The flowers bloomed in white and red. A few places were pink from cross pollination. He walked the garden path in the early morning seeing what her efforts had brought on. She had spent a lot of time pulling out the weeds and clearing the bushes so that they would properly bloom. It would be a shame not to enjoy them. He could see the progress that had been made here, each bloom was a victory. Every manicured part was a statement saying that Belglade would be better than she had ever been because of these two. He thought on the events of the evening before, there was no doubt that he had been shocked to find her there amidst the trouble.

He was as sore today as he knew he would be. His face throbbed as did his knee, but the world would not stop simply because he wasn?t ready for it to go on. He found what he was looking for out there, more than just beauty or solitude. He found a way to be a part of her creation. He trailed hands amongst the stems of the flowering bushes. There was a lot of thought in his mind this morning, what had been the reason behind an attack of that nature. One that looked to be designed to fail, either the man had been a poor captain, and he wasn?t ruling that out, or there was more to the story.

It wasn?t his problem, at least not yet it wasn?t. He would need to keep his eyes open though. Eyes open mind alert to danger, or at the least dangerous men. The house was nearly hidden from him now the birds had left at his passing leaving him with just the sounds of insects. He began to make his way back to the house knowing that he should get to work out front. The men would be here soon their tasks nearly completed on the balconies. Wrought iron balustrades were waiting to go up, at the forge now was the front gate. He would clean it up today and find what was still usable.

He entered through the back door, and moved forward to meet her. He slid a white flower into her hair, leaning in to brush his lips along her jaw. ?Vous ?tes une vision en blanc mon doux amour? Time wasn?t sorry for his lost time, and seeing that flower in steeled him against feeling any guilt in his decision.

He tread along the path leading from behind Belglade. His last time down this path had ended in a moment of unbridled passion, was it really a week passed since then. Kruger came to the place where the footbridge crossed over the creek. It was an extremely high bridge, though a drop between fifteen and twenty feet awaited at the middle. At least it would have if the bridge its self hadn't been bent in the middle and hanging precariously against its bracings.


The irony of this situation wasn't lost on him running on a bridge building platform he stood before a broken bridge and had to make a decision. He could easily go around the wreckage it was a longer walk but one he had made before. The twinges in his knee were a point that would have to be considered though.


The break rested on the rocks along the creek banks. Going down and crossing the creek was of course another option, and one that would allow him to easily assess the damage to the bridge itself. Better to know what needs fixing than abandon a plan altogether. This bridge wasn't highly used but it was convenient to Belglade.


Kruger considered Belglade, not just the estate, but the surrounding ones as well. This place had been one of the more desirable places to live once. He could tell by looking at what was left of the houses along the road. all had large plots of ground a mansion of if not incredible size it was certainly aesthetically pleasing.


He struggled his way down the embankment and out onto the rocks. He wore a faint smile as he crossed them to where the bridge was laying. On the ground near it were long wooden pins that had once held the middle of the bridge together. Strange that they had worked themselves out.

The pins were relatively crisp in appearance, it didn't look as though one had dropped a long time ago allowing the other to work its way out. Kruger considered it possible that they were pulled on purpose. Why someone would do that was beyond him though.


A second thought occurred to him then, if the pins had been pulled was the deconstructor trying to keep him and Shai in or simply from travelling this way. Kruger had spent time in some strange places at night. A man alone could get a bit crazy at times. On the street men got crazy over places to stay.


The bridge was fixable and easily so with enough men to help. It would be beyond his abilities to lift the bridge to its twenty foot loftiness and be able to place the pins. He perhaps could have tried some magic, but in truth he reserved that for things that he couldn't accomplish otherwise. He was never so good at it as when he occupied the forge, the duels were a close second to that. He made a decision at that point to go on back to the house and let Shai, and the men know what had happened here.

He felt as though there were eyes on him, but he felt like that very often. This warning system while once effective was now as much a weakness as it ever was a plus. On the bright side, Shai was at home, and he was glad that there would be solace in her embrace.

(The following is a collaborative post between Kruger's and Shai's players.)

Much work was needed on Belglade, more so that any of them had been prepared for. It was no longer just about the balconies and valances, which were taking a good deal of time. It was also about the front gates and minor repairs throughout. Each coming as they did, none of the men seemed to be in any hurry for it to be completed. They were rather content in Belglade, distinctly so.

It had been iron and steel that had brought Kruger here, the promise of work displayed that would mark a beauty beyond his weapons. Even as the metal melded with the stone carapace, so did he meld into this place. Belglade had become what was possible for him; he had Shai to thank for that. There was no rush to finish her, a sentiment that seemed to rule the day and night at Abri nan sy?l la.

Kruger had discovered the name when he went to work on the arch way over the fallen gate. Ivy had been allowed to grow and cover what was a most appropriate entitlement for the property. Had they loved her as much as those here now were coming to? There were still things missing for both of them, one such was due to come by and make her plans known to them.

That one being Rochelle, she had been with Shai at the differing Salons for many years. Rochelle was her constant in every regard. Rochelle was older yet she still acted as if she was 30 years younger. She took care of the residences and the women as if they were her own. They were in a way, especially Shai. She understood the Courtesan when so often the opposite seemed to surround her. When the Blacksmith presented the proposition to her she had agreed. She would go to Shai on her own to discuss the final details. Dimitri was no longer a name crossing the Greek's lips. It was done by his own hand.

The three masons had become as much a part of Belglade as the very stone they mended. The constant bickering between Giovanni and Antonio equaled the birds singing from the southern garden. Neither man truly meant the insults they threw at each other. Their squabbling was nicely balanced by Marcus the youngest of the brothers. He just trudged ever forward nodding to the points the others made and remaining silent when asked his opinion. He would offer it when the three were alone, but not in front of the smith and never in front of Lady Shai. For her there was always the shy smile and blush.

Weeks began to pass and shape was made. The gardens were a forever bloom within the climate they were living. Shai was passionate about the gardens wishing to extend them in every way she possible. The fragrances were already mixing into a heady appeal.

Kruger watched the passage of the mason's scaffold. Sometimes it seemed to move barely an inch and others it would jump ahead. The progress around the shelter was never what he would call fast but it was steady. The incidents that had slowed them recently were not enough to halt the wheel of time from grinding onwards. Kruger was already making plans that would keep the masons busy long after the building?s facings were completed. There would be work to do inside the house, and walls to build along the property line. He needed to consult with Shai to see if perhaps they could be taken on permanently to 'keep the grounds'. The fact that he liked having them nearby was just a small part of his reasoning.

Shai had suggested building a forge on the property. This was something he was considering very heavily. Everywhere he turned he saw Shai's hand with the gardens; it seemed appropriate somehow that his work went into gates and fences. How much better if he had a place to work from that was permanent though?

Shai's argument had been that it made sense. If this was Kruger's home, shouldn?t it be that he could behave as accustomed? He ought to have everything at his ready. This had turned into a discussion of sorts; there was still not a solid agreement as they had been distracted. But she, was under the assumption it would be done.

Kruger was always at odds between what he could achieve and what he felt he deserved. This one point had been something to come between them on occasion. In Shai he had found one who asked him why not. She was someone who had a ready counter to his arguments. Shai was rebuilding him, deftly and at times with harsh realities. The changes came with simple acceptance. She wasn't fixing his scars so much as making them into strengths. He had become the wolf for her. What more would Shai bring from him?


(to be continued)

(This is taken from live play between Rochelle and Jericho. Thank you once again Rochelle's player)

Jericho laid back pain and effort sapping the strength from him. His breaths came heavy through clenched teeth. He had broken the rules set up by Bosun, well there was only one rule 'no contact with those dwelling in the house'.

Bosun had sworn that they would be gone soon, but to Jericho it just seemed that they were digging in deeper. The day that nearly a dozen men went traipsing through the forest should have told Bosun this group of people were different than the others. Jericho had easily dodged the men, but they didn't seem to be looking for him. Since that day he had kept close watch on the house.

Rochelle was having a nervous breakdown and was suddenly wondering if she was cursed. Hurrying back, she had to stop several times as the items overpowered her and were dropped to the ground. The apron dangling somewhere, she finally laid it to the ground and put the objects onto it to pull all of it down the hill. "Signore! Stay with me, don't go to sleep!" Afraid he was going to pass out, unknowing of how much blood the man had lost. "Almost there!"

He hated that he was accepting help from anyone, let alone a woman. Not just any woman either, but a woman well enough into her years that she shouldn't have to worry over this kind of thing. Where were the men who usually worked down there. He looked at the sun, and realized that it had only been minutes since the cat had come upon him. "too early for them...fool." This from those clenched teeth, Jericho couldn't seem to focus on everything at once, the woman the pain in his leg both pushed out the ability to not allow thoughts to just tumble from his lips. "So where would the smith be? He is usually at work already."

Dropping to her knees along side of him, shaking hands began to snip at the fabric of his pants, getting as much from the area as she could as she wasn't able to see his flesh with the obstruction. Darting him a look. "I am not sure Signore, he and the Mistress were not in the house." Finding it strange he would ask this, she instantly assumed the male knew the two and that had actually made her feel slightly better in fact that he was a stranger, but maybe not to them. "Put this between your teeth..." The belt laid on his chest, she wiped already bloody hands onto her skirts and grabbed for the wedge. "Lay back and do not move..." If the trap wasn't removed swiftly, he was going to loose that leg....there was no question.

Jericho folded the belt and bit into it. He didn't question if she would be able to remove the trap, she was all he had. He laid back and braced himself not knowing what she had planned, complex thought was lost somewhere between his leg and his fear. He stared at the sky wondering why it always looked like rain when bad things happened. He failed to realize it was his vision that had gone cloudy. His pant leg was soaked in blood, the boot on his leg was seeping it as well. The grass was torn out by the handfuls, his fingers were slick with blood and dew. It still had only been minutes but it seemed like lifetimes.

