyes as she laughed and let the book fall to the blanket while they jeered at her. Her hand rose to the blindfold and they cried out in despair but with a smile against soft pink rose lips her hand fell away to find the ground and stand with some careful measured steps. The boys cheered and began to form a dancing circle around her canting a kiss for the winner. It was all a game and she laughed as she began to turn this way and that as they continued their chant around her and then scattered as she lurched forward to capture one of them. She feigned irritation and started turning in place again as they took to their circle again and began dancing around her chanting again. All around them children were playing games or relaxing while Liaden was helping Una set up a large table with food for lunch. Shyvonne lurched again only to have the boys scatter again and then rejoin as she spun in the game again, getting quite dizzy, she lurched one more time for a capture. This time she won, her hands landing on a solid mass though not sure which one with the blindfold on.

Mark: He tried for many days... but it was as if the three girls were following him... at every turn it seemed... They would ogle... giggle, whisper, and laugh... and if he turned to look at them, they would blush and giggle as they walked swiftly away... luckily, they had not joined his equestrian class... Now he stood on the lawn, leaning against a nearby tree... his mind gone, his blue eyes focused on the lass reading her book... Then the boys approached and it captured his attention... with a cant of his head, he watched. And as she removed the blindfold, and they began to chant and cheer... She was good for this place he thought... Which brought a smile to his face. The boys would break their circle and reform... only to escape her grasp... But to his amazement, they had been working her toward his position, and in his amusement of their game, he failed to realize, the circle was around him, and he stood erect. Something out of the corner of his eye approached... he backed up, only to be pushed forward again by Robin and an older boy. Her hand had grabbed his arm... and a lightning bolt shot thru his arm... and he gasped..... Awww chyt, he thought....

Kane: Kane had just ridden thru the gates of the academy when he saw the object of his ire, playing games on the lawn with the children, blindfolded and turning about like a dancer, he pulled up his steed and just watched as his men continued on toward the stables... The scene before him was festive, befitting a fine spring day, then antics of the children as well as their headmistress bringing back memories of happy childhood times at Dunsgate, as his warhorse sidled sideways, he reigned it in, but a smile was on his face as he surveyed the lot of them. One would barely think they were in danger, such and idyllic setting, so peaceful.. His eyes left the form of Shyvonne for a moment, finding Robin in the crowd and seeing the boy happily playing with the others he relaxed until he saw the form of Collier, then his ever increasing nearness to Shyvonne.. his blood boiled as he realized what was happening, and his jaw set, as he watched the tragedy play out.. steel grey eyes set upon her as if his prophecy were indeed true.

Shyvonne: "Who is this?"She questioned as her hand traveled up the arm and over the shoulder of her captured party. The boys around them began to laugh and then began to clap chanting the whole whole Kiss kiss kiss kiss. Her other hand rose to join the other as she captured Mark's face between her hands and even behind the blindfold her face was a mixture of confusion and intrigue. Finally when she could not figure it out, she let out a laugh at the chanting and let her hands fall away from his face to peel the blindfold off. When she saw who it was that she had caught in front of her and how far she had gotten away from her original place, the realization of what the boys had done sank in. Her chin lifted in that indignant manner as her lips pursed even as the chanting continued. With a sigh, her hands lifted to Mark's face again as she lifted on her toes and planted a kiss against his cheek. The boys hopped and hollered, this was not the right kiss! Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her! they began to chant to Mark as Shyvonne released him and took a step back.

Mark: Remaining silent, he let her touch his arm... his shoulder, and face. Again, the lightning bolt played its course... but this time, there was no smile... Until... Until she took the blindfold off... and he gave it to her... Meanwhile, the boys chant grew louder in his ears, although it remained at the usual decibel... his mind was gone as her hands cradled his face and a kiss was planted per the boys chant. He didn't think to bend over... he didn't think to say no thank you... he didn't think... at all... Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!.........the chant continued... and since he didn't think... he pulled her to him and kissed her... not the way he wanted... but it was good enough to take her breath away... and to ignite the children's laughter and sent them scurrying away to tell all..... ((except Robin...who stared and smiled)))

Kane: He watched as the blindfold was pulled away, hoping against all hopes that with the veil lifted his words of caution would ring in her ears, and speak sense to her mind.. as it was.. nothing he wished would bear fruit..as she lifted her hands back to Colliers Cheeks he could bear the sight no more, spurring his horse thundering past them without so much as a glance.. toward the stables.. The chanting of the boys like salt in a wound.. Everything in him wanted to dismount and run Collier thru with a sword.. yet Shyvonne had lifted her face to him willingly.. and to disembowel the man before the children, and Robin.. would not be the best a wound.. Everything in him wanted to dismount and run Collier thru with a sword.. yet Shyvonne had lifted her face to him willingly.. and to disembowel the man before the children, and Robin.. would not be the best that he begin to saddle another beast..just as some of his men questioned his actions.. " I'm going back out.. no need to stay inside the gates.. there are more than enough guards on duty " with that he mounted once again, leaving instructions to bring him supplies outside the old church ruins to the north of the Academy.. It would be then that he rode slowly out of the courtyard and back past the lawn.. sparing one look her way.. a look that held several meanings, disappointment, anger, regret, shame.. and something more undefinable... before his turned his steel gray eyes to the gate, and his dark head from her..

Shyvonne: She joined in with the laughter of the boys as she folded her hands over her chest. "All right all right" She cautioned as they continued to chant but when Mark's arms captured her shoulders, her hands dropped from their fold as her fingers curled about his arm and all of a sudden her feet were moved two inches forward as he pulled her to him and his mouth met hers. What happened then, she would never be able to describe, breathing but feeling as if she could not breath at all, her heart beating fast and slow all at the same time. She did not even notice the cheer that went up as the boys scurried away to tell all. When she was released, she took a step back, swaying on her feet for a fraction of a second before gaining her balance again. Her mouth opened to say something and then she caught Kane mounted behind them glaring in her direction with a mixture of emotion on his face. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment and then her ire began to rise as his stupid warning began to ring in her ears again not to mention remembering his spanking as if she were some disobedient child. His head turned from her and she felt her lips pull back with her anger. "Kane!" She called forgetting Mark for a fraction of a second before her hand lifted to tell him to wait a second as she swept past him and towards Kane. "Where the hell have you been? An where the hell do you think you're going? You leave orders for your men here while you run off, oh that's a good one."

Mark: Robin watched, even moving in closer as the others ran off giggling and hopping... It was as if an education of its own was developing right before his youthful eyes... Mark's eyes were closed when he kissed her... and as the kiss faded, his blue eyes looked at her and smiled.... though his hand refused to let go... especially when she wavered a bit... It was then his eyes shot to a moving figure upon a horse... he could make out that Kane had witnessed their first kiss... What was with Kane? he wondered... and a smirked developed at the thought... her yelling made him cant his head... And then a young lad, stood arms crossed, and cleared his throat. "Is that all??? I've seen Father kiss Mother much better than that..."[/i] So smart for such a youth... or was that smartass'd like his Father? Mark put his fingers to his lips... "Hush boy... be off..." but it was too late... Mistress Shyvonne had heard him. [/color]

Kane: He stilled the horses forward progression as she came screeching his name like a harpy his way, slowly the beast was turned, by and easy hand on the reign, and cold callused look on his face lent downward toward her... " Out on patrol... and back out on patrol " his answer to where he had been and where he was going.. bored look that masked his anger and disappointment in her, and his own feelings of guilt out of raising his hand to her settled on his chiseled features. " I have a job to do, and seeing that the surrounding areas of the Academy are protected are within the details of such.. " he remarked as she ranted about leaving his men to carry out his orders, now his gaze went back to Collier, " It' seems as if you have guards aplenty.. if you have something to say, say it quickly, as your pretty boy will mourn the loss of your lips should you be gone much longer.. see he already heads this way" his nostrils flared with dislike, and his lips set in a foul line that was a thunderous precursors to a near erupting storm.

Shyvonne: For a moment she stopped and turned her head back to Mark, oh yes she heard that. A queer sort of look was on her face before her attention turned back on Kane. Her arms folded across her chest as she ground her teeth together. She had the urge to take her shoe off and throw at him! He was so infuriating! Her head turned to see if Mark was indeed heading their way before turning back to Kane. "Jealous yet?" She hissed seeming to goad him further into a fight before swiping a hand against her forehead. "oh you make me hate you so much sometimes and I really don't want to! Your the only one who has ever made me hate so much before!" She was speaking more to herself then to him. For a moment she fell silent before pointing to the ground. "Get down!" She commanded and when he just stared at her, an eyebrow shot up in challenge. "Want to redeem what you did the other night? Then get down." She commented again knowing full well using the spanking against him was hitting low but he insisted on being intolerable sometimes. When he was down, she grabbed at his arm then gave him a look when he growled at her before dragging him back towards Mark. "This is the man who accuses your past Tomas." They were in earshot of the kids so she used his fake name "Kane believes you only wish to get into my knickers. While Kane himself, doesn't get in any females knickers. Talk it out, hell, yell it out for all I care but don't draw weapons on each other or so help me, I'll string you both up by your ears on the nearest tree." Releasing Kane's arm, her arms folded across her chest, the anger softened from her face as she drew her attention to Mark in an I'm Sorry gesture. Damn her anger. She hadn't meant to lash out at him but she wanted this animosity between her and Kane over and done with. She really didn't get why he hated Mark. Everyone had a past! Unfolding her arms, she held her hands out to both of them to shut up a moment. "Kane, you said it, I have the ability to talk to people and understand them but I also have the ability to see their potential even when they can't. I see so much potential in you both. I want to see the good of you both drawn out. This place is meant to do that for the students but it is there for both of you as well. I want you to keep that in mind. Now talk."again arms folded over her chest as she waited. She wasn't going to leave them alone, she wasn't that stupid.

Mark: Mark had sent Robin in with the others as class would soon start again... and he saw Shyvonne talking to Kane... and he headed over toward them... Uh oh, there are those stalwart folded arms... He saw that coming... especially with Kane's tone... As he approached, the words were flying... and it was a sured fact that Kane did not like Mark at all... and Shyvonne really hated Kane... or did she??? Oh now she'd done it... Here comes Kane and the spitfire... and of course, she had pissed him off... and Mark was emotionless... possibly still reeling from Shyvonne's touch and the kiss. Mark stood erect, weight upon both feet... he nodded to her apology... then his blue eyes began evaluating the man Kane... "M'Lord... why do I disagree with yu? Have I crossed yer grave in a past life...?" Peripheral vision was a gift...sometimes... others a curse... And in that vision, he sw the children exiting the classes, the teachers soon after... and in the lawn, they circled.... First silent....listening... His arms down by his side, he did not know what Kane would do... what he could say could not harm him... any verbal assault could not equal the Lady Chloe's... so one fist hidden behind him remained at the ready....

Kane: jealous yet.. was that her intent, if so she had succeeded in it thoroughly, every ounce of him strained to control his urge to kill Collier, and take her back over his knee and soundly thrash her bottom until she regained her senses. when she being to curse him for being the only one who could make her hate, his jaw twitched as if she slapped him with every word... to which he responded... " you hate me I get it.. you don't Hate Collier.. it's plain.. " his words were cold and monotone " as such you should not regret my going on patrol nor miss my company when such pretty company is to be held.. in your attendance.. " he was just about to reign the horse round and leave, when her finger pointed to the ground ordering him down in some odd parody of a previous argument they had held before.. he obliged her, and she dragged him over to the male whore.. where he stood like an edifice of granite looking at the peacoke.. at the moment he could kill her happily, and not break a sweat digging her grave.. as she crossed her arms he briefly thought of her in a coffin arms crossed, strangled by his own hands. she was driving him insane it seemed, completely over the brink.. and then there was Collier standing there smug the victor of the prize. Kane's fist balled and un balled at his side, if this is what it took to redeem himself in her eyes, he didn't know if it was worth it, now that she had stipulated he could not draw a weapon on the man. When Collier ask after what reason he had for disagreement, Kane's eyes shifted to Shyvonne, in deference, his look saying you asked for it.. little one " Deny you that while at Dunsgate you have graced the beds of women both married and unmarried " so the rumors went that Kane had been privy too.. though he had no idea about Portia or Chloe.. it was base common folk that he had heard accusations of.. " And that your eyes stray toward Mistress McGregor here, in same such lusty manner?" he had thrown down the gauntlet.. "On your honor Collier speak the truth. " steel gray eyes bore into the soul of the man, and for a moment he felt the same bile rise in his throat that inquisitors must when freeing heretics of their sins.. purging them of their demons.

Shyvonne: Now Mark might understand why she had asked him a few nights before of his past and faced here with his accuser she realized she had gone about this the wrong way, lead blindly by her anger. Funny how she had given a lecture of anger the day Mark arrived and now fell victim to it more then once. She was human and she understood that with it, came the inability to be free of fault. She had been wrong to call them both out on the accusations here on the lawn but now it was done and she could not change it. still Mark handled himself well and despite herself, she smiled at his way of approaching something thrust upon him. Reports of him teaching had crossed her ears and now she seemed to realize despite the situation that it was not such a bad idea and made a mental note to have a talk with him about it later. Kane on the other hand was still growling and snarling. Really she did not expect any different of him, not that it made him bad, he was simply being protective. She understood that despite the ire she had against him at times. "An what if it was my choice Kane? To allow such a thing to happen? I am not saying it is, my knickers are not that easy to get into. As much as you think me ignorant of such things. I know my place and the position on my shoulders." She was talking about her brother and his warning to throttle her if her purity was damaged. Shyvonne was such a funny character, a free ward thinking human being bound by the rules and society of her clan and its chieftain. There were boundaries she would push and others she dared not cross.

Mark: Mark listened to the man, his stance unwavering... "What I do in my past, has no bearing upon what goes on now... nor the future..." he smirked at Kane... "And does not your past drive yer motives now? Have yu also had women before... or are yu an OLD virgin, waiting for someone to batter down those steel doors of yer heart?" Mark would not be the aggressor... but he would not back down... He knew Kane loved her... and she him? who knows, maybe as a brother... maybe as a great friend... or even as a potential husband... He was assured Kane hated him, he realized that... not because of his bedding women... but because he demonstrated afflictions for Lady Shyvonne... yes afflictions... just as he could contract a liver disease, he had contracted a sense of closeness... a yearning... about Lady Shyvonne... for it was too early to know about affections... but he wouldn't mind finding out. He looked at Kane and smiled. "Get to the meat of this aggression... or be done with it... Tell her the real reason for yer anger and rage..." looking at Shyvonne... "And yu too... tell him EXACTLY how yu feel... either love him, or set the boundaries for the relationship..." he points to the children who were hoping for a fight... "M'Lady, when I arrived, yu spoke of anger... now yu and Kane demonstrate it... I can fight Kane... win, lose, or draw... but will it REALLY accomplish what we need to accomplish?" he shakes his head. Mark chuckles and waves to the children... "Return to class... there shall be no fight... today or any other..." he turns and looks at Shyvonne and Kane. "Work out yer differences... I have horses to tend..." he stops and turns around. "Kane, IF I am the bane of yer anger... then I will meet yu upon a field of battle... swords if yu dare... otherwise, leave me be..." Smiling that charming smile to Shyvonne... "M'Lady... yu are a beautiful woman... and a proud woman, willing to die for her children... yet yu guard yer heart with a steel blade... either seek out yer feelings with Kane... someone else... or..." he winks... "Yu know my place of employment..." pointing to the stables. "My main mission is Marcus... period.. all else is after thought..." He chuckles at them both... "By yer leave M'Lady..." he bows a deep bow.

Kane: Her choice? the thought physically sickened him, almost as if someone had struck him with the hilt end of a sword in the gut.. " Then I would hope you would choose better " his words ground out thru grated teeth, and then she announced that he hadn't taken a woman to his bed at all..most men would have felt some sense of lack of manhood being untride and celibate at the ripe old age of 23, but for Kane it was a matter of principal and morals.. He had grown up watching the amoral proceedings around him, infidelity, children bore out of wedlock and the commotion it caused, the heartache in both the offending parties and their offspring, and he had promised himself not to give cause or fall victim to such, at one point he had though to join the priest hood, but found his soul unworthy, for beneath the cold exterior, did indeed beat the heart of a man, a man who held dear his loved ones, and the one he held above all others. Though it was hard to hold her above others when she had set out to make a mockery of him and his morals, relegating him to the role of brute and instigator.. He wished now he had ridden out and not put himself on the block for her redemption, but then again, when had he ever in his life truly denied her anything. At Marks.. remarks.. he merely stood silent. letting his mockery and his ease of leaving without unfolding the truth to Shyvonne sink in upon her..he listened to the prattle and the demands that he and Shyvonne be truthful about feeling held or not held, and finally when the man turned his back and left..he lowered his gaze to her... " I hope my redemption is won" he turned on his heel, he had no more to say in his own defense, nor words of wisdom, as Colliers words resided in his own head like a thrumming of war drums " YOU know where he is employed... and you know Where I go" he leapt onto the horses back.. and without so much as a nod of his head thundered off, there was whiskey somewhere... that would sooth his mind..

Shyvonne: Arms folded across her chest again as she listened to first Mark as he attacked Kane's own past which she knew to be devoid of women having lived with him at Dunsgate and the whispers that floated in town when she had left to study about the steel heart of Dunsgate. At his comment to her, her brow shot upward. Guarding her heart with a steel blade? Damn straight she was or had he not understood her family in his time with them! Her jaw set, her chin lifted, a sure sign she was now highly irritated and yes at Mark. That would no doubt please Kane and she turned moss green eyes in his direction while he said his peace. Suddenly she had a raging headache and the want of laying down. She let both men go, not wanting to continue this horrible attempt at peace between the two of them. Mark went towards the stables and Kane to his horse and out the gates. Groaning, hands lifted to her head and rubbed while she kicked at the soil as the sky suddenly rumbled. Storm clouds had begun to glide in unawares of the three and her attention suddenly lifted to it. Scowling at the sky, she jerked her book and blanket from the grass and started for the Academy doors as the sky let loose its torrent of rain. She did not bother running out from it so she was thoroughly soaked when she passed into the doors and headed upstairs for a nap which would be no comfort in the nightmares that continued to plague her.

[Men of Skye]

Dreamscapes

She had not even bothered to undress, soaking wet she flopped onto her bed with both Mark and Kane's words ringing in her ears. Fingers pressed against her pounding head then relaxed to flop lazily above her head against her pillows that she hadn't even bothered to lay her head upon. The rain which thundered upon the roof of the Academy was all ready slowing and the scant few minutes it took her to fall asleep, it has stopped all together.

Within her dreams, she was standing in a dark room, the only item lit was a clock upon the wall, carved from wood with roman numerals upon its face marking the 12, 3, 6, and 9 in numbers while the rest were just marks upon its face in between. The hands on the clock were spinning, time was moving forward and fast. The worst part about the clock was the carving above the face of the clock, a dog faced demon with sharpened teeth grinned evilly at her and suddenly its mouth opened and she found herself thrust through its dark mouth into pitch black that slowly dissolved to a field. The sound was deafening, screams of rage and screams of pain amass the clash of steel on steel. The figures fighting didn't seem to notice her. She seemed a ghost upon the soil that looked painted with blood on its deep green grass and brown soul dotted here and there, where bodies lay dying, or were dead with eyes staring to a heaven that they didn't see anymore. Slowly she began to weave through the bodies but no matter which way she tried to go, the bodies just continued to stare unseeing up at her, there was no end of them in sight an those fighting around her kept fighting despite the strangeness of having a woman in a colorful flowing dress of bright blue and green.

A familiar scream had her head turning to the side to see Kane fighting with someone, his face undistinguishable, only Kane's. Another scream caught her attention and turning her attention in the other direction she saw Mark fighting another faceless person. Kane yelled for help and Shyvonne attention jerked back in his direction. Kane's sword had been knocked out of his grasp and beaten down, he was crawling away from his assailant, Shyvonne attention went back to Mark but he seemed to be ignoring or did not hear Kane. Her attention was thrown back on Kane as he gave a scream of pain and she saw a sword impaling his chest. She gave a scream only for no sound to come out, as she turned to run to Kane side, Mark gave a scream of his own and again her attention was thrown in his direction as she watched him fall to his knees, his stomach slashed open. Letting out another scream that made no sound, her hands went through her hair as she shook her head to the scene she was seeing.

Robin.

The wind seemed to whisper and Shyvonne gasped, her eyes flying open. Taking off across the field, the bodies and blood began to blur together as she ran. She didn't know where she was running to and suddenly, she did. The Academy. As soon as the thought struck her, the academy was in sight. The roof was blazing, the gates destroyed as she passed them. The bodies of her students, staff and teachers were strewn across the yard, each face etched with frozen horror but one body on the stairs stood out above the others. Robin. His little face staring without seeing, dotted with blood as it too was frozen in panic and horror, his lifeless body conformed so weirdly against the steps. Letting out another wordless scream, she fell to her knees by his body, her chest heaving and her lungs aching. The chain of her North Star pendant broke and her hand lifted as the pendant and chain fell from about her neck.

Shyvonne shot up in the bed letting loose a massive scream, her face beaded with sweat and her limbs shaking she pushed herself off the bed and touched at her neck to make sure the pendant was still there. Always with guard, her bedroom door flew open as Hamish stood there with dagger at the end, his eyes widely looking for the cause for her scream. Lifting her hand from the pendant, she waved at him and shook her head. She couldn't explain it was a nightmare. The man gave her a scowl as he backed out the door but she could only shrug as she followed him out and carried herself down the stairs on shaky legs until suddenly she stopped on the stairs and turned to Hamish.

"Hamish, please send a guard after Kane. I don't care if it takes all night. Bring him back to the Academy. Tell him it is important." She asked.

"Yes M'lady..." He replied and rushed down the stairs to see her will done.

When Hamish turned the corner, she hastened her steps to the door and quietly closed it behind her. She hated having a guard on her all the time. The ground was still slick with rain, the hour only later by an hour by the looks of the sun in the sky. She paused by the stable door, waiting until finally the end of class bell rang. The door opened and the students began to file out. When the last had come out, she inched around the door and stepped inside. Hiding in the doorway, she watched Professor Sergio finishing up with one more student before he and the boy trekked down to her.

She offered them both a smile as they approached. "Professor, I think the ground is to slick for your next lesson, perhaps you should give your students time to study and take an hour for yourself."

"Yes Head Mistress..." Sergio responded as he patted the boys shoulder and both of them filed out of the door.

She waited till the door slid into the lock before casting an eye around the stable and finding Mark there. She began to make her way towards him.

Mucking stalls was not the ideal task, but it was a requirement for all those that he instructed... and when they did not do it right, he would ensure the task was complete. In this instance, Mark held the shovel tight and hefted the excrement into a wheelbarrow. One after another as the fumes rose about him.

