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Post by Lord Iain Robertson on Jun 1, 2012 15:26:44 GMT -6
Check and Mate !! Shyvonne: It was something to see someone die. Something was the best word to use because horrifying and gut wrenching just did not seem to cut it. In the early morning light, the Chief Bailiff had called her down from her tower prison, bound in cuffs and chains and meant to watch the execution of the five that had been captured and in league with Collum. Though their guilt was unquestioned, watching the axe swing and the head severed from the body had made Shyvonne sick, enough to feel faint and feel lucky enough that she had guards to catch her should she fall but she had not and she was thankfully when she was finally allowed to go back inside though it was not the comfort of the chamber in tower that she was returned but now to the dungeons which had been cleared from the men who had died and her men, who had been released. Her bindings had been released to be replaced by an ankle cuff bound to the wall and when it was finished, she slid down the wall to sit. Too sick to the stomach to stand up any longer.*Chloestrain: Chloe had been in the Courtyard when the men Guilty of the attack on Dunsgate were punished.. and though her own stomach quelled at the sight she stood motionless , and cold as a stone beside her husband as the execution was carried out.. Only Iain would know the flinch of her hand, held inside his with each swing of the sword, as head after head was caught in a basket... and carried off... guards removing the bodies to be burned later, they would know no sanctified ground on Sleat's soil… She watched with seemingly impassivity as Shyvonne paled and seemed to wither at the sight of Men, who were under her command.. that did her bidding, now losing their lives... for her.. for her rebellion... true enough they had followed Collum.. but how many thought Collum spoke with Shyvonne's authority? These thoughts plagued her as the last man was led to the chopping block... he prayed feverently for forgiveness.. his dark brown eyes beseeching, the King, the Bailiff and at Last Chloe... for mercy... and finding none... bent to meet his fate before the mass in the courtyard… Chloe knew him... a young man, barely out of his teens... Benjen Bradburn a crofters boy... whatever had led his too this... the questions came too late, for his sentence was passed... her eyes searched the crowd for his family, there they were weeping... his mother clutching his father’s tunic as he held her face into his chest as they watched their oldest boy meet his fate... with a swift stroke it was done... the thud of the head in the basket, the nauseating squishing sound of the last blood spurting from the stump of his neck.. Chloe's eyes moved back to Shyvonne, yet she felt none of the pity she felt for the Bradburns… she removed her hand from Iain's and moved thru the crowd toward the guards... stopping them as they added Benjen's body to the cart… "Give his body and head over to his parents.. he was just a boy..." the Crofter and his wife had also moved toward the wagon that carried the bodies of the executed... nodding to the Chieftain of Sleat... "See to your boy Mr. Bradburn…" her voice was soft, sympathetic... as she herself had no grave for her daughter... Turning she saw that Shyvonne was being led into the dungeons… now would be as good a time as any... so she followed, Leaving Iain Ealora and the King to clean up the mess of the Execution.. figuratively. Shyvonne had barely had time to sink to the floor when... the door opposite opened... eyes that had become used to the dimness of the warren of cells, found her quarry chained by ankle to the wall… and stared at the girl as if she were an exhibit at the zoo. (d) Shyvonne: How had she not seen that some of the men were underfoot of Collum? This was the question that ran through her head watching head and body part one right after the other. Of course she felt guilt for their deaths. Had she of known that it would come to this. She would have done... something... If they had but trusted in her as much of the camp had, she would have delivered them from Collum clutches. If they had trusted her, perhaps she would have known of his intent long ago. So many possibilities that were no longer possible. Would this be her fate? Her head to be parted from her shoulders? Burned, denied a holy rest? She didn't know the visions within her dreams had given way to what most people would call normal dreams. Nothing of them made sense or gave any sense to being of the future. Her bottom had barely touched the ground when the door creaked open once more. Moss green eyes found Chloe and then turned downward as she laid her elbows against her upturned knees, hands cupping together and her head bowed, lips kissing the knuckles of her hands in silent prayer.*Chloestrain: It was funny how the two women's thoughts were so much the same… Had her own people trusted her to come to her when the bailiff's were abusing them… all of this could have been avoided, if Shyvonne had come to her with the things she had found the bailiff's doing... all of this would have never come to pass… lives would not have been lost... Colleen would still be in her arms... where she belonged... "Gruesome morning…" the door was pulled shut behind her but two guards remained just outside, listening as per orders of Ealora thru the small barred window of the heavy oaken door... her eyes fell on Shyvonne's bowed head... a dark brow quirking, she had thought that Shyvonne's penchant for Science had overruled her religion... perhaps days like today were enough to make even the fainthearted staunch in their faith? "I have questions that require answers... answers that can only come from you." (d) Shyvonne: She had always believed in God but had chosen to worship in silence. Usually her prayers were for the visions she felt God had sent her and since no one wanted to believe her...curse...then she worshipped in silence. For several minutes, she ignored Chloe, keeping her head bowed, not even her lips moved for her prayers were always said in mind. Now she prayed for the men that had been executed; and gave her thanks for the release of the men who had truly followed her, who had never shed blood during her 'reign'. When she was finished she emitted a small "amen" and crossed herself before finally lifting her head to look at Chloe. "What makes you think I will answer your questions?" her head cokeed slightly to the side. "I have...nothing to say to you." *Chloestrain: "I thought when you saw what happened today, the business of life left unfinished you might want to right what things you could... in case..." she sighed resolutely moving toward Shyvonne... bending down so that she could see into those mesmerizing eyes... the girl had always been far too beautiful.. for her own good... but a dungeon knows no beauty... her voice softened… "Shyvonne... why are we enemies.. ? What happened between Mark and I... was before he knew you… how could I have known...??" her words were softer now... "I had nothing to do with your brother’s death... I know your mother told you everything... She's distraught over all of this... blames herself for not telling you... She's begged me to speak for you at your trial... for me to ask mercy for you… I need answers to a few questions first... before I make my decision." (d) Shyvonne: "I've left no business unfinished." She retorted not lifting her head, even going as far to rest her lips against her knuckles again but at Chloe further words, she let out a laugh. "Why are we enemies? You've got to be kidding me." She shook her head, and raised her head seeing as Chloe wanted to look her in the face and was not going to leave. "You think this rebellion is all about you, don't you? It figures." She snorted and leaned her head back against the wall. "Maybe it started out that way, and not because of what you did with my husband" She huffed, a smile cracking her lips like she wanted to laugh again but couldn't summon the will to do so. Indeed, she could not, her stomach was still unsettled. She'd be sick soon she knew it. She wouldn't be able to fight her stomach much longer. "Please, don't put this on my mother. That would be a new low, even for you." Finally her eyes found Chloe once more. "You have no intentions of speaking for me at my trial. We both know that. Even now, you are lying to me. You've spoken so little truth, I doubt you even know how to any more. The only reason I know about Colleen was because I kicked your ass that night in the snow and held a knife to your throat." She let out a low sigh. "Fine, ask your questions. The sooner you do, the sooner you're out my sight."*Chloestrain: "You don't know anything about my intentions... regardless of what you think Shyvonne… if I say I will do something, I love you mother as if she were my own... and I hate seeing her so despondent... We share a common fear for our Children..." Shyvonne's conviction that Chloe could not speak the truth was like a slap in the face... the workings of her jaw line visible... "You are a spiteful vengeful child who cannot fathom that you could be wrong... that all you have believed could have been misguided and skewed can you... even here in this place chained to a wall you persist in painting me the villain... as the reason for your little rebellion… I care not what you think of me Shyvonne. I would like for the sake of the family to be able to come to some reasoning with you... I would like to think that you could for all your intelligence see... what is before you... what devious wool was pulled over your eyes by that man... Collum... Beric... he was evil... but you aren't... I know you aren't despite the things you have done…" for a long moment she stood looking down at the younger woman… before sinking to her knees before her... entreatingly... "Shyvonne... I have nowhere else to go... there were only three of us up on that cliff... You... me… and Collum... I've gone over it in my head a thousand times..." her voice was small... wounded grieving... "After I went over the cliff... what happened... Did you see Colleen fall...with Collum... please... I'm begging you... I need to know !!" (d) Shyvonne: "I've done nothing to warrant me evil, now who is misguiding?" A single brow shot upward in the question before she dropped her head to the wall again, turning her eyes and not her head when Chloe sank down in front of her. Her lips pressed together and she inhaled a deep breath and then slowly let it out. "I hate you...Chloe." she began and then lifted her head off the wall so she could see the woman kneeling before her completely. "I didn't always hate you, true we didn't get along and I tried to hate you even then…" She scuffed out a laugh "but in the back of my head, always unspoken I knew we didn't get along because we were very much alike." She let go of her legs and pushed against the wall, pulling herself up from sitting to stand above the kneeling woman. "An then..you hurt me, oh I get that you did it unwillingly, unknowing, I get it, and I understand it but my hatred of you; only grew when you held little consideration for not only my feelings, but Mark's. Two people, who never wronged you, were treated worse than the one man who did." She let out a laugh but it was through her nose, a quick push of wind through her nostrils and then air was sucked back in just as quickly for what she had lost in the 'nasal' laugh. "You made decisions, that weren't your own to make, because why? You were Chieftain and any decision whether yours or not, you make?" She gave a shake of her head. "You didn't even have the... decency, to apologize for those you hurt, whether you meant to or not. It never even crossed your mind." she gave a kick of her foot, the chain rattling as she wiggled to settle the chain so she could kneel down to Chloe level once more. "You want us to come to some understanding, some reasoning between us. There it is." Oh she heard Chloe ask about Colleen, but for a moment, just this moment, she chose to ignore it.