This was going to be painful, there was no other way around it. Wincing, the blood still gushed and it was with a swift hand Rochelle tapped the wedge into one of the broken teeth of the trap. "Don't pass out on me, Signore! Stay... " Tap! "with me..." It gave a little, but not by much. Straightening on her knees, she gave either side a pull and the trap wasn't giving anymore.

"Sirrah Allen!" Screaming at that point, she had made matters worse with the slight shift of the trap's teeth and was by this point wearing the strangers blood down her front and arms. No answer coming, she gained a bit more leverage and tried again, but from a different angle. Standing, she wedged the piece of long metal against the other end of the trap and pressed her full weight onto it. All at once, the trap SNAPPED open and it fell apart on the ground.

He tasted leather, and heard a voice screaming in agony. He distinctly remembered the two things, in just that way. At what point he realized that it was his voice crying out was hard to determine. He thought perhaps it came at about the time the woman stopped prying on the trap. It could just as easily been the moment the trap broke apart. Whichever moment it was became so much harder to determine once the trap was gone and the blood that had been impeded before flowed freely. Now he knew his danger, and his mind became clinical. The belt in his mouth suddenly became a tourniquet.

He worked quickly when he saw how much blood had been lost already. He was so focused on his leg that he failed to notice the shadows that approached. from the direction of the house.

Almost on top of him, Rochelle was helping him in a flurry of motion to get the leg bound and tied off tightly with the belt. To anything or anyone coming from the back, it could have looked like something ENTIRELY different. Both of them by that point splashed in his blood, it was rather heinous. "Tighter.." Her teeth helping to hold the leather's end, she reached for the apron and snatched it to wrap around the lower part of his leg away from the wound. Forming a double point of clotting, hopefully it held.

Behind Rochelle there was a clicking sound, a distinct snick of a hammer being pulled back. Jericho saw the figure then, but couldn't make out a face. It blocked the sun but all that was visible was a shadow. He could make out one thing though, the figure held a rifle.

Jericho reached for his own weapon when the rifle went off. Behind him about twenty paces the puma fell to the ground. It had crept close, following the trail of blood as though Jericho were a deer to take down and feed on. The rifle crack made him jump violently, he could feel a similar reaction from the old woman. "Dat dere big daddy cat dun neer made a sneaky snack out you two." Jericho knew the voice of the Bosun and didn't know if things would have been better with the big daddy cat. The figure leaned in. "Het dere boy how you get yerself inta such a fix?"

Maybe this whole woodsy thing was not going to be good for Rochelle. Here she was, in the middle of a blood bath and then she hears what she knows to be a gun being readied to fire behind her. Dear Sweet Saint's, the old woman wet herself and nearly had a heart attack when it went off. Head whipping to devil glare at the one that could not speak, her features twisted as she shook a fist up to him.

"Hai perso quello che hanno poco Intendiamoci! Halfbreed!" She knew nothing of a puma, only that this man was dying in front of her on the Sirrah and Mistress' property. "Help me get him up to the house, I have things there!" She would not take no for an answer and was already rising to hunch over the trapper, bending her head so he could grab at her around the neck. "Lui ? un pazzo! Tiro sopra la mia testa! Sciocco, dico!"

"Aahiee dis one be fiesty zheri." The large man did bend over then lifting Jericho in much the same way he would be seen to lift the puma when he left. He gave little sympathy for the mans cries as Jericho went over his shoulder.

"Apres vous Cher." He held the mans leg caring what seemed not at all for the blood that transferred from Jericho to himself. He waited for the woman to get up, taking that time to scoop up his rifle. "I dun said ta stay way from dis people Zheri...You one hard headed son I tell ya."

The Bosun continued his rhetoric all the way to the house, Rochelle would hear him to say. "Ya' be knowin Zheri tha' if'n I din like ye I woulda let youn kitty kat just do what he wanted ta be doin...All said an dun ye be lucky dat smith is off lookin at a clearin wi' his lady true."

The trap and the metals left where they were, Rochelle did as any Italian woman would when men were talking and listened, picking apart everything said because it would be thrown in their face at some point. And that point was coming, quickly. Considering he spoke french as well whatever he had been speaking, she spit on the ground and her tone was of the utmost serious.

"Vous aider ? amener ? l'int?rieur de cette maison et ? attendre sur le porche ! J'aura tendance ? lui sans vous !" Careful with Jericho, there was no changing the fact that it had happened, and he was in an extreme amount of pain.

Moving across the front porch and in as the door had been left open, she just happened to glance down at the Italian tiled floor and shrieked. "The floor!" No way to avoid it, she was furious and it just smeared all the way into the kitchen. "Get out!" Barked at the Bosun. "Now!"

The bosun held up his hands to the woman, and went back the way he came. "I say I ought not shoot tha' kitty it woulda been out sneakied by you cher." He mumbled more as he was making his way out, but the words were lost in the air since he was no longer facing her. Whatever he was saying was accompanied by a lot of head shaking, and shrugging of large shoulders. The front door smacked closed behind him, and that was followed by a shattering clash and the shouts of Gio and Antonio. The workmen had finally made it in, just in time to see a large bloody man exiting Abri nan sy?l la.


(To be continuned.)

The smith was looking over a piece of the property, He had all but decided this would be the place of construction. He paced off the walls, the place wouldn't need to be too large. There would be some need of a small storage area. After pacing the walls he moved to the center of the space the building would occupy. He sat down cross legged and closed his eyes, visualizing how this space needed to look.

He could see it in his head, the placement of the forge, where the doors would be set up. He would consult with an architect to have plans created. This would be a great advantage to him to be able to take time off and stay home but to also work as necessary.

The winds had been quiet that day, perhaps too much so. Not a bird heard singing. Not a trickle of water. Only the sound of the Blacksmith's footsteps.

Flickerflash. Not to so far away from him and on the bank of the creek, a sniffle was drown away.

Flash! Ring around the rosie. A ghostly niveous that blended straight into the air, vanishing on whispered promises and the giggles only a little girl could breath. Pocket full of posies. The doll clung to, thick lashes brushed at the tops of her cheeks. Ashes. Mommy. Mommy, who is this man. He is a stranger, yes? Chubby fingers moving against the hair of the held. Ashes.

A wince as pain shot through Kruger's head again. He hadn't used the hammer at all today, this condition seemed to be getting worse. Shai had purchased some things to relieve the headaches he had been getting lately.

He could hear the sounds of children, but he often heard things, the earth itself would occasionally give him a glimpse of the past if he happened to pass close by an ore deposit. It was part of him, this listening to the metals, and those other elements that made up his trade. Children playing, would Belglade ever be filled with the sound again?

Silence, yes. Always the silence. Never an answer to her question's. Why always so silent. Rising to her so tiny of a height, Camile wavered there on bare feet and curled her free hand of fingers about the edge of the filthy dress hanging to her ankles. A dare of step towards him, careful in her placement of each, twigs bending beneath her slight weight. Ashes. Why did he ignore her so. Mommy, Camile wasn't a bad girl, was she? Clinging the doll close to her small arms curling tighter and tighter yet. Mister. Mister, Camile won't disturb you.

He listened, it was nearly as if the voices spoke to him. In his place he began to sing softly, it would help him to visualize and perhaps put a silence to the voices that seemed hell bent on distracting him. It was a soft song, a song of construction. It had power only in his mind at this point, when the place was built it would be according to how the nexus needed it to be built. His song spoke of walls of stone and asked how best to make this place. There would be some type of directional shift away from what was in his forge to the north and east.

The voices nearly all stopped except for that one child's voice, perhaps somewhere near was part of a hair pin that had belonged to the child. This could be the reason she remained so strongly.

Taboo. Dark and feral eyes bleeding into the child. Crouching down near the blacksmith, Camile fiddled with the dirt falling from the heel of his boots, it moving beyond her fingers no matter how hard she tried to grasp. Ashes. Her face moving into a marring pinch, she tried again and shrieked out a shrill of not getting her way and patted her hand to the ground, it sinking breathlessly away. A determined look on her face, cobalt blue slammed closed. Mister! I can play in the dirt too! Again, the shrill....louder and broken off by a sob. Taboo, no.

A needle of cold stabbed through his boot into his foot, the temperature seemed to drop around him. His eyes were closed or he might have noticed that his breath frosted into the air.

Questions seemed to buzz at him, he couldn't hold his song, the child was too insistent. He changed his song into one of seeking, trying to find that item that held the memory of the child who he would nearly swear was speaking directly to him.

He could nearly see the thing, it was old and off towards his left, he kept eyes closed, rolling to his knees and crawling along the earth. He stopped above what he saw, pulling grass and finally digging fingers into the dirt.

He broke a nail on the item scratching it in such a way. When he pulled it up he saw what appeared to be a metal comb, small as for a child's hair. He could see it being used in an extravagant up do.

Gator tears dropped to the line of her cheeks, a sniffle wiped with the back of her fist. The song reaching her tattered mind. Soon her lips were moving and she was singing softly to herself. Ring around the rosie.

A squeal then to pierce the senses, he found it! Making a grabbing motion, her hand slipped right through the bigger one and the wails soon sounded. It was her's! The comb was her pretty and matched her hair perfectly. So dark and thick, it had held it back until she had been knocked from her feet that day so long ago. Mommy! I'm sorry...Camile be sorry, she didn't mean to loose it! MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kruger dropped the thing with a start, his tie to it had increased the moment he had picked it up. There was an image, he rarely got images, and this one looked at him.

