0 comments/ 19704 views/ 1 favorites The Little Warrior Ch. 1 By: coyoteugly "Keep your arm up and elbow down!" the clink of the metal scraping and hitting metal was one that Cassie loved. Her arms ached and her face was filthy. But she was happy. She lunged and missed. "Damn" she swore. Cassie spun quickly and barely blocking the blow from her opponent. She twisted and as she did so, her arm catching the edge of the blade. "Ouch!" Her instructor withdrew and signaled the end of her lesson. "Cassie, what must you do each time you draw blood?" he asked her, always quizzing her. "One must always wipe the blade to prevent rusting of the blade. On the victim of course." She almost forgot that part. "Very good. Now go get that cut looked at. It looks bad, and it is time for you to get ready for this evening." With that he bowed and left. Cassie ran into her rooms and quickly stripped to take her bath. Her best friend and lady in waiting, Julia, was fretting. "Oh my gosh Cassie! Your father would be so upset if he saw that. It may need stitches, I will call the physician in to look at that when you are bathed. Your dresses are on your bed, I will be back in just a few minutes, just soak until then." With that, Julia turned and efficiently summoned the man who would sew Cassie's arm back together. Cassie reflected on what this evening would bring. She would be introduced to the man who would marry her for political reasons, whether or not she agreed. She loved her father, but to do this to her? She was peeved. Julia got back and started scrubbing the day's grime off of Cassie and they chatted. Cassie knew that Julia was a good spy, and asked about the man she was to wed. "Well, I don't know as mucha bout him as I do his older brother, who is the one who agreed to this wedding. He is rumored to be cruel to those he considers to be his inferiors, and that includes all women. He is known to regularly beat his wife. Be glad you aren't to marry him. Lord Byron is said to be handsome, and sweet. But I don't know for sure. I hope so for your sake." By then Cassie was all clean, and was dried off. She put on her underclothes and the doctor was summoned. He quickly worked the stitches and washed the wound. The bandages he put on her arm were thin enough that she would be able to hide it under her sleeve without a lot of bulk. "Cassie, dear, one day your father will find out about your activities and be very cross. Then we will all be in trouble." He sighed and winked at her. Cassie gave Trican a big hug. "Thank you for helping me keep this a secret from father. I don't know what I would do without you!" "Bleed to death eventually" she heard Julia say. They all laughed. After Trican left, Julia helped Cassie get dressed, lacing the dress tightly as it was intended by the dressmaker. This allowed Cassie's young ample breasts to be accented in a demure way. Only with Cassie's chest, there was nothing demure about it. She was large and as a beautiful 17 year old princess, she knew it. She had had many men and boys who had wanted to court her, she refused each one. Julia brushed the thick waist length light brown hair until it shone, and then proceeded to style it so that most of it was on top of her head. She left just a few tendrils to tease the imagination of the young girl's fiancé. With her primping done, she heaved a sigh of relief. She wasn't late. She walked calmly to the dining room in the castle and peeked like a child around the corner, as she waited to be introduced. She saw the backs of two men who were talking to her father, the King Lance of Hectowa. She heard her name as quickly took position and walked in, outwardly calm, inwardly barely still. She deliberately slowed her pace the nearer she got to her father. Bestowing a kiss on his cheek, she then turned to face the two men he was conversing with, knowing that one was her chosen husband to be. "Cassie, this is Lord Sinclaire, and to his left, his younger brother, Lord Byron. You are to sit next to him, as he is to marry you in just a few weeks. This way, you may get to know him and what he expects of you." The snickers and lewd looks from Lord Sinclaire incensed her. She looked at Lord Byron and saw something she had never expected, kindness. He smiled at her and her heart flipped. She could feel her face blush as he perused her. His gaze falling from her face to her heaving breasts, which felt like they were going to spill from her dress with each breath. Her flat stomach and shapely hip shield his gaze as she walked to her chair. Lord Byron rose and pulled out her chair. He settled her in before reseating himself. So far she was impressed, he seemed to be well taller than she, polite, and handsome. His blue/gray eyes and long eyelashes held her gaze and he winked at her. She was startled and then blushed all over again. "Hello, I am most certainly glad beyond words that you are the woman that my brother has chosen for me. I hope that your intelligence matches your smile. Very sweet and beautiful. Somehow, I feel though, that you maybe hiding something from me, and eventually, you will learn, there is no need to have secrets with me. I am not like your father or my older brother." "Why thank you, I think. I was almost expecting a hunched over, rude, gnarled man to be my fiancé. I am taken aback to find that my worst fears are groundless." She smiled at him and he smiled back. She felt her heart skip a beat again, and looked down at her plate. "Tell me about yourself, Princess. For starters, how old are you?" "Actually, I am 17 summers, this fall will mark my 18th. How old are you?" "I have seen 27 winters, although there are a few that I don't remember. The first few are hazy to me." he smiled. "I can see by the twinkle in your eye, and how your father spoke of you, that you are not the average young lady. Why is this so? If I may be so bold to ask." Uh oh. This is what she had dreaded. Her father hated that she wasn't content to sit by the fire and sew like all the women were expected to do. "Well, to be honest, I believe that women can do more than make babies, clean up after men and sew by the fireside as our only form of entertainment." she spoke with vehemence and crossed her arms to illustrate her point. "Women have brains, and can do so much more than men believe we can. I-" "Young lady, you have overstepped your bounds again. Do not do so again. I am being patient for the sake of the guests here. However, I will not tolerate more of this nonsense at my dinner table. War is a serious thing and should not be interrupted by a mere woman. Keep that in mind for the future." Her father gave her a scathing look, one she knew all too well, as a matter of fact. Cassie sighed. Her hands were fisted so tightly, that her knuckles were white. Lord Byron noticed this and admired her for her restraint. He also noted her chest heaving with rage and decided to defuse his fiancée and save her from more disgrace at her father's table. "Come dance with me?" he asked her. "Yes, I believe I shall. I can not stand for him to be like that." she accepted. She knew an out when he gave her one. They walked into the middle of the large room, and as the music played, they swayed. He pressed her closely and she could feel his heat through her clothes just as she could feel how hard his muscles were under his shirt. She blushed as she had a sudden image of him naked over her and she was running her hands over his back similarly as to how she was now. Only it was more intimate in her imagination. He noticed her blush and smiled. He felt her softness as her breasts were crushed to him, he felt the stirrings in his loins and pulled back slightly. He didn't want her to notice how she affected him. He liked her enthusiasm, and thought that he would have a very interesting life in front of him, as long as she agreed to be in it. "I happen to agree with you. Which is one reason why my brother and I do not get along. He believes that women are for nothing but his seed disposal and as an anger receptacle. As far as I am concerned, he is a despicable man for how he treats his wife and his other women." This was nothing like she had expected him to say. She was expecting a man like her own father, who had stated his beliefs about women. She was surprised and didn't bother to hide that fact. They danced for a few more minutes before Lord Sinclaire broke between them and asked to dance with his future sister. Not to be rude, they both allowed this. Cassie was pulled tightly to him and she felt his hard member rub against her. He roughly grabbed her wrist and his breath was heavy with wine, smelling decidedly sour. He leered at her and looked between them at her cleavage. "What a beauty I have secured for my brother. I must say, had I known I would have secured you for myself. One day, though, you will know what it is to feel me intimately. I will have you. If you tell a soul, who do you think they would believe? A mere woman, or a man of stature?" He licked his lips and smiled an evil smile at her. The song was over none too soon for her and she excused herself to the table. By the time she made it back, she was shaking and white. Byron knew that his brother had been rude, and wished that he could do something about it. This delicate flower was too wonderful to be spoiled by Sinclaire. Soon she returned to normal and relaxed. When it was time to go to bed, he walked her to her rooms and bade her a good night, and that he would be at her door first light to take her on