Chapter 38

Lord Rivers grimaced.

"My poor darling will have nightmares for days to come."

Alexander shrugged.

"Her ladyship should not have given me the runs." Alexander grumbled, adjusting the bundle, Lord only knew what it contained, on his shoulder.

"In my humble opinion, we should wait until the body cools." Tristan said as he eyed the bundle which was going to soil his floor in a few moments time.

"Why in the devils name would we do such a thing?" Alexander asked with exasperation.

"May we discuss this after you have placed your catch elsewhere? I shan't have my floor soiled." Tristan grumbled as the first drop of red liquid fell to the ground.

"Alright." Alexander signed as he went towards the kitchens, returning moments later empty handed.

"You need to bathe." Lord Rivers said as his lips curled in distaste. Alexander reeked.

"I ken." Alexander answered with a sloppy grin.

Lord Rivers pursed his lips but remained silent, stepping away from Alexander, not wanting the stench to fill his clothing.

"Maybe you should bathe first." Tristan suggested as he, as well, took a step back.

"I do not smell as bad as the two of ye are claiming." Alexander scoffed before he took a sniff of himself and grimaced.

"Or perhaps I do."

"You do." Lord Rivers nodded, one hand covering his nose and mouth.

"We should proceed with our plan, and then I will take a bath. No use taking it twice. After we are done, we all will need to bathe."

" I do not fancy getting my hands dirty." Lord Rivers said quickly.

"Nor do I." Tristan muttered.

"It matters not what we want or not, we simply have to do what is required of us." Alexander said, sounding intelligent for once.

"And this is required how......?" Lord Rivers let the question hang.

"Simply because her ladyship considers herself high and mighty-"

"Alexander." Tristan warned. To dislike the lady was one thing, to speak badly of her in the presence of others, especially her father, was another.

"Let him continue, Tristan. I would like to know his opinion." Lord Rivers said as he stared at Alexander, waiting for him to continue, his hands itching to strike.

Alexander had the grace to blush. He smiled sheepishly at lord Rivers, realizing his boundaries and mistakes.

"I apologize, my lord. That was not my place to say."

Lord Rivers merely shrugged, choosing to remain silent.

Alexander cleared his throat before continuing. He knew not if lord Rivers was now an ally or adversary. He should have kept his big mouth shut.

"It is required simply because I am unable to do it myself. Her ladyship assumes I know not who is the culprit to her herbs scheme, and I wish her illusion to stay in place." Alexander said, trying to sway them in his direction.

"Alright." Tristan said as he turned to leave.

"Where are you going? Are you not going to assist me?!" Alexander said hastily. He wouldn't be able to carry out his plan alone, he needed help.

"I am a man of my word." Tristan said as he turned to face Alexander.

"I need to make certain Sapphire is there with lady Mannings when your plan takes place, we wouldn't want anything happening to the babe." Tristan said, pausing slightly before continuing.

"After all, lord Rivers is to be a grand father." Tristan said with a slight smirk in the older lords direction. His eyes glowing with mischief. Lord Rivers despised being called old, a fact Tristan was well aware of.

Lord Rivers grunted, eyeing Tristan's bruised jaw.

"I may be twice your age, but I can beat you any day, lad." Lord Rivers retorted with a smirk of his own.

Tristan shrugged his shoulder.

"You seem verra happy, I would not want anything to dampen your spirits." Tristan said with faux innocence, a ghost of a smile playing on his sinful lips.

"I would be even happier if you would give me grand children." Lord Rivers grunted.

Tristan raised an amused brow.

"You say as if it's due to lack of trying." Tristan retorted. If Sapphire were to hear him, she would have turned a lovely shade of red.

He turned on his heels, leaving the great hall and lord Rivers booming laughter with it, eager to see his wife.

Sapphire rolled out of reach as the sword landed mere inches from where her face had been. Using her legs and arms, she lifted herself into a crouched position, grabbed the dagger which was always fasten to her ankle, and struck, before fluidly standing, sword in hand.

The dagger, which was blunted due to the occasion, lodged itself into Gerald's left thigh, all to close to his family jewels.

Gerald hissed in pain while Robert watched in awe. Apparently the dagger was not completely blunted.

"Very impressive, my lady. Ye are verra fast."

Sapphire smirked at Gerald as she wiped a thin layer of perspiration from her brow, she could feel her back covered in sweat under her tunic, the feeling was unpleasant but welcomed nonetheless.

"Never underestimate your opponent, sir." Sapphire said as she positioned herself to attack.

"Lesson learned." Gerald grunted as he pulled the dagger from his thigh.

