Dawn could not arrive fast enough, Tristan thought anxiously. He wasn't able to sleep. He had sent his men to rest, preferring to watch Jack himself. Tristan stared at the wall. Sitting and staring at the wall was not very productive, he should devise a plan. It would be better than sitting here like a lass awaiting her husband. Making up his mind, he opened the door to Jack's chamber.

"Aye, my lord?"

Tristan glared at the use of the tittle. The man made a mockery of it. He did not acknowledge Tristan as his lord, it was nothing more than a ploy.

"I want you to draw me the layout of your campsite. You have been there before, yes?" Tristan said slowly as he toyed with the dagger around his waist, silently delivering his message.

"Aye, my lord." Jack answered quickly. He sat up in bed, wincing when pain shot through his arm.

Tristan ignored him, not finding compassion within him for this man who had a hand in hurting his people and kidnapping his wife. If he was not in need of him, he would have surely been dead by now.

Tristan unrolled a piece of parchment, handing it to Jack along with a piece of graphite. Silently, he sat across from him, his dagger aimed dangerously towards Jack.

"Describe the campsite to me."

Tristan said coldly as he held his own parchment and graphite, making his own map.

"Tis a rocky area filled with many caves. Tis nay far from here. It is filled with mountains and valleys. And there is a clearing amongst the rocks."

Tristan's ears listened as Jack spoke, but his mind conjured the images of terra-cotta rocks and caves. Harsh terrains made up its valleys and caves. One cave would not end, and another would start. Yet, all the caves were connected to each other, all leading towards one destination. A cave larger than the rest, filled with smooth walls, a small stream running across it. It was a beauty in its own right. Not everything which was magnificent had to be pleasing to the naked eye. A fact many over looked. The cave led towards a small opening which held gnarled trees and various colored plants. Enchantingly mystifying, no matter how many times one came across it. The fact that had kept him captivated and had him returning day after day, was that no one took care of that small garden. It seemed to grow and prosper with the will of the creator alone.

The caves with it's many valleys and tunnels were a welcomed adobe. Making one forget their thoughts in favor of a new adventure, one more satisfying than reality.

"How long is the journey?" Tristan cut Jack off, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

"Tis a days journey."

Tristan's eyes narrowed. Jack hastily continued.

"But I know a path that is quicker. Tis half a days journey. Quicker if we walk fast."

Tristan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He knew a path which would take them no more than two hours. Jack, however, had no need to know such information.

"Where are the guards stationed?"

Tristan questioned as he placed his finished drawing of Fredrick's campsite in front of Jack.

Jack stared at the perfect drawing of the caves. Even the clearing which had been located in the middle of the caves, one which was not easily found, was drawn neatly on the parchment.

"Ye drew it verra clearly." Jack said in awe. He could have bet his life that Tristan knew the location of the caves, but he knew his mistress would not have chosen a place which people knew of.

"Ye were very descriptive." Tristan said dryly. It was becoming harder and harder not to just kill the man.

"Where are the guards located?" Tristan repeated his earlier question, clearly stating he was not to be vexed with.

Jack pointed to various areas on the map. Tristan marked all of them, his mind conjuring a plan.

"How many men does Fredrick have?"

"I doona ken." Jack answered, afraid his honesty would not be taken to too kindly.

Tristan raised a brow.

"I was told to bring the other men here. I couldna spend much time in the cliffs. And Frederick wouldna tell me his numbers." Jack said a bit hastily and some what bitterly towards the end.

Tristan nodded. Was there anything

else he had to say to the man? He couldn't think of anything.

Tristan looked out the window. It was yet to be dawn. He doubted lord Rivers would be asleep. He would discuss the battle plans with him. Hearing his opinions would ease his mind, as well as make time move faster. Waiting was the least of his horrors.

"Very well." Tristan said as he stood up to leave.

He closed the door behind him, making sure to place the lock. It mattered not whether his men guarded the door or not. The window was far too high for the imbecile to climb down.