*[/color] Chloestrain: "Have you not done the same.. made decisions that weighed heavy on those around you.. and did you apologize... for I have not heard one word of contrition... The Bradburns will bury their son today... a son who followed you... because of your Name... MacGregor... who thought what you were doing was honorable... and then there were the people here in your own home... Dunsgate that died for your acts... and my own daughter... Colleen..." she shook her head wearily... sinking back on her heels... "I didn't know until Colleen was born... that she was Colliers... she had his eyes... and his birthmark…" her whole face softened with love when she spoke of the baby girl... "She could have been Carvers... and yes... god forgive me I prayed... that she was not... that she was Mark’s... so she would not be tainted by the madness that Carver McDonald was..." tears began to fall over her cheeks… "You think it was easy bearing a child for months when it could have been a monster’s seed... the result of a rape...? Iain was so understanding... so comforting, reassuring me that no matter if we could tell the father... or not... she would be ours... our baby... I could not have lived thru all that happened had it not been for him... for his love... and when she was born... we were relieved... overjoyed that she would not carry the insanity that Carver’s family possessed... I was going to tell Mark... that she was his child... but I never got the chance... " she shrugged. "We fought and you left... and when I heard no word from Mark on wanting to see his daughter I though he didn't care too…" there was a brittle smile... as she wiped away tears with the back of her hand… "I had enough love for her... it was full to bursting my heart... and now I'm broken in two... so you want the truth... of it... I'm wretchedly, achingly sorry that I did not tell Mark of the possibility she was his... but I thought it would hurt your marriage with the supposition... you were newly married… we were all just freed from ED... and I wanted to see everyone happy... it was What Iain and I were trying to do.. put Sleat.. and this Family back together... can't you see that?" (d) Shyvonne: "I've done nothing needing apology. Benjen wasn't my man, he was Collum's. He murdered people, along with the others, along with Collum. I had nothing to do with the attack on Dunsgate, I came to defend it. Oh I admit, I had plans to attack Dunsgate and expose your lies but I foresaw Colleen death and as my cause, never harmed the innocent, I called the attack off." She began to shake her head when Chloe spoke of planning on telling Mark. "You're lying again, shall I recite you word for word- 'Colleen is Mark's child. I never meant for you or Mark to know. Iain is going to father her, there is no need for Mark to know. Leave it be.' " She shook her head once more and sighed. "Mmm, now that you are broken into, you are sorry and perhaps, if I was in your shoes, I'd see your point of it, perhaps, in your shoes, I'd see no wrong in what was done." She slid to sit on the floor, crossing her arms over her upturned knees. "I think the worst of this is, if she were in your arms now. You wouldn't be sorry one bit." She inhaled a deep breath and let the deep sigh out. "An’ yet, I can't see that it matters anymore, you hurt me, I hurt you. The cycle can't be allowed to continue; the Chief Bailiff and the King will see to that I am sure. The truth of it is, I am tired of hating you. I was ready to give up the greatest thing I have ever possessed in this life for my hate, my one true love, my husband and I've come to the end of this realizing, I'd rather let go of my hatred of you then spend one more day without him." * Chloestrain: "God willing you will live thru this and one day you will know the absolute love of loving a child... it out weights everything... even the love of husband... lover... self... you think because I'm broken into pieces that I feel nothing for you... or the people you hurt... you've not let go of you hatred... your just hiding it even from yourself… I wanted you dead... just last night I prayed for your death... and pain... for all you have done to me... if you wished my pain then bath in it... roll around in it... savor it... because it is complete... you have taken one of my children from me... with you actions whether you planned it or not... intended or not... it began with you and your hatred… You tell me what happened on that cliff... and I'll leave you be... I need to know what happened to my daughter !!" (d) Shyvonne: "I'm not hiding my hatred of you anymore Chloe, I am letting it go, because it doesn't matter, not to me, not anymore." She rolled her shoulders and leaned her head back against the wall once more. "I am sorry for your pain, it was intended then, but... not anymore. Colleen was never part of my plans and you seem to forget, it was Collum who took her, and it was Collum who intended to hurt her. Not I. That I was played by him, into getting exactly what he wanted, is a tragedy to be sure. But I've hurt no one, besides those who deserved it, and I've admitted my guilt to it. I'm absolved, Chloe, do you get it? I have said all I needed to say, and I am at peace. I came back, for the men who were set free today, because I wouldn't allow them to die for me, I know what I have done and though I feel, no remorse for them, I am prepared to accept my punishment. Whatever it may be. I don't hate you, not anymore, in an instant, it is gone and you, don't matter to me anymore. I've said everything I intend to say to you Chloe. I've nothing more to add. You are neither someone I like nor dislike. You're just someone I used to know." She cupped her hands about her knees once more. "Guard, the Chieftain is done here!" She called and then closed her eyes, closing off Chloe from her view. Closing Chloe off completely from any response she would give about what happened on the Cliffs and with Colleen. * Chloestrain: "You will not tell me what happened on the cliff... if I didn't matter you would not torture me with the uncertainty... and in that.. I derive my answer." she spoke darkly as she took her leave.In the bailey, there were gathered a mixed assortment of royalty, nobility, and commoner… men, women, and children. There was not the usual cheering, nor jeering, at the activities. The King stood amidst those gathered… his Chief Baliff to his right, and to her right, her husband, the King’s General… To the King’s left was Laird Iain Robertson, and to his left was his beloved wife, Lady Chloestrain, and to her left was Mark Collier… His wife still in chains in the tower prison… He knew life was a chess game… King, Queen, Knights, Bishops, Rooks, and Pawns…
Each one enduring their own emotion with each sentence carried out. Adam, the formidable one, stood feet spread apart, weight evenly upon both legs… his hands behind his back, one over the other. With no emotion at all, save the flutter of his heart. In the 7 years as leader, in whatever fashion fitting the period, he himself was responsible for 6, 8, maybe 10,000 deaths… either by war or punishment… He had lost count. Now, he only inhaled slowly with each raise of the axe, and slowly exhaled with the roll of the head. One could expect to watch death when building a nation… He had seen it in Inverness Highlands… He witnessed the destruction at Aberdeen… it was his own orders that England would burn should she failed to join the Gaelic Nations… No stranger to the Grim Reaper’s collection of souls, Adam Aberdeen was the formidable one…Iain stood next to his King and his beloved Chloe… holding her hand for reassurance as she watched her own be put to the block… She was stalwart before the people, but he could feel the flinch of her hand with each sickening thud. He too displayed no emotion… other than a smirk as the head hit the floor, the blood spurting from the torso until the heart died… From the exterior to deep down, Iain was cold… some thought him a morbid son-of-a-bytch. Possibly, but only Chloe knew him as he truly was…
Suddenly, and unexpectedly, with the swift swing of an axe, Iain watched the head roll… and his thoughts veered to the wild sex he and Shyvonne had, even though unknowingly under the influence of the aphrodisiac Grace gave them… his mind processed the event and caused him to smirk. True to form, with each beheading, he simply smirked everso wickedly.
Mark had seen enough death… and he felt ill… but none knew if it was from those that had been sentenced… or the one who remained to be tried… His lower lip trembled at the thought, and he tried to remain strong. His head seemed to swivel between looking at the one who would die, to the King, possibly in the hopes of a final reprieve for the lost soul. He vowed to himself right then and there that his life would be offered up to stop Shyvonne from reaching this point… The thought of her words from before, attempting to get him to promise not to intercede… was decimated by the vision of her kneeling at the block… Shaking his head to clear that gruesome thought, he looked, with tears in his eyes, to Adam. Would the man feel sorry for Shyvonne? Although, the King had stated, very adamantly, that the Chief Baliff would apply any sentence… silently Mark prayed for Shyvonne’s freedom. She had left the dungeon with more hatred, and anger blooming in her breast than when she had begun her ascent into the hellhole... Shyvonne was akin to the most stubborn of Sleat’s mules, and even when faced with the same transgressions as she accused Chloe of... she had not swayed from her path of secrecy and plots to torture the Chieftain till her dying days. A sweet revenge no doubt, or perhaps a clever ploy, it was thru gritted teeth the perfunctory pleasantries were exchanged with lords and ladies present now in the great hall, after the executions... She stopped, still watching as those noblemen and ladies of Sleat drank and ate at her table... celebrating the deaths of those executed earlier in the day... a slow dark look crept into her eyes… the longer she watched, a flush of anger and implacable disgust working over her face... measured steps brought her before the hearth, the eyes of many watching, some seeing the danger signs and curtailed their raucous laughter and drinking whilst others carried own, to gone in their cups and blood lust to see the signs...
"A toast " her voice rang out over the crowded revelers... a sickened wicked smile on her lips... as her glass was raised high... a hush fell over the celebrants... "To us..." it was a quiet deadly serious voice "To those who kill their own... and celebrate... To those who cannot see tragedy... To those who eat and drink and sing while others bury their children... their fathers... brothers... " there was chagrin in the faces of some… a mumbling of some that she was crazed with grief... and still others that gaped in horror and shame at her words, their glasses lowered as were their gazes...
"Come, come raise your glasses... was this not what you were celebrating just now... the fact that justice has come... that outsiders had to come put things to right on our lands... because we cannot come together for our own good...? Raise your glasses to the fallen villains... your neighbors... your family... for justice has been done…" her voice faltered with emotion... "Drink to the part of you that knows it could have just as easily been you and yours... Drink to the part of you that knows... your part in this..." she took a long swig of the whiskey tossing it back like a tavern wench.
"We are all guilty Again !" she voiced as a boy filled her glass... she challenged them to drink, and yet nary a glass was raised... "No... ? What lost the celebratory mood...?" the glass was thrown violently against the hearth... a cold smile pulling at her lips... as she caught the movement in the back of the room... her beloved Husband... eyeing her with cold angry eyes as he moved toward her... on the staircase… the King and his followers were watching her... but she didn't care...
"Well then... clear the food and drink... if you refuse to celebrate fully... and clear my hall... you all should find yourself your own homes... the show is over... go back to your people... I charge you with... their welfare... see that you do not disappoint… else we have a celebration again... of this kind..." slowly they begin to file out... having come from far and near to see the execution and to hear the King’s Justice... and now they were sent packing...
Chloe however did not wait for the recriminations from Husband or King, her heart was too sick... too broken... too lost... she took the bottle from the shell shocked servant boy and turned heading thru the kitchens and out into the late afternoon sun and wind... crossing the kitchen gardens and down the pathway toward the chapel...Iain stood in amazement... not shock, but simplified amazement at her weakness. What was said in her conversation with Shyvonne? How could a chained female affect Chloe so much? His woman, once so strong, to withstand so much, was nothing but a bitter bag of emotions… The drinking, laughing, eating, and conversations of the executions were similar across the known world… But this time it was in HER home… and against HER people… and HER daughter had been killed… Did SHE now have a death wish? The vehement words she spat… the way she drank… He shook his head in wonderment.
Before he could make it across the room to clear her from the room, she blasted at everyone, not excluding the King’s presence… Grabbing a bottle she made her way from the Hall, out thru the kitchens… And with her gone, Iain began apologizing to the King and his retinue, then to the Lords and Ladies… Embarrassed, he stepped from his mental arrogance to plead with those still present to remain… but all of them, including the King chose to retire for the evening. He was no stranger to grief… and had his own bouts of depression… and Chloestrain’s actions did not affect him in the least. Matter-of-factly, he almost wondered how the woman lasted this long, considering her past… The King just sat comfortably in his chair and listened to her… he saw her husband across the room, and would smile when Iain started to move toward her. His only other movement was to halt his guards fom moving from their positions and intervening. “Let th’ Lady bae… She bae o’ nay harm tae me…”
In a way, he felt remorseful for Chloe’s loss, knowing the true meaning of sorrow at the death of a child… and he, remembering his beloved Bess, felt sorry for Iain, having to deal with such emotions. Glancing to his guards, he spoke softly… “Ah shall retire naew…” and the flick of the wrist signaled the men to move. And a hand clasp Iain’s shoulder… “M’Lord, Ah shall retire this eve… see tae yaer wife, for she had much upon her now feeble mind… Good nite M’Lord…” Iain bowed as the King approached… “My sincerest apologies Your Majesty…” and he remained bowed, even as Adam waived the apology. “By your leave, Your Majesty…” was all Iain said as the King retired. And as the Hall cleared, the servants milled around clearing the food and drink… Iain shooed away a servant from the wine container, then he checked the contents and settled in the chair. He was bound for inebriation, with no regrets.