a picnic. She grinned and curtseyed before spinning around and rushing into her rooms. forgetting the threat made by her future brother. She was undressed by Julia and they talked about the evening. It was marred only by the memory of Sinclaire. Cassie kept that to herself. She decided to tell Byron about it though. She felt her skin tingle when she remembered how he had touched her on the arm and on the hand, even the chaste kiss on her cheek. The Little Warrior Ch. 2 Byron crept through the dank halls of the castle. He occasionally saw a servant on a task of some sort, usually carrying in firewood or sweeping. He had already visited the kitchens and was carefully bringing it to Cassie's rooms. He was full of trepidation as to how he should behave with his fiancée. After all, they were still virtual strangers, albeit affianced ones. He saw the familiar door to Cassie's chambers and knocked. Julia answered the knock and bid him to come in and wait. Shyly, he did so. He wasn't sure what to expect, never having been in a princess's rooms before, and he was mildly surprised to find instead of a lovely tapestry but a shield of arms and a set of crossing swords. He looked around, and he saw the tapestry on the far wall, in the next room, which was opened to this one. Cassie emerged from the opposite side and his breath caught in his throat. She was more lovely than he had ever imagined. By the downright, she had a glow about her that bespoke pride and energy. It didn't help that her tiny waist was accented by a belt and her riding skirts were swishing about her shapely hips. He allowed himself to raise his gaze, and he gulped when he saw her rounded breasts, the pale skin begging to be touched. Snapping himself out of his reverie, he smiled and asked if Julia could join his friend, Anen, as well as Cassie and himself for the outing. Julia agreed and was quickly ready. Anen was already in the stables readying the horses. They walked through the halls, Byron noting that they were more crowded than earlier. He led the women to the stable yard and promised to be back shortly with the saddled horses. Leaving the basket with the picnic supplies confiscated from the all to happy cook with the ladies. "Anen, we have one more to join us. A lovely maid named Julia. She is Cassie's lady in waiting and I suspect best friend as well. You should like her, very lovely indeed. Hair of dark gold and heaving breasts of a woman to go with the loveliness of her face. She also, I noted, has a dimple when she smiles. I remembered how much you adore dimples and invited her to come along. I will saddle the last horse if you lead the first two to the ladies for me." Byron smiled at his orneriness. He had planned all along to invite a chaperone for this trip, so as not to sully his wife to be's reputation and possibly have the wedding called off. "Milord, when have you ever thought of dimples for me? I didn't realize that you even knew that I had a weakness for them." Anen laughed. "However, as your best friend, I am impatient to meet your betrothed. I can see by your demeanor that she must be very special to you already. I will help you saddle this horse if you tell me a little bit about her." "To begin with, she has only 17 years. But she is wise beyond that. She is not a normal woman, to be sure. She has the beauty of nature herself, but she also has the wisdom and fire of a man. I think that I will be in for a very interesting ride when we marry. She also seems to enjoy politics, something many women find boorish. I will have to remember to never ask her to sew anything for me, she abhors sewing. Here, pull that tighter." Byron instructed his friend. "As for her physical side, where to begin? She is lovely as dew on a rose first light, has a trim waist and shapely hips. Her breasts heave greatly with each bated breath and she has beautiful thick hair that begs my hands to run through it." He sighed. "To be sure, she sounds much like the woman for you. She has unsurpassed beauty and brains. That will make for interesting evenings in the winter. I dare say." They finished hitching the horses to the saddles and led them to the waiting women. Byron heard Anen's breath catch in his throat as he approached his date for the day. He chuckled to himself as he saw exactly what he expected to see. Anen was taken by Julia's beauty. He handed Cassie's reins to her and helped her up before attaching the basket and other supplies to his own horse. He watched as Anen aided Julia onto her steed, noting the care he took. "Where should we go?" Byron asked once the introductions were made. "I know the perfect spot. It is secluded, warm, and next to a spring. Follow me!" Cassandra took off quickly daring the others to keep up. In their rush, none of them noticed the forbidding shadow following them at a distance. Lord Sinclaire kept a leisurely pace following the foursome. Cassie led the others deep into the woods to a clearing with a stream running through it. She stopped and dismounted, almost at the same time. She led her horse to the edge of the bank and let him drink his fill as the others followed suit. "Cassie, you were right, this is the perfect spot. How did you find it?" Byron asked as he looked around. "One day as a child, I had gotten into trouble, and I knew father was angry. I ran away and stumbled onto this spot. Ever since then, this has been my favorite place to go. It is so tranquil here, making it easy to think and plan." Julia had gotten the picnic supplies out and was spreading the blankets under the trees. Anen was helping her. Cassie watched in interest as Anen lifted the heavier objects for Julia and smiled to herself. She shivered and looked around. Something didn't seem right, then the feeling was gone. Byron tethered the horses to a limb that was close to both the water and thick grass. Turning he saw Anen pouring the wine. He also saw his maid as she rubbed a spot on her arm, as if it itched. She saw him watching her and abruptly stopped. Blushing as if caught doing something wrong, she was even more pretty to him. They ate as they chatted, each learning about the other's homelands. Lord Byron, being a second son, had a smaller household than his older brother, but it was still substantial. It was also connected to his brother's lands, in a strategic area. This was why Cassie was betrothed to Byron, their marriage ensured the loyalty to the King. Byron felt that his brother and his ways were too oppressive, his own servants not even loyal to him, only staying because they absolutely had to. Cassie told how she believed that if women were involved in the planning of different things, many problems could be prevented. Others could be solved, often without war. She also said how women should be allowed to learn to protect themselves from harm because if all the men are at war and a problem should arise, who would protect the meek defenseless women? Afterwards, the meal eaten, the wine drunk, and the sun shining, they fell sleep. Cassie woke up when she felt the water dripping on her. She opened her eyes to see a very wet Byron shaking his wet hair all over her, sprinkling her with the water from the stream. Julia woke to a similar Anen as he shook his mane of curly brown hair. They giggled and ran after the errant men. Byron picked up Cassie and threw her into the water, soaking her head to toe. He knew from the conversation earlier that she would not be angry if such an event occurred. She came up sputtering and Byron laughed until Anen knocked him in as well. They were being watched, yet none of them realized that their antics were noticed. Lord Sinclaire seethed with jealousy that his younger brother would get to taste that morsel before he could. He vowed that he would do what he could to remedy that. He slipped away plotting his revenge. After a while, the couples tired of the water play and took off most of their clothes, allowing for modesty, to dry over tree branches. Cassie and Byron laid together keeping each other warm on one blanket, as Julia and Anen used the other in the same fashion. They talked of this and that, and eventually Cassie had the courage to bring up Lord Sinclaire's behavior and promise from the night before. She cringed when she saw Byron's response. The Little Warrior Ch. 3 Byron exploded off the blanket as if he had been raised by invisible hands. He glared around as he made a beeline to his horse. Cassie jumped up to follow him. "Byron! Wait! What are you going to do?" "I am going to kill my brother. He has treated his own women as pieces of property, he will not do so to my woman. His threats were very real and he would carry them out. I am going to find him and make him wish he were dead. After that, I will stake him to the ground for the buzzards to eat him alive." Cassie's heart warmed to his vehemence for her safety, but she also bristled at being "his" woman. As if she weren't a person in her own right! However, she didn't want Byron to harm his brother. That wasn't why she told him that he had told her that he would have her as his own before Byron would. She told him because she wanted him to put his arms around her and tell her that Lord Sinclaire would not truly do such a horrid thing. Now her heart fell as she realized that he would and could and most likely do that and more to her. Chasing him to his horse and having Anen run past her to see what Byron was angry about and if he could help him, she cursed her skirts. Pleading with Byron to stay with her, she