Her hands clutched at the stall door closet to her, she felt her limbs weak and her stomach turning from her dream still echoing in her head. "I went about this afternoon all wrong and know that now. I know I lectured about anger, but I never said I was exempt from it. We are all human. I did say though, it’s our knowledge that give us the will to reason and use it for the destruction or salvation of our society. I know it is a lot to ask but will you please try to get along with Kane? I know he started it... but if not for my sake, then Robin’s. Please don't ask me why, but it’s important. For both your lives, for Robin’s... I don't care about what you did in your past Mark, as long as it stays in your past. I see a good man in you. Not that you are not now."

Oh wonderful, she came to apologize at the worst possible moment, as he leaned against the shovel handle. “Kane? I have no problem with him... tis he with me... because of you...” he winked at her. “I accept your apology regardless...” offering her a charming smile. “I shall protect Robin at all cost... Kane’s, mine, yers, and yes, even the Academy...” and he began to shovel more horse droppings into the barrow, pausing only to speak. “I find yu interesting... and things beautiful... yer mind, as well as other amenities...” he winked as he scooped some more. “Now, my past is past... and I pray those acts I am accused of do not come to present... but if they do, rest assured I shall handle them as best I can without soiling yer Academy or yerself...” Then he stopped and leaned on the shovel... “I shall admit... in the safety of my surroundings, and nay yers...” he smirks... “That I have come, to care for yu... and as yu have stated, yer knickers are not easy to get into... but shall I nay try? Tell me now, that I have NO chance, and I shall nay waste effort... but... barring my current situation...” he indicates the horsefodder... “That I have even the SLIGHTEST chance of gaining your individual attention, then I shall give all enduring effort to gain that attention...” He could see something troubled her, and he made light of his current surroundings... but in his own teasing manner, was letting her know for sure he was interested in her.

She didn't mind the horse manure. She had spent plenty of time in the stables helping Sergio muck the stalls before the students had arrived. Horses had to be trained to obey the command of many masters. Did he truly think Sergio had done it all? With her arm across the stall door, her cheek laid against her arm as if it were a pillow as she listened to him. "I shall pray too, that despite what has happened in your past, you never come to regret any of it. Our pasts build our future's Mark, even the bad moments of our life that we wish to forget. We learn, we grow from them. Without them would you be who you are now standing here?" Slowly her head lifted up from its tilt against her arm as she smiled at him. Charming indeed. "I know you hold no fault in Kane, he is brutish at times, unbearable but he too is a good man. He accuses you trying to keep me safe. He has always safe guarded those he cared about. We are the only family he has, it is right and proper that he should seek to protect us, even if some of us don't wish it at times."

She paused to turn her eyes back to him having been staring at the wall as she spoke. She might not of minded the smell but she didn't want to watch the muck being shoveled out. "I will not discourage your trying, as long as you understand my knickers are in place, at least for the time being. If it’s my attention you seek though, not just the chance to get beneath my skirts, then I whole heartily agree to the trying. You would be the first..."

She was not a fainting woman but when she let go of the stall door, she slid down the exterior and did not bother trying to get up. Her head was no longer hurting but now spinning with everything, this afternoon's argument, her dream, the whole weight of what she didn't know but suspected.

Her disappearing behind the door, he walked to the half-door and looked down... Seeing her upon the dirt floor, he jumps over the half-door and lands near her, kneeling down, disregarding the lingering odor. Quickly pulling his gloves off, he took her hand in his. “M’Lady... Shyvonne, are you alright?” His hand checked for temperature, which was none, though her face was pale, she was not cold. Lifting her chin, he looked into her eyes and seeing the pupils were a normal size, he smiled. “You frightened me...” he admitted without hesitation.

Her fingers curled with his own as he took her head and she didn't fight him when he raised her head to look in her eyes and test her temperature with the palm of his hand against her forehead. A sheepish and embarrassed smile was on her lips the whole time. "I'm fine, really" She soothed and let out a laugh as he smiled and said she had scared him. "I am sorry, I guess this afternoon has just worn me out. My nap didn't really help. Sleeping never does, which is why I only sleep a few hours a night." With his hand under her chin still looking into her eyes, they shifted left and right those moss green eyes and the smile reached her eyes, twinkling with silent laughter as if something were funny as her hand raised to meet his at her chin. Fingers curled around his wrist and gestured softly that he could release her.

"You are right in that I guard my heart with a steel blade, but you know of my family. We are a cursed lot. I don't think any one of us has ever had the luxury to marry for love. Look at what has happened to my brother and Chloe because of lack of love. What they have done to each other is like a avalanche, destroying everything in its path. I may be sheltered away in my little school, but I am not stupid, I see what goes on outside of the walls. I can't explain it, but I know something is looming."

“Looming or nay... things will come to pass despite the consequences... stay behind yer walls... and yu shall be safe... for I shall not allow anything to come to bear upon yu...” Had he just offered her fealty? A promise to protect her too? He unconsciously pushed an errant strand of hair from her face. “If yu love Kane, then tell him... if nay... tell him...” he smiled. “Love hurts.... but we all survive in some form or fashion... but love... regardless, love unyielding...” his hand stroked her face unconsciously. “I see Iain and Chloe, and how they love one another, despite all odds... and I see Robin... a product of that love... and it amazes me...” he smiled again.

"It's the consequences I fear Mark. Not my own, but of their actions. I will do things in my life that warrant the right consequences for what actions I saw as right." She smiled though in his offering to protect her top, at least that was what she gauged from it. What did everyone call her, a North Star; was Mark pulled to her for a reason? She had to be, if her vision came true. She shuddered to remember it. She couldn't let it come true. Sometimes her nightmares came true, other times the course of it was completely changed. She was not a fool in thinking they were just stupid dreams, she said so, only to herself to try to someone make it true. Why her? Why did fate seem to want to tempt her position and loyalty to her clan? Answer her that one, dreams!

"I shall try to stay behind my walls. But do you really think me the type of person to sit by and do nothing if trouble comes?" She smiled as her hand lifted to his, fingers again curling to his wrist as he brushed the hair out of her face and she caught herself smiling again. "I've never known love, outside of my family and books." She spoke as his unconscious hand at her face made her head tilt into the gesture of his palm against her cheek, until he commented about Iain and Chloe crashed down around her.

"What did you say?" Her fingers tightened around his wrist as her face fell with shock. She had suspected but only that. Now here was confirmation that Robin was not a MacGregor by blood. He was a Robertson! He was not her nephew in anything but name. That hurt... her heart gave a twinge of pain at the thought. She so loved her nephew. "Robin...is Iain's?!" It was clear she had not known now and it was a confirming tone as her eyes fell away from his.

“Nay MiLady, but if I can keep yu safe behind walls, then I shall at least attempt such a feat…” he smiled at her. “Never known love? Tis such a shame, and maybe I shall be the one that does so…”

And when he spoke of Robin he saw an odd expression. She had not known, for it was evident upon her face… and he had blundered by being the one to tell her. “Yu did not know?” he questioned… “I am so sorry Shyvonne…” he used her given name for the first time in weeks… “I did not wish to be the one yu discovered this from…”

She wanted to take her mind off of the argument, off her dreams and the weight on her shoulders and so she lifted her head from the stall door and posed her next topic at hand. "How do you feel about taking a position as a Professor? You are happy here, in the stables and you are good with the students. Professor Sergio has more than he can handle. He suggested making you a teacher for the younger students, since you get on with them so well and it will give you a class with Robin. This will also give you time with the horses and seeing to their care."

Mark sat back on the dirt floor at her comment. “Me? A professor?” then he chuckled, his head canting a bit. “Aye, I am happy in my... kingdom... save the smell...” he teased as he waved around his hand. “The younger students are a handful, especially my charge... do yu think I can handle such a task?” his canting the opposite direction. “And yu trust me not with the older girls?” he teased her again.

"No, I trust you. I don't trust the girls" She retorted with no less of a smile on her lips while the weight of her words had him sitting on the ground. "I think you are more up to the task then you believe yourself to be. You forget, I've watched you the last couple of days Mark and I shall say it one more time in the hope you will truly hear me this time, you have potential that you haven't discovered yet and I have seen it. Now let's make it shine."

He stood and pulled her with him. Blue eyes scanned her face, as if to put every millimeter to memory. In a soft whisper... “Then I accept yer offer...” and he obligated her with one of the most charming smiles he could manufacture.

As he offered his hand to help her up, her hand slid into his own and she pushed up while he pulled. Letting go of his hand, she dusted a hand against her bottom to remove the dirt and bits of straw before her attention was turning back to him again awaiting his answer. He was looking at her again, his own eyes moving left to right across her face. Just what was he doing? Despite Kane's warnings which seemed to fly completely out of the Academy gates, she smiled in silence as if she knew what he was thinking. When he accepted, her grin widened. "Good, I shall make the announcement tonight at dinner. Now you can sit at high board with the rest of us grown ups. Professor Mudd" She teased as he gave her one of his most charming smiles ever.

Mark laughed… “Professor Mudd… oh my God… such blasphemy…” and he smiled that charming look again… And in doing so, his hand slipped behind her neck, drawing her close, he leaned down and kissed her... not one of passion, but one that lingered longer than any friendship kiss.

Her head tilted back as his hand went around the back of her neck and she did not struggle as he pulled her to him, her chin dipped further up even as his lips descended and hers parted ever so slightly in meeting his own. No this was no passionate and lustful kiss and definitely one that lasted longer then any friendship. What name there would be to give it, had not been invented yet but the fact remained that when he kissed her, she kissed back.

If a name were to be invented for such a kiss, they would be the ones to formulate it. A simple kiss had started a relationship, sealing a bond that would be tested time and time again… but meanwhile, Shyvonne and Mark would walk back to the main building for dinner… each wanting to hold hands, but refrained…

In the dining hall, Mark’s position was moved from the guard table to the teacher’s table… oddly enough, far away from the Head Mistress, yet positioned so they could watch one another fully with no interference.

[Men of Skye]

Clan-destiny

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Shakespeare, Love Sonnet 29

..............









[/center]

[Shyvonne MacGregor]

Once against the hall was ringing with the sound of spoons and forks hitting pewter plates as the staff and children ate, at the head of the table she could look right and see Mark to the right of Professor Sergio at the very end of the table, poor man. She would see a bigger table ordered tomorrow. Something told her he would not be the last to join the table. She ate like a bird, small portions, her stomach never one to hold much and then she went on to playing with the bread pinching of soft innards from it only to roll into balls and pinch again to make blocks as she stacked them into a bread pyramid. She did this to keep her hands which were always used to work moving while her mind itself played over a million things at once.

Most of all it was her dream. While Mark had been valiant and sweet to offer his protection and see her safe behind her walls, something about it felt wrong. She had said in a small amount of words that she saw things but she knew now she said them in such a small way it was bound to pass right over his head. There was a reason she saw Kane and Mark fighting. War was looming, she was not stupid but was it all ready here? Did men march across the lower lands of Sleat to slay one another? The thought sent a shudder down her spine and why did she still feel a threat to the school...Why did she see battle and not anything to do with the school when she FELT it. It was only Professor Archer, the weapons trainer laughing that caused Shyvonne to come out of her thoughts. He was a pleasant man if not a danger of being in to many cups yet somehow he avoided a hangover the next day and it did not impugn his work, so she could not object.

"If I knew my boy you would rise so swiftly through the ranks from Guard to Professor, I would have nabbed you to help me teach the rug rats how to fight! Ahh, I'll still get that Kane to do it, I'll wager me own boots, s'ides they be the only boots I own!" Professor Archer boomed and then laughed as if his statement were funny.

Mark took a sip of the light wine, then setting the goblet down, he chuckled at the man’s rhetoric. “M’Lord, I am better with horses than I am with swords...” he smiled, while lying to the man, his blue eyes veering to Shyvonne’s until he got her attention, then back to the man. “I suspect Lord Kane would be better with the swords... especially if they are as sharp as his words...” followed by yet another chuckle.

Her head rose and she grinned down the table at Professor Archer as he continued his boisterous laugh. Her hand reached up to finger the North Star pendant around her neck as she offered Mark a grin of her own. Poor man, first Kane and now Mark was under the eye of the drunken professor. The man was old, set in his ways and had been the very one to teach Shyvonne to fight, not that she ever boasted the skills, nor allowed Archer to do the same. He would have rotted away in Armadale in his cups, no glory to speak of, if Shyvonne hadn't offered him the position of Professor at the school. A part of her felt she owed him. Raising her cup, she took a drink just as Lady Liaden cleared her throat beside her. Turning her attention to the lady and then the clock as the woman gestured to it. Shyvonne lifted the small bell from the table and gave it a ring. There didn't need to be an announcement after the meal tonight so when the bell sounded chairs scrapped as the kids departed slowly from the hall.

Shyvonne stayed sitting as the kids filed out along with the teachers for the hour they would have to do what they wished for bed. She could not leave, not with so much on her mind, she would bump into walls. For a while, she watched the tables being cleared, she could have helped as she sometimes did but her body would not move and when she jerked to sit up intent on helping Una waved a hand at her.

"You always be helpin' me child, rest" She cooed as her and her own little staff cleared away first the food and then the plates a feat that took the hour by faster then she thought it would and the larger bell in the tower tolled gloomily as it was rung for bed but again Shyvonne was thinking.

Most all it was the news that Robin was not her nephew. It should not have lingered longer then this, she should have resolved the fact of it being only blood while she had been there, maybe a little more off then on, to see him grow. That should have been enough and yet it wasn't. Mark had not meant to be the one to tell her, of that she saw in his face when he said it but the truth of it was out now. Slumped within the high backed chair, her elbow on the wooden armrest and her fingers at her lips; her pupils had dilating in the low lighting to look once more like the eyes of a cat, large pupils and little color to the irises'. How many of her family had known? Surely Searc had known, he had to with the way he treated the boy as if he did not exist. It made sense now but a deep part of her felt betrayed. How many had known and kept it from her? Slowly her hand slid from her lips and slid over her forehead as she felt her ire rising by the second. Was her clan loyalty seen as so little? Despite trying not to, her jaw tightened in anger. Now one on hand did she not only hate and love Searc but Chloe as well and the other hand, the one that clutched tightly to the wooden armrest, she hated the man known as Iain Robertson.

As the bell rang, Mark stood as the students all stood and filed out of the dining area... and when Shyvonne, remained and sat back down, Mark made his way from the door back to the table. Sitting down next to her, he smiled. “M’Lady, yu look tired. Have yu had a laborious day? Yer face tells me that yu have much upon your mind?” he smiled that charming smile to her. “Should yu ever require an ear, I am available.” His hand now rested upon hers. “Would yu walk with me?”

The pair would exit the dining area by the nearest exit, which would bring them nearest the wall away from the gate. Along the Academy’s wall, the pair strolled thru the shadows... “Shyvonne...” pausing using her given name, taking her hand. “Much has changed in my life the past months... and yu have been the light, and I thank you...” he smiles and continues walking...

They walk along the wall, the ringing of the bell causes curiosity for the reason... continuing toward the gate, they stop suddenly, when they overhear Kane and a man talking about occurrences to the south.

Shifting in the chair, moss green eyes raised to meet Mark and smiled, if only a small pleasant one. As his hand found hers, her wrist rolled and her fingers clasped with his own. "Now why would you have a need to listen to my ranting about my family and clan? It's nothing" She teased lightly before nodding her head that she would walk with him and so lifted out of the chair, her fingers still curled with his own as they made their way out into the night but it was when they started talking that she let go. "I don't blame you for telling me about Robin, its not your fault I didn't know. I am just left wondering how many did know, why they felt I didn't need to know. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I have distanced myself quite well from my family and my clan for the greater good of my ideals that don't quite match this time. I can't stand the politics of the clan, its all about money and power, and having an heir. I think differently then they do. They think the people of this country exist to provide them with possession. I think their possession exists to provide for those people." She fell silent, turning her head to look him in the eye before letting out a laugh. "Don't mind me. I tend to get long winded."

Pressing her lips together they walked in silence for a while longer until she felt his hand tighten on hers and he said her name. Stopping, she turned to look up into his face. “Much has changed in my life the past months... and yu have been the light, and I thank you..." Her mouth opened and then closed. In the full moons light, the paleness of her cheeks made her seem like a a mythical fae standing in the realm of reality for only a moments time, until her cheeks flushed and made her all the more real then before. What did she say to that?

They started walking again and still, nothing came immediately to mind. Her mouth opened in the attempt to say your welcome, lame but it was the only thing she could think of when the bell started tolling. Tightening her hand on his as they continued towards the gate and paused when they heard Kane and the guards talking.

Meanwhile, at the gates of the Academy, a lone rider, wearing the sash of the MacGregor leaned down, pulling the short rope, and rang the bell. As he was surveyed by Kane’s men and eventually allowed to enter, Kane was summoned to the gate...

When received and asked what message he bore, the lone rider, now standing upon the ground, reins in hand. “MiLord Kane, more than 150 northern MacDonald and MacLean now move south with a Griffin company, totaling 300… The Robertson force of 100, led by Lord Iain, have ridden to Dunsgate, but have turned north, leaving the Castle unmolested... and a force of 500 of the southern MacDonald and Borderers are coming from the east... all heading toward Cartervalle Abbey. I fear a fierce battle shall soon occur there... that is where Lord Searc is recuperating... He, and his son, MUST be the focus of all this... Rumor has it that the MacDonald come to regain ownership of the MacGregor Sleat peninsula...”

Her hand left Mark's and went to her mouth, her facing paling even in the tender moonlight. "I have to go..." Her hand rose to stop him from saying anything as she shifted her skirts and hiked across the yard towards the Acadermy.

The Devil to Pay

The days seemed to short. All ready it was mid afternoon but you could not tell it the way the clouds hung over the sun making the day hazed and dark as it drizzled nonstop since breakfast. Needless to say the kids were stuck inside, unable to have their classes in the stable with the horses. The Dining Hall had been given up to Sergio and Mark for their classes. It was up to them how they taught them without the presence of a horse. Stuck inside her office with paperwork for a new semester, she was ready to go insane, lifting her head each time the bell rang for classes to change over. Sometimes moving from her office to library and back again, always moving and so when the bell rang for the final class before lunch to begin, Shyvonne groaned and tugged at the end of her hair which had been arranged to flow over one shoulder. Leigha grinned from her own desk in the office before her head fell again and Shyvonne leaned back with a groan that the hours really had not gone by that fast and yet fast enough she would never finish all she had to today.

Mark shifted the saddle upon the table, and pointed to the girth... His instruction was to blindly connect the girth to the saddle ring... This would demonstrate how to tighten the girth from atop the horse... Blue eyes shifted to the window and he let out a huff due to the rain... "Alright Marcus, yu try it... Blindfold him Henry... Let's see if he can do it this time..." Patience due to weather or battle was not Mark's forte... though with Shyvonne, he had plenty... for she was a unique character... and of course, Kane still lingered when he wasn't wanted....

The Gates had been opened to allow the latest visitor and her enclave into the courtyard, riding in a carriage, pulled by matched bays, it was unknown who the visitor might be by looking from a window, or doorway, the carriage windows were shuttered with leather curtains against the drizzle, but a clue was held in the decorative coat of arms on the side of the carriage... McGregor... it seemed... in front and behind, guards and attendants rode, the carriage loaded with what looks like several trunks and baggage for and extended stay. As one of the guards dismounted and made way to knock at the Academy's door, the Driver and footmen, raced to open the carriage door... as they did a chubby round faced red headed freckled moppet jumped out, landing flat in a puddle and graceful decent of his mother... none other than Portia.. MacGregor.

No sooner had Portia and her snot nosed brat been admitted into the hall then Liaden sent her husband to get Shyvonne while the housekeepers turned upward at the regal and dimwhitted Portia MacGregor. When Shyvonne had been told who was waiting for her, she cursed and Leigha tsked shaking her head which had Shyvonne scowling as she moved to look out the window and the carriage. Baggage?! Ohhh nooo. Clenching her fist, she slammed it against the windowsill before turning back. "Don't I have enough to do?!" She hissed to neither Iomhar nor Leigha as they stared at her and she waved them off as she moved out into the hall to greet her husband’s wife pausing at the Dining Hall, she looked in on Mark and Robin and paled. Oh chyt! When Mark eyes met hers though she could only smile in response. She would work this out, Portia was an idiot. She could do this. Smoothing her hand down her dress she met them at the foyer. "Portia, I was not expecting you, or little....Bart" Her nose turned down at the little boy splashed with mud. She managed a grimacing smile before her eyes went back to Portia. "What brings you to the Academy?"

Mark saw Shyvonne at the door, and he smiled and nodded his head at her. Then she let out a quick, forced smile and disappeared. Looking at Robin, he patted the boy's head... "Good job lad... remove yer blindfold and see what yu have done..." .... "Ok Henry, yer turn... Markus put on Henry's blindfold..." then Mark looked back to the door while the boys worked their task... wondering where Shy went...

Into the main hall they went, Portia's distinct voice carrying and echoing though the academy, bouncing off marble and stone, such an odd voice high pitched and almost irritating , yet elegant and sweet.. overly sweet.. at least until it had to do with her offspring "Barthomew!" she yelled in the most elegant manner she could afford as the boy some 8 years old was already trying to pull a sword from an shield that lined the walls as art... "Stop that now... come stand by mummy... and behave... you need to make a good impression on Mistress Shyvonne, even if she is your Cousin, and bound to take you for family reasons... that and we will pay a fortune, but you must behave... " with those words she spit on her hand and slicked back some of the unruly curls on his forehead... odd, he looked nothing like Vargus or Portia for that matter... When Shyvonne showed up Portia pasted on a smile that would dazzle the sun... "Ahhh Shyvonne..." she purred moving to hug the girl tightly... "I told you... I would be coming to visit soon... bring Bart here... to get him started... and well no time like the present..." she smiled removing her gloves and cloak and tossing them to Shyvonne as if she were a servant... "What a lovely place this is... perfect for acadamia and all... but dreary don't' you think ?" she wrinkled her nose.. without though then turned back to Shyvonne... "I brought Bart's things he can start today..."

Shyvonne stiffened as Portia hugged her humming as if she were really holding back a growl as she hugged Portia back quite lazily before stepping back to smooth her hands down the front of her gown. For a moment her eyes turned to Bart as if knowing he was a problem child and was trying to ruin her Academy within the very minute he stepped foot into it. Funny how he did not resemble Portia or Vargus and because she now knew Robin was not Searc's she began to wonder who he really belonged to. It wasn't until Portia glove hit her in the face did she flinch and turn her attention back to Portia as Liaden took the one glove from the floor and the other from Shyvonne hand as well as the cloak with a slanted gaze at Portia. Shyvonne smiled at the older woman before again her attention turned to Portia. "No time like the present indeed" It sounded as if she were agreeing when really she was scolding the woman, didn't she know a war was brewing. "t..t..t..today?" Shyvonne stuttered before pressing a hand against her stomach as she cleared her throat to correct herself. "Portia, if you had given me warning I could of had a schedule set up for him. I cannot place him classes today, the day is half over.... I do believe you mean Academic..."She corrected Portia lame attempt at a compliment and forced herself to smile. "It used to be a castle, I can offer you two a tour if you like and get Bart set up in classes for tomorrow." Silently she prayed thanks that Portia herself wasn't staying as well. What she had thought was an extended stay was Bart's things, or so she thought.