Mark had not partaken in the food nor drink… he still felt ill from the feelings from the executions, Shyvonne’s own being forefront in his mind. When Chloestrain returned from visiting Shyvonne, he would have won should he had bet upon Chloe’s grief and anger caused by his beloved wife. Yet she was still chained, had her sharp tongue caused that much anger? And a servant behind him chopped a piece of hambone with a hatchet, and the sound made him jump. Twisting his neck to relieve some of the strain, he listened to Chloe’s rant… and clearing of the hall.
It was then and now he concluded the idea for an escape plan for Shyvonne… He would NOT allow her to lose her head… Rising from the table, he headed back to his room. What would he do? What lengths was he willing to go to for her freedom? For their happiness?[/color] The moment she had stepped into the chapel... a feeling of helplessness overwhelmed her... the bottle of whiskey was left at the door, not having been touched, long silent moments standing still waiting… searching... before she moved a slow rhythmic sound of her steps upon the ancient stones of Dunsgate’s Chapel... a vestry that had served many a MacGregor. over the years... had seen war and peace... had baptized her children... and praised her dead… The building itself was a marvel of design… strong, steady, and timeless…, its grey stone walls hewn out of the very earth of Dunsgate centuries ago. There were no pews... for it was small... and during Mass everyone save the elderly stood. Upon the alter was a singular woolen scarf knitted by some forgotten MacGregor years ago... it's bright purple hue faded over the years, but it's beautiful embroidered gold cross still blazed with beads and crystals that caught the candlelight. It was here she knelt... the proud one… the strong one... the survivor... the warrior… the chieftain... the mother… now brought low...
Her dark head was bowed... hands clasp within her lap as she settled back on her knees. "Please dear Lord... I am lost... please help me...?" no more heartrending plea had ever left her lips... never had she been at such a crux... more alone... it seemed as if everyone had turned against her… and left her feeling abandon and hopeless... "Show me what to do? Send me some sign for my heart is torn into… my heart burns for vengeance... but my mind wants to see this land... these people healed... Must I abandon hope of knowing what happened to my daughter...? Must I live with uncertainty... how can I go on?" tears flowed freely down her face... dropping in dark patterns along the soft green woolen skirts. "It is in my nature to fight... but I am so tired... I just want some sort of peace... please dear Lord... please." her voice broke… and sobs racked her body... until there were no more... she had given her grief over in surrender... surrendered it to her maker... her God...With the King retiring to his chambers, and Mark having disappeared, Iain rose from the table, realizing inebriation was not what was required now. With a snap of a wrist, the servants took away the cask of wine seeing that the usual would not occur. Slowly, he followed her, allowing her the distance needed to keep from being seen. And when she entered the chapel, he balked at the door. It had been the day of their marriage since he entered a chapel… yet this one was by far smaller than Dun Darroch’s chapel… Iain was not much on religion, though he did believe in God, he knew that anything Man touched corrupted the Divine… a cry of heresy should anyone know his true feelings on the subject, so it was better left for those to think he was an atheist.
Regardless of what he thought, his feelings were not for religion, but for the passion in which he loved his wife. He believed with all his heart, it was God’s wish for she and he to be together, thru thick or thin, right or wrong… She was his life’s motivation… his sanctuary… she had always been there for him… and now he would be there for her…
With a deep inhale of air, he pushed the door to the chapel open and entered slowly, quietly… A smile crossed his narrow, serious appearance as he saw her kneeling at the alter, her consciousness focused on her prayers… In the corner, the Priest smiled and made the cross of the Holy Trinity seeing something for the first time… Lord Robertson in his chapel. Iain simply gave a nod as the Priest motioned for him to kneel beside her…
He sank to his knees next to his beloved wife as he made the cross of the Trinity and settled next to her… “God… I know you are there and are listening… Hear M’Lady’s prayers… I kneel for her, nay for me… for you know me… I have never asked you for anything selfishly… and do nay now…” his eyes ventured up to the statues… one of Christ on the cross, the other of the Virgin Mary… “She was a mother, and you know what she went thru when you died… grant Chloe the same peace you gave Mother Mary… that is all I ask of thee…” then he made the sign once more and rose to his feet standing behind his wife, his hands clasped together behind him… and waited.How to measure the love that was in the heart of this woman, for her husband; it was immeasurable, immortal, bound since childhood, thru tragedy and triumph, thru blood and birth... and now death and loss... As he offered his prayer, a peace, of sorts, did wash over her; not from above, but knowing that he was there, had come for her... would pray for her...
It was moments before a long breath had worked its way to calming her... Was he her sign…? She had asked for peace... Was he hers...? Or would this tumultuous love of theirs bring ever more chaos...? For better or worse... the thought rang in her mind... Oh how she longed for the better… Crossing herself, she rose but did not turn to him, did not bury herself in his arms as she longed to do, to forget, to hide away from the world and all its pain and anger...
"I asked her... what happened on that cliff... after I went over... what happened to Colleen..." the voice that wafted to his ears was exhausted, broken "She refused to tell me… even now when her own trial looms on the morn... she plays her games..." now she turned tears still shimmering in her eyes that looked to him for guidance... which in itself at some other time might have been laughable... for he was always the headstrong emotional bad boy... and she the more conservative logical one... When had their roles reversed? "When I thought Colleen was surely dead... I could see a day when I could live again... but this... purgatory of not knowing what happened... of having this inkling of hope that she might still be alive... it is worse than the certainty... How can anyone be so cruel...?" now she flung herself into his arms, regardless of the Priest standing nearby... she needed his warmth, his steady thrumming heartbeat, his strength... "I need to know... I can have no peace until I know... and I think that is her final revenge..."
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Post by Lord Iain Robertson on Jul 11, 2012 6:16:15 GMT -6
Hypocricy… “Nothing is more unjust, however common, than to charge with hypocrisy him that expresses zeal for those virtues which he neglects to practice; since he may be sincerely convinced of the advantages of conquering his passions, without having yet obtained the victory, as a man may be confident of the advantages of a voyage, or a journey, without having courage or industry to undertake it, and may honestly recommend to others, those attempts which he neglects himself.” Samuel Johnson In and out of his life did he pretend to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, and/or principles… and one would wonder all along if he had them or not… as the deception of others would forge ahead when required, and thus a kind of lie his life would lead. Was his life the tribute that vice pays to virtue? Here he was in a chapel… and yet the roof did not fall upon his head, nor the lightning from the sky scorch the Earth… And still, he would enter a Church when it was necessary to further his goal… unlike his King who proclaimed his disallegiance to the Church yet believed in God Almighty…
He listened to his beloved wife speak her piece… as his arms wrapped her into the safety of his being… and he could smell her… and his eyes closed as she spoke…
In a whisper he spoke… “People can be so spiteful… seeking the pain of others… and yet thinking they themselves are above such aggressiveness… She blames you for her pain and in such knowledge she seeks you to feel pain as well… Does that not remind you of someone in our lives… someone not so many years ago?”
Her beauty… her scent… it would drive him mad… and he would take her here and now lest she were in a better mood… and yet his hypocrisy held no bounds… and when he looked at the Priest, he simply smirked everso evilly…
Was he her sign? That he could not, nor would he attempt to answer such a question had he been posed to answer… yet, they had been together for as long as they could remember… thru all sorts of tumultuous events… Sinful rendezvouses… wicked and lustful affairs… and marriages of sorts that neither desired… and yet still, they are together… Even thru the joys of their own marriage… and affairs so wickedly wrought by others. And yet after all that, they stand embraced in a Chapel…
From his vantage point the priest could see that the Lady of Dunsgate was indeed within good hands, he had lingered watchful over her and her grief... knowing her to be strong, but also knowing the depths of love she held for all her children, the combined brood of MacGregor and Robertson heirs were indeed the very heartbeat of the Chieftain of Sleat, as was her husband... he nodded slightly to the Lord Robertson before retreating back into his quarters, for the morning would undoubtly bring great turmoil with the trial, for whichever way it went, and he would spend his night in prayer for those souls that would never be the same.. Mossy green hues lifted to meet the steel grey of her husbands... "She is a hypocrite and a vile bytch... everything she holds against me... she has committed thrice over... and yet she looks down her fine aquiline nose as if she alone holds the one vial of forgiveness and has drank from its cup" she saw the desire flickering within the depths of his gaze and was astonished at its rearing its head here, in such a place, with things in the state they were in... if he had been surprised at her lack of control earlier... then she was doubly so at this moment... her lips forming a soft "o" of surprise... then a wicked dark brow raising in question. "You cannot be serious that you somehow find yourself risen in lust?" her eyes narrowed as unbidden vignettes of passion flooded her mind, had she ever been able to truly resist him in any matter...?
A low ache of desire bloomed beneath her belly, a fluttering awakening of desire that only he could bring with a mere gaze. The look on her face however was anything but compliant... it was disapproving and rather authoritarian, and lacking of anything of passion. "It is that coke of yours that you cannot contain, that led you between her legs" It was an angry sneer... and the moment it left her mouth even she was shocked and surprised by the words… she had said it was over and done, and that she would not bring it up... that she had forgiven him.... and she had, her heart truly had... but the bitter hurt, the broken parts still sharp, tore, and cut at her... especially when she had spoken to Shyvonne this afternoon, and in looking at the girl she could in her own minds eye imagine them together like rutting pigs... all mouths and limbs and tangled breath... even now the thought sickened her... making her almost want to retch... her eyes wide and round, appalled at her own words to her beloved... froze.. she was shamed… by her words…
Iain had listened to her rant on and on… and with each smartass comment, anger replaced lust… He loved the woman… with all her strength, passion, and abilities… And with her last comment, he stepped forward… grabbing her arms and shoved her back into the confessional… Inside, there was very little room to move, only a simple place to sit with folded hands… But it would not be the traditional confession he had planned… He could see the shame already upon her face… but the villain he was, he would shame her more.
His hand forcefully grabbed her chin, and his strong fingers spread her jaws, and with a jutting tongue found her mouth more willing than expected… He began to kiss her so rough, and her hands failed to resist his actions. As the passion flared within him, her actions began to contradict themselves as one moment she would resist, then as he persisted, she would relent… if only momentarily… Then as unexpectedly as the kiss, her words resounded solidly in his mind, he grabbed her wrists and spun her around bending her over inside the confessional… her face now pressed upon the soft seat, as the free hand began fumbling with the hems of her dress and the restraints of her sparse undergarments. Even now, after all that had occurred in their lives, did she wear fewer undergarments than what society required, especially for him, or was it his own suspecting mind?
