Sapphire looked towards the rising sun, not seeing anything. Dark circles lined her eyes from lack of sleep, her gown wrinkled and in need of a good press, a barely touched plate of food lay by her side. Fire licked the woods, emanating warmth through out the room, Sapphire felt anything but warm.

She was cold, numb, helpless. All feelings she despised, loathed. She felt bitter, something she never wanted to feel. She had much more than most, and yet she was being ungrateful, yet she couldn't prevent the emotions swirling within her, she was being a coward.

She should be thankful she had a wonderful, loving husband, even for a short period of time. People often had abusive husbands or unhappy marriages, she had been blissfully happy. She would rather be loved for a day, rather than not at all. She lost her parents, but she was given loving people in return, ones who treated her as their own. She had no right to feel as she was, and yet, she was.

Two whole days had passed since she had heard Tristan talk, to see him give his secret smile. She had stayed awake the entire night placing wet towels on his forehead, praying and hoping his fever would break, all in vain. He didn't wake up.

She had opened his stitches to see the start of an infection, having quickly seen to that, she had hoped the fever would stop its assault, all in vain. He should not have caught a fever, the situation made no sense in her mind's eye. A fever came with an infection. Tristan's infection had barely begun, and yet his body was burning with fever.

Sapphire stared at his form. His chest rose up and down. He looked peaceful, serene, whereas she felt her world crumbling before her. He showed her what love between a husband and wife, a man and a woman, could be. He evoked such feelings and sensations within in her, she never new existed. Her world had begun to revolve around him, beginning and ending with him.

He had to wake up. He had to....

Lord Rivers closed the door to Tristan's chambers, standing by the door, his presence unknown. He watched his daughter make mindless circles around the palm of Tristan's hand, he doubted she was aware of her own actions. A large bowl of cold water was placed by her side, while towels and cloth occupied the other, a forlorn expression on her face. Lord Rivers gritted his teeth. The bloody git wasn't waking on purpose. Tristan was made up of stronger stuff!

And his little darling, he was afraid for her. She had survived her last emotional assault, he knew she would survive this one if needs be, but at what cost?

It was his fatherly side speaking, but he knew she lost a tremendous amount of weight in two days time, which was ridiculous. He felt ten times a fool standing and staring. He should be by her side offering her comfort, assuring her everything would be alright. Instead he was standing there like a fool.

Lord Rivers loudly cleared his throat. Sapphire glanced up before looking down once again, not particularly caring what her uncle wanted at the moment. The thought made her angry, furthering her misery. He was being kind and helpful, whereas she was being rude and hurtful.

"I will sit with him, you attend to your necessities." Lord Rivers urged quietly as he stood behind her, giving her shoulders a light, fatherly squeeze.

"I have nothing to do." Sapphire croaked, her voice slightly rough.

"You're causing the room to have a certain stench which was not present before. Tristan won't exactly be pleased upon waking." Lord Rivers attempted a mild tease.

Sapphire rolled her eyes but stood up nevertheless.

Lord Rivers gave her a bright smile, one which she did not recuperate. He kept his smile in place as long as it took her to exit the room, then his smile too slipped from his face, not able to hold the façade any longer than necessary. He slumped down into the chair, smacking Tristan's chest hard in the process.

"Bloody bastard, it's time to wake up, you have slept enough." Lord Rivers grumbled as he watched the study rise and fall of his chest, his face lined with worry, making him look twice his age.

Andrew walked around the village, listening intensively at the multiple whispered conversations held various steps away from each other. Some more appealing than most. He needed information and the best place to gain it was from a busy village. None would be the wiser of his intentions, he couldn't afford another slip.

He walked towards a stand which held various little trinkets, pretending to examine them while his ears where firmly trained on the group of men to his right.

"Tis a sad day in our village."

Andrew looked towards the woman in annoyance, not that he showed such emotion. He was trying to overhear the whispered conversation of the men to no avail, thanks to the wench beside him. She couldn't have picked another day to offer a tussle.

"Would you not agree?" She questioned while batting her lashes.

Andrew looked at her features more closely. She was a pretty little thing, small, but curvy. Her hair was a tad bit dirty, but not appallingly so. Her small, pert breasts had his gaze drawn towards them, it didn't bode well for her gown to be low cut either, she would serve well. She had not the slightest of idea of what she was offering, or to whom.

He deserved some sort of reward for all the hard work he had been putting in for the past months. The wench would reward him handsomely, of that he would make certain. He did what he did out of necessity, that, however, did not make him anyone's lap dog to do as they pleased. He was his own person, and it was good time people realized.