He shook with effort, his song faltering but the voice continued. ring around the rosie...His head felt like a knife was splitting it in two. He pressed hands against temples and rolled to his back. Shouting "What do you want from me?!!!"

He laid there in the grass eyes closed against the sun, but still he could see this child and the dark shadow that accompanied her. It was one of them...one of those things, and he couldn't move against it.

When the blacksmith shouted, Camile jumped and cowered. Her cries only growing louder and louder yet. Jumping to her feet, she tried to run and fell, sliding down the embankment. Camile sorry, Mister!!! Don't yell! Won't do again..! Her sobs broken into hiccups, she rolled until she could find her feet and ran as far down the creek bed as she could....without the comb.

The pain began to subside, the throb of his heart no longer pushing at his control. There could be no mistaking that the spirit was indeed speaking to him. "Camile? Camile you need to run, the shadow it might get you..." he hooked his thumbs around the hammers and slid them from their homes. "you go, and I will protect you..." He stood and faced that shadow, it had a different look in the daylight. A large black cat.

He stared it down anyway, but the spirit would not move. To his surprise neither did the cat. He dropped his guard, and then let it go completely. The house was visible, Shai was there...as was Rochelle and the three brothers. If the cat moved he would attack it. "How long have you lived here Camile?"

Ring....ring....Her chest heaving, she shook her head to the Mister. Mommy said not to go into the creek, told me to be careful...I'm sorry Mommy....Taboo no! The panther lunged towards the child, much as he had that day so long ago and moved right through her into the air, a growl and he was gone. For now. Make it stop...Mister...Camile can't see you anymore....Mister! Don'ttttt make Camile go....you go....not Camileeeee! The whining starting all over again, and grew farther and farther away, not wanting him to shout again as is terrified the child. Mister and ladeeee go....not Camile...not ever.

He reacted to the cat's lunge, quick as a blink to try and do something to stop it. It disappeared, and the child faded.

Kruger's leap brought him close to the ravine which the creek flowed through, or would have if there were any water to flow. A sheer drop looked back at him, and at the bottom immense boulders.

The Blacksmith grabbed hold of a small tree, it flexed under his weight but gave him enough leverage to stop his own tumble into the depths. He knelt there looking down at the spot. for the barest instant he could see a child and the cat once again.

He turned back to look towards the house, and made a slow thoughtful journey that direction.

Up at the house, things were oddly something akin to normal...at least where all of them were concerned. Working in the front gardens near the gates, Shai had been there for hours. The men were still working and would be till dusk and Rochelle was inside cooking something that smelled absolutely wonderful. For once, a touch of peace for all involved...lest one.

His steps were heavy, the encounter had left him drained of energy. As though the spirits had fed directly off of him. He had bent to retrieve the child's comb. He spent the trip back cleaning the dirt from it. The comb had an image engraved into it, the house itself, as it was long ago.

Kruger's fingers shook when he noticed the patter. He held it out before letting the house fall in behind it. He could see that it was from this point right here that the maker had taken his image.

The comb was shoved into a pouch to be contemplated later. Gio and crew were gathering up tools and tarping out their supplies. It looked like rain would be the order of the day. It was moving in quickly too. The men might need to stay a while.

Not so obvious and as quiet as she could be, Camile saw him leaving and stopped herself from panicking, it was the evenings that terrified her so very much. Following at a good distance, the doll was clung to her chest.

(tbc)

Did he hear Rochelle passing by the open door? He wasn't shy about his body. Though he wondered if the condition of his would shock her. Not likely considering that little really put her off. He stepped into the tub and seated himself letting the water fill around him.

Perched there on the side of the tub, Shai crossed her legs and continued to trail a finger through the hot water. "Why did you ask if you were crazy, mon amour?" Inquired gently.

If it had been Rochelle, he would have perhaps been shocked to realize the state of his undress truly did not phase the older woman, if anything she would have been concerned over his scarring and would have wanted to try to aid him in such as the scars would only grow thicker as the years passed.

In truth, her heart would have hurt as she was daily becoming close to the blacksmith and the thought of anyone harming him was not something she would wish to think about. Leaning, Shai soaked the sponge and drizzled it over his neck and back.

He cracked his neck, the water was warm. He sighed in his seated position. "To be frank...Get me my pouch mon amour, there is something I need to show you...to discuss with you."

He waited for her to bring it to him. "I found something at the site for the forge." He opened the pouch and pulled out the little comb. "I also had a strange encounter. It has made me question myself" He handed her the comb with the house engraved upon it. "Interesting no? Solid silver, and it needs to be cleaned." His eyes narrowed at the thing. "I ran into our shadow friend out there, and...and something else."

Taking the comb, the first thing Shai did was hold it to her nose where she sniffed at it and was listening to him as she ran her fingers across the surface. "Something else meaning what?" Expecting him to say he ran into a family of pigmies or something else, it wouldn't shock her. Heaven only knew what would be next that came out of those woods. "Very interesting, very old as well..."

"I ran into a child, the child who owned that hair comb. This should be sufficiently confusing because as you say the piece is very old, yet the child still looks around four or so." He stretched out in the tub looking up at her. "I watched a shadow pass through the child, and then saw what could have been a body on the ravine floor."

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "The child calls herself Camile, and I believe she has been here for quite some time."

While a slender brow did rise into her hair line, Shai almost seemed to be absolutely unplussed by such details. What was however disturbing was the sadness clearly apparent as Kruger spoke. Trailing the teeth of the comb lightly across her palm, Shai looked down to it and then him with a whisper. "If this is in fact her's, mon amour....you must never wash it or clean it.." That, concerned her....greatly. "You must return it come first light, back to it's rightful place."

"She was there Shai, and will be ever more unless we can untie her from that, and Belglade itself." He sighed once again. "She is alone Shai..alone and calling for her mother. A mother who never comes." He looked at her from his place in the tub. "Perhaps we need to get some help. She was with me on the porch, weak but there."

"I think it is possible we need to find out what happened to her, and that might break her away from this place." He licked his lips at the thought.

Quieting, for a very long time, she continued to trace the comb and found herself imagining this child. The comb was so very small. "Kruger...it would explain a good many things. Oui, we should find out, quickly in fact." Holding the object to her chest, she asked the strangest question. "Were you able to pick up her scent, mon amour?"

He shook his head. "I don't recall a scent mon amour." He began to hum the song of the child ring around the rosey. He took up a cloth and started to work it across his skin.

"I only had a brief glimpse, though the voice did last for some time." He rinsed away the soap suds and dropped beneath the surface to get his hair wet. He resurfaced and just looked over at Shai.

(tbc)

Salutation's and Solicitor's 2

He couldn't wait to let Shai know what transpired here. That thought started the war over again, to distract himself he took one of Rochelle's biscuits and savored it. "I believe from the road the two look to be nearly swept bare of out buildings, and only the further of the two seem to have a main house that might be restorable?" He was being rhetorical, but it was said out loud. His eyes swept left and right, seeing it in his head and marking the positions of the buildings.

"I did, actually, knowing you would be asking for them first thing." Opening his satchel, the paper's were pulled free and rather large in thickness.Setting them to the table there, he gave the top of a sound tap.

"Actually, I think it is a case of the cost being much lower as they wish the properties to be occupied. I am willing to bet with some good talking, we can get both rolled into one..." Yes, he said "we". "I took a gander on my way by, and it looks like with some hard clearing, you may even be able to blend all three together into one huge property..."

The possibilities were rather endless. "Uh....also, I was asked if there were any problems out here since Miss Vevea acquired the property here, I am assuming you could answer for this..." Still the man was sweating, and the satchel was snapped closed.

The sound of the water running again perhaps heard in muffled passes, Shai was still neck deep and for some reason, water had been sloshed on the floor to be caught and soaked up by the rug and robe there.

"Hold that thought, Mr. Rivers. I need to attend to something." He rose from his seat and headed towards the stairs. He didn't rush from the room, but he did take the stairs in twos. The sounds of water hitting the floor, could be nothing, or it could be something. He was hoping for a best case scenario and he would get to catch her in one of those moments.

Kruger wondered if Rochelle had heard the disturbance...or if she even registered it as one.

Rivers seemed nervous to Kruger. This was what he thought anyway, using his time in the rings to judge an opponent. He had asked about disturbances, Kruger wondered who the man had been talking too. Ember wouldn't be spreading tales, and he was fairly certain the others who had come along wouldn't be either.

It was possible they had confided in a spouse and the information had come that way, but it was more likely that Rivers had new information for him.

The door to the bath was breached. Kruger noticed the wet floor and the running water first. His feet were wet from the carpet, water oozed between his toes as he stepped over to the tub.

Nodding, Mr Rivers took the time to glance around the parlor and was rather impressed with what had been not only inside the house, but outside the windows as well. Rising, he made himself a cup of the tea and stood looking out of the clean panes.

(tbc)

Salutation's and Solicitor's 4

Mr Rivers was just about to get up to greet the woman properly but she was gone before he could even begin. "Is it true that Miss Vevea has truly retired?" He was not one to give into rumor, nor was he privy to the relationship between Shai and Kruger, but a man could hope couldn't he? Especially an old man.

In his current mood, Kruger could feel his hackles rising. He was fairly certain that a man the size of Rivers would be able to clear the space between Kruger and the nearest window with just the slightest amount of help from the smith.

It wasn't that he hadn't been expecting such questions, this was the first of what would likely be more. It was just Rivers poor timing that had him asking now while Kruger was fighting a losing battle to Shai fever.

The man's inquiry was simple, businesslike and had Kuger biting his tongue. "Shai pulled up stakes some time ago, yes." His response was flat, and cold to counter the business tone of Rivers. "I am certain that if you have a need there are services that can accommodate you...closer to home."