Once her dressed was hiked up upon her back did he begin to fumble against his own restraints. And finally, with bent knees, and a rough thrust of his hips, his manhood disappeared between her legs into her, sliding easily past already wet lips. “oooh, bytch, you hypocrite… you proclaim self-righteousness and yet… your bodily desires deceive you…” and his face contorted, as his hand found her hair, twisting fingers into the strands and pulling back… hips began to work back and forth, none the slight… the free hand grabbed her waist and pulled back hard.
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Post by Lord Iain Robertson on Jul 11, 2012 6:26:11 GMT -6
The Trial of Shyvonne Things seemed to be settling down at Dunsgate, After Chloe’s speech that sent the people scattering back to their homes. The grounds were bare of people, the hall much more quiet. Breakfast had all ready been served in the Great Hall, after that the large tables were deconstructed, the dais remained and upon it were erected seven chairs and seven individual scribe tables complete with quill, ink and parchment. Ealora had commanded seven people to act as council over the trial, whether they willed it or not. Lady Ivella, Kane, Mark, Iain, Chloe and Giaus. The King was also given a place on the dais with his own desk and paper, in case he wished to make notes but Ealora knew, that he had made it quite clear that he was here to support her judgment.
To the left of the dais, on a smaller platform was another chair, this one complete with restraints and in the middle of the now bare hall, a single unrestrained chair, for witnesses to give their testimony. The perfect set up, or so Ealora thought. She had been planning for this day for weeks now. Alone in the large room, her footfall echoed against the hollowed spaces of the room as she made sure it was set up according to plan.
The large door opened echoing in the hall and Ealora turned to find Taylor stepping inside. "Our other guests have arrived" He relayed to Ealora.
Ealora gave a nod of her head. "Have the council members come in. Our witnesses to be comfortably taken care of until needed. I want two men on the doors, inside and out. Remind the men that no one is to enter without permission. I want what happens in this hall, to remain in this hall. Retrieve the prisoner, I'll signal when to bring her in."
"Yes Chief" Taylor commented, but the man always said it with a grin, as if it was funny; but then, Taylor had been the one to train Ealora in the ways of piracy. Of her crew, he was the only one to survive the destruction of the Shadow storm besides her. For them to be in this position now. Her, the hand of the King; and he, her second-in-command; always amused him.
Ealora waited for the council members (Iain, Chloe, Mark, Ivella, Giaus and the King) to arrive and take their seats. She signaled for the doors to be closed and then crossed the hall to stand in front of the dais were they were seated. "Good Morning" She offered.
Into the hall, first came the King, and his attendants… all who fell away from him with nothing but a flick of the wrist… behind him walked Iain, beside his wife, Chloe, and beside her, Mark, the accused’s husband… Ivella and Gaius behind them.
One of the King’s attendants met him at the dais and assisted him to sit, shifting the paper and quill within reach… Adam flicked his wrist in agitation. Too much fluttering about for him… all he wanted to do was watch and support Ealora.
Iain, Chloe, and Mark sat in their assigned seats… and when Chloe would look at Iain, he would simply smirk.
As Mark sat, he saw the pair out of his peripheral vision… and from the looks upon their faces, he knew. All he could do now was just shake his head, roll his eyes, and sit.
"Before we begin, I'd like to review the case with you all. Please feel free to make notes as I relate to you the charges and accounts currently in my possession. After which time, I will bring in the accused and then there are several people I have a mind to interview, to fill in some holes. If there is a question you would like to ask the witness, please wait until I have finished my initial interview. I'll pause to look at you all, any with a question will raise their hand and then we will go down the line, left to right. You may ask your question, get your answer and then move on to the next."
Ealora paused, walking the dais so that each got a chance to hear her clearly as she spoke. "Any outburst, and you will be restrained, then gagged and then finally third strike will see you removed from these proceedings. These are my rules, and will not be disobeyed. When the trial concludes, you will be given an hour to go over whatever notations you have made and then I will meet with each of you privately, to discuss which charge you find the accused innocent of and which you find her guilty of. Those you find her guilty of, also require you to come up with a punishment you think is just according to the crime. You will not, and I repeat, will not choose your punishment due to any personal vendetta or feelings towards the accused. I will weigh and consider each of your input but the final judgment, will be mine. If you don't like this... there is the door."
She paused in the middle of the floor and turned her body sideways pointing to the door and then looked back. "I know some of you, do not wish this responsibility but look to your left and your right, observe the people next to you and down the line. Who is for and who is against the accused from the start. You cannot be sure who is on what side, only yourself, and if you, are the only one upon her side and you walk out, then who is left?" She gave a nod of her head and then moved to a table that had been set up along the wall with her notes.
“Now, let us get started" Ealora stated in a loud and clear voice as she collected her notes from the table and moved back towards the council. "The charges are as followed; Witchcraft, Theft, Endangerment, Rebellion, and lawlessness."
Adam smirked….
Iain just kept his eyes on Chloe, and listened half-heartedly to the Chief Baliff.
Mark gritted his teeth. He had the sense that his beloved wife had already been tried, found guilty, and sentenced… and in his mind, he began to work out a scenario of escape...
Once more, she paused to look at them before continuing. "Now, regarding each charge. The charge of witchcraft was going to be abandoned, however, I have lingering doubts and questions, and so until those questions are answered; the charges remain. I have questions Lady Ivella, for you and also the witness the new Head Mistress of Oisles Academy, the Lady Leigha, Shyvonne former lady in waiting. As to the charges of theft. Several men were robbed by the band known as the Robin Hood, led by Shyvonne, these men are the former bailiff's Camden, Kelly, and Aldridge as well as the Lord Insley and Lord Abberline."
Ealora gave a sigh, taking a breath before continuing. "I will interview Shyvonne as well as one of Shyvonne men who was recently released, Amon Talley. On the charges of Endangerment, I am interviewing Giaus about the workings the Robin Hood had within the Academy. I will discuss this more when the time comes. An as to the charges of Rebellion and Lawlessness, well those are quite clear. I have brought in the witness Shannon, who was a refugee at the Robin Hood camp and once more, I will question Shyvonne. "
She gave a tap of the leaflets against her hand. "Any Questions? Comments?" Adam shook his head, his hand indicating his allowance to continue unhindered by him….Iain shook his head and looked at Chloe.
Mark looked at Ealora, shaking his head.
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Post by Lord Iain Robertson on Jul 28, 2012 1:21:54 GMT -6
Ealora took most of the morning to get the council up to speed on what was going on, what they did know, they would have to listen through again, what they didn't know, well, they were finding out. She went through each of the Bailiff and the two lords’ attacks. She gave accounts of witnesses of the Highland Witches attack as well, coinciding with the attacks on the bailiff's and lords and when all was said and done; she paused to give them time to finish their notes. These were not opinions. These were facts to take down. The questioning was coming. When all the facts had been laid out, Ealora had Shyvonne sent for but it would not be a long wait as the prisoner had been detained outside of the hall and lead inside to stand before Ealora and the council. "Shyvonne, you are being charged with Witchcraft, Theft, Endangerment, Rebellion and Lawlessness." Ealora paused to turn slightly and gesture at the council. Her family. "A council of your peers has been assembled to attend these charges. Do you understand the charges and accept judgment as it will be handed down?"
Shyvonne eyes swept the council before returning to Ealora. Witchcraft? She had thought... her mouth opened and then closed. She looked none the less for wear having spent a couple days in the dungeon. Had all the fight left her? It might have seemed so as she gave a singular nod of her head. "I do."
Ealora gave a nod of her head and gestured the guards to see Shyvonne to the sit beside and slightly off of the council, so they could see her but also so Shyvonne could see everything going on. "Very well." She turned towards the council and "Let's continue. As to the first charges of witchcraft, Lady Ivella... " Ealora pointed to the chair in the center of the room for interviewing. "If you would please....I have some questions for you."
The steel hair lady, some called the Dragon Lady for her hard demeanor and no nonsense ways... Arched a thin brow over hazel eyes and cast a look of annoyance at Ealora... did the bytch not understand that arthritis and years had taken their toll on her She did not stand... but leveled her voice at the Chief Bailiff . "I have expended a large amount of energy on getting down the stairs and into this room.. Young Lady.. if I sit a few feet away it will not make a difference.." she rapped her cane on the stone floor beneath the table she sat at.. "I won't be parading about ask your questions where I sit.. I assure you everyone will hear my answers "
Ealora gave Ivella a knowing smirk but she still placed a hand on her chest and bowed slightly to the older woman. "My apologizes Lady Ivella" As she straightened, she crossed her arms behind her back and squared away with the old battleaxe. "Lady Ivella, please understand what I ask you, is not to release nor condemn your daughter. I must ask you; Do you swear to tell the truth and the whole truth. It has been long claimed, albeit silently until the recent Highland Witch attacks, that your daughter is an... oracle, of sorts. Able to see past, present and future, yes?" and so it began.
The stare that met Ealora's face was stony as she posed her question... "Whatever can be claimed will be claimed it is the way of gossip mongers and people who are jealous... Shyvonne is an exceptionally brilliant woman, and as you know when Women take on a role usually handled by men... there are always those who do not understand, and detract from such women... I'm sure yourself have those who find your power and manner somewhat… compelling argument for unsavory things... wouldn't you agree?”
Ealora gave a nod of her head and turned, pacing a few steps and then turning to move the other way. Clever battleaxe. Her head raised to look at the old woman. How she wished the woman would see she was actually trying to help Shyvonne here but all the woman saw was another woman, trying to condemn her daughter to death. "Quite right, but I'm not on trial Lady Ivella, I ask you to stay on topic. Do you believe your daughter, has the sight? The ability to see past, present and future through her dreams?"*
" I believe my daughter is incredibly gifted with the ability to observe things that most people do not notice, and derive conclusions from such information that may seem to the ignorant or superstious as some kind of clairvoyance… but as to myself.. no.. I do not believe in such things.. " she thunked the bible that was aged and leathery as she was on the table... " This is what I believe in.."
"Mmmm" Ealora mused giving another nod of her head. Her eyes briefly going to the bible and then moving to Ivella again. She released her arms and moved to the table on the side with her notes. She set down her current notes and shuffled through a few others. "I've had the pleasure of going through your family history while I have been here, Lady Ivella. An lets say for sake of argument, that such a thing as oracles did exist and that your daughter, was in fact an oracle..." she took up a few of her papers and held them up. "According to your family history, she would be the first of the family with such a gift. If that is in fact what it is." She set the notes again and reached for another pair of notes. "I also came across a book." The papers in her hand were ushered at a red tinted leather book upon the table. "It's a journal of a woman who was once in your employment. Most people called her Old Nan."
