#banner by rileys-castle

[little-flutterss]

day 1 : character age regressor headcanon! i chose sonic the hedgehog!

headcanons under the cut!

4-5 usually, but can fluctuate! if hes with tails, he’s usually a bit older, and when hes rlly stressed, a bit younger.

reallyyy energetic! always zoomin around, as expected :3

has a biting problem. solved very easily with pacis! teethers also work but he isnt a huge fan of the texture

his main caregivers are knuckles and amy! blaze is his sitter. tails also sometimes looks after him, but it isnt common and only when sonic is younger (i hc tails as a perma regressor)

LOVES playing pranks. sees shadow sitting in the grass? gotta flick his ears and run before he can get to him! sees rouge taking a nap? whats a few acorns thrown at her?

makes a lot of bracelets for his friends, with the help of amy!

plays video games with knuckles :3 their favs are racing games

hangs out with the chaos a lot! he rlly loves them! :D

climbs trees so much. for a kid whos main interest is “runs around”, he’s very rarely actually on the ground!

[thelimalimon]

Do I find him attractive because he is miserable? Or because I see my misery in him and he makes it look attractive?

[littlemeow]

my first drawing for this blog.... hopefully there will be more!! 🌟🌈🦔

[http-paprika]

IVY AND IRON THORNS

CHAPTER II

a medieval au / sir simon riley x lady reader / 2.7k / warnings descriptions of death, religious imagery, trauma, and an unhealthy response to food. / taglist open

arriving at castle tharn, you are thrust into the startling reality that you are at the mercy of those who govern these unknown lands.

masterlist / chapter III

There’s a dull ache in your head that pools down your throat to the ribs to the stomach and rests in your hips. With every trot of the horse, you are thrown back and forth from heavy exhaustion and startling awareness. While you pretended to sleep under the canopy of stars, you’d heard the quiet murmurings of the knights and what they’d do upon returning to their castle. Dread burrowed deep in your bones as your fate looks as dreary as the morning sky that has been cast with a gray haze of clouds.

The gnawing realization that you’ve fallen from grace, ripped from your place as a lady haunts you every time your eyes close and your stomach twists. A lady of your stature is not supposed to witness horrors you’ve seen, they were not supposed to show the face of humiliation as they arrive in a foreign land. But you fret knowing these knights are leading you to a foreign land and a castle with a lord you do not serve. 

Around the company, the pines begin to thin and the hooves fall on a dirt path. Your eyes shutter close and your brows tighten against the gray light of the morning. Even with the sun hidden from your sight, it rivals the dark shadows of the forest. The horse slows along a cliff edge and you cower away from the plunge with its roaring waters and rocks below. 

 “There she is, Castle Tharn.” Simon directs you, his arm stretched out to the north. Set above the valley of rivers, marshes, and wild green, you can see the dark structure silhouetted. Turrets reach the sky behind fortified walls, and a deep river isolates the castle from the valley. It causes you to shiver in your seat, an unwelcoming sight built like a fort to keep out any unwanted visitors and keep in any prisoners. 

Full of excitement to return to their grazing grounds, the horses make haste as they’re led down the cliff path and trot into the valley. Over streams and babbling brooks, past hamlets and homesteads where the people stop and watch the knights return. You exhale as you catch a sense of familiarity in their architecture and clothes, so similar to the servants who filled your home and the villagers you met when you were allowed out of the castle.

There’s a jolt of relief when the hooves fall onto a cobbled road, it leads over a wide river that roars as it splits over stones and falls under the bridge. You glimpse your wavering image in the wild waters, before looking up at the flagpoles, flying high with vibrant dark greens and reds. It feels cold compared to the one of your home, you miss the warm yellows and oranges.

Guards in the watchtower shout at your arrival, raising the portcullis as news spreads through the walls and rooms of the return. You pass under the heavy iron gate, looking back disheartened as you watch it lower and shut you off from the rest of the world. Left to the mercy of those who run the grand estate with its ivy-covered walls, blooming bushes of roses, tall stained glass windows, and faded banners. The whole castle’s alive, bursting at the seams with pride as servants and soldiers move through the bailey. 

 Simon dismounts from the horse, offering his hand to help you down. He’s careful of your sprained wrist and makes sure your feet are steady before dropping his hands to the sides of his armor. You wrap your arms around your chest and tug your cloak closer in an attempt to cover yourself as people join the knights. A stable boy takes the mares away and you listen as John begins to loudly boast about the bandits they’d slain. Women and men alike peer at you when John makes your presence known, and you shrink away almost bumping into Simon in your cowering.

 “Come, let’s get you settled for the night,” Simon orders, gesturing you to follow him. Together, you ascend a side set of stairs into the castle. In the dim interior of the castle, servants stare and whisper amongst themselves. Girls who must be no older than you giggle at your disheveled appearance and what little pride you have left makes your cheeks burn with shame.

 You enter into a large kitchen, busy and filled with an air of urgency as food is prepared. Barrels of grains and fruits are stacked along the wall, a goose turns on a spit in the fire that crackles happily in a large hearth. Women bustle around, taking orders from a plump and rosy-cheeked woman whose eyes flash when she spots intruders in her kitchen. 

“Ach! What have I told you dirty boys about coming into my kitchen while I’m working, Sir Riley?” The woman berates the knight as she comes up to him, swatting at him with a cloth. But upon seeing you in such a state, wide-eyed and ashamed, she lets out a sigh. “What have you done to the poor girl?” 

 “I’d tell you if you’d let me speak,” Simon says, plucking up a plum from a bowl and shining it. “Found her while out on patrol with John, Mrs. MacTavish. She needs to be looked after, she’ll see Lord Price in the morning.” 

“Well, anything for the poor lamb.” The woman takes your arm and offers you a smile. Warm and inviting compared to the stares you’ve received upon entering the castle. “But, Sir Riley, you tell my son that he is in trouble with his father, you hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nods, turning to leave you and the kitchen without another thought.

“You’re leaving me?” You call out, naively thinking the knight would stay by your side. Afraid to be left alone in the presence of another stranger, a shyness you’ve never known dawning on you. 

 “I’m a knight, not a nursemaid. I have duties to attend to.” Simon responds with a firm tone, like a father scolding a child. The knight bows his head to you before returning down the hall you’d just walked through, leaving you in Mrs. MacTavish’s care.

 “Let’s get you cleaned up, Lamb.” She says, walking you out of the kitchen after she finishes instructing the women for dinner preparation. “Have you got a name, or should I give you one?”

Mumbling your words together, you tell her your name. With hesitation, you hide your status as a lady from her, feeling wrong to address yourself with the name and title that had belonged to your mother. Even if you consider the treatment you might receive brandishing the name. 

“Well, you must have had quite the journey, no? I’m sure you’re more than ready to rest.” She asks, slowing her pace and stopping in front of an oak door. The keys on the wrought iron ring jingle as Mrs. MacTavish picks through them, finding the right one and twisting it in the lock.

You follow into the room which is decorated lavishly, a guest room prepared for only the most prestigious of company. Slowly turning to look over the room, you’re horrified by your appearance when you see yourself in the looking glass. Hair in a tangle, dirt and blood clinging to your skin, and your favorite dress shredded into scraps. Unable to look away, the woman hums a tune as she sets to work making a fire in the hearth. When you finally tear your eyes away, she’s left to fetch water for the bath and you slump onto a creaking stool and sit in the unwelcome silence. 

Your mind feels at war with grief and fear fighting against the rage as you question why this happened to you. Why had you been stricken down and left to drown in a sea of loss? Such a divine punishment that made you feel like Job, abandoned by God with no money and no prospects. Everything you held dear, your future and dreams are unraveling like a beautiful tapestry torn through, destroying the foolish hopes you had for bliss. After all, what peace could come from this? 

 The door opens and you startle up, like a deer hearing a hunter. But your shoulders slump again when Mrs. MacTavish returns with buckets of steaming water. She tells you of the castle and its Lord and Lady whilst preparing your bath, singing praises for those who govern the lands. It’s so endearing that you wince remembering the bleak mutters of those who served under your father, the endless strings of complaints when they thought that no nobles were listening in. 

“So, lamb, do you want to tell me how you ended up in the care of our knights?” She asks once the bath is drawn and you’re sinking into the hot water. You let it sting and spill over your skin as her calloused hands massage soap into your hair. Mrs. MacTavish works with care, making sure the soap doesn’t spill into your eyes and that you’re comfortable, just like your mother had done with you were a child. 

 Bloodshot eyes begin to sting with tears at her question and kindness. A sob quakes through your ribs as you bury your face in your damp hands, the hot water suddenly feeling like ice to you. Like a child who’s fallen from a tree and hurt themselves, you’re wailing for your mother but she cannot save you from this. 

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By the time you’ve stopped crying, you are alone in the room dressed in a warm, brown flock. There’s a longing to be dressed in black, wishing you could partake in the mourning ritual for your mother though there will be no burial. In vein, you try to recount what the church instructed upon the death of a righteous person. But you feel foolish and disrespectful knowing you cannot give your mother the courtesy she deserves. 

You wonder when your father will hear the news, and when he will come and comfort you in this time. The hope of a reunion seems foolish, the idea of grieving alongside the only living member of your bloodline is folly as the confines of the castle are chaining you in. A fear blooms in your chest that you’ll never find the sun again. 

The sounds of the fire dying in your idleness fill the room, playing a pitiful song along with your hollow breaths and your nails digging into the plush quilt and animal pelts on top of the bed. The soft feather mattress is a welcome relief from the nights tossed to and fro in the carriage or the dirt under the open sky. And finely woven drapes shield your face from the fading light of the fire as you curl up like a kitten. 

As sleep begins to invade your mind, quiet knocks startle you out of the daze. Lazily you rub at your eyes as another knock sounds against the oak door. Finding the strength to stand and covering yourself with a robe Mrs. MacTavish had left, you force yourself out of the warm comfort and find the door in the fading light, the oil lamp in the room having been ignored.

Creaking on its hinges, you blink up at the masked face of Simon. Curiously you wonder if he ever removes the black cloth as you let him into the room and he steps in with a word. In his hand, Simon carries a plate of food covered by a linen towel. Moving through the room, he sets it down on the tea table next to the stool. 

Still silent, he directs you to sit down on the stool. And not having the strength to argue, you listen and sit down, smoothing the rough fabric of your smock. “Mrs. MacTavish said you declined dinner.” 

With a nod, you glance over at the covered dinner as the smell wafts through the room and causes your mouth to water and tickle your nose. But your mind is refuses to give in, willing your tongue to dry and throat tighten. Painfully stubborn even in a time like this. 

