0 comments/ 6889 views/ 1 favorites Tattered Spirits Ch. 01 By: cawastedyouth This is the beginning of a sequel to 'Because of the Night'. I hope you enjoy. -cawastedyouth ==== ===== ==== ===== ==== First there was darkness, now there was the final indignity of falling into the mud. Jean heard the ride she had been encased in dash away, with hardly a thought as to the passenger who had been just thrown from its safety. -But all things are relative.- she reminded herself. She opened her eyes, focusing on the blurry lights before her. "My Lord!" someone was calling another. Inwardly, Jean groaned, she had no desire for the entire world she knew of to know how far she had fallen. Gravel from the driveway skidded and she heard the boots stop short of her. But what surprised her was the soft silk that knelt beside her and lifted her head. "Sir Glen, it is Jean." The gentle, startled, sobs could not have been anyone else than Laurie. Gravel shifted once again and she was lifted into strong protective arms. She heard the growling whisper in the chest of the man who had picked her up. "Jean, if you had wanted to visit us, you had but to ask, not come to us like a beggar." Sir Glen tried to make light of the situation. This close to Sir Glen, she did not have to see that he too was worried as Laurie. A soothing bath in the companion's hall was drawn and Laurie attended her friend. No questions were asked though Laurie wanted all the answers immediately. Tenderly, Laurie bathed every cut and bruise, biting back tears and anger on her friend's behalf. When the bath water had grown nearly cold, Laurie helped Jean out and wrapped her warmly in a robe. Alone in the companion hall, she turned the covers on a bed and helped Jean slip between the covers. Laurie was about to turn and blow the candle out when Jean's hand caught her silk gown tugging ever so gently. "Please don't leave me tonight." Laurie pressed her lips to Jean's forehead, blowing out the candle and slipping next to her friend. Laurie hugged Jean as tightly as she dared allowing Jean to cry silently upon her shoulder. Sir Glen entered the companion hall after seeing to some of his guests. He found them entwined in sleep. He sighed softly, mildly upset that he would not have his Laurie with him tonight, but he could hardly take Laurie from Jean. They had been inseparable as young companions. While Sir Glen had only heard fragments of stories from Laurie and others who had known both Jean and Laurie, he could only imagine the stir they might have caused. Jean was as beautiful as Laurie, although it might have been hard to discern beneath the flaming purple bruises that distorted her delicate face. Her long dark hair rivaled Laurie's blonde. Both were visions of beauty, long cherished by all who had seen them together. And now tonight, Sir Glen did finally understand the fragmented stories of their fabled combined beauty. But fables were not what found Jean here in the safety of Sir Glen's manor. He had seen Jean's pale neck, where her chain of binding had been yanked in anger from her throat, leaving a raw mark. -And a larger wound in her heart no doubt. - he sighed leaning on his cane. Sir Glen stood watching them sleep for only a moment longer then turned to leave as silently as he had entered. Outside the door waited Sir Marcus. "How does Jean fair?" "She and Laurie are sleeping, we shall know more tomorrow." Sir Marcus nodded. "She belongs," Sir Marcus paused, "Belonged to Sir Dylan." The correction was tinged with sadness. Sir Dylan had been a well-liked member of most social circles. A truly amorous man, never settling down long enough for one companion to truly desire to belong to him and him alone. He was missed by many. Sir Glen arched an eyebrow. "Sir Dylan stepped down months ago." Sir Marcus looked at Sir Glen, wondering how the all-knowing Sir Glen had not kept up on the changes in their community. "Yes, he did. Only to be overtaken by Sir Colin as Lord Xavier had arranged." Meanwhile, Sir Colin was not really paying close attention to the quaking servant as the lunch tray was placed on the table next to him. He was reading over some paperwork that bored him. A dark character slithered into the shadows. "I rid the manor of the girl as you asked Master." He sounded pleased, hopeful that a reward would come his way; perhaps one of the quaking knaves known as Sir Colin's companions would be his for the night. Sir Colin looked up from the paper into the shadow by the fireplace. "Good. Maybe she'll learn her place after a few days in the outside." "Outside Master?" If the figure in the shadow might have paled it was difficult to detect. He certainly knew he had not just left the girl in question 'outside'. "Yes on the outside. What did you think? I do want her back. She's too pretty to leave alone." Sir Colin shook his head and reached for a cup of tea, mindless of the worry that had just crept into the room. -I should really do something about that one's denseness.- he reminded himself. "Where'd you leave her? Outside the gate?" Sir Colin asked leisurely dreaming of being a hero and rescuing her from the horrors that was the outside. After all, as cowardly as Jean was, she was a pleasure to look at. "Master, I left her as you requested, I had her tossed out as we rode." He sounded more nervous that usual. "How far did you ride?" He asked looking over the top of his paper. "We rode nearly twenty miles." The shadow's voice got weak. Sir Colin's tea sputtered from his lips. The china cup went crashing into the fireplace, the prepared tray slid from the place next to him sending the servant to the far end of the room as he went to the shadow and hoisted the shadow off the ground. "What direction did you come from?" the fistful of slime was shaken and bounced against the wall. Startled at the ire that burned deep in Sir Colin's eyes, the answer slipped forth in a nervous stammer. "North." "Did you cross into Sir Glen's Manor?" The shadow servant was once again slammed against the wall. "I crossed into a manor, but I did not know if it was a Sir Glen's." While truthful, he had a small inkling what direction this conversation was heading. "You fool. It has to be Sir Glen's. His manor is the only one north of here." -Now I have to get back my girl from Sir Glen.