Chapter 50

Sapphire awoke with a jolt. The sun shone in her eyes, causing the pounding in her head to worsen. She shut her eyes. Only opening them again until they were slits, allowing her to get a glimpse of her surroundings. The only thing she could see were rocks. It seemed as if they were in a mountain valley, or perhaps an area where there were caves. How long had she been unconscious? Sapphire made sure to keep her body limp, she felt disgusted having to lean against Andrew, but she mustn't alert him that she was awake. She would escape at the first opportunity. Sapphire decided to see what she could learn, something might be to her advantage. Although the chances of that happening were very slim.

The horse was moving at leisure, Sapphire feared they might have arrived at their destination. If they did....Where was Tristan? Or her uncle for that matter?

Sapphire discreetly looked around. Men with bows and swords were scattered around the caves, craftily hidden. Unless one knew precisely where to look, they would be unable to locate them. Snow still laced the ground, a good fortune and misfortune. She would have to wait, she could not be too hasty.

&&&

"Mistress, Keith has arrived."

Corraine glanced up from lacing her gown. The man before her shifted from one foot to another. Fool. One should never allow another to see the slightest of discomfort, it could be used against them. No matter, he was not of much use. Learning about his characteristics would only be a bore to her mind.

Keith had arrived. Did he do as she had wished? Did he bring her captor? Most importantly, did he leave the letter she had written. A letter to drive Tristan to the brink of insanity, only to bring him back. And then drive him insane once again. It would be weeks, mayhap months before he could find his precious wife. The things she could do with the wench in that time... The possibilities were endless.

"Who is with him?" Corraine questioned as she stared at her nails, hiding her excitement. Her victory was tangible. Her nails itched to break the chits skin.

"One man and one woman." The man answered feebly.

"I will be there shortly." Corraine said dismissively.

The man bowed before hurriedly leaving the room. Corraine snickered. She needed to check on the room she had prepared for her guest, and then she would make her acquaintance.

Andrew drew his horse to a holt, Allen doing the same besides him. Mercifully, the lady had stayed unconscious throughout the journey, much to Andrew's pleasure. He had not needed to worry. He hoped Fredrick would see her state of unconsciousness in good light. He knew not what he planned, but he knew she wanted her in good state. Andrew looked around, spotting one of their men, he said.

"Tell the mistress and Fredrick that Keith had returned."

"Already done so. I am glad you decided to come. Mistress was becoming quiet anxious."

Keith grunted, not bothering himself with a response. He had gotten here as soon as he could. But even now, he knew something was amiss. Or perhaps it was his fear of laird Knight which had him so anxious. Or mayhap it was the nagging voice in his head telling him Jack should have arrived by now. He had told him the quickest route to get to them, quicker than the one he himself had used. Perhaps he had gotten acquainted with laird Knight's sword. Andrew suppressed a snicker. The weasel was beginning to grow on him, however, he was bothersome. If he was dead, it mattered little to him.

Sapphire felt Andrew, or rather Keith, dismount. Bloody bastard. She would kill him personally. She kept her eyes slightly open as she watched the scene before her. Keith was reasonably to the front, his back towards her, talking to a man, while his sword lay on the saddle. Pity, he would die at the hands of his own sword. Sapphire felt around her hip. Unbeknown to anyone, she had taken two daggers the night she was shot with an arrow. She was quite fortunate the bastard hadn't touched her again.

Allen stood slightly to the left, and the man who had arrived moments ago, further still. She could aim her dagger at Allen, although she did not know how much strength she had exactly. Would it be enough to kill him or fatally harm him? Or would it be merely a scratch?. If she wouldn't kill Keith, the least she could do was injure him.

Sapphire took the dagger out, no one was paying her any mind, her best chance was now. Lord only knew when the opportunity would present itself again. With her other hand she gripped the hilt of the sword. Thank The Lord her uncle had taught her how to wield a sword with both arms. It would come in handy. She could aim with her right, strike with her left.

She waited precisely another minute before quickly sitting up and throwing the dagger. The dagger pierced Allen's stomach. Sapphire paid no mind to his reaction or where precisely her dagger had settled, his grunt of pain was enough.

