Duchess & the Beast Epilogue 1785 Lightning and thunder. Electrifying.

Thats all that could describe a night like this. Inside and outside. It would describe exactly what the Earl of Walgrave felt at this moment. Starring at his long time friend, advisor and savior, William Falconer. He could not believe his ears. Giving William a very disapproving frown, and shaking his head in shocked disbelief. "William, I cannot believe you would ask something like this of me?" the Earl said to his friend, "Why?" The Earl said at last. "Because Estan, once you were in there position," William finally said. He truly did believe that this was the way for he had seen it, seen it 800 years ago when he saved this man from the brink of destruction when those hunters wanted to slay him. He knew then he had to save this man for this day. "So now you finally want me to pay it forward!' The Earl said staring at the old man coldly; a lesser man would have run away by then, if given that look. A lesser man would have left him to be slain 800 years ago. Would not have brought him back from destruction. But William Falconer was not a lesser man. William Falconer was a man that demanded respect. Respect even from a Vampire. "Estan, it greaves me to see you look at it this way," William sighed, You of all should know I do nothing without reason. Yes! Estan, you are the only one! You are destined for this path." "Do not tell me what my destiny is! I told you before I will choose my own destiny!" The Earl thundered. "I know nothing of children! I do not know what to do with one never mind three! And in this case three very dangerous ones!" "So you see why this is your destiny? You are the only one!" William attacked back, you are the only one that can take care of them, because of who and what you are! You are the only one that can protect them!" "William are you even listening to yourself? I am exactly what they should not be left with! I am what people fear at night! I am what mothers warn their children of at night! Now you want to put three young Children in my care?" The Earl finally asked, most of the anger and shock already draining out of him and confusion and wariness

setting in. "The bite of the one child alone can kill me! Or is that your ultimate goal? To have the child kill me in my slumber?" "I never thought you to fear anything at all, Estan?" William asked cunningly. "I thought you welcomed death, craved it even! And now a mere child scares you?" "Scares me! They all three scare me!" Estan thundered. "Besides the ones bite that could kill me, what about the other two? A familiar child? A warlock?" Think of it as a challenge!" Challenged William. "Why? I ask again. Why me?" "Because I have seen it" William answered truthfully. Looking down and sighing, Estan could not argue or fight any further. He has learned a long time ago that once William says things like that, he best accepts it. William was a Mystic Wizard, a powerful one at that. One did not question him. "Bring them in so I may look at them," Estan finally gave in. Smiling knowingly the Wizard left. A knock on the study door alerted the Earl of the Wizards return, and without a word the old man walked in with three urchins tailing behind him. Estan stood slowly and walk around his desk so he could look at the three young lads. Lining up in a straight line three wary little faces looked up at the tall handsome man walking towards them. Estan was very handsome, tall and athletic build, with long thick black shoulder length hair, he looked dangerous. Men feared him by his name alone. Woman though felt highly attracted to him feared what he might do to them once he had them in his clutches. These three young lads looked at him with a wary concern. A concern as to what their fate has to do with this dark stranger. "Estan let me introduce you to your new charges." William said turning to the boys. He pointed to the first lad closer to him, "this is Daemon, and his family was hunted down by hunters, he is a Werewolf, his hot tempered like all of his kind. He was found wondering the forest alone by a close friend of mine. If she hadn't found him the hunters would have eventually." Daemon stared at the old man with defiant honey gold eyes. Eyes of a hunter. A predator. Eyes he turned towards Estan.