"Next time, may you please aim elsewhere?" Gerald requested with a slight grimace.

Sapphire snorted. "I did aim elsewhere. Do you think I accidentally aimed where the dagger landed?" Sapphire asked cheekily.

Gerald looked horrified.

She turned towards Robert.

"Always attack your enemies where their weakness are. Once you have them weakened, can you attain the upper hand." Sapphire advised.

"Are you hurt?" Sapphire asked Gerald.

"Other than my pride? Nay, my lady. Tis just a scratch." Gerald assured in amusement.

"Shall we have another round?"

"I believe we should have target practice." Sapphire said as she walked towards the table which held her various daggers and weapons.

"Give me a few minutes to arrange the targets." Gerald said as he walked out the room.

"Are ye watching, Robert?" Sapphire asked before sitting down and taking a sip from her flask.

"Aye, my lady." Robert said. He had watched her ladyship the entire time. Her ladyship was very quick. She had bested Gerald time after time. Not to mention how many daggers she carried on her person, he would not want to anger her. Ever.

Gerald returned shortly with dummies for target practice, Sapphire turned towards Robert once more. Not only was she continuing her daily training, but she needed to make sure Robert learned as well.

"See who the enemy is, and then try to throw your weapon accordingly. If it is someone with great height, aim towards their legs, preferably their knees." Sapphire said as her dagger lodged itself in the puppets knee.

"If it is a woman, attack her midsection, if it is a man, try to attack more towards his nether region." Sapphire continued as her daggers hit their designated areas. Gerald and Robert cupping their family jewels with a wince as the dagger protruded from a certain anatomy of the dummy.

"Ye are good, my lady."

"Practice." Sapphire stated simply.

"The more you are to practice, the better you become. If you are able to run, then do so. Do not attack when fleeing is an option." Sapphire advised.

Robert scoffed.

"Why would we run if we can attack. Tis cowardly to flee."

"Is your life of more value or your pride?" Sapphire asked with a raise of her brow.

Men!

Robert paused, not certain how to respond.

Sapphire turned away from him, swinging her dagger before throwing it, the dagger lodging itself where the heart of the dummy ought to be.

Just as the door opened, Sapphire retrieved another dagger from around her waist, stopping her next attack.

"Here you are." Tristan said as he gently closed the door behind him, and taking in the scene in front of him.

His delectable little wife stood before him in her tunic and breeches, his body reacting instantly. He wanted her alone, and preferably without a stitch of clothing.

Gerald stood slightly towards her upper right, Robert behind her. He looked towards the dummy to see various daggers in different locations.

"Has your session come to an end?" Tristan questioned, his head titled to one side, his eyes a silver fire.

A shiver ran down Sapphires spine, her heartbeat slightly uneven. Why was his jaw bruised? she could see the discoloration through his beard.

"May I be of assistance, my lord husband?" Sapphire asked, her gaze locked on his. Gerald and Robert turned away, not wanting to intrude on his lord and ladyships personal moments.

" I do believe you would." Tristan answered as he beckoned her towards him with solely his gaze.

Sapphire walked towards him, dagger in hand.

"Gerald, use Robert for target practice."

Tristan said deadpan.

Gerald smirked.

Roberts eyes widened until Tristan was afraid they would fall out of their sockets.

"My pleasure." Gerald said at the same time Robert stuttered.

"M...my lord?" Robert questioned, his voice barely a squeak. He would be dead within the hour if Gerald had his way. And quite frankly, Robert wished to live.

Sapphire lightly slapped Tristan on his chest, humor lurking in his smoldering gaze.

"I was jesting." Tristan said with a smirk.

Robert visibly relaxed.

Gerald sighed.

"Another day perhaps." Gerald mumbled, smirking in Roberts direction.

Robert scowled, waiting for his lord and ladyship to leave before using a few choice words. Gerald chuckled at his ire, throwing a blunted dagger until it hit Roberts shoulder, making him yelp.

"Man up, lad." Gerald snickered before heading towards the kitchens.

"I was under the impression you needed assistance." Sapphire mumbled, her eyes closed in pleasure as Tristan nuzzled her neck.

"You are." Tristan smirked wickedly as he pressed his raging erection into her. Sapphire gasped, color staining her cheeks.

"Is that my worth?" Sapphire questioned teasingly as she removed a lock of hair which had fallen above his eye, her eyes shining with love.

"You are worth much more than my carnal desires, my lady wife." Tristan whispered before he lightly kissed her, nipping her bottom lip before pulling away, his arms around her waist, holding her against him while her hands rested on his chest.