The Blacksmith's brows furrowed slightly at the man. "As to the disturbances. There has been nothing to occur here that we can't see to on our own. A minor mishap here and there is expected when you begin this type of project. I do thank you for the information regarding the deaths. It is always good to know a places history." He had been tempted to ask more but felt that any questions would give away too much.

"I wished not...." Stammering suddenly, Rivers turned beet red in sweeping passes from his fat neck all the way up into his hairline. "I me..meant no disrespect, not at all, Mister Allen." He at that moment realizing the further unasked question had been answered and he licked at his lips nervously. Clearing his throat, he gave a fast nod and rose from his placement.

"I will leave the paperwork with you for your appraisal and perhaps you will call upon me when you have sometime at my office. I will be there most days as usual." Adjusting his coat, he re buttoned it and picked up the satchel. "I will pass it along to the proper people of there not being any problems here and I am sure this will please them..."

Stepping forward, Rivers extended his meaty hand again to Kruger. "Hopefully there will be an accord reached and the properties will be your's." Not knowing if his inquiry had just ruined those chances entirely.

Kruger got a sense of satisfaction from the man's discomfort. He cocked a half smile at him. "Thank you for your efforts on this, it is wondered if you have open ability to speak of who was making such inquiries. I understand if they are privileged clients."

He took the papers and scanned them intentionally looking away from Rivers, sometimes it is easier to say things when you aren't being watched.

"These seem in order, I will go over them when I have some leisure time...Shai and I need to go over our plans for the area a little more and then decide on if these properties will fulfill our needs." He looked back up at Rivers. "Have no doubts that I will be in touch in the near future."

He wanted to reach out and touch someone, but he held that away from the business at hand...or at least he thought he had. Kruger was emotional in extremes, often his control was taxed. Sometimes when he thought he had control he came to discover that he was an open book.

"They matter little, Mister Allen....they sit in their ivory tower and take interest as if it is only an afterthought to something they forgot to eat the day before..." His words truth, there was no conspiracy of any sort.

His hand hovering there in midair a moment longer, it was brought back to his side and he nodded as he walked from the parlor and towards the front doors. "I will look forward to that..." As he passed the entryway to the kitchen, he spotted Shai. "It was a pleasure seeing you again, Miss Vevea..."

To that, Shai turned and simply nodded to the Solicitor and he was soon opening the span. "Your hospitality is truly refreshing, Mister Allen...please be well.." A glance back over his shoulder to Kruger, he canted his head and closed the door behind him.

Watching him through the kitchen window, the gate was opened and closed, the man's carriage then lumbering away.

Pressing from her stance, Shai made her way into the parlor and stood beneath the door frame. "Did it go well, mon amour?"

(tbc)

The masons were ready to leave for the evening when the smith approached. Gio watched him in his progress. He had seen the man enough to know that Kruger had something on his mind. "Good evening Gio." The smith gave a nod to Antonio and Marcus. Gio smiled in a grin that was nearly as exuberant as he had seen the smith throw out. "I was hoping the three of you would join Shai, and myself in the parlor....Dinner will be provided shortly."

Giovanni was taken somewhat aback, the past couple times they had stayed late there had been disturbances. He hoped there was nothing like that going on again. These two didn't need any more troubles. "Ov course senior Allen..." the smith nodded once then again before turning away, was that a smirk he had seen on the man as he turned?

Gio looked to Antonio in confusion; he gave the man a very handsy shrug before following in the smiths steps. The steps were ascended behind him; Antonio had already started to speculate with Marcus on what was happening. He posted bets that they were being terminated. Gio of course knew better, there was still so much to do, and no indication that the pair was running low on funding. "Ant, perhaps we should wait rather than disrespect the house with vulgarities of betting?" Antonio's blush was enough to let Gio know the man understood.

Rochelle was in the kitchen, Gio and the boys waved as they passed by. Marcus however sniffed at the doorway before speaking up. "Something smells wonderful Miss Rochelle." The furniture was looked at by the trio, but sitting on it in their condition seemed somehow wrong. It took the insistence of Kruger to make them consider it, and even this caused them to look over to Shai. Rochelle gave Marcus a smile over her shoulder and waved him into the kitchen. "Come, come, taste this for me, Signore..." The older woman was blowing the contents of a wooden spoon. It did in fact smell marvelous, and was steaming headily with the aromas of thick lobster and crab meats in a light and garlic laden white sauce. "Please hurry now, before your comrades realize I am giving you taste...!" Her accent had been cultured but she still missed the occasional neutral pronoun.

Just as the men had all come in, Shai had descended the stairs, dressed a bit more formal than usual this evening. Thick tendrils uplifted and pinned smooth atop her head, the unruly curls tamed and the slender line of her neck left positively bare, as they well fitted strapless dress hued white, danced to the floor below and reveal delicately sandaled feet a bright smile for all of them. "Please, sit..." The easy calm of her demeanor well presented, dirt upon furniture was not something of a concern. It was simply furniture. Sitting easily at the dining room table, she was placed at Kruger's right as would be formally proper, leaving him at the only chair at the head of the table.

Marcus entered the kitchen, he took an offered spoon. He took a small bite, and waved at his mouth, the temperature. He gave a blushing grin and a nod to Rochelle finger up to his lips. He turned and caught up with the others as Shai descended the steps. He could be impetuous, even more so than his brother Antonio. When he made a decision he was quick to embrace it. He did of course wait for Shai and Kruger to sit before taking his seat. He could see Gio's look and knew the man was curious to no end, but still understood that his wife would be waiting. Marcus gave him an encouraging smile, knowing that Tes would be more understanding that never Gio gave her credit for...at least when he talked to the boys about her.

Antonio of course was a bit dumbfounded by Shai's attire. He watched her seat herself then looked to the head of the table. His face went ashen when he spotted Kruger's eyes on him. "I...uhm, thank you Seniorina Vevea, Signore Allen." He too sat but it was hesitant, and even a little clumsy.

Gio tried to remain serene at his brother's discomfort. He honestly attempted not to have that I told you so look on his face. He tried and failed mightily. His mouth stayed closed, and his expression turned sheepish as he caught sight of Shai. He cleared his throat and sat poised, ready as a compressed spring to move into action. He didn't know what had him so off tonight, except to say that this was highly out of the ordinary. Perhaps Antonio was right and the elegant dinner was meant to soften the blow. "Ah...Signore Allen, it has been a pleasure to work for you...and Signorina Vevea." He nodded to her as he said her name, trying to preempt Kruger's dismissal.

Kruger was perfectly willing to let the men squirm for a while longer. He looked first to Shai and gave a subtle wink then towards the kitchen. Rochelle's sense of timing was usually quite good, and he thought that perhaps she had caught every part of what had just occurred in the dining room. "First let us eat Giovanni, and then we will talk of business."

Service for each and every one of them placed, the silver shined brightly and each linen napkin was folded meticulously atop the china. When speaking to Rochelle, earlier in the day, Shai had been insistent that there would no longer be the stringent formalness as the days of yester. Some, yes absolute, no. Shai was looking between all of them, at Gio's words, a slender brow arching elegantly at her forehead. They were in fact acting a bit oddly, and she couldn't help but find a tiny shred of amusement in the way they were sitting there, perfectly erect and maybe even sweating a tiny bit. They reminded her of young boy's having just got caught, peeking at the cleavage of their nanny.

(Taken from live play between Kruger and Shai Vevea. Thank you Shai's player. TBC)

Gio nearly choked on his lobster. Antonio's head came up slow, he looked at the smith, but his expression was hard to read. He nearly looked offended at the man. Even Marcus stopped eating over the last few words. "Signore, we do not except charity even from you." Gio's eyes flashed.

Kruger looked to Shai then raised a hand to forestall Gio. "Before you consider this the wrong way, please hear the offer. We would like to take you on permanently. The work will pay for the property over time. I am aware that you have been looking Gio. We don't offer you charity, rather a way to achieve what you desire. Supplies here will still be paid for by us, and we would never leave you with nothing to eat or support your families."

The brothers visibly relaxed as Kruger laid out the plan a little better. "I think we can come to an agreement, consider what we have paid to be a lone that you were unable to achieve through normal routes." All sets of eyes belong to the men went wide, saucer like, and when Shai glanced at Rochelle's, hers were as well. Taking the moment, while they were all digesting this, Shai rose and moved, closing the distance to the small side table there and plucked up the thick ledger which had been placed before they had come in. Leaning a hip against Kruger's chair, she glanced down to the marked page when opened and regarded them. "The way we have figured it, there is enough property and space, to accommodate all of your families, without being on top of one another. It would be yours, each of yours and while this was being accomplished one by one, each of you would then have the help of your spouses, and your children for the things that they were best suited for, while the next was being moved onto. The only thing to consider at the moment, while making ponder of this, is that the months are changing on us swiftly. The sun will be setting earlier, the evenings will be turning more chilled, and then before we know it, winter will be upon us. It would make sense, to at least have walls and roofs in place. We know this is a lot to take in all at one time that is why we encourage you to ask any and all questions, voice your concerns and hesitations, without thinking that you are going to offend us if you choose to decline."

Attention then shifting to Rochelle. "Do not think, you have been left out of our thoughts, Rochelle...Mister Allen thought of you at the top of our list. I will let him tell you what his thinking is.." Fidgeting a bit, the older woman was of the opinion that the two had lost their minds....entirely. Did they realize what they were proposing at all?