Further more, Tristan's greatest weapon was fear. The man feared Tristan and his men, he would be too cowardly to try to escape. A pathetic characteristic for a human, let alone a man.

Tristan walked towards lord Rivers chambers, knocking on the door. Not a moment later, the door opened to reveal an annoyed lord Rivers.

"I expected you hours ago." Lord Rivers snapped.

Tristan raised a brow.

"Would it have been a sin if you had sought me out?"

"Shut that mouth of yours and show me the plans." Lord Rivers muttered, his eyes laced with humor. If one were to take a closer look, they would see the lines marring his forehead, the tension in his shoulders, and the rigidness of his body. He was just as worried as Tristan, perhaps more.

"My study would be a better option." Tristan answered lazily.

"If you must." Lord Rivers grumbled as he pulled the door open.

"How is the sarding bastard holding up?" Lord Rivers questioned conversationally.

"He's alive."

Lord Rivers nodded, not needing further explanation.

They walked towards Tristan's study in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts, yet their thoughts centered around the same person. The same unease holding them both in it's grasp, unrelenting to release it's hold upon them. At times a man'a brain was his worst enemy.

Tristan grabbed a torch from the hall, placing it inside his study. He walked towards his shelves, retrieving his personal maps, ones he had drawn himself. If the world would have gotten ahold of them, mayhap their travels would be less harsh.

He laid the map out on the table along with the one he had Jack draw.

"This is where they are located."

Tristan said, pointing towards the drawing.

"The guards are located where the red dots are placed. Their exact number is unknown to us."

"What are their weapons?"

"The ones who guard the trees and cliffs have arrows and daggers. The ones who are stationed here," Tristan pointed towards an area on the drawing, "carry swords on their person."

"The guards switch shift twice a day, once at dawn and the other at dusk."

"Tyrant bastard." Lord Rivers muttered in disgust and anger. The thought of Fredrick alone had his blood boiling in his veins, begging for release. His hand itched to grab his sword and coat it in blood, specifically Fredrick's. He would avenge his friends, no matter if he had to give his life for the cause. That man would not be allowed to walk the earth after tomorrow.

"Bloody hell. Where did you get such maps from?" Lord Rivers questioned in awe as he saw the fine details and alternative routes which could be taken.

"I made them." Tristan mumbled as he placed two pebbles in the clearing.

"Damn." Lord Rivers muttered as he continued to stare at the rocks.

Tristan made a noise at the back of his throat.

"How long is the journey?"

"According to the weasel, it will take us a day. He claims to know of a path which will lead us there in half a day or so."

"With the snow that is near impossible." Lord Rivers growled.

Tristan pointed at his map.

"However, if we were to take this path, we would reach there in no less than two hours, despite the snow." Tristan said as he stared at his map. If his men could keep a brisk pace, they would reach soon enough. The path he spoke of no one knew of. It was located in the forest, one had to cross a river to reach their destination. The river gave the illusion of being very deep. However, it was merely that, an illusion, a fact Tristan had learned quite painfully.

"You have used said path before?"

"Aye." Tristan nodded.

"Many times. That particular path is unknown of. Not many people know where it leads." Tristan said as he moved a few more pebbles on to the parchment.

"Very well. What is your plan?"

"Gerald, Duncan, and Troy, could take down the guards quite efficiently. Once the guards are taken care of, we can have our men stationed there. Then, we attack."

Lord Rivers eyes narrowed into slits.

"Your 'we' sounds as if there is a deeper meaning to it. What are you hiding, Tristan."

Tristan's lips thinned at lord Rivers tone. Damn the man for knowing his every action!

"What ever do you mean?"

Before Tristan could blink, much less comprehend, a swift, yet hard, punch was aimed at him jaw.

"You know exactly what I mean." Lord Rivers growled angrily.

"I will not have you making hasty decisions and having yourself killed! You are not to go after Fredrick or any of the other men! Your only purpose is to find Sapphire and bring her back alive." Lord Rivers barked. The arrogant git! How dare he try to endanger himself!

