[center][h1][color=yellow] Collaboration Post [/color][/h1][/center]


Brienna's father never took his eyes off of the man who moved his daughter and obviously cared for her. [color=0072bc]"I assume you befouled my daughter and are the reason she defies her father so vehemently!"[/color]

Brienna heard the guards on the wall start moving rapidly and assumed there was trouble elsewhere but she was dizzy and couldn't focus just yet. So she sat there holding her head. 
 
Jason chuckled dryly as he cracked his fist. [color=ed1c24]"Old man, you better save that talk after I beat your skull in,"[/color] he growled. Once he was close enough he got into his boxing stance and shot forward with quick right swing. Sadly though the old man seemed ready for it as he stepped back, barely avoiding Jason's attack. Jason gritted his teeth in annoyance as the old man raised his fist up to prepare himself for Jason's next attack. 

Brienna got the world to stop spinning and she got to her feet wobbling badly. [color=f6989d]"Father, he didn't-"[/color]  She grabbed the nearest tree and violently got sick. She lay on the ground as unconsciousness took her.

The Lord looked at his daughter and landed his fist on Jason's jaw hard but the young man had trained with Samuel and had been hit by harder. 

Anger clouded his mind as the old man managed a blow, but before he could return the favor he gave a quick glance over his shoulder to see an unconscious Brienna. His heart dropped at the sight along with his boxing stance and he ran towards her with dread in his eyes. [color=ed1c24]"Brienna!"[/color] he shouted in worry as he scooped her up into his arms. He held her head up gently and began to feel his heart pound in fear. He glared towards the old man, but saw a group guards running towards them. Jason gritted his teeth in anger and frustration as he carefully picked Brienna up and ran passed the old man, while of course giving him a death glare. He saw Gregory and made his way towards him. [color=ed1c24]"Get her to the house and have someone help her, but be careful, that bastard hit her hard,"[/color] he snarled as he glanced over his shoulder. 

Gregory nodded, but he frowned towards him. [color=aba000]"Listen mate, I think it would be better if you went. I dont think we can leave ya alone with a Lord when he is in your sights,"[/color] he said and looked to two of the men and gestured for them to escort Briennas father back to the house. They nodded and flanked the old man as they made their way back. Jason kept his hateful eyes on the man until he forced them away and towards Gregory. [color=aba000]"Besides, something has come up and they are calling everyone to the estate. Lets hurry and get her to someone and find Samuel,"[/color] he said while giving an apologetic look. [color=aba000]"I know you are mad, but keep your head on mate. Your lucky you didnt get a hit on him, you could have been hung," [/color]Jason looked towards Brienna and nodded slowly. 

[color=ed1c24]"Fine, lets go,"[/color] he said as they made their way back to the estate. He made sure to be gentle with Brienna and never took his eyes off of her. [color=ed1c24]"I'm sorry,"[/color] he whispered with a voice shaking from both guilt and anger.

Elizabeth was standing at the top of the staircase when they all arrived inside the doors and she was angry. The doctor was already at the door and Elizabeth ordered Jason to take her to her room and stand guard outside while the doctor looked at her. One of the ladies went with them to act as witness and to help get her undressed.

[color=f7941d]"The guard will return to their posts except for Samuel. Lord Avery I need to speak with you in the parlor immediately."[/color] The entire household was abuzz with what had happened.

It was not an hour later that one of the carriages was readied and her mother, clearly clueless, was reinstated into it with her irate husband. He had come out of the room shaking with anger after Elizabeth had taken some of his lands away from him and given him ten days to move.

Elizabeth hurried upstairs to check on her friend. [color=f7941d]"Jason? Are you alright? Has he said anything about how she is yet and tell me what happened."[/color] Elizabeth opened the door and pulled him in with her.

Jason avoided eye contact with the Queen and let her lead the way. Guilt stirred in his chest and he couldn't bare to admit his failure in protecting the women he loved. [color=ed1c24]"Don't worry about me my lady, and he hasn't said a damned word,"[/color] he said with a defeated tone. As they entered the room Jason looked up to see Brienna laying on the bed. The side of her face she was struck on was now bruised and red. Jason's fist tightened as he slowly walked to the side of her bed and kneeled down to get a closer look at her. With a shaking hand he cleared a strand of her hair from her face and felt tears threatening to escape the corners of his eyes. 