She stepped away from the desk and moved to the middle of the room again. "According to your records, her name was Nan Brigan. Wife to Seamus Brigan and mother to Gaius Brigan..." Ealora paused to turn her eyes on Gaius who was seated next to Ivella on the council. "Now according to her journal, and other entries I found from other journals from staff at the time, Old Nan, was an oracle herself." Ealora paused in the middle of the room folding her arms behind her back again. "An a practicing pagan." Again Ealora paused passing Celadon eyes from Ivella to Gaius and then looking over at Shyvonne for what seemed like an eternity, in truth was only a few seconds longer then she had given the old couple before her eyes returned to Ivella. Just what she implying? Ealora smirked but continued. "She used to look after your children when they were younger, when you were tending to duties? Is that correct?"
"Old Nan looked after a many of MacGregor Children " the older woman stared her eyes burning holes in Ealora her old bony body rigid... with the implications "As well as servants children , crofters children and any other that was about.. She loved children.. no matter their station in life... as for her being and Oracle or touched with the Gift.. I never saw evidence of such... so I cannot deny nor confirms such things "
"I'm sure she did." Ealora commented and gave a nod of her head and then unlaced her arms from behind her back and wiggled her notes. "So you never questioned Old Nan about using her gifts around your children? Or if she ever practiced her religion around them?" Ealora head dipped some. "According to Old Nan's journal, she read both your daughter Lindall and Shyvonne future in her water bowl where she saw the visions." Ealora cupped her hands behind her back again. "Did you never wonder, when all the Highland Witch attacks started, if it could be Shyvonne, using what Old Nan had taught her?"
"I was busy, dealing with the Clans after my husband’s untimely death.. there was a war on and Sleat indeed all of Scotland was in peril.. I had a whole world to deal with... so I did not bother an old woman who told children stories about mermaids, and unicorns and saw clouds and rainbows in her washbasin.. I was proud for her help in raising my girls while I readied my son for his duties... As for my wondering's... about the highland witch.. NO I never once thought that Shyvonne could be behind such heinous attacks... My daughter is good to the bone.. She'd never intentionally hurt another so why would I think it could be her.. and for the record I still believe it is just ignorant rumors and silly superstition amongst the common folk that used witchcraft as a way to explain things they could not explain."
"My apologies for bringing up so horrible memories, especially when you were still pregnant with Shyvonne at the time of his death. I loved my father, I am sorry she never got the chance." Ealora stated and nodded as Ivella spoke about the record and she still did not believe in such things. "Oh of course, of course." Ealora moved towards her table of notes again. "It could not be Shyvonne again out some revenge for more secrets because of course, she didn't know, this particular secret, now did she?"
She set down her notes only to take up Nan's journal and turn the journal. Turning to the last page. "Old Nan's last entry.." Ealora paused to clear her throat before reciting.
"My strength is long leaving me, and I fear this is the last entry, my old hands can manage. I foresaw my death long ago and know it is not long in coming. Soon my strength will leave me completely and yet I am not fearful of what lies beyond. I do not fear that I leave nothing behind for I know that my bloodline continues and I have taught all I can do little hummingbird so that she might better protect against her future. A future I dare not even peak with my dying breath. Even as my gods embrace the new Gods, I have asked the sweet lady for forgiveness in what I have seen and foretold and have offered her what forgiveness is in, for what can my old heart hate, when it is so filled with joy in knowing, my legacy continues. Little bird, you grow so with each day, now a young lady, I pray to any God who listens, that you will change your fate. Now my old hands grow weary..." Ealora stopped clapping the book closed. "The secret, Lady Ivella, that she saw, that she figured out, and you have never uttered. Or did you?"
Shyvonne listened in shocked silence. Her tired mind was trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together but the questions were erratic, as if Ealora was trying to get her mother to confess that she knew her daughter to be a witch. No shock left Shyvonne face when Ivella admitted she did not believe in things such as visions. Shyvonne had always been alone when it came to the believe of her sight. "Mother" Shyvonne spoke out of turn. "Mother, please, what is she talking about?"
"Shyvonne, I will not ask you to quiet yourself again" Ealora warned turning her eyes from Ivella to the accused and then back. "Lady Ivella, the truth, if you please."
"You're A bytch.. that is the truth a trouble making girl-thingy " the old woman spat at Ealora, her eyes moving to Shyvonne... " Hush Child she is only trying to stir trouble... mind yourself lest she used it against you " she admonished Shyvonne... her cane raping harshly on the table as she stood... " You assume much and know little... " her wrath was turned back on Ealora... " Old nan was a foolish old woman at the end of her days nothing can be gleen from her writings other than the ranting's of an aged woman on her deathbed.."
"Ivella, please" Gaius rasped beside the woman. He looked as old and haggard as Ivella did these days. She looked old, but he felt it in every fiber of his being, though he was apt to joke that if he didn't feel pain, he would think he had died. He had loved Ivella in their youth and had to watch her wed her husband. It was cruel they had only been able to show their love once they were older. Or at least that was what everyone had assumed. Gaius loved Ivella and so had never felt guilty for any of his actions. He loved her still and to see her so tortured and pained by the idea of losing another child broke his heart but he had tried, as Kane had, to convince her that being on the council aided Shyvonne more than being shut out from the trial all together. It pained him to hear Ivella speak so about his mother, but she was long dead and his love was great. Still, he knew he was old and that he was not long, for joining his mother. "Ivella, dearest, please" He whispered at her side. "What harm could it do to us now..."
"Councilmen Gaius, please" Ealora cautioned more softly then she had to Shyvonne. She turned a smile at Ivella. "I have never professed to be anything other, then what I am Lady Ivella. I am not posing anything, that can save nor damn your daughters soul. As I have said before. I am looking only for the truth here. Is it not said, that the truth will set us free?" She pulled her arms behind her back once more and bowed slightly to the woman. "You say I assume too much and know too little, so please enlighten me."
Ivella was in full rage, her hands shaking harshly... as she bore holes into Ealora... the veins in her neck standing out like thumping wildness beneath her withered skin... for long moments it looked as if she would speak.. and then her mouth opened... spastically,, her face drawing to the side.. before she sank to the floor.. a puddle of black silk and lace... withered hands clutching at her face and temple... as her body flailed miserably about... it seemed the Bailiff had pushed to far once too often...
Ealora rushed forward, catching the woman's head before it hit the steps of the dais and split her skull open. There was a dull drumming in her eyes of the other council members yelling their surprise, yelling for a physician and Shyvonne shouting to be released as she was held down in her chair by guards, begging to go to her mother’s side and unable to. "Lady Ivella?" Ealora questioned gently placing the woman's head down on the ground. "Get a splint in here so we can get her out of here and up to her rooms!" Ealora called to her guardsmen. Ealora took the woman's hand into her own and placed her free hand against the old woman's forehead. "Hang in there Lady Ivella, we're getting help." As gentle as Ealora was, she could not regret pushing. She was law bound to find the truth. Though her heart did go out to the old woman and her family.*
The pressure raised by her rage had caused a bursting of fragile vessels in her skull, a stroke in lay terms... even now her eyes moved to Shyvonne.. and her mouth moved babbling incoherently something that sounded like " i fulv shu... forrgsh me " her speech had been obliterated... her mouth drawn to one side and lax... "forgish me"
As the splint was brought in, Ealora moved along with others to help get Ivella on it. "Easy, easy" She cautioned her men and then followed Ivella gaze to Shyvonne. "Let go of her, let her accompany her mother....you can follow after them..."
Shyvonne jerked her arms out of her captors grasp and gave them a hard stare, one worth of Ivella own look she had given Ealora and then she was up from her seat and moving to her mother side as the stretcher was lifted, she took mothers hand into her own. "Shhh, don't try to talk." She leaned down to kiss her mother’s forhead and still grasping her hand, she followed the stretcher as it was carried out.
Ealora let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose before looking up to her second, who seemed to magically be there when she sought him. "We'll stop for today, pick up tomorrow, that is..if Lady Ivella makes it through the night. I'd like you to take her place on the council then Taylor. I'd trust no one else." "Right Chief" Taylor spoke, patting a hand against Ealora's back. How cold the pair seemed to look but then, they couldn't be seen to be drawn into the family least her judgment of the trial be questioned. Gaius was following the stretcher out, albeit slow as his cane would allow.By nightfall the Physician had seen Lady Ivella settled. He was certain, he said, she would not recover from this. He begged the family to prepare themselves and send for the priest, she would be lucky if she lasted the night. Those were his words but Shyvonne did not seem to be listening to him as she sat in a chair by her mother’s bedside, holding her hand long after he had left. Every once in a while, Shyvonne would bring her mother’s hand to her lips and brush a kiss across the bony knuckles protruding from the frail skin.
Gaius stood behind her, apologizing, begging for forgiveness. Trying his best to explain in a heart broken voice what had happened and why they had felt it necessary to keep this information from her but Shyvonne was only vaguely listening. His voice sounding as if it was coming from some far off space as she sat there, seemingly staring off into the distance.
She was deep in thought. She was thinking, not of the new information she had been given, or forced to come to. But the what if's of life. What if she had been a proper lady? What if she always did what she was told when growing up? What if Searc had known she was a bastard… would he of hated her, as he had hated Robin? The what if's did not stop only at herself though. She wondered, what if Chloe and Iain had never been apart? What if they had been allowed to be together? What if her mother and Gaius had been allowed to be together? The problem with what ifs, was you would never have the answer. No, one could go back in time and change things. She found herself raising her mother’s hand to her lips again, brushing the wrinkled skin against her cheek, then kissing her knuckles again before laying her hand to rest on the bed again.
Her eyes swam with tears but even through them, she saw Iain, Chloe and Mark within the room. Mark standing in the corner, far away from Iain and Chloe who stood together
"Gaius, please" She hummed as she leaned up from her crouch over the bed. "I can't do this now. I just can't" She pleaded. She couldn't talk about it, not now and perhaps never but the forgiveness she could offer him would come in her lifting from her seat and laying a hand to his shoulder and offering him the chair.
The tears were sliding down her cheeks as she let Gaius have the chair but even then, the other man would not sit. His face drawn in sorrow, was also etched with concern. "Shyvonne, no, no, you should be next to your mother. You look fit to passing out child. I fear the dungeons have made you ill."