- He dropped the shadow servant on the floor in a heap. "You'll pay when I get her back." He turned to the servant that had brought the elegant tray now shattered across the front of the fireplace. "Get me my cloak and cane. I have to visit Sir Glen." Tattered Spirits Ch. 02 Breakfast was a quiet affair between Jean, Laurie and Sir Glen. "Thank you Sir Glen for last night. You were kind to let Laurie stay with me." Jean's voice was soft and timid. Laurie reached over and squeezed her hand. "Think nothing of it Jean. It is our pleasure as long as you stay here with us." "Where is your Master?" a roar bounced in the empty entry hall. Jean winced knowing the voice belonged to Sir Colin. "Laurie, Jean return to the companion hall. I'll see to our guest." Sir Glen put up his napkin and headed directly to the entry hall finding one of his servants choking under one of Sir Colin's leather gloves. "Put my servant down Sir Colin, I dispense the discipline around here." Sir Glen closed the doors behind him, forcing Jean and Laurie to take the darkened passages back to the companion's hall. "Where is my girl? I know you have her here." The servant fell to the floor gasping shooting daggers at Sir Colin, only tempered by Sir Glen's presence. "She was dumped on my driveway last night Sir Colin, I was going to bring her by your place tonight in much better spirits than when she arrived." "Is that how you justified taking the boy?" he sneered following Sir Glen into the study. "We don't need to talk about any boy, the companion in question is female." He reached for a ledger and consulted it briefly, waiving the servants that were in the room to leave them alone. "Well, if you mean to return her, bring her here." Sir Colin leaned on Sir Glen's desk. "In what state did she leave your manor Sir Colin?" Sir Glen gave him a meaningful look and Sir Colin's hands were instantly removed from the fine gloss of the maple desktop. "State? She is as fine as any companion under my hand. Now just return her so I might leave." Sir Colin crossed his arms, tapping his elbow nervously. "I believe her name is Jean, and she had been released from her binding. Her pendant is gone. I can only assume she was cast off." Sir Glen played the 'dumb' card to see how far it would get him. "She has not been cast off. She is cowardly, not worthy of a binding, but she is still mine to command." Sir Colin was indignant and then a nearly forgotten memory returned to him. "Besides, you said you were never interested in what was mine anymore." Sir Glen sighed and spoke. "She belongs to no one Sir Colin, no mark of binding, no sign of ownership. I will gladly give her over to you if you can prove she is yours." "She came when I took over for Sir Dylan. I will have the papers." He hoped silently. "Fine, then Jean and I will return to your Manor tonight and I'll examine the papers there." The only consolation to Sir Colin's sudden arrival was that he left in the same hurricane that he had ridden in on. Sir Glen watched him leave from the top steps when Sir Marcus came around from a stroll in the gardens. "You were right Marcus." Sir Glen leaned on his cane. "I wish to the devil I weren't." He followed Sir Glen back inside to the sanctuary of his study. "You seem to know a lot about Jean. Please, tell me." Sir Glen poured two glasses of wine and offered one to Sir Marcus. Sir Marcus was a little haunted as he began his story. "I could not ignore the invitation from Lord Xavier, so I attended the dungeon night at Sir Colin's new manor. It was there I found Jean." Bound, gagged, and suspended from three eyehooks in the ceiling, Jean had taken all she could muster. The sign of her defeat had long since fluttered to the floor, but had gone ignored by Sir Colin as he continued to let his lash fall against her. Sir Marcus stopped at the open doorway and stared at Sir Colin. He bent down and picked up the red scarf that had blown around his ankles and entered the room his eyebrow arched. "Ah Sir Marcus, so nice of you to join us. Would you care for a round with Jean?" He held the whip out inviting Sir Marcus to join him. "I believe Jean has had enough." With a little sneer, Sir Colin spoke. "Hardly, the girl gives in too soon." Sir Colin scoffed. "I grow weary of her begging off so easily. Sir Dylan should have trained his better." "She belongs to you now Sir Colin. She trusts you to back off in your due time Sir Colin, I believe this is enough to warrant stopping." Sir Marcus stepped forward waving the scarf. "Well, I've tired of her tonight. I shall find another that will be more enjoyable. This incorrigible girl shrinks from everything. Do with her what you will. If she doesn't obey you, I'll remind her who she serves." Sir Colin left in search of his black soul allowing Sir Marcus a moment to sigh before he cut Jean down. He cradled her on the floor in his arms as she slowly recovered. "Are you all right?" he asked softly removing her gag. "Thank you." She sputtered; her throat dry, dry tears in her eyes would not even form. "I hardly think that Sir Colin would have returned to his habits so quickly. I gave the girl what comfort I could as a guest and then I left." Sir Marcus took a sip of wine. "We all do what we can Marcus, it's the least we can try." Sir Glen's words were not an absolution, but provided the truth. But neither Marcus nor Glen were guilty of the crimes that Colin imposed on his companions. Glen laughed shortly. "Well she's here now, I'm quite sure Sir Colin will be interested in her return." "Glen, you're going to return her to him?" Marcus drew himself up ready to put his foot down and take responsibility for Jean if necessary. "Marcus, you should know me better than that by now. She's important to Laurie, and I think Jean will need her." The tone was teasing. "I'm sorry Glen." Marcus sat back down across from Sir Glen looking wistfully into the fire that crackled. "No worries old man. Jean will be cared for here." A hand clapped Sir Marcus on the shoulder, breaking the worries that had crept into his mind. "I have no doubt of that Sir Glen." There was a pause as the newest worry came to the forefront of his thoughts. "What are you going to do with Sir Colin? He still has final say about her. We just barely convinced him to give up Taylor for Leif. He's not likely to give up another one so soon, and to either of us." "I know." Sir Glen was somber. "I've not thought this that far through yet." Sir Glen ran a hand through