Tristan snorted while rubbing his jaw, his steely grey eyes flashing in anger, turning them a shade darker than their silver hue.

"I presume you plan on ending his life? Did you think what would happen to aunt Katherine if something were to happen to you? She does not need history to repeat itself."

"Nor does Sapphire."

Both men stared at each other with heated glances, each willing the other to admit defeat, each refusing to back down.

"What do you propose?" Tristan asked tartly. Annoyed to have broken the tense silence.

"Did you not mention you would visit caves when you were younger? Are these the same?" Lord Rivers questioned as he tried to replay that day's conversation in his mind.

"Aye, the verra same."

Lord Rivers watched Tristan in triumph.

"Evidently, you know the caves better than anyone. I doubt they would keep Sapphire in the open. She has to be in one of the caves." Lord Rivers said reasonably. He had to get Tristan to agree and not do anything rash. He couldn't have Sapphire loosing someone else she loved, at the hands of the same person no less.

"And what if they do not have her in the caves?" Tristan questioned balefully, his posture rigid.

"Knowing Fredrick, he would not want her in plain sight. The caves would be his best option." Lord Rivers stated calmly.

"We're taking too many chances."

Tristan growled in frustration, his hands reaching up to pull his bronze locks.

"Chances which must be taken. You know those caves better than most. You will have a better chance of finding her. We will fight everyone else. I will make certain Fredrick and his lady friend do not escape, that I vow." Lord Rivers said solemnly as Tristan's eyes glisten with tears, a look of tortured despair upon his angelic features. It took everything in lord Rivers not to grab Tristan and let him cry. But Tristan was no longer a child, and try as he might, lord Rivers couldn't shield him from this wicked work in which they lived.

***

Pain. That was all she felt as her eyes slowly opened. Pain and a burning in her back. While it seemed her back had been set aflame, her arms felt as if they were about to fall off. Sapphire resisted the urge to scream, knowing completely why she was in pain.

Her eyes adjusted to the brightly lit room fairly quickly. How long had she been unconscious for? It could have been days or hours. But something told her it could not have been days. The woman would not have allowed it.

Sapphire glanced to her right to see her arms held up by chains. That explained why they felt ready to fall off, Sapphire thought dryly, wonderful.

Her back burned, she didn't know how long she could take the pain, already her head was dizzy. She had lost much too much blood.

Sapphire looked around what seemed to be a cave, her eyes landing on the figure who stood to the side, concealed by shadows. Sapphire didn't need light to know who the person was.

"I see you have finally awoken. Took you long enough. I was beginning to think I had to take matters into my own hands." Corriane said as she stepped away from the shadows, letting Sapphire see her perfectly.

Sapphire assessed the woman. In the clearing Sapphire hadn't seen the coldness to her eyes, nor the way her fair hair was styled. The woman was very vain. Her cold blue eyes seemed to be lined with kohl, while her skin was pulled gauntly over her high cheek bones. Her one arm was bandaged, a fact she tried to hide. Though it seemed she should have nothing, the gown she wore was of nobility. Just who was this woman?

Sapphire watched as the woman watched her, waiting for what was to come.

"I do not see what the fuss is about. You are not so beautiful as they say." Corraine said, her words laced with venom.

Sapphire opted to remain silent. After all, she did not think, nor had she claimed, of being beautiful. As long as Tristan found her attractive, she was happy.

"You think otherwise?" Corriane spat when Sapphire did not answer. The chit just stared at her as if she was better then her! She would show her! She had to make her suffer! By the time she was done with her, her bratty face would be unrecognizable. Would Tristan still want her then? Would her arrogance still exist?

Sapphire ignored her question, asking one of her own instead.

"Who are you?" Sapphire's voice came out slightly horse, no doubt from the amount of screaming she had done. But her face remained impassive, giving nothing away, despite the pain she felt.

"My, my, where are my manners. I am lady Corraine of Knight." Corraine said, her lips curled into a cruel smirk.

Sapphire felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her.