finally got him calmed down. Anen promised to do whatever necessary to keep Cassie safe from the evil man's hands. Julia had packed all the picnic things and was carrying them to her own horse to follow them home. Anen helped her and soon all were on their way back to the castle. On the way, Cassie and Byron discussed the upcoming war and he was impressed with her knowledge and desire to be there. A thought flitted across his mind, then was gone. It wasn't gone for good though. By the time they arrived at the stable, the conversation was involved and all four had made their opinions known. Anen knew that his master was to go along with the army to help lead them in the war. However, he had doubts as to whether or not he had told his future wife. Byron was to leave a week after the wedding. After getting the horses to their trainers to be rubbed down and fed, the foursome split up. Julia and Cassie going to their chambers and Byron and Anen going to visit Cassie's father. "We have to do something about your brother. You know that he will do everything in his power to have Cassie. Lovely as she is, I don't blame him for his jealousy, but she is yours to wed. Not his. What do you think her father will do? He seems to like Sinclaire and is very similar to him. Very traditional in that women are not to speak and are not intelligent." "I know that. But we have to warn him that his daughter's life may be in danger. Sinclaire has been known to go too far with his conquests and dumps them on the side of the road. The last girl I rescued was on the verge of death, as much from the exposure as from his treatment. She still has a limp. Poor thing." Byron was biting his lip, which he always did when thinking about something important. "Actually, I think that by putting a guard by Cassie's door under the pretense of guarding the bride from the groom would work. He would never suspect that I knew about his threats to Cassie. Do you think the king would go for it?" "If he cares for his daughter or her reputation at all, he will. After all, you and your brother are his guests and he has an obligation to protect those within his walls. Including his own child. But do you think he would tell Sinclaire what we know?" "Hmmmmmmm. A good question. Maybe we should keep it quiet and protect her on our own or not tell the king why a guard needs to be posted by her door." Byron let out a deep sigh and was able to collect his thoughts before confronting his father to be. He nodded at the guard standing duty by the throne room entrance. "Yes, may I help you?" the skinny old man asked. He was in charge of who got to see the king and when. His name was Tyer. "Yes, Tyer. I would like to see King Lance on a matter concerning his daughter. It is very important. I must see him immediately." Lord Byron said in his most authoritative voice. "Lord, sir, may I inquire as to what the nature of this most important conversation you require of his Majesty?" "No, you may not. Know this though, it may have bearing as to whether or not I shall marry his daughter and keep my lands free of his enemies." Tyer looked at Byron with shock. This was indeed most serious business and needed to be taken care of immediately. He swept grandly into the inner chamber of the throne room to whisper the request of this young man to his Sire. Within minutes the old man was back and escorted Lord Byron and his servant, Anen, into the presence of King Lance. "I hear you have some problems with my daughter? Is she not lovely enough to look at? Has she filled your head with her nonsense? Has she been found to not meet your standards?" "No Sire, but what I have to say concerns her. May we speak privately?" Byron looked around at the full room of courtiers and guards. "Is there a place we can talk without being overheard?" "This does sound like a grave matter if you are requisitioning a private audience. Follow me." Lance stepped down from dais and led the way to a hidden room just to the side of the throne. The doorway was hidden by a tapestry on the wall. Pushing the tapestry aside, Lance signaled for Byron to enter first. After posting a guard by the doorway to ensure no eavesdroppers, he followed Byron and Anen. Seating himself on the edge of his chair, he looked at Byron waiting for him to begin. "Sire. As you know, Princess Cassandra is a young and beautiful woman. As such, she needs personal protection. Her virtue and life have been threatened recently, and I believe she needs to be guarded when not with me. I am asking, as a father, for you to place guards at her doors each night." "Her life has been threatened?" The color drained from Lance's face. This was what Byron had been hoping for. "In a sense, yes. I just found out about it. She was told that before we wed, she will be taken by another man. this man has left other girls he has used to die. The latest one I rescued from the road, half dead from exposure and his beatings as well as abuse. She still has a limp. Do you want your daughter to end up like that child, for she was a child. Younger than Cassie." Byron looked hard at Lance and willed him to say "no". Finally Lance looked back at Byron. "I know Cassie is a willful child. She always has been. I have trouble with her views on women. She thinks women should be equal to men. But I love her deeply. She is my baby. I have four sons, but only one daughter. Unfortunately, my daughter should have been a son. She has the spirit to lead our people. She would have made a fine son. But she is a girl. A young defenseless girl. Who dared to commit this crime and threaten to do the same to my dear child?" Lance demanded of Byron. "You know him well, Sire. It is my very own flesh and blood. I am upset that my own brother would want to deflower my fiancee, the one that he chose for me. But mine, nonetheless." Anen gave Byron a look of triumph as they watched King Lance soak in this information. This is what they had hoped for. He hid his feelings for his daughter behind a gruff facade. "With this knowledge, we can do something about it. How many others have there been? How did you find out?" The man looked beaten, worn out, aged beyond his years. "There have been five that I have rescued over the last few years, however, I do not want him to know that we know about this. We have come up with a plan to put guards at her door so as to not raise Sinclaire's suspicions. You can declare that to protect her virtue for our wedding, you must post guards to keep watch over her, as well as me. You could lead on that you think that I would sneak into her chambers at night to take her before our wedding." "You are right, in order to catch him, he must not know we know. Using your libido is the perfect excuse. Although, personally, I wouldn't blame you personally. I know how long a few weeks can be when you really want something. You have made it clear already that you adore my daughter. That will help. You have been open about your affections, which would allow others to think that I came to this conclusion myself. How did you find out about this? Did Cassie tell you?" "Yes, apparently last night as he was dancing with her, he pulled her to him suggestively and told her that he would have her body before I would. He pressed against her and she felt his manhood on her hip. She didn't know what it was, but I did when she described it. He is despicable." Byron spat on the floor indicating his hatred of his older brother. After talking for a little while longer, it was agreed that Anen would visit Julia in Cassie's chambers. While there, he would place a sharp dagger under Cassie's pillow, or have Julia do it. Just in case Sinclaire was able to get past the guards. He left immediately with Byron's small blade. In the meantime, Cassie told Julia what had happened in detail the night before and explained why Byron was so upset. They changed into more suitable clothes and left for Cassie's daily lesson. Taking her sword with her, she hummed. She knew that Byron would protect her, and that her future husband was an honorable man. One whom she would be proud to call Husband. After the warm up exercises, Cassie and her instructor began the daily routine, starting slowly and building up to the frantic swinging of a real fight. SHe improved daily, but the bleeding soon returned from all the effort on her arm. Soon she began to tire and made mistakes. That was when she noticed the bloody sleeve for the first time. "Oh damn! It opened again." She rested her arms across the hilt of the sword as she stood it tip down on the ground. Mikel inspected her wound. It had torn some stitches and needed to be sewn again. "I sliced you pretty well, didn't I, Princess?" He chuckled knowing that such injured were conducive to training. "We are finished for today, you need to have it looked at again, and we will rest your arm tomorrow and the day after to give your arm a good start on healing." He saluted Cassie and she saluted back. Julia fetched the doctor who fixed her the night before, again as the night before, while Cassie was bathing. Cassie carefully cleaned the cut and pulled out the torn stitches as the water relaxed her muscles. She felt a presence behind her and thought it was Julia back. She turned and was shocked to see Sinclaire standing behind her tub. "So, my little butterfly has a wound." He sneered. "No matter, I will have you anyway. My little brother doesn't know what a catch he has found in you." His gaze obviously moving over her wet nakedness. She tried to cover