"Good job lads... now remember, when the rain stops, we shall attempt this from atop a horse... just remember how ya did the ties..." he looked toward the door hearing an odd familiar voice... his blue eyes narrow, and as he looks at the boys, he smiles... "Henry, take the saddles back to the storage room, we can take them to the stables later..." His attention continued to be focused on the boys, often veering toward that shrill voice... "It couldn't be... she is dead..." he thought to himself... and the very next thought was Shy's comment about his past not coming here... and he plopped into a chair at the table, head down, his hands cupping his head as he focused his eyes on the table....

"Oh Shyvonne you worry too much... just place him in any old class, and yes of course tomorrow would be fine to start, and I would love a tour, but first I need to know where we will be staying... of Course, Bart will need private room and some for his guards I'm leaving with him... and I'll be needed a suite myself." she giggled and smiled as the servants begin hauling in an inordinate amount of luggage... "I'll be staying a few days to observe how he gets on... and if this is a good fit for him" she waved the servants forward... "You can send your servants up to show them where to put things." she cast a look at Liaden... almost shooing her away with her eyes, then turning the perpetual bright smile back to Shyvonne... "Now, we can tour you Academy... I just love places that have books... you know I was never formally taught, just Nannies and the like " she had an wistful look to her. "Then again.. being Vargus's wife... and rich beyond my dreams... I don't have to rely on book smarts like you do being unmarried and all at your age... I suppose it is a great comfort to you isn't it. " ... was she catty or merely that silly that she thought her compliments on Shyvonne's intelligence wasn't really a slap in the young maids face... "I confess... I do envy you your learning sometimes... but I dont' think I would ever be happy in such a dreary place as this without the distractions of shopping and polite company... however do you manage..?"

"I pride myself that my students do not overwork themselves and learn the academics to which savor their intelligence Portia, of course I will worry" She retorted but with an oh sweet smile as moss green eyes swiveled to Liaden in a help me look before turning back to Portia as she presumed to order her staff about. When Liaden simply huffed to Portia look to shoo her on. Shyvonne hand lifted to Liaden back to usher the woman on with a pleading look. When Portia said she was ready, Shyvonne turned, her jaw tightening as the annoyingly sweet voice of Portia continued to purr. "Down this way is the Dining Hall, Kitchen, my office is to the left and the library to the right..." She paused leading them and turned a look at Portia as if the woman had indeed slapped her. "A great comfort to know I am well learned, yes I suppose so." She offered folding her hands in front of her so she didn't wring the woman's neck. "Fortunately my mother saw potential that I not be just some arm candy and breeding ground for some Lord all to line the pockets of my brother and saw that my education was nurtured. When we are dead in the ground, our children and their children will bear the lands we have given over to them. I take great pride in thinking I will help to shape the minds that will someday rule. It pales in comparison to pretty dresses and polite company." To this she offered Portia one of her sweetest smiles. She wasn't intent on showing Portia the Dining Hall so when she had stopped, she turned back. "I can show you the classrooms if you wish, but you must be quiet as class is in session."

The more screeching that voice resounded against the walls, the more he wanted to slide under the table... or even yet... fulfill his destiny as a murderer... But if he murdered Portia, then he would be imprisoned... he just sighed and sunk his head deeper into his hands... Was he imagining, or was the voice getting closer... The look of terror seems to cross his face... and he stood quickly... Looking around for a fast exit... The door out to the garden... He did not consider the rain, all he wanted to do was hide... and out the door, closing it softly as he exited... The rain pounded against his body... his brown hair soon matting wet against bone... There in the door was Shyvonne, followed by Portia MacGregor, risen from the dead... and a chill shook his body... then he saw her son... who looked nothing like either the mother nor the father and it made him smile... another one of her ventures he figured. Rain... chilled Skye rain of spring... and he was out in it... and at early evening no less... all because of the MacGregor... Had past met present... not yet it hadn't...

To Shyvonne's speech about the children being the future of Skye and the McGregor, Portia's response was a little yawn covered by an elegant hand, then a giggle "Shyvonne you do sound like a real teacher... with all that talk of the future... and such." she prattled on as she abruptly turned throwing open the doors to the dining hall, with great drama... "What is this again" her voice seemed to waver... as she took stock of the occupants of the rooms, little boys of all ages, some in their teens... of course with her dramatic entrance all eyes were on her... and her... dress... or rather the bodice of her dress... Portia McGregor was indeed a fashion icon in Sleat, always wearing daringly low cut dresses that displayed a more than ample amount of creamy flesh, almost teasing with a hint of pink now and again depending on if she leaned over or shrugged her shoulders just so... which she did at the moment giving the older boys something to take to their nocturnal emissions fantasies for the next fortnight... and then dark eyes lit on none other than the form of Robin... "Ohhh, I see already you have MacGregor Royalty in house." the smile of a weasel played over her lips as she turned to Shyvonne.. "We were all so worried over his whereabouts... tell me how many other missing MacGregor do you shelter beneath your roof ?"

As Portia threw the doors open to the Dining Hall, Shyvonne gasped and the look on her face said she clearly wanted to smack the back of Portia head, or beat her head against the wall. Either seemed a good idea for a moment before her thoughts turned to Robin. Sliding into the room, she pressed herself against the door offering an apologetic smile to Professor Sergio who taught on one side of the room, like the boys he was staring at Portia and with his mouth wide open. "My apologies Professor, I did not mention to our guest there was class going on here." Moss green eyes scanned the room and seeing Mark gone, she frowned. He left his class?! Oh he was going to get it later! "This is the Dining Hall Portia but the Equine class comes here when it is raining." She offered as her fists balled at her side. As Portia gaze went to Robin, she moved to block him from the woman's view as she practically shoved her out the doors again. "Oh no no, you are mistaken, that is Marcus, he is the son of a foreign dignitary." Oh God they were in trouble! "Honestly Portia, you let your mind come up with some fabulous stories. There are no MacGregor's here besides myself and Kane." Really it was not a complete lie, Robin may have been there, but Mark was not a MacGregor, not yet at least. "Portia, please, feel free to wander the school but I just remembered a matter I need to attend to, but please, don't disrupt the classes." Yeah, Shyvonne had suddenly needed to find Mark and find out why he left his class!

Professor Sergio defended Professor Mudd... "Oh MiLady, Professor Mudd finished class already... he sent the boys to their quarters... and he ummmm..." Just then Robin came back in the dining hall from the other door... He had gone to his room, only to return to ask Mark to come by and say good night... and what he walked into was a large audience of soon to be confused people... including himself...

Arms crossed, Mark shivered a bit as he watched Portia and Shyvonne thru the glass door... "Good thing I sent the boys to their quarters..." he thought... "at least she didn’t see Robin..."

Then behind him, a guard stepped up behind him... "MiLord... why are yu in the rain?" then the guard saw the women... "Aye, I see... why Professor??" then the guard took Mark by the arm and pushed open the door from the garden to the dining hall... "MiLady MacGregor... I found Professor Mudd watching you from outside and thought it odd..." and he pushed Mark in front of him...

that is when he saw Shyvonne... Robin... and Portia... Mark looked like a drowned rat... a guilty drowned rat, no less... Mark shook his head and gave a canted look upwards... "Evening Head Mistress..." and he averted his face toward the floor.

"Good Lord, Shyvonne do you think me blind that I wouldn't know Robin when I saw him... he's practically the McGregor Prince everyone knows him..." she was beginning to dislike Shyvonne who was obviously lying to her... "What kind of school is this that the head mistress lies to parents.. I do wonder?" She gave Shy a look that said in no short words... tsk tsk shame on you... liar liar pants on fire.. and any other multitude of childish accusations of lying... but it was when Mark was shoved in dripping wet, that her eyes widened and her lips pulled from their disapproval of Shyvonne's fib, to an almost feral smile, the light in her eyes gleaming as if she had found a most worthy piece of meat... "Mark Collier... imagine seeing you here..." she drawled her tone having dropped to a seductive purr... that would not be lost on Shyvonne no matter how innocent the bookworm was, just the flush of remembrance at the last time Mark had f**ked her into unconsciousness was enough to cause Portia's skin to glow, and her color to heighten... a deep inhale and she glanced over to Shyvonne... "Oh now I see what makes this place less dreary."

Shyvonne could avoid the truth with the best of them, but lie. Yes she was a horrible liar. Sighing, her hand went to Portia arm. "Portia please, he is under assumed identity here to protect him. Please don't say anything." She begged not knowing she was more likely begging the snake not to bite when it was posed to strike. As the guard shoved Mark inside and to attention, her eyes moved to him. Soaking wet, her mouth opened to scold then closed seeing him drenched and brows knotted together in confusion and worry. "Thank you Hamish" She thanked the guard and dismissed him in so little words and more a look. "Professor, you will catch your death." She attempted at scolding but it sounded more concerned and caring then scolding. As Portia attention turned to Mark, her attention shifted between the two... Portia glow and Mark's guilty look; her mouth opened and then closed. "Portia, this is Professor Mudd..." She offered not in a lie but there were prying ears and she moved to close the Dining Hall doors and with a look dismissed the remaining guards even though they knew the truth. "He is here to watch out for Robin and has an assumed name. I would appreciate it if you use it while you are here. And hope you will be put at ease to know there is no inappropriate behavior between teachers and teachers or teachers and students who are here." Her voice was taught and cold in retort to why Portia believed the place to be less dreary and again affirming her own innocence that could have been called into question. She was no fool, the look said enough but Shyvonne did not want to judge and be wrong.

Murder... crossed his mind again... He had failed once... he couldn't fail again... and when he raised his head at Portia's voice, his blue eyes veered to Shy, then back to the bytch herself... How else could he keep Robin's identity quiet...? The introduction... and Portia's face... he had a lot of explaining to do... and would he ever be in Shyvonne's eyes again... He needed a drink... a lot of them... He sloshed water as he walked out the door making his way to his room... What an evening!!

[Men of Skye]

The Devil to Pay- Shyvonne and Portia

Shyvonne for once in her life felt utterly stupid and plain as Mark's eyes swiveled to her to Portia and back again before he bowed and sloshed his way away from them. Her mouth opened just as the bell tolled for the end of class and her mouth closed again as the students began to file from the classrooms to change the course of classes to the next. "Oh Walter, walter.." She ushered to an older boy and pressed a hand on Bart's shoulder towards him. "This is Bart, he will be joining the school, could you take him to Professor Archer for weapons training." Walter, a stout looking lady with sandy brown hair like his brother William, nodded with a smile and ushered Bart to follow him. After the two disappeared into the crowd of children, Shyvonne eyes turned to Portia and she smiled, if pained like Portia was a snake repeatedly striking at her. "Shall we go to my office for Tea and to discuss the terms of Bart's schooling?" She offered with a wave of her hand towards the left corridor from the Dining Hall. Without waiting for a reply she lead the way and was the one to close the door behind the two of them. The tea was all ready laid out upon her desk for the two women.

As they entered the office she milled about unimpressed with all the books and things of academia, all these things bored her terribly and she almost felt sorry for Shyvonne being cooped up in such a miserable place, yet her sensitivity did not wander to others, not even her own child or husband, oh she loved them she supposed, after a fashion, but was she happy when they were near.. well she could take it or leave it.. frankly she was a creature that preyed upon pleasuring herself, whether that be through excess of shopping, gambling, sex or wine.. she was a glutton of it all save food, for the one thing Portia did indeed value was her beauty, and her form.. She knew both was flawless and that men could not help lustful stares, indeed the only man she had met that was completely immune to her charm was the dark and brooding Kane, he never even offered her a second glance, only a growl or a curt nod of his head before she was summarily ignored.. But in her quest for pleasure she had found Mark Collier a most willing and energetic piece of entertainment, that she was eager to engage in once more. Finally she settled as a servant brought in the tea, then served them both.. finally the dawdling servant left, and Portia fidgeted, her manicured nails, fingers wreathed in diamonds and gold, and other precious stones , played over the rim of her tea cup.. oh how she wished this business to be over.. so much the quicker to find Mark Collier... and make sure he spent the night in lustful pursuit along with her.. "So I do hope this business is not dreadfully long.. I find myself in need of a bath.. and pampering.. I assume you have a proper tub in this place?" she looked about as if she would shiver, at the lack of extravagance, already she missed the lush halls of Dunsgate, which would soon be hers if her Husbands plan succeeded... but then again Mark Collier was here.. so the ambiance had improved dramatically in her perception.

Suspected. That was all there was to it. She suspected she had found one of Mark's bed partners in her cousins wife and it made her shiver to think Mark had preferred the company of such a woman. She had never even thought of who he might have slept with no matter how hard Kane had tried to make her aware it was plenty of women in Dunsgate but Portia. She could not rid herself of the images and so barely smiled at Liaden who set out the tea and left with a strained sympathetic look at Shyvonne. She barely noticed Portia there either with her scrunched up nose at the state of Shyvonne office, the books and lack of splendor. Silently she scribbled classes on a paper for Bart tomorrow, a temporary schedule, drawing a line she then calculated pricing, lodging, private meant more, food, all the little things that went into running a school and the well being of the students. Circling the final price, she sat back as Portia spoke and felt her jaw tighten as her chin poked outward with her words. "No, not dreadfully long at all.." She heaved a sigh and pushed the schedule and pricing index before Portia. "If you agree, add your signature on the bottom and this will be set with all the necessary papers tomorrow. Before you add your signature though Portia.." As she spoke she pulled the paper back once Portia had a good look at it. "Lets make one a few things perfectly clear. This is my school, you will not presume to order my staff or teachers about as your personal toys while you are here. Secondly, my staff, in regards to males are off limits." Clutching the sides of her chair, she leaned forward. "An I do mean all. Lets make this perfectly and utterly clear Portia, I don't NEED to take your son on here. I gladly do so to further his education and because he is a MacGregor, my loyalty to my clan is unwavering and so taking on Bart as a student is part of the loyalty I can offer but it is not something I HAVE to do. You break this rule I am laying at your feet on my grounds and I promise you, I will have no qualms whatsoever in alerting my dear cousin of his wife's activities. I am sure he would be much pleased to know his wife is cuckolding him under his very nose." Her voice darkened, uttering low in a promise of no idle threat. She was as much protecting her teachers as she was Mark in that second. The dark look he passed Portia had not been missed, or perhaps it was just a glimmer of hope that he had bedded his cousin’s wife for loyalty than it was pleasure. "An should this occur and you decide to out certain people, lets just say you will do more damage to yourself them harm to them in confirming anything I've said about the matter. You think because I run a school that I do not know how to fight dirty Portia, I will assure you, I can and for my clan, I will." She promised in a single unwavering breath. Truly she had made it known in that moment that she had no like for the woman across from her but she did not care.

Her head tilted as Shyvonne begin her little tirade of rules, good lord how could someone live with such rules, but when she got to the part about men, under the Academy's employee being off limits she raised an eyebrow, then her hands brought together and clapped in delight.. "Bravo little cousin.. I was beginning to think you had no teeth..." she smiled and rolled her eyes, then snatched the paper back and signed it with a flourish.. "The monies will be forwarded by Vargus's man next week " she smiled almost serpentine like as she leaned forward, her voice and tone all honey and syrup " My husband knows of my activities... and even watches sometimes.. he will not care one wit in the world if you tell him anything.. you see we have an arrangement.." her brow quirked with her smile as she winked over at the headmistress of the academy... "As for what I do in my bed or with whom.. as long as it's consenting adult it is none of your business. I suggest you stick to your students.. " she leaned back regarding the zeal with which Shyvonne blazed and a light went on beneath the halo of silvery gold ringlets... they begin to bounce as she laughed.. " Ohhhhhh myyyy I didn't see it till now... but... our little Shyvonne has set her cap for the stable boy.. how perfect..." she laughed outright and stood mincing about the room then turning to look at Shyvonne with a conspiratorial grin.. "He is marvelous in bed you know.. hung like a stallion.. and with so much stamina.. have you ridden him yet?" her dark eyes were fevered with the heat of memory.

"Your husband knows, not my brother. An should my brother fall to his illness and you and my cousin decide to set your cap at inheriting what is my nephew's. Well I will make sure the clan knows of both your activities. You see, I found it hard to believe the people will follow a couple when questioning the legitimacy of their children's births" A single eyebrow stirred upward as she took the paper back, folded it and tucked it away in a draw within her desk ignoring about the comment of her having no teeth. She preferred not to fight or even fight dirty. She preferred peace and the well being of the people who looked to the MacGregor clan for their happiness. Her hands folded before her as Portia began to laugh and the only telltale sign she gave her cousin’s wife was her downcast eyes for a moment before their raised again, her stomach turning with her Portia statement of Mark's size and quality in bed. "What I do in my bed and with whom, as long as it is consenting, is none of your business. I suggest you stick to shopping." She quoted Portia's own words as her head lifted again though she kept her elbows posed on the armrests of the chair, fingers linked and within her lap as she eyed Portia.

"oh don't' be like that we can share.. " she grinned and then arched a brow as Shy threatened her with outing her to Serac.. wily enough not to even hint at what she and Vargus had planned she rolled her eyes as if it were a trivial matter, wily enough not to even hint at Vargus plans for taking over the Clan, she shrugged her shoulders eloquently.. "I thought everyone knew that Bart is not our blood child.. we adopted him and his younger brother Caddus, they were orphans of the war, and since I have not been able to produce an heir.. well.. they are lawful and legitimately my Husbands sons... Have you been offended by my sons lack of blood ties to you clan?" now she pouted and looked offended herself "Truly Shyvonne I though you a much more sensitive sole to the plight of war orphans..".

Scooting her chair back, she rose from her chair and moved about the desk to stare down at Portia from a step or two away leaving the comment of sharing unanswered. If she knew Mark like she thought she did, like she saw within him without words. There would be no sharing. Period. "No I never meant anything by the children you adopted. I mean to say quite clearly and plainly that due to your lack of producing an heir, the people will be less likely to follow you and with the knowledge of your husband and yours carnal pleasures, they will not likely be inclined to follow you SHOULD you come with child. They are snakes Portia, see how they have lead my brother into believing he needed another heir besides Robin, it resulted in both Chloe and his sickness which is as we both see it, a terrible misfortune. They will be just as venomous with you of that I have no doubts" Then she smiled pleasantly as if she were paying Portia a compliment.

"It matters not as Vargus and I are happy with our lot in life and support Searc and Chloe fully " she chimed in.. trying to alay any of Shy's thoughts of a clan coup in the future even though it was a very near reality should Vargus complete is plan, during the trek to Cartevalle abbey, and now that she knew the whereabouts of the young Robin.. well it was practically a sealed deal.. a little recreation with Mark and then she would be off back to Dunsgate to rule Sleat beside her husband.. the first course of action would be to get rid of that dragon lady Ivella, and her staff.. perhaps she would allow Shyvonne her little academy, after all, she needed a baby sitter for the boys.. they did so try her patience, and needed taming and education.. "Ohhh how did Searc's need of another heir cause them to come down with plague?" her brow was puzzled as she had never been privy to the truth of the matter between Searc and Chloe.

"I am sure" She replied and moved back to stand beside her chair rather then sit down again. Her eyes turned down at Portia. She was not so blind as to be fooled. She never liked either her cousin nor his wife and heeded her mothers advice about them well in the past leading to 'missed' meetings except for the last, when she had come for Robin. She knew Portia and Vargus were not happy with their lot in life but she could not set a finger as to the what and when of any of their plans. Lips pressed into a thin line as Portia drooled about the details of Chloe and Searc sickness. Was she serious? There was no fear for she didn't believe she gave anything away. "Surely you are joking? One of them was carrying it and in sporting in bed together, they passed it to the other. Shall I explain to you now how babies are made?"

"I wonder that you yourself know, as you act all innocent and such.. but then again I see the fever in which you want to protect poor Mark from me.. and I wonder.. if you are merely a cat, marking her territory.. on a hopeless tom cat... after all... he's not the marrying type.. and I would suppose that you are going to be a prize match for someone that will of course... be most advantageous to the Clan.. a stable boy.. while handy.. is not well.. marriage material no matter how well hung.. " she giggled again as she moved toward the door, bored with the conversation and Shyvonne, and well aware of the itch between her thighs that only Mark Collier could scratch... "Though you could keep him as a play toy I presume.. he has good bones.. perhaps even pass off his bastard as a true MacGregor" she laughed softly... unaware of how that very thing had already come to pass... in Robin..

"As I stated before Portia, my intentions of Mark are of course, no business of yours." She stated as she lay her hand on the back of her chair and watched the woman. Pressing her lips together for a moment, she gripped at the top of the chair and fought the urge to stride across the room and punch Portia right in her pretty little face. THAT would ruin her chances with men if only for a short time and make her Shyvonne very happy but no, she wasn't going to do it. "If and when the day marriage comes for me, you can be sure I will be quite content in the choice." She said with certainty that Searc would never hurt her by not taking her feelings into account despite how he had acted when William asked for her hand in marriage. Searc loved her, of this she was certain, though they fought, she was his baby sister and she took into account his delay of marriage meant he feared the loss of her. She hoped this was so, of course she could only speculate but she knew with certainty Searc did love her and she him, though it was hard in showing it sometimes. She watched Portia stride to the door and slowly released her clutch on the chair and move to the side of her desk. "Mark, has a potential that you could never see with your small mind Portia. Whatever my intentions of him, you can be sure he is no mere plaything. I bid you goodnight." She dismissed the woman as she moved to open the door and then slam it squarely in the woman's face once she was on the other side.

[Men of Skye]

The Tavern

Back to his room he slogged... and with a hurried change of clothes, he had enough of Portia and her conniving ways... and he needed a drink... so he donned a slicker and headed back down the stairs. Out to the stables, he saddled a horse and headed thru the gates...his destination – the nearest tavern...

Half way there, his path crossed Kane... Queried as to where he was going, Mark just laughed... “To the nearest tavern MiLord... misery loves company, care to join me over a few drinks?”

Kane would look over Mark Collier with a look of none to kindly, but a drink did sound good, it would take his mind off Shyvonne, drink always had the effect of leaving him numb, dark and empty… Though Collier was the least likely drinking buddy he would have chosen, it mattered not... He didn’t have to like the man to share a drink, and what was more he wanted to know true what feelings Mark had for Shyvonne, Man to man... He wanted to lay down terms and let Collier know... He was watching.

So it was, the two men rode toward the village, Kane leading since he was more familiar with the area. Tying the horses to a tree, the men entered the tavern... Sitting at a table in the corner, Kane kept his back toward the wall, while Mark sat across from the Head Guard. The tavern maid brought their mugs of mead and a small bottle of Irish whiskey...

Several mugs of mead, and several shots of the stout whiskey made for a swilling head on both the men... Mark looked at the man across from him... and in a slurred speech, he inquired... “Do you love Shyvonne? I have been meaning to ask... yu are always on her ass, and tis seems like yu are in love with the woman... she is a looker, is she not?” He swayed a bit as he looked at the blurry man... “Well?... Speak up man...”