“It’s not poisoned. Eat.” Simon orders, uncovering the wooden plate and setting the lcloth aside. Your eyes gleam at the sight of ham, steamed vegetables, fresh slices of bread, and a ripe, red apple that shines even in the dull light. But you make no move to eat, hesitating under the watchful eye of the knight. “You shouldn’t starve yourself. What would your mother think to see you depriving yourself?” 

 His words feel like an infliction, striking like a whip and pulling at your flesh with a sting. It enrages you even if you know his words are true. She would be grievanced at the sight of you in such a state, eyes dried red, cheeks stained and skin gaunt. You feel as close to a corpse with a beating heart. But still his statement drives you mad, making your mouth sour in distaste.

“Do not speak of my mother! You know nothing about her, nothing about the loss I’ve witnessed!” You speak out, jumping from the stool to glare at the knight despite his intimidating stature. For a moment, his eyes flash with anger and his hands tighten into fists. But Simon does not rebuke your nor does he strike like you anticipate. 

Instead, he takes his place on the stool, reaching over for the beautiful, fresh apple from the plate. A sliver knife is brought into the light, no longer hidden away in his garments, and he begins to cut at the fruit. So ripe, the juices run down the blade and into his gloved palm, appeitizing to the eyes as you watch. 

 “You’re right, I did not know your mother. But I’m well acquainted with the loss you’ve come to know.” Simon admits, stretching out his palm with an apple slice to you in offering. “And I know starving yourself won’t ease the grief or guilt. It’ll only make it worse.” 

 Your lip pushes out with a frown, but you steady your hand and accept the fruit. The taste fills your mouth with sweetness, flourishing your senses as you take the fill. He continues to slice up the fruit, precise and neat with each cut until all that remains is the sour core that Simon places on the plate alongside the other foods he allows to grow cold. Never pushing you too far.

 “I’m sorry, I spoke out of place.” You apologize, dropping your gaze to your borrowed slippers. Blaming the hunger, you’re certain thats what made you so erratic, appauled by your abhorrent behavior to the knight. Even if you were in this fortress against your will, they’ve treated you with nothing less than kindness. They’ve fed, bathed, and dressed you, Simon proved to be a man of chivalry, seeing to your wounds and wellness when you did not ask. 

 “Don’t apologize.” He responds, wiping off his gloves and standing from the stool with a grunt. Simon turns to the fire, adding another log and bringing it back to life before turning to leave. “Get some rest, you’ll meet with the Lord in the morning. I’ll make sure breakfast is brought and a knight comes to escort you. Lock the door when I’m gone.” 

 “Of course,” You mutter as he passes by the fire, eclipsing your vision as you watch his silhouette leave you. The door creaks again, shutting heavily behind him. Following his instructions, you bolt it close and rub your hands against the old ironwork that locks you inside. A thin veil of security over in your mind. 

 But your knees still buckle with fear, you sink on the stone floor and pull your knees to your chest. Though there are no tears left to cry, you still grieve. “This shouldn’t have happened, what am I going to do? I know nothing!”

All those years of being coddled and running about the gardens like a fool have left you defenseless and confused. You are not in the state of mind to believe that there is a chance of negotiating your freedom with the Lord of the castle. The arguments you’d had with your mother and nursemaid did not prepare you for a time like this. Not even empty prayers bring you hope as you drag yourself from the ground. Could God himself even save you? 

taglist @mysteriouslydeafeningwerewolf @ghostlythots @jadeloverxd

[sjsmith56]

The Flame Burns From Within, Part 5 - Escape

Summary: The opportunity to escape arrives and Natasha leads Lady Arden over the roof of the inn to where Riley waits with horses. When the alarm is raised before they leave the grounds Riley sends them on their way in the fog.

Length: 4.7 K

Characters: Lady Arden, Natasha, Riley, Lord Pierce, Lord Barnes.

Warnings: death of a character

Author’s notes: The image in the banner above was created by the author using Microsoft Copilot app.  Although the dress of Lady Arden does not quite fit the description it was the best I was getting out this AI image generator.  I wish I had artistic ability. Divider by vecteezy.com.

<<Part 4

Part 5. Escape

Lady Arden

It felt like I barely closed my eyes when the sounds of the preparations to leave woke me.  The door to the carriage was opened and Riley was there gesturing to me in the dim morning light.  Stiffly, I stood up and took his hand to leave the carriage.  With only a gesture he made it known I was to follow him into the tavern.  It was lit up inside but only Lord Pierce was there, sitting alone at a table with a meal laid out in front of him.

"Sit," he said brusquely, so I sat and looked at him.  He speared a sausage, holding it to his mouth and biting into it.  "Where is my ring?"

"Lord Pierce?  I know nothing about your ring."

"How did you get married without one?"

"I didn't."

He sneered at me and pounded his fist into the table.  "What ring was put on your finger when you got married to Lord Barnes?"

"The ring he gave me."  I knew I was antagonizing the man, but I was beyond caring at this point.  "Since the wedding was in secret, we decided it was safer that I keep it at my uncle's castle rather than wear it in public view."

"What did it look like?" 

"It was a ring, Lord Pierce, given in a dimly lit cathedral that didn't allow me the opportunity to examine it."

I could see he was angry.  "You told Lady Pierce that you are of the House of Forrest, yet your uncle said you are of the House of Worth.  Which is it?"

"I grew up believing I was of the House of Worth but on my wedding night, Lord Barnes told me a story of the House of Forrest.  He told me you ordered the murder of my family in the hopes of taking me captive for your own house.  I didn't listen much more after that as by then we were fully in the middle of consummating our marriage."

I made a point of making sure that the memory of that night appeared on my face with fondness.  He grimaced.

"Were you wearing your wedding ring then?"

"Aye, I was, but it wasn't something I was attentive to as Lord Barnes was pleasing me in a way that I had never experienced before."

He grimaced again then looked away when Ser Brock appeared and whispered into his ear.  The news made his visage darken, and he bit into the sausage again with a fierceness that I assumed was to frighten me.  Instead, I almost laughed, which he didn't like.

"Are you always this disrespectful to your elders?"

I picked up one of the other sausages on his plate and bit into it, chewing it carefully before I answered.

"No.  Just you.  I thought the longer I could delay you here, the quicker Lord Barnes will catch up to you.  Moving your entire household is slowing you down and since my husband has promised to find me, I decided to do my part as his lady and delay you myself."

His face reddened and he dropped the food, barked an order at Rumlow, then raised his hand to strike me again.  I looked at him with an innocent face, then stared at the cut on his cheek that I gave him the night before, trying but failing at keeping the smile from that memory off my face.  Without another word he whirled around and strode out of the tavern, as Rumlow paid the owner for the food.  I continued to eat the sausage that was in my hand, until one of Rumlow's men pulled me up from the stool and walked me back to the carriage which was now ready to go.  Lady Pierce, her daughter, and the maidservant came out of the inn with the first two women complaining loudly about a lack of sleep.  We were herded back into the carriage and within minutes the procession began again, only this time it was at a quicker pace than before.  I smiled lightly then glanced at Ruby, the maidservant whose dark red hair reminded me of that gemstone.  She winked then placed her hands demurely in her lap. 

We rode for hours until a halt was called when one of the wagons lost a wheel.  It took time for another wagon to be brought in and the possessions moved into it.  The door to our carriage was opened, allowing us to sit under a shade tree while everything was moved, with water brought from a stream for us to drink.  I watched as Lord Pierce, Ser Brock and John Walker argued about the time that was being wasted.  It was at least an hour and I enjoyed being in the fresh air, as it was a warm autumn day, and the colours of the trees made me happy.  All too soon, we were ordered back into the carriage and the procession began again, at an even greater speed.  Of course, another wagon broke down but this time, Lord Pierce refused to stop, and it was left behind.  I wondered if he was sending men back to find James and report back on his progress.  It was something that I would do if I were a man trying to escape the wrath of another.

Eventually, as evening approached, the pace slowed again, and Pierce realized that the horses were too tired to go on at the pace he had set.  When we came to another inn we stopped there.  He decided to stop for six hours, hoping that was enough for the horses to rest.  This time, I went directly with the other women to the room they had secured for us, as there was to be no sustenance provided for us.  There were two large beds.  Lady Pierce and her daughter took one, while Ruby and I took the other.  We laid in the dark saying nothing but neither of us closed our eyes.  After some time, she got up and looked closely at the other two then returned to the bed and whispered at me.

"Lord Barnes is advancing on them," she said.  "Lord Pierce has sent men back to find him then to report back.  He should catch up by midday tomorrow.  We should try to escape before then."

"Why?" I was puzzled.  "Shouldn't we wait for Lord Barnes?"

"No.  If you are still Pierce's captive, he will hold a blade to your throat to force Barnes to surrender.  His honour will not allow him to let anything happen to you."

She was correct.  As much as James was pursuing us steadily, I had already seen that he wouldn't allow harm to come to anyone who was not a willing participant.  A knife to my throat would definitely stop him.

"What is your name?  I have been thinking of you as Ruby, since your hair is the same colour."

"Natasha," she answered, then she chuckled lightly.  "Ruby is a good name."  She became serious again.  "Lord Pierce is also considering setting a trap for Lord Barnes.  He wishes John Walker to wait on the road with his men and pretend to have distanced himself from Pierce's actions.  They are debating whether to deliberately lead him astray, or to kill him during a rest stop.  You mustn't worry about your husband.  He is a smart soldier and will not be easily fooled by the likes of John Walker."

"How do you know their plans?"

"Riley," she answered.  "He will find a way to let me know if we should attempt to escape before our stop for rest must end.  Now, close your eyes and take advantage of the quiet and the bed.  I've slept in worse places than this."

I heeded her words and closed my eyes.  Like earlier, it seemed like I had only just drifted off to sleep when I felt a hand on my mouth and woke up.  Natasha put her finger to her lips and motioned for me to leave the bed.  Quietly, she opened the door and looked outside then grasped my hand and pulled me through.  A guard was sprawled on the floor.  At first, I thought he was asleep then I noticed he didn't move at all.  I wondered if she was the one who performed the deed.  Pulling me away from him, we moved towards the window, and she opened it, gesturing to me to go out onto the roof of the building next to it.  It was pitched quite steeply, and we were close to the edge.  I was fully aware that any misstep could result in a fall that might kill me.  Natasha came through, closing the window behind her.  For a moment, she perched there, waiting for a signal, as we looked into the darkness.  A night bird's call came from nearby and she touched my arm. 

"This way," she whispered as we crawled along the roof, tucking our skirts up in one arm so that they didn't entangle our legs. 

After a brief time, the pitch of the roof became more gradual until it stopped, and overlooked a small hut, which we stepped onto.  Then we slid over the roof of that building on our backsides until we came to the edge and looked over.  Riley was below us with three horses.