She cupped Gaius elbows within her hands and moved him to the chair. "Please Gaius, I insist" She offered and then released him, huffing in a laugh as she backed away from him and then moved towards her husband. "I am not ill Gaius, I am with child..." Her voice rang high, so everyone in the room could hear and it was sure; even if it was deemed too soon to tell. Had she had a vision? Perhaps but then only Mark would believe it of her. She paused, only a foot away from Mark and turned her attention at Chloe and Iain. To see their reaction? Perhaps. Or perhaps, it was to tell them that it was Iain's? The look was not certain but it was over in an instant as she folded her arms about her husband and laid her head against his shoulder.Chloe had been quiet thru most of Ivella's questioning, her hand clenching Iain’s as Ealora drew out the dirty laundry of the MacGregor family for all to see... but the clenching was not of surprise, or even elation that Shyvonne was shown to be a bastard child... but of anger... toward Ealora for drawing out such old sins to display... for no apparent reasoning... Shyvonne's parentage had nothing to do with her crimes... or this supposed nonsense about witchcraft... Chloe didn't believe in such things... as Ivella had said... it was mostly superstition and the old pagan ways that the common folk kept to... beliefs long held before the church came to set the pagans straight. When Ivella fell, Chloe had lurched toward Ealora only to be held back by guards... the intent of bodily harm obvious in her face... "Haven’t you done enough " she screeched at Ealora... as she yanked free of the guards giving them a touch me again and your dead look... all the while the hubbub about Ivella continued... and Chloe watched helpless... as the woman who had taken her in... helped her cope when her life was all but ended... the woman who had told her a story that paralleled her own... of loving a man she could not be with... of carrying his child... and allowing another to claim him... She had known the Older MacGregor's secret since her first months in Sleat... and had kept it sacred between them, not even telling Iain, there was no reason... the whole world knew Shyvonne... as the youngest MacGregor Daughter... nothing could change the love her family bore her, not even her bastard blood... and Chloe could see no use in bringing it out now...
Now she stood against one wall... Iain at her side, Mark woefully alone opposite them as Shyvonne held her mother’s hand, and spoke with Gaius... Her own heart was breaking for her own mother had never shown her love... and Ivella was in truth the closest thing she had to a mother... and she had doted and loved on Robin and Colleen... not to mention accepted Iain’s children to her world and in her loving arms as well... it pained Chloe's heart to see her so frail and debilitated and for what... so Ealora could make a point... her blood boiled when she thought of the Chief Bailiff.. and she made a point to see Ealora later... but her head snapped up... when Shyvonne had stood... telling Gaius that she was not sick... but pregnant... the look she gave Chloe and Iain was almost a smirk... that made and tender feeling that Chloe had harbored for her in the moment of her mother’s illness dissipate like the waning morning fog on the moors... the blood drained from her face, and she felt as though she had been kicked in the teeth... yet she did not make a scene only excused herself from the room... walking with as much pride as a cuckolded wife could... until she closed the door behind her... a rush of green velvet skirts seen her running down the corridor and up the stairs to the tower room she shared with Iain... the sound of the door slamming shaking the very foundations of the castle.. (d)Adam sat there upon the dais listening… bedazzled by the underpinning lies of MacGregor life… and the extrapolation of truth. He lowered his eyes, resting his head in his hands. Was his own life so much different? Had Lord William’s treachery been so different? James was only half brother… yet in a way, he loved him as full…. But he could not trust him, for he was a Maubrey and not a du’Chere… Adam grit his teeth… but alas… Adam was no Aberdeen… not even a MacRauri… he was a Maubrey. So was his life much different than their’s?? Yet he was King. Yet he continued to listen to Ealora carry out HIS bidding with expertise.
His head snapped up, as the woman fell… Was she dead? How could secrets of life be so devastating? He wanted to help… to say something… but if he did, it would only diminish the Chief Baliff’s authority. He had told her he was here ONLY to observe. So this is the side of Skye he never wanted to know… or believe was present… the deceitfulness, the underhandedness, deviousness of life… His days upon the throne had diminished his memories of his own life’s deceitfulness as the Green Knight and that of his own kin… And the King just sat back in his chair shaking his head at Shyvonne’s declaration.Iain sat with Chloe and listened… no thoughts on the subject at hand… only upon what they had done in the church… He could care less about the MacGregor… save one… Oh yes, even upon occasion he had wished the MacDonald had conquered Sleat… but alas Chloe was in the middle of the entire mess… His head turned slightly at the thought and smiled at his beloved wife… She had been such a mainstay in his life… She had endured so much for him… from him… and about him… He was definitely no angel… He often pondered if – Anyone ever wonder why they call him the Bastard of Struan… it was not just because of his parentage but the way he was raised by his own father… and by the deeds of the man’s son… even to the day he met Shyvonne in her camp…
Maybe the woman was possessed with some black magic. His mind crossed the memory… He had come to her camp to speak about Chloe… and the current situation of the Sleat affairs… and after only one drink… they had emptied the bottle and engaged in rabid sex… He glanced at Mark… and felt some pity for him due to the action… His own best friend… the only one beside Chloe to ever truly befriend him.
He looked at Mark, then to Shyvonne… Oh she was pretty… dressed well… physically fit… and could sexually fulfill any man… but his mind, and eyes, went to Chloe… And she was as well, though to him, even more beautiful than Shyvonne… dressed better than anyone regardless of financial stature…. She too was physically fit, despite the abuses of life… aaahhh, and the sex… she was romantic as well… not only could she satisfy a man physically, despite his desires, she could mentally satisfy him as well… To him, there was no comparison as he looked to the two women. And his concentration was broken when Chloe jumped up to be with the fallen Ivella…
And when the guard grabbed her arm, Iain grabbed his. “Release her, or I will cut yer family jewels from your body… right here in front of all…”
But when Shyvonne announced she was pregnant, he paused into a sort of daze… and it was not until Chloe stormed passed him that he returned to reality. He turned and followed her, but on the way out, he got a death-look from Mark.Mark wished he could read minds… He listened to Shyvonne’s family secrets be divulged… and often he wished she was no MacGregor and not privileged to their bullchyt… His whole life he had been privy to Robertson secrets… Were the MacGregor any different? And when he came to Sleat to watch over Robin, he became party to MacGregor secrets as well… and even being caught in their web.
If he could, he would overtake the guards, free Shyvonne, and leave Skye… to found some unknown island and remain there for the rest of their lives… But regrettably he could not… and into the Robertson and MacGregor web of treachery and debauchery he would remain. But he vowed to himself that, whatever Shyvonne fate… he would leave this Isle… either with her… or without her…
If she was found guilty… Maybe he would volunteer for sea-duty to explore the possibility of a new world that men were speaking of… His eyes went to the King… Rumor was, that man was considering the funding of routes to Asia… But if she was found innocent, then he would take her to the farthest reaches of the world they could go… by land or sea.
And when Ivella fell, he moved from his corner and toward Shyvonne… only to be restrained by Ealora’s baliff guards. And then she paused, only a foot away from him and turned her attention to Chloe… then to Iain. Was it to gloat, or see their reaction… worse… to tell them that it was Iain's? Mark was a bit taken back by her… and as she wrapped her arms about him… and laid her head against his shoulder... his arms, without hesitation, enveloped her. Had she had a vision? What had she seen this time?? He had to get out of Skye… to get far away from this dungheap… with or without her.
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Post by Lord Iain Robertson on Aug 31, 2012 2:53:44 GMT -6
The Verdict Hours into the night, Shyvonne, Mark and Gaius stayed within the rooms of her mother. While Gaius place beside her mother had not changed, Shyvonne's moved constantly. There was nothing to be said, not for now, even after her confession, would she speak to her husband past letting his arms fold her in a loving embrace as they went from corner, to window, to chair. She could not talk to him now. Now after the pain she had just dealt him. She was with child... and there was no vision to tell of it, she simply knew, as sometimes women did with their bodies. She felt it but the questioned remained... who's child was it? It was no secret now amongst Iain, Chloe, Mark or her; that she had slept with Iain but what Chloe and Iain did not know was she had shared her husband’s bed after her capture. Only several days after sharing Iain's; her husband had given his forgiveness of her, or what she deemed forgiveness, taking her to bed once more. Speaking words of love and a life outside of these walls. It was those words she clung to night after night in her cell, deprived of his touch, deprived of his never wavering love for her. While she was judged from all sides, she was never judged from his. If she could love him anymore, for this, she would love him more, till her heart was fit with bursting.
It was still night when she awoke, between her husband’s legs as he sat in a chair, her head rising from his thigh as she inhaled a deep breath and released it, twisting her body this way and that to relief the strain of sleep from her aching muscles. Inhaling a breath again, her eyelids fluttered as her head turned against Mark's knee. Gaius was slumped over the bed, his head on the mattress but it was her mother’s hand, curled into Gaius long gray hair that had her raising her head.
Carefully, she untangled herself from Mark, sliding back on the floor and slowly raising herself to stand. Careful steps made sure she made no noise to wake the trio as she approached the bed. Shyvonne face twisted at the scene. Her mother’s hand had so lovingly caressed Gaius to sleep, his face as peaceful as the withered face of her mothers. So...happy...to be near one another even though her mother laid, perhaps, on her deathbed. Slowly she knelt beside Gaius chair and raised her hand, her fingers a breath away from his face seemed to caress his features before her fingers trembled with the action and she jerked her hand away. Lifting up, she moved to bend over and kiss her mother’s brow and slowly work her fingers through the silvery locks of her mother’s hair. As much as she loved and missed her brother, Shyvonne knew, if he were alive, this scene never would have had a chance to play out. Gaius would have been shunned and more than likely...so would she. Now that she was a bastard.
Backing away from the bed, she moved over to where Mark sat, slumped awkwardly in the chair sleeping. His own face was so peaceful, free of the torture of hours earlier. Crouching low, she steadied herself with a hand on the armrest of the chair, her fingers lifted and in the air as not to wake him, she traced the outline of his face. Amongst her family, he was the only one to know of her gift, and the only one, not to shun her for it, the only one who shared the same gift. Of the wrong he had done, to her, she had visited it back tenfold and he had not deserved it, not really. What had happened with Chloe had been a mistake. Could she even say the same? A sad smile touched her face as her head cokeed while she traced the outline of his face and then the curve of each eye, his nose and finally his mouth. How much she wished to lift up and kiss his lips. Kiss him soundly awake and then pull him away to some dark place that was for only them, where she could make love to him until the dawn. But she could not disturb him, could not disturb the peace in which he resided in now with sleep.
Lifting up from beside him, she moved to stare out the window. It was late evening, the moon still high in the sky. Hugging her arms close to her. She stared at the moon. Wondering if this would be one of the few last times she would see it. Every once in a while she would turn to look at the trio she loved so much. Her mother, Gaius, and her beloved husband. Flickering away from the window, she moved silently to the door and pulled it open where the two guards assigned to her, stood outside.
"Please, see if the Chief bailiff is still up. I need to speak with her." She whispered.
"Get back inside." One the guards huffed at her.
"Please" She insisted harder and then shut the door in the faces.
Moving again, she knelt by her sleeping husband. Clutching the arm rest, she knelt beside him once more. His poor head was cokeed to the side, pressed into the back of the chair. His poor neck would be stiff in the morning. Once more, her hand rose to his face and once more, she would not touch him for fear of waking him. "Everything is going to be ok now. I swear it…" She whispered to his sleeping form. Several minutes passed and there was a gentle rap at the door before one of the guards poked his head in and nodded at her. Lifting up, she pressed her cheek ever so gently against his own. "Everything will be ok." She whispered again. "I love you…" She hummed at his ear and then gently kissed his lips and then quickly left the room before he awoke and stopped her.