Kane held his liquor far better than Collier it seemed, stoic and almost stone-like, he watched as the mead and whiskey disappeared down his gullet, and dimmed his senses, as well as made him brave enough to brook the subject of the object of Kane’s affections…

Mark was a drinker, one use to Lord Iain’s parties… but apparently Kane was able to tolerate more… or was it that Mark just drank way more? The reason he was drinking was different than Kane’s… or was it? The Lady Shyvonne seemed to have an effect on them both… but Portia’s arrival at Oisles Academy seemed to send Mark over the edge. At least he was not a murderer.

“The affairs of my heart are mine and none of your business, but since you brought the matter to the surface… I will warn you, harm one hair on her head, cause her one second of pain, one inkling of discomfort whether real or imagined, and I will see you rue the day you ever set eyes upon her… She is the most innocent and brilliant of womankind and deserves a man who will treat her as such.. Not merely as a next conquest... Nor a Looker as you so say.” he leaned back in his chair and took a double shot of whiskey, in his mind Shyonne danced beneath a maypole when she was barely 13, flowers in her hair, ribbons flying in the actions of her dancing, even then he had loved her beyond what a foster brother should... He would love her always, no other woman compared, or would ever...

Blurry eyed, Mark looked at Kane… “Ah ha !! you do love her… I knew it !!” He smirked… “I do not really care about yer feelings though… what is between Shyvonne and I are NONE of yer affair…” then he pushed Kane a bit… “Treat me not like yer guards, boy… I am a Professor… and I profess yer full of chyt…” Boy? Even though they were approximately the same age…? Oh yeah, Mark was pushing… he spoke with slurred speech and blurry eyes, and delayed movements, even slamming down another whiskey followed by mead.

In the continuing conversation, goading evolved from both men… physical gestures had gone from nudging to shoving… and when Kane said what he did… Mark hauled off and slugged the man in the jaw… and the fight ensued.

Fight After-effects

The morning after, the smell of alcohol marred his appearance. The bed of the Inne above the Boar’s Head Tavern was lumpy, but it was better than the stables or the streets. And definitely better than receiving Hell’s wrath from Shyvonne. What would she think of his and Kane’s behavior?

Rising late that morning, he found Kane on the floor by the door with a stolen pillow. With a shake of his head, he went over and began to wash his face. God he felt bad… and his lip was no better. His chest felt like a wagon had rolled over it… Rinsing his mouth out, he then went over and woke Kane. “Kane… Kane, wake up. We must return to the Academy.”

The ride back to the Academy was slow… the horses hooves seemed to echo in their heads; the constant thud thud thud… By the time they returned to the Academy, the dinner meal would be starting, and the stomachs of both men were growling. Kane rang the bell on the gate for entry.

As they rode thru the gate, they knew soon Shyvonne would find them…

By morning Shyvonne knew even in waking that Mark and Kane were not back at the Academy. To say her mood was dark was an understatement. She had been left to the ramblings of her cousin’s wife and for once she did not dream of dark things to pass but of lovers secreting away in shadows. Lovers she did not want to think about.

The day did not go as smoothly as any of them hoped. All day she waited for the two men to return informing the staff to let her know the minute the bell was wrung for entry and all day there had been nothing. Punishments were perhaps the hardest for the kids for she was unrelenting in even the smallest infraction. Detention would be met with many groans for days on ends and by the time the lunch bell tolled, the staff and the students were avoiding her or even her gaze should they meet her path. For this, she felt horrible. It was not their fault and yet she was taking it out on them. She could not continue to do that. Those that had done wrong, needed to face the punishment and not them.

From then on, her mood seemed improved and the students and staff breathed a sigh of relief when the rest of the classes after lunch were called off in an apology for her attitude and the doors opened for the students to take in the beautiful day after the day before being so rainy and miserable. In truth, this was also a ploy to look out for the guard and professor of the Academy missing but by the time the dinner bell tolled and they had not arrived, her mood had soured again. As the students filed in for dinner, Shyvonne pulled Leigha aside.

"Have Una make up two trays and put them in Master Kane and Professor Mudd rooms along with a tub and some water. When they come through those gates, tell them to put their own horses away and then go to their rooms, they are not to show themselves in the Dining Hall. By my orders, they are to go straight to their rooms, eat, bath and wait for my arrival... They are not to leave their rooms at all. This is my wish and my order." Shyvonne spoke low as some of the students tried to walk slower to catch what the Head Mistress was saying only to quicken their pace when she gave them a hard look that said they would be in trouble if they lingered longer.

Kane and Mark led their horses by the reins after they dismounted inside the gates. And they looked at each other, seeing no Shyvonne there to rage against them… only Leigha walking toward them.

Leigha face softened a bit under the harsh words as if she pitied both men and hurried inside to do as Shyvonne bid and then go out to the stoop to wait for the men while Shyvonne ate in the hall. When the bell toiled, Leigha lifted her hand to signal to the guards to open the gates. Fidgeting her hands in front of her, she waited till both horses were stopped in front of her to begin. "Master Kane, Professor Mudd, I have orders that you are to put your horses away, an go unto your rooms at once. You will not be admitted into the Dining Hall tonight. The Head Mistress has ordered you both to eat in your rooms and to freshen up with the baths put in your rooms for you. You are not to leave your rooms for any reason. She also bid me to tell you to wait for her arrival as this will not wait until morning, she wishes to speak with the two of you, but separately. Wait in your rooms for her arrival." Finished with her speech, she dipped in a courtesy and then hastened up the steps as if dogs were nipping at her heels and disappeared inside.

As the woman stopped before them and began her speech. Again the men looked at one another with a confused look. They bowed their heads at Leigha as she walked away, and the men took a turn toward the stables. Inside, they unsaddled their horses, and brushed the body, manes and tails, then led them into the respective stalls. “Ordered to our rooms?” Mark exclaimed in a gruff voice, a bit frustrated. “We are to be punished like children…?” he continued. Kane too grumbled about being treated as a child in trouble. “We drink like men, we fought like men, and now we are friends…only to be treated as children caught in a cookie jar?” The headache was just now going away, but still, his mouth tasted like a bear had chyt in it… he spit the saliva out onto the ground, then looked at Kane. “Damn women… cannot be with ‘em, and cannot be without ‘em….” Then the two men laughed as they poured grain into the horses troughs.

She had heard the bell tolling for admittance into the Academy and knew immediately it was Kane and Mark. For a moment, she jerked within her chair, feeling the itch arise in her to go out there and give them a good piece of her mind but slowly she sank back into her chair. When two of the guards were finished with their meals, she beckoned them close and whispered her orders that one each go to Mark and Kane's doors. No one was to go in or out. For the rest of the meal, she laughed and chatted with the staff, as if nothing was wrong. When it was time for the kids to go to their rooms, she lifted from her chair and saw them out.

She took her time then, helping Una to clean up the dirty plates and take them back to the kitchens, chatting with the staff and teachers about the next day. She was binding her time hoping to instill in both men a sense of angst at their actions and what she would say and do when she finally arrived. She was not a fool, there was a reason she took her time. Finally the bell in the tower tolled the final time for the night letting the students know it was time to go to bed.

He had been met by her gatekeeper and ladies maid and told to go to his room and stay there.. like hell he would... he was not a child nor her student to punish like some dog, his anger, and his booted footfalls outside the dining hall would be heard as the children were dismissed, he waited like a pacing tiger for her to follow. Anger or not he would not disrespect her or her position by charging in like a bull even though he wanted to… and thrash her soundly again for thinking to order him about like a child, when she was the one who was a spoiled brat. Indeed his hangover did not help his disposition, nor the inordinate amount of time she decided to take with her teachers, each step in his pacing seemed to make his anger build, it came for several reasons, after last night he knew for sure, that he had lost her, that he had no chance, for her cap was set, Mark also knew if he stepped out of line with Shyvonne, or hurt her , he would be beaten to a pulp and possibly maimed or dead for his efforts... It was obvious it was time to step aside, after all it was not as if Shyvonne even knew, or though of him as a possibility.

Eire MacAndrews was the last to leave the Dining Hall as she and Shyvonne conversed in French while the teachers mingled. Their conversation lasted until the two of them were the only ones left and together they left the hall still speaking in that strange and yet alluring language. Eire paused seeing Kane passing outside the hall and passed her eyes to Shyvonne before dipping in a small curtsy to the Head Mistress and hurrying on her way as she did not want to be apart of THIS fight. Shyvonne and Kane had become an instant legend with their fighting around the school and had it been full, it would not have been long with Kane's anger present and the sudden appearance of the Head Mistress. Moss green eyes with pupils dilated like a cat's eyes turned towards Kane. Lips pressed in a thin annoyed line as her hands folded in front of her. "I thought we agreed you would obey my orders while we are at the school or are you determined to undermine me in my own castle?" She asked coolly.

"We Agreed I would obey your rules, not your orders and certainly not when you are acting like my mother sending me to my room like a child... Further more, what I do and where I go does not concern you, I go on patrol, or wherever I see fit, you were tended to by guards and so was Robin so I do not need to be punished because I didn't come home when you expected me too." his voice was barely above a whisper, but the anger was palpable, barely controlled... his fingers balled at his side, unclenched and re-clenched as he stared at her, dark grey eyes trained on her, the brows above them set in a hard line... "I'm leaving a contingent of men here... and I'll be going back to Dunsgate, as you have Mark to tend you and Robin now."

"When you act like a child, you will be treated as one. Isn't that the lesson you sought to teach me once before?" Her head turned just so but her eyes were still on him as she once again used his spanking her against him. Her hands rose from their lazy state to press against her stomach, her elbows posed just so. She really could play the lady when she wanted to. "You represent my school when you leave these walls and that brawl in Armadale looks badly not only on you and Mark but my school. Had you been sober enough to know that, it might never of happened!" She was trying so hard to keep her anger in check. Trying hard to remember that at least the two men had an understanding between the two of them. Her mouth closed as he spit at her about going back to Dunsgate, at least he felt as if he were spitting in her face. Did he think she had asked for this? For Mark to come. Honestly he was acting like a dog who had his territory sprayed by another! Her back straightened, her shoulders squared backward and that indignant chin poked out as her anger rose and then all of a sudden it was as if she were a ball that had been pricked for she deflated and shook her head as she closed her eyes. "Why are you doing this to me Kane?"

He took a step toward her then grasp her by the upper arm pressing her back against the stone wall. "Don’t you dare lecture me on appearances when you are kissing one of your so called Professors, late nights in the stables, and mooning over him like a new calf fresh to the world." he glowered at her... "Why am I doing what?" he looked at her confused then released her as if she had scalded his fingers by just her touch. "It matters not... now... anymore anyway... I leave with the dawn... you will be safe here with Collier watching after you and Robin, and if not I will come back and kick his ass again." his own face sported a bruise beneath one eye and a split lip, but the truth matter was Collier was worse off than Kane, for Kane had the righteous indignity of a lover spurned, and unwanted against an Lothario who had stolen her away.

She let out a gasp as he pressed her against the wall, perhaps a little more forcefully then he had intended. Her eyelids clenched for a second then eased as her eyes rose to meet his own. "What I do with wom and when is my business." She hissed in return though when he stepped back, she stayed on the wall. She wasn't going to deny kissing Mark, nor how she looked at him. "I see potential in him Kane, I have..." She pressed her lips together to keep from saying she had dreamt about him. Nothing about her dreams of him had been sexual but even Kane she did not unleash her secrets on. "Why are you making me feel so guilty for feeling...for once.. affection for someone?" Again her hands rose to press against her stomach as she uttered a sigh, shaking her head as if disagreeing with his leaving. "There is danger coming Kane, you cannot leave us." As he said he would kick Mark's ass if he didn't protect her and Robin she actually let out a laugh. "Why?" Her eyes rose to meet his own. "Because you're in love with me?"

He leveled a black look at her... "I am not making you feel guilty merely pointing out that when you accuse me of making bad appearances for you school you should look at yourself first." he growled, and was about to turn to leave when she spoke of danger. "You will have all the protection you need, as you have amply demonstrated, I am more a hindrance than necessity." he was half turned from her when she asked why he cared and would kick Mark's ass if something should happen to her.. he turned fully to her... his face a look of utter disbelief when she asked if he were in love with her, was it so plain... had she never noticed all these long years that he waited for her to become her own woman, while he made his fortune and political future so not even Searc could balk at the idea... "It is my duty to see you safe.. always has been.. and it matters not who I love... for you have come to care for Collier…" it was as much as an admission as she would get...

"I didn't know" She responded to the look on his face but it seemed as if she could read his mind. "Until last night.." She offered and this was as much of an admission anyone was going to get about her dreams. She pushed from the wall, hands still on her stomach as she took a step forward and then another. "You can't even admit it fully and yet your face shows such...pain that I do not echo your sentiments?" she shook her head as she frowned. "I ordered you both to your rooms for a reason Kane, not to reprimand you like children but because I did not want the students to see either of you bruised and beaten by each other nor hung over. Undoubtedly you both probably smelled as well and it would not have been a pleasant experience for anyone. I was as much saving you both as I was the students." Yes she had switched mid subject and switched back when she finally reached him, her head tilting up to see him. "An you are wrong, I do love you." Lips pressed together for a moment before she offered "…but not in the way you likely love me. I owe part of my stubborn nature to you. You never let me cry and whine about being a girl when we were little. You taunted me to push me; to make me stand on my own two feet. For that, and more, I do love you. Despite our bickering and opposite sided our opinions on. You are my friend, my best friend lately. I do not want to see you go, but you must do what you feel is right. As I do."

If she though her words would sooth his pain she was wrong, it was salt in his wounds now opened and raw with every breath and word from her mouth... he stood rigid as she spoke and his jaw worked in annoyance.. "I don't need your pity Shyvonne, nor you nice words of brotherly friendly love.. I have always wanted the best for you... if Collier is it.. then I will be happy, if you are " for a long moment he stared at her then turned without further word, everything in him screamed for him to take her, kiss her soundly, and show her how he felt, but that was not his way, he would not force his attentions on her.. he respected and loved her too much.. "You know where I will be.. should you need me " his boot falls echoed down the hallway as he left her standing there, and by dawn he would be gone, headed toward Dunsgate..

The lights under doors extinguished leaving the halls foreboding. Even then Shyvonne took her time making her way up the steps until finally ready to face Mark, she nodded to the guard at his door and slowly knocked upon it.

Time… that is all he had tonight… he was sequestered to his room, and he used this time to eat, and clean up… surely he would get the taste of the whiskey out of his mouth. Looking into the mirror, he tenderly touched the busted and swollen lip and gingerly touched the bruise upon his jaw and head. Damn Kane has a hard fist… He was naked from the waist up as he washed his face… the food had removed the taste of the bitter whiskey from his mouth and now he chewed upon a mint leaf to clear his breath. A slight massage to his jaw as he looked in the mirror. Then came the knock upon his door… and his blue eyes veered toward the door in the mirror.

"It's Shyvonne...May I come in?" Pleasant as could be but she had manners.

“Aye, enter…” he spoke aloud and as the door opened, he turned to her… his broad chest, a few bruises developing, was still handsome to gaze upon… and his trousers were loose at the top. He stood before her, his feet spread shoulder-width apart, weight on both feet, his hands before him clasped together at the waist, his head was bowed a bit.

When she was allowed in, the door open and she quietly closed it behind her. Clasping her hands in front of her, moss green eyes rose to capture the blue pools of Mark's and she stood silent, waiting for him to say something first. It was all part of the torture was it not?

As she closed the door, his head rose, his eyes caught hers and he smiled a bit. “Good evening M’Lady… First I would, on Kane’s and my behalf, to apologize… our actions were sub-standard…. But…” he spoke first, softly, then something caused him to pause in his sentence…

She had not expected him to be bare-chested when she entered his room. She eyed the bruises across his chest and up to his face where his lip was busted and swollen with the hit. Kane had also had bruising as well but she didn't seem shocked to see them. The truth of the matter was, she had dreamed of their fight the night before. The realization that it was more than just a dream made her frown as much as seeing them both hurt. Her eyes dropped away from his as he began to speak. Her anger had dissolved by now to shallow disappointment. Portia words were still ringing in her skull along with her dream. So much so she barely was able to focus on what he was saying nor hardly notice when he stopped.

Silence rang out within the room only the span of a few seconds but left like hours. Finally her head lifted, realizing he had stopped mid sentence. Turning her head, her eyes swept the room and behind her to see what made him pause and then turned back. Silently a singular petite brow rose upward in question to why he had stopped. Pressing her lips together she let the silence ring for a second or two more before she opened her mouth to speak.

"I accept your apology...this pains me as much as both your injuries do." She started to say and stopped. If he thought she was treating them like children then perhaps he needed to start having visions himself, especially her meeting with Kane. She had not reprimanded him as harshly as she could have.

"It is not the fact that the two of you got drunk, had words, and fought nor that you two now have seemingly become friends..." Moss green eyes lifted to his own. Kane could have told her this that was true but he hadn't, she had seen it. "It’s the fact that you left without words, both of you and spent a night away from the safety of the school. You also have classes now as a Professor to the students. Not to mention there are dangers out there Mark, and I do not want to see either of you harmed, even by each others’ hands. At least things have changed now, and I do not have to worry about either you, or him, looking the other way on each other in battle."

Her hands broke from their clasp at her stomach as she moved away from the door strolling lazily and moved to look out the window into the night letting silence ring for a few more minutes before turning her attention to him again. The moon was still full and round, it would not change till the week’s end and with it shining within his room it illuminated the pale porcelain of her face making her look fae like. "I know why you did it... why you left the school, I wasn't going to make assumptions and normally I would not believe my cousin’s wife in anything she says but just the way you looked at her when she arrived and your abrupt departure. I had no choice but to see the facts for what they are..."

Stopping again, she moved to pour the pitcher of water into a bowl and dip a rag into it before moving over to him and pressing the compress against his split lip. "I don't care Mark, about what you did in your past, or with whom, although..." She paused and heaved a heavy sigh, tilting her head this way and that as she made a face. "My cousin’s wife?" She wanted to smile, to be able to joke about it but a grimace came out instead as she shook her head. "I have to believe since you didn't want to tell me about her when I asked about your past, that this is something you want to put behind you. You should know though, she called you a stable boy...Portia is a user, people mean nothing to her....that includes you and everyone who has ever crossed her path." Moss green eyes rose to his as she drabbed his mouth then turned down seeing a small thin line of blood against the cloth. Turning the cloth around she pressed the other now cooler side against his lip.

Once more her eyes rose to his. "Believe me when I say, you are no mere stable boy. I have seen great things in you. Much more then you know..."

He listened to her speak… and did not even look up to break her conversation. He wanted to tell her about the attempted murder, but that would only lead to other questions, and further on to information he, nor Chloe, wanted to offer. The only thing he knew for sure was how much he liked Shyvonne. And in the glow of the moon that shined upon her formulated a halo about her… an aura…

His head was still bowed until she lifted his chin to press the damp compress, to which he flinched a bit. Then his blue eyes met hers… and it was as if stone walls were crumbling under a mighty force. And the final blow, was her words of confidence in him… She was so close… damn…

His resistance was broken…He took her arms and pulled her to him… Despite the sore lip, he kissed her… once softly, tenderly… She struggled a bit, only to delve into the kiss once his arms enveloped her and his hands touched her back.

He was perhaps right not to tell her about the attempted murder on Portia for it would have ignited more questions he nor anyone else was ready to answer. She might have commended him the effort as well. As it was the stillness within the room resounded that if a pin were to drop it would be heard echoing across the silence that followed.

As she lifted his chin and his eyes met hers. She smiled, wincing as if an apology as he flinched to the sting of the cloth against his split lip. What was going on his mind she wondered. The way he looked at her was making her cheeks begin to flush a soft hue of pink but it was when he pulled her to him that made her gasp, the sound nearly echoing about the room except that his lips were meeting her own. For a split second she was still feeling the jolt his kiss sent through her body heating her to the core and then she struggled. For a moment her lips were able to break away from his own.

"Hey, I am still angry with you…" She murmured weakly before his lips found her own again, capturing and claiming them despite the hurt it was undoubtedly causing him. She felt his arms wind around her to her backside and the contact made her skin began to sizzle and burn, or at least it felt so. With a low moan, her arms wrapped around his shoulders tangling within his hair as her mouth opened to his own and begged for more.

He heard her words, and a quick nod to acknowledge her, but her resistance failed miserably. The kiss now developed into a passionate one… for he was a grand kisser, despite the cut lip… and even that was farthest from his mind. What he had yearned for was now coming true. Their kiss, would be to rival legend, as his senses seem to burn wrought iron hot… and his physical features seem to harden.

His course hand pushed back the strands of hair over her ear as he broke away. A smile developed as her eyes cleared. Soon those baby blues would be scanning side to side, burning to memory every line, every lash upon the eyes… Silence encroached upon the room, and only thing they could hear was the heavier-than-usual breathing they both now shared. He wanted her so badly… t’was hard to resist, but he did not want to scare her from him, nor to offend her. With a swallow, and a smile, he spoke softly. “Walk with me, to breathe the cool night air, before resistance fails and I take yu to bed…”

What made her act this way? Abandoning everything in what seemed a simple kiss. Even the threats that no one ever took lightly of her brother that she remain pure till wedding seemed thrown out the window when his hands tangled around her backside and drew her tight to him. Her hands loosened from his hair and neck to brush against his bare arms, feeling the heat of his skin radiating into her own, feeling his heart pounding in hard resound with her own. Feeling him excited as much as she was as mouth devoured mouth. The truth was, Shyvonne had never been kissed before Mark had given her the first one. No boy had ever even dared kiss the baby sister of Searc MacGregor. The truth was, she didn't really know if kissing someone like this ignited such desires in a person or if he was just him. Her mind reasoned it was him. How she wanted him right now and it showed as her lips teased against his own mouth until he broke his lips from hers to push her hair back over her hair and she began to pant as if she had run a mile without stopping for a single breath.

He was looking at her so oddly, it was hard to tell why and through the haze of her mind from such a kiss, she couldn't figure out what he was doing, why he was looking at her like that but when the haze began to wear and all that remained was the panting of their breaths echoing across the four corners of the room, she let out a hum of embarrassment as he spoke about taking a walk before he took her to his bed. Even after Kane's harsh words about breaking her own rules, she had thrown it all out the window again. She wanted him in this moment but she could not express the relief that he was the voice of reason right now. He could of taken her to his bed and she would not of objected nor regretted it but he hadn't, instead he choose to lead her out of the room and into the open air that sang a song of night, crickets chirped and the trees swayed with new leaves of spring adding to the melody.

His hand took her own as they walked, enjoying the silence, the melody of night. Was there really anything that could be said after what had just happened between the two of them? She was sure there wasn't and the silence was not awkward, it was comforting and peaceful as her mind drifted back and forth through this and that. To get inside Shyvonne's mind would perhaps drive a person crazy as her mind seemed to wander from subject to subject between nonsense and tending the academy, between the students and the staff and even the members of her family. Her mind was a jumble but it never seemed to phase her nor confuse her when her mind shifted from one subject to the other. On this late spring night, she was thinking about a book she had been studying. Legends of King Arthur and the round table.