Instantaneously, she dismounted the horse, sword in had as she aimed it into Keith's side, cursing when her weakness only gave him an injury to his arm. She wanted him dead!

"Ye bloody bint!" Keith hissed as he took a step away from, holding a hand to his bleeding arm. The cut was deep and hurt like hell.

Sapphire risked a glance at Allen. He was on his knees, the dagger lodged into his abdomen. He didn't have much time.

"Why don't you make this easier, Keith." Sapphire hissed his name. She was furious. The sarding bastard. How dare he! Not only had he kidnapped her, the weasel had betrayed them all.

Sapphire looked around. The third man was gone. She needed to hurry. She had to leave before he returned with more men. She was surprised they had not come as yet. But she was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"I see ye were nay unconscious. Me mistake. I will nay underestimate ye again." Andrew grunted as he pressed his hand more tightly over his wound, it was deeper than he had first thought.

"You, sir, will be dead." Sapphire said tartly as she aimed the sword at his leg. Smiling in satisfaction when she managed to make a fatal cut on his thigh.

"Ye bitch."

"Calling me names shall not heal your injuries." Sapphire said as she raised her sword to finish him off.

***

Corriane watched the bint as she raised her sword to finish Keith off. The bitch! How dare she! A lady had no business with a sword, the hoyden! Tristan must have been desperate if he married the wench! Perhaps she should let her finish Keith off! The fool aught to have known better than to have her armed. Sadly, she could not! Corriane acknowledged bitterly. She needed the knowledge he had gained. She bit her tongue, she hated depending on anyone. It made her feel weak, vulnerable to those who would prey off of her weakness. Using her to gain what they needed because she was helpless to deny them. She would make the wench pay. It was due to her Corriane was feeling in need of another person.

Corriane lifted her whip. She had wanted to save this for later, but no matter. It seemed her daughter by marriage would need to be given her wedding gift earlier than anticipated.

The crack of a whip could be heard throughout the clearing as it licked against Sapphire's back, drawing blood in its wake, followed by a shrill, unaware, pain filled scream.

***

"You wouldna get far if ye escape." Keith said calmly as he saw movement behind her ladyship. He needed to keep her talking.

"I would be far enough." Sapphire spat as she brought her sword down. But before her sword could make contact with Keith's body, a sharp pain surged her back, making her cry out in agony. The sword fell to the ground with a slight clank. But to Sapphire the sound echoed, reminding her over and over of her failure, of the slight detail she had over looked. The pain to her back tripled, magnified, bringing her to her knees. She felt something went run down her back. The pain was unbearable. Unbidden tears came to her eyes, cascading down her cheeks. She was being scourged.

She would not allow them to see her defeated. With every last breath within her she would fight. She would give them hell before they even thought of succeeding. She may be in pain, and her body may shed tears, she was only human. But her attitude would define her as a person. She would not crumble. She would not break, no matter what they did to her.

"Enough." A man's voice called throughout the clearing.

The whip stopped. Everyone watched the scene unfold with baited breath.

Shakily, Sapphire got to her feet and turned around. What met her sight had the blood in her veins freezing, her breath caught in her throat. She didn't know which person she loathed more; the man or the woman.

The woman had fair hair, her skin unblemished, devoid of any fault, her cheek bones were high, her jaw delicate, her nose straight and small. All in all, she was beautiful, except for her eyes, they were cold, calculating. A malicious smile adorned her full lips. Her beauty marred by the ugliness which resided within her.

Bile rose in Sapphire's throat. The woman looked oddly familiar. Next to her stood the man who had haunted her dreams for the past eight years. Reminding her again and again of what she had lost, making her relive a night she would rather forget. His beard was a shade of crimson, reminding her of her father's blood which had coated his face as he plunged the knife into his heart. Again and again, until her fathers chest was ripped apart, his dead heart shredded to pieces. Even an animal would have shown more mercy to it's prey. But not the man before her. He was incapable of mercy, of compassion.