"How did you get hurt?" Sapphire questioned as she ran her fingers over the bruise.

Tristan shrugged.

"Tis nothing, it will be healed within the week."

"I do not smell very pleasant." Sapphire said with a grimace as she tried to loosen his hold.

"You smell exquisite." Tristan said, bending to bite where shoulder met neck gently.

"Aye, and I was born this morn." Sarcasm lacing her words.

Tristan grinned, his eyes alight with amusement.

"That would be a grave problem." Tristan said, his hand moving along her spine.

"I wouldna be able to have my wicked way with you."

Sapphire blushed once more as she gazed into the eyes of her husband. He was so very handsome inside and out, she was very blessed.

Tristan kissed her cheek, smiling softly, lovingly as he too stared, lost in the beauty before him.

Lord Rivers walked passed Tristan's chambers, the door ajar, before retracing his footsteps. He watched with a smile on his face as Tristan held Sapphire, each lost in the other, not a care in the world. The lad was smitten and he had yet to discover it. He could not wait until the day Tristan had bairns of his own. Lord Rivers had many a tale to tell.

"Alexander wishes to put his plan into motion." Tristan whispered.

Sapphire smiled, waiting for him to continue.

"Have a bath and then may you please be in the company of lady Mannings. You must take her to her room, but be verra careful not to sit on her bed. She will be a sight to see." Tristan said with a smirk.

"But I doona want anything to happen to the bairn."

Sapphire nodded.

"Alright. Take Isabella to her chambers, do not sit on the bed, and be mindful of the bairn."

"Aye."

"If you let me go, I can tell someone to get my bath ready." Sapphire said as she motioned towards his arms.

"Your bath is ready, I had the servants prepare it." Tristan said, making no move to let her go.

"Tristan!"

Tristan cussed at the sound of Alexander's voice drawing near. What in the devils name did he want?

"I believe you are needed, my lord." Sapphire smirked at the scowl on her husbands face.

With a dejected sigh, Tristan let her go.

"I thought mayhap I could assist you while you bathed." Tristan pouted as Sapphire gathered her clothing.

"Perhaps if you come to bed early, my lord, you can assist me in my bath before bed." Sapphire said as she ran into her bathing chamber, locking the door behind her just as Alexander came in the room. Her face blazing red with her words. She didn't know what compelled her to say what she said, but knew the shocked looked on Tristan's face before she entered had been worth it.

"Why are ye standing with yer mouth open?" Alexander questioned.

Tristan stared at the closed door of the bathing chamber, his mouth slightly agape and an arousal so damn hard, he didn't believe it would go away until his wife's taunting promises were to be fulfilled.

"Come along, I believe we have a task at hand." Tristan said darkly, all too eager to return to his chambers and hold his wife to her words.

"Tristan, do ye think I offended lord Rivers." Alexander asked as they went to retrieve Alexanders prize.

"Nay, but you shouldna have said what you did regarding lady Mannings, tis rude, especially in front of her father. Lord Rivers likes a good jest, but he is still fond of both his daughters. He willna allow you to speak ill regarding them." Tristan said as he motioned for Alexander to lift the box.

"I understand."

"There you are, Sapphire. I have searched everywhere for you." Isabella exclaimed as she settled herself comfortably on the bed.

Sapphire continued to dry her hair as she spoke.

"I was training with Gerald and Robert, and then I had a bath." Sapphire said as she sat alongside Isabella, putting earrings in her ear.

Isabella wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"How you are so fond of swords and such, I will never understand."

"I doubt you will." Sapphire said in agreement.

"Shall we go to your chambers? I have yet to see the clothing you have made for the bairn." Sapphire said, she hoped the men hadn't done anything too gruesome.

"I almost forgot! Yes, I made a great deal. So many colors!" Isabella gushed.

Sapphire smiled at her friend, mirroring her joy. She was very happy for Isabella, although she felt bad for the babe. Isabella would be a demanding mother.

"Where is that boar of a guard of yours?" Isabella asked as they both walked towards her chambers.

"I know not. Perhaps it is his day to train today. Gerald has been with me for most of the day today." Sapphire said, trying to stifle her grin.

"I'm surprised that man is good for anything." Isabella muttered as she opened her chamber door.

"The room has a foul stench to it, does it not?"

Sapphire shrugged her shoulders, not answering for fear of giving herself away.

"I have not see you for the better part of the day." Tristan said to Xavier as they sat in front of the blazing hearth. Tristan sipped water while lord Rivers, Xavier, and Alexander drank ale.

"I was with Isabella." Xavier answered, a goofy grin on his face.

"Perhaps you can train with us." Lord Rivers said, ordering rather than offering.