Kruger looked to Rochelle, he gave her a soft smile. "We have also acquired another property, in truth it had much to do with the falls system out there in the creek. That though could easily have been enjoyed without the purchase of the property. The main house is not useable. In fact I would encourage Gio and his brothers to use all the materials they could from it. There is however a smaller guest house that will be easy to put into working order. We are not completely blind to the position you are in with us Rochelle. A place that you can get away to and recuperate from the day without having to worry about..." The smith stopped speaking yet again. He shot a look to Shai, one that had mischief laced all through it. He turned back to Rochelle certain she understood what he was getting at. "The distance is not far, and can be further decreased eventually by the formation of a pathway between us and that property. I believe it was called Ekonomize fav?. It means what you have become to us Rochelle...Saving Grace." He took another bite of the lobster when he finished waiting for any questions that might come from the four of them. It was Marcus who raised his hand first surprisingly. Gio and Antonio were still whispering back and forth. "How much land did you say there was available...Kruger?" The name was difficult for Marcus to spit out.

Kruger glanced at the ledger to make sure of the numbers. The property acquired amounts to 800 acres. A sum large enough to sufficiently house all of you comfortably and give you lands to look after. It may come that your families decide to split the lines that will be left up to you once the value has been reimbursed. I have a feeling though that when that happens it is likely that you start to look to some of the other properties around and perhaps spread out even further." He hoped that to be the case, Belglade should be full of people, not this abandoned graveyard of historic estates.

Rochelle would never, as long as she breathed, say what instantly came to her mind when Kruger explained; doing so would just be uncouth. In truth, the passion between him and Shai was not something that would ever bother her, not at all in fact. But considering the fact of how swiftly, the two had fallen for one another in the way they had, and gone straight into a domestically inclined existence....they needed time together without the threat of someone else being present. The two had hearts that were heavy in gold, they were both selfless and so entirely giving, not to just each other, but to all they came in contact with and this dinner was proof of that. She had been in Shai's employ for so many years, and knew first hand that she had never remotely considered such things as she was now doing with Kruger and Rochelle would see to it that they had their space....willingly so. She nodded and gave them each a smile, but would speak to them later, privately. Nodding in agreement with Kruger, Shai left the ledger there and reclaimed her chair. "This area has remained so desolate and empty, for far too long. Something of such beauty needs to be enjoyed and the fruits of such relished. What better way to do that, than by the laughter of children and the growing of family..." Looking to each of them, dark eyes lingered on Gio for a very long moment. "Family is not only connected by blood..."

Shai's words had Gio misty eyed. He gave a final look to Antonio who nodded. It was Antonio who spoke up this time. "It is true that we have tried many places to get a loan to purchase a bit of land to build on. Your offer touches all of us deeply...For my family we are happy to take up your offer." He had a difficult time looking at Kruger, who was only smiling in his direction, but he managed it with a grateful nod. Gio was also very eager to add his own sentiments. "Signore...Signorina, I am proud to count you as family. I can't imagine the c....Never mind, business as you say later."

Marcus' just grinned at Rochelle, he understood two things of vital importance, the first was that the monies paid for his home would now be going towards ownership. The second was that he would probably get more of these fine meals being much closer to home.

"Then the matter is settled, for now. Please discuss it with your families and if they would like to speak with us, I know I can speak for Kruger when I say we would be more than willing for them to come out here or for us to go to them. Maybe them coming out would be a splendid thing, with the children, let them run and play..." They would be watched like hawks of course until other matters were settled and dealt with, but that was another can of worms altogether and Shai was convinced Kruger and the men would discuss it, because that was what men did when out of the earshot of women for whatever reasoning they had. They were left with a bit of control, nonetheless. Still smiling, Rochelle lifted to don her apron and started clearing the soup bowls. She could not remember when she had a home of her own, to think on it left the woman near giddy but apprehensive at the same time. Curtain patterns would be dreamt of that night. When she had gone, Shai whispered to those remaining. "If her doting upon you is bothersome, please let me know. She lives to take care..." Her words not exaggerated, not in the least.

Marcus was quick to shake his head no. He was the most newly married of the three, but Lily had already expressed a desire for many children. "I wonder if it is too late to walk the distance to that house on the way home." He looked to Gio for confirmation.

"Fraid that we need to head straight home tonight Marcus, the women will be wondering where we are. We should start out early tomorrow and take a look." He pondered Shai's offer, tomorrow would likely see a cartload of people in Belglade. They would stop at the other house, though Gio thought he had seen the uppermost spires of it from the road. He was sure that Kruger had chosen that one due to what would likely be an enormous main house, something to house all of them through the winter.
Marcus reluctantly laid his silver down and wiped at his face with the napkin. He never did seem to care what he looked like in public. Gio and Antonio were waiting on him as usual. Kruger rose as they made ready to leave. "Thank you for sharing our evening meal gentlemen. Safe journey into town."

"Wait, wait....cannot leave yet!" Rochelle exclaimed and a bit of a racket was heard coming from the kitchen. Bustling out, she had prepared each man a care package of dinner for their wives, significant others and children. Each carefully packaged, they were handed out and now she would not have to worry about leftovers. "There are also some sweets for the wee ones, do NOT eat them yourselves.." Scolding as she went back to cleaning the kitchen. Shai just stood there and grinned as only she could. A lick of her lips and finally the tumble of laughter came free. "It has been a most splendid evening spent with all of you."

Kruger slipped around Shai his left hand going to the small of her back, then around high on her hip, fighting the urge for now. The three men took their packages and headed towards the door grins on all their faces. Gio brought up the rear, he turned that misty eyed look towards the couple smiled softly and headed out the door. They could be heard practically to the end of the drive. Kruger took Shai's hand and led her towards the stairwell, that dress had been driving him crazy all night long.

(Taken from live play, thank you to the player of Shai Vevea. More to come.)

Of Family and Sunset's 2

He gathered a couple of the older boys in his wake and leaned in to talk to them, the three setting off down the beach at a trot. Kruger did not out pace them as he could have. Rather he directed them to pieces of driftwood that were high on the beach, gathering up armloads and bringing them back. Later perhaps a fire when the brothers joined them.

Kruger hadn't looked at the house himself. He had felt it was more a personal thing that should happen between the Gio and the families. The trio stopped and made a pit suitable for a fire, one of them it seemed was a fight fan because he kept calling Kruger anvil. The smith of course basked in the innocent adoration.

Shai was given a sheepish grin from the smith before the three finally made their assault on the harbor. The water was colder than he had expected but the kids didn't seem to notice. Wasn't that always the way. From where he was he looked back and saw two women chatting up Shai, and one watching him like a hawk. He would learn who everyone was eventually.

Lashes went wide as she heard him and then gave him a look as if he had lost his Forged Mind and shook her head. That was not what she had meant at all, the horny Blacksmith that he was!

Rising to her minute height, the sheer cover up was pulled over her head and tossed to the side. Shai had gone to great pains in assuring she was not garbed in anything that would deem a cause for whisper between the women, nor the opening for them to take issue with their husband's working out at Belglade with Kruger. Her bathing attire made up of a one piece in the brightest of whites, modest in design and high up onto her thighs, her bosom showed very little cleavage.

The only daring bit of the suit, would be seen when she piled her hair atop her head and tied it into a loose knot, leaving her back fully exposed to the hand span of her waist. One of the children, a little girl no older than four turns of summer, bound across to Shai and took her hand.

Several words sealing the fact that Sophie would go swimming with Shai, the two made their way down to the water, talking in animated fashion as if they had known each other for hundred's of years.

The wives were relaxed and very comfortable with Shai and Kruger, if any of them had any doubts after speaking to their significant others the previous night, those doubts were now gone entirely. Gaze finally finding Kruger, it rested there a lingering moment before she was being tugged only ankle deep into the water.

(tbc)

Of Family and Sunset's 4

Sophie ran towards Kruger and threw herself around his legs, shrieking as if she was being tickled as well, their laughter, joyous. "Or you could walk into the water, Kruger, place them head first into the surf and let nature remove them....wildly."

Kruger took up her line of thinking. He broadened that grin for Shai. "I believe that Giovanni will be bringing that machete down soon, I will try to wash them away in the harbor before we start chopping them off. You know how bad my aim can be...and how sharp the machete." He turned back towards the deeper water, hunching over and dragging the foot Sophie was on. She began to giggle even harder as he pretended to be a moaning monster. As soon as the water hit her hips though she let go and lit off like she was being chased.

He felt obligated to do just that so he started after Sophie with Michael and Thomas bouncing on his back. He did reach behind himself to keep them from falling. Their laughs were loud and right at his ears, but he ran on...slowly so as not to overtake Sophie...who was headed directly for Shai.

After reaching the relative safety she darted out and roared at Kruger. He pretended to be so scared he dropped to his knees in the sand, and then fell forward in a faint. The boys unlaced their arms and climbed on his back sitting atop him like a horse.

Sophie crept slowly closer to him. He winked at Shai and waited for her to get close. Then he sprang at her half heartedly, sending her running back to Shai.

Watching all of this, the mothers and wives had stood up to get a better look at the antics and were all laughing right along with the children, Shai and Kruger. Managing to get her legs free from the sand monster just in time, Shai rolled to her knees and scooped Sophie off her feet and into her arms. A swoop and she hovered her right above the sand and made this atrocious face that didn't belong on her features considering she was grinning wildly.

Burying her face in the child's neck, she blew raspberries that had Sophie giggling anew in madness and chubby feet and legs flailed at the heavens. "Mon amour! Come quick with your warts, we have one allergic to tickling! The only way to cure this is to tickle.....MORE!"

(tbc)

Of Family and Sunset's 6

Kruger swam in front of The Greek turning over onto his back and reaching a hand towards her.

Catching sight of his leg, Shai resurfaced and took his hand. Rivulets streaming from her hair down the planes of her face, she didn't say anything quite yet, but she did swim into his arms and wrapped her own about his neck.

