Kevin Fraser slipped down from the black's back as the woman toppled backward. He reached out to her, before she swooned, but he didn't grab her in time, and she struck her head on the small rock that she was now resting on. Walking toward her, he watched her. She was garbed strangely. Blue leggings that seemed to hold her legs tightly and a white tunic with no toggles and strange markings on it.
Crouching down he poked her gently in the stomach. She didn't move or make a noise. What the hell was the woman doing out here dressed as a lad? Kevin shook his head, knowing what lay ahead of him. Carefully, he slid his arms under her neck and knees, lifting her effortlessly. Standing, he strode toward the keep.
With a shrill whistle, the black followed behind, walking slowly. Kevin sighed.
Cien wasn't going to like this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grasping the arms of the ancient chair, Cien Fraser listened to the final accusation. Three men were accused of abusing one of his scullary maids. When Cien himself asked the men of their guilt, they had all shrugged their shoulders and said she'd asked for it.
The woman Cien saw hadn't asked to be violated. She sat next to his chair on the floor, sobbing quietly to herself. Raising his hand to his head, he rubed the bridge of his nose in irritation. "You mean to tell me, this woman here, the woman sobbing to herself because she was violated, was asking for you attentions?" Cien said, sarcasm thick in his voice.
"Aye, she asked for it, she did. Begged for it," Brenden McPhearson said with a deliberate sneer.
Netty stood and if Cien hadn't caught her, would have flung herself at her attackers. "Yer nothing but a liar, ye damned McPhearson! I said nay to ye. Ne've a once did I say aye. Ne've once!" She screamed.
Bretta, the cook, stepped forward from the servants stationed near the door to the kitchens, and took Netty into her hands. Netty was sobbing loudly now, her entire body sinking slowly to the ground. Bretta held her up as much as she could, but when she too began to slide to the ground, Harold the blacksmith came forward, and picked up Netty.
"If it be fine with ye, my lord, I would take Netty to her chambers now." Cien stood facing the men accused. He didn't take his eyes off them when he gave a nod. He stared at Brenden with such pure hate, he wasn't sure it was of a natural occurance.
As he stared at Brenden, the other two accused stood slowly, flanking their obvious leader. "Gwain Fraser, Ulrick Fraser and Brenden McPhearson," he said slowly, "I am giving you ten minutes to get out of my sight," he bit out angrily. Brenden, thinking this was all he was going to do snickered. "And off my land." Brenden's jaw dropped, and he took a step forward.
Cien grabbed his neck, and yanked him close to his face. "If I ever see you, or them or any of your clan on my land again, I will take personal insult and petition the king for your death. After," he emphasized, "I've already killed you."
He threw him to the ground with a flick of his wrist and turned away. Giving a nod to his personal guard, he turned back to his chair and sat down.
Alac, his cousin and second in command, stepped forward with twelve of the others and picked up Brenden by his hair. "Get up, you filth." He growled at him. When Brenden didn't move fast enough for him, he began to drag him out of the enterance by his hair. "Liam," Cien called out.
The tallest man of his guard stopped and turned back to Cien. "Make sure his father and entire clan know why he has been banished from my land. 'Tis an insult I can not and will not condone." Liam nodded his understanding and left to follow the rest of the men.
Cien nodded to the servants, and instantly they disbanded to go about their duties. A few minutes later, Alac returned from outside. Sitting at the table across from Cien, he picked up his cup of ale from earlier. "Liam, Henry and Jessie are traveling with them to McPhearson's land. I understand you gave Liam some instructions to be given to the McPhearson?" Cien nodded. "That was a good idea. 'Twill keep us out of war with them."