"I would rather not, my lord." Xavier declined with a grimace. The last time he had a match with lord Rivers, suffice to say it was enough for many lifetimes.

Lord Rivers snickered at Xavier's expression, all to aware of the reason behind his unease.

The men chatted idly, Alexander a tad bit too excited for Isabella's scream. As soon as they had done the deed, he had quickly bathed, not able to stand his own stench. And now he was behaving as an impatient child.

"Xavier, if you happen to hear a scream, do not panic." Lord Rivers advised.

Xavier's eyes widened considerably.

"She's carrying my child!" Xavier exclaimed, most definitely panicking.

"Sapphire is with her, she will be fine. I do not wish for you to act as a barbarian when you hear her scream." Lord Rivers said in exasperation, turning his eyes heavenward.

Xavier grumbled incoherently, unable to leave with the men's glares fixed solely on him.

"I wonder when the snow will let down." Lord Rivers wondered. It had snowed all morning, finally stopping, but lord only knew for how long.

"The snow will make an excellent training ground." Tristan said from besides him. He tapped his knee, a sudden urge to go outside overwhelming him. Perhaps Asher was not well? He could not sit still.

"If you will excuse me, gentlemen." Tristan said as he quickly strode towards the door.

"Tristan, where are you heading off towards?" Lord Rivers called out, baffled with the boys sudden leave.

"Out." Tristan called before shutting the door. He jogged towards the stables, the snow not hindering his movements.

The sound of soft neighing reached his ears as he entered the stables.

"How are ye fairing, old friend?" Tristan asked as he fed Asher an apple he had gotten before leaving.

Asher ate the apple, motioning towards the stall door with his front legs.

"Ye wish to go for a ride, aye?" Tristan asked as he stroked Asher's mane.

Asher neighed in response. Tristan chuckled.

"I suppose we can, there's still an hours time until dark." Tristan said as he saddled Asher. Once that task was done, he lead Asher outside the stables before mounting him.

"Are ye ready? We have not traveled in the snow for about a weeks time." Tristan said, the cold wind blowing his hair, nipping his exposed skin.

Asher's response was to charge past the village, towards the forest.

Tristan laughed as the frigid wind ran through his locks, Asher galloping beneath him, the snow not hindering his speed.

Asher came to a slow trot, sniffing the snow.

"I highly doubt ye will find any grass." Tristan said with a snicker.

Asher stood on his hind legs in response, trying to buck Tristan off.

Tristan laughed freely, wholeheartedly at Asher's attempt, already accustomed to it.

"You need to think of a new trick, my friend. Tis getting old."

Asher neighed once more before lifting his front legs to stand on his hind legs, Tristan laughed harder, his grip loosening. Asher neighed again, content with his masters laughter, none being the wiser of the person crouched some distance away, nor of the arrow which shot out, intent on its target.

"Ashe-"

Tristan grunted in pain as an arrow lodged itself in his chest, beneath his heart. Asher let out a fierce cry as he backed them against a tree. He stood on his hind legs, blocking the attacker from reaching Tristan, while the tree shielded his masters back. The stallions eyes looking ahead, not able to move. His ears moved as he heard the sound of hurried footsteps, but he dared not move, already he could feel Tristan's body beginning to slump against him.

Tristan cussed low and harsh at the arrow stuck in his chest. He should have been more vigilant! He swayed slightly as he felt Asher move. He needed to remove the arrow, and possibly stop the blood. Counting to three in his head, Tristan closed his eyes as he pulled the arrow out, gritting his teeth in pain, a wave of dizziness washing over him when he opened his eyes, his chest burning with pain. He threw the arrow, not caring where it landed.

Tristan tried lifting his head to see the culprit, not aware of Asher leading him backward, until his head collided harshly against something, his vision swimming before everything went black.

"My Isabella is made of stronger stuff. She will not cower to you."

"Aye? We will see." Alexander said smugly.

Lord Rivers opened his mouth to retort just as a shrill scream echoed throughout the great hall.

"I beg to differ."

"I would think something met a horrible demise in my chambers." Isabella said as she covered her nose.

"It smells rather ... unpleasant." Sapphire managed to say, covering her own nose.

Isabella made a sound low in her throat before walking towards her bed and sitting down. Something felt odd. She lifted her hands to find them wet.

Tentatively, she lifted her hand to her nose, taking a small sniff. All the while Sapphire watched with an amused expression from her position on a chair, mentally counting until Isabella would scream.

Isabella became aware of her dress being wet as well. She stood up, lifting the thin black sheet aside and screamed.