his hair. Tattered Spirits Ch. 03 Laurie and Jean walked together through the orchards, hand in hand. "The manor is as lovely as you described it Laurie." Jean said scanning back to the house. There was peace here, and everything seemed to flood with light and life. She noted the oddity of the three candles out here in the orchard, but Laurie had barely noticed their existence. Laurie smiled. "Thank you." -I wish you could have come here on your own to see it under better circumstances. - She also took note to remind herself to return to the orchard later in the evening to retrieve the three candles that had been lit ages ago to begin Sir Leif and Taylor's journey. More quiet time passed, as the shadows grew longer. "I'm surprised Laurie, I'm sure you're teeming with questions I would have thought you'd have asked dozens by now." Jean teased. Laurie looked at her dearest friend. "I thought it best you bring it up Jean. I know you're not unreasonably willful." Jean laughed and sank into a bench next to a fountain. "Willful? Hardly these days." She sighed. "You do not have to go back if you do not want to." Laurie sat next to her. Jean shuddered. "Sir Colin will have the necessary proof. There will be little your Sir Glen can do Laurie. But I thank you for your concern. I've not pleased Sir Colin. I will..."she trailed off sadly for a moment. "I still endeavor to serve him better." "Jean, it will be impossible to please Sir Colin. You would not the only member of Sir Colin's Manor to find a safe haven here with Sir Glen and I." Laurie rested her head on Jean's shoulder. Jean only cleared her throat unable to speak. Her minutes of freedom were waning here with Laurie. She only wanted to sit and savor the moment here. The driveway to Sir Colin's Manor was lined with torches as Sir Colin and Jean stepped onto the paving that would lead them to the main entry. Not one of the windows that looked on the driveway showed any signs of being occupied, though the hour was hardly late by any standards. "I've been waiting for your return." Sir Colin greeted them; a servant hovered in the shadows nervously behind him. A scroll was hastily shoved towards Sir Glen. "I trust this should meet with your approval. And I would like my girl back. We have unfinished business." Sir Glen opened the scroll and studied it briefly knowing that there would be nothing he could actually fault with this document nearly instantly. "Well, thank you Sir Colin for your patience. I do hope that I will see Jean again. She and my Laurie began together as companions, I'm sure they'll enjoy seeing each other more often now that they know where they are." A forced smile crawled upon Sir Colin's lips. "Of course, but only after I see to Jean's needs." Sir Glen folded his arms behind his back as he nodded and Jean joined the servant in the shadows. But when it became apparent that Sir Glen wasn't just going to leave, Sir Colin shuddered and dared himself ask one final question. "Is there something I might be able to do for the great Sir Glen?" "Send your servant and Jean away Sir Colin. I have a business offer for you." Sir Glen cleared his throat to mask his nervousness. Colin waved his servant and Jean away wondering what cards Sir Glen held. "I never thought you'd come to me? Perhaps it is time that Laurie of yours learn some discipline?" Colin rubbed both hands together expectantly. Sir Glen swallowed hard trying not to think of Laurie in the hands of the man in front of him and spoke quietly. "I know you better than you think Sir Colin. Jean will now be a burden to you as I know of her and she has someone who will champion on her behalf. Name your price, and you'll be rid of her." Sir Colin raised an eyebrow at the proposition at hand. He hadn't expected Sir Glen to come crawling to him without a complete offer. "Why Sir Glen, I had never thought of such an offer before. I'll need some time." "You know where to find me. I expect an answer by tomorrow." Sir Glen turned away to leave. When it was clear that Sir Glen had gone, Sir Colin entered his study, finding Jean and his servant waiting for him. "Put her in the dungeons for the time being." Sir Colin waved them away. He didn't want any distraction while he contemplated the highest price he could take from Sir Glen. Much to Jean's relief, the dungeons this night were entirely empty. Most of Sir Colin's companions were either recovering from last night in a private wing, or out doing his bidding. Of his original manor, only three or four of Sir Colin's companions has been returned. Combined with the six companions Sir Dylan left, Sir Colin had to make do with less than he had been accustomed to. Jean found a quiet corner to look out the single window at the stars that night. She found herself drifting to the dreams she used to keep herself sane since Sir Colin had arrived. She closed her eyes, hearing the only voice that reasoned away her worries and helped her survive. She remembered his cool hands and the way they cupped her face as he drank her kisses. Jean longed for a comforting word that would put this entire nightmare away. But she knew he could not come no matter how much she wished for it. But her memories would suffice this night. It was ages ago when she first came to Sir Dylan. It was her second week when he finally noticed his new charge and requested her presence alone in his chambers. Until that time, Jean had only seen the doors and heard the throes of pleasure that emanated from behind at all hours of the day. But she found herself inside the lavishly decorated room. Nearly every surface was either velvet or leather. Not even the hand carved tables in the room escaped the personal touch of Sir Dylan's decorating style. She stood near the fireplace, staring in unaware she had taken the hem of her gown in hand and was nervously twisting it in anticipation of Sir Dylan's arrival. Sir Dylan entered his private rooms alone, mildly startled to see Jean waiting for him there. Some postponed discipline had distracted him, had he remembered Jean would not be in his rooms now, wondering why she had been summoned. She dropped the hem of her gown wishing she knew something to say or to do at that very instant. Sir Dylan turned and closed the doors behind him and closed the distance between himself and Jean. He sat in a favorite chair and then glanced Jean over. The light cast