"Jump, I will catch you," he whispered.

Natasha jumped first and he caught her, although he still rolled onto the ground with her.  Then he looked up at me while she mounted one of the horses.  With a deep breath, I stepped off and he grasped me with his arms, rolling backwards on the ground to break our fall.  For a moment I lost my breath, but I nodded my head at his inquiries to my health and rose.  He helped me up onto my horse then mounted his own.  Quietly, we urged the horses forward and he motioned towards two outbuildings that we had to pass to get to the large gate in the fence that surrounded the inn's grounds. 

"Privy," he whispered.  "Wait a moment to make sure no one is in there."

One of Walker's men came out and we waited another moment then we started towards the opening again.  A yell from inside the inn reached us and Riley looked at both of us, making an instant decision.

"Go," he said, drawing his sword.  "Go deep into the mist of the night and find a place to hide.  I will find you."

Natasha looked at him with worry, but he smiled at her then turned his horse towards the inn.  She spurred hers towards the opening while I followed closely behind her.  We rode at full gallop into that thickening fog for what seemed like an eternity then came across the ghostly outline of a barn that was falling into disrepair.  Dismounting, we led our horses inside before taking cover in the upper loft, where Natasha positioned herself at an opening.  Reaching under her skirt she pulled out the knife she had sheathed there previously.  I joined her from the other side of the opening and looked out into the quiet night.  There were no sounds at all, as the fog had thickened the air.  We waited for hours but no one came.  When the sun rose, she looked at me with concern.

"We should wait here but I worry about Riley," she said.  "If he got away, he would have found us, as he is an excellent tracker even in the conditions we had."

"Should we go back?"

I was afraid that Pierce would still be there, but something told me he was pragmatic enough to cut his losses and continue his flight to the sea without me as his hostage.  After several minutes of contemplation, Natasha nodded in agreement and re-sheathed her knife.  We climbed out of the loft and found our horses were just outside the barn, feeding quietly in the long grasses.  Slowly, we approached them and mounted them then began the ride back to the inn, staying near the edge of the road.  Well before we got there, we found Riley, leaning against a tree with two arrows in him.  He was motionless.

"No," whispered Natasha, as she jumped off the horse and ran to him.  "Riley, please."

His eyes barely opened, taking a moment to find her then he smiled sadly.  "Natasha."

She looked over him frantically, trying to determine what she should do but he slowly raised his hand, until it touched her cheek and shook his head. 

"Nothing will stop my death," he gasped.  "You are safe and that is all that matters, my love."

I could feel my eyes start to water as she kissed him tenderly, then stroked his face.  She whispered in his ear then when his eyes grew distant and still, she closed them and kissed him once more.  Her hands clenched then unclenched as she stayed kneeling before his body.  Then she rose and turned to me, a look of hardness on her face.

"I have even more reason to kill Lord Pierce now," she stated.  "My family and now my love stolen from me.  We should take his weapons, but I don't want to leave him lying in the open like this."

I reached for his dagger, using it to cut into the fabric of my gown at the knees.  She helped tear it away then we laid the wide swath of cloth over him.  As we rose, we heard the sounds of horses in the distance and without a word we took his weapons, and quickly mounted our own horses, setting off at a gallop.  Returning in the direction we came, we turned off at a path that wasn't visible during the night and went deeper into the forest.  Until we could determine who was coming after us, we weren't about to sit around and wait to be captured again.

Lord Barnes

We were getting closer to Pierce's forces.  I could feel it, especially when we found the first empty broken wagon, then the second broken one which was still loaded with his possessions.  Obviously, the first one had taken too long to replace and transfer the items over, so the second one was just abandoned.  At the site of the first wagon the trackers in my forces found evidence that people sat and waited in a grassy area under a tree.  By the way the grass that had been flattened had recovered it was thought to have happened only a few hours ago.  We needed to press on. 

We stopped near a stream after several hours, drawing water there while several archers went out looking for small game.  They came back with a bounty of food, and we roasted them over open fires.  Once we finished and had doused the fires we mounted up and continued the hunt all night, arriving at an inn only an hour or two before sunrise.  On our arrival the owner came out and asked if we were in pursuit of another force.  I dismounted and approached him.

"Yes, a large force of soldiers, with several nobility and three or four women, one of them with hair like a flame."

He nodded.  "During the night two of the women escaped with the help of a soldier.  They must have killed the guard outside the room where the women were, as an alarm was raised, and they sent a party after the three.  They came back without the women or the soldier but several of their soldiers were injured with sword wounds."  He shrugged.  "I don't know if they found them and killed them in the forest but the lord in charge gave the order for everyone to leave.  That was little more than an hour ago."

"Do you know which direction the three went?" I asked, but he shrugged again then pointed towards the northwest.

I turned towards Ser Anthony and Ser Samuel.  "Would one of you take a small force and one of my trackers to see if you can find where the three went?  I am hoping it was Riley, Natasha, and Lady Arden.  For myself, I'll continue to follow Pierce's main body.  We'll rest here for a time, but I wish to be on the road shortly after sunrise."

"I think you should take the small force," said Ser Anthony.  "You promised Arden, you would find her.  It is a promise that should be kept in person.  We can continue to advance on the other force, and you will have time to catch up to us before we encounter them."

I was torn between my duty as a soldier to continue pursuing Pierce and his forces, and my duty as a husband to fulfill my promise to my wife to find her.  Ser Anthony was right that it should be me who was there at the moment of her recovery.  Ser Samuel and Barton both nodded in agreement with him.  If the trio had escaped, they would have gone only far enough to avoid recapture.  Riley was smart enough to double back when the threat had passed and position them in a place nearby to await our arrival. 

"Very well, I will do as you ask.  Continue tracking Lord Pierce and the others but if you catch up to him wait for us to rejoin you before we take action."

I forced myself to take some food in the tavern, then asked the owner if he had something I could take with us in case we found the three.  It was likely they hadn't eaten in some time.  Before I had finished, he brought me an assortment of handheld foods, plus a wine skin.  I paid him for his food and took my leave of the main force, calling out to several of my men to join me in the search for the three.  Surprisingly, Father Bruce asked if he could accompany me.

"I'm not the best man to have in a fight, since the Pope decreed that priests could only carry a club for protection, and even then, only during wartime as a chaplain for the troops.  But I can minister to someone who has suffered loss, or who faces death."  He smiled at my look then.  "I'm not saying that your lady is in danger of either.  If you feel the need to return to your force quicker, I would be willing to accompany your lady and the other lady mentioned.  I swear to you that I will defend them to the best of my abilities, even if I must confess to the bishop after, that I may have exceeded our Holy Father's mandate against carrying weapons." 

It was then I noticed he wore a sword.  "Do you know how to wield that, Father?"

"I wasn't always a priest," he grinned.  "There was a time I was just another man needing to believe in something."

"Perhaps, some day you can tell me about it," I said, truly intrigued now.  "I accept your service, gladly."

A nod of his head was his answer to me, and we mounted our horses, setting off through the gate, then my tracker took over, following a trail that led in the opposite direction from the sea.  We had ridden only a brief time when one of the men said he saw movement ahead through a small gap in the trees.  Spurring our horses on we came around a corner to find a significant amount of cloth, exactly like that which made up Arden's dress, covering the body of a man.  There was no one else visible.  Dismounting quickly, I went over to the cloth and pulled it back, dismayed to see the body of Riley, pierced by two arrows that were obviously the cause of his death.  I checked his neck for a heartbeat and looked up, finding none.

"He is still quite warm.  His death has only recently happened."

Father Bruce dismounted next to me and brought his crucifix up, murmuring a prayer over Riley's body before he made the sign of the cross over it.  Then he looked closer at the fabric.

"This appears to have been cut from Lady Arden's dress that she wore in church," he stated.  "Look, there is a part where the trim is missing.  Perhaps, they felt uncomfortable leaving him uncovered in his repose.  Notice that he has no weapons.  They may be nearby, mistaking the sound of our approach for a scouting party of Lord Pierce."

My tracker was already on it, having continued further in the same direction for several yards.  He returned to the group.

"Two sets of tracks go this way," he said.  "They match another pair that came in this direction and stopped here.  I wonder if he stayed back to deal with anyone pursuing them while they waited further on for him.  If so, he paid for it with his life."

"One of you stay here and see if you can spy his horse.  We will take him with us, so that he can be buried properly as a good man."

Father Bruce volunteered for that duty, covering up the body first, then mounted his horse and began exploring the area for a patch of grass that may have attracted Riley's mount.  The rest of us took to the road and at a slower pace looked for the signs of the horse tracks.  Noticing the two sets of tracks turned into a path that led deeper into the woods, we followed them until they left the path.  I looked at the tracker questioningly.

"I can still follow them, but I need to go on foot from here," he said.  "You can come but don't go ahead of me and disturb the signs."

We dismounted and followed behind by foot, then lost sight of him briefly.  When I saw him next, he had a sword to his throat and his hands up, insisting that he was part of the Citadel's force.  The woman who held the sword to his throat, the spy Natasha, saw me and stopped, then lowered her sword.

"My apologies, Soldier," she said to him, as she stepped back, releasing him completely.  "I didn't recognize Lord Barnes new insignia of the White Wolf.  It has changed since I became part of Lord Pierce's household."  She looked behind her and called out.  "Lady Arden, you may come out of hiding."

Out of a small thicket, my wife rose and pushed her way through the brambles.  Even with her torn dress, and hair askew she looked glorious, as she slid a knife into her belt.  With our eyes fixed only on each other I knew then why Ser Anthony insisted on me taking this duty.  Seeing her approach quelled much of the rage in my heart and filled it with a sense of relief and calm.  I closed the distance between us and embraced her passionately, kissing in a manner that left no doubt that our love was meant to be.

"You kept your promise," she said, when we ceased our efforts, her voice slightly betraying her relief.  "I never had a doubt."

"Did he hurt you?  I learned that he struck you in the face."

She shook her head, then smiled.

"He did that when I refused to choose one of his sons to be my husband.  Then I told him I was with child and that we had married in secret.  It had been his intent to marry me to one of his sons at the port and impregnate me on the trip over to Britannia.  So, we are not a secret anymore."

"No, we are not."  Her other words hit me then.  "Are you with child?"

"Truly, I hope so.  My course is late, but I won't know for sure for several more weeks."

If true, then it meant that we were blessed by all the gods.  Reaching inside my tunic I pulled out the chain that held her ring, lifting it over my head.  Unfastening it, I removed the ring then placed it on her finger.  We kissed again.  Only then did I look up to see my men and Lady Natasha watching us with bemused expressions on their faces.

