[i]Black Raven Inn:[/i]

Sophia was contemplating if she should poke around in Paul's room when the Duke-to-be walked through the door. She saw the hungry look in his eyes, her lips almost curving up into a pleased grin. If it was because he thought her attractive or if it was because he had gone far too long without female company, she didn't really care. She would be able to fulfill part of the deal she had made with the Count. The only thing she had to worry about now was pleasing him enough to make him want to keep her around. She wasn't particularly worried about it. But she had to make sure that she keeps his attention and earn his trust.

She felt his strong arms pulling her towards him and crushing her to him, his mouth quickly descending on hers and claiming it. There was no sense trying to pretend she was some sort of innocent virgin now. She let a soft moan escape her lips as her tongue moved against hers. As he gathered her skirt up, her hands found themselves moving downwards to his crotch, her fingers making quick work to undo his belt.

---

[i]The Castle Westrock:[/i]

Olivia was just about to say something about her father being too harsh on Darma when he stood up and came towards her. 

"My daughter ... there are so many dangers beyond the castle walls ... even more so now with the return of Lord Paul and his band of outlaws."

[color=tan][i]Band of outlaws? Sir Winston certainly looked a lot more noble than most of the castle guards.[/i][/color] The young teenager sighed, choosing not to share these thoughts with her father. Instead, she said something completely different. [color=tan]"Father, if danger is meant to find me, it will find me even within the castle walls. Rather than being cooped up in here, doing nothing but sewing and reading books I have read a million times, I would like to get to know the people in town, learn about their lives, their way of living... if I earn their trust and they mine, no one will wish me ill. And I may be able to assist you in making sure that the people are well provided and taken care of,"[/color] she said. She had always thought that a good leader listens to the people's concerns and grievances. Lord Richard had taught her that when she was younger. 

She would have added more but she stopped when he began speaking again.

"Olivia, you don't know these men.  But I do.  They are thieves ... raiders ... murderers and rapists.  Paul Cranston may have left Westrock the son of a Nobleman ... the Lord of a Duchy Guard Force ... but he returns little more than a Warlord ... the leader of Highwaymen who have, for nearly a decade, survived by raiding villages ... by killing hard working citizens of Counties and Duchies across the east to line their pockets with coin to be spent on loose women and mind-poisoning brew. Please, my daughter ... you must not fraternize with these ... these black hearts ... for they will be the end of you."

It was strange for her father to say these things when the man she met showed nothing but graciousness fit for a nobleman. If he was what the Count said he was, then she should have met a drunken man with women draped all over him. Of course, she couldn't discount the fact that Paul might have known that she was coming to see him and made an effort to put his best foot forward as to fool her into believing that he was something he was not. [color=tan][i]Was he trying to fool me? Now that I am back in the castle, is he acting the way Father said he does?[/i][/color]

But despite that thought and despite her father's words of caution, she still believed that he was a good man. [color=tan]"I...will do as you say, Father. I do wonder why he would turn into such a monster. Grandfather was a noble and kind man. So was Lord Richard. I always thought Lord Paul would be the same..."[/color] her words trailed off. But her face lit up when an idea occurred to her. [color=tan]"Perhaps we should fetch grandmother from the monastery? She would have a lot to say that would put him in place,"[/color] she frowned. [color=tan]"Is she still unwell? I worry about her. She used to love writing to me but it has been a while since she last responded to any of my letters."[/color]