up, but he still made her feel as if she were on display. The look in his eyes obviously lustful. "Go away. Leave me alone. I am not your wife, however, my rank is higher than yours. How that must make you seethe. A woman has a higher rank than you." She laughed at his dark look, determined not to let him see her fear. "I have power over you, and you hate that. With a single word, I can have you banished or even beheaded." She sneered back, her triumph complete as his gasp and his fury evident. "You may think you are safe now, but I will have you under me, in the same state as you are now. Nude. Your breasts will be mine to do with as I please, as well as your womanhood. I will make you a woman. But not now. I have the power to take you anytime and anywhere I wish." With that, he left. Cassie stood up and dried off, still shaking and crying. She knew that to goad him on was wrong, but she was angry and hated him. She did enjoy gloating the fact that a single word from her mouth could end his life. Soon after she dried off, Julia came back with Trican, who sewed her arm back up and put a heavier bandage on it. He checked for any signs of disease or rot and found none. Satisfied that she would be resting her arm for at least two days, he left. An hour later, when she opened the door to go to dinner, she was greeted by a guard who followed her. She looked at him inquiringly, but he remained silent. Unknown to her, he also did not know why she was to be guarded. Arriving at the dinner hall, she waited to be announced. Soon she was seated next to Byron, noting the distinct absence of his brother. She relaxed. She had already decided to not tell Byron about her latest encounter with Lord Sinclaire. She grasped his hand under the table and he gave it a squeeze. She relaxed visibly after that and began to enjoy her dinner. They talked about many things, but one item of interest came up. "Did you know, that the rooms they gave me are directly under yours? In essence, you are sleeping on top of me." Byron chuckled. "Really? I will remember that tonight." She gave him an impish grin that made him wonder what she had in mind. Blushing, she attacked her food with gusto. Hours later, she had her plan in order. She had asked if Julia could sleep in her bed for awhile, and Julia agreed. Cassie slipped behind a hanging tapestry as Julia climbed into her bed. She noted the dagger under the pillow, but didn't think anything of it. Stretching out, she fell asleep. Cassie took a single candle down the hidden stairs and when she heard noises ahead, knew she was close. She crept quietly to the doorway, hidden by the other tapestry in Byron's room. Opening the door, she heard him moving around as if pacing. Peeking out from behind the corner, she saw that he was indeed pacing the floor. Slipping out from behind the artwork, she was able to easily sneak up behind him and when she touched him, he jumped and turned. "Oh my god!" he fairly shouted. Giggling she traced her fingers over his shoulder. It was bare and his skin warm. Breathing heavily he just stood there, not knowing what to do. he wanted her so badly, yet he knew that one wrong move and she would disappear. She let her fingernails graze over his male nipples. So tiny, yet perfect, like the rest of him. His chest hair soft under her fingers. Gently, she pulled him to her and he lowered his head. His eyes asking her, are you sure this is what you want? She nodded yes and grabbed his hair pulling his lips to hers. He explored her mouth with his tongue. She tasted like honey, soft and supple under his touch. He groaned and lifted her easily. He walked to the bed and laid her down, gently. He knew that as her first, she would experience pain. He wanted to show her how gentle he could be. His hand traced her chin, ran down her neck, over the large mound to the peak. He massaged her breast through her nightgown. He felt the tip tighten in excitement. He pinched it through the thin material and decided he had to have her in his mouth. He moved his mouth down until it was directly over her nipple. He took her in his mouth through her nightgown. SHe gasped and held his head there as he nibbled and bit. His other hand was teasing her other nipple. Cassie felt a tingle between her legs that she had never felt before. She ran her hands down his back and held his waist, afraid to go lower. He grunted and pulled her up to a sitting position. He pulled her gown and it came off easily. She was totally nude under it, except for her bandage. He kissed it and looked at her, question in eyes. "I will tell you later. Make love to me, please? Make me yours tonight." She begged. He nodded. He laid her back down and pulled off his clothes. She beheld him in all his manly glory. He was erect and perfect. She looked at his penis with interest. She had never seen one before. Even so, Byron seemed to have a large one. She bit her lip in fear, and he kissed her again, making her forget her fears, everything. Byron possessed her soul. He was in very fiber of her being. She wanted him inside her sex as well. He took a nipple into his mouth and let a hand wander over her belly to her thighs. He parted her thighs, she shyly allowed him to. He cupped her small mound, and she arched against his mouth. He began to rub her and soon she was wet, oh so wet. He felt her slick vagina swell under his touch and heard her moans. She ground her hips into his hand instinctively. She felt a finger enter her most innermost spot. He made it feel good and soon he had two fingers in her as she started to moan. She could feel him stretching her to allow his penis inside without hurting her too much. His mouth traveled downward until his tongue joined his fingers. SHe spread her thighs more to allow him easier access. She moved her hips into his face and soon he worked her tiny bud into a frenzy and with a scream, she came in his mouth. He lapped up all her juices and held her tightly. He worked his way back up to her breasts and sucked on each one for a while, until she was on the verge of yet another orgasm and he used his leg to spread her thighs and he put the head of his penis at her entrance. She shuddered and he pushed in slowly. She felt him stretching her to her limit and soon he was almost halfway inside her. He felt her hymen tear and kissed away her tear as she felt it also. He pulled back out and she closed up again. This time, he pushed in further and was able to impale himself fully on her. He stayed like that, feeling her heaven, letting her get used to him invading her virgin-no-more hole. She pulled him closer by grabbing his bottom and digging her nails into him. He pulled out and pushed back in, establishing a rhythm. She felt him reach between them and pinch her swollen clit. She came again and this time, her vagina had something to milk. He felt her cum hard and kept up the pace until he felt her tighten around him once more, pushing him over the edge. He felt his scrotum contract and release. He could feel himself spurting into her love tunnel as her muscles squeezed him even tighter. Her screams indicating that he had done well. He fell asleep, still inside her. She fell asleep, still filled. The Little Warrior Ch. 4 Julia stretched out on the bed. She felt the metal object below the pillows and knew what it was for. It made her nervous, yet feel a little safer. There would be a form of defense available to Cassie. She wondered what Cassie was feeling and how it would feel to be with Anen like Cassie was with Byron. To feel his fingers on her body, to taste his sweet breath as he made her feel like a real woman. She could feel her thighs getting moist. Julia reached down and felt just how wet. Her lips were swollen and slick. Her clitoris was hard and sensitive. She dipped into herself and found the passageway to be hot and soaking wet. Deciding that she should go to sleep, she curled up on her side and put her hands under the pillow to cradle her head, almost as if in prayer. She could smell her musky scent drifting to her nose as she fell asleep. The last clear memory was that of the cold of metal on her fingertips. She drifted off to sleep to dream of Anen and his lithe body hovering over her. Sinclair paced the floor. He knew he had taken a chance to visit the little Princess as he had. But as he reflected upon the situation, he felt that he had been rewarded with the visions of her nude body. Made it much easier to imagine her under him as he would make her into a woman. He kept going back to the desk in his chambers and reading his correspondence. The "enemy" of his King was in full agreement and would do whatever it took to put Sinclair on the throne. Their plans included the upcoming war and if everything went along with his plans, by the end of the war, not only would he have his own kingdom, but also a new young wife. By eliminating the present ruler and marrying his only surviving child, he would set himself upon the throne and no one would dare to defy his right to be there. He thought again of the Ice Princess, and decided that he needed to teach her a lesson. Leaving his desk he rummaged around for some useful items. He found a gag and some ropes. He knew that there had been a guard posted, but he had a plan for the guard. He mixed up some medicines that induced drowsiness and poured the mixture into the ale pot. All guards had a weakness for the brew. Sinclair hid the condemning items in his cloak and carried the ale to Cassie's guards. The tankard was large and