from the fire cast an ethereal effect. Her skin was creamy and pale. Sir Dylan wanted to feel her: to make sure that she was real. He then noticed her sleep deprived eyes. "Not sleeping well here my sweet?" he asked putting aside a pair of gloves he had worn while previously occupied. Jean shook her head sadly, not trusting her voice to come forward. He smiled kindly upon his new charge and patted his lap. She hesitated, never having been this close to a companion previously. He noted it briefly and looked to her waiting for her to comply. And after a moment she did so, sitting as far away as she could. "I won't hurt you my sweet." He felt relieved knowing that she was real. "No companion worth mentioning will hurt you in my home without good reason." He took a moment to study the dark shadows under her eyes. "Tell me, you miss someone don't you?" His voice was soft beckoning her to answer him. He pulled her closer to him. She could smell the leather of his cloak that lingered even though she knew it was hanging in the armoire on the other side of the room. She shivered in his embrace. "I apologize my sweet for not being available the day you came in. I've heard you crying in the hallways. I know you must feel lonely here now, but I'm here for you sweet. In time, you'll not feel so lonely." He stroked her hair though she shook in his arms. Jean hung her head; a lock of dark hair fell like a veil blocking her view of his graying beard and welcoming smile. "I am sorry to disturb you with my crying Sir Dylan, I won't do it anymore." Sir Dylan let out a small sigh. "No my sweet, I did not say that. I know you're unhappy here, but in time it will change. But tonight my sweet, I shall aim to know you better. Have you been taught to serve?" Jean nodded. "Very good my sweet. There is a bar next to the bed. I want bourbon. You'll find all you need there." She nodded again. "My sweet, you shall address me as 'Sir Dylan'. All manor owners are either 'Sir' or 'Lady'." Jean struggled and found her voice, "Yes, Sir Dylan." If he noticed the tremble in her voice, he said nothing as he let her go watching her cross the room, her gown falling, covering, much to his regret, her toned legs. Tentatively, she selected a glass for his drink. She could feel his stare penetrating her as she considered all the glasses in the lower cabinet that lined the doors. Inside, there were five unlabeled bottles. Sir Dylan sat in his chair watching her, wishing beyond all hope that she would know the difference between all the selections that lay before her. It was then, Jean noticed something at the foot of one of the glasses, a small nick. She found that odd, she had never imagined a manor would have anything less than perfect crystal ware. She paused for a moment then selected the imperfect glass from the rows of glasses and placed it on top of the cabinet. A white cloth was folded on top of the cabinet and she used this to carefully polish the glass. She then returned the second task of selecting the appropriate bottle from below. The five bottles were nearly identical, smoky glass disguised its contents and each was topped with an indistinguishable cork jammed in the narrow mouth of each. Nervously, Jean ran her tongue along the back of her teeth. Swallowing hard and closing her eyes, Jean reached out a hand and picked up one of the bottles and pulled it from its place standing side by side with it's brothers. To her relief as she poured the contents, it looked as if it might be bourbon as it splashed into the bottom of the glass. She filled it the glass half way and then replaced the cork, returning the bottle to where it had been, three over from the left. She placed the filled glass on a waiting silver tray and then returned with the tray next to Sir Dylan. She bent down next to him, lowering the tray so that he could reach over and pluck the waiting glass from the tray. She didn't realize as she did so, she provided Sir Dylan with a nice view of her cleavage. He smiled and took the glass. "Thank you my sweet." He examined the glass briefly with his finger, feeling the small nick. He smiled and then inhaled the scent of the liquid that pooled elegantly in the cool crystal. He drank without hesitation, and the put the glass to the side on a small end table. "Put the tray down on the floor my sweet." He patted his lap again. She came into his lap, with less hesitation this time. "Tell me how you chose my sweet." He watched her face flush with embarrassment and then she began to tell him. "And what did the nick at the bottom of the glass tell you?" he prompted. "I had hoped it was one you used often Sir Dylan." Her voice warbled in a whisper. His chuckle rumbled in his chest before exploding as he threw his head back. He reached up and stroked her cheek reassuringly. "My sweet, I drink only bourbon here in my room, the only choice you had to make was the among the crystal. And you did marvelously." When she turned her head away, he clucked. "No my sweet, turn, let me see your smile." He matched hers with his own. "I think you'll begin to like it here very soon my sweet." He ran his hand through her hair. "Get up!" the harsh shadowed voice jolted Jean back to reality. The morning light nearly blinded her as she looked to the door. "Sir Colin wants to see you now." Tattered Spirits Ch. 04 "So you see Sir Colin, I have need for a new companion. I heard that Sir Glen made an unspecified offer for Jean. He just doesn't ask for anyone. So I think I might have a better offer for you." Jean entered in a room where Sir Colin sat across from a very lovely woman wrapped in a black leather cloak. "Here she is." Sir Colin waved his hand for her to join them. "Come sit here at my feet." She commanded. Jean came over and did as she was bid. A delicate finger tipped her chin up. "I think you'll find this offer to your liking." A scribble was on a pad of paper she had inside her cloak. It slid across the short table separating Sir Colin and his guest. Sir Colin unfolded the offer and turned a little pale. "I see you find it a fair trade?" she asked. "Indeed." He rummaged around in the pile of scrolls next to him. "You'll find that you'll not get far with her." He was hoping to sway the woman, but he located Jean's papers. "I'm sure I'll get as far as I need to with her." A hand gently caressed her hair. Jean shuddered and Sir Colin gave the woman