"Where are your horses?" I asked Lady Natasha, who gestured to another thicket.  Two of my men went to get them.  "How did you escape?"

"Riley." She explained, her face becoming grim.  "Riley brought three horses to just below the lowest part of the roof of the inn.  I killed Pierce's guard after saying I would go off with him.  We climbed out the window, went over the roof and Riley caught us when we jumped.  Before we got to the gate the alarm was sounded."  Her face fell.  "He stayed to delay them while Lady Arden and I rode deep into the early morning fog.  We found an abandoned barn and stayed there until sunrise then came out to seek Riley.  You found him?"

"Aye."  I looked carefully at her.  "It was his decision to follow you into Pierce's employ.  He worried about you and wanted to be there for you."

"I know," she answered, her eyes glassy as she gazed up at me.  "But he was another loved one who Pierce took from me.  My parents, my sister, now my beloved."

"I'm sorry, Lady Natasha." 

I truly was.  Because of her own hair colouring Pierce believed that she was the lost descendant of Arthur and Guinevere, the only survivor of the House of Forrest.  He attacked her family home, killing her parents and sister.  She escaped with the help of Riley, whose father was the garrison commander of the House of Romanoff.  They were barely out of childhood; their love newly begun, at the time.  While she went into hiding, Riley joined my forces, becoming a valued soldier in the garrison.  Until she showed up at my door with a plan to infiltrate Lord Pierce's household as a maidservant, Lady Natasha had remained unknown to me.

Suddenly remembering the food I brought, I reached into my saddlebags and offered it to them.  Both women eagerly ate, explaining it had been almost a full day since they last had nourishment.  They took their drink directly from the wine skin, bringing smiles to my men that they were well able to adapt to the situation.  Then Natasha wiped her lips with the back of her hand and gazed at me.

"Your force is still in pursuit of Lord Pierce?"

"Aye, they are.  Father Bruce has offered to ride with you if you need to take it slower, but I plan to hasten to them.  We were only an hour behind Pierce at the place from which you escaped."

The two women looked at each other, reaching an unspoken understanding.

"We ride with you," said Lady Arden.  "There was talk of laying a trap for you with John Walker and his men."

Lady Natasha confirmed that.  "They were discussing whether to make you believe he had abandoned Pierce's cause, or just to ambush your force."  She smirked.  "Walker thinks too highly of his own abilities as a commander if he believes he can stop you either way."

"Then we best be off," I replied.  "Father Bruce is with Riley.  We will bring him with us and inter him in a churchyard.  I swear he will not be forgotten."

We mounted our horses and after picking up Father Bruce, who had found Riley's horse, securing the deceased man to the saddle, soon acquired a brisk pace in our pursuit of the larger force.  After less than an hour's ride we saw them ahead.  One of my men rode at a gallop to catch up and they waited for us to join them.  Ser Anthony came close to Arden, embracing her in gladness that she was well.  We passed on the information about Walker and his men, then began riding again, alert to the possibility of another attack.  By all that was within us, none of us would give up on the pursuit of Lord Pierce.  Honour demanded it.

Part 6>>

Series Masterlist

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[justafoxkit]

Hello frens! My name is Kit, I'm a pet and age regressor!

Just a little explanation: pet and age regression are a form of therapy for people who have had a traumatic childhood experience. A regressor reverts to a simple mindset, one mirroring that of whatever animal or age they regress to. It's never sexual, and a means of overcoming past trauma in a safe environment. Some people also do it for fun, or to relax, but I use it for therapeutic reasons.

For that reason, I won't tolerate any nsfw interaction, no homophobes, transphobes, or anything nasty like that. If you wanna be mean, go somewhere else!

DNI List:

Transphobes, homophobes, ableists, DDlg blogs, NSFW blogs, terfs, Nazis, anti Agere or petre, anti therian and anti furries, misogynistics, people who sexualize regressors or therians and otherkin, hate blogs, ect.

About me:

Name: Kit/Angel

Big age: 21 years

Little age: 3-5 years

Pet type: Fox, dragon, puppy, tiger, bunny, kangaroo

Pet names: Angel, Pup, Baby, Foxy, Hun, Kit, cub

Special interests: Transformers Prime, Voltron, Encanto, Mario, Ninjago, Star Trek, Word of Honor, Poppy Playtime, TF2, and The Untamed. (DogDay banner was made by @rileys-castle ) (Optimus prime one made by @babytabbycat)

I also have an otherkin/otherhearted blog, for those interested. Please read my DNI before interacting! @feathereddragonkin

[yourftmfriend]

Characters I write for;

Resident Evil;

Leon Scott Kennedy

Ethan Winters

Chris Redfield

DC;

Bruce Wayne

Clark Kent

Marvel;

Steven Grant

Jake Lockley

Marc Spector

Tony Stark

Steve Rogers

Doctor Strange

Wanda Maximoff

Wade Wilson

Matt Murdock

Bucky Barnes

Frank Castle

Thor

Loki

Natasha Romanoff

Starlord

Bruce Banner

Star Wars;

Anakin Skywalker

Obi-wan Kenobi

Poe Dameron

Din Djarin

Han Solo

Luke Skywalker

COD;

John Price

John "Soap" MacTavish

Simon “Ghost” Riley

Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

König

The Walking Dead;

Daryl Dixton

Rick Grimes

Negan

Sherlock(BBC);

Sherlock Holmes

John Watson

G. Lestrade

Narcos;

Javier Peña

Steve Murphy

Colonel Carillo

Extra;

Dieter Bravo

Javi Guiterrez

Writer’s note: I’ll add more over time but you can send me requests from whatever show or movie you want n ill probably respond with a fic

[rewritethisstxry]

Hello and welcome to my mixed mosh little corner of tumblr. Here I write for a variety of fandoms and characters. Primarily will be featuring drabbles with the occasional longer piece. Headcanons will feature from time to time.

At the time I do NOT consent for my work to be translated or posted anywhere else.

Below you will find some more information on who and what I write.

MINORS DNI. Due to the nature of potential content, only 18 and older are allowed.

Characters || Rules || Masterlist || Slasher/horror writing blog : @slxsherwriter

What I will write:

Angst

Fluff

Smut

Platonic relationships

Alpha/Omega dynamics

What I won’t write:

Snuff

Rape, rape play, non con

Underage

Inc*st

Real person fic

Marvel: Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Alexei Shostakov, Peter Parker, Victor Creed, Deacon Frost, Peter Quinn, Frank Castle, Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson, Bruce Banner, Brock Rumlow, Nathan Summers, Eddie Brock, Cletus Kasady, Otto Octavius

DC Universe: Bruce Wayne, Harvey Bullock, Jim Gordon, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Jonathan Crane, Clark Kent, Arthur Curry

Stranger Things: James Hopper, Steve Harrington, Jonathan Byers

Stargate Atlantis: Rodney McKay, John Sheppard, Ronan Dex, Carson Beckett

Sons of Anarchy: Jackson “Jax” Teller, Harry “Opie” Winston, Filip “Chibs” Telford, Juan Carlos “Juice” Ortiz, Lincoln Potter, Galen O'Shay

The Walking Dead: Rick Grimes, Shane Walsh, Negan Smith

What We Do in the Shadows: Nandor the Relentless, Guillermo de la Cruz, Laszlo Cravensworth

Resident Evil: Karl Heisenberg, Albert Wesker, Chris Redfield

Ted Lasso: Ted Lasso, Coach Beard, Jamie Tartt, Roy Kent

Good Omens: Gabriel, Aziraphale, Crowley

Video Games: Connor RK800, CaptainJonathan Price, Simon Ghost Riley, Sniper

Movies: Finn Brody (Godzilla), Raleigh Becket (Pacific Rim), Terry Malone (Black and Blue), Abe Guevara (Point Blank), Bobby O’Neill (The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard), Guy Clifton (The Crash), Roy Pulver (Boss Level), Sloan (Into the Ashes) Braxton Wolff (The Accountant), Ethan Sawyer (Those Who Wish Me Dead), Bradley James (Grudge Match), Sam Rossi (Sweet Virginia), Mr. McCarthy (Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl), Grady Travis (Fury), Griff (Baby Driver), Adam Frawley (The Town), Buddy (Baby Driver), Clyde Brenek (The Posession), Patrick Sullivan (The Accidental Husband), Harvey Russell (Rampage), Jude Fisher (Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding), Luke Vaughn (Heist), Franklin Clay (The Losers), Max (The Resident), Nicomund the Red/Santa Claus (Violent Night), Doug Dennison (Sleepless), Frank Masters (The Equalizer), Hellboy (2019), Alex Baldr (Max Payne), Matt Graver (Sicario), Douglas Hunsiker (The Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Steve Emmett (Boa vs Python), Joe Braven (Braven), Lee Christmas (The Expendables), Deckard Shaw (Fast & Furious)

Musicals: Jack Kelly (Newsies), Dewey Finn (School of Rock), Hades (Hadestown)

Tv shows: Ike Evans (Magic City), Jason Crouse (The Good Wife), John Winchester (Supernatural), Mason Baldwin (Elementary), Colton Fisk (The Equalizer), Kevin Tidwell (Life), Declan Murphy (Law & Order: SVU), Eugene McGillicutty (Royal Pains), Chuck Martin (ER), Dickie Flood (Th Practice), Malcolm Bright (Prodigal Son)

Tolkien: Boromir, Faramir, Eomer

[justanoasisimagines]

List of Fandoms/Characters I write for...