His smile was filled with perverse pleasure, the same smile which had secured his face as he had raped her mother, again and again, until her last breath had left her. All the while her father had watched, powerless to stop him, as she had been. The same sick pleasure inhabited his eyes as he assessed her wounds, for that same pleasure had filled them when he had taken the unborn babe out of her mother's womb, relinquishing in her agonized screams as they engraved themselves in Sapphire's ears.

She hated him with a venom that would surely kill the grass on this earth if it were to be unleashed. But with her hatred came her fear. Reminding her what he had done eight years ago as she had been helpless to prevent it. And now, eight years later, bruised and bloodied, she was once again helpless. At his mercy. His to do as he pleased.

"I believe you recognize me, me lady." Fredrick said with a twisted smile as he bowed to Sapphire.

"It hardly does one good if they forget the one they ought to kill. It defeats the purpose, you see." Sapphire said through stiff lips. A thrill of satisfaction went through her as she noticed Fredrick stiffen in anger. More men had gathered around her now. No doubt his ego had been bruised. She would not beg for mercy, nor would she give him the satisfaction of knowing how much pain she was in. Even if it killed her.

"I see ye have yer father's, as well as yer uncle's, tongue. Thankfully, ye have yer mother's beauty, except for yer eyes. They are yer father's. His cobalt orbs had stared at me with hatred as I had taken his life. Yer mother's golden eyes, did ye ken she had brown flecks in them? Or did ye ken of the mark on her breast? She was an exquisite creature. Verra feminine. Soft and delicate in all the places a lady should be."

Sapphire knew what he was doing. She knew he was goading her, he wanted her to do something rash. He wanted her to think with her anger rather than her mind. She knew this, yet she could not help her self. The man deserved to rot in hell.

"You sarding bastard!" Sapphire hissed as she bent to retrieve her sword, gasping in a startled breath as her whole body ached with a pain she had never felt. She couldn't breathe.

"Yer mother wouldna be pleased with ye mouth." Fredrick said, immensely proud of himself. The mere mention of her parents had her eyes filled with anger. The chit was beautiful. A beauty he would love to break, and taste.

"Tell me, has yer uncle taught ye anything other than a foul mouth? I ken ye had his woman with ye."

"He taught me a great deal. Unfortunately for you, you shall be dead ere you get to see my talents." Sapphire said, trying her hardest to remain standing. Her back was burning.

"I can put ye mouth to better use."

"Enough." Corriane said sharply before anyone could speak. She was growing tired of Fredrick's games, it was time she had what was hers.

"Tie her to the pole. It's time she learned her place. That is no way a lady should behave." Corriane instructed the men around her. Four of them stalked towards Sapphire. When they were near enough, Sapphire kicked one in the groin, however, her triumph was short lived as she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, making her powerless to stop the man who caught her from behind. He picked her up, ignoring her feeble attempts at thrashing as he walked over towards the pole.

Sapphire cussed every single word she had ever heard from her uncle. She was too weak to get herself out of this situation. Her back burned from where the whip had nipped at her sensitive flesh. The man's rough clothing on her chaffed skin did not lesson the pain.

"Tie the ropes properly. If she escapes, I shall have your head." Corriane snapped as she watched the man tighten the ropes. The chit's wrists would be raw. Perfect.

"You bint. Fight me as a real woman would. Hand me a sword and we shall see who the better person is." Sapphire growled while tugging on the ropes.

"It does not do a woman good to lift a sword. It is a disgrace. Nor should a woman use such foul language, much less a lady." Corriane sneered.

Tilting her head to the side, she questioned.

"Who is your uncle?"

"Lord Jonathan Rivers. I believe you have heard of him." It was Fredrick who had answered, a knowing smirk upon his lips. Corraines lips curled in distaste. The man was a meddlesome pain for her. Always interfering when it was not his right to do so.

"It seems your uncle did not see to your manners."

"It seems your mother has not seen to yours." Sapphire retorted. The bint thought she could say what she pleased.

Corriane dug her nails into her palm. She would make her pay! How dare she speak to her in this manner!

"I believe this idle chit chat is useless. Now, where were we?"