[color=ed1c24]"Damn it,"[/color] he whispered and lowered his head in shame. He rose to his feet, still avoiding eye contact with the Queen and looked to the doctor. [color=ed1c24]"Please, tell me what you know so far,"[/color] he pleaded with a shaking voice. 

The doctor had examined her already. [color=7bcdc8]"She has a concussion to the head plus when she fell her head bounced off of a rock it appears. She has a cut inside the hairline right here. She needs to be awakened every hour through the night. If she isn't she may not wake up at all if her brain were to swell up too much there is nothing we can do. Most likely she will be fine though. I am aware of her father's title and all but I hope someone makes him pay. Brienna is a fine girl."[/color] The doctor sighed heavily.[color=7bcdc8] "I'll watch her through the night." [/color]

Elizabeth wasn't sure she liked what he had to say up until he got to the part about making the Lord pay for hurting his daughter. About that time the door opened to show Brienna's mother breathing heavily. [color=ed145b]"Is my daughter alright?"[/color] She knelt next to the other side of the bed and stroked her hair and her mother cried softly.

Elizabeth smiled softly and ordered the maids to accomodate the Lady Avery's needs since her husband took all of her things back to their current home.

Turning back to Jason she smiled. [color=f7941d]"Jason, you did well today. I'm glad you didn't do anything foolish. Now I get to do something fun instead of something heartbreaking."[/color] She winked at him keeping her little secret til later as she left the room to supervise the party arrangements.

Brienna awoke on her own and looked over at her mother, the doctor and Jason all in her room. She wondered where her father was. [color=f6989d]"Jason?"[/color] She choked out. Her throat was dry. 

Jason looked around the room and spotted a pitcher of water on a nearby table. [color=ed1c24]"Hold on,"[/color] he said as he rushed over, poured a small glass and quickly made his way towards her. He knelt down by her bedside and smiled sadly as he gently raised her head up and helped her drink the water slowly. [color=ed1c24]"Hey, I'm glad to see you awake, I was worried,"[/color] he said with relief and guilt. He looked over to Briennas mother and bowed his head a bit with shame. [color=ed1c24]"I am sorry, I was the one who caused the trouble. Please forgive me,"[/color] he said while gently stroking Brienna's undamaged cheek. 

Her mother had heard her child's voice and her eyes had opened to see the young man tending to her. She listened and when he said he caused the problem she had to correct him. [color=ed145b]"Jason is it?"[/color] Brienna smiled and reached for her mother's hand and held it as she sat on the bed next to her.

[color=ed145b]"Her father has been in a financial pinch for a while and he was hoping to marry Brienna off into a rich family to bail him out. It had nothing to do with you at all. We had gotten to the gates when your father mentioned hitting you."[/color] She looked at her daughter. [color=ed145b]"I have been on the other end of those from him before.  I left the carriage and ran back to see if you were okay. I couldn't leave my baby girl like that." [/color]She smiled and said, [color=ed145b]"Elizabeth made him pay alright. She has taken his lands from him and without that he has nothing left. He is not a Lord any longer, just a mister. Since you are well looked after I am going to my room to sleep. This chair is terrible!"[/color] Her mother tapped Jason on the shoulder and smiled before she left the room.

Jason watched Brienna's mother leave and returned her smile with a small one of his own. He turned his attention back to Brienna and kissed her forehead softly. [color=ed1c24]"I'm happy you are awake, but I should leave you alone to rest. I'll be back to check on you later, okay?"[/color] he said and rose to his feet. He looked to the doctor and gave him a nod of thanks as he exited the room. As he closed the door he leaned his back against the door and let out a heavy sigh. He shook his head and decided to find Samuel as he remembered Gregory mentioning finding him after he had made sure Brienna was in good hands. 

He walked through the hallways in search of Samuel and after a few minutes of searching he spotted him giving out orders to Gregory and a few others guards. Jason quickly made his way towards him and stood at attention as he managed to get his attention. [color=ed1c24]"Sir, I was told I should see you about something," [/color]he said. Samuel looked to Jason and nodded with a stern look.