"I can smell you," Daemon said to Estan," but I cannot hear your heart." It was more a statement than a question. "That is because I do not have a beating one." Estan answered directly and seeing that the best way to deal with this boy was honesty. "What does that tell you?" Confused the child looked at the old man questioningly. Seeing that there he would not get an answer he looked back at Estan and answered. "That you should be dead." "Very astute," Estan replied smiling slightly. William pointed to the second child, "this is Cynric, he is a familiar, heir to the throne, his parents both slain by Darthgaurd, so his people send him to me to be protected until he is ready to take the throne. The Guild has taken to protect his land and people until such time." Estan looked at the wary little face of Cynric and saw that he was going to have endless problems with this one. The child had such impishness about him but he could pick up a mischievous and rebellious streak in him. Cynric had the most arresting eyes that Estan has ever see, one blue and one gold, but the blue one had three gold streaks in them, which proclaimed his heritage as royalty. Yes this one will be a handful. "Good evening my Lord who has no heart." The little urchin greeted with a flourish bow and a teasing and mischievous gleam in his eyes. Lifting his dark eyebrow in amusement, Estan grinned and greeted the urchin back, "Good evening to you t, Cynric." Laughing William move to the last child, "and at last this is Rothgar, Warlock. Mother died giving birth to him and Father took his own life recently. They say he went mad. He will be trained in the Charl ways once he is of age as he has inherited his fathers Mystic Powers-" "I will never join the Charl's old man!" the child roared at the old man. I do not have these cursed powers you proclaim!" Shocked at the outburst, Estan looked at William questioningly. William ignored Estan and looked at the child sadly. "My boy let us leave that for another time shall we?" "Rothgar," Estan spoke to the child, sensing that this child was a solemn one with the world on his shoulders. "What a strong name for one so young." The child turning back to Estan puzzled by the change of subject, "it was given to me by my father."

"Then it is a good name," Estan said. "A name that many will learn to respect." Bending down on one knee he looked at the child, seeing himself at this age, "But one must earn that respect first." "Yes my Lord," the child answered. William moving around to stand in front of the children next to Estan, "Lads this is Estan Earl of Walgrave, from now on you will be in his care, for safety sake you three lads will be referred to as Estan's young brothers. The Earl will be your guardian; Walgrave will be your home until it is time for you to move on. You are a family now and should treat each other as such, protect and guide each other as such." All three faces nodded in the affirmative. Estan looked at the three young boys already feeling his first stirrings of protectiveness towards them, "William do they know?" Not pretending to be ignorant as to what Estan was asking he shook his head in the negative. "Lads," William turned toward the boys, the Earl is the best choice for you as he will be the only one to truly understand you as each of you is different and unique in your own way. As you know you will be living among the humans now and will not be able to show your true self. This is for your own protection by whom better to protect you from all your enemies and danger than the Earl himself, as he is a Vampire." All three eyes went immediately to Estan. Estan looked back at all three those faces. But none of the eyes that stared back at him judged him or really feared him, as Estan expected. As if they were in any normal situation. "Any questions?" William asked "Vampire?" asked Daemon of Estan. Then you know that I am dangerous to you?" At Estans wary nod the child stared at him hard and went on. And still you would take me in knowing that?" Staring directly back at the child and not showing any fear, the child smiled and looked at William," 'Struth! If a man can take a strap like me in knowing I could kill him with just a lick has my respect old man! But beware," the child said looking back at Estan and directing his last statement at him, I dont take lightly to being caged up." Really laughing this time Estan threw back his head and his chest rumbled with mirth. "Nay lad," Estan replied back truthfully. "Neither do I. But if this is to work lads there will have to be trust at all times." Piercing each child with a penetrating look Estan said, "Respect me and my wishes and I shall do the same with you. All I ask is for

honesty and discretion." Looking at each child he said, "Welcome to Walgrave lads." And from that day on they were the Walgrave men. The Walgrave men that had a destiny. William smiling to himself as he watched this scene in front of him. The "sight" has never failed him before and he doubts it ever will, he thought to himself as he walked out quietly leaving the new family alone to get to know each other. They will be good for each other, each one to develop the strengths they would need to come full circle. And William walked off, leaving the brothers alone to start their journey in destiny.

Chapter 1
20 Years later.

Trees and bushes a blur. Everything flying past. Paws moving as fast as the speeding light. Hooves