It was interesting to read accounts from different philosophers on whether such a man or place existed and suddenly she let out a soft laugh into the night. "Suddenly I feel very much like Guinevere and Lancelot in the legends of King Arthur, except perhaps smarter." She mused with a small crease of her face with the thought which was quickly banished by her changing mind and a frown began to pull at her lips as the memory of her dream came back like flashes of light through a carriage window as it rolled down the road. Flashes, pieces of it playing out in mere seconds.

Mark chuckled… “I am glad yu find things amusing…” then he side-glanced at her… “Oh really? Can I be Lancelot? If I remember right, he had more fun…”

The situation had changed drastically no matter how one looked at it. Kane and Mark would not look the other way on one another now, but the truth was, war was coming. She knew it as sure as her heart beat within her chest but there had been no news, yet. Pausing in their walk, she tightened her hand in his own pulling him to a stop and turning her body so that it was close to his as her hand lay on his chest.

"Mark.." She started and then stopped.

The pause was quite unexpected. “Yes dear…” It came out naturally… and for the first time, his face flushed. All he could do was to offer her a patient smile.

She didn't know how she was going to do this, warn him without saying to much about her dreams. The wrong person could think she was a witch and then where would she be. Perhaps it was also fright that Mark would look at her differently because of it or think of her as a witch himself. "Listen to me please..." She asked as moss green eyes turned up to find his in the dark. "Any day now, you will be leaving Oisles, I feel you will know why very soon but that is not what is important. What is important is the warrior with the axe, he is very large, bald...I think I didn't see him clearly, you will be distracted, he will come at your back and there will be a body that falls holding a flag, I didn't see the color or emblem on it but the flag covers your face and then..." She stopped to hold her breath and then let it out in a long sigh. "Don't let the flag cover your face and watch out for the warrior with the axe..."

Holding her hand, he looked at her and nodded, listening intently. As she spoke, his blue eyes would narrow and return to normal, depending upon the words she spoke. “Yu have the gift of sight…?” he knew not what else to call it, but she would know what he meant; and he squeezed her hand a bit. And when she looked at him oddly, he smiled… “I shall remember what yu said… and be wary of the flag and axe…”

War Meets Academia

Her mouth opened to say more but the bell of the Academy was tolling in the distance announcing visitors. Announcing trouble was what it was in her mind. The moment had come and tightening her hand on his they continued towards the gate and paused when they heard Kane and the guards talking.

Mark’s attention veered from her to the bell tolling. “I wonder who that is…” She was acting oddly and he did not truly fully understand. Walking with her toward the gate, he could hear Kane and the messenger, and he paused when she did.

Meanwhile, at the gates of the Academy, a lone rider, wearing the sash of the MacGregor leaned down, pulling the short rope, and rang the bell. As he was surveyed by Kane’s men and eventually allowed to enter, Kane was summoned to the gate...

When received and asked what message he bore, the lone rider, now standing upon the ground, reins in hand. “MiLord Kane, more than 150 northern MacDonald and MacLean now move south with a Griffin company, totaling 300… The Robertson force of 100, led by Lord Iain, have ridden to Dunsgate, but have turned north, leaving the Castle unmolested... and a force of 500 of the southern MacDonald and Borderers are coming from the east... all heading toward Cartervalle Abbey. I fear a fierce battle shall soon occur there... that is where Lord Searc is recuperating... He, and his son, MUST be the focus of all this... Rumor has it that the MacDonald come to regain ownership of the MacGregor Sleat peninsula...”

"So, its begun..." She breathed low so that only he would hear. She really did not want to be discovered by Kane nor the rider preferring to stay in the shadows, preferring it seemed to act like none of this had ever reached her ears.

Her hand left Mark's and went to her mouth, her facing paling even in the tender moonlight. "I have to go..." Her hand rose to stop him from saying anything as she shifted her skirts and hiked across the yard towards the Academy.

Mark was astounded… concerned… and almost fearful for Chloestrain… Mark was torn… Stay at the Academy to protect Shyvonne and Robin, or join with Kane’s men to go protect Chloestrain. Apparently, Shyvonne already knew he would go, or why would she warn him of the man with the axe. “Dammit…” he cursed low, not just because of the situation, but his feelings for Shyvonne. As he walked into the conversation, first looking at the messenger, then to Kane… “I overheard… how can I help…”

She was huffing as she reached the front steps. Leigha was all ready on the stoop a worried look on her face as she met Shyvonne openly with a hand out towards her. Shyvonne hands clasped Leigha and together they moved inside. All ready the Academy staff was on the stairs, some in nightcaps and gowns at the tolling of a bell so late in the evening meant it could not be good news. Moss green eyes swiveled between the staff and teachers who now were looking to her for answers, for direction and her head felt so clouded against rushing emotions and the shadows of her nightmares now coming so fluently to the surface. Squeezing Leigha hand once before she released it, she offered them her best but meekest smiles. She could no longer pretend things were fine. Raising a hand she ushered them all to follow her to the Dining Hall and it was there she laid out what was going on outside of the Academy walls.

The room was silent. Irritatingly so, because she wanted one of them, any of them, to give her direction this time instead of taking it all on her shoulders. Heads bowed as the information was processed. Even Iomhar pulled his wife Liaden close by holding her waist while his free hand held her own. Shyvonne face twinged to see such affection; that she wanted it for herself seemed selfish. It was always going to be this way then wasn't it? Mark would be bound to serve and obey those he protected as she was bound to serve and obey the clan she was born into. Her hand rose to fiddle with the North Star necklace at her neck, a remarkable trait she carried when she was nervous, when she was thinking.

"All right" She spoke low… “All right" She spoke louder again and this time the heads came up to look at her. "Archer, I want you to gather what weapons are viable and of use. Gather your horse and head into Armadale, tell them of our situation. Some of the retired officers of Dunsgate are still there. Perhaps they will take up arms to protect the school so that Kane, Mark and his men can go to aide Chloe." As her attention turned from archer the man lifted off the table, his face more somber and sober then had she ever seen of him and he walked with a steady but quick ease as he left the room with a small. "Yes my Lady".

Next, her attention went to Sergio. "Professor, I need you to pull the wagon out of storage so we can load supplies. We need this ready for tomorrow morning when the men set out. Will you please see that done now?" she asked as her hand dropped away from her necklace and clasped before her.

"Yes, My Lady" Sergio replied and he too left the hall with haste.

Now her attention went to the rest of them. "There is no need to alarm the students. We have no reason to think this battle will reach our walls and even if it does seem to come this way, I am sure we will receive well warning before it happens. Still we need to alert the parents of what is going on. We will work on that last, I am not taking them into second consideration but the lives of our men, our clan is at stake and that will always rank highest. This will be a long night and I pray for strength that we all get through tonight and the coming days with high heads but I also pray to give thanks to have you all beside me in this."

She paused to take a breath and ease her nerves before continuing. "We need to gather cloth and rip into pieces for bandages, Liaden, will you and Iomhar see it done?" She asked the two of them wanting to give them time together. They had two sons serving at Dunsgate and no doubt their fears went deep and heavy that they might lose them to battle. "We also need to gather skins to take to the creek so they have water, Bronte, will you and Eire please see this done? And Una, can you please set the fires and get bread baking...." As she gave each their task, they went off to do it leaving only Shyvonne, Leigha and Professor Felton. "Leigha, Einon, I need you two to start the letters to the parents of the students. Please do not say more then we need to say. Simply give them an update of their children's well beings and please relate to them their children as safe within these walls. Likely there will be the parents who want to come bring their children home. I trust in you two to see that peace and not chaos comes from all of this..." She clasped a hand to Einon shoulder and then Leigha. "Use my office so that you have your privacy"

Leaving Einon and Leigha to what she asked of them, she moved to look out the window towards the yard where Mark, Kane, some of his men and the messenger still stood talking. Her hands shook and she clasped them at her stomach to keep the feeling away. If she could see an outcome of all of this, perhaps she would feel better. Perhaps she could believe better of war than she did, but there was still too many shadows on the horizon and that never sat well.

Kane and Mark had listened to the messenger… then immediately began to summon men from the surrounding villages… those were militia left to guard the Academy. Kane’s men were rallied and prepared for the ride to Catervalle Abbey. Numbering fifty, Kane was unhappy with the little-detailed reports, or none at all… and Mark hated the fact that none, of the men he knew here, had ever been in battle with him before. All this was new ground…

Straightening the armour he wore, he attached the helm to the saddle. In the four hours, he and the others took in preparation, he had attempted to seek out Shyvonne… he wanted to confess to her his feelings… though right now the future seemed a bit bleak. He cursed at the thought that Shyvonne had left compound with Dunsgate so far way… and Cartervalle Abbey was between the MacDonald and Oisles…

One foot stepped into the stirrup, the other swung over a saddle. As he settled into the leather Kane looked at him and shook his head. Mark smiled, then with a yank of the reins, spurred the horse, eventually settling beside Kane as the men rode to destiny.

[Men of Skye]

Shyvonne and Robin Kidnapped

Vargus MacGregor: Vargus had departed the main column of MacGregor that headed toward Cartervalle abbey with a small contingent of men, that was suppose to circle out and around from the north in a pinsor movement to capture the McDonalds unaware.. but unbeknownst to Chloe or the rest of the MacGregor, he headed south, toward Oisles Academy, missive from his wife, letting him know the bane of his existence, the MacGregor Prince... was there and quite unprotected, now that Kane and Mark had left to join the Main MacGregor clan in the fight against the McDonalds. What divine providence, let the men pass in the dead of night without being seen by Kane and Mark and their cadre of men headed north... no one would say, for it was surely devils work... a darkness that led Vargus' men, some 5 miles east of the trek that Mark and Kane took, north... as Vargus and his men moved south… So it would be 3 days after Mark and Kane left the academy, in the hours before dawn, that all hell would break loose, fiery arrows from the depths of night overshooting the walls of the academy as men scaled the stone walls, and begin decimating all within their path... Oisles was caught unaware... children screaming, blood painting the walls of academia... Teachers who defend the students, shuttling them from harms way... and in the midst, the armor clad silver knight.. Vargus... his dark eyes intent on one thing... finding Robin.

Shyvonne MacGregor: She had ridden hard into the night to get back to the Academy after her visit with her brother but it was not hard to do when she was as angry as she was. Even hours later when Cleopatra was resting, probably quite thankfully in her stall and Leigha after trying to brush her hair to calm her down hadn't worked, she paced her chambers in her nightgown and robe she was still fuming but mainly at herself. How could she be so stupid as to pursue the conversation further when it was clear Searc thought of her as a little girl when it came to marriage, unprepared to make her own choice and he knew that she had feelings for someone it did not bode well. She was just getting to the point of settling down and feeling tired for the first time in over twenty-four hours when the chaos broke out. Lifting off her bed, she threw her door open as Leigha ran towards her with the shrieking continuing downstairs. "Where's Robin?" Shyvonne asked breathless and when Leigha head shook with a wild look of panic on her eyes, Shyvonne heart sped up. "Calm down, calm down, grab as many of the students as you can, take them through the secret pass in my chambers. I'll send more of the teachers up with students so keep the pass open." When Leigha began to sniffle just standing there Shyvonne shoved her towards her chambers. "GO!" She shrieked and pushed past students as they fled the chaos downstairs. "Follow Leigha, go children go" She ushered as calmly as she could. "Liaden, Iomhar, the passage" She called passing the two who were drawing scared children from their beds into the hall. "Get them to it then find the teachers and pass it on, get as many out as you can." Breathless she spoke in a rushed voice as she threw bedroom doors open and calling for Robin before moving on when he didn't appear. Finally the last room checked she hurried towards the stairs only to gasp as a man thrust a sword at her slashing through the sheer material of the dark blue robe. Rolling against the wall she gripped for the first thing her fingers could find a decorative shield on the wall and slam it went into the man’s face causing him to backflip over the banister and fall to the floor below.

Vargus MacGregor: They had carefully concealed themselves in armor and tartans of the MacDonalds, it would be the MacDonalds feet this atrocity would be laid at, more fuel to fire the Rise of Vargus, in Searc's stead, on Searc's watch, all of Sleat’s future, it's riches the very MacGregor heritage lay in the precarious balance, but Vargus knew that under his hand that Sleat would prosper and grow, all that needed to be done was rid the MacGregor House of Searc and his son, Chloe he often though of to keep on as his whore.. after all that was what she was trained to be... and Shyvonne.. well that was a fruit he wanted to take the first bite of.. a plum ripe for picking. Through his face shield he saw one of his men fall from the banisters, then the flash of blue robe, and pale skin. "…ahhhh the plum..." his hand lifted sending men filing up the staircase... "Take her... do not harm her much… to the horse... and the boy... find him" his voice brooked no dispute, as the men surged after Shyvonne, and through the rooms looking for Robin... it was then a sword would come out of no where, striking him at the knees, knocking him and his heavy armor to the floor a bold strike, made at the precise weakness that would drop the silver armored knight... when he rolled to his back to bring his shield up... he face none other than his quarry.

Robin MacGregor: The boy had barely time to think pulling the sword from the wall display, and hacking away at the leader of the who he perceived as the MacDonalds, clad in the MacDonald Tartan, and crest, it was obvious they were enemies of the MacGregor House.. and when the man sent soldiers after his Aunt Shy, it was all Robin could do at 5 years of age, to strike the man behind the knees, like some childhood Arthur in a book of old... he began to batter against the shield a pure war cry from the heart of the MacGregor on his lips, as the sword fell again and again against the fallen knights shield... but the matter of facts, was he was only a small boy, against seasoned soldier... and soon laughter split the air between them as another soldier grabbed him from behind stripping his sword... and he felt his body lifted... and flung away -painfully before he was carried out to the horses struggling wit all his might.

Shyvonne MacGregor: "Up here, go, my chambers!" She gasped at the children looking stricken at her on the stairs. "Come on!" She called and they hurried up struck back into the present and past Shyvonne who ushered a hand against a few of their backs with her free hand as she hurried them on till the clash of armor on stone had her head turning to see the mob of soldiers heading up towards her and the leader clearly falling to reveal her nephew behind him wielding a sword. "ROBIN!" She screamed, at any other time she would of been proud of her nephew wielding the weapon as well as a five year old could with that war like cry on his lips. Whirling around, the first knight to grab at her got a shield in his face much like the first, as he fell she grabbed the sword from his hand and the shield was thrown against the stairs and her weight was used as she sailed down the stairs on top of the shield knocking against soldiers left and right until the shield came from under her as she was grabbed from around the waist and the sword sailed out of her hands. "STOP!" She screamed both at the men and the soldier carrying Robin outside. Letting out an animalistic growl, she flung hard against the soldier holding her while kicking out another who sought to take her legs. "ROBIN!" She screamed again as she was released from shock and out the door she went flinging herself against the man who held Robin under his arm, tumbling the trio went and Shyvonne pulled Robin into her arms as they fell, turning on her side to get the most of the brunt of the landing.

Vargus MacGregor: "idiots!" his voice screamed at the ones who were inept in capturing the boy and the girl… "Take them to the horses. " he ordered once again as he turned back to the other men. "Burn it.. to the ground." he growled, "women should never be allowed such things... it makes them think they are above men and they loose their proper place." he chuckled as he tossed a torched toward the doors of the library watching the flames lick upward… "The MacGregor will learn to mess with MacDonald and take what isn't' theirs." he laughed again playing the part... as he strode out behind his men that struggled with Shyvonne and Robin toward the horses.. "Ride South. " he ordered as he took to his horse... pointing away from the academy... once they were far from prying eyes he would not only have his time with Shyvonne, but would personally slit the throat of the bratling.. Robin.

Shyvonne MacGregor: "Hold tight to me, hold tight" She urged Robin as they were hauled up from the ground by Vargus men in disguise. As they fought to take Robin from her, it seemed her arms were as locked tight around his waist as his arms were about her neck. She felt her necklace chain break under the weight of the tugging back and forth and hit her foot. Shifting her foot, she stepped it into the ground as they were hustled to the horses. "NO!" She cried as the man said to burn it to the ground. Robin was finally pried away from her, his arms bound by one and hers by another before he was tossed onto a horse and her behind him. Her arms bound lifted and went around Robin still. As the horse lurched forward she tightened her elbows around Robin and as they passed the gates and headed south through the woods Shyvonne ripped a portion of her robe off, looking back to see the 'guards' weren't paying attention she threw it at the nearest bush as they passed seeing it catch on the branch before they rumbled past.

Vargus MacGregor: Into the night they rode behind them the flames licked at the coming dawn, dark spirals of smoke blighting the rising sun... south they rode for what seemed hours, stopping only to water the horses and for the men to eat sparingly from their packs... later that night a dark formation loomed before them and the tired and exhausted riders were happy to see the defunct keep rising against the night.. "Your home milady... for the foreseeable future." the man that led her horse laughed as the ramshackle broken down castle beside the sea came into view... it seemed centuries since it had been sound, crumbling into a mass of boulders.. but much to Shyvonne's and Robins dismay, the cellar still held true, and they were tossed inside the dank darkness... awaiting their fate.

Shyvonne MacGregor: From both sides she ripped from her robe and tosses pieces against branches until they broke from the trees and rode into open land. Her arms hugged tight to Robin keeping him firmly in place while the reigns of the horse were lead by a single guard in front. The tolling of the Academy bell had been welcomed to Shyvonne's ears in the darkness as they rode fast and hard to make their get away. The men figured someone had finally been tolling the bell to announce trouble, that was true in a certain respect and but Shyvonne heart sung with relief knowing help was coming and likely the castle that was the Academy while scorched would not be burned to the ground. There would be damage of that she had no doubt but her mind while on the students and teachers who were left with the aftermath, Robin was her primary concern. She had promised to protect him with her very life and she meant to do it. When they stopped to water the horses and eat, Robin and her feet were bound along with their hands so they could not get away and she saw no harm in allowing Robin to drink from a skin or eat a hunk of bread they were given. Poison would not be a way they would strike or why else take them? When it was time to go, their bounds on their feet were cut and they were again tossed onto the horse again, her arms coming over Robin head again to hold the horn of the saddle. "Try to sleep" She uttered softly to Robin's ear and kissed his head as the horse was flung again into a run. Even with the bumps and jostling, she hummed in a soft voice and soon felt Robin slumping against her in rest. As the horses finally came upon the crumbling castle, she breathed a near sigh of relief for the stop. As they were lowered to the ground, she stooped low "Put your arms around my neck, good, now your feet around my sides." She uttered to Robin and then lifted him, resting his bottom on her arms as they were lead to the cellar, their hands finally cut free and the door slammed shut, she found a dry place in the corner to carry Robin and sit down. She was so tired, now it had been over twenty-four hours since she had been asleep and as Robin drifted off, so did she.

[Men of Skye]

It had been almost a month since he, Kane, and the fifty had left… The worst was over… Iain had gone after Carver and Chloestrain, and in disgust, Iain cursed Mark for losing Chloe; against banishing his from Dun Durroch and any Robertson land. Brave men had fought valiantly, some died alone and some were returning… Shyvonne’s vision had saved his life; and she would never know his true unmentionable feelings upon the matter… regardless of what he would say, and how much he would say it, could never equate to the feelings he held.

The men rode together, ahead of the twenty who remained. Now Kane and Mark would have to help piece together lives ruined by the death of the family providers… but upon a more personal note, Mark had been banished from Dun Durroch… a place where he had grown up alongside Iain… and now all he had was Oisles Academy.

The return to the lands of Academia was slow, wounded littered behind horses… dead piled into wagons… Stench had begun to grow as the days passed since their deaths… and pity be upon those that tended the dead. As they rode over the low ridgeline, they would be able to see the Academy… but the hearts of those in the formation would soon flutter with anxiety…

Smoke from the village billowed black in the sky… as well as at least one building in the Academy yard… the front gate battered down and laying awkward upon broken hinges. Mark and Kane would look at one another… then Kane commanded a lead faction of five follow them to the gates… the rest could follow when it was safe. Hard, the 7 men rode toward what was once a school, but now a victim of war.

Inside the gates, people lamented the dead, friends mourning the loss of friends… the smoldering building was the literature room, where children would learn about the finest of literary authors. It had harbored the children in a last chance defiance of the invaders as they retreated with their prizes. Luckily, none of the children were killed, some suffering from smoke inhalation, but none worse than that.

Kane and Mark dismounted to a frantic woman’s rantings… “They took them… they took them… Praise God to care for them… they took them…” Mark stepped up to the woman… “Took who, woman?” … “They took them MiLord…they took them…” as she began to cry aloud, repeating the words. Finally to get her back to reality, Mark slapped her, then held her by the arms shaking her a bit… “Took who woman…Who??”

“The MacDonald… they came in the night…” the woman rubbed her jaw… “They took Master Robin and Lady Shyvonne… They…” and she began to tell her version of what occurred. Now, after the woman spoke as to what happened, Mark was apologetic... and then surprised at the victims of the abduction. The things that the woman mentioned afterwards made him think. Now that the haze of battle was cleared from his head, he began to question certain things. Where had that branch of MacGregor cavalry, prior to the battle, went? Assumingly at the time, he thought the maneuver odd for such an early flanking movement, but he did not remember any such later attack. And he did not remember any subsequent action that they were involved in… He released the woman and began to rub his chin, flashing the brunette hair back away from his face. The woman disappeared to the wounded and dead who were now arriving… More lamenting soon began to occur as families sought their loved ones… only to find them dead.

Mark looked at Kane and pulled him to the side explaining his concerns and questions. “I do not remember that group of cavalry? Do yu suspect them as the culprits? What better way to eliminate threats and blame upon another?” The two men began to walk around the compound, seeing if they could do anything that was not already being done.

The more they walked, the more they talked… and the more they became suspicious of that renegade group of MacGregor. Then they spent the next hour or so collecting supplies they would need to follow tracks; their plan – to get Shyvonne and Robin back before harm came to them.

If it were not for bad luck, then they would have no luck at all. The sky darkened in a spring thunderstorm… lightning streaked the sky, and thunder rolled from ridge to knoll… and soon the rains came… and the tracks Mark and Kane were planning on following, were washed away. Still the men cursed their fate and headed out the gate…

Regardless whether it was MacDonald or MacGregor, it would do no good to ride north, deeper into the Isle… it had to be South or East. Knowing the Griffin Company camped east of Cartervalle Abbey, Kane suggested they go south… and to their good fortune, it would be Kane who found the material remnant in the mud-puddle only a few feet away from the woods’ edge. “This is off Shyvonne’s robe. I’d know it anywhere. If they had gotten to the woods first, we would have never found their trail.” Kane remarked. “Good job Kane… now we must watch for other markings… this shall be slower than desirable.” Mark retorted.

And off the two men rode… of to find the lad and his aunt.

Meanwhile at the abandoned Castle...

Shyvonne had no idea what was going out outside of the dungeon walls of the castle. She had no idea of time though the dungeon was warm and humid during the day and cool at night she had no idea how many days had passed. When she slept her dreams were so scattered. Images of Chloe in battle gear flowed in and out of her conscious. A fight between Iain and Chloe, or was it Iain scowling at Chloe?? By morning her dreams were just shadowed visions she could not place and it worried her but she did not let it show to Robin. Instead she occupied their time between the meals brought to them playing games or going over the lessons he had learned so far. One night they had finished dinner and were using sticks to draw pictures in the sand covered floor.