had a lot of the powder in it, but the brew was strong enough to hide the bitter taste. Cassie woke up to a pleasurable sensation. Her left nipple was being licked in a circular motion as her right nipple was being massaged. She groaned in response and Byron looked up at her. She smiled at him and ran her hands languidly down his back as far as she could reach. Byron shivered as her light touch lit fires along his cool back. Byron positioned himself above Cassie to allow for some movement up and down her soft body. She spread her thighs and he lowered himself into her. He could feel her slickness on his chest as he continued kissing her breasts. Cassie rubbed her hips up into his warm skin and his chest hairs made her sensitive clit beg for more attention. She rubbed herself on him. He slowly worked his way down her body, kissing her flat belly, nibbling on her hips, even licking her inner thighs. She squealed in delight as he finally reached her swollen pussy. He gently spread the lips to see the pink flower he was going to taste. Her smell was more than he imagined, musky with a hint of earthiness. She tasted tangy, with just enough sweetness to entice his tongue even more. Soon his tongue was lapping up the juices from inside her vagina. Cassie closed her hips around his neck as she came. Her grunts were guttural, making him feel primal. Her panting and thrashing around him reminded him that she was inexperienced, and he enjoyed her total openness Many experienced women would have been more calculated in their response. Not Cassie. She was honest and very responsive. Byron worked his way back up to Cassie's mouth, and she tasted herself on his lips. Cassie pulled him closer and squeezed him to her. She turned to her side, pulling him with her. Cassie sat up and pushed Byron down until she was straddling him. Byron laid back knowing that she wanted to explore and allowing her to do so. He wanted very much to slide inside her and make her scream his name in ecstasy, but he knew that she needed to explore for now. She explored his body, tasting him. Teasing him. Finally she had her fill and straddled his hips. She eased herself down slowly until she engulfed his entire penis. Cassie reached around and ran a fingernail lightly over his balls, she heard him gasp and felt his balls tighten and knew she had done something right. Cassie continued to rock her hips and swirl her fingers over Byron's balls. Byron grabbed her hips and began his own rhythm of pumping his hips into hers. Byron reached up and massaged Cassie's breast and squeezed her nipple causing her to arch her back. This tightened her pussy just enough to send Byron over the edge. Then angle was everything. She was tight and hot and he was inside her. Cassie felt him spurting his load, each jerk of his penis. He rubbed against her ultra sensitive clit and she plummeted over the peak of ecstasy. With a squeal, she let her body loose and she quivered as her vaginal walls clutched Byron's firm penis and pulled him in further. She collapsed on him. Sinclair paced the length of his bedchamber. He was trying to concentrate on his plans for the battles which were up and coming. He had plans to take King Lance's place. As long as King Lance and his sons died on the battle field and his own brother was lost, he could marry the Ice Princess and rule the kingdom with no one arguing against him. His latest communication with his secret ally disturbed him. The wretch had raised his price. He wanted Byron's lands in payment. Sinclair also wanted Byron's land. It's strategic location would allow him to control commerce as well as aid in protecting his new lands. Sinclair swore loudly. Then he thought of Cassie, just as she was that afternoon. Naked and wet. He abruptly stopped and decided that he had to have her body tonight. His penis was arising to the thought of her writhing under him. He knew that there had been guards posted to keep out his own brother, the man who would protect the woman. The irony of this was incredible. Byron and his libido would not compromise his little betrothed. However, Sinclair would do anything, and she was not protected from his advances. He chuckled at his thought. How to get past the guards? He knew that they had a weakness for ale. He filled a tankard and added some powders which increased the effects of the ale and would put them to sleep. Next he found a gag and some ropes with which to tie up Cassie. He knew she would be most unwilling in his foray tonight. He donned a cloak and hid the gag and ropes in his inner pockets as he carried the tankard up to the bored and thirsty guards. His guess had been right, and within minutes they lay sleeping in a heap at the door. Sinclair rearranged them as if they fell asleep on duty. This would raise no suspicions to any passersby. Then he snuck in. Walking quietly to where he remembered the bed to be, he saw the feminine body and his cock twitched. He grinned an evil grin and rubbed his hands together. He carefully pulled out the rope and tied one end to the bedpost. He then took the other and did the same thing. Cassie slept quietly throughout this procedure. He carefully tied one arm to the post and as he was trying to pull the other she seemed to stir. He stopped. Julia felt a weight on her body and imagined that she was still dreaming. She tried to turn over and realized that not only was there truly a weight on her, but one arm was also secured. Her eyes flew open and she saw a shadow of a man int he moonlight. She knew immediately who it was. Sinclair. Julia gasped and a hand covered her mouth. He leaned closer to her and his fetid breath reached her nostrils. Her stomach lurched. She could see him grinning as he told her that she would be his tonight, and the guards would not be able to help. Her hand moved to under the pillow and she felt the cool steel blade and knew that she had to time her actions just right. If he realized the blade was there before she had a chance to use it, she had no hope of surviving. Her heaving chest belied her calmness and Sinclair took delight in slowly cutting her bodice open: displaying her young mounds to him. with his hand still clamped on her mouth, he slid down until he was able to lick her nipple. He circled her peak and it became rigid and stiff. He moved to the next. Her shame at a man seeing her nude body consumed her. Even thought the moonlight was dim, he could still see her. She cried helplessly. Her cheeks and the pillow becoming wet from her tears. He expertly teased her nipples to peaks and he used them. He bit hard on one and he twisted and pulled the other. Her back arched to alleviate the pain and she cried out. He pulled his hand away and stuffed a gag into her mouth. Now both of his hands were free. Julia kept her one hand under the pillow feeling the edge of the blade, waiting for the right moment. Luckily, when he had tied her second arm, it was hurriedly and she had slack in the rope. He moved down her body and she felt the sharp sting of a cool blade as it slid down her body to slice away her bedclothes. He was sitting on her legs and she felt his weight as if it were the weight of doom. Sinclair spread her clothes to put her nude body on display. She was beautiful. He reached up and played with her breasts. He sniffed her at the apex of her thighs and she smelled spicy. As she writhed under him, he smiled. He had plans for this one. He spread her thighs and dipped a finger into her tight pussy. He slid the finger deeper and deeper until he found what he was looking for. Her maidenhead. He inserted another finger and began to stretch out her vaginal walls to allow for easier access. He wanted nothing to stop his powerful thrust when he ripped her hymen and stole her virginity. He had three fingers in her working her walls looser. His other hand pinched and tweaked her nipple as his mouth devoured the other. He was not kind, she was his play thing. She was there only for his pleasure. His ministrations were painful to her. She felt his teeth as they sank into her skin, but she couldn't scream. She tried though. "Now my little Ice Princess, you will pay for your insubordinance this afternoon. I will have my revenge, and you will take it like the slut you are. We will see who has the real power now." He laughed an evil laugh. Julia's hackles rose at his laughter and she realized that he still thought that she was Cassie. She wished Cassie were here to help her. She cried more as he began to stretch and pull her skin as it was not meant to be stretched. Her tears soaked the pillow, but her hand was still on the blade. Sinclair pulled off his clothes and he stood there, totally erect. Julia saw his penis for the first time and panicked. He was thick and long. He climbed back onto her, spreading her thighs so he could slide in between them. He pressed the head of his penis against her virgin hole. He felt her flinch and could see her chest heaving as she tried to cry out. He pushed forward slowly. She could feel him entering her and her skin stretching until it burned. He slid in until he stopped where his fingers had stopped. Then he pulled back until just the very tip of his penis was touching her entranced. HE rammed back into her as hard as he could and they both felt her maidenhead give way. She let out a howl and squirmed to get from under him, kicking the whole time. He slapped her hard and her head flew to the side. He pulled back and thrust hard again, repeating this over and over. His entire