She could still hear the children, however it was now a mix of the women as well. They were so happy, so full of life and so giving to their offspring. Before he came from his back, she had almost been tempted to dunk him down, but refrained and gave him a fractional smile. "You are happy, mon amour..."

He slid his hands around her back, kissing her in earnest. "I am happy Shai, this has been a good day." His eyes were full of her, they didn't catch the Anabelle giving a back handed nudge to Tes's shoulder and pointing at the couple. Shai's bare back was caressed, he was tempted as always but he let it go knowing that they were not alone this day. "What of you Shai...Are you happy?"

He reached for the sandy bottom with his feet which met that surface only to be lifted off as a wave came in. It was relaxing to be bobbed about this way, and more so because she was with him.

"Oui...I am..." What Shai was feeling at that moment had nothing to do with happiness. She was in fact happier than she had ever been before. But, just like he was acclimating himself to different situations, so was she and this one while blissful, was also a touch hard for her, but it would never show in anyway shape or form. She would maintain who she was, even if it meant not being forthright with him about something neither of them could control or change.

A light kiss given his lips, she pushed away from him and started back with a chiding sent over a shoulder. "You are quick with your hammer, are you as quick with your stroke, mon amour?" And was gone.

He laughed and took up pursuit of her, he was not the strongest swimmer, if it had been a foot race he would have been able to catch her easier but the race was on. He had no chance though his bulk was a hindrance to him. The distance between them increased as she out swam him.

(tbc)

Of Family and Sunset's 8

"Shall we go down with them?"

"Give them some time to answer questions before we are inundated with them as well." He stepped around between her and the three families. "Je vais essayer avec vous jusqu'? ce que le temps et peut-?tre les pouvoirs seront pas loin de leurs jeux et vous accorder ce que vous d?sirez tant. Je ne vais pas essayer avec un autre, je vous le d?sirez et que ce que vous me donnerez ... s'il ya des enfants, ils doivent ?tre les n?tres."

His thumb trailed along her jawline. He understood that she felt deeply about this issue, but she was truly more than he had ever hoped for. "Je n'ai jamais consid?r? avoir des enfants. Je n'ai toujours pas si elles ne peuvent pas venir de vous."

Growing quiet for the moment, Shai leaned into him and his words rolled around in her mind. Shai came from a time that it was believed if a woman was barren, they were worthless.

That being perhaps one of the reasons her line of work was taken to such an extreme, she had never imagined in her lifetime that she would fall in love with a man such as Kruger. Which made the fact that she was unable to bear children, something that was live able, almost acceptable back then. Nor had it been given a lot of thought over the years. As with everything, it was something to come to terms with. Regardless if it was easy.

Shai knew she had told him before, if she was able, she would give him a son or five daughter's, just to watch him pull his hair out. Turning to face him, still she was quiet and sight danced across his features, drinking him in as she did so many times everyday and simply rested her head to his chest and wrapped her arms about his waist.

He held her there quietly giving her time shielded from the others. One large hand held her head to him the other had her tight against him. The moment though public remained private between them.

The voices began to say their names. He knew they had little left before they must go and become part of the group again. He ignored them as long as he could... as long as she would allow him to. He would stand there all day and night holding back what was to come.

Hearing their names as well, Shai uplifted and the smile returned to her features, brightly so in fact, as bright as her eyes were upon him. The sound of another deep breath taken, her shoulder rolled back. "Shall we?" Taking his hand, she would pull him along if she had to. Would he make her? Kicking and screaming?

"If you are ready mon amour" He turned with her and made his way across to them. A laugh and a grin for the new comers, Sophie moved towards Shai and took her other hand.

The fire was already going and the women had started to cook something. There was drink which the men brought along waiting for their new landlords to join them and toast their good fortune.

Closing the door behind her, she stood in the hallway a long moment and finally headed downstairs. As she passed the kitchen towards the front doors, Rochelle stopped her by voice. "You have to eat, Shai...please do so today.." Gentle being her voice, there was a bit of sternness there in it as well and Shai nodded. "Oui, I will...you have my word..." That door as well closed behind her as she stepped into the bright day.

He considered his outfit options wondering if he was a fool for doing so.

Behind her, Camile wandered, singing her song and spinning as she progressed. The ghostly niveous was drawn to the comb, and by association drawn to Shai. Camile remembered the man who had made it. He had wanted to come out and draw in the gardens. Father had said it was fine, but mother told him there would be a charge. When the man told her he had no money her mother handed him a plain silver comb and told him she hadn't wanted money anyway. Camile remembered the mans gap toothed smile. He was so nice to her.

As Shai walked by the men, she gave them a tip of her head in greeting, but didn't say anything. Each in turn watching her, they went back to work as she made her way down the embankment, attention on the comb nestled into her palm.

Perhaps she was a dreamer of ancient score, but the woman wondered as she had many times about the color of the wispy hair that it had once held back. She wondered if it was the child's favored and if she was a prima donna in frilly dresses and Mary Jane buckled shoes. Taking care to cross over several flat rocks, the creek had in fact risen just a bit but not enough for it to flow entirely on it's own and freely.

Reaching the other side, it wasn't hard to find the area in which Kruger had been working and she hitched up the hem of the dress to sink to her knees in the dirt.

"Ring around the rosie, pocket full of posies." She danced around Shai timing her passes so that when she fell she fell directly before the kneeling woman. "Mommy? What are you doing?" The child had fixated on Shai and Kruger the moment the comb went into that house. The very moment she watched them through the window, she knew beyond knowing that these two were her mommy and Daddy. She didn't know where Gilly was though, Daddy was probably punishing him good for leaving her like that.

She waited for Shai to reach out with the comb and then tried to hold her hand. "It's okay mommy, I'm right here."

No longer able to hear the men, their hammering or their voices, what Shai found herself surrounded by was the birds singing and the gentle sound the breeze made as it tickled it's way through the trees. Glancing up now and again, a fathomless gaze would move over nothing imparticular and everything all at the same time. She was so raw, even the blades of grass were magnified to her senses and for the most fleeting of moments, there was something else there.

Perhaps it was simply the emotions that were at an all time high and the enormity of so many other things, all rolled into one that birthed tears to stretch from the line of her jaw and drop to the earth below. Turning the comb over, Shai smiled and held it up to the light and shards of color slipped through it endlessly. "This is your's little one..." Softly whispered, it was nestled into the dirt securely, but was still clearly visible.

Camile giggled, Shai's hand had passed right through her. Perhaps it was the comb in her hand but it tickled. Camile had felt so little for so long that this simple tickle made her happy.

Her eyes went wide as saucers then all giggling ceased. "Mommy Run!!" She tried to get Shai to move but she just couldn't hear Camile, or feel her touches. "Why couldn't it be daddy out here today?"

Boots shuffled slightly behind Shai, they didn't come from the direction of the house, but rather from the woods.

Lost in what was Shai's imagination, her eyes were closed for the heavens only knew how long as she could almost smell the scent of jasmine. It was actually tickling at the fringes of her nostrils and her fingers curled into the dirt as she was tried to hold onto it.

A wisp of icy cold washing over her, Shai visibly shivered and was just moving to wrap her arms around herself when she heard the sound, and turned her head. Looking way up, Shai began to rise to her minute height. "Hello...Greetings..." This was very strange, for the man had come from an odd direction. He was not familiar to her, at all and while she did not appear to be nervous by his presence, she could feel her foot sinking atop the comb and quickly stepped again. "Are you looking for Monsieur Allen? If so, he will be along shortly..." Wiping her hands together. "Yes....oui? You seek him out, yes?"

The rifle over the large man's shoulder came level with her. "Oh, no chere...t'day ma buitness be wi'ch you." The hammer was pulled back. You be comin wi me or ye'll be nappin on the dirt for all time..yes?" He moved closer to her, almost daring her to run. "We best be hurryin or dat wide man o yers be facin one powuhful choice y'hear? Just slip yer arms behind yerself."

Understanding the man's dialect perfectly, Shai's eyes went wide and sight darted between him and the gun several times. Glancing over her shoulder, she was too far from the house not to mention the incline of the hill left visibility almost nill. Her mind racing all at once, the look she was giving him was not only confused, but it was lingering there between anger and fear, but when all piled together, it wasn't pretty....no, not at all.

As if puzzle pieces were being snapped together into place, it all made sense in that moment. "Why are you doing this?" Backing up, the sound of her heels as they rolled over leaves sounding, she waited for him to take one breath and when he did so, Shai turned and ran, but hit the ground almost immediately as the incline into the creek sharpened faster than her footing had gauged. "KRUGER!!!!" Screamed from the tops of her lungs.

Guillaume shook his head. "I knew ya t'be th' runnin type cher. Ye don wen ta wrong way." He went to the edge of the ravine and slid down as though he had been doing so for years.

The creek had filled nicely with the rain the babbling noises overpowering so much that normally would be heard. He bore down on the little Greek woman, reaching out to grab her and swinging a fist at her face. "A penalty fer ev'era transgression cher." His hand cocked again poised to strike. "I was lookin ta be nice, but ye had ta get mah ire goin'." The fist descended once again.

Shai struggled within his grasp, screaming all the while, until the first and the second blow connected, sending her into an velvet Elvis portrait blackness. Sagging, her features now obscured by blood and the fact that her nose was splattered across pristine features, the screaming stopped.

Startled to her very core, Shai, while her hands were tied came around to hit Jericho in the face, though it was the backs of her hands. "Do not touch me!" That in fact was harsh coming from her, and she scooted herself until the rope was pulled tight in the motion. Her face resembling that of a meat market's floor, those once perfectly etched features were not so at this moment and she could barely see.