"Who is that, Robin?" Shyvonne questioned as she finished drawing a layout of the academy in squares and circles on the ground. It was nothing and she really was just biding her time until Robin crawled into her lap for bed as he did every night since their capture.

"Mommy" Robin replied quite solemnly and gave Shyvonne a look that questioned if he would ever see her again.

Shyvonne lay her stick aside and opened her arms to the little boy threw his stick aside and crawled in. Planting a kiss to his forehead, she hugged him tight and cast her eyes to the slit of the window as if that would give her an answer to a question she really didn't know about. "An who is that man on the left of her?" she questioned instead.

"Uncle Mark." the boy replied and pointed. "An that's daddy"

Shyvonne could not see any resemblance of the people she knew in the drawings in the sand, but that was the problem with sand. Still she found a joy in looking at his drawings of people with too big of a head for their bodies and weird looking fingers. She found it amusing that Mark's character had a rather long face and chin. She hummed in a small laugh and then kissed Robin's head again before wrapped the blanket about them both.

"All right..." Shyvonne hummed as she shifted to get comfortable and then waited as Robin made himself comfortable against her. "Where are we tonight, Robin?" It was a game they had played for a while now. Instead of falling asleep in the dungeon, scared and worried what would happen to them, she encouraged Robin to come up with places where they were from his imagination so he fell asleep less scared and worried.

"We're in a snow covered land with an ice castle in the distance..." Robin began the story before yawning as he found a comfortable spot resting against his aunt. "There are polar bears pulling carriages..."

It was not long before Robin was falling asleep talking about the ice castle and the polar bear-driven carriages and Shyvonne mind began to wander. What happened to Mark? Why hadn't she dreamt of him? Why was she not getting visions in her dreams or remembering them? Had she cursed herself in telling him about what she had seen. Shifting her weight slowly, she used her arm as a pillow behind her head and stared at the dark ceiling of the dungeon. Soon her eyes grew heavy and she fell asleep.

The forest was being racked with wind. The limbs and leaves were blowing hard making the hollow road between sing with noises. The pieces of her robe she had torn off were fluttering against their branches threatened to loosen them and just as she feared the small pieces fluttered off the branched and down the fork in the road that lead east rather than the other land that headed south and the way they had been taken. As she turned to watch the fabric fly, she heard hooves against the ground and turned to see Mark and Kane flying down the road. As they saw the fabric fluttering in the road heading east they turned their horses towards the east fork. Feeling the fear rising within her, Shyvonne gasped and though she knew she could not hear them she screamed… "NO! South!" as their horses flew right through her body.

As the horses and riders flew through her, she felt herself pulled and the forest disappeared around her. Her dream began to cloud and scatter, she felt as if she were in a box, closed around and darkened but it was not a box but rather a body on top of hers. She could not tell who it was in the darkness but she struggled as disgust overwhelmed her feeling that body on top of her, within her and she knew it was not Mark. She fought and screamed though no sound came out and she could hear Robin crying and screaming in the distance. Even in her dream she shuddered and willed the vision away.

Never had it worked before but she felt the dream dissolved into a new one. The body was gone but she was within the dungeon again and the door was open with the sunlight pouring in. Robin was nowhere to be found but then again, she did not see herself either. Climbing the steps out of the dungeon, the wind was not whipping as it had been before but it brushed at her face as she stepped out into the broken courtyard of the ruined castle. There was no one around. The round of a rope straining caught her attention and she followed it to a stump of which two ropes were attached and ran the length of the field to the edge of the cliff that dropped off to the sea below. Her heart began to hammer in her chest as she followed the ropes to the edge and peered over. The sight made her sink to her knees. She was on the left and Robin was on the right, blank staring eyes were still shining with fear as their feet swung against the open air above them and the ropes had bruised from the ropes heavily bound around their necks choking the life out of them. "MARK!! KANE!!!" Shyvonne on the cliff side screamed as she clawed at the ground.

"Aunt Shyvonne!! Aunt Shyvonne!!" Robin voice was pitched and frightened as he shook his aunt's body and Shyvonne came to with a gasp. "What's wrong? Aunt Shyvonne!" The little boy urged with the threat of tears clear in his voice.

Wrapping her arms around the boy, she pulled him tight against her. Had she been screaming in her sleep? This time the vision did not fade and she remembered it all, vividly. "Shh, Robin it's ok, it was just a bad dream...just a nightmare. I'm ok." she soothed as she rubbed at his back as the little boy sniffled against her, his tears soaking the front of her clothing. "We're in your winter wonderland, the polar bears are pulling carriages and there is this giant snow monster only he isn't mean, he is making snowballs so all the kids can have a snowball fight..." She began to weave his story for him again as her eyes with pupils as large as a cat’s stared terrified into the night.

The Rescue of Shyvonne and Robin

The ride from the battlefield to the Academy had been fast-paced and their time after finding out the victimization of Robin and Shyvonne had been hectic, with no time to spare. By evening, the two men had made camp. Sitting by the campfire, Mark and Kane vowed to one another to return the pair unharmed to Oisles… or die trying. Kane would reveal history of youth with Shyvonne and Mark would tell of adventures of his past as the new swordbrothers would use this time for bonding. Once men jealous of the other, regarding Shy’s affections, who had fervent oppositions to the other, now bestowed manly secrets to the other... things no woman would ever know.

Then they would discuss what actions they expected and how to handle them. Each reaffirming the vow to kill the person, or persons who harmed either the woman or the boy. Hours had passed and they both were now fast asleep… or at least as much as a warrior could in the field.

The wind made the limbs of the tree sway violently… a whistling noise offered a disturbing howl, green leaves and weak limbs fell to the ground under the violence of the coming storm. At the fork in the road leading east, Kane found pieces of her robe… “This way…” as he remounted… They turned their horses taking the road heading east.

As the hooves thundered against the dirt road, the men leaned in their saddles spurring the steeds to a gallop… As the horses and riders flew through her, he felt a chill course his body. Then suddenly, from the heavens, he heard Shyvonne scream… Pulling hard on the reins, the steed bending its back legs to tuck under its flanks, the front legs stiffening, and the rider leaning back as the horse skidded to a halt… the man’s partner looking baclk and slowing, only to turn… “Kane, I heard something… sounded like Shy screaming…” as the second man returned and inquired what was happening. “This way…” As the man in the dream told his companion… and both men changed directions, disappearing into the night.

Mark tossed and turned in his sleep, the blanket over his form now twisted and knotted around his waist. And no dream like he ever had before now afflicted his slumber.

Flashes of lightning streaked the sky, highlighting a dark, ill-kept castle… flashes of women being raped, torture in dungeons unknown, men and women bare to the waist being whipped… then a scream… and more screams as now their names were echoed in the night… As the men went to investigate, he saw the pair of ropes leading to a cliff… and as he peered over, he saw Shy and Robin hanging lifeless, the rope’s end around their throats. “Nooooo !!!!!”

Kane stood over him, kneeling beside him, his hand upon Mark’s shoulder, inquiring what the matter was. Mark had woke suddenly in a vein of terror-ridden nightmares. Sweat rolled along his pale forehead and down rosy cheeks, falling from a pale-white chin. Pale blue eyes were opened to their full extent, horror glaring deep, deep into the mind.

“We must go NOW…” as he quickly stood up. “Waste no time, for we MUST leave…” grabbing his blanket and saddle.

Kane looked at his oddly, his head canted a bit. “What the blazes did you see Mark? What is the urgency. We cannot go blindly in the dark. I cannot see the trail.”

Mark snapped a look… “I know where to go… it is an ruined castle, not far from here… We must hurry, for Robin and Shy are in dire straits.” As he secured the saddle, and made sure his sword and crossbow were affixed, he explained what was in his dream.

Kane had grabbed his own blanket and saddle… then kicked out the fire and saddled his horse. He listened as Mark told of his nightmare. Kane just chuckled. “We are going on a wild goose chase? B’cause of a dream? We do not have the time Mark.”

“I know Kane…just trust me… Shyvonne has the powers of a seer… or a witch, I am not sure…” he looked at Kane as he mounted. “She saved me in the battle… she told me of the flag and man with the axe…” and then he began to explain all that occurred BEFORE they left Oisles…

Kane mounted his horse as well. “I do nae frighten easily Mark… but I know Shyvonne… and never has she spoke of visions a’fore…” Still Kane followed Mark, this time taking a keener eye for things.

The two men rode off into the dark with Mark in lead. The horse was guided thru the night as if the rider had special vision, determined to reach a goal. Not less than an hour’s ride to the southeast, lie a castle fallen to ruin… and Mark halted his horse before the crumbling walls and he looked at Kane. Reaching down, he loosened the sword and took up the crossbow, slinging a carrier of bolts over his shoulder and across his back and adjusted it under his arm. Locking one bolt into the crossbow, he cokeed the bow using the toe of his boot. Looking at Kane, he smirks. “May God watch over us…” then he spurred his horse’s flanks.

[Men of Skye]

Kane:Kane and Mark had made it to the walls of the crumbling castle where Mark had armed himself with crossbow and bolts, Kane who was never one for the more mechanical arms settled for his sword and a short dagger carried in his boot of course Kane being Kane there were a virtual armory of weapons upon his person hidden here and there, and would come in handy in close quarter, but mostly he relied on his training, years of discipline, and a uncanny sense of forthcoming danger that had never seen him seriously injured thus far… At the moment it was his fear, and anger that someone had dared take Shyvonne and Robin from the Academy, and the scathing words of Lady Chloe in his mind... that she had trusted both he and Mark with the welfare of her Son, and she would see them rot in hell if anything happened to them… He didn't take much stock in this hocus pocus mess that Mark and Shyvonne were playing at... dreams he had come to find were just that... dreams... and could disappear in the blink of an eye... just as Shyvonne had into Marks arms. Never one to pity himself, he knew that his love for her was pure, and decent, and above all he wanted her safe, happy and returned to the academy… and he would die in the trying or see it done. Tethering their steeds at the eastern edge of the wall they moved like shadows along it's crumbling lines until they heard voices... for some time they waited and listened, counting adversaries…

Shyvonne: Days were the same and had begun to blur together especially when her dreams were fuzzy if not completely unintellectual at best. Hard to remember in the morning if she remembered anything at all but as the latest vision hit in her dreams blurring between incidents, her mind had become more acute to her surroundings even though the days were still blurred as to how long they spent in the dungeon. She did her best not to show Robin her fear that such dreams would come to fruition especially her rape and murder.

Light was scarce in the dungeon only a slit of a window at the roof allowed light in to tell the day had begun but as the day wore on is when she noticed the changing hours or the dungeon became stuffy and smelly and then cooled at night leaving the smell to linger until an hour before dawn. Dinner had been burnt porridge which neither she and Robin could stomach much. Any more of this and they would die of starvation rather than her vision of a hanging. How many days they had been held was a mystery but the dirt that covered them both was enough to make her shudder with the thought of it and she began to demand without stopping the right for both of them to bath and she continued her demand until they were both lead bound to the crumbling courtyard with a drape of sheets is as they cover and cold water as their bath.

Robin was first and she apologized when the cold water was used to wet him, his body cleaned and another apology when she had to rinse him with cold water. At least new clothing was provided if not ridiculous, a shirt too big for his body and a pair of pants too small to cover his legs completely. At least the night was warm even if she shuddered with the cold water to wash with. "You have no reason to put that dagger on him, I am not leaving without him." She commented to a guard holding a dagger under Robin chin to both stop the boy from running and Shyvonne no doubt, but she kept her focus on the boy rather than the guards who shuffled this way and that trying to peer through her makeshift cover of sheets.

Guard: It was odd to hear the words of the men at the campfire, their voices somehow familiar in bough and dialect, not the Northern MacDonalds slurr they were expecting, as the men continues to drink and brag about their captive and her fiery ways, it was then that they knew they were indeed in the right place… "The bytch never stops demanding… I need a bath... let us go, the boy need food... why are you keeping us... on and on... I wish Lord Fancy pants would let us use her, good, and perhaps after we taught her to use her tongue for something other than bytching she would shut up." One laughed as he took a swig of the rotgut that they shared from a communal bottle... while another standing near the fire grabbed his cod piece and swaggered... "I'll be happy to shut her up... introduce her to my one eyed spitting snake." they all laughed as he shook his hips in mock enjoyment of her anticipated lessons on how to keep her mouth shut... "I'll fill that mouth with meat I will."

Kane:It was enough to Make both Kane and Mark kill the men for the thought, but they bided their time for the moment, waiting to hear more in hopes of her position in the castle to be revealed... a steadying hand on Mark’s arm kept him in check as did the stern uplift of a dark brow… along with cautious whispered words. "If she's still a bytching she must be fine… were outnumbered... let’s see what else they have to say. " he stayed Mark from jumping up and attacking the whole crew... oh it was plain they were drunk and in their cups, and that Mark and Kane would likely prevail... but if they didn't... that left Shy and Robin without rescue… no... it was imperative they play this smart.

Shyvonne: Ringing out her hair, she flicked it over her shoulder ignoring that it stuck to her back and waved a hand over the sheet partition for clothing. What she was given made her eyes slit into narrow pools of anger that could kill as they swiveled to the laughing guard who just shrugged as if it hadn't been up to him except for the grin on his face. The nightgown was lacey and barely hid anything to the imagination with its gap in lace but she poked out her chin as she pulled the material over her head and smoothed it down her body till the ends met just to the tops of her knees. Throwing the sheet aside, she strolled barefoot towards Robin and held out her hand with a smile to let him know it was all right when a guard grabbed her from behind and shoved her towards the castle. "The tower still intact and the lord told us to take you there" He grumbled in her ear with a hint of pleasure at the words. "Not without Robin" She replied and shoved against him only to be yanked a step further from Robin. "Oh he will be all right in the dungeons without you for a few hours" The guard responded and as she was shoved struggling towards the tower and Robin to the dungeons. The little boy seemed to realize his aunt wasn't coming with him and renewed his own strength to break away from his aggressor. "It's ok Robin, remember what I told you!" Shyvonne called to get the little boy to stop struggling less he be hurt and she kept her eyes on him until she disappeared around the corner leading to the crumbling stairs up to the tower.

Kane: "The Laird be taken her hiself tonight, to break her, then we can have the tidbits left over... their washing her up and taken her to the tower... I give it another half hour and we will hear the screams of his taming her." one of the men confided in the other... "…depending on how well he likes her... she might not meet the fate of the brat." His hand made a cutting gesture across his neck, with a sound that made Kane's stomach roll... at the thought of the man killing the helpless five year old boy. He nudged Mark... and pointed with his chin upward toward the tower, illuminated by a tiny sliver of moonlight... at the top a small window that flicker golden candlelight signified where Shyvonne was headed or already was. "Come on... if we start a brawl with these guys he might kill her…" Kane retreated skirting around the shadows of the broken down courtyard toward the tower, all the while keeping an eye on the drinking circle around the fire... and hoping to hear Shyvonne's caustic voice railing at her captor.. as they all knew as long as she had breath in her lungs she would protest and argue… the woman could be stubborn.

Shyvonne: "Your holding me too tight" She hissed at the guard holding at her arms as he pushed her up the rough steps that bit at the soles of her feet as she took each step, her arms wiggled in his ironclad grasp. "I don't want you to get away, hopefully the lord will let me have you next." He retorted with a laugh next to her ear. Shyvonne jaw tightened and she shoved hard back against him so they both stumbled a few steps down before she was shoved hard against the side of a crumbling wall whose side shook as her weight was thrown against it. "You keep struggling and we kill the child"

Now enraged with her antics the guard shoved her harder against the wall and she let out a groan as her fists balled against the wall as she held them at the wall to keep herself from being shoved to hard into it. "You touch him...and I will make sure each and every one of you pay…" She huffed in return before he was yanking her off the wall and practically throwing her up the rest of the steps and into the room. The door banged closed and she rounded on it throwing her fists into it. "You touch him and I will kill you! Do you hear me?!" She screamed at the door as she banged her fists against it but when no reply came, she stilled, her balled fists still against the door as she lay her head against it and she heard the lock click into place before the muffled footsteps began to file away.

Vargus: Vargus was in that room the Guard had been ordered to bring his little prize. He hardly couldn't wait until he was deep inside of her, it would be so much fun. A bath had been readied for him so that he could clean up just a bit before getting down to the fun. Hands braced on the sides of the iron basin to pull his fat wrinkled body from the soapy water. His hairy disgusting flesh was hidden behind a robe that had been hung upon a brass hook. Long stringy slightly grayed hair was pulled back and tied behind his head in an attempt to cover the bald spot that was getting bigger every day. He brushed at his long flowing beard a bit before moving from the bathroom just in time to see those doors fly open. Past those whiskers he grinned as the nightgown clad woman was thrown inside and the door locked behind her. Moving forward quickly he would lift his right hand and bring it across his bottle to deliver and back handed slap to the side of her face. After a crisp follow-through, he gripped her by the throat and pinned the school teacher up against that door. “Learn to shut that mouth girl ! Fill it with my coke !” He turned and sent her spinning towards the bed with force enough to have her roll across its surface. His hands would move to untie the maroon robe that had covered him thus far. “Now I'm going to fill every orifice in your body… make you scream like the little whore that you are !”

Shyvonne: Huffing from the breath used to scream, her head rolled against the door as she caught movement on her right side. As she rolled to meet the 'Lord' that had seen to her and Robin capture, she was met with a hand against cheek feeling the bony knuckles connect with her cheekbone and leave her ears ringing as she stumbled away from the door her hand reaching for something as her ears rang and her head whirled with the hit. It was only the hand at her throat that kept her on her feet and her hand found the wrist of the hand at her throat as her mouth opened with shock. "Vargus!" She managed a gasp between the tightening grip before she was backed and thrown against the bed rolling against the surface till she rolled to her stomach and her hands gripped at the faded and dusty sheets. "I should have known only you would be so bold!" She hissed as she lay still but only till he came within kicking range and her foot shot out to his chest before she was scrambling across the bed and rolling off the other side to her feet. "I should have known that whore of a wife would tell you Robin was at the Academy. When Robin and I get out of here, I will make sure Searc not only has your fortune and your balls for this but not a family in all of Scotland will receive you or that bytch!"

Kane: Below Kane and Mark had crept through the shadows, and made it to the edge of the towers entrance, an unhinged board door blocked the way, but inside, they heard the welcome sound of Shyvonne's voice caustic and pissed railing at the crossbow moaned and yelled out the alarm.. before much was hollered save a loud strangled "Help intruders…!!!" Kane's dagger found his throat slitting it from ear to ear... but it was too late... the men who circled the campfire stumbled to life, drunken, yet armed, and advanced on the tower... Kane was the only thing that stood between Mark getting to Shyvonne and failure... and Failure was not an option for Kane.

Vargus: Vargus growled as that foot met his chest and drove his entire body back a few feet. “Oh good, you got a little fight left in you. I like that. Now I'm going to beat it out of you.” He moved forward again, this time knocking away any arms or legs that came his way. In an instant, he was upon her, straddling atop her body and holding arms above her head so that she could not move, using one hand to do that. “Don't worry about what's going to happen after you get out of here because that's never going to happen.” To drive home his point he would reach back with his free hand, fingers closing into a fist. Those boney knuckles were slammed into her face with a fair amount of force. “I'm going to rape you and then kill you... Then when I'm done I'm going to toss little Robin to the dogs and watch them fight over the bit of meat that's on the scrawny kid.” Her night gown was grasped and pulled upon so that the fabric would rip away from her breast to expose them to the candle light.

Shyvonne: "You are a walking contradiction Vargus…" She bit back, every the little school teacher finding the flaws in his words. For a few minutes she was able to dodge his advances using the bed as a item between them but for an old man he was quick on his feet, one second he was across from her, the next beside her and knocking her backwards. She let out a grunt as his weight pressed down upon her body and her arms were locked in his grasp above her head. "GET OFF OF ME!" She screamed at the top of her lungs right into his face as her legs kicked and her hips bucked at the weight on top of her while her hands wiggled this way and that in the ironclad grip trying to get free. It was only when his fist struck at her face that she went limp and let out a cry instead of a scream as she felt her lip split and instantly begin to throb with pain that grew across the side of her face making her eyes water with tears. "If you are going to kill someone you should just do it and stop talking about it!" Despite the crack of his fist across her face she was still all spitfire and stubborn and as he grasped and ripped the thin and frail lace exposing her breasts she let out a scream of rage and began to buck and struggle beneath him again. "GET THE HELL OFF ME!"

Kane: Below in the courtyard, a full out war raged as Kane took on the drunken men that sided with Vargus in this despicable act of kidnapping a woman and child, as they circled him, the longsword was pulled from its sheath upon his back, dark slate grey eyes that were not fogged by drink, but by rage and anger, watched as they made move to corral him… and then without warning he attacked, like a lion he roared, the longsword cutting and arc through the night sky, cleaving the head from the shoulder of the man nearest him, with a shove the body was pushed into the crowd, it's neck still spurting blood in ribbons that pulsed with the dying heart, while the head rolled like a child's ball over the uneven cobblestones.. it's bloody stump severed clean and precise as any surgeon’s knife could have done, while the shock of the act played over the faces of his attackers, making a few back up. The sword would turn upon its axis, as did the man upon his heel, and it would reverse its direction this time in an upward motion, betwixt the legs of the man who had earlier grabbed his codpeice and spoken of teaching Shyvonne to do foul things with his coke. That appendage was sliced clean from his body, before the sword rendered upward eviscerating him, his bowels falling from a drink-distended stomach to spill on the ground beneath his feet, the smell of stomach acid and rye mingling in the air, as the man’s face took on a pale countenance before stumbling forward to crash to the ground still alive as his body bleed out before his eyes... Up the stairs he heard Shyvonne's screams and momentarily turned, distracted, as a dagger found his shouldered launched from a man’s hand, and the full brunt of the attackers body threw his weight against him and they crashed into the wall. He could only hope Mark was making better progress to save Shyvonne.

Mark: Mark’s responsibility was to make it to the tower and seek out Shy and Robin, while his swordbrother would handle the rabble outside. It could have been very well the other way around, but apparently Kane felt it was Mark’s opportunity to redeem himself; especially now that the alarm had been sounded, silence was of no use. Bounding over crates, around wagons, he kicked in the first door, as it spun off its hinges. Pass the opening, he took the stairs two at a time.

At one bend in the stairs, he rounded a corner and there stood two men with swords. Mark smirked as they started their decent. He leveled the crossbow and squeezed the trigger… the bolt speeded its way toward one… As the bolt struck the man deep in the throat, the arrowtip exited thru the back. Tossing the crossbow aside… for he had no time to reload… his sword came up and he ran toward the man that now stood on the landing. Bounding over the dead man, he jumped sideways, his sword crossing his body and entering the guard’s side, exiting the other side just above the hip.