cock ripping her tender young pussy. She burned and he felt the blood making her slick. Julia kicked even as she desperately tried to work the dagger on her binds. She finally felt one give way and her hand was free. He thrust in again and she tried to howl in pain through her gag. He was biting her neck and twisting her nipple painfully as he was ripping her cunt to shreds. She felt another blow to her face and he head whipped to the side. She could feel her eye already swelling up. She managed to slice through the second rope and knew that he didn't notice her arms. She pulled her arm back plunged the knife into his back. The jagged edge ripping his skin as she pulled it back out. He howled in pain and realized that she was loose and had a weapon. He grabbed his back where she had stabbed him and he knew that he was in trouble. "Bitch! You are going to pay for that!" He began pummeling her even as she stabbed at him. Missing more than hitting. Julia pulled the gag from her mouth and tried to shout, but he had punch the wind out of her. Breathing was a chore. Cassie sat up straight. This woke up Byron. She looked around and saw nothing. But she knew that something was terribly wrong. She jumped from the bed and began to dress. He did the same. "There is something wrong. I know it. I can feel it in my gut. Where is your sword? You must get it now and follow me." He grabbed his sword and a dagger for Cassie. "Thanks. Mine is upstairs in my rooms. I think that is where the trouble is." Byron went to his door and saw Anen still standing guard and told him to find some men to help with a possible situation upstairs and to check on Cassie's guards. Anen disappeared into the darkness quickly and Byron saw Cassie disappear behind a tapestry. He smiled in spite of her actions. So that was how she managed to get into his chamber. He followed her. The way was dark, but he dared not bring a torch, since the smoke and the light would alert any to their arrival. He held her hand in the blackness and she led him to the other end, up the steps and to the end of the hallway. There, they could hear the sounds of a desperate struggle. Byron passed Cassie and felt for the door. He eased it open slowly. He was able to see clearly due to his exposure to the darkness and the brightness of the moonlight. His brother had attacked Julia thinking it was Cassie. With Julia fighting back, he was able to run across the room to yank Sinclair off of Julia. Sinclair was slick, with blood and sweat. Byron tried to overpower Sinclair. Julia suddenly realized that she heard Cassie's voice and that the vile rapist was no longer on her. She curled into a ball and wept. She felt Cassie's hands on her and knew that she would be all right. Darkness blissfully swallowed her. "Damn you, Sinclair! You raped the wrong woman! You stupid idiot! That was my lady, not me that your vile body invaded!" Sinclair heard Cassie's words as she spat them out and realized that she was never his. He howled in frustration and Byron hit him on the head hard with the butt of his sword. Sinclair fell soundlessly to the floor. Byron found some ropes to tie up his brother as Cassie lit the lamps. In the light of the fires, they could see the carnage. Julia was beaten to a pulp, covered in blood and welts and bruises, one eye so swollen already that the eye had disappeared. Sinclair was bleeding profusely from a gash in his lower back and had several other cuts. They heard sounds of people outside the door in the hallway and realized that help had arrived. Anen was helping one of the assigned guards to his groggy feet. It was obvious to all that the guards had been drugged by Sinclair. Byron felt that he should be the one to tell his friend about Julia. Cassie was still in the room with her cleaning her up. He could hear Cassie crying over her dear friend. "Anen, send someone to get the physician. Also, we need to bring King Lance up here. Then I must speak to you alone." Anen nodded and sent people to the tasks. Byron refused to allow him into the rooms before he could talk to him. Anen was confused. "As you know, Sinclair had threatened Cassie, which is why the guards were here. However, unbeknownst to either of us, Cassie had a plan of her own. She came to my rooms and we had a wonderful night of being together. In her place," Byron sighed and Anen already knew. "Julia was there, wasn't she? She has been hurt, hasn't she?" Anen felt his stomach roil at the thought of anyone hurting Julia. "Sinclair will be executed, of that I am sure. But King Lance has to be the one to announce sentence. His intent was to hurt Cassie, not Julia. Keep that in mind." "What did he do to her?" "He raped and beat her. I am so sorry Anen. I am grateful it wasn't Cassie, but I wished it had been no one. Especially not Julia. She is unconscious now. She has one swollen eye and is covered in blood. But she was able to use that dagger against him, somehow. He may bleed to death before morning. Wouldn't that be a shame?" "Where is he now?" "I left him trussed up on the floor. Don't panic when you see Julia. She does look bad, but he was on top of her and she had stabbed him by the kidneys. Some of that blood is not her own. She was very brave and fought back well. Cassie is with her now. Are you calm enough to go see her?" "I think so. At least now I am, I cannot say when I actually see her injuries what I will feel. Let's go in there and wait for King Lance." Anen led the way into the bedchambers. There was a deathly quiet over the men who were now guarding the tied up Sinclair. They had all seen the devastated body of Julia. Cassie had covered her nakedness up, but Julia's face was testimony enough. They all managed to look ashamed to be a part of the same gender as the man they were guarding, some "accidentally" kicked him in retaliation for all the sister, daughters and mothers who had been treated in the same way. Anen went straight to Julia and he cradled her head in his arms. He blinked back the tears forming in his eyes. Not because he was ashamed to cry, but because he knew that he would lose control and he would kill Sinclaire. He wanted Sinclaire to be awake and cognizant of his situation when he was hung or beheaded or whatever King Lance decided. Finally the physician arrived and shooed everyone out. Anen stood his ground and told him that he would stay to help out however was needed. Julia stirred and he held her hand tightly. The look on Anen's face and the nod of Cassie made him assent to the wishes of this man. He knew he would need help. What had been done to this girl was brutal. He glared at the heap of manflesh on the floor and cursed him. Cassie and Byron stood guard as they waited for her father to see the carnage. He went to work to fix the broken body. King Lance arrived, he was in a cranky mood, but he saw the looks of the men around the rooms his daughter occupied and he rushed into he room expecting the worst. Instead he found his daughter alive and well sitting next to her fiance. His relief was palpatable. If Cassie was all right, then why was everyone so grim? Then he saw the body on the floor. It was Lord Sinclair, who was beginning to twitch. He was covered in blood and still bleeding. He was also tied up securely. He sat down and waited for an explanation. "Father, something terrible has happened. I am requesting that you see to it that justice is done. I want the head of Lord Sinclair stuffed and mounted. I want his face on display in the middle of the city. I want him to suffer like he made her to suffer." Lance looked at his daughter's tear streaked face and wondered who had been attacked and what had really happened. "Sire, my brother, although I hate to admit that he is my brother, has brutally raped and beaten Julia, Cassie's lady in waiting. Not because he wanted her, but because he wanted Cassie. Julia fought him as much as she could, if we hadn't arrived when we did, he would have most certainly killed her, which may already be true." The Little Warrior Ch. 4 Lance looked as if he had been kicked in the stomach by a horse. He looked over at Sinclair with a hatred only a father could know, and decided he would see the girl for himself. He rose without saying a word and Cassie knew what he wanted. She led him to the doorway and he saw all the blood, the girl pale as a ghost, and the look on the young man's face who held her hand as she bit down on the leather strip as the physician sewed her back together. Her one eye was swollen beyond recognition. Lance walked out to the guards and ordered that the "Evil Lord Sinclair" be taken directly to the dungeon. He was to be chained to the wall like a common criminal and if he bled to death, so be it. He would die in the morning anyway. The guards snapped to attention and quickly and eagerly followed his orders. They had seen the girl he had attacked. The Little Warrior Ch. 5 Cassie was angry. Not just angry, but she was livid. She didn't sleep for the rest of the night, being up with Julia. Julia, her friend, her servant, her savior. Julia held Cassie's hand after Anen left to deal with the prisoner. Murdering prick, Cassie thought. Julia was drugged up with some herbs to help the pain ease and sleep to overcome her, but she still suffered nightmares. Understandable, thought Cassie. Julia moaned in her sleep, continued to be restless. Cassie wondered what her betrothed was doing, and what the future held for her brother-to-be. She despised the man. Sinclaire, a powerful nobleman in her