"WHAT IN THE.....PAPA!PAPA!" Isabella shrieked.

"Izzy, calm down the babe." Sapphire soothed gently, walking towards the bed and glancing down. She visibly swallowed.

"CALM DOWN?! Isabella screeched.

"You're telling ME to calm down when I have blood and and and.."

"And animal intestines as well as the gut and what appears to be the bladder of the animal, all sprawled out on your bed." Sapphire finished for her.

"The... The... What!? PAPA!! Xavier!" Isabella wailed.

The door burst open as lord Rivers entered first, Xavier next and lastly Alexander who should receive an ovation for his performance. The man looked as if he had not a single idea as to what is occurring.

"Darling, what is the matter?" Lord Rivers asked, looking at Isabella's pale face then to the bed.

"Papa! My bed... It has...." Isabella trailed off as she ran towards her father, hugging him close.

"There, there, darling."

Alexander snickered. "Tis just a wee beast."

"You placed it in my chambers, you arrogant brute!" Isabella said angrily as she glared daggers at Alexander, her panic forgotten.

Alexander scoffed.

"I do not make a habit of harming people. Unless, of course, they are the ones to advance towards me, then I would retaliate. Did you do any such thing, my lady?"

Isabella stiffened, but raised her head.

"I do not have time for such childish behavior."

"Very well then."

"I will have someone clean it before you have to retire for the evening." Sapphire reassured.

Isabella nodded, still watching Alexander with narrowed eyes. She knew he was the one to put the hideous animal on her bed.

"What type of animal is..." Isabella trailed off, not wanting to recall the gruesome sight.

Alexander strode passed her towards the bed, bending down, he took a close look at the remains of the animal, his lips curled into a smirk.

"I see the gut, the leg, the wee hands, and I believe the flesh and blood of the beast as well. Och, the hair is present as well."

"Papa!" Isabella whined, tears threatening to come.

Lord Rivers smiled, bending down so only she could hear, he whispered.

"I told you darling, you have started a war."

Isabella pouted, hiding her face in her fathers chest.

"May we leave the room, please." Sapphire said as she held her breath, the dead animal's stench couldn't be ignored any longer.

Isabella stuck to Xavier as they headed down the stairs, Sapphire next to lord Rivers while Alexander brought up the rear.

"Where is Tristan?" Sapphire asked her uncle with a frown.

"He said he was going out, the lad was in a hurry." Lord Rivers answered as they walked into the great hall.

"Hmm." Sapphire mumbled, a niggling feeling making it difficult for her to concentrate.

"Something smells verra delicious." Alexander exclaimed as be rubbed his flat stomach. Sapphire too lost in thought to make a jab. She worried her bottom lip as her apprehension grew.

"Uncle John."

"He will be back soon, darling." Lord Rivers soothed. He could see the worry in her eyes, feel the tension which radiated of her body.

Sapphire nodded her head, her eyes filled with worry.

A loud bang had everyone's attention turn towards the door.

"What in the devils name." Gerald said as the door opened to reveal a furious Asher.

Asher ran into the castle, not stopping until he reached lord Rivers, neighing persistently, a body draped across it's back.

"Tristan." Sapphire whispered as the blood drained from her face.

Lord Rivers quickly moved forward, removing Tristan's form from the horses back.

"Have cloth and a bucket of warm water brought to his chambers." Lord Rivers ordered as he stared at Tristan's blood soaked tunic, his expression murderous.

Asher neighed again, hitting lord Rivers shoulder with his front leg, beckoning him towards him.

"He will be fine." Lord Rivers said to the stallion, misunderstanding what it was telling.

Asher neighed once more before claiming his teeth around the shoulder of lord Rivers tunic and pulling.

"You want me to come with you?"

Asher kept pulling.

"Gerald!" Lord Rivers barked.

"Take Tristan to his chambers."

Lord Rivers stood up, paying no mind to the blood coating his tunic. He lifted himself up until he was atop Asher.

Asher barely gave him a second to compose himself before galloping out the castle and towards the forest.

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I was reading some of the comments and one in particular stuck out. Now I know at times my updates do take long, and I honestly try to upload once a week. I can not do it earlier than that. I have responsibilities to take of which come before my love of writing. would you guys rather I upload a pg a day of 5-8 pg's weekly?

I am very thankful for those of you who read and comment, and I'm addressing this as a whole because other people might have the same issue. my readers, my fans are the ones who have brought my story to where it is. thank you all for what you have done, but if you feel as if you can not read the story because I can not upload more than once a week, then I apologize, I won't be able to do it any quicker. I write with me heart, I don't intend to force my hand.

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