Savages?

Nolee looked up at the window and smiled softly as she could see the outline of someone watching her. She stretched and stood before going back to playing warrior with her makeshift bow.

Now what type of man stands there and watches someone he detests she thought playfully to herself.

Her form wasn't bad and it seemed as if her arrows were nearly right on target each time. There was something different about Princess Nolee Lacroix and as Drew watched he couldn't help but let his eyes wander over her form in the moonlight, wondering if her skin would shine under the pale light.

Jerking at that thought he moved away from the window and returned to his books, more resolute than ever to ignore Nolee with everything he had.

Nolee looked to see if she was still being watched. When she saw she wasn't, she headed toward the entrance of the castle. She had wanted him to turn away. Escape was the first thing on her mind. Sure Lady Fiona had been kind to her but she needed to find out if her family was okay. She threw the hood of her cloak up and tried to do her best to be unseen.

Laird Kane Jacobs was making his way up the winding path to the castle when he ran across the petite form in the cloak. Never one to be foolish he drew his sword and called out.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Long minutes passed before Drew looked back out the window and while he was disappointed that Nolee was gone he was certain that she had made her way back to the castle. He rolled his shoulders as he stood, his bed calling his name loud and clear.

Nolee cursed as someone called out to here. Silently she withdrew into the shadow's and behind a tree, hoping the hulking mass of a man would leave her alone, mistaking her form for a trick of the light.

It was no mere trick of the light, Laird Jacobs was sure of it and he approached cautiously, calling out again gruffly.

"I said who goes there? Answer and show yerself before I let me claymore do all the talking."

He waited patiently, the sudden breeze kicking up and ruffling his brown locks.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Drew sighed hapily as he slipped between the cool sheets of his bed, sagging into the down mattress and letting a smile creep across his face as he pictured Nolee with her handmade bow.

Nolee sighed, knowing there was no use in trying to hide who she was. Stepping out of the shadow, she lowered her hood, "I am sorry I disturbed you...my name is Princess Nolee Lacroix. I was...I am...a captive of Lord McIntyre...please don't take me back?"

Kane scowled as he put his sword away.

"It's dangerous out here, ye'd be safer in the Lairds hall."

He moved closer and took Nolee by the arm, hauling her along after him. He'd been on thses roads enough to know that reavers would love the chance to take down a naive little girl like her and wouldn't care a whit about her saftey.

Nolee shook her head and tried to pull away. She didn't want to go back to the castle, she was to afraid what woudl happen to her as soon as Lord McIntyre found out that she tried to run away. "Pl...please Lord Jacobs....I don't want to go back...I want to go home..."

He arched his eyebrow at her before shaking his head. "Nay, you'll go back tae the Laird's Hall and spend the time there, if I know Laird McIntyre as well as his own Ma then he'll be out of his mind worrying about ye. Ye'll be nae place safer than that hall. Besides I'm sure he's got a ransom out on a purty lass like yeself. It souldna be tae long afore yer family comes to retrieve ya."

Having enough of her fight he picked her up and tossed Nolee over his shoulder, one hand on her rump to hold her in place as he walked, humming as he went.

"I don't care if he has a ransom on my head I don't want to be here with a man as cruel as Lord McIntyre!" she shouted, pounding her fists against his back, "Just let me go! I promise I'll be safe! I can use a bow, I can look out for myself!"

She knew that she wasn't going to get free anytime soon and she wept. She was lonely, she was afraid her brother was dead, and she just wanted to know if he was okay.

That earned a laugh from Kane as he laughed, the sound booming from his chest.

"Laird McIntyre cruel? Please Lassie, I doan think ye ken who yer talking about. Laird McIntyre is one o'the most gentle mon's I ken. The fact that yer no' in a dungeon speaks tae his kindness. Although I suspect he'll be rather cross when he finds out how ye thanked that kindness by trying tae run.."

"He...he'll throw me in the dungeon?" Nolee asked afraid. She had heard tales of the dungeon back home and was now afraid what would happen to her. "I...I just want to get home..."

Kane chuckled again, shaking his massive head. "Nay, he might want tae try but if they Lady Fiona has her way ye'll be back yer room with only a guard at the door. The Laird isna sae bad Lassie. An I'm sure that he's contacted yer Kin about ye. Ye should just wait and see. "

By the time that Kane had finished talking they reached the castle again and he lifted his hand to knock before he thought better of it and pushed the door open. The sleeping guard at the door was taken by surprise and got into a fighting stance before seeing it was only Kane; and then waved them by with a head nod.

"And what about if my family is dead my good sir?" Nolee asked, her voice and soft though she was very happy that she would not be thrown into the dungeon like a common prisoner when they got back, even if she had tried to escape the confines of her castle.