House of the Dragon ❀Criston Cole ❀Aemond Targaryen ❀Aegon II Targaryen ❀Harwin Strong ❀Cregan Stark

Game of Thrones ❀Sandor Clegane ❀ Tormund Giantsbane ❀Podrick Payne ❀Jon Snow ❀Robb Stark ❀Theon Grejoy ❀Jorah Mormont ❀Samwell Tarly ❀Gendry Waters ❀Tyrion Lannister ❀Jaime Lannister ❀Oberyn Martell ❀Ramsay Bolton ❀Viserys Targaryen ❀Khal Drago ❀Daario Naharis ❀Dickon Tarly ❀Koner ❀Ser Davos Seaworth

The Walking Dead ❀Rick Grimes ❀Shane Walsh ❀Merle Dixon ❀Daryl Dixon ❀Glenn Rhee ❀Jerry ❀Negan ❀Milton Mamet ❀Ceasar Martinez ❀Siddiq ❀Abraham Ford ❀Eugene Porter ❀Noah ❀Theodore "T-Dog" Douglas ❀Beta ❀Alden ❀Simon ❀Benjamin ❀Phillip "The Governor' Blake ❀Dante

Fear the Walking Dead ❀Troy Otto ❀Jake Otto ❀John Dorie ❀Nick Clark

Mayans MC ❀Ezekiel Reyes ❀Angel Reyes ❀Neron "Creeper" Vargas ❀Johnny "Coco" Cruz ❀Nestor Oceteva ❀Hank Loza ❀Gilberto "Gilly" Lopez ❀Bishop Losa ❀Che "Taza" Romero

Sons of Anarchy ❀Jax Teller ❀Harry "Opie" Winston ❀Juan "Juice" Ortiz ❀Alexander "Tig" Tragger ❀David Hale ❀Chibs Telford ❀Bobby Muson ❀Happy Lowman ❀Herman Kozik

Marvel ❀Steve Rogers ❀Bucky Barnes ❀Sam Wilson ❀Joaquin Torres ❀Baron Helmut Zemo ❀Tony Stark ❀Bruce Banner ❀Clint Barton ❀Thor ❀Loki ❀Pietro Maximoff ❀James "Rhodey" Rhodes ❀John Walker ❀Eddie Brock ❀Erik Killmonger ❀Charlies Xavier ❀Druig ❀Ikaris ❀Hank Mccoy ❀Frank Castle ❀Billy Russo ❀Danny Rand ❀Matthew Murdock ❀Kraven the Hunter ❀Dane Whitman ❀Wade Wilson ❀Pior "Colussus" Rasputin

DC ❀Adrian Chase ❀Clark Kent ❀Arthur Curry ❀Hank Hall ❀Leonard Snart ❀The Joker (Heath Ledgeer) ❀Victor Zsasz (Gotham) ❀Oswald Cobblepot (Gotham) ❀Edward Nygma (Gotham) ❀Harvey Bullock ❀Christopher "Peacemaker" Smith ❀Jerome Valeska ❀Mick Rory ❀George "Digger"Harkness ❀Ciso Ramon ❀Ray Palmer ❀Bruce Wayne ❀Chato Santanna ❀Rick Flag ❀Alfred Pennyworth

Stranger things ❀Eddie Munson ❀Steve Harrington ❀Jim Hopper ❀Dr Alexie

Vikings ❀Ivar the boneless ❀Rollo ❀Ragnar Lothbrok ❀Ubbe ❀Sigurd ❀Bjorn Ironside ❀Halfdan the black ❀Harald Finehair ❀Aethelred ❀Aethelstan ❀Alfred

Bridgerton ❀Prince Fredrich ❀Anthony Bridgerton ❀Benedict Bridgerton ❀Colin Bridgerton

The Witcher ❀Jaskier ❀Eskel ❀Geralt of Rivia ❀Lambert

Top Gun ❀Robert "Bob" Floyd ❀Jake "Hangman" Seresin ❀Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw

Shadow Hunters ❀Raphael Santiago ❀Simon Lewis

Fast and Furious ❀Deckard Shaw ❀Han Lue ❀Jakob Toretto ❀Dante Reyes ❀Aimes ❀Owen Shaw

Zoo ❀Mitch Morgan ❀Jackon Oz

Twilight ❀Carlise Cullen ❀Charlie Swan ❀Sam Uley ❀Garrett

Ewan Mitchell Characters ❀Tom Bennett ❀Micheal Gavey ❀Billy Washington

Joseph Quinn Characters ❀Tom Grant ❀Billy Knight

Henry Cavil Characters ❀Napleon Solo ❀Captain Syverson ❀Charles Brandon ❀Walter Marshall ❀Gus March Phillips ❀Sherlock Holmes

Chris Evans Characters ❀Ari Levinson ❀Hugh Ransom Drysdale ❀Loyd Hansen ❀Andy Barber

Primeval ❀Connor Temple

Law and Order - SVU ❀Rafael Barba

Criminal Minds ❀Spencer Reid ❀Derek Morgan ❀Luke Alverez

9-1-1 ❀Evan "Buck" Buckley ❀Eddie Diaz ❀Albert Han ❀Howard "Chimney" Han

Station 19 ❀Dean Miller ❀Jack Gibson

Chicago PD ❀Kevin Atwater

Call of Duty ❀Simon "Ghost" Riley ❀Captain John Price ❀Alex Keller ❀John "Soap" McTavish ❀Koing ❀Phillip Graves ❀Nikolai ❀Kyle "Gaz Garrick ❀Alejandro Vargas ❀Rudolfo "Rudy" Parra ❀Vladimir Makarov

Grimm ❀Nick Burkhadt ❀Monroe ❀Captain Sean Renard

Beauty and the Beast ❀The Beast ❀Gaston

Shameless ❀Lip Gallagher ❀Kevin Ball

Black Sails ❀Long John Silver ❀Charles Vane ❀Jack Rackham ❀Captain James flint

The Night Agent ❀Peter Sutherland

Harry Potter; ❀Remus Lupin ❀Sirius Black ❀James Potter ❀Oliver Wood ❀Percy Weasley ❀Charlie Weasley ❀Fred Weasley ❀George Weasley ❀Bill Weasley ❀Viktor Krum ❀Neville Longbottom ❀Cedric Diggory ❀Severus Snape ❀Cormac Mclaggen

Fantastic Beasts and where to find them ❀Thesus Scamander ❀Newt Scamander

Vampire Diaries ❀Damon Salvatore ❀Stefan Salvatore ❀Enzo St John

The Originals ❀Niklaus Mikealson ❀Elijah Mikealson ❀Kol Mikealson

Maze Runner ❀Gally

Greys Anatomy ❀George O'Malley

The Mummy ❀Rick O'Connell ❀Ardeth Bay

Once Upon a time ❀Killian Jones ❀David Nolan ❀August Wayne Booth ❀Neal "Bealfire" Cassidy ❀Rumplestiltskin ❀Sheriff Graham Humbert ❀Jefferson

The Musketeers (BBC) ❀Porthos ❀Aramis ❀Athos ❀D'Artagnan

The Last Of Us ❀ Tommy Miller ❀Joel Miller

Fargo ❀Gator Tillman

Sebastian Stan Characters ❀Nick Fowler ❀Lee Bodecker ❀Mickey

Lewis Pullman Characters ❀Rhett Abbott

American Gods ❀Mad Sweeney

Scream ❀Dewey Riley ❀Billy Loomis ❀Stu Matcher

Shadow and Bone ❀Matthias Helvar ❀Kaz Brekker ❀Jesper Fahey ❀Nikolai Lantsov

Reacher ❀Jack Reacher

Bullet Train ❀Tangerine

Percy Jackson ❀Poseidon ❀Hepheastus ❀Aries ❀Hades

The Last Kingdom ❀Osferth ❀Finnan ❀Sihtric ❀Ulthred

AEW ❀Maxwell Jacob Friendman ❀Wardlow ❀Eddie Kingston ❀Orange Cassidy ❀Chuck Taylor ❀Trent Berretta ❀Cash Wheeler ❀Luchasarus ❀Hook ❀Kenny Omega ❀Daniel Garcia ❀Will Osprey

WWE ❀Damien Priest ❀Grayson Waller ❀Sheamus ❀Otis

[call-sign-jinx]

My Masterlist

Top Gun + Top Gun: Maverick Masterlist

Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw

I’m Here Honey

Her

Jake “Hangman” Seresin

Głupia Cipa

Robert "Bob" Floyd

What's a wallflower?

Tom "Iceman" Kazansky

Pete "Maverick" Micthell

Reuben "Payback" Fitch

Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia

Beau "Cyclone" Simpson

Javy "Coyote" Machado

Bullet Train Masterlist

Tangerine

You’re My Top Priority

Lemon

Ladybug

Wolf

Task Force 141 + Other COD characters

Captain John Price

Simon "Ghost" Riley

John "Soap" Mactavish

Konig

Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

Marvel Masterlist

Steve Rogers

Tony Stark

Pietro Maximoff

Thor Odinson

Bruce Banner

Peter Parker

Sam Wilson

Bucky Barnes

T'Challa

Scott Lang

Peter Quill

Loki Laufeyson

Matt Murdock

Howard Stark

Frank Castle

Harry Potter Masterlist

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Cedric Diggory

Oliver Wood

Neville Longbottom

Draco Malfoy

Blaise Zabini

Seamus Finnigan

Tom Riddle

Mattheo Riddle

Theo Nott

Enzo Berkshire

Criminal Minds

Spencer Reid

You are smarter than me.

Derek Morgan

David Rossi

Aaron Hotchner

Matt Simmons

Stephen Walker

Taglist

Just press the “ask me anything” button for requests, idk if there is one or not but if there isn’t just message me! I think u can do that too 😂

[avengingmikaelsonlover]

Prompt Character List......

 Denny Duquette

 Clark Kent

 Lincoln [The 100]

 Nyko [The 100]

 Marcus Kane [The 100]

 Kelly Severide

 Matt Casey

 {Ethan} Hawkins {I think that's his name}

 Jimmy Borelli

 Frank Castle

 Max [The Resident]

 Klaus Mikaelson

 Wade Wilson

 Kol Mikaelson

 Bill Cadogan [The 100]

 Elijah Mikaelson

 Russell Lightbourn [7th] [The 100]

 Finn Mikaelson

 Damon Salvatore

 Logan

 Matt Murdoch

 Shane Walsh

 Rick Grimes

 Eugene

 Paul {Jesus}

 Lex Luthor

 Negan Smith

 Aegon II {House of The Dragon}

 Robb Stark {Game of Thrones}

 Jon Snow {Game of Thrones}

 Aemond “One Eye” {House of The Dragon}

 Thoros of Myr {GOT

 Steve Rogers

 Bucky Barnes

 Thor Odinson

 Loki Laufeyson

 Pietro Maximoff

 Tony Stark

 Bruce Banner

 Winn Schott

 Jack Reacher

 Andy Barber

 Henry Delarue

 Henry 8th [Other Boleyn Girl-Tudors]

 Charles Brandon [Tudors] [Henry Cavil]

 Richard of Shrewsbury [The White Princess]

 Richard 3rd [The White Queen]

 Cesare Borgia [Borgias-2007]

 Henry [7th] [The White Princess]

 Philip Blake [The Governor]

 Reuben Palchuk

 Glenn Morrison

 Mason Lockwood

 Scott Lang

 Hope Van Dyne

 Joker [Suicide Squad]

 Harley Quinn [Suicide Squad]

 Miles Quaritch [Avatar]

 Nathanial Taylor [Terranova]

 Lucas Taylor [Terranova]

 Eddie Brock

 Eddie Brock with Venom

 Spiderman [Peter Parker] {Tom Holland]

 Hannibal Lecter [Hannibal]

 Frederick Chilton [Hannibal]

 Raoul De Chagny [Phantom of the Opera]

 Mathias Vogel [Tomb Raider 2018]

 Johann Struensee [Royal Affair]

 Ido Dyson [Alita Battle Angel]

 Geralt of Rivia {Henry Cavil} [The Witcher]

 Dusan [Downsized] {Christoph Waltz}

 Multiple Characters [From the Same Show]

 Qaletaqa Walker [Fear the Walking Dead]

 Travis [Fear the Walking Dead]

 Daryl Dixon

 Meryl Dixon

 Alexander Grayson [Dracula] {Jonathan Rhys-Meyers]

 Vlad Dracula [Dracula Untold] {Luke Evans}

 Deckard Shaw

 Owen Shaw

 Dominic Toretto

 Luke Hobbs

 Tormund Giantsbane

 Normand Nordstrom

 Dante Reyes

 Connor Slaughter

 Stephen Strange

 Erik Lehnsherr {Magneto}

 Gambit [Remy LeBeau] {Taylor Kitsch}

Kraven {Aaron Taylor-Johnson]

 Chon [Savages]

 Ben [savages]

 Ben and Chon [Savages]

 Miguel “Lado’ Arroyo [Savages]

 Haldir

 Elrond

 Thranduil

 Fili

Kili

 Thorin Oakenshield

 Miguel O'Hara

 Troy Otto

 Hector [Troy]

 Black Adam/Teth Adam

 Superman [Henry Cavil]

 August Walker [Mission Impossible? -6]

 The Collector [Guardians of The Galaxy]

 Yondu [Guardians of The Galaxy]

 Ronan [Guardians of The Galaxy]

 Carol Danvers [Marvels]

 Grant Ward [S.H.I.E.L.D.]