a look that said 'I told you so.' "I believe she is missing something Sir Colin. Her name bracelet." She accepted the papers Sir Colin produced and examined them briefly. "It was lost last time I had her, before she ran off." He stammered watching the manicured hand tap the scroll. "Very well then Sir Colin, thank you. Come along Jean." Jean looked back for a second, and then followed the woman who had stepped out. She waited in the entry hall for her. Jean scurried after her, unsure of what was going to be said. As they pulled away, the lady who had arranged for Jean's escape of sorts leaned back and sighed. "Are you all right Jean?" she asked. "Yes ma'am." She lifted her head and stared directly at Jean. She drank in the physical damage that had yet to subside and cataloged them remorsefully. "You don't remember me do you?" Jean looked up at her and shook her head. "I'm sorry I do not." "I am Lady Daire, I was Sir Dylan's second." Jean paused looking up at her for a moment as if to recall a distant memory. "He's not going to recover is he?" she swallowed hard. "I'm afraid not Jean." Lady Daire stroked her cheek. "We're going to see him, then I'll take you back to Sir Glen and Laurie, unless you'd rather stay with me." "I just want to see him." The sob caught in her throat. She couldn't make out the greenery outside as they passed by. "Of course Jean." Lady Daire sat back and poured a glass of water. She handed it to Jean who accepted it. "Thank you for coming to get me Lady Daire." "It is my pleasure Jean. I only wish it was under better circumstances." Jean nodded her response. The quiet cottage they pulled up to was quite distanced from the Manor that Sir Dylan had once lived in. Jean waited until Lady Daire walked up to the door, and then followed her; unsure of how ready she was to see what was inside. But before Lady Daire allowed her to enter Sir Dylan's room, she stopped the companion. "I can't let you in without this." She pulled from her cloak a thin necklace with a blank pendant. "I know it is not yours, he might even be able to tell, but I know he'd feel better with this." She placed it around Jean's neck. "Go ahead Jean. I'll be waiting out front for you. Inside, Sir Dylan was sleeping, his bed, basked in sunlight. The blankets were piled on him, but he had pushed many away in his sleep. They formed a valley around him on either side, as if to fill the void that had once been a companion on either side of him. Jean rushed to his side, slipping next to him replacing one mound, wanting to wake him but still not daring. She had been so relieved to see he was still alive and breathing. Sitting there next to him, she watched him sleep, as if nothing had parted them at all. She finally screwed up courage and kissed his forehead. Sir Dylan's eyes blinked open. "Jean, My sweet?" he grabbed her wrist and held on to her. For a moment she held her breath. "I'm right here Sir Dylan." She whispered, her voice filled with tears as she exhaled. "I've missed you more than I can ever say." She hugged him tightly. "You're here now with me. You're safe my sweet. Sir Glen and his Laurie told me everything. I'm sorry I did not take you sooner." His lips found hers and drank softly. "I don't want to leave you ever again Sir Dylan." She sobbed to his shoulder as he pulled her closer. Sir Glen walked in from the kitchen with a cup of tea and stood next to Lady Daire who looked down the hall. "Oh but to be a fly on that wall?" he took a sip of tea asking Lady Daire if she would care for a cup with a bit of a smile. "It is a wonder I could have never tamed you Sir Glen." She shook her head with a small smile and then sat on a bench in the front room, Sir Glen sitting beside her. "I'm sorry I could have made matters worse for you. I did not know that Sir Dylan even had a second." "No, you've made matters worse for yourself and Laurie. Good God, you could have destroyed everything you have, what were you thinking?" She paused only long enough in her tirade to take a breath. "You weren't thinking and don't give me those puppy eyes. I won't fall prey to them anymore, I'm much too mature to believe them when they pool with tears from you." Though seething mad with her closest friend, she held her voice low. "I know Sir Colin is a veteran monster, but you don't have to give him anything more than he deserves. It's just like a man to leave a woman to clean up his mess." She groaned and then got up and crossed the room, her leather cloak drifting after her. "And now that it is common knowledge that you were Sir Dylan's second, what is to become of his manor? Lord Xavier couldn't have known." "And he won't. Sir Colin likes where he is. And I for one like how close he is to you. Just don't do anything else that will jeopardize yourself." "As the lady wishes." Sir Glen took another sip. Lady Daire suddenly wasn't quite done with her berating of Sir Glen. "I suppose it's common knowledge who you have chosen as your second Sir Glen? Perhaps Sir Colin himself?" "You were the one to give him his cloak, I'm surprised that you didn't know it the second you did so." Sir Glen put down his teacup and leaned forward on his cane. "It hardly matters really." She sighed. "And you my lady?" he asked. Lady Daire shook her head and looked back down the corridor. "I believe I have to ask another. My second lies in a permanent sick bed, too prideful to ask his beloved companion to bind to him." "Not everything needs to be official. It matters little to Sir Dylan now. He has Jean, that's what really matters." He reassured Lady Daire taking her aging hand in his. "Don't make me regret never taming you Glen. You were always such a pretty boy." She laughed softly. "And you had those pretty words that charmed a companion right out of her mind." "I still have them if you want them Lady Daire." He paused. "I even now have harsh words, should they be necessary." He smiled to her. "Thank you Glen." She kissed his cheek and squeezed his hand. "Now step back before your Laurie thinks we've been flirting." She said brusquely. With a smirk, he bowed his head. "As the lady wishes." For his trouble he received a small knock on the head from Lady Daire's ivory handled cane. When Laurie entered to retrieve Sir Glen's teacup, Lady Daire was on her way out. "I'd keep a closer eye on your companion Laurie. He seems in need of reminding that he's the one