"Let me tell you what would happen at my brothers kingdom, if he took captives that is," Nolee replied softly, "I'll be sold off in market to the highest bidder for them to do god knows what with. I would rather die a thousand deaths than allow the Lord McIntyre to sell me off."

Kane laughed, the sound booming off the stone walls as he headed up to his guest room.

"Well then little lass, you are in for a nasty surprise here. We might be savages tae yer people, but we doan sell captives. Nay. If yer kin is indeed deceased ye'd become a ward of Laird McIntyre, under his protection from everything, it would then be his choice whether tae marry ye off or keep ye as a servant in the castle. N'ere once has Laird McIntyre sold a captive."

He kicks open a door and sets Nolee down, shutting the door and scooting a large dressing cabinet in front of the door. He turns and motions to the bed.

"Lay down Lassie, I'll take ye tae the Laird taemorrow morn, right now however get some sleep."

"So I would still have no choice of what became of my life..." Nolee mused quietly, almost as if she was talking to herself, "that part wouldn't have changed from back home."

She shook her head and as she watched him put the dresser in front of the door, she truly felt trapped. There was no way she could move it herself. She looked at the large man and lowerred her head before laying on the bed, back to him.

Kane shhok his head before taking a seat in one of the large overstuffed chairs and throwing a blanket over himself. He was so worn out from his journey that he could have slept anywhere.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Morning came quickly and Drew felt himself being shooken awake almost violently. With a grumble he lobbed a pillow at the offender.

"Me people had better be dying for ye tae disturb me."

A deep chuckle told him who exactly was shaking him and he squinted at the large man.

"Get ye lazy Laird, I have something ye might want tae see."

"An just wot would that be?"

"A purty young lass saying that she was a prisoner here..."

That brought Drew up out of a dead sleep and sat straight up. "Where is she?!?"

"Relax me Laird she's in me chambers."

"WOT!!! Ye didn't defile her did ye?"

Kane pursed his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest. "O'course not, she slept in me bed and I slept on a chair."

Drew's heart rate dropped a bit and he got out of bed, throwing a dressing gown on to cover his bare chest. "Take me tae her please."

Kane nodded and the room with Drew trailing behind him.

The morning light streamed through the windows, rousing Nolee from a deep sleep. She had to blink her eyes a few times to realize just where she was. She was still a prisoner and yet she lay in a room. It took her longer to remember the man, a giant though he was oddly handsome, had seen her escape and had made her sleep in the room. She looked at the door but decided against escape. Instead she crossed to the mirror, looking at her own reflection.

Though she had gotten a good nights sleep, she still looked tired. She noticed someone had laid fresh clothes out for her and would remember to give the man her thanks. As she slipped the dress she was wearing off of her pale shoulders, she didn't hear the door open. She had no mind of her own as she studied her reflection, stark naked, before slipping on the new dress. When she turned, she was quite shocked by the fact that Lord McIntyre and the man who had helped her the night before were standing there.

"M'lords! How may I help you!?"

Drew opened his mouth to say something but the image of Nolee standing naked with the sun cascading over her from stopped any words from springing forth and he swallowed before turning and leaving; shaking his head as he made his way back to his bed chambers.

Kane smirked as he bowed low to Nolee.

"Good morning mi'lady. Would ye like tae break yer fast? I'm afraid that the Laird has had a rather shocking start tae his morn. Allow me tae escort ye tae the dining hall."

"Oh yes, I would enjoy that rather well," Nolee smiled, though she was still embarrassed that Drew and Kane had seen her in the nude. She took his arm and looked up at the massive man, "I apologize for my impudence last night. I was afraid that I would be hurt by Lord McIntyre. Why did he leave so suddenly? I did not anger him did I?"

Kane snorted as he shook his massive shaggy head. "Nay, do not apologize for what is merely the fight for survival." Kane swallowed a chuckle as he led her down the long hall and escorted her down the stairs. "Angered? Nay, caused him discomfort...that would be more appropriate here."

xxxx

Drew took up residence in his study; hiding behind his desk with a scowl as he tried to banish the image of Nolee's bared skin from his mind. He was certain if he had to remain in her presence for more than a few moments he would have no problem pressing her again the nearest wall and taking her madienhood.

"Discomforted him..." she blushed deeply, "I did not know you two would be coming into the room. If I had known I wouldn't have been displayed as I was..."
There was something rather exhilirating, knowing that Drew had seen all of her. Yet at the same time, his discomfort led her to believe that he wasn't interested in seeing it again. "He...does he enjoy men? I've heard he hasn't taken a lover or anything and that could be because he enjoys men..."