 Jim Shannon [Terra Nova]

 Director Mace [S.H.I.E.L.D.]

 Barry Allen [Flash TV]

 Arthur Curry

 Peter Quill {Star Lord}

 Owen Grady [Jurassic World]

 Ajax {Francis Freeman} [Deadpool]

 Zapan [Alita Battle Angel]

 Martouf [SG-1]

 Martouf/Lantash [SG-1]

 Ra [Stargate Movie]

 Zipacna [SG-1]

 Ba'al [Stargate-Multi Appearances]

 Carson Beckett [SG-A]

 Varro [SG-U]

 Wade Wilson {Alternate Universe}

 Judge Turpin [Sweeney Todd Demon Barber]

 Severus Snape

 Lucius Malfoy

 Sirius Black

 Voldemort

 Xerxes [300]

 Aaron Hotchner [BAU]

 Spencer Reid [BAU]

 Derek Morgan [BAU]

 Luke Alvarez [BAU]

 Emily Prentiss [BAU]

 Jake Riley [Containment]

 Ichabod Crane [Sleepy Hollow] {TV}

 Jack Daniels | Whiskey [Kingsman Golden Circle]

 Sam Winchester [Supernatural]

 Dean Winchester [Supernatural]

 Crowley [Supernatural]

 John Wick [John Wick]

 Joel Miller [Last of Us]

 Ned [Pushing Daisy's]

 Cleon {Empire-All Clones} [Foundation]

 Ethan Sawyer [Those Who Wish Me Dead]

 Rafael Barba [Law and Order SVU]

 Master Chief John-118 [Halo TV 2022]

 Christian Grey [50 Shades of Grey Movie Series]

 Tequila [Kingsman Golden Circle]

 Tom Chandler [Last Ship]

 Mike Slattery [Last Ship]

 Mills [65]

 Guy [Free Guy]

 Erik Green

 Phil Constantino

 Bill Kohler

 Asmodeus

 Stolas-Blitz

 Lucifer [Helluva Boss]

 Lucifer [Lucifer]

 Adam [Hazbin Hotel]

 The Ghoul [Fallout]

 Richard B. Riddick [Riddick]

 Kaulder [The Last Witch Hunter]

 Beauregard ‘Bo’ [House of Wax]

 Vincent ‘Vince’ [House of Wax]

 Sebastian Monroe [Revolution]

 Garret [Twilight]

 Emmett [Twilight]

 Carlisle [Twilight]

 Jasper [Twilight]

 Aro [Twilight]

 Caius [Twilight]

 Marcus [Twilight]

 Paul Lahote [Twilight]

 Jared Cameron [Twilight]

 Sam Uley [Twilight]

 Billy Black [Twilight]

 Charlie Swan [Twilight]

 Dimitri Belikov [Vampire Academy]

 Lucien [Underworld]

 Vasiliy Fet [The Strain]

 Gabriel Bolivar [The Strain]

 Cyrus Grissom [Con-Air]

 Sabas [Underworld]

 Braxton [The accountant]

 Griff [Baby Driver]

 Brad Bodnick [Wolf of Wall Street]

 Matt Rayburn [Wind River]

 Kandomere [Bright]

 Ransom Drysdale [Knives Out]

 John Proudstar [Gifted | X- Men] {Thunderbird}

 Warpath {John Proudstar's Brother}

 Kilgrave [Jessica Jones] [David Tenant]

 Johnny Storm [Fantastic 4] [Chris Evans]

 Miami Man [Bad Batch]

[medinainternational]

(Motif-Radio) Reggae Pon Top # 24 Show Track Listing below:

SINGLES: WOLVES AND LEOPARDS VERSION JOHNNY OSBOURNE- ANGEL IN MY ARMS ITRAL ITES- A PLACE CALLED AFRICA JERRY HARRIS- ROCK THIS TIME JAH LIL- TAKE TIME EESAH, LOUD CITY & ZJ SPARKS- RUDE BWOY MICKY B- MOTHER OF CREATION SPANNER BANNER- MY NUMBER ONE YASMYN ANDRADE FT. INNA VISION- LOVAH BOY JANELLE MONAE- ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU KING KOSH- CYAA BRUK WI (FREESTYLE) SUPERCAT, BIGGIE, AND PUFFY- DOLLY MY BABY REMIX JAH 9- OPEN HEART

RIDDIMS: SAD DAY RIDDIM DAY & RIGHT RIDDIM FANCY CUP RIDDIM DROP IT RIDDIM

DANCEHALL: MALE DON- HENNY AND OCEAN SPRAY 10TIK- HEADLESS SHOOTAZ KEMAR HIGHION & TEEJAY- GRAND THEFT AUTO BEENIE MAN- WEH SHE WANT PIED PIPER RIDDIM BADDA GENERAL- GUH FI DEM BRAMMA- SAUCE HITMAKER- RITE NOW DOVEY MAGNUM- NOT TOO LATE VERSHON- GOOD FI REAL PATRICE ROBERT & TARRUS RILEY- ALL MY LOVE NUFF TON RIDDIM

ROOTS REGGAE/LOVERS ROCK: RIGHT TIME- JOHHNY OSBOURNE GREEN LION, LOVE PERRY & YAADCORE- GREEN BRAIN MATRJAH- HEART AND SOUL MACKA B & JAZZWAD- JAH SHAKA TROD ON HIGHEST INTENTION- YOU AND I MARTEI KORLEY- PERFECT/PASSION DENNIS BROWN- CONCRETE CASTLE KING DENNIS BROWN- LET LOVE IN YABBA U- GIVE THANKS & PRAISE FABIAN MIRANDA- DESTINY FREDDIE MCKAY- DECEPTION FLICK WILSON- SLAVE MASTER DON CARLOS- NATTY DREAD HAVE CREDENTIALS

[veggieowlet]

thank you so much for the tag friend!! ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ (dimension 20 fans unite!! i can't wait to get to junior year)

last song i listened to: best part by daniel caesar feat. her

currently watching: the animated harley quinn series!! currently on season 3 and i love it dearly (๑✪ᆺ✪๑)ᕗ

currently reading: i'm actually reading a couple of books at the same time (all as pretty different genres, i promise i'm actually comprehending what's going on /lh), including the collected ghost stories of m.r. james, chainsaw man: buddy stories by sakaku hishikawa , writers and lovers by lily king and a bunch of comics/manga. one of my favorite romance mangas at the moment is she loves to cook and she loves to eat, as someone who loves to cook that is the dream!!

currently obsessed with: dungeon meshi (picking up the manga as i type this), chainsaw man, blue eye samurai, my homebrew campaign with my friends, leisure walking (like just walking to get the zoomies alongside beautiful scenery), listening to novo amor and noah kahan, matcha lattes, and making accessories/stories for my plushies.

favorite color: purple you will always be famous (and green! specifically the softer tones) tagging my lovelies!! /nfta : @dearybuneary @princeminnow @rileys-castle @thetinyblossom @caregiver-twylas-daycare @deuce-agere @wonderinglullaby @cutiecorner

banner refers to 18+ content! older regressors are always welcome to interact with me here

TAG GAME

get to know you better game! answer the questions and tag 9 people you want to know better.

last song I listened to: at the time I was tagged I think 'love crime' (that one song from the ending of the hannibal tv series) but at the time I'm actually posting this it was 'personal jesus' by Depeche Mode.

currently watching: the Saw movies (I only have 'Saw X' left and I'll be done with that), the spiderman movies (all of them, in no particular order). Also I'm trying to find the time to properly watch the star trek movies again.

currently reading: Nothing. I'm searching for a 'complete Sherlock Holmes' edition to read all the stories thought.

currently obsessed with: umm, nothing actually. I'm still really into star trek, lupin iii, sherlock holmes and a lot of other things (batman?) but I not hyperfixated in any of them in particular at the moment :/

favorite color: deep red, dark blue (with black/gray undertones), forest greens, yellow...

tagged by: @hope-of-enterprise thank you for tagging me, I have no idea if I did this correctly though (also I'm pretty sure this 'tag game' started as a chain of reblogs or something but got 'broken' along the way and I'm too lazy to track the original post)

tagging: I don't think I even know 9 people but here, let me try by tagging some people that I have actually interacted with. @yirima-chai , @sawbones4117 , @starrycrowz , @kaklord , @kabbage-potato , @purpleenma , @scummybee , @bakersttardis , @current-events-mc

If you've already been tagged in this uhh, ignore it I guess.

[littlemeow]

classic tails agere icons 🌼🦊🌈

[sjsmith56]

The Flame Burns From Within, Part 4 - Captive

Summary: Lady Arden is forced to reveal her marriage. Lord Barnes and his men continue their pursuit of Pierce’s forces.

Characters: Lady Arden, Lord Pierce, Ser Brock, Riley, Lord Barnes, Ser Anthony, Father Bruce, Ser Samuel.

Warnings: Physical violence against a woman, intimidation and threats, reference to a forced miscarriage.

Author notes: The image in the banner was created by the author using Microsoft Copilot app. Divider by vecteezy.com.