country, did the only thing that he could have done to raise the ire of his sovereign king. He tried to rape and beat his daughter to a bloody pulp. The only problem was that he got the wrong girl. His future sister-in-law wasn't in her own bed. Her lady in waiting, however, was. When King Lance heard his daughter's plea for a trusted man's head, and then saw why, he quickly took action. He sent the unconscious man to the dungeon. Ordered the worst room possible for him. He didn't care if the guards took out their anger of his brutality on him. He rather enjoyed that they felt that way. King Lance rested his weary head on his arms. He was exhausted, not from the lack of sleep. He rarely slept much anymore. He was emotionally exhausted from what he had seen. His daughter's best friend was brutally attacked, and the perpetrator thought that his own daughter, Princess Cassandra, was the victim. His gut felt like a knife was wrenching through it, turning until his insides were as jelly. HOW could he have trusted this man?? He asked himself for the thousandth time. He pounded his head on the table. "Your majesty?" "Yes, what is it?" he sighed, rubbing his temples. "Lord Sinclaire has revived, do you wish to question him?" "Oh yes, I most certainly do." "Follow me, please." Lance followed the guard down into he cold and damp dungeon. This wasn't his first trip down these winding stairs, but he knew that it was the most difficult. How many other men he had to sentence to death? How many others were men he had considered to be a friend, a trusted subject? How many times had he been utterly wrong? He was wrong this one time so far. Sinclaire had destroyed a part of him as he watched Tristan sew up the gash in Julia's arm. His rage barely contained. Women have no place in battle plans or politics, he thought, but they should also be treated with decorum. Reaching a cell that was guarded and locked, Lance ordered it to be opened for his entrance. Once inside, he smelled the dank smell of earth, rotted vegetation, urine, feces, and sweat. The smell almost gagged him. It was fitting for this man who dared to threaten and attack a royal member of his very own flesh and blood. His baby was in danger, and this man caused it. Lance was a very angry man, albeit controlled. "I see that you are awake." "I see that I am a prisoner in your dungeon. When do you plan on letting me out of here?" "Very soon. Sunrise." "Sunrise? That is when you usually take out the prisoners sentenced to death." "I know." "Since when did I deserve to be beheaded? I thought that we were on the same side." "We were until you tried to rape and beat my daughter. Your very own princess. The woman that you picked for your younger brother!" "I never touched your daughter. Your daughter was whoring around the castle. Your precious child is nothing more than a slut!" Sinclaire spat at Lance. "My daughter was with her betrothed, her future husband. But that isn't the point. You believed that you were doing those things to my daughter. The intent is clear. The fact that you raped the wrong girl means nothing. Your true intentions were obvious. As is your future, or what there is that is left to it. When Cassie asked me to take your head, I was shocked. She has never asked for anything like that, and never so vehemently, either. When I saw that she was fine, I couldn't figure out why she was so angry and upset. Then when I saw what you left in my daughter's bed, I fully understood and agreed with my child. You do not deserve to live. Your sentence is not merely passed for this night, but for the others that you have maimed, killed, and otherwise tortured in likewise fashion. As a result of your activities, I bestow your titles and lands to your younger brother. You will die a pauper, a titless pauper. You will be a nobody. I know how much your name and power mean to you. Now you will die knowing that I took them from you." Lance glared at Sinclaire. For a moment neither man spoke. Sinclaire stared at his king as his king stared at him, breathing heavily as he watched the blood dripping down Sinclaire's arm and face. "I will return. You will never kill me. You don't know who you are dealing with. But you will, oh yes, you will." Sinclaire sneered. His venom dripping from each word as he spewed them forth. "You have also been condemned for a direct threat to your king. Cassie will get her wish. Your head will remain on display for all to see. But this I promise to you. Your pain will last much more than the rest of the condemned. I will personally see to it that your head comes off slowly. I will hear you scream for mercy even as I imagine Julia had done. And as you, I will not grant it. That is a promise, it is not a threat." "You can promise all that you want, but you will never defeat me." Lance abruptly stood up. He whirled around, reaching the door he turned back to Sinclaire. "You have cast your lot in with the devil. May the gods have mercy on your soul, for I cannot. Your head will rest on the pole for the crows to eat your eyes." Lance left the smelly cell and had to sit down for a moment. He was shaken to the core. He truly did not know the evil that he had trusted. He stood up and walked tot he upper levels. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Anen?" "Yes?" "Are you all right?" "I am mad as hell. That man ruined a beautiful girl! He took a delicate flower of a woman and he crushed her soul as well as her body! I have never hated anyone like I do your brother!" Byron watched his best friend chopping firewood. The anger in which he struck the helpless wood showed how far above his normal emotions this had caused him pain. Byron was very relieved that Cassie, the intended victim, had been spared, but he felt terrible at the same time because not only was it Cassie's best friend who was in her stead, but his best friend's interest that had suffered so. "Byron?" "Yes?" "Do you think that it would be considered murder to kill a condemned man?" "I think that the King would agree with you on this one, Anen, but we must allow King Lance to do what is right. Other men who have the same predilection need to see what will happen to them, their titles meaning nothing in this." "You are right. I just, oh, I don't know. I feel the need to do something. You don't understand how helpless I felt when I was with Julia. As strong as I am, I was of no help to her. She was in so much pain, and I couldn't help her!" "I know what you mean. It scares me that Sinclaire intended Cassie to be his victim, but, I am proud of both of them. Cassie for telling me, a virtual stranger that she felt that she was in danger form my own brother, and Julia for fighting back. If she hadn't warned us, the knife wouldn't have been under her pillow. If Julia hadn't been calm enough to somehow get her hands on it while Sinclaire had her tied up, then who knows what could have happened. We should both be proud that the women in this castle have the guts to do what is needed even in the face of danger. You need to go to her and tell her how proud you are of her for fighting back when so many women would not." "You are right, I suppose. I just can't face her knowing that I failed her so horribly." "Yes you can. You will do it, too." "But, Byron?" "How will I live with myself if she looks at me with the same accusations in her eyes that I feel in my own heart?" "You will do it because she still needs you." Anen hung his head. Byron was right. Julia needed him. Maybe more so than anyone could dare say out loud. This was a traditional culture. The fact that Julia is no longer a virgin, be it by her choice or not, is a mark against her for a good marriage. Anen hated that ridiculous rule. Men were allowed to "sow their wild oats" while women were supposed to sit at home and hopefully stay protected. It wasn't fair, and Anen had never believed that it was. Now he had more reason than ever to challenge tradition and say to hell with it all, we all know what is right. He wasn't sure if Byron would stick his neck out that far, though. He thought so, but wasn't entirely sure. Byron finished what he was doing and decided to take a walk. "Anen, come with me." Anen followed, knowing instinctively where Byron was heading. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Cassie was wiping Julia's brow. She was asking for Anen, but at the same time inconsistently declaring that she didn't want him to see her like this. She was afraid that he would reject her. Most men would. How could Cassie explain the pain that she saw in Anen's eyes when he saw Julia? How could she explain the extent of hatred and anger she felt emote from Anen toward her future brother? How could she convince Julia that he wasn't like most men that they knew? Cassie saw it from the beginning. Anen and Byron were indeed close friends because they were very much alike in their ideals. Their passions seemed to be one and the same. Their country, their king, their women were all precious to them. While he didn't realize it, Cassie had been spying on her betrothed. She saw everything that she had expected to hear and see. Lord Byron is a just and fair man for all around him. He gave no special favors, but treated all equally, from maid to cook to stable hand to king. He treated all with respect and courtesy. Her heart skipped a beat when she thought of him. Byron; so strong, so kind, so sweet, so manly. She loved his scent, his arms around her, his quick wit and understanding of her ideas and passions. Cassie blushed at the thought of her passions. She displayed herself wantonly to Byron, and he responded. She wondered, would it be that way every time? She hoped so, for she loved his responses to what she had done. She learned so much about herself that night. She also learned about Byron that night. How his naked chest felt against hers. How silky smooth the skin of his thigh was close to his hip. How ticklish he was in a few spots. How loving he could be. "Oh, lord. I am in love with him already, aren't I?" Cassie sighed. It felt nice, but at the same time scary. How did he feel about her? Was she really more to him than another woman to warm his bed? She decided that she needed to tell him her secret. She also wanted to give him a few of her ideas for the upcoming campaign, to take to her father. She knew that given her status as a woman, in her father's eyes, she was uneducated and stupid about the ways of war and fighting. What King Lance did not know, was that for several years, his daughter sat in on many of his discussions with his generals. His lovely daughter, Princess Cassandra, spied on her own father. She had accidentally discovered a niche where she could hide and yet still hear and see most of their meetings. Cassie was a fast learner. She realized quickly what was going on and had a few ideas of her own to give their own army an advantage. As a woman, she had no way to present her ideas without being a laughing stock or worse, patronized. Julia was crying again, not from the pain, but from the loss that she felt so dearly to the one man who had stolen her heart. Anen had a look of hatred in his eyes when he saw her. She couldn't bear to see that again. He hated her now. She was spoiled goods. As a woman, she was nothing more than property to the men around her. Her virginity was gone. That was all that she had that was truly hers, and it was gone. It was her last claim to a good marriage. It was gone. She wept through the futility of her life. She would die a spinster. She was grateful to having known the pleasure of a man flirting with her. She felt desirable, a prospect for him, not a mere passing fancy. But that was what she would be from now on. A man's passing fancy since she was now damaged goods. That hurt more than the black and blue eye that was swollen shut, more so than where she was stitched back together. A part of her was missing. Her future dead to her now. "Princess?" "Yes, Julia?" "Do you think that Anen would ever speak to me again?" "Why wouldn't he?" "Because I am no longer a virgin." "That wasn't your fault. You didn't choose this. Look at you. Anyone could see that it was forced upon you, and if anyone has a problem with that, then they can bring it to me." "Men don't think that way." "I think that Anen does. He looked as if he wanted to rip Sinclaire into pieces, slowly. I think that Byron would too. I asked Father to cut off his head and hang it on a pole for me. I want his head on display. I want him to die a horrible death. I want him to know that I, a mere woman, ordered it." Cassie's voice was venomous. Julia cried, not in anger, but in relief. Her future may not be so dismal after all. She knew that Cassie meant every word. She also knew that Cassie felt responsible, for she was the true intent, not Julia herself. Julia finally fell asleep, the herbs doing their job. She twitched a few times and moaned, but was mostly quietly sleeping. Cassie asked for another woman to keep guard over her. When the lady arrived, she apprised her of the events, and gave strict orders to send for her if Julia were to awaken. She also gave strict orders that unless Tristan allowed it, no visitors aside from herself, Anen, Byron, and her own father, for the time being. She wanted Julia to have time to recover while she could. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Byron paced in his room. How would King Lance handle the situation of his own relationship with Sinclaire? He imagined that King Lance could strip him of his titles and lands as well, and cancel his wedding with Cassie. The titles and money he didn't care about. He did, however, care about Cassie. He was afraid of losing her. The only woman that would probably be able to understand his thoughts, dreams, desires. She was more than he had ever hoped for in a wife. Cassie was smart. She was very quick when it came to politics. She was able to grasp a situation, almost before he himself could. She was able to make decisions easily, and was the type of person to stand by her principles. She might have to bow down to her father, and accept his views on women, but she did so in her own way. Cassie was a strong woman, capable of so many things. She was also very beautiful He loved her hair, the soft feel of her skin under his fingers. Byron reminisced about the very intimate time that he had already had with her. She was more than willing to please him. He wanted her all the more for that reason. He thought of the bandaged arm. Byron wondered what she meant by saying that she would tell him later about it. His brow furrowed as he thought of different reasons as to why, or even when, she was injured. She didn't say anything about it hurting, but thinking back, she had winced the day before when on their picnic. He also had seen blood on the bandage, meaning that it was a fairly recent injury. His fiancee was an enigma. Very interesting, he thought. There was a gentle knock on his door, and he knew immediately who it was. "Come in, Cassie." "How did you know that it was I?" "Your knock. Besides, I was just thinking about you." "I know. I need to talk to you about some things. I should have told you this before, but I was afraid to." "You need not fear telling me anything." "I know that now. I feel that I can implicitly trust you. I thought before that I could, at our first meeting, but I wanted to be sure." Byron sat down, gesturing for Cassie to do the same. She declined with a slight shake of her head, and began to pace, much like he had been recently pacing. "What is it that you need to tell me?" "Well," she stammered. "Well, do you remember that my arm was bandaged and I would explain it later?" "Yes, I was just wondering about it, too." "I got it from practicing with a sword. Father doesn't know it, but I have been sneaking lessons for months now. I have been told that I am getting to be pretty good with a rapier. I hope to eventually master the broadsword. I know that it takes a lot of strength, but I am determined to do so." "Why is it, I am not surprised at all? Your tenacity, even within your father's walls, astounds me. I have trouble with the idea that you could fail at anything that you set out to do. When did this happen?" He gently touched her arm, where the sleeve covered the telltale bandage. "The afternoon that I met you. I was almost late because of practice. Tristan was relieved to hear the next day that I would be taking a few days off for practice, mainly because I had torn them during that practice session. He is really very good at stitching up a person." "I see. Well, that would explain why you winced a few times when I had touched your arm that day. Why didn't you say anything? I could understand not telling me how you got hurt, but to know that you were injured would have sufficed." "My father would have known why. He prohibited me from learning, saying that women should not ever arm themselves. We are the weaker sex, and as such, should act so." Byron laughed. "Well, I can see your father saying that. He is very old fashioned. He means no harm, but he was raised that women were supposed to be helpless and men the protectors. I know that it must be frustrating for you, but, he knows no other way. It is hard for old men to learn. A complete change in a belief, now that is damned impossible to accomplish." "I never thought of it that way. I guess that you are right. I take it that you are not offended by my desire to learn how to protect myself?" "Not at all. I think that you should continue to learn. In fact, would you mind if I took over your lessons, after watching you for a few days to see what you know, and to see what weaknesses that you might have?" Cassie's mouth gaped open. She had half expected him to forbid her as well. She never expected this. "Are you serious? Do you honestly mean that I do not have to stop?" Byron laughed. "No, Cassie. I should think that most women would want to learn how to defend themselves. I commend you on your determination to do so. I only hope that you never have to use your knowledge, but from what I have seen, chances are that you will have to know something." Cassie was relieved. She knew then that she would hire a trainer for all women in her estates, she felt the same way, and Byron would support her on this. "There is one thing that has been nagging me since you did it. How did you know that something was wrong? I heard nothing, not until we were fairly close to your rooms. How is it that you were able to know what was going on, and no one else was?" "I am not sure. Sometimes I get pictures in my head. I can see bits and pieces of what is happening somewhere else, but it had never been so strong as then. I knew that it was imperative that we intervene. Unfortunately, I didn't sense it in time." Cassie looked down. She knew that if she had paid more attention to her warning system, she could have avoided the incident entirely. She blamed herself for Julia's condition. The Little Warrior Ch. 5 Byron considered this information.