"Forgive me, fair maiden, but I am afraid I have no knowledge regarding your statement."

The woman flushed as he lifted her hand to his lips for a seemingly chaste kiss.

"Ye are a gentleman."

"I am afraid I have no knowledge of such either." Andrew smiled charmingly. The woman melted, stepping ever closer towards him.

"Your were saying..." Andrew prompted, hiding his smirk as she continued to swoon over him.

"Tis a sad day." The woman said, coming out of her stupor.

"Why would you say such a thing? Tis a fine day, if a tad bit chilly." Andrew said as he began to play with a strand of her hair.

"Lord Knight was injured two nights ago, he has yet to gain consciousness."

"Truly? I was under the impression he was hearty and well."

"Nay." The woman shook her head, her brown eyes widening.

"Her ladyship has not left her chambers nor has his lordship awakened. Everyone is afraid he will nay make it."

Andrew nodded sympathetically as the girl's eyes began to well with tears. He wanted a good tussle, nothing more. It seemed as if he would have to wait.

"Why don't you come with me, you don't seem as if you are too well yourself."

"I know tis silly, but lord Knight is very kind. He took my family and I in when no one else would. Where people ridiculed us because of my mothers position, he showed nothing but kindness and compassion." The woman said as she wiped her nose on the back of her hand.

Andrew grimaced. He thought she would be an easy roll in the hay. At least one of his tasks were completed, he learned what he came to the village for. The laird was indisposed, though he loathed to say so, the credit went to Jack. Last eve their men had begun to come inside the castle walls. The guards did not suspect a thing. Instead of being diligent, everyone was behaving like wee lassies, crying over their lover. It made him sick, but it all worked in his favor.

It was difficult getting Jack out the village to report back to the mistress. But Andrew had found a rarely used, and rarely guarded, route some time back. It came in quite handy for Jack, and it would come in handy once more.

Sapphire ran a finger over Tristan's brow, the sounds of the night haunting her ears. Of it's own occurred, her finger ran over his lips, lightly tracing them, before moving towards his soft beard.

Hot tears gathered in her eyes before pooling over and running down her cheeks. One tear would not reach her jaw when another would begin its treacherous journey.

Sapphire bit her lip to not make any noise, she could taste blood from her futile efforts, for a heart wrenching sob escaped her.

Her shoulders shook from the force of her tears. Sapphire grabbed his hand, holding him tight as she quietly sobbed, not able to stay stoic any longer.

In the dead of the night, when the world sleeps, and the righteous pray, Sapphire whispered through her tears, her eyes stinging with pain, but that pain paled in comparison to the havoc created in her chest.

"Please come back to me. God please let him be alright. Please. Dear Lord, I love him, loving ones husband is no sin. You have the power to control everything, nothing can happen unless it's your will, please give me my husband back, please......" Her voice broke towards the end, a heartfelt plea for her beloved.

"Take heed, I want no mistakes. One mistake will cost you your life." Corriane snapped at the men who stood before her, their gazes lowered. No one should be able to look her in the eye.

She was aware of the lustful way they watched her, they could look their hearts fill, so long they do not look her in the eye. They did not deserve such a privilege. They were beneath her, it would do them good to remember their place. She despised people who acted above their status. Hated them with a passion which could match no other.

The men nodded their agreement, not daring to speak. Corriane smiled, one which clashed against her bitter features, pleased with herself.

"In a weeks time, we strike at dawn. Keith will have you know the destination as well as the escape routes."

Once again the men merely nodded.

"You are dismissed." Corriane snapped as she stared at her nails. Not long ago her nails would have been free of grime and filth, now they were too hideous to look at. Her beautiful fingers were plagued with the same fate.

"Ye are verra excited for yer battle." Fredrick said as he roughly pulled Corriane into his lap.

Corriane shrugged a thin shoulder as his hands began to make way under her skirts. She had to remind herself she was very close to her goal, by pleasing Fredrick she would be able to please herself.

"Aye, and the gratitude would go to you." Corriane purred as she ran one slim finger along his cheek, stopping before his unkept beard.

"Aye." Fredrick grunted, not too keen on speaking. He had other thoughts in mind.

Although he feared the consequences of attacking Knight, a fear he would never admit, he couldn't ignore Corriane's wishes. The woman intrigued him, the blackness of her heart more enticing than her noble beauty or pride. The wench had arrogance, more so than he. Once this battle was over, and her desire fulfilled, he would get his answers. Answers to her past, answers as to why she despised Knight so, answers for which he anxiously awaited.

I'm soo sorry. But I was sooo out of it, and sooo very exhausted, but the updates should be back to normal now ;)

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