Corriane did not wait for an answer as she lifted the whip, scourging Sapphire until her screams of anguish filled the caves. The men turned away, while others covered their ears as Sapphire could not contain her screams no matter how hard she tried.

Corriane whipped her mercilessly until her screams began to lessen, the back of her gown lay in tatters on the ground as her bloody back was on display for all to see. Corriane raised her whip to strike again, her eyes alight with a pleasurable fire. She had not been this alive for the past fifteen years or so.

Sapphire bit her tongue until she drew blood, even then, she could not suppress her screams. Her back was screaming in agony. It felt as if it were being ripped to shreds and then being doused in flames, only for the process to be repeated.

Sapphire felt her vision swim. She couldn't loose consciousness. The wound from the arrow opened, causing her more pain. She wouldn't be able to stay awake much longer.

She took a shuddering breath as she lifted her head, only to let out an ear piercing scream as the whip yet again connected with her back. She was seeing black in her vision. She lifted her trembling hands, the skin on her wrists was raw, hurting her further. Sapphire smiled slightly, the pain was beginning to numb, when she awoke she would try again, she would not accept defeat. She had to be strong. Her uncle would be expecting it, he taught her that much. She still had so much she wanted to do with Tristan. She had to remain strong. With these last thoughts, Sapphire succumbed to the darkness, a small smile upon her lips.

"It seems the chit has fainted. Pick her up and follow me." Corriane said to the man who stood closest to her. Once she had the chit in her room, she would be able to begin what she had planned. Life was at last smiling upon her.

***

Tristan finished the stitches on the man's collar bone. It mattered little to him whether his bone was broken or not. He needed him healthy enough to lead the way. The opening of a door had Tristan glancing up.

"A few of our men have been injured, my lord. No casualties." Gerald said, he could not look his lord in the eye. His eyes were colder than he had ever seen before. Ruthlessly staring at a person, as if he was not staring at the person but rather at the many ways that person could be defeated. He feared for the person on who Tristan's wrath would be unleashed. Moreover, he felt as if the very room he stood in would engulf him with it's hostility.

"What of Alexander?" Tristan did not wait for an answer as he stood up, heading towards the door.

"He has lost a significant amount of blood. But he shall live. He is yet to wake."

Tristan nodded.

"Have the men wake this man. I shall return momentarily."

Tristan let his feet take him to his chambers. He stood outside the door, his palm resting on the handle. He could not enter. Everything in his room would remind him of her. Worst, if there was even an ounce of her blood shed, he would make sure he filled river with theirs.

Tristan opened the door, stepping into his chambers. He stood frozen by the door. The room was in an orderly fashion. Nothing was amiss. The bed linens were made, Sapphire's clothing from the previous day lay by her chests. There were no signs of a struggle. Tristan hurried towards the adjoined bathing chamber, pulling the door open, he saw the now cold, partially empty, tub of water.

Tristan stalked towards the door. No. It could not be. Where was she? There was no struggle. When was she taken? How was she taken? There were too many unanswered questions. His heart beat furiously in his chest, not letting him forget his loss. Tears stung his eyes. He fought them back. No! He had to think clearly. He was a knight, a commander. He was ruthless. He had killed thousands if men without blinking an eye. A small voice in his head reminded Tristan that above all, he was a husband. Tristan blinked away his tears. He was a husband who had failed protecting his wife.

"Come here." Tristan called to a maid who was walking down the corridor.

"Yes, milord?" The maid offered a courtesy as she nervously shifted on her feet. She did not want to be near his lordship. Blood and dirt still coated his torso, his bloody sword lay in his hand as his cold eyes assessed her. She feared for her life.

"Did her ladyship have her morning bath?"

"Aye, milord." The maid whispered, too afraid to say anything else.

"Did you see her ladyship today?" Tristan asked in annoyance. He needed answer which would help him, not cause more questions to arise.

"Nay, milord. But another maid told me she saw her ladyship walking towards the back of the castle. She was in a hurry." The maid supplied quickly as she realized her short answers were causing him more vexation.

Tristan growled his frustration.

"Was she alone or was someone with her?"