She was lead, not to the Chief's room as she had expected, but the library. Vaguely surprised the Chief was still up. The door closed before her and she found Ealora sitting in an overstuffed chair, her legs carelessly dangling over the arm rest of the chair, her feet swinging in the air.
"Sit" Ealora bid her, going over several leaflets of her notes.
Shyvonne moved to take the chair across from Ealora and then she sat quietly.
Ealora needed very little sleep to function. Surprising with six kids perhaps but it was having six kids that she adapted to little sleep. For several minutes more she looked over her notes and then groaned as she swung her legs back over the side of the chair and to the floor as she sat up properly. "You wished to see me. So talk..."
"Why are you doing this, Chief, bringing out my families secrets? What will this accomplish? I've all ready confessed to you. Please... I am asking you, to leave my family alone. Punish me, not them." Shyvonne got right to the point. There was no need to beat around the bush.
Ealora put her notes aside and then clasped her hands together as she leaned towards Shyvonne. "I heard your mother is still hanging on. I am glad. She is a strong woman. I have no reason to believe the physician and not see her recover... to some extent. I am sorry, her secret was so grave as to cause her harm. Of course I'm not taking credit for it. She is so stubborn, she would push herself to illness to keep her secrets, especially from you. I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing for my children." Sighing, she leaned back in the chair and released her hands, bringing one up to rub under her chin and then let her hands fall to the arm rests of the chair. "There are several holes in your story Shyvonne. You confessed, but not everything, and wasn't it you who said secrets led you to this? I want to make sure, this doesn't happen again. The only way to do that is to get you people to air our your secrets. Your family is one f**ked up mess, you know this of course though."
"What family, doesn't have secrets Chief? I've heard stories about you, you killed your own brother’s wife and then later in life, your brother sought to have you brought to trial and condemned to death for what you did. To add to it all, you escaped, and your own husband, killed your brother. We're all of us f**ked, Ealora." Shyvonne shot back. "I'm asking you, please, leave them alone. They have suffered enough. First Searc attacks Chloe, almost killing her and almost getting himself killed in the process. Then the war... and then Searc did die....and now this. I'll tell you everything. I'll confess... everything… and allow you, and the council members to punish me as you see fit. But please, I beg you, for the love of God. For the love I bear my family, but took for granted, stop, hurting them..."
Ealora hummed in a laugh at Shyvonne reply. Well no one could say she was not a fiery bytch when she wanted to be. She was beginning to see how she and Chloe were alike. She was beginning to see, why this was a problem, and why this was the reason they did not get along. Once more, she clasped her hands together and leaned forward resting her elbows on her knees as she stared at Shyvonne in silence. There was such pain on the woman's face and she looked... ill but sources said, only hours earlier she confessed to being with child. Funny, she would know such a thing so soon. Ealora could have used it in trial to prove Shyvonne witchcraft but then, Ealora didn't believe in such things herself. Her interrogation of Lady Ivella had purpose but it was not something she seemed to want to give up why yet. Finally Ealora sat up once more, scooting back in the chair once more. "Fine. Tomorrow morning, we'll go back to trial. You will give a full confession, but if any questions linger, I will, continue interrogating those close to you. However, if I am satisfied, I'll call for the council members judgment and sentencing. By tomorrow afternoon, I'll announce your sentencing, if all goes according to plan. Do you understand, your... condition... does not save you from a death sentence?" She would ask.
Shyvonne let out a visible sigh of relief and then nodded her head. She wasn't surprised Ealora knew of her condition. The woman was a spider who's spies sat in every corner of Dunsgate. And the spider, always got its prey.
"Very well. Then get some rest. See you in the morning." Ealora was done, evident when she threw her legs back over the armrest of the chair and took her papers once more.
Such an evening… how could one so stressed upon sleep so soundly? Maybe it was imagination, or the sub-conscious desire that her hand almost lay upon his cheek, but he awaken not from any touch, but that of the rising sun thru the window. He found himself restrained by her resettling herself between his knees, resting her head upon his thighs, and fallen back asleep. He needed up, and in requirement to reposition her, awoke her… “My apologies my dear, but the old man needs to stand…” he offers a jovial whisper. And when she moved, he stood slowly, and stiffly, from the chair, twisting this way and that, to wring out the kinks from the odd position he had slept.
He walked to the window and in passing, looked upon the sleeping Gaius laying upon the bed… and Ivella lay there, her eyes closed, a content look upon her face… and yet, the only solace she could have was the presence of one so deep in her life. Mark could only smile in hopes that one day, he and Shyvonne would be, in their old age and wrinkled state, worrying about the other upon the sickly bed. One in love would surely welcome old age together, but one alone, would welcome death if love was abandoned….
With that thought passing and the smile to his beloved wife, he made his way to the window, which summoned another view on his life… Shyvonne’s absence…!! Oh he cursed her over and over in his mind for her actions, but his love for her, and her for him, would overshadow any actions by either. What if she was found guilty on all the charges, or even the main one… and the panel sentenced her to death?? Could he petition to the King…? Would the monarch override his own statement of only an observer? Probably not…
And did he look back at his beloved wife then? Nay, for she would surely see the distaste for this land, the king, and the baliff when it came to their destiny. He would look back now… What would she see in his face? Would it be disdain of king and country… or the love he had for her…?? It was always rumored that the Gaelic Nations had been built on the love of Adam and Bess… but what of Mark and Shyvonne? They loved no less… maybe even more… as they have still overcome personal tragedy… the affairs of heart and body… and hatred. Their eyes would meet… and desire for her peaked quickly… He would have her anywhere he could… Here… in Skye… or elsewhere… anywhere.
His mind faltered not… sharp as a tack… yet he could not figure out what to do should she be found guilty. The answer was not in the room, nor outside the window. Soon they would be escorted to the hall… and Mark just inhaled quickly, and exhaled slowly….
The next morning, after breakfast as before the council members would be summoned. None of them knowing of the meeting between Shyvonne and Ealora, nor what would occur. They were allowed to file into their seats once more and then Shyvonne would be sent for, and for the moment, placed in her chair once more while Ealora addressed the council.
"Despite yesterdays actions. We're here again to address the trial of Shyvonne Collier. Before we begin. I have a judgment for you. As to the charges of witchcraft, it is this courts wish, to drop the charges. I have found no sufficient evidence, including delving into the accused past, to be taught the ways of one’s grandmother, even the pagan religion, is not a crime and thus, this court finds the accused, innocent and the charges hereby dropped. I ask the council members to make note of this..." She turned an eye to Shyvonne and nodded. "As to the rest of the charges, the accused, has requested to make a full confession. In the event I find the accused has left out key information and has once more, left holes in her story, we will again continue to interview others. However, I have agreed, if the story is whole and sound, I ask each of you, to make your judgment as to the charges and your recommendations for punishment for those you find her guilty of. We will meet again at lunchtime, to finalize the charges and punishment." Ealora took a step back and gestured Shyvonne forward.
Shyvonne rose from her chair. For once, she couldn't look at the council. She couldn't look at her husband. She knew he probably thought she was putting herself in front of the gallows... or whatever they would use to 'murder' her for her crimes or perhaps he thought she knew something he did not. Seen something that would give her confidence enough to do this. The truth was, she saw nothing that would confirm her continued existence. Even though Ealora had told her to get some sleep, she had gone to the chapel and had knelt, and prayed for hours. Hands clasped and head bowed, she had prayed for absolution. She had prayed for forgiveness but most of all, she prayed for strength. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she took her place in the middle of the room, absent chair today.
Her stomach was rolling with the beginnings of morning sickness... or perhaps nerves. She had barely keep able to eat anything let alone drink anything and now her mouth was dry enough to wish she had forced herself to drink something as if that would help her dry mouth and thick feeling throat. Her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides and finally she took in a deep breath and let her eyes raise, going left to right over the council members. To King, she bowed her head in respect. And then it would begin. Her mouth opened to give her confession.
"This all began, last year, around new years. I had come to spend the holidays with my family. My husband, staying behind at the Academy to see my wishes tended to in my absence. Once I arrived, I found my sister had her son and Chloe...had Colleen. I learned then, that Chloe and Iain had planned to marry in spring, before the proper mourning period had passed. I got angry, and left but Chloe followed me and we argued. It became physical and only at the bottom of the hill, did it come out that Colleen was Mark's child and Chloe had never intended for Mark or I to know the origins of her parentage on her father’s side. Chloe begged me to leave it alone but I was even more angry then before and hurt, moreso, because Mark had told me, during his own captivity, that nothing had happened with Chloe when I was told by my cousin by marriage, Portia, that something had happened. I knew then that I wanted to hurt her and that I wanted to hurt my husband."
She paused, turning an eye first to Chloe and then to Mark.
All Mark could do was look down, knowing his infidelity was not in their relationship but the deceit of the action was… Adam just looked between the Prosecution and the Defendant…
"I might of left off of hurting either of them, but Bailiff Camden showed up the next day demanding more taxes on the Academy and with Chloe’s signature. I had no idea at the time, that it was a forgery. It was Collum who came to me with the idea of attacking Bailiff Camden as a band of outlaws but it was my idea, to create the Robin Hood. Through Intel done by both my men, and Collum's, I found out that Bailiff Camden, Bailiff Kelly and Bailiff Aldridge had, after my brother’s death, forged documents to draw money from the people of Sleat. Bailiff Camden was the first to be attacked, we raided his carriage, stripped him of his clothing and made him walk back to town, naked. Bailiff Kelly was attacked on his way out of his home, his home was raided like Bailiff Camden, he we stripped naked and tied, upside down from the branch of a tree. Bailiff Aldridge was attacked leaving his mistress home, where we had information, he was keeping his stolen money. The woman, was not harmed but again, he was raided, he was also stripped, his arms tied behind his back and then a rope about his waist as he was strapped to a pig and made to follow where-ever the pig took him. Of the three bailiff's we attacked, more than half the money went back to the people. The remaining amount was distributed amongst my men and Collum's men."
Adam wanted to laugh at the naked remarks, but just restrained himself and covered his mouth… yet the sea-green eyes just sparkled with humor.
Once more she paused, this time to swallow some spit to wet her mouth and throat.
"All the bailiff's attacks were planned within the walls of the Academy, within my office. No one but myself and Collum knew initially of the attacks and only the night before the attack itself, did the men of the Robin Hood come to find out what was to take place. I have... no doubts... the staff at the Academy thought I was having an affair with Collum but I swear before this council and God, I never took that man to my bed. I confess, this whole time, I was planning a larger raid, one that would attack Dunsgate and expose Chloe for her lies about Colleen and at the time, what I believed were lies about my brother’s death and her involvement with the Bailiff's which now I know to be false. During the months that these attacks were spaced, we had people coming to the camp. Finding their way there and telling such stories to turn the stomach about not only the bailiff's but about two Lords. Lord Angus Insley and Lord Fergus Abberline. These stories, made me realize, that the people were coming to us, because of their trust in us, because of their hope, that their pain and troubles, would be taken care of. It was at this point, I plotted to attack both Lords. Lord Angus Insley was taxing people who lived on his lands, steadily increasing the rent until they couldn't pay anymore and then throwing them out and burning their homes down while they watched. He was also hiring thugs to scare the villagers into keeping his secrets. One such friend of mine, who dared to speak he was going to out the Lord, had to watch his family burn, but...ended up being burned in the process when the thugs let him go, let him run into his building home to save his dead family. So one day, the Robin Hood arrived at his doorstep, removed him and all his belongings and set his home on fire. His belongings were distributed to the families of his attacks, to do with as they willed, his money as well."
