A tired groan escaped Jason as he laid back in his studies chair. He lazily looked through a few documents and reports that had come up in the morning and frowned. The punishment from yesterday was still fresh in his mind and he could not get rid of his guilt. Causing a man that pain was something he never wanted to do again. His wife was able to help ease his nerves, but she couldnt help him sleep. 

Brienna had gotten up early and was in the cells changing the bandages and cleaning the wounds on the girl's father. He was still not fully conscious but he was moaning in pain. She was fully focussed on his treatment. She hadn't paid any mind to anyone else, namely William. While she was focussed on the patient he snuck down into the cells and was only a few feet from her.

Lucas watched as William entered the dungeon and frowned. He came around the corner he had been hiding behind and walked towards the door with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. As he reached the door he snapped his fingers and the two men he had assigned to watch him appeared from the other hall. The men quickly made their way to Lucas and bowed slightly. [color=f7976a]"Apologies sir, we failed to divert him away from Lady Brienna,"[/color] one guard apologized. Lucas shook his head and looked to the men. 

[color=f7941d]"Calm yourself, I figured this William would be a slippery snake to deal with,"[/color] he said and carefully opened the door so he wouldnt make any noise.[color=f7941d] "Im going down there, keep watch out here,"[/color] he said before entering the dungeons and keeping to the shadows. 

William had snuck up on Brienna and grabbed her around the waist and had pinned her up against the wall. One of his hands covered her mouth as he was trying to kiss and touch her. Brienna was fighting him. He had large bloody scratches on his neck and cheeks and she was kicking him with all she had. She wasn't going to let him get away with this she was able to get a good kick in to his groin area and he slipped a little letting her touch the ground and get her footing. That allowed her to push him away from her and she decked him hard. She came back shaking her hand in pain but she was certain it was worth it.

Brienna was breathing hard as her guards came in. She pointed to William who was moaning on the floor holding his junk. [color=f6989d]"Where were you guys?"[/color]

Lucas had heard something happen and rushed down to the cells as he shouted for his men to hurry down, but as he came to the scene he was shocked to see William on the ground groaning and holding his groin. [color=f7941d]"Slimey bastard,"[/color] he hissed as he yanked William to his feet and slammed him against the cell. Soon his men arrived and restrained William while Lucas turned to Brienna with shameful eyes. [color=f7941d]"Forgive me, we should have reacted faster,"[/color] he apologized. [color=f7941d]"Throw that bastard in the cells!"[/color] he barked to his men who happily tossed him into a vacant cell and locked the door. 

[color=f7941d]"Are you harmed in any way?"[/color] he asked with concern. 

Brienna shook her head. Her pride was hurt that he had caught her off guard and that he had touched her more privately than she would have ever allowed anyone but Jason. But physically she was fine.

[color=f6989d]"I need to get some air."[/color] Brienna hurried up the stairs and out to the stables. She got onto the back of her stallion. She rode him bareback in her skirts which is no easy feat. [color=f6989d]"Heeyah!"[/color] She called out as she kicked him. Tthe steed nearly flew as he exited the stables. 

Jason tried to rub his exhaustion from his eyes as he walked to his studies window. The urge to fall over and pass out grew every second, but he forced himself to stay on his feet. He let his eyes run along the estate, but paused as he saw Brienna rush to the stables. He raised an eyebrow in confusion, but soon felt worried as he saw that she was in a hurry. It was as if she was trying to get away from something. Jasons heart dropped as a thought came to his mind. [color=a0410d]"William!"[/color] he spat before rushing to his door, but stopped as one of the guards had entered. 

[color=f7941d]"My lord!"[/color] he said with surprise as the two nearly ran into each other. [color=f7941d]"My lord there has been an attack on your wife, we have arrested the man, but Lady Brienna has left-"[/color] before he could finish his report Jason had pushed pass him and bolted down the hallway. His rage towards William was rising with every second, but the worry for his wife was much greater. He burst from the mansion and grabbed a horse from the stables. With no hesitation he spurred his horse forward and began to travel down the path Brienna had taken. As he continued he started to become frustrated as he couldnt spot her. [color=a0410d]"Brienna! Brienna!!"[/color] he shouted as he continued to search for her. 

Brienna had waded out into the chilly water. She had to get the feel of his hands off of her  body. The tears that rolled down her face were mostly from anger at herself. She could hear Jason yelling. She didn't answer back. She wanted just another minute before she had to tell him what had happened. She was shivering and she walked all the way in and up to her neck. Her dress was left on the ground near the edge of the lake. She was cold but knew she had to do it. If this was all she needed to do to keep that animal from invading her mind she would do it.

[color=a0410d]"Damn it! Damn it, damn it damn it!"[/color] he growled as he continued his search for his wife. The idea of that bastard touching her sent rage into Jasons soul, but his rage only fueled his worry. [color=a0410d]"Please, please where are you?"[/color] he muttered as he spurred his horse along even faster. After a minute or two went by he rode over a hill that overlooked a pond. Instantly he saw his goal and leaped from his horse. [color=a0410d]"Brienna!"[/color] he shouted as he sprinted to the water. He entered the water up to his waist and looked to Brienna with scared and worried eyes. [color=a0410d]"Brienna,"[/color] was all he could say as he found himself without any words. 

Brienna could hear the panic in his voice and she moved towards him with her head down a little. She was ashamed. She felt that she could have been more aware and avoided it altogether. She walked into his arms and put her head on his chest as she wrapped her arms around him. Her tears slid down his shirt.  She smirked slightly, [color=f6989d]"You should have taken your clothes off if you were coming in. You are going to freeze."[/color] She looked up at her husband and let him see the bruising that was already setting in on her jaw, neck and arms where William  had been fighting with her. 

Jason was at a lost for words. As he saw his wifes injuries all he could feel were his tears building up within his eyes. He gritted his teeth and hugged her closely as he felt himself shiver from shame, rage and the cold water. [color=a0410d]"Dont worry about me damn it!"[/color] was all he was able to choke out as he held her tighter and let his tears fall into the water. [color=a0410d]"Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me,"[/color] he muttered several times in her ear with a shaking voice. 

[color=f6989d]"Forgive you for what? I was the one too preoccupied to notice that he had slipped into the room behind me." [/color]Brienna was starting to freeze in the colder air. [color=f6989d]"We should get out. I need to dress and you need to get home and change. We can talk more about it there."[/color] Brienna moved out of his arms and headed to the shoreline. As her body left the water more bruisis appeared on her shoulders and upper back. She stooped over and picked up her dress and pulled it over her head and smoothed it down. She then turned around and started wringing her hair out. Her horse was looking at her with a mouth full of grass and she  slapped it on the hind end and sent it home.

Walking over to Jason's steed she climbed up and let him up in front of her and placed her arms around his waist. She closed her eyes and buried her face into his back. 

Jason glanced back to Brienna for a moment and gritted his teeth in anger. Without any words he spurred his horse forward and began to ride back to the estate.