Mark spat on the dead man’s body, using his boot as a fulcrum, he yanked his sword from the lifeless form. He heard a scream from Shyvonne of “Get off me” and that sent rage once again thru his mind. He was bounding the stairs once again two at a time.

Vargus: Vargus grinned and laughed as Shy attempted to get away from him. All her attempts to stop him were in vain and each only amused him further. “I'm going to do in one night what Kane has been afraid to do for so long... That girl-thingy-of-a-man.” The hand not holding her arms was used molest her breast, taking the ample mounds of flesh into his palm to be worked harshly. “Yes, fight little bytch... Know that there is not nothing you can do to stop this.” His hand rose again and smacked her face with his palm, the skin on skin sound radiating outward. Then he reached down and ripped her gown some more, no remorse shown in his face, no there was only joy to what his eyes would behold. “No, it won't be over for you that quickly whore... I'm going to make this last for as long as I can. By tonight’s in, you will beg for that death, and I will give it to you.”

Shyvonne: Shyvonne was not an idiot though she had remained pure out of family loyalty more than anything else. She also had a sense of pride in herself and so her body did not go to just anyone, not yet anyways. Lost virginity to rape was not something she nor Searc had ever fathomed and by the time she had seen it, well it likely was too late to change the situation but she was not fool enough to not know the poking hardness against her thigh was Vargus and her struggle was what was exciting him and so she stopped. She simply fell still and lay there. As his hand molested her breast, she let out a growl and tensed in preparation to fight and then fell still again only to laugh. Yes laugh, straight into his face. "No wonder your wife seeks other bed partners" and her laugh was quieted by a slap in the face that only made her face throb all the harder from the punch before. She flinched, jerking as the more of the flimsy nightgown was ripped open and lids slid closed over moss green eyes to drown out the sound of him enjoying the views under him, namely her body. "Oh good, I can anticipate my death in exactly two minutes" She retorted to his lewd suggestion. bytchy even captured, that was Shyvonne.

Mark: After the battle to gain the stairs and killing more guards posted on the way up, her screams and then the sound of her captors fist hitting flesh was enough to send Mark into a mad rage, the door burst open and he filled it, his body shaking as the crossbow was tossed to the floor at the sight before him, uncomprehending at first that it was Vargus that held his beloved down, his hands over her body... a growl and he launched himself at the bed, he would kill Vargus with his bare hands… tackling the man they rolled to the floor and off Shyvonne... in a tangle of bashing fist and curses. The shoulder to the man’s side was enough to make the man gasp for air, but the wall provided a barrier for a body to slam against with; the weight of the attacker adding more pressure that could surely crack a rib. But it would be a fist to the face that hit solid as Mark cursed the very name that the bastard was graced with. Punch after punch to the man’s face would prove evidence that Mark was bloodlust for Vargus’ actions against Shyvonne.

Vargus: When the fight seemed to leave the woman he would smile with delight, now he could begin. His hand reached to that Robe and began to untie it. He was already hard and ready to part her thighs and thrust between them. No matter what her mouth said, soon Shy would realize it was time to shut up. He would torture her for hours otherwise. Then just before the moment he would take her virginity, the doors burst open and her savior would arrive. Vargus growled out deeply and turned to greet the man but it was too late. His body was taken from his victim and sent against the wall with force.

Vargus’ wrinkled forehead was busted against the stone before he slumped to the floor bleeding. For an old man, he was strong, and pretty fast too. The would-be hero was soon to find that out as they grappled about on the cobble stone floor. In the midst of the struggle, Vargus would pull the hidden dagger sheathed in the sleeve of his robe. With a grunt it was shoved deep into his attackers stomach as he yelled out “Diiiiieeeeee !” Luckily the blade would miss anything important and had veered off to the side far enough that there would be no permanent damage. It was then pulled out and while the man was dazed, he was kicked off to the side. Vargus moved to his feet and shook that knife at him wildly. “I was going to use this on your girl after I raped her... but you're first.” The old man had the upper hand, he advanced boldly expecting the win, little did he think it was the very last steps he would take.

Mark: His pummeling of the man’s face left him a bloody mess, but despite it all, the man was able to wriggle free enough to withdraw a dagger from his clothing… something mark was not expecting in his rage… and as the short dagger found its target from underneath the armour… the man’s scream of murder and Mark’s own proclamation of pain echoed in the room. Mark rolled off the man clutching his side. From one knee, he saw Vargus stand, and began waving the knife. Blood from the man’s wounds streaked down his forehead, nose, and mouth, stained the floor as Mark would evaluate the situation silently… Vargus was standing, armed… Mark was unarmed and upon bended knee… but then Vargus gave Mark the will to attack by stating what he intended to do to him… and Shyvonne…

Shyvonne: With eyes closed, she remained still and simply listened to the noises around her. The log in the hearth popped with the heat reaching a cooler pocket within the wood. The wind that rustled the windowless seal of the room that sat high above the ground and yes even the breath of the man on top of her but it was the sound of feet on the steps that she heard and she held her breath for a moment in anticipation before the door swung open banging against the wall with rusted hinges giving away as the door crashed to the floor. "Mark!" She gasped in both surprise and shock. She had seen them go east! How was he here?! With her nails biting into the skin of her palms from the force of their cling and she shoved upward even as Vargus moved to get off of her. Rolling around the bed, she pulled the sheet with her to cover her nakedness and ruined clothing as the two struggled on the floor.

Mark: Suddenly, the pain in his side dissipated, and rage, filled with adrenalin, gave him unsupposed strength. From his knee, he sprung toward the man. A bloody hand pushed away an arm and the two would soon be wrestling upon the floor. Vargus had uttered his last words… Mark grabbed the man’s wrist, bending it… and with his weight, he forced the dagger down and into Vargus’ chest. The man screamed as the tip of the dagger ripped the upper portion of the lung, and the bottom tip of the heart… As the man’s hand fell from the dagger, Mark took charge of it and began to stab the man repeatedly with it… not once, not thrice, but the man’s chest would be ripped to shreds with twenty or so stab wounds… As Vargus died in his own body fluids, Mark’s bloodlust had been sated.

Shyvonne: Her body jerked this way and that trying to find a way in, a way to help without distracting Mark too much that he was hurt but like her dreams of the future, things moved much too fast for her to comprehend and it was only when Vargus was dead that she was able move from the spot she had fidgeted on.

Seeing Vargus was dead, and Mark was violently mutilating the man’s chest, she moved forward and touched his shoulder… “Mark… MARK… he’s dead…”

One hand gripping the sheet around her body, as Mark stood, the other went to his side where Vargus’ knife had struck. "Your hurt" She commented. No hello, no I love you, only to the obvious before she found her head pressing against his chest as she exhaled in a sigh of relief. "I saw you...go East" was all she could say next, but it was when Robin struggling replayed in her mind that her head lifted. "Where's Kane? Robin?" And her body, his own still clutching the sheet around her as she flew out of the door to find her nephew.

Mark: Bloodlust… a desire for extreme violence and carnage, often aroused in the heat of battle and leading to uncontrolled slaughter and torture. That was the literary definition, but to a man in such a condition, it was an act of physical rage and an absence of controlled thinking… and it was Shyvonne’s words that drew him from it. He was bleeding from the knife wound, but it was Vargus’ blood that stained his face and armor. He stood and looked down upon the bloody mess that was once a breathing man…. Albeit an evil man.

Hurt? Now the pain returned as the bloodlust left him… his breathing would soon return to normal as she pressed against the wound just under the edge of the armour chestpiece. As she mentioned east, he shook his head… “My dream… yu guided me in my dream… and I dreamt of this old castle…” his sentence was broken, for now, the adrenalin rush had subsided, and the little loss of blood, left him weakened.

His dream? Her dream...err vision! She had seen it...but he had seen it. This both confused and surprised her but there was no time to think about it. With his hand gripping hers while the other clutched the sheet still around her as she was yanked and pulled down the spiraling stairs barely even catching the steps back towards the dungeons. At least she would not be stuck within them again.

“Kane is…” and in the contemplation of Robin, his sentence was cut short… “We go now…” and he quickly turned toward the door, grabbing her hand… on the staircase, as he tugged her along, he bent over, grabbed his sword, and the dead guard’s… handing her the smaller one. “We must find Robin…”

Once again, adrenalin took over his body… and as the pair made their way down from the tower toward the dungeons… “Robin is…in the dungeons… the dream told me…Come, we must hurry…” his sentence was broken into phrases as the pain and the steps made it difficult to speak… One hand holding the sword, the other pulling her along.

Step after step, they neared the dungeon… “Coom back yae lil demon… Yer auntie is fookin’ dead and Ah wanna have me fun wit yae too…” echoed thru the door. Mark screamed Robin’s name several times… and when Robin scream MARK… it made him stop… He kicked in the door; the hinges were too rusty to prevent the door from falling hard. Inside, Robin was running around the torture racks and crawling under tables avoiding the much bigger guard…

"Robin!" she called to the door as she banged against it and then Mark shifted and she pressed back as his foot crashed against the door and with rusty hinges sent it flying inward. "Robin!" She gasped seeing the little boy playing a game of chicken with the guard around the torture devices that had been set up in the room.

It would have been comical had it not been a dire situation, watching Robin evade his captor. The guard then turned seeing Mark and Shyvonne… “Wot the fook?” the man said, and grabbed his sword from the table… Mark’s hand pushed Shyvonne back a little, and he automatically raised his sword to the ready.

The man advanced and soon the two would be embralled in a sword battle… Robin tried to make a run for Shyvonne… and when he did, he misstepped, falling between the guard’s feet… this in turn causing the guard to stumble… and Mark lunged his sword forward, followed by a body shove… both men falling away from Robin… who scampered unscathed to his Aunt. The lad was now safe in her arms.

As Mark surged forward to Robin's attacker, she moved along the wall towards Robin and then stopped taking in a sharp gasp and holding it as Robin fell between the fight and then scrambled to his feet and she stooped as he flew into her arms ignoring the pain that jolted through her chest as his arms wove around her neck and she lifted him up into her arms and backed to the door with one hand cradling his head. "Don't watch!" She soothed against the little boys ear not wanting him to see Mark slay the man even if he was going to torture Robin, but for Robin sake she watched the man’s death with a fair amount of pleasure etched across her face.

Mark saw the man was dead, and he retrieved his sword as he stood. Returning to Robin and Shyvonne, he smiled… “I knew you’d come Uncle Mark… I just knew it… I prayed and yu came…” the lad hugging the man’s leg. A hand wiped against material to remove the blood before being placed upon the lad’s head. “Always lad… always… and thank you for helping me… yer getting so big. But no more fighting the bad guys.” He ruffled the boys hair. “Let’s go find Kane…”

As Mark turned towards her, she bounced Robin and smiled as she set him on his feet to see him hugged around Mark's legs. Her hand rose and lay against his cheek wiping away the blood, sweat and dirt from it without a care as she returned his smile. Wiping her hand against the blanket, she lay her hand over Robin shoulder as the three of them left the dungeon and moved to the grounds again.

[Men of Skye]

While Mark and Shyvonne were busy saving Robin, Kane had his hands full with the killing of the rest of Vargus’ motley crew, Sure Mark had killed 4 men in the tower and Vargus, saved the girl, and was now on his way to save the boy… but credit where credit was due, had Kane not gutted, split, spliced and diced his way through the some 4 and twenty men, Mark would have been up shyte creek... Lucky for Mark that Kane was around. After the last man had fallen in the courtyard, the last throat sliced, a gore covered Kane limped up the stairs of the tower looking for Mark and Shyvonne, not having seen them exit, as he was a tad bit busy!

Instead of finding his sword brother and the love of his life who was also the bane of his existence, Shyvonne… he found the cold ashen grey body of his Cousin Vargus MacGregor... Bile rose in his throat as the import of this settled in his mind... Vargus had betrayed them, tried to kill Shyvonne and Robin… as the implications roiled through his brain, a vision of the pale golden creature known as Portia, wife to Vargus swam before his eyes...

The c*nt had told Vargus where Robin was, her visit to the Academy was a ruse set to gain information, and they had allowed her in. Slate grey eyes narrowed as he growled setting his eyes about the room, falling on a small chest half hidden beneath torn bedclothes…

Grasping it, he forced the lock open with his dagger, inside were letters from Portia to Vargus... Bearing the MacGregor seal, information on the academy and Robin, not to mention the men at arms and the fact that Mark and Kane had left. But it was the letters beneath that one that came as surprise to him. Mollifying and stupefying him altogether… letters bearing the crest of the Robertson, were flicked open and scanned, as well as letters bearing the crest of the MacDonald, the more he read, the darker his eyes became, until the chest was snapped shut and tucked beneath his arm, to Vargus he moved looking down at his dead cousin, then stooped low and with a sickening slice, cut off the head at the throat wrapping it in a piece of linen from the bed… Tied in a knot and slung over his shoulder. Traitors would know his wrath, and Portia and Vargus’ head would sit piked outside the gates of Oisles…

Silence of dead men in the dungeon and upper levels, was broken by the walking of the three upon stones… he, in thudding boots, and they, in padding bare feet… And as they rounded a large broken-down portion of the castle wall, they saw Kane. The man in black was alive, his opponents sprawled about in lifeless forms. He limped from a sore leg, blood, from his shoulder, stained his black shirt. The man finally smiled seeing Shyvonne and the lad alive and well.

When she saw Kane with his shoulder bleeding she gasped and her hand left Robin's with a brief look at Mark. How the hell had they planned this rescue! Not that she wasn't grateful, but here they had both been stabbed. Clutching the sheet around her and not minding her bare feet on the ground, she broke into a jog across the yard and her arms opened to be thrown around Kane's in a tight hug mindful of his shoulder as she exhaled in a sigh of relief as she took a step back. "Nice rescue mission, both of you wind up hurt and bleeding." She commented but offered up a smile at Kane in the mild joke.

Mark and Kane looked at one another and shook their heads. “Well it was not like we wanted to M’Lady… we do not go around asking for sword wounds for the hell of it.” he teased… watching Kane nodding, truly wanting to say something smartass’d, but refrained.

It was a somber Kane that met the trio in the courtyard, limping and bloody, he settled his parcels without word beside him to grab up Shyvonne as she threw herself about him, his good arm circling her slender waist pulling her tightly to him, his dark head fell so that his lips pressed against her temple and he relished the moment, of her in his arms, her body tucked safely against him...

“Tell me you are unharmed…” he commanded against her ear, the emotion in his voice still tinged with anger over the betrayal of Vargus against his kin, and the import of the letters, now softened as her arms came about him… “I would die if he harmed you…” his meaning was clear, he wanted to know if Vargus had dishonored her. He held her back a bit and looked into her eyes, her sweet face marred by violence, was heartbreaking to him… but he saw in the depths of her moss green eyes that her honor was still intact, without word… she broke into joking.. And he allowed it, knowing it was her way of dealing with things, to ignore them.. And perhaps it was best she wait to breakdown and be a woman, until they got back to the Academy…

"I insist you both sit down and let me look at those wounds before we leave. I can't have either of you passing out on me on the way back to Oisles, I don't have the strength to lift either of you up. I insist." Her hand rose and fingers pressed against Kane's mouth when he went to protest. "I'm fine Kane, Robin is fine. You two risked your lives for us, I can never thank either of you enough. Please allow me to this for you both."

They were tired, wounded, and did not wish to argue with Lady Shyvonne MacGregor… both knew better, especially now. With her hushing Kane, he just looked to Mark and shook his head.

Turning from him, she motioned to Robin and pointed across the yard where a wineskin had been left in the wake of the attack. "Robin, can you get that skin for me?"

She wanted to distract him from the dead bodies and when he returned with the skin she wrapped the sheet tighter around her and bound it so she could work with her hands, the longest ends were torn off and handed to Robin to be her assistant and to Kane she went first to check his shoulder and bind it. It was as much as she could do and after she was finished he muttered something she could not understand and moved to tend to the horses to see them home.

To Mark, she went second; taking the materials from Robin, she ushered to Kane heading across the field. "How about you go help Uncle Kane and maybe he will let you lead the horse home hmm??"

He sat silent through her exam and her doctoring of his shoulder, though he drove him insane to have her cool hands on his flesh, while her eyes strayed back over to Mark once more... He gritted his teeth and when she would admonish him for being dramatic about the pain, she had no idea it was the pain in his heart, not in his shoulder… gruffly, he stood thanking her with a nod of his head, and gathered up the chest and the makeshift bag that held Vargus’s head... Moving toward the horses while she tended to Mark…

"Alll righttt!" The little boy chimed and off running he went to catch up with Kane.

Moss green eyes lifted to Mark's face and a soft blush hinted at her cheeks as she worked the ties of the chest piece loose and pulled it off his body without irritating his wound sight more then she had to. "Here...sit down. Give me your hands." She set the wineskin and sheet scraps down and took his hands into her own, stumbling a bit, as she helped him to sit down so he would not pull at the wound and make it deeper.

Wincing at the wound that now hurt like hell, his hand stained by its blood. As he handed her the one hand, he continued pressing against the wound until he sat. They both fumbled at removing his body armour and shirt… “Damn stupid to get stabbed UNDER the armour, is it not?” he questioned her of his current situation.

Shifting the sheet around, she kneeled in the dirt beside him and pulled up the side of his sheet, her head tilting to look at the wound. "It's not too deep. You might need stitches though, I'll have the doctor look at it when we get back to Oisles."

Despite the amount of blood that had stained his undershirt, and his hand, the cut was not very deep… “I know… tis nay deep at all… just a scratch…” and he shut up as she shook her finger at him to silence his mumbling.

"You and Kane both deserve a rest for all you've done." Taking up one section of the scraps, she soaked it in wine and then gave him a look. "Ready? This is going to sting." She warned and held the wine soaked cloth posed. "One...two..." She counted and then leaned forward, her lips met his own in a surprise kiss and with the element of surprise, she pressed the cloth against his side and moved her lips away so that he could scream if he needed to wincing herself with her split lip coming alive with the contact of her lips against his own.

He nodded… and looked down at what she was doing… but to his surprise, she kissed him. And then applied the soaked bandage… and he winced, “ahhh…” the wine burning the wound inside… yet he was smirking all the while.

"I've heard it sad it hurts less if it’s a surprise." Her face was still pulsating as if it had a heart of its own and was beating profusely in her face. She didn't even want to know what her face looked like not doubting for a minute she had bruising thanks to Vargus strong backhands as well as the tenderness in her breasts from his appalling groping. After holding the wine soaked cloth for a moment against his side, she slowly let up the pressure and wiped the blood from around the wound.

“Aye…?” His hand went to her face… and he smiled… She was warm, and pinked from the blush… then he pulled her into another kiss… one she hesitated at first, then relinquished to his effort. Not a short peck of a kiss, not the elongated, passionate, kiss he yearned, but one of true caring… yet one worth remembering. And in her embarrassment, she began a new conversation. And he smiled.

"I should have seen this happening. Perhaps I could have saved everyone the trouble it’s caused. I don't know why I can see some things and not others." She spoke after her attention could freely move while she bound the wound with a long strip of the sheet she had ripped off her makeshift dress and slowly she wrapped it securely around his sides over the wound. She didn't want to look him in the face too much scared of what he thought of her, of her gifts. Obviously he had listened to her. He was here; He had not been cleaved in two by the axe wielding bald giant!

With a chuckle as her change of conversation, he nodded at her statement. “You cannot see everything… but I find it odd… I find it hard to believe one sees the future… yet I do not deny it, for I have lived it. Although some would call it sorcery, or witchcraft…”

"I don't know why I have this gift of sight, I am not a witch and if people knew, that is probably what they would call me but I believe God gave it to me for a reason. As much as I believe God saw fit that you be given that gift for enough time to see the right path. If not for that, Robin and I would be dead." Finished binding the wound, she tied a knot to keep it in place and sat back on her heels.

“No one will burn yu at the stake… I am sure the King would have something to say upon the matter…” he smiled, and he winced at her knotting the material. “I may not be the righteous one, nor the one who judges… for my past is less than pure…” he smiled. “But I am one who appreciates the gift… what disturbs me, is I saw the vision of the trail, and the castle…for they came to me in a dream…”

"You are the only person who knows I have this gift. And it seems like a poor excuse of a thank you to burden you with it but um, thank you for everything you have done and all you will do for my family.”

He smiled… “No thank you necessary, M’Lady… I assure I have ulterior motives…” he smirked and winked…. And she blushed.

“We should...get to the horses. I am eager to get back to Oisles." Rocking on her heels she stood and offered her hands out to him to help him up so they could make ready to go back home.

Mark would give a chuckle and grunted when he was helped up; his blood-stained hand keeping pressure against the new bandage. Just as he was getting ready to speak, a young lad pulling a horse came running up… “Uncle Mark…look… I can do your job…” and Marked laughed. “Lad, if yu take my job, how shall I make money…?”

Kane walked up right behind Robin and as he passed Mark, he smirked and whispered… “As a prostitute or mercenary…” then nudged Mark aside.

Mark growled at his new friend, yet who still had deep feelings for Shyvonne. “Aye, and yu a priest, no doubt…” he chuckled softly…

He had watched the kiss from the shadows looking down at Robin who grinned and smirked at the lovebirds doings. “I think they are gonna get married…” young Robin beamed thinking nothing better could happen from his childish standpoint.

“Aye. I think they want to…” Kane agreed it seemed, but he knew that Shyvonne was a prize that Searc held dear, and for Mark and Shy to marry was almost an impossibility…

Shyvonne was Clan royalty… And Mark was a stable master at best… Now that he had been exiled from the Robertson Chieftain’s side, there was little Mark had to offer her, in the way of things that mattered to the Nobility.

He, though on this and the things he had done to be worthy of her, years of saving and investing, of making his own little fifedom, buying and renovating lands and a home, that would now set empty. For it seemed Shy had set her heart and cap on Mark Collier… if not for the fact he like Mark well, he might have bowed to the urge to fill another sack with his head; but they were sworn friends, and sword brothers… and Kane was nothing if not honorable. He was step aside and as soon as this business was settled with the clan, he would quietly disappear into nothingness and let her live her life in happiness, however she chose. But first, there was the matter of Portia, and then was the matter of the MacDonald and Robertson letters to contend with… what he held in the chest would be enough evidence he hoped, to prove the Lady Chloe innocent of charges… and keep her head from falling at the gallows.

Tit for tat, punch or poke, these two were inevitably bonded by sword, though their emotions were diverging prongs of fork… He maneuvered the horse next to a large stone, then helped Shyvonne onto the stone, now used as a step for her to mount the horse. Kane and Mark grunted as they climbed into their saddle. Then Mark leaned down, with a grunt, and taking Robin by the hand, pulled the hand up and onto the front of saddle.

With a nod, the four now rode toward Oisles Academy.

[Men of Skye]

Oisles to Struan

The road back was much more leisurely than the ride south… and much less stressful… but an unexpected event would occur that prevented them merry band from reaching their destination…

The foursome rode in silence. Kane upon his own horse, Shyvonne upon her own and Mark with Robin before him. She kept her pace leisure as if they were out for a stroll. She was eager to get home to Oisles and start rebuilding not only the school but the lives of the community of which she had no doubts had been ripped apart by the warring clans but she kept the pace slow so Mark and Kane would not further disturb their injuries.