She took a breath and continued.
"Lord Fergus Abberline, was doing much worse. When a young girl, in the villages surrounding his estates were married, he would show up, kidnap them and take them back to his home, for their first night, he would have them in his bed. When he returned them in the morning, he was taxing not only the bride's family, but her husband; for the right to bed her. He was also confiscating the harvests to sell three times their worth back to the villages who had tended the lands as well as taking half the profit for the harvest he allowed them to keep and sell making it nearly impossible for them to live any decent life. He as well, had thugs he hired to keep people quite and often allowed those men to return to the villages and rape whatever woman they fancied provided they were not a virgin. Lord Abberline, was attacked, leaving his home. Again, we removed all of his belongings and money and set his home on fire. Lord Abberline, we tied to a pole outside of his burning home with an apple in his mouth and a sign about his neck detailing his crimes...as well as a letter from the Robin Hood, answering a call, made by Chloe, we were told, calling us thieves..."
She gave a lick of her lips and sighed.
"My last attack, before attacking Dunsgate was going to be, kidnapping Lord Iain Robertson, to throw Chloe off and catch her at a surprise but I was called to Dunsgate for the Trial of Portia MacGregor. It was there I reconnected with my husband. I realized my absence was hurting him as well as tearing us apart and that, was something that I had not wanted. And I... had a vision, that someone would be hurt, Colleen, who was an innocent child. I couldn't have that and so I left Dunsgate, by this time, my men, dressed in MacGregor fashion we all ready on the way to kidnap and bring back Iain so I decided then and there, not to use him to attack Dunsgate, but to ask him, to walk around the Robin Hood camp and meet the people. And that is what happened... but we also... started drinking and I..."
Shyvonne paused again, a hand running over what was still her flat stomach. Amazing that a child, could be growing there when her stomach still was so flat. So still.
"I had an affair with him. We... f**ked... several times that night. A few times out in the open, underneath some trees and then a few more times, within my tent... When I awoke in the morning, I was notified that Collum, and his men, were gone and I knew, they were going to attack Dunsgate... I grabbed my gear, along with Iain and we rode for Dunsgate. When I arrived, it was already under attack... per my vision, I already knew where to go, I did not even dismount, I allowed Iain and my men, to fight off Collum's men while I headed on horseback to the cliffs. Chloe was there, fighting with Collum to retrieve Colleen. I cannot tell you what happened in the struggle, I know, Chloe was struck, by myself or Collum, I do not know... She went over the cliff while I... continued to wrestle with Collum..."
Iain smirked at the thought of them together… and the smirk dissipated as quickly as it had appeared… Mark was so lucky… But Iain still wondered if the bottle had bit tainted as he found it hard to imagine Shyvonne giving herself to him so freely. A simple cant of the head as he watched and listened.
Once more she stopped. Only one other time had she had a vision during her waking hours and it was a vision of the past. Of Chloe and Mark, f**king. While she had been in the church, praying, she had a vision, it had come on her so sudden that she had gasped, staring at the cross like a mad woman. She had seen Grace, angry and raging, swearing vengeance. And if Colleen had not been dead, she would know where to start. That was what she had said and Shyvonne knew, as the vision faded, that she could never reveal that Colleen was alive for fear that Grace would return and go after the child. Though she wanted desperately, to mend her family, she could not tell Chloe that her beloved daughter was alive. She just could not.
"Collum got closer to the cliff, I tried to get my arms around Colleen but he grabbed me by the throat and before I could think, I struck him and... he and Colleen went over the cliff. I went to the edge, he was all ready upon the rocks... dead. Colleen was dead as well. The waves came up and then her body rolled off the rocks by him and... sank. I didn't see Chloe, I didn't look that far out. I was scared and panicked and so I fled. Three days later, as you well know, I came back, turned myself in and that... is the truth of it. That is my confession..."
Shyvonne's eyes rose to Chloe and then moved to Iain and finally went to Mark once more. Everything is going to be ok. She had whispered to him only several hours ago as he slept, she could not have been certain of it but now, with her confession out, her chest felt lighter, she felt... freer... and for once, she actually had a glimmer of hope that everything would indeed be all right. I love you, She mouthed at Mark and then bowed her head to the council and retook her seat.Ealora rose from her seat at the side of the room. Moving to the center of the room. Her head bowed. For several minutes, she paced the floor in front of the council, her head bowed, thinking and finally she rose her head and nodded. "Council members, I'd like you to take time to think of your answer to the charges, and the punishment for those you find the accused guilty of. I will, be in the library to meet with each of you one at a time. It is my hope by lunch or after lunchtime, to have an answer to the charges and punishment for those she is indeed found guilty for." She gave a nod of her head and turned her attention to Shyvonne or rather the guards assigned to her. "Please escort Lady Collier to a bedroom where she might rest and take lunch, in private. I will have her called for in the time of judgment."
Arms went behind her back as she gave a bow to the council and turned and exited the room so that they could take the time to decide the fate of Shyvonne Collier.So much information… misinformation, deceit, and betrayal… And what family did not have skeletons in their garderobe…? Adam thought Shyvonne was guilty… but of rebellion? Not to the Crown, but of her own family… as to the others? 4. Rebellion: NOT GUILTY would be his vote, but still he remained in the background… 3. Unlawfulness: GUILTY… punishment… ten Lashes or 6 months Government service 2. Endangerment: GUILTY… punishment… ten Lashes or 6 months Government service 1. Theft: NOT GUILTY… would be his vote, but still he remained in the background…Iain would spend the mealtime pondering what he would put against Shyvonne’s charges… 1. Theft: NOT GUILTY… Weren’t they all considering the actions of the damn bailiffs. 2. Endangerment: GUILTY… abated due to circumstances… The only endangerment he was concerned with was the unborn child. Was it his? Or had the wench found a way to be with her husband. She was so much like Chloe… and he just smirked as he wrote his judgment. 3. Unlawfulness: GUILTY… abated due to circumstances… The only charge of unlawfulness for her was her sex… it was so good; he knew Mark was unruly in the bed from their years of screwing the ladies in the same room… and Mark and Shyvonne must be a sight to behold… 4. Rebellion: NOT GUILTY… Again he would chuckle… only in her own mind… He knew what rebellion was… he lived it… she was no rebel.Why was Mark on this damn council…? Did they know what his vote would be? It would definitely not be perjury because he truly believed she was innocent of all charges posed against her… Infidelity? That would be one charge she was guilty of… but none of that nature had been leveled against her. 1. Theft: NOT GUILTY… 2. Endangerment: NOT GUILTY… 3. Unlawfulness: NOT GUILTY… 4. Rebellion: NOT GUILTY… The three men would look between themselves and then to Gaius and Chloe…… Possible scenarios they would each delve upon… Could Gaius destroy his own daughter? Chloe, upon the other hand, would seem to have no trouble wanting Shyvonne hanging by her pretty little neck… or lopping it off upon an axeman’s block… What was next?For Chloe... there was no simple answer, she was caught between the rock and the proverbial hard place... now… now that Shyvonne had shared... flaunted the fact that she was with child... with Iain's child... She had watched silently as Iain had quickly wrote out his answers for Ealora... she did not ask his council… nor to see his words... for either way his words would likely start a war between them... there was no safe place to turn in this for them... there were to many hurts still raw... too many pieces of hearts broken, still sharp and jagged... They had gone to bed in silence, their bodies in the dark pleading their passion for one another... his plight for reassurance their fragile hold on their marriage was not decaying with the news of the child... and hers... the need for reassurance that he still loved and wanted her... Passion and Physicality had never been a problem with them, it was the way fate pulled and twisted them... How much could they bare... and still... remain…??
While he slept she lay thinking about the charges against Shyvonne, three days ago... she would have said guilty to them all... with no reserve... Now Shyvonne carried Iain's child... her husband’s child... his flesh and blood... she thought of the other children she and he called their own... some of them of his flesh... with Kelliana... some of them his cousin’s boys they had now adopted... and Robin, the only one who shared... both their blood... and Colleen... sweet baby... now gone forever... but Iain had accepted her as his own... even though... she had not been of his seed... they loved all their children without reserve, completely... and if the child Shyvonne carried was indeed his... he would love it no less… she sighed... in the dark... if the child was his... she would love it as well... for it was... after all part of him... This change matters considerably... How could she vote guilty against the woman who might be carrying his child? He had not tried to sway her one way or the other... but the truth was... should she vote guilty she would be condemning the mother of his unborn child... The thoughts were enough to make her head ache... As she slipped out of the bed grasping up the parchment with the directions of the summary upon it... still he snored... the blissful sleep of a man... his chest rising and falling evenly... she smiled at his face, boyish in his sleep... but he carried such a heavy burden... though he rarely showed it... she knew he was as broken as she was over his adultery... that he loved her above all others... even himself sometimes... It was just hard for the bastard of Struan... to let anyone know... he had that broken heart... but she knew...
Quietly, she lit a lamp and pulled out a quill... staring at the parchment for the viper it was... how she wished she could erase it all... go back... and change the past... but she couldn't... She was the Chieftain... her duty was to her Family... and her Clan... and she had hard choices to make…
Charges Format: 1. Theft: Guilty, there was no doubt she and her band of men had stolen, despite her reason, it was done against the law and the clan... Punishment Suggestion: Recompense to the offended parties… social repayment by service.
2. Endangerment: Guilty, reasons or not.. she had endangered both the people who followed her, as well as those in Dunsgate when Collum had attacked... had she not lead the rebellion and allowed it to grow and spiral out of control, the maiming’s, death and destruction of property would not have come to pass. Punishment Suggestion: Fines and restitution to the families effected.
3. Unlawfulness: Guilty see the above reasons Punishment Suggestion: Time in the stocks, public humiliation.
4. Rebellion: Guilty against Clan and Crown... Punishment Suggestion: Confinement to a Convent until the child is born and parentage is determined… afterwards… Banishment… if the child belongs to her and her husband, then they will all be sent from Sleat... if the Child is the seed of Iain Robertson... it will remain in Sleat with its father...
For long moments she sat and read the paper... over and over... not looking back at her sleeping husband... before she left the room... the parchment in hand was slipped beneath Ealora's door... and then the Chieftain of Sleat left the Castle... to go sit upon the cliffs... and watch the sunrise... where her daughter rested, for Colleen there would be justice..(d)
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