in charge." She winked and then left, tears brimming in her eyes. Tattered Spirits Ch. 05 Lady Daire walked into her personal room and threw back the curtains that covered the length of windows. She had hoped for a circular room, she settled for an octagonal room with a circular bed. The night-light spilled into her room, dusking it in the clear blue evening light. The room was the softest in the entire house. Velvet and carpet broke up the wooden floors. Even the posts on the bed were padded. Lady Daire had other rooms for leather, racks, and chains. This room was about sensuality. "My lady, do you wish company tonight?" the quiet voice belonged to her head of household affairs. A capable companion and servant, the man enjoyed his place in her life, seeking only to make sure she was given what she wanted and knowing what she wanted even when she had yet to request it. "No Boyd, not tonight." He stood by watching from the bedside as Lady Daire sunk into her lounge. Quietly he crept up, and removed her boots, massaging her feet. "When did I get so old, that I became a mark of all that was good Boyd?" "My lady, you are as young as you ever were. The men in Sir Glen's Order draw straws to be your companion. There is no higher compliment than that." He kissed her foot. "Not tonight Boyd. Tonight I am as old as death herself." "Allow me Lady Daire to let you forget how old you are and show you how young you truly are." He pleaded quietly seeing how distressed his Lady was. Lady Daire reached over and looped a finger into a ring on Boyd's thick leather collar dragging him against the rug on his knees and against the velvet of the lounge and drew him up against her staring into his eyes. Her tightly corseted breasts pressed against his chest. He trembled expectantly feeling her breathe. "I am all that I can be here. I am true here in my own room, and yet you still think of me as a Companion, how is that Boyd?" Being in the limited light of the room, Boyd shaved head caught the moon's reflection, his naked form pressed against her willingly. He swallowed hard and then drew a smile across his face. "You are still a woman my lady, first and foremost. Here, you just take the opportunity to loosen those beautiful locks of hair." He looked expectantly to her braided hair hoping that he might undo each wound braid, allowing each soft silken lock to tumble against his hand. Lady Daire smiled seeing his desire in his face. "You may stay with me tonight Boyd." She released the ring she had ensnared in a finger, falling back to the lounge. "Thank you my lady." Boyd almost reached for her hair when he noticed how damp her handkerchief was. "Do you wish for anything else? A glass of wine perhaps? A paddle? A female companion?" he asked softly taking the sodden cloth from her hands and folding it to be placed in the laundry the following morning. "No, tonight Boyd, I just need you." A listless hand rose up, the fingers tracing the side of his head and then a solitary finger found its way to the base of his spine. "As your lady wishes." Not all was nearly as serene across the acres of land that separated Lady Daire and Sir Colin. In fact, Sir Colin was taking a tongue lashing at the same moment that Lady Daire and Boyd began to share unmatched pleasures. His parlor contained his closest confidants, the shadowed figure and Lady Marie. He hadn't lit any of the sconces along the walls, though the sun had long since set. The fewer people that were given information about this meeting, the better. The deep shadows surrounded the fireplace where Lady Marie stood facing Sir Colin, her arms folded. "How could you be so stupid Colin?" she was foaming at him. -Hard to believe she and Lady Daire were once peers.- he mused praying that he would keep his scalp this night. The years had been kinder to Lady Marie. But then again, Lady Marie had her own secrets. He allowed her words to bounce off of him. He was no longer the dependant companion she had tamed and brought forth. "I bent over backwards to bring you to companion status, and then you get caught mistreating your own. Then I go and woo Lord Xavier to return you from exile and this is how you repay my kindness? I should have left you at the bottom of my dungeon." She gazed into the fire as a spark jumped through the protective grating, only to die on the cold stone floor between them. Sir Colin gathered Lady Marie in his arms. "Ah, but my precious lady, had you not done any of that, I could not have you like this." He placed a small kiss on her neck, feeling her vein pulse beneath his lips. Lady Marie pushed him away. "That's not going to get you very far tonight Sir Colin. You've lost yet another prime companion. Do you not see their value? Her beauty alone was enough to use foil for garnering more power from Lord Xavier. You could be the next Lord if you spent more time preparing yourself than worrying about the mighty Sir Glen and his small entourage. We will control all the companions in due time, but not if you continue to be so careless with them." She drew a manicured nail down his cheek. "Do not make this mistake again Sir Colin or you might find yourself at my mercy." "I'll keep Sir Glen in check." Promised the shadow servant. "He hardly looks in your direction, what makes you think that he'll give you a moment of his time?" Lady Marie swirled around, her leather cloak smacking Sir Colin across the shins. Sir Colin ground his teeth in mild pain remembering he had been the companion that sewed the small bars of iron into the bottom of this particular cloak. "I control his order." Came the simple reply. "Sir Glen lost control of the order years ago, actually about the time he began to train Mr. Leif. I have enough eyes in the manor to know what to do." "And if the order rebels against Sir Glen, it is quite likely he will loose his position." Sir Colin sat back down in his chair away from Lady Marie, taking the opportunity to pour himself another glass of wine. He was a tad smug. While his servant was very good at planning, he wondered where the man's mind was two nights ago when he all but handed Jean to Sir Glen. "And," The shadowed servant began to pace. "His precious Laurie would be placed with a worthy companion. One that could keep the order." Lady Marie could hear the smile in the man's voice. A chuckle rose from Lady Marie. "Mr. Connor, you're sure that you