<<Part 3

Part 4 - Captive

Lady Arden

The journey from the church to Lord Pierce's estate wasn't far but I wasn't permitted to exit the carriage on our arrival. Instead, I was joined in the compartment by his wife and daughter, along with a maidservant. Lady Pierce, her face red and her hair disordered, stared at me with some hostility, then sighed when the carriage door was closed again and we departed in greater haste towards another destination.

"You are older than my daughter," she grumbled. "He must intend for you to marry our eldest son. Why no one else was good enough for him is beyond me but then I am never consulted on these matters."

I said nothing to her comment, since she didn't ask a question. Instead, I looked out the small window trying to determine where we were being taken. James' belief that Pierce's attack on the church would result in the loss of his lands must have been a correct one for it seemed that the whole household was accompanying our carriage. Whenever we turned into a curve, I could see wagons loaded up with the household goods behind us in a long procession. Far in the distance I could see the columns of smoke, certain that he had set his estate on fire. His attack on the church wasn't a sudden impulse. The fact he had his possessions ready to leave his lands was proof that he planned this long ago.

"I will not marry your son," I stated, fixing Lady Pierce with my gaze. "I am betrothed to another."

"He doesn't care," answered the woman. "You have always been his prize. He tried to negotiate for you in good faith, but your fool uncle wouldn't even entertain his offers. Now he has made us fugitives to claim you for our house. You must have a large fortune for him to be so insistent."

"I have nothing," I answered. "Your husband took my family away from me when he killed my parents, and my uncle offered me sanctuary." She looked at me with a blank expression, as if my words were confusing to her. "I am from the House of Forrest. Lord Pierce slaughtered my parents then said he found them dead of the wasting disease. He took their lands under his stewardship after burning everything to cover up his crime."

Pierce's daughter looked fearfully at her mother, whose face was becoming redder by the moment as I laid out my charges against her husband.

"You lie," she replied, not quite convincingly. "He's a pillar of the kingdom; well respected and always called by the king to give counsel."

I shook my head. "No, he and the Houses of Rumlow and Walker have been conspiring to overthrow the king. More than a fortnight ago, he sent an unmarked force to the palace, attacking it in the night. His men killed the Crown Prince and his oldest son. I was at Ser Anthony's when word came to Lord Barnes of the attack. He hastened to provide his support to the throne. That was the night I was formally betrothed to Lord Barnes. Just last night your husband and his men surrounded my uncle's castle, intent on preventing Lord Barnes entry to it, and our attendance at church this morning for the third reading of the banns. They entered the church with their weapons in hand, knocked down the priests, then took women and children as hostages to force Lord Barnes to give me to them. Your husband is a traitor."

The state of their marriage must not have been stable as she had nothing to counter my words. It meant she knew he was capable of what I told her. She and her daughter would pay a steep price for being connected to such a man. The maidservant, older than me with hair as red as mine except darker in tone, watched us closely as we spoke. Never once, did she give any sign of distress or disbelief on her part. It seemed she was more aware than her mistress was.

After many hours of travel, during which I dropped a small torn piece of the trim on my dress out the window as we went past an inn, we stopped at a tavern, long after the sun had gone down. Another party of sell swords were there to greet us. I listened to their report to Lord Pierce on their travels, but their words were too indistinct for me to make out. Then the carriage door opened and the man who helped me into the carriage appeared.

"Lord Pierce says we will stop here for a meal and a brief rest. You may wish to refresh yourselves at the same time."

He offered Lady Pierce his hand first, then her daughter, then me. A look passed between him and the maidservant. It was just a flicker of recognition then it was gone but I noticed it and wondered if they were perhaps lovers. She assisted Lady Pierce into the tavern, while her daughter and I followed. It was dark and close inside; certainly not a place I would willingly go into, but I was hungry and needing the use of the privy. When I made my needs known, the maidservant and the sell sword followed me; her inside the facility while holding a candle to light my way, him on guard outside. Pulling my skirts up over my knees I placed myself in position while the woman looked away.

"I don't need a guard inside. I have no idea where I am and no chance of escape."

"That is not why I am here," she said, in a low voice. "I am a friend, as is the sell sword at the door. His name is Riley. We will try to find an opportunity for you to escape, but if that is not possible, we will at least leave a trail for your betrothed to follow.”

She handed me the candle then lifted her own skirt, pulling a knife out of a sheath strapped to her leg. Digging into the wood in a dark corner of the privy she drew an image of a flame, then an arrow pointing in the direction we were headed, followed by two wavy lines to indicate the sea. The knife was slid back into the sheath once she was satisfied with her efforts.

"We're headed to a port?"

"That's what Riley has learned," she confirmed. "Pierce has allies across the sea in Brittania. We'll try to help you escape before then for once you're on a ship it will be harder to rescue you."

A small tap on the door signalled us to be quiet and she turned away from me so that I could complete my necessities. As we left the small privy, Riley was no longer at his place. Instead, it was Ser Brock. He glared at both of us, his scarred face cast in a permanent scowl. I refused to let him intimidate me and I looked steadily in his eyes.

"I have been in that carriage for hours."

"As I have been in the saddle, Lady Arden." His eyes narrowed. "Lord Pierce orders your presence at his table."

I brushed past him, followed by the maidservant, whose name I still didn't know but for now I would think of her as Ruby to match her hair. Rumlow watched us from his spot for some time, making me wonder if he intended to check the privy for signs of me leaving a clue, but he didn't. Instead, he sat next to Pierce at the large table, grabbing a tankard of ale and drinking in a manner that was typical of most men of his upbringing. On the other side of Lord Pierce were two young men, fair haired but indistinguishable from any number of ordinary men. Their beards were dark but spotty as if their faces couldn't decide whether to make them look more manly or scruffy. Like him, they each had their hands around a piece of meat, tearing into them with their teeth. Walker sat further down, watching me with a curiosity that bothered my sensibilities. A piece of meat was placed on a platter in front of me, along with a thick slice of bread. I took what I could manage.

"These are my sons," said Pierce, gesturing to the two young men. "Richard is 24, sturdy and reliable. His brother, William, is 26, a good swordsman, and has already bested several men in battle. I give you the option of choosing which one will be your husband. It is of no consequence to me which one you choose."

"Neither," I said, looking him in the eye.

He reached forward and slapped me with the back of his hand. The fat from the piece of meat he had held in that hand dripped off my cheek and I wiped it off, looking defiantly at him.

"You will choose, Lady Arden," he declared. "I mean to have you as a member of my house before we leave for Britannia. It is my preference that the marriage be performed before the voyage so that my line is secured on the trip over."

"That will be difficult," I replied, "seeing as how I am already with child."

There was silence at the table as he took in my words. His own sons watched him nervously as his colouring changed from fair to ruddy. He made them all jump when he slammed his fist on the table.

"Who?" I smiled at him, and he withdrew his dagger, extending it to my throat. "You laid in sin with Barnes?"

"No, there was no sin involved. We were married over a fortnight ago by the priest whose church you burned. He already took news of the marriage to the Bishop and the banns were waived, as I carry Lord Barnes' child. We were merely going through the formality of reading the banns as normally would be done. It was your own actions that forced Lord Barnes hand, due to your attack on the King. I know I carry his child for I have already missed my monthly course.”

Even in this busy tavern I could hear the sound of his breathing, as he struggled to maintain control of his temper. I picked the meat up and tore a small piece off with my teeth, chewing it as I watched him. Ser Brock leaned forward and whispered in Pierce's ear, leading him to nod his head. He sat back down and glared at me.

"There are ways to make a woman expel a child from her body," he stated. "We need to find someone who knows the proper herbs."

"I'll tell the priest," I said. "Plus, by now the record of my marriage has gone to Rome. If you force me into a marriage with one of your sons, it will be declared illegal, and any offspring will be illegitimate. You can't change that so easily. I will not cooperate, Lord Pierce, especially not with the man responsible for my parents' deaths."

"Then I'll make sure that Lord Barnes meets his own death." His voice was steady as he stared intently at me. "Nothing will stop my son from marrying his widow. Your child with Barnes will have no standing in my house and I can turn him out at will."

"Then you will have another death on your hands." I stood up, drawing all my dignity together to give him a glance at the fire that burned within me. "If you harm my child I will kill you with my own hands."

He started laughing, which prompted his sons William and Richard, John Walker, and Ser Brock to join in, followed by his men who were nearby. Before he could counter my effort, I took the knife which lay on the platter of meat and brought it to his cheek, slicing it open. Rumlow reacted first, grasping my wrist hard and forcing the knife from my hand but the damage was done as Pierce raised his hand to his cheek and came away with blood on his fingers. I believe he would have throttled me then, but Rumlow barked at Riley who came forward.

"Lock her in the carriage," he said. "We'll see if she is this feisty after sleeping there tonight."

He took me out of the tavern and over to the carriage, which sat without horses as they grazed freely in the fields nearby. Once we were out of earshot, he whispered furiously.

"What were you trying to do?"

"Exactly what you saw," I answered. "I will not cooperate with him. He will find I am no meek daughter of one of his cronies."

"He will hurt you and will send a force against Lord Barnes." We got to the carriage, and he opened the door. In the distance we could see Rumlow watching us as he dispatched two other men to guard the carriage. Riley looked to see who they were and shook his head. "Do not antagonize these two. They will have no qualms in taking their anger out on you." Helping me in he stopped just before he closed the door. "We have two days of travel to get to the port. I can't help you escape if you are locked up like this. Lady Arden, please, temper your actions."

"I will try."

He sighed, then locked me inside. Acknowledging the two men who arrived to guard me during the night he kept walking towards the tavern without looking back. I pulled the cushions from the seats and laid them on the floor of the carriage. It was a rash action for me to cut open Pierce's cheek, but his arrogance irked me and the fire within me burned at that moment when he threatened not only my love but my child. I didn't lie when I told him my monthly course hadn't yet arrived. It was late by almost a week, and I hoped with all my heart that it meant I carried James' child. If I wasn't, then my options for preventing a marriage would be limited even more.

Lord Barnes – evening

The flames over Pierce Manor were still visible for miles as we approached those lands, an obvious sign we were too late to stop Lord Pierce's forces. What was worse, my best trackers told me that a great host of wagons, horsed men, and carriages left earlier, bound for the northeast. His house had been ready to leave at a moment's notice, his intentions quite evident. Why he would attack the King just two weeks ago, then abandon his properties now puzzled me. It was a tactic that made no sense.

"My Lord," said Barton, approaching me. "The men who sought out Lord Pierce's tenants say they departed early in the afternoon, an hour after midday. None were aware of his destination." He looked at the ruins. "Why would he destroy his own property like that? It makes no sense."