At the crossroads, a few miles from Oisles Academy, they stood in wait as a caravan of soldiers escorted prisoners north… Within the caravan was Lady MacGregor, Lord Robertson, and four lieutenants… two from the MacGregor, one from Robertson, and one from the MacLeod… all bound and surrounded by Griffin soldiers… Mark looked to Kane, then to Shyvonne…

Mark’s heart stopped seeing both under arrest… “here, you stay with Shyvonne…” as he hefted the boy and leaned across to Shyvonne… glancing to Kane… “Wait here… I shall return…” then he spurred the horse to a gallop catching up with the caravan of soldiers…

When they happened near the crossroads, Shyvonne breathed a sigh of relief. They were all most there. Not much further was all she could tell herself when the noise of the Caravan caught her ears and her horse paced back nervously. Her attention darted to Kane and Mark. Another attack? Her look questioned when the guards rode into sight with Iain and Chloe bound to their horses. Her mouth opened but it was Mark who spoke first, shifting Robin to her own horse.

As Mark approached the caravan, the soldiers turned and blocked his way… “Halt in the name of the King…” and lances were leveled his way. The soldiers fearful of attack.

Mark reined in his horse, halting feet from the lances leveled at him… “I am Lord Mark Collier, HorseMaster of the Robertson… what is the matter? Why has m’lord and m’lady been apprehended?”

“The prisoners are charged with High Treason and disobeying the King’s Majesty…” the corporal stated. “What business of yers?” he asked. Meanwhile, one of the guards turned and spoke to the corporal, then rode fat to the Sergeant-at-arms… Upon his return he spoke with the corporal… “You there, state your name again…”

Mark watched the horsemen leave and return… and soon answered the corporal. “Lord Mark Collier… I have writ from Lord Iain… I… I was assigned to Oisles Academy by M’lord…”

“Lord Collier, may it be so, but yu are charged with High Treason and disobeying the King’s Majesty… surrender your arms and come peacefully… or die in your place…” and with that, the soldiers tightened their security of the man.

And with that, Shyvonne and Kane would see them dismounting Mark, binding his wrists, and placing him under arrest as well… Only a simple glance back at Shy, Robin, and Kane.

The caravan would once again commence their trek to Struan…

The boy stirred sleepily and then melted against Shyvonne his arms going about her waist as one hand lifted to weave around him and hold him against her as he began to awake and realize what was going on.

Her arm tightened as he struggled if only at the sight of his mother bound. "Sit still Robin, you scare the horses" She soothed against his ear as the horse again paced backward with the anxious rider upon its back. "Remember, horses can feel what we feel." She tried to calm him as her hands tightened on the reigns. She could barely make out what was being said, days in a dungeon with little to no sleep left not only her brain muddled but her ears unused to the sound of words.

Kane had moved to place his horse between Shyvonne Robin and the Griffin men, surreptitiously sliding the sack with Vargus's head to the hidden side of his horse in the move… His hand reached out to stay the reigns of Shyvonne's steed as he saw she was almost leaping out of her saddle to Mark's defense, a look passed between them bidding her settle until the men headed out... He could see in Chloe's face she wanted to hold her son, comfort him, but any words would have made the child protest... perhaps too much...

It was when Mark was bound that she gasped and strained upward in the saddle spooking the horse even more and it was Robin’s arms around her that soothed her bottom back into the saddle again. "We're not far behind you!" She called to Mark, Chloe, and Iain as the Caravan of guards and prisoners started up again, her attention shot to Kane. "Lets get to the Academy for provisions and then head out." And she kicked the horses sides tightening her hold on Robin as the horse lurched forward into a gallop towards the Academy. All leisure gone.

When the guards and their prisoners had moved, on he released the reigns... and nodded in agreement to her plan.. there were things he had to attend to at Oisles, piking Vargus head for one, and Killing that bytch Portia for another and arranging her blond head beside her husband’s... all this time his rage was simmering beneath the surface, he would not allow it loose on Shy and Robin.. but he would set it loose upon Portia MccGregor…

They thundered into the courtyard of the academy, the smell of acrid smoke and ashes still tainted the once peaceful place of learning, but it was getting back to normal… her staff had seen to it... at the sound of their arrival Leigha, the trusted Ladies maid, and the teachers and some students filed out to greet their Missing Mistress. Cheers went up as they realized she was unharmed, and eyebrows rose when they saw he wore only a sheet...

Lounging at the door with a smug, if not shocked smirk was Portia... who seeing that Shy and Robin were very much alive... changed that into a look of wondering relief… "Ohhhh thank the gods you are safe we have prayed... for your safety " she came running toward them arms outstretched to greet Shy... "We, we so worried Little Cousin." something had gone wrong, and now she was trying to do damage control...

Coming out of the tower where she had been beaten and nearly raped and killed, she had a better look than she did entering the courtyard of the Academy where the acid sting of smoke still lingered in the air. The damage was not so great that it should cause distress. New boards were all ready being placed over the hole in the roof where the fire had broken through it over the library but to see her beloved castle diminished at all from what she had built it up to was heartbreaking. She would not let the others see and so smiled when the faces began to appear and the cheering went out. "Robin, go gather clothing you want to take with you. Hurry now, no straying." She ushered at the little boy as she let him down from the saddle. "Sergio, go with him!" She called to the horse trainer after having seen Portia as one of the waiting patrons in the yard.

"Oh my dear, oh thank God!" Liaden coo'd as Shyvonne climbed from the saddle and embraced her. Shyvonne managed a smile as Liaden worn hands soothed back the hair from her face. "Oh my child!" The housekeeper breathed and then shook out of her shock. "A little mugroot will help this…" She exclaimed while touching gently at the bruises on Shyvonne face.

"I'm fine…" Shyvonne soothed to break away from the old woman as more hands grabbed at her to hug her in excitement and rapture at her return. To the children she sent her attention to lovingly touching at large and small faces. "I thank God you are all unharmed." She uttered to them and then nodded to the Academy. "Back inside, please.."An her attention turned again to Leigha. "Leigha, clothing please and pack some for the both of us and get Sergio to ready your horse as soon as Robin is set." Feet went scurrying about and the crowd slowly broke the students heading inside with Leigha on their heels ushering them inside to do her ladies bidding.

That was when Portia seemed to appear through the crowds her arms open to Shyvonne. To her, Shyvonne attention turned dark and angry and as her 'cousin' rushed at her, Shyvonne hand balled as it was pulled back and then came back and CRACK… smashed into the woman's face, no doubt sending her backward. "Iomhar, Professor Archer, arrest this woman!" She commanded and to Portia she hissed "You are no kin of mine and you'll have nothing, I'll see to that."

Kane had slipped from his horse silent as a wraith.. and when Shy called for the men to arrest Portia his hand came to her shoulder... "Allow me…" his words were deadly cold as he reached out and grasp Portia from the ground where Shyvonne's punch had sent her flying into the dust of the courtyard...

Hauling the dazed woman up with one hand, the sack seeping blood was in the other as he drug her protesting form toward the Gates... "Portia MacGregor... Wife of Vargus MacGregor... you are a widow... Your Husband is dead…" his voice tolled like the death knell of church bells. His voice held a cold calm in it that was hellish in intent as he pinned her against the gate. "Stay." he spoke to her as if she were nothing but an animal... then opened the bag showing her the decapitated and mutilated head of her husband bringing it before her eyes and showing her the end of her marriage; then methodically he moved aside the brazier that held the torch on the side of the gate and piked the Head on the ironwork there... "He died a coward and a traitor to his kin and clan..." he sneered turning back to her and pulling his dagger... "you will join him, as a warning to those who think to harm those I care for… no matter who you are or how far you run I will always find you…" his face lowered to hers and his voice was but a dark whisper that lifted the golden curls at her cheek. "Make your peace Portia... for I have made mine…"

She had been shocked and stunned when Shyvonne had punched her sending her to her ass in the courtyard… but it was the sight of her Husband’s head in a sack, then impaled that made her stomach almost loose itself, and her body begin to shake with tremors. "Please Kane, I don't know what you are talking about…" furiously she denied knowledge of Vargus's wrongdoings. "I'm innocent... why did you kill my husband..?" she mewled trying to buy time to somehow save her hide, and discern how much he knew of her involvement.

Leigha had arrived and stood with a robe for Shyvonne so she could at least get out of the sheet in the courtyard and stood shocked and silent as she watched her mistress punch her cousin, but even for a ghost of a moment Leigha smiled and then she was at her mistress helping her into the robe as if embarrassed for Shyvonne sake.

Holding the robe closed, she watched Kane drag Portia to the gates and when he brought out the head of her cousin, even Shyvonne nearly lost her stomach which would mainly be acid line of her stomach considering how long she had gone out without food. "Kane!" She managed to hiss and ushered Leigha off her arm as the woman clung to it. "Get inside, make sure Robin nor any of the kids see this..." She uttered low and when Leigha did not move she shoved her "Go!" She hissed before moving across the yard to reached out to grip Kane's arm. "You cannot kill her without proper proof. We may both know she was involved, but we have to prove it!" She hissed at Kane while trying to pull him backwards from Portia.

"You have gone insane! You took his head! An’ piked it on my Academy gate! What if the children see this! I won't allow that, take it down now Kane!"

"Shyvonne... please you can't let him kill me... Shyvonne... I'm your Kin." she screamed for help, as the madman told her to make her peace.

Moss green eyes cold as ice slid to Portia. "Shut up! Vargus could only find out about Robin's whereabouts from YOU! YOU told him and he killed good an innocent men to get to Robin! He could have harmed my students and YOU BOTH destroyed the reputation of my school not to mention nearly taking my life… and the worst part, is you sought to take Robin's life, an innocent little boy, my nephew! There is nothing more than I would like to see then your death for all that you have done but I would gladly watch your suffering for it as well and you will suffer even if I have to bargain with the devil for it!"

He shrugged off her hands pulling him away from Portia.. turning to glare at her. "I have proof and I need nothing more to take her life..." the hatred and rage in his face was enough to make Shyvonne take a step back, never had she seen Kane in such a darkness.. "In the chest tied to my horse is her letters... to Vargus… telling him of you and Robin.. their filth is disgusting…" the things that Portia had wrote, demanded Vargus do to Shy and Robin before their death roiled in his brain… "She will Die and her head be placed with his as a warning... for all... never to dare Harm those within…" his voice trembled with conviction as he pushed Shyvonne away from Portia and placed the dagger to her neck.. "Say your prayers Widow MacGregor... and prepare to join your husband in hell."

Clearly the trio did not hear the weight of Eulle's horse's hooves' against the ground as he road upon the Academy gates of Oisles Academy. Sent by Searc to tell his sister of what was going on and ordering her to Struan; he was ill-prepared for the sight that greeted him. A head piked on the gates, the blonde headed Portia at the gates with an insane looking Kane pressing a dagger to her throat while the Lady Shyvonne just stood back looking as if she didn't know what to do. The horse had barely stopped before he dismounted and with a hop skip it was a stronger hand that gripped Kane's arm this time and shoved him backward. "Unhand the woman! I will not allow you to spill more blood then all ready spilt!"

"Shyvonne !" she screamed when it was clear she was going to hell by Kane's hand, he had the letters and it was obvious he knew everything and would not be swayed... suddenly she had a reprieve as a hand grasp Kane’s shoulder and spun him... her eyes lit upon the sight of Eulle MacGregor.. one of the Clansmen from further south... some Island or such, her brain recalled as she fell to Shyvonne's feet begging for mercy and some semblance of honor in them. "Please Please... mercy I beg of you... for my children... " she pleaded.

Kane turned on the newcomer with violence, slamming his fist into the man’s chest pushing him away. "You know naught of what you come upon... this is a family matter... she is guilty and will join her curr of a husband upon a pike." he growled turning back to haul Portia up from her feet by her golden curls... "If you have not the stomach for it then go inside." he glowered at both Shyvonne and Eulle.

Shoved backward, he stumbled a step or two and then righted himself as Shyvonne collected her letters and returned. For a moment he had a glimmer of hope the intelligent woman would take his side; but seeing he didn't have any followers beside the Lady Portia, he roamed forward again, shoving Kane back, and put his body in front of Portia. "I'll say it again since you didn't hear me. I am not going to allow you to spill more blood, its not that I don't have the stomach for it. I won't allow you to spill more blood after everything that has happened. Lady Shyvonne, your sister-in-law and Lord Iain Robertson have been arrested on charges of Treason, your brother commands your presence in Struan to stand as a family against the charges. I suggest Master Kane, you turn your sights to protecting the Lady Shyvonne on her journey rather then piking heads in a school ground and lopping off women's heads! I'll take charge of this woman so you are free to do as your charged with. Searc has ordered you to indeed see the safe passage of his sister and son to Struan!" His hands held out to stop the man from advancing on the woman behind him once more and then folded in an authoritative gesture that was placed upon him to give to the two of them.

The fog lifted momentarily as he saw the look of disgust that shown on Shyvonne's face as she saw the monster he could be... Kane was a soldier, bringing of death... it had served him well, and his lust for Portia's blood had overridden even his need to show a good face to Shyvonne... but it was his love for her that sparked his rage at the mere thought of someone would harm her... glowering at Eulle… he stepped back... "IF you take her she is your burden... and I shall never again see her... for if my eyes lay upon her hide, I will finish what I started..." dark eyes lay on Portia for a long moment as if not killing her were still in the flux of decision... "Stay you far away from the MacGregor... and never come near Shyvonne or Robin unless you plan to dine with Satan…" he growled.. turning and grasping Shyvonne's arm hauling her toward the doors of the Academy. "Get you dressed woman,... we are losing light." never had he been so terse and harsh with her... had something broken within him… the thought of her death... who knew what went on behind the dark visage of Kane.

Shyvonne looked between Eulle, Kane, and Portia… then her eyes narrowed and darkened… “My dearest Portia… despite the despicable actions you and Vargus took against me and mine… know this, Bartholomew shall always have a place here at Oisles Academy…” and she formed a wicked smirk… “…and they shall know the love you and Vargus never knew how to give him…”

She would look at the man who defended her with such valor... and in true Portia fashion she could not let Kane have the last word, and Shyvonne's dig at her maternal instincts were enough to make her want to cast her venom toward them once more… "SO you think you know everything... well everything is not within those letters there is so much more... You will rue the day you crossed me, Shyvonne... you think your days are to be easy... not with your Lover... not ever... he is a man whore... not only did he take to my bed... but that of your Brother’s Wife... oh yes... he still tasted of her when he came to me... you see... your in love with a cad… Better you turn your eyes toward you champion there... as he has never touched a woman for want of you all these years..." she cackled gone quite mad her barbish words, the only weapons she had left.. "MacGregor Honor is a lie… the whole lot of you are destined for hell… cursed !"

As Kane backed down, his stance lowered. He was not a soldier as the man was. He was a farmer who had taken up arms for the name of MacGregor but after his wife and children had died in the first war. His taste for death was sorely taxed and diminished. He had done it for the MacGregor name and the accusations against the woman might have been true but he really did not want to see more blood spilled despite the accusations or crimes committed. "You have my word Sir, I take her on as my responsibility." He turned to grip at Portia arm only to have her wiggle free and fling words to the two retreating back to the Academy. "Quiet woman!" He hissed as he gripped her arm again and yanked her back to his own horse. "I have saved you from death but that doesn't mean you are free. By Gods graces, I will make sure you pay for your crimes, only not with your blood. Now get on the horse!" Gripping her around the waist he pulled her up and threw a hand at her leg to throw it over the horse and then push her weight on top of it before he was joining behind her, her arms weaved around her middle to keep her in place as gripped the reigns to control the horse.

She had never seen Kane act the way he did, but it was perhaps the only proof she needed to how he truly felt about her. Why else would he be so enraged over what Vargus and Portia had done? This darkness was not him and it disgusted her.

Her eyes lifted to Portia as she hauled her venomous words back at the two of them and her face fell with what she said. Kane's hand on her arm dragging her back to the Academy was the only thing that moved her but it was when his grip began to melt into her brain as painful she struggled against him. "You are hurting me! Let go!" She growled and pulled her arm from his grasp as her other hand curled tightly around the letters in her hand crushing and crinkling the parchment. "We wouldn't have lost light if it hadn't been for this little..." And her lips pursed as she couldn't even find a word for what she had witnessed.

"Get that head off my Academy gate because you scare the children, they have been through enough. We have all been through enough." Her breath came out in a rapid gasp as if holding back tears and surely her eyes were brimming shimmering with the unshed tears.

Portia, she could understand, the woman had no boundaries, but Chloe? He had been sworn to protect her, not take to her bed, and after he had defended Iain love for her, calling their love true! She shuddered wondering how many times he had taken to her bed and the letters crinkled even tighter in her hand.

"Take it down Kane, the Academy is ruined enough, don't do this to me. Don't ruin it more for me. My heart cannot take it" she confessed before turning and breaking into a jog towards the Academy.

"Leigha, ready the horses! We're leaving now!" At this moment she didn't care that she wore a robe and beneath it was the screaming truths of her near rape and death. She had to get away from it, the academy, the screaming voices of recent events. For now, she put herself behind a ironclad lock and focused on the journey ahead and the lives who had been accused of wrong but had acted in the most right way possible.

"The head stays as a warning… these children need to learn what life is about... you betray your clan you die... and end up like Vargus." he growled releasing her arm, her tears undoing him... he stood indecisive for a moment… "I will take it down when we leave and dispose of it on the way..." he relented. "Give those letters over to me and get yourself dressed for travel..."

He brushed by her, taking the stairs to his room three at a time to go change and by the time she and Robin would return to the courtyard, Portia and Eulle would be long gone, the head of Vargus returned to it's sack… their horses packed with supplies and bedrolls... it was two days trip to Struan and they were a scant few hours behind the Griffin men and their prisoners... Most of the rest of the day would be spent in silence until they bedded down that night and Robin was fast asleep...

Her head wouldn't lift to look at him but when he asked for the letters back, she stuffed them inside her robe knowing all to well that he wouldn't dare go into her Robe to fetch them and silently went inside to dress and get Robin ready on his horse. Leigha laid down with Robin as the boy fell asleep and in the crackling fire she stared silent for a few moments more before her silence was broken.

"Did he tell you? In his drunken stupor maybe? Did you two laugh at how stupid and silly I was? Don't tell me I told you Shyvonne, I can't take that. Don't even say a word about it. I cared about him. I dreamt of him for Christ's sake! And everything that I dreamt has come to pass concerning him, but I didn't see this. The man I saw, the one I have come to know, the one I..." Her voice cracked, her pale face had gone paler, was stricken with confusion and the want to not believe it.

"I care about him. I care about who he's shown me, and the dreams I know to still come true for him." She had briefly lost it. She wanted so bad to believe that Portia was just trying to get to her, to have the final say, to say something false. "I was mystified for his loyalty to Iain, Chloe, and even Robin. The way he spoke about true love and how theirs was true and pure. And I thought 'I want that. And now this. I can't... I… is it true?" Her head lifted and her eyes found his. Her mouth open closed and she shook her head as she turned away from him and started at the flames again.

She had kept the letters and that night while the fire crackled before them and the boy slept, she released the thoughts that had ate away at her... her anger toward him while justified at his actions over Portia, and the piking of Vargus' head and even his manhandling of her was justified, but when she turned her anger at him accusing him of knowing all along, he stopped and looked at her with a face that bore honesty and then laughed… "If you think for one moment he would have told me that... and I would not have told you to turn you from his arms and into mine, you are the most silly girl in all the world… I had no idea… and I don't' know it for truth now… That bytch Portia is a lying whore… and the least I should have done was cut out her tongue." he settled beside her on the bedroll of his own... and stared into the fire...

"I'm sorry... I know he has your heart... but I swear I knew nothing of this... only about He and Portia... which you already knew…" his face turned back to the fire... in contemplation... "I think you should wait to pass judgment until you speak with him... not that he's likely to survive the gallows… treason is a serious crime…" he had let loose the words before he thought about how it would pain her… "Damn it I'm sorry… I'm sure everything will be as you dreamed it."

Her arms curled around her body as she sat upon her bedroll not able to sleep. Those were the first sound words to reach her mind. Portia a lying whore, and waiting to pass judgment but she feared sleeping tonight. Would she see what she didn't want to see this time?

For so long she looked forward to seeing what others wouldn't know until it all came true. Now she cursed the gift God had given her. "Why didn't you tell me before how you felt? Why have you never tried to kiss me?" She asked leaning her head against her arm on top of her knees to watch him, then wincing when he talked of Mark going to the gallows. She couldn't allow that to happen regardless of what he did or did not do. None of them could go to the gallows for this. Somehow she would see they didn't.

"If my dreams were everything I wanted, then Mark would have stood by and let you get killed as you would when he did. If my dreams had come true, he would have died by that bald man’s ax and Robin and I would be hanging on our own noose's over the side of that cliff by the abandoned Castle." She released her knees and slid down to lay on her side on top of the bedroll. "Pray my dreams show a happy end this time; then they will be everything I wished they would be."

"Come here." his voice was soft as he moved toward her pulling her into his embrace as she asked of why he had never told her of his feelings… "I never felt worthy of you… I wanted to make myself into someone you would have... you would want, and who could be worthy to take you as a wife... that... and you needed to grow up a bit... far too skinny." he chuckled lightly hugging her close...

"That is behind us now.. you love another... and that is that... Mark is a lucky man to have you… I wanted to kill him, thought about it seriously... but I know how you frown upon that kind of thing…" he was trying to alleviate her sadness… a hand running up and down her arm in comforting gesture... "Calm yourself... we will see this all set right... and go dreamless tonight... I will watch over you and wake you should nightmares intrude."

A kiss was given to her brow… oh how he loved her... wanted to kiss her... take her away from this madness... but he also wanted her happiness and had vowed as a young boy to see to it and he would... if it killed him.

Her arm curled around his shoulder as he moved in close to embrace her and she hummed in a small note as he spoke of how he had wanted to make himself worthy of her and how she was to skinny, trying to alleviate her sadness and she grinned, somewhat. "I never allowed myself to have any kinds of feelings until someone else told me how wonderful it was. It is not all blissful, there is pain and anguish. Rapture and lust. Passion and Fire. Arguments, simple insignificant conversations. I want it all, from the mundane to the acutely painful moments."

She sighed and as he rubbed her arm in comfort, she shook her head, and shuffled away from him to lay down. She didn't know why she was telling him this, perhaps because despite how it pained him that her heart belonged to someone else, he was the only one to understand what it was like to look at someone even for the first time and care about them, love them.

"I know you don't believe me about my dreams. You think it all poppycoke. That's ok, I would rather people not believe then call me a witch." She looked over at Leigha and Robin and then back to him. "By the way, that house you built on the land you purchased, is beautiful. Don't let it go to waste." and with that she lay down to sleep hoping upon hope to dream a happy ending for it wouldn't be long till she had to bottle away her fear an as stubborn as she was, it wouldn't be hard, but little did she realize the stand she would make for truth and honor.