like your position? I can make sure you take your leathers very soon." "I will seek them when you are truly satisfied." He bowed his head in the shadows with a rye smile. Lady Marie turned and faced Sir Colin. "You should take a page from your servant." "To change my loyalties as I see fit? I think not Lady Marie. But you will be satisfied in the very end." "See that I am gentlemen." And with that, Lady Marie, left the room, taking her perfume and weighted leather cloak with her. Tattered Spirits Ch. 06 Jean heard someone calling her name faintly. She still felt sore and stiff but her eyes pried themselves open. Carefully, she pushed herself up and looked into the graying face of her beloved. "Take me to the window Jean." He asked softly. She nodded and then helped him sit up. The door opened and Sir Glen swept into the room bending down to help Jean lifted Sir Dylan to a chair by the window. Jean knelt by his side, laying her head in his lap. "Is it going to be a nice day?" he asked Jean resting a shaking hand on her head. "Yes Sir Dylan." Bravely she bit her lip to keep the tears from tumbling over. "Perhaps the window will warm me." He smiled at the though. Idly, he ran his hand through Jean's hair. "Jean, remember the poem I had you memorize when you first came to me?" Jean wiped away a few wayward tears with the sleeve of her gown. "Always." "Please I want to hear it." Jean nodded sniffling. "A Patient Love." She began. "There is a place in the heart, that shall never be touched just upon a lark. Until the rose of passion is met, a wandering lust may never set. To look upon hope with an unbroken spirit: justice fulfilled will not bare it. For love and hope to rise it will take those tatters and lies, salve the wounds through the barrier of time." As she spoke, the darkened trees on the horizon began to cast grayish greens warming the room in the faint bluish light. "It matters not the number of times you've been forsaken. Ignored shall be the begging for reprieve, regardless of the aching. For what will remain is a key, not to be the martyr's cross, but a reminder for what is seen. Time seeks to guide you; though resistance is the game of a fool." She continued her litany. "Though never fooled again, one may wonder when the heart does bend. The next shall not be as thoughtless or blind, but shall be grateful for all he finds." Time had no more meaning here safe in these early morning moments as the yellowed hues of morning sun broke across the room. Jean watched him as he closed his eyes again; he had never heard the last line. She stood and pressed her lips to his forehead. Her tears spilled from her face, falling on his. Laurie was waiting for her on the other side of the door, she only held Jean. There was nothing either of them needed to say. Sir Marcus personally slid the bolt to the cage and walked away leaving the room to join Lady Daire and watch his newest charge consider what was to become of her. "She is a beauty to look at Sir Marcus." "Is that a wanton smile I see Lady Daire?" teased Sir Marcus. But even he had to admit that Julianne was quite a vision and would be the most excellent addition to his gaggle of beautiful women. "I cannot wait to see what she will become Sir Marcus. You have such exquisite tastes." "Ah, the Lady does compliment." He smiled grandly. The door to the vouyer block in Sir Glen's fabled dungeons opened, and Sir Glen joined them. "Julianne?" he asked Sir Marcus. "Yes. Is Jean safe?" He asked his mind turning away from Julianne. "Quite so. I had an unexpected guest arrive just now. She and Laurie are under his care." "Unexpected, but welcome as always." Lady Daire nodded. "The poor dear. Now what are we going to do?" Sir Glen began to pace the length of the room, head bent in concentration, his robes, rippling after him. "That is just the problem, there is nothing to do. Unless she wants to go to someone else." "And what about Lord Xavier?" asked Sir Marcus quietly. "She cannot simply 'disappear'. Companions are responsible..." "For all that they share with each other, to provide twice for the gift which they take. I know the doctrine Marcus." Glen was short; the circumstances had begun to wear at him. He was weary from having become the saving grace for every lost companion that had suffered in recent history. His gaze returned to the room on the other side of the one-way window. Inside the room, five men had entered and were approaching the cage. "Marcus, did you ask for the Order?" Sir Glen didn't wait for the response, but barreled out to the main hall and into the adjoining chamber wondering if his next redesign would incorporate easy access doors in to every dungeon space from the voyeur block. "Stand where you are." The nearly naked men stopped startled that he was even near the dungeons. Sir Glen stood between them and a closed door and he looked at each one, his eyes narrowed for a moment. "Mason, why are you not in the kitchens?" he asked the closest. Mason gulped, his light brown eyes could never tell a lie to Sir Glen. "I was asked to help with a difficult companion Sir Glen. I had hoped that my initiative would merit more of your attention." He said softly. "Then you do know that the members of the Order may not touch a companion of another house? Do you know who this companion belongs to Mason?" Sir Glen closed the distance between himself and Mason. A lock of curly blonde hair fell into Mason's face as he shivered and looked over to the cage. Julianne had scampered to the back of the cage and looked wide-eyed at the seven men who filled the room. "I thought we were to move the cage for another. I did not know someone was inside." Mason glanced nervously back to his associates. Sir Glen took the tip of his cane and directed Mason's attention back to him, catching the younger man's chin. "If this is some foolish prank Mason, you will never see the inside of the dungeons for as long as you are here. I want you to leave back to the Order Hall. You cannot afford to be careless." "Yes sir." Mason slipped out without looking back. "As for the rest of you, since when did I get new members of the Order?" He leaned back and turned the lights up in the room to an undimmed setting. Sir Marcus and Lady Daire both entered the room, eyeing the other members of the party as suspiciously as Sir Glen. Sir Glen leaned forward on his cane, his hands crossed over