"To prevent anyone from taking it over," said Ser Samuel, who came closer on his own horse. "It was a tactic used in the Holy Wars between my brethren and yours, to keep the other side from easily gaining a foothold. It is a warning to you that he will go to extreme lengths to keep you from Lady Arden. It is a tactic of war; make no mistake about that."

His words were true. It was a tactical retreat, and his scorching of his properties was meant to slow us down as well as make it impossible for the King to assign those lands to an ally. It would take years to rebuild the manor. By that time Pierce would have been able to strengthen his forces with the help of powerful houses in Britannia, France, or Spain, any one of which would want a foothold in our young realm.

"Give the signal," I said to Barton. "We move on and follow the trail. We'll ride as long as we can before we rest our horses."

I saw the priest, Father Bruce, sitting atop his own horse, his hand on his crucifix and his lips moving in prayer, at the destruction visible to us. He crossed himself finally then rode closer to me.

"We move on, I take it," he said, simply. "To destroy an estate that took lifetimes to build is evil. His serfs and tenants will be masterless, and unable to have the advantage of his protection against bandits or invaders."

"It was an evil act, as evil as his attack on the church," I replied. "We are continuing the pursuit. If it becomes too much for you, Father, I can leave two men with you while you rest."

"I am fine," he answered. "I will rest when you do."

His answer reassured me to his stamina. As mild and meek as he appeared, he was a man of inner strength. It did not matter to me if it was his faith that drove him. I found myself willing to listen to his counsel for it was as reasoned as well as any other man. As we rode with Ser Anthony who had joined us with some of his men, and additional men provided by the King, we spoke of many things. The topic of my years of travel came up and Ser Anthony came closer.

"It was Lord Fury who told me of your falling out with Lord Pierce. May I ask how that came about?"

I sighed, as I was not proud of my previous association with the man, or Ser Brock of House Rumlow.

"Pierce was a childhood friend of my father's and Lord Fury," I began. "They were like brothers for a time. After my father's death, it was Pierce who invited me to travel with him and Rumlow to explore trading relationships with certain houses. Lord Fury was there when the offer was made and suggested to the King that the Duke also accompany us, as part of what was an unofficial diplomatic mission." I grimaced at the memory. "It was anything but. We visited more brothels and courtesans than estates. In fact, the two men encouraged us to leave the diplomacy to them, while the Duke and I explored the more salacious aspects of Europe. It wasn't until we were in Spain, and I visited the Bishop of Seville, who was related to my mother, that I heard different counsel. When I told him who my travelling companions were he cautioned me against trusting Lord Pierce. Apparently, he had wanted to court my mother, but my father made his offer first. The Bishop was of the opinion that Pierce's plan was to weaken me so that my house could be taken over by his. I began to question their treatment of me and the Duke. After speaking frankly with Prince Steven, we began to distance ourselves from them."

"They were setting up their alliances with willing houses, weren't they?" asked Ser Anthony. He shook his head. "It must have disturbed you to realize he thought so little of you."

"I felt like I had disgraced myself," I admitted, thinking back to that time in my youth. "No wonder you didn't think I was a suitable husband for Lady Arden."

"What was the defining moment?" Father Bruce gazed at me with understanding. "What finally severed the connection?"

"I overheard a chance remark by Ser Brock that they should have done to House Barnes what was done to House Forrest, except no one would want my sister Rebecca as compensation for the trouble. The remarks they made about her were vile and angered me, so I confronted him. We fought." I rubbed my left arm, remembering the wound given to me by that man. "If I hadn't been wearing armour that day he would have taken my arm. It was Ser Samuel Wilson who intervened in the battle, sending a falcon to attack Rumlow. It scarred his face, further hardening his heart against me and my family."

Both Father Bruce and Ser Anthony switched their attention to my friend, the man who had been reluctant to leave Spain, where he had been born and raised during the Moors' occupation of that land, until the Church fought back.

"It was evident my path lay with Lord Barnes and the Duke," he said solemnly. "To ease my travels in this land, I assumed a Christian name, although Samuel is a name known to my people."

"So, you are not a Christian?" asked Father Bruce.

Samuel smiled. "I am not, but I have been told I am a good man, nonetheless. Will that suffice for you, Father Bruce? I have the greatest respect for you as a man."

He surprised us all by laughing aloud for some time. In a gesture that surprised us all, he extended a hand to Ser Samuel and grasped his forearm in the way men of battle do when in solidarity. When he released it, he made the sign of the cross at the man.

"That will suffice," he answered. "I am not so rigid in theology to think that my faith is superior to yours. We both worship the same god, but our methods differ. Our worlds are not so different as they both have good men and evil men; that is evident to me."

It was another surprising statement by the priest, and I began to wonder what his own past had been like that he was both worldly and open-minded, unlike many of his kind. Throughout the next few hours, we conversed of many things to pass the time in the saddle. Ultimately, we all began to flag, and I called a halt to our ride. We found an inn that accommodated us in the main building and in its stables, once I showed the owner a gold piece, with a promise of more. They fed us well in their tavern, and we slept until sunrise.

When I arose in the morning, a meal awaited us. I gladly paid the owner five gold pieces for his trouble. As we saddled and mounted our horses, he came out with a thoughtful expression.

"There was another large procession that passed us by yesterday, just before dark," he said. "It was strange, as there was a fine carriage with several women and a young maiden in it, plus many wagons with fine furnishings and possessions. I tried to entice them to stay with us as they passed, but their leader never even paid any heed to me. However, this was dropped from the carriage. It occurred to me that you may be tracking that procession."

He held his hand out, holding a small piece of trim from Arden's dress. She must have ripped it off the fabric with her own hands. Reaching into my small coin purse I withdrew another gold piece and offered it to him, in exchange for the piece.

"I thank you, sir," I said sincerely. "May you always have visitors at your doors."

He smiled gratefully and stepped back as we began to ride. Other than the tracks of the many wagons, it was the first real evidence we were on the right road. However, we were still many hours behind them. We rode until the sun was high overhead and stopped at another inn with a tavern. Like the previous place, the owner of this one was anxious to make us happy and he brought out great platters of food and ale for us. With an actual privy on the premises, several of my men took advantage of the facility to relieve themselves. It was one of them who came to me.

"My Lord, there is something in the privy that you should see," he said, pointing towards the door to the facility.

Raising myself from the stool, I went with him into the small room and looked at him, expectantly. He pointed to a darkened corner, where a flame, an arrow pointing northeast, and two rippled lines had been recently carved into the wood. The wood underneath had not yet had the chance to darken with age. It was obviously a message meant for me and I thanked all the gods for the foresight of the spy I had in Pierce's house, wondering if she was responsible for this message. Natasha, a woman with her own quarrel with the man, had been there for almost a year, watching him. It was through her efforts that I acquired the ring I placed on Arden's finger, that now rested on a chain around my neck. Leaving the privy, I sought out the owner.

"There was another large party that came through here," I stated. "Tell me, was there a young woman, with hair like flame and wearing a dress of the colour of cream? It was trimmed with this."

I showed him the small piece of trim.

"Aye, M'Lord," he answered. "She was there, at a table with an older man, two younger men who may have been his sons, a sallow fair-haired man, and a dark-haired man with a scarred face. The older man struck her for something she said but she showed no fear and even managed to cut his cheek with a knife."

I smiled. Ever since Arden showed me the blade in her boot I wondered if she was self-assured enough to use it. The tavern owner's words were clear that she was.

"When did they leave?" I asked.

He scratched the back of his head and scrunched up his face. "Two hours before sunrise, just as the mist began to form. They were headed northeast, following the main road on the island. The lady was forced out to sleep in the carriage after cutting the man, with two guards upon her but she did not look the worse for wear when they hitched the horses and herded the other women in with her. The oldest one did not look happy at being awakened from her slumbers so early."

We had come closer but were still at least 8 hours behind them.

"Which harbour on the north shore can handle large ships?" Ser Anthony looked sharply at the man.

"The deepest ports that can receive large ships is Sag Harbor then the Northwest Harbour which is further by another day’s travel. Both have received large ships from across the seas. With all the wagons slowing them down the group that was here yesterday will need two days to get to the closer of the two."

We looked at each other with understanding. Pierce should be headed for the closer harbour. There was still a chance we could get to them before they reached Sag Harbour. Barton, who had stood behind my shoulder as the information was given to us, pulled his gloves on.

"Is the order given to mount up, my Lord?"

"Aye, prepare the men to leave. We ride until nightfall before breaking for a few hours rest. With any luck we can catch them by morning."

I paid our host five gold pieces for his troubles and mounted Soldier. Even he seemed eager to go, as if he understood how close we were to catching up to Pierce, and to Lady Arden. I smiled again at the thought of her slicing open Pierce's cheek. He must have said or done something that raised the flame of anger within her. It made my sensibilities feel full to realize that her heart was mine, as much as my heart was hers. She truly was a warrior inside, the blood of her ancestors still strong and vibrant. In every way, she held me captive with her abilities and the fire that burned within her.

Part 5>>

Series Masterlist

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[kaiparker-avengerssmut]

* = smut ^ = angst • = fluff ☠️ = dark themes/fic

Drabble ~ under 1000 words

One-shot ~ over 1000 words

Series ~ 6+ parts

Taglist

kaiparker-avengerssmut 1k challenge

Chris Evans (and characters) Steve Rogers One-shots/Drabbles Steve Rogers Series Colin Shea One-shots Chris Evans One-shots/Drabbles Ransom Drysdale One-shots/Drabbles Stucky One-shots/Drabbles

Sebastian Stan (and characters) Bucky Barnes One-shots/Drabbles Bucky Barnes Series Charles Blackwood One-shots Stucky One-shots/Drabbles

Chris Wood (and characters) Kai Parker One-shots Kai Parker Series Jake Riley One-shots Jake Riley Series Mon-El One-shots  Chris Wood One-shots 

TVD Universe Kol Mikaelson One-shots Kai Pareker One-shots Kai Parker Series  Lucien Castle One-shots Enzo St John One-shots Multiple Characters

Marvel  Bucky Barnes One-shots/Drabbles Bucky Barnes Series Steve Rogers One-shots/Drabbles Steve Rogers Series Sam Wilson One-shots Peter Parker One-Shots Loki Laufeyson One-shots Wanda Maximoff One-shots Natasha Romanoff One-shots/Drabbles Stucky One-shots/Drabbles Bruce Banner One-shots/Drabbles Thor Odinson One-shots/Drabbles Sharon Carter One-shots/Drabbles Tony Stark One-shots/drabbles

Star Wars Anakin Skywalker Headcannons 

The Maze Runner  Newt One-shots/drabbles Thomas One-shots/drabbles Teresa Agnes One-shots/drabbles Minho One-shots/drabbles Gally One-shots/drabbles