[color=39b54a]"Jason, Im glad to see you,"[/color] he said and patted him on the arm. [color=39b54a]"How is she?"[/color] he asked with concern. 

[color=ed1c24]"She is awake sir and she is in good hands,"[/color] Jason informed. Samuel nodded with relief and sighed. 

[color=39b54a]"Good, Im happy to hear. That girl never deserved that sort of treatment from a pathetic excuse of a Lord,"[/color] he said with a sigh. [color=39b54a]"Anyway, to business. I'm afraid we have a problem,"[/color] Jason raised an eyebrow.

[color=ed1c24]"What is the problem sir?"[/color] Samuel sighed once again before continuing.

[color=39b54a]"We have trouble arising from another band of bandits, these ones seemingly belonging to the party that ambushed us. Only difference is their numbers,"[/color] he said and shook his head. [color=39b54a]"Scouts have informed me that the party is gathering any nearby allies and will strike the estate with the intention of revenge. I have not informed the Queen and I want to keep it that way,"[/color] Jason shook his head in confusion from all of the information he had recieved. 

[color=ed1c24]"Sir, why keep the Queen in the dark?"[/color] he asked. 

[color=39b54a]"She is invested with this party and I want to keep our Queen happy, simple as that,"[/color] he said and motioned to Gregory and five other guards. [color=39b54a]"I have gathered you seven here because I find you all to be capable enough to assist me. I have sent word for another group of twenty men to meet us outside of the estate to go and take care of these bastards once and for all. We will leave tonight and should return by the time the party has begun. Gather your things, take care of whatever you need to and meet me by the stables. Make sure the Queen does not find out about any of this, understood?" [/color]he finished. Jason and the other six guards saluted and went to ready for their mission. Jason made sure to grab his sheild, sword and spear and strapped his armor on tight. He rotated his arm and grunted as he lifted his sheild. 

As he made his way to the stables he stopped and looked up to the window that belonged to Brienna's room. He frowned with guilt and sighed heavily. [color=ed1c24]"I'll be back, and I will make this up to you,"[/color] he swore before heading to the stables to meet his party. 

Elizabeth was not blind. She knew something was going on but she was also used to Samuel handling things without her knowledge much of the time. That was where Brienna came into play much of the time. She was a little concerned when she saw several of the guard leaving the gates but she said nothing. She knew Samuel could handle it or he would have said something to her.

William was lurking around Brienna's doorway. He hadn't knocked yet but he wanted to see how she was doing. When the doctor emerged he spoke with him. It was with relief that he asked if he could go in and see her. There was a maid nearby and he asked her to accompany the carpenter to see Brienna. She nodded and she watched over William as Brienna was in and out of sleep.

It was about two in the morning when one of the maids came in to check on her. William had gone long ago. Brienna barely remembered him coming in to see her. 

One of the maids had come in to fluff her pillows and Brienna asked where Jason was. She had assumed he was working or eating dinner but that he should have been back by now.

[color=a187be]"Brienna he and some of the rest of the guards, maybe seven or so left a few hours ago."[/color]

Brienna sat up and it made her head pound harder. [color=f6989d]"What!" [/color]She flung her covers off and pulled her dress on over her slip and slipped into her shoes. She was chased down the stairs by the maid.

[color=bc8dbf] "Wait! You can't just get up you are hurt!" [/color]
 
[color=f6989d]"I need a full account of who is here and where so if you don't intend to be hurt too you will get out of my way!"[/color] With that the maid stepped back and Brienna ran as quickly as she could to the wall and spoke to the guards to see how many were left there to protect the queen.

After getting that information she went back inside and locked every door and planted a guard at every door leading outside. She knew that Samuel would not have left them unguarded but Elizabeth had also just taken everything away from Brienna's own father that very day. She didn't trust him not to pull something. 

Brienna went into Elizabeth's rooms and checked on the sleeping queen and personally kept guard on her door. As an afterthought she went to get Lillian and William and put a plan of action in place of her own. After that she sat outside of the queen's room and waited for something to happen.

[@Joker892]