"You're Tristan's mother? But how? You had died. In the fire." Sapphire said some what desperately as she stared at the woman's, Corraine's, bandaged arm. This woman could not be Tristan's mother.

"Do not associate that wretched boy to me! I may have given birth to him, but he is no son of mine!" Corraine snarled as she took a dagger and made a shallow cut on Sapphire's forearm.

Anger burned in Sapphire's heart at the audacity of this woman! How dare she! Tristan was the most honorable, most loving man she had met. Because of the abhorrent woman in front of her, Tristan had no childhood. Loathing himself and thinking himself incapable of loving or being love. This woman should rot in the pits of hell! Never had Sapphire felt such hatred, such scorn or loathing for someone before. Her feelings were utter madness, to the point of murder. She would be destroying a piece of her own soul for killing the wretched woman, but she couldn't find it in herself to care.

No child should be subjected to hatred or abuse. He had done absolutely nothing to deserve it, and even if he had, he was only a child. He should not have been punished or beaten because he wanted his mothers love, nor should he have been treated as if his mere existence was a burden!

A mother is to love her child unconditionally, sacrificing her own life to save her child's. This woman did not deserve the tittle of mother, much less the virtue if motherhood.

"How dare you!" Sapphire seethed, not caring of the consequences.

"Tristan is a righteous man who puts others before himself. Never has he been unjust to his people, nor has he ever done anything worthy of your hatred. Everything you did to him was wrong and cruel. An enemy wouldn't do what you did to their enemy much less their own flesh and blood! You don't deserve to be-"

Sapphire was cut off by a sharp slap to her face. Sapphire held her face to the right as she spit the blood from her mouth. The woman seemed to have a knack for being abusive.

"Don't you dare speak to me in such a manner, you filthy bint." Corraine snarled as she grabbed Sapphire roughly by the chin, her nails digging into Sapphire's sensitive flesh.

Sapphire's eyes burned with hatred as she stared at Corraine.

"You're despicable." Sapphire spat as her face was finally freed.

"Careful, darling. I may have to cut your tongue out. Your troublesome uncle will not be able to save you from your well deserved fate."

"My uncle would have no need to do so. I will have you dead before he arrives." Sapphire said sardonically. She hated this woman. She didn't think she was capable of such murderous thoughts. But it seemed some people brought out the worst in her.

"You have a sharp tongue. I suppose Tristan could not find anyone else. He had to settle for a wench who does not know how to be a lady. Tis fitting for him." Corriane said cruelly as she took pleasure in the anger which coated Sapphire's features.

"Tristan deserves better. His kindness, humility and generosity can not be matched. He is the most selfless person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He does a deed for the goodness of it, not for the sake of name. He is proof that a person's circumstances, their past, does not make the person, but rather, you choose who you want to become, regardless of the hardships life gives you. A fact you have overlooked." Sapphire said with malice.

"You have no idea what you have just done, little girl." Corraine said quietly as anger ran rampant through her veins. This girl defied her in a way no one had in years. The only thing keeping her calm was her knowledge that vengeance would be hers.

Sapphire gasped as the cool metal of the dagger penetrated the skin of her forearm.

"I ought to finish you off now, but thought better of it. I must torture you before killing you. Tell me, would you think highly of your Tristan when he decides to kill his own mother? Not very noble of him."

Sapphire hissed through gritted teeth, the dagger resting peacefully in her arm.

"No matter what you do, he would never kill you. He would want to, and you should be punished for your deeds, but he will never kill you."

"You are highly mistaken, my dear." Corraine said knowingly. It was sickening to see how much faith she had in the git. He didn't deserve the faith which this girl gave him so freely.

"How did you manage to survive the fire." Sapphire questioned, Tristan had thought her dead.

"I used the body of my late husband to escape." Corriane responded nonchalantly.

Bile rose in Sapphire's throat.

A thought occurred to Corriane.

"Do you still love him when he comes to your bed after pleasuring the village whore?"

"My husband only comes to my bed. He is not unfaithful, nor will he ever be unfaithful, to me. It would do you well to remember that." Sapphire said through gritted teeth.