the silver handle. One finally spoke. "Lord Xavior sent us to you last week." "Oh?" Sir Glen masked his surprise. "Then you must be the ones in need of the new discipline program Lord Xavier has requested. Lady Daire, would you mind helping me?" Sir Glen went to the wall and selected a variety of metal cuffs. One made a slight move to the door and Sir Glen caught him by his ankle with his cane. Lady Daire helped him chain the remaining six men to the wall. "I'll deal with you all shortly. I'm sure you're well aware of what I expect from the members of the Order." Sir Glen stepped back into the hall, finding that Sir Marcus had recovered Julianne and was leading her up the back staircase. "How long has the insubordination been going on Glen?" Lady Daire shut the door firmly behind her. "Months." He admitted sheepishly. "I don't doubt some of them were passed here by Lord Xavier, but it's not like him to bring them here himself." He ran a hand through his hair. "Glen, there's no need for you to take on the Order anymore." "And have them turned over to Sir Colin's waiting hands?" The prospect, though welcoming was not a viable option. "I am eager to pass them on, it has been past time, but not to Sir Colin. Not after what he's done to Leif and now Jean. No one deserves that." Lady Daire nodded briefly. It was unmistakable that the men who had been chained to the wall were now arguing. "Do you think they were after Julianne?" "No, I think they're looking for Jean. I don't doubt that. But I also don't doubt that they are responsible for some of Leif's grief." "Well, first you get them into line Sir Glen. We'll worry about who is responsible for what crimes later." Tattered Spirits Ch. 07 Jean followed Laurie reluctantly through the darkened halls, led only by a single white candle. Laurie paused at a heavy carved door waiting for Jean to catch up. Laurie extinguished the solitary glowing flame and took Jean's hand as she pushed the door with all her might. It groaned in protest, but finally opened enough that they could both slip through. Jean gripped Laurie's hand tighter in the blinding darkness of the room as the door fell shut. Finally, a scratch of a match could be heard and two candles were lit. Sir Glen came forward and took Laurie to the side, leaving Jean by herself. Illuminated by only the deep casting shadows of one candle, Sir Marcus took her elbow gently leading her to the middle of the room. Jean looked back to Laurie and Glen. Laurie smiled encouragingly. A nervous shiver ran through Jean as she stepped closer to Sir Marcus, looking up wishing she knew him better. As she approached the center of the room, she found that the candle sat on a table draped with a black tablecloth, with one place setting. Lady Daire also became more visible. It was Lady Daire who stepped forward. "I know that Sir Dylan spoke highly of you Jean. He only wished he had not been so foolish as to let you slip from his fingers like sand. With your permission, we'd like to complete what Sir Dylan wanted for you." "Jean, you are a trusted companion of Sir Dylan, faithful and questing to serve him even better than before. By accepting permanent binding, you shall forever be entwined." Jean felt a thick metal necklace fall against her skin. Lady Daire spoke again gently. "He had that prepared months before he was replaced by Sir Colin." Jean was certain that even in the dimly lit room that her tears glistened brightly to fill the room with light. "This is only one part of what Sir Dylan had in mind for you Jean. You may choose to stay with any of the three of us at any time." Sir Glen spoke. "You have all the privileges that you would if Sir Dylan were still here among us. We'll care for you. When you're ready you can let any of us know." Laurie reached over and squeezed Jean's hand. Sir Glen nodded to Laurie who then led Jean to a staircase at the rear of the room. As the shadows of the two companions led up the stone staircase danced up the stairs, Sir Marcus asked, "Well what's the next move Sir Glen?" "We wait for the viper to strike." Sir Glen tossed a candle into the fireplace watching it roar into life. Silently, a trusted servant cleared away the ceremony and moved the chairs back near the fireplace. Sir Colin was undoubtedly surprised a few weeks later when he received a black envelope. Inside, he found an elegantly scripted invitation, silver type on black cardstock, to one of Sir Glen's formal dinners. Lady Marie looked over rather disdainfully. "Such a silly man, always sticking to themed parties." She scoffed. "Bound for Honor," she shook her head. "He is loosing his touch with his age." "Guests are invited to Sir Glen's private dungeons where they may partake in display of pleasure for all to enjoy. Play is restricted to binding." Read Sir Colin with some mild amusement. "Well, regardless, we cannot disappoint Sir Glen." Mr. Connor said from his shadows by the grandfather clock. "To turn down his invitation means he has conceded to accepting Sir Colin." "A wise man knows when he is defeated." Sir Colin said pompously. He tossed the card back to the servant who had brought it on a silver tray. "Go to Sir Glen and tell him my hall shall attend." The entry hall teemed with guests for Sir Glen's eagerly awaited event. There was something very comforting about the full entry hall with all the companions. Sir Glen glanced over the top railing, Laurie on his arm. Gently she squeezed his arm reassuringly. The room glowed with excitement and the diffuse candlelight at each column. "You know me too well my love." He said trying to mask his nervousness. "Be careful." She whispered and lightly dusted off his shoulder. He stole one kiss and then led her down the staircase to their guests. A hush fell over the crowd as they watched the host and his companion descend and join them. "Ah Sir Glen, your formal dinners always leave me wanting more." Complimented a guest. "I'm so glad you find them that way." He smiled politely with Laurie on his arm as they led the way into the banquet hall. Sir Marcus and Lady Daire were both in the depths of the vast dungeon maze overseeing the preparations by the Order for the evening's later activities. Confined to only chains tonight, it would prove to be an exercise in creativity for all the Companions who had gathered. It was going to be a long night and Sir Glen was ready for it.