Still waters ran very deep, but his words managed to enrage Shai. "How dare any of you! People have the right to live where they choose. It is not of our doing that you are not able to purchase it legally of your own accord." Until that moment, she said nothing of his limping. "Rochelle should have left you to die." Near hissed, the Greek spit towards him. "How dare you.."

"I said look at me." He wiped away the spit with his sleeve, and grabbed hold of the back of her neck tight enough to be able to dab at her face.

"Rights tend to slip away the further you get from populated areas." He spoke softer than his grip would indicate, he wasn't angry, it just hurt to chase after the woman, and so he wanted to avoid doing it too much. "It's not so bad as you might think Miss." then more softly, "Please be careful with your words." He looked over at Guillaume. "Did you have to hit her that hard?"

The bosun waved a hand at Jericho. "She be a fiesty runnah, her look be her fault...if she jus' come along peaceful, there be no need fer it." He looked at the angry greek. "An Cher you be in my country now...an it be upta me who has wha' rights. I been here long, you are tha nvader here...on my families land no less."

Shai would not be careful with her words. Not in the slightest, even though it was extremely painful. Wrenching her head within his grasp, it finally stopped and Jericho was able to then wipe some of the blood away although she was wincing from the top of her head to the tips of her bare toes.

"I paid for my right to be here, vous devez me tuer pour se d?barrasser de moi... nous." Leaning slightly, so she could make out the form of the bosun better. "Your families land...why was it not left to you rightfully? You must run those who have harmed you not from this area to best serve yourself, without...."

Swallowing hard, her mouth was filling up with blood as her nose was bleeding into her sinuses. Suddenly choking, the clods of it and dirt were falling to further cake the now tattered dress. "the first thought...of human life.."

(tbc)

Flicker flash of things running rampid, Shai could still hear Guille and Jericho as she was forcing herself to scramble to her feet. The slap forcing the gash above her eye to split further open, pooling her into eyes, she swiped at it as she pushed away and darted into the woods.

"You think you are the Saint's....you are nothing but a coward....?tre maudit, vous n'?tes qu'un enfant dans le corps d'un homme....COWARD ! NOUS NE LAISSERONS PAS, JAMAIS, BELGLADE EST LE N?TRE... !"

Praying to every Saint there was that Jericho was in fact giving her a way to run, the table had been turned and what she was faced with now, was taking the chance he could do exactly as Guille had told him. Shai was the only one able to run, and have a chance to get away from him, affording Jericho time...that much needed time.

Guille looked in the direction Shai had gone; the cruelest of smiles crossed his lips. "Oh cher...every step away is a reason." He started after her, slowly at first letting her gain some distance on him. The hunt was all that mattered now.

How he loved to track the game, track and claim it for himself. The trees drifted by slowly at first, he bent to look at her tracks and then picked up speed. He moved at a double time step that could be maintained for great distances.

Years in these woods, and the chasing of game had made him fit. He spotted movement from her; she had made a mistake in wearing that light color. His steps were bringing him closer as he adjusted to intercept every time she changed directions.

He estimated that he would catch her a mile or so from camp. He wondered if she knew she moved further away from her home. Her first, then Jeri...he would be a wily one as he knew the woods nearly as well as Guille.

Another adjustment to his course and then he simply stopped. He leaned on a tree and marked the approach of that white dress.

Shai was a lot of things, but a forest dweller she was not. Falling countless times, the bottoms of her feet were bleeding from her thunderous footfalls. Having absolutely no idea where she was, where she was going or even in what direction, she could only think of distance between.

Low hung branches whipping at her, she didn't dare glance behind her as it would surely be her undoing. Wanting to scream for Kruger, she was sobbing to the point of hysterics and when she hit a small gully, she was sent reeling once again to the earth.

Breathing hard, she listened for any sound of steps and when she didn't hear anything, she crawled up the side and started running again. That was for about thirty seconds flat, when from the mere swollen slits of her eyes, Shai spotted the shape of someone up ahead and fell to her knees.

"Ple...please....behind me, there is some...one, chasssing me....please help me!" Fists pounding at the ground, she began to scream. "PLEASE....Kruger.....someone....please dear God...!!!" The terror finally seeping.

He stepped from behind the tree as she fell, silently closing the distance between them. The large leaf bladed knife was drawn from its sheath at his belt. He knelt down next to her and grabbed her under her chin. "Oh cher...I hear ya well an good...you done took put on a good li'l chase but it be over now." He turned her head so he could speak directly into her ear. "It be importan ta prepare da game once ye got it cher. Remove as much'a da weight as can be to make the trip easier...."

(tbc)

He felt her breathing go shallow in his hand; control over her is was his finally, to live or to die. Her pulse slowed beneath his fingertips. The feeling was ecstasy to him. His climax came with a further tightening of his fingers.

His reaction, his words, telling Shai what she needed to know. But, it was not something she could act upon as the breath was being squeezed from her.

Slamming her hand to his, she began to claw violently at him, bucking beneath him and trying to crawl forward fruitlessly. "Sh...she loved YOU!" Fighting for those small breaths to yell at him. "Still there...she is still there...th....th....pretty comb....her hair...!"

Growing swiftly numb, the pain milling through her was washing away and she could herself begin to sag. As she did so, her head fell forward and the coolness of the blade he still held pressed against her cheek. Her knees coming out from beneath her, she fell forward and was given a brief moment of breath.

In that, Shai sunk her teeth into the muscle that attached his thumb to his hand, straight down to the bone. He was given no choice but to loosen his hold on that knife and in that split second, a harsh breath was suckled into pulsing lungs and the weapon was yanked from his grasp to be wildly and blindly slashed in upward motions towards him.

He whipped his hand back from her teeth, exposing the soft skin of his underarm. The tip of the knife biting deeply, right arm clamped down instinctively against this new pain. He had barely a moment to register one pain when the next came to him.

He looked down at the bared body of Shai in time to see the knife coming once more. Surprise registered as he realized he hadn't broken her spirit after all. He fell back from the blow his manhood exiting her nearly as roughly as it entered. There was still liquid light clinging. He put a hand up to try and catch her wrist but the keen edged knife kept him away.

Screaming at the tops of her lungs, she continued to slash at him as she crawled away and felt the blade sink deeply into his upper thigh. Gasping, crying, trembling, shaking, finally able to breathe, the pain slamming into her from stem to stern, Shai frantically stumbled to her feet, unable to stand without falling to either side but was unrelenting in her stare boring into him.

Staggering, the fury raging through the woman was at a level of no return. Unrecognizable features twisted into something that bordered grotesque. Shai was losing her mind right in front of him. Closing the distance between in one unsure step, she was on him in an instant, the blade flying in unadulterated rage. Strangely enough, she was no longer screaming or saying the first word, did she really need to? Positioned just so, there was only one thing in her sights and that was his manhood that was about to meet the dirty side of his own blade.

(tbc)

The breeze had begun to sing the lonesome song once again and Shai continued to walk, regardless of how very painful it was. Stopping at some point to rest, she had sat down near a tree and thought on not even returning.

If she walked until she could no longer, she would not be found in such a condition and bring the shame enveloping her, to anyone else, Kruger to be exact. The shadows were whispering to her again, fleeting caresses, one set of fingers began to curl inwards at the feel and for the briefest of moments, Shai felt warm. Rising again, there was no moon to guide her, just a tattered memory.

Kruger was worried, the clearing where he was meant to meet Shai had been empty of people, live people anyway. The comb stood in the dirt, and Shai had gone. He had been about to return to the house when the child approached him. The evidence of a struggle was clear on the edge of the ravine. He picked his way down but the trail out was not so easy to find. It was the drops of blood that told him where to make his exit. The comb was with him, his link to the child. She was drawn to it though she couldn't say exactly where Shai was. She seemed to flit between the two places without knowledge of the path between.

Try as she may, Camile couldn't make contact. Still she lingered between both Shai and Kruger until finally; she maintained a place near the latter of the two. When Kruger started to go the wrong direction, the child felt nothing but absolute despair. "No Daddy! NO!! This way...!" Camile had not felt any threat from Jericho; he had been almost a pawn in this twisted game her brother had played. Even her young mind could fathom such a thing. Beginning to cry, and then wail, Cami stood quite some distance from the Blacksmith. The child never realizing she could be waking the dark beast.

He adjusted his pathway according to what he heard. That child's voice that had filled his head called to him from the distance. He closed his eyes to get a better feel for the direction. He turned towards what he heard. Opened his eyes and headed straight that way. His fingers close tightly about that comb. Movement caught his attention, its progress was halting and and it seemed to travel on three legs.

Jericho looked up to see the smith, he was surprised he was traveling in the right direction. The camp was deeper in and up the mountain but perhaps this man was a better tracker than he looked. "Thank god you've come. He's gone crazy, I don't think I have ever seen him this way."

Kruger eyed Jericho tilting his head and looking at the man's leg. "Tell me where...you're going to slow me down." The sounds of ring around the rosie was echoing through the forest at him. He looked in that direction, Jericho's voice came to him. "Top of that hill there is a small campsite. The fire has been hidden so that we weren't visible at night, you'll smell it as you get closer though."

Kruger started up the hill, over his shoulder he said. "Make your way to Belglade, have those there see to your leg, and wait for my return. I have questions, you will answer." He began to run grateful to Nord for taking him cross country so often.

"Run daddy!!!! Go, she's moving in the wrong direction..!" Frantic in the continuing cry, the child was all but shrieking by this point and was never far from Kruger.

Jericho gave the Blacksmith a nod and almost followed after him, but refrained as he knew he wouldn't make it very far.

Before long, Kruger would come upon the campsite, everything looking out of place, askew. A rope hanging from the trunk of a tree, it caked in blood. A spot nearby it, blood having absorbed into the ground, but the dark spot still there as well the pressed down and flattened area. Grasping ahold of Kruger's pant leg, Cami's hand moved through it like some record skipping and she hid behind his legs.

The Blacksmith took in the scene, his skill was limited but the passage of someone had been rough, the leaves and dirt were stirred up in those places where Shai had fallen. He hurried as he could but losing a trail was easier than picking it back up again. The smith ran slowly but steadily following the signs. He could hear her screams in the distance, far enough away to be just audible. His was forced to slow up even more as the ground changed and signs all but disappeared.

He pressed on through that final mile finding the body of Guillaume. He waited for Camile to guide him but she seemed to have gone. Shai had gone as well. The pieces of cloth covering this half dressed man told Kruger almost exactly what had happened here. "SHAI!" Where was she?

(tbc)

Kruger however, swept past everyone. "Il va pas venir dans mon amour, mais il a beaucoup ? se reprocher. Il m'a trouv? dans les bois, et de me mettre sur la voie."

Antonio was tired from his run but the state of Shai's entry had him on his feet and pacing. He looked to his wife sympathetically putting himself in Kruger's place and his wife in Shai's.

Kruger went up those stairs and into a room. He knew that all eyes followed him but he didn't trust his voice with the others. The physician looked to Rochelle questioningly.

Rochelle nodded to the doctor and was moving swiftly up the stairs behind Kruger and Shai, closing the door behind them to lean against it. While her heart was pounding near from her chest, at least the Greek was moving and speaking quietly to Kruger.

Catching sight of the woman, Shai turned her face away and motioned, having known the man downstairs was such as he was carrying a medical bag. "Please....please ask the one that came to come up..." Once Shai was back on her feet, she went into the bathroom and did something she had never done before, she closed the door.

Kruger stood outside the door; his hand laid flat against the door, and pressed his forehead against it. He turned dark eyes towards the doctor.

"Wait in the room, she'll be out shortly!" The doctor complied quietly but the smith stayed by that door. "Mon amour, le m?decin est l?. Il attend dans notre suite." He spoke softly to her through that hated obstacle.

"Etes-vous s?r que vous ne me devez?" He knew even before he asked what her answer was likely to be. He wanted to raise the man and kill him over again.

Standing there, Shai had not yet dared to look at herself in the mirror, she simply couldn't. There was far too much ripping her apart than the state of her face.

Crying silently, Shai glanced to the door and leaned her back to it to sink down and bent her knees to her chest. In one moment, she wanted to tell him to leave, because she couldn't bear to face him. Then in the next, she heard herself speaking. "Je ne veux pas que l'homme me toucher. Merci mon amour, obtenir quelque choses tendent ? moi de lui et de venir ici et vous le faire, veuillez... si vous voulez... Veuillez ?"

She wished to not see anyone, other than him, that included Rochelle. "Please Kruger..." Whispering softly.

Camile was outside still, sitting beside the front door and watching everyone mill about. She wanted so badly to run and play with the other children as they chased fireflies but did not move.

(tbc)

Kruger followed her down the stairs and out. His eyes were cold, face grim. He had said Jericho would answer questions, the man would start by answering Shai's. His fingers were on the man even before he could react. Kruger kicked the back of Jericho's knee dropping him to his knees before Shai. He spoke into Jericho's ear. "Your words will determine your future." If the smith weren't enough of a threat then the rest of those present certainly were.

Jericho however remained as calm as he could. "I...He has never gone this far before. Most folks had gone by now, everyday up there he grew angrier..colder. Some of us have woken to find him standing over us with his rifle ready. I came here to be away from men like him..." Jericho's blue eyes were looking at Shai as he spoke, when he finished he closed them and lowered his head. "I tried to free you last night, but the man had given up sleeping."

Every person that had ever been born, had a snapping point and this was Shai's. It would have been the same if something had happened to Kruger, or anyone she cared for.

A lifetime spent perfecting her behavior, etiquette, intelligence and demeanor, she was now resembling a caged animal that had suddenly broke free.

The wives of the men took their children further into the property as they were becoming much too interested in what was happening, leaving the rest of the adults standing there near the house.

Rochelle came out in a panicked rush, Shai's robe draped across her shoulder's. The words between her and Jericho perhaps giving some insight for Kruger as to what had transpired. "You said to him yourself, he did not need to be hitting me the way he was. I gave you a chance to undo some of this when the rope was undone and I ran. I gave you a chance to help me, you knew he was going to hunt me....you knew." Looking desperately to Kruger, Shai's tone turning icy cold at the subject matter.

"There have been many families here, mon amour...many that were run off or died trying to protect what was legally their's. All of this pain and devastation, because at one time it was another families property. I pleaded with him....I truly did. To let us help him...I begged him. He would hear nothing of it. He said you had been looking at the other parcels and that it was enough, it would end and we would all be removed..." Looking down to Jericho, seething to the point of control being lost to infinity, if she spent another moment in his presence, she was going to do something she would forever regret.

Kruger pulled a knife, grabbing hold of Jericho's hair and yanking his head back. The knife closed on his throat, the smith no longer saw anyone but Shai. He held that knife close to the man, voices tried to make their way into his skull but he blocked them.

(tbc)

Jericho would be kept locked up until the Blacksmith gave them further orders about him. Marcus walked not too far away with Rochelle, and Shai brushed around them all to head towards the porch but was stopped by the physician.

"You should allow me to look at your face, Miss....your cheek could be broken." She shook her head. "If it is, Sirrah, there is nothing that can be done for it." Stepping away, Shai would wait there for Kruger.

Kruger wiped the knife off on his shirt, and slid it into its sheath. He closed the space with Shai and took her hand. "Please mon amour, come inside with me, we need to see to your injuries." He remained close, a shield for her back, a wall to hide behind while the mason's made him stronger. He waited for her to comply, he was ready to let her stay if she chose. He hoped she would allow herself to be examined by the doctor.

Kruger eyed the doctor and then looked to Rochelle. "Please Rochelle gather together whatever we have left and bring it to our rooms!" Eventually they would be there and perhaps be able to get Shai cleaned up and resting. "Shai? Are you ready?"

Rochelle nodded quickly and set off to do just that. When they ended up in their suite, a light dinner had been left on the far desk and clean towels, salves, as well a bottle of brandy and two snifters had been left. The older woman, while quiet during all of this was emotionally tortured.

It was a great deal for her to hand the reigns over to Kruger, but she did so with much trust and adoration.

There would be no moving Marcus that night, he would stay there on the porch, while a couple of the others were doing the same and sprinkled throughout the gardens, just there...just truly there.

Shai regarded Kruger a long moment and complied. Once inside the house, she climbed the stairs carefully. She was not exactly for the doctor seeing to her, in fact she was absolutely against it, but to be safe, she would agree, for Kruger's sake.

The physician followed both of them up and stood at the door.

"Mon amour, do not leave me with him alone..." Murmured gently, she pulled the chair from the sitting table out and lowered onto it, folding her shaking hands into her lap.

Blocking the thought of Jericho from her mind, she had to, there was no other option if she was to move in some semblance of forward, even if for just a moment. "It is only my face, Sirrah...the rest will heal on it's own." The doctor looked between her and Kruger, a brow raising, but nodded.

(tbc)

As the numbing agent settled in, the doctor took the time to carefully clean as much dried blood from Shai's face as he could. Thankfully, her nose had been broken clean and was able to tape it back into place with little effort. It should heal rather well.

During all of this, Shai sat there unmoving, lest one was to consider a wince now and then or a closing of her eyes. The stitching of her eye unfolding in the same manner, while the area was in fact numb, there were twinges of pain felt deeper and she would cry out softly.

The sounds from downstairs began to trickle up to the second floor, and Shai found herself hanging onto every giggle and outburst the children made. Thoughts moving to Camile, she reached for Kruger's hand and held it tightly.

Finishing, Dr. Reynard cupped her chin and was checking each stitch for alignment. Pleased with it, he nodded and regarded the two. "I will call upon you in a couple of day's. Until then, please get some rest and when bathing, make sure you are using the salve afterwards. Air will be good for your ankles and wrists, as well your face. Just rest and let nature take it's course.."

After assuring Kruger knew of the herbs and salves being left, as well the bandages for her nose, Reynard left the suite and quietly closed the door behind him.

Once downstairs, he was near assaulted by Rochelle as she was upon him seeking answer's. "She will be fine, Madame....physically. Allow her rest, she has been through quite an ordeal." The woman nodded and led him to the door, where he made his way to his carriage outside the gates. Taking a moment to gather his composure, what he had witnessed being something unsettling to him. But even with that, he could almost understand the reactions and if put in the same situation, he as well would have wanted the one Jericho, dead. A personal oath taken at that moment, he saw nothing, he heard nothing.

Meanwhile upstairs, the air between Kruger and Shai was strangely quiet. Mentally, she was turning on herself and allowing the situation to turn to one that she knew all too well. What she was. Who she was. The fact that in one instant, their bond could be destroyed and without the first chance to save it.

While one part of her knew she had done nothing to make this situation occur, and that they could get through anything that was ever presented before them, another part of her was disgusted by the fact that she had been touched in such a way. She had failed him.

The silence positively deafening until she whispered. "I have shamed you. I will understand completely when you pack your things and never look back, mon amour. I will not insult you, by chasing you. But please, do not do so this night, please wait until the morning." A pleading tone to that, Shai rose and moved into the bathroom to finish drawing a hot bath. She felt like the dirtiest creature that had ever breathed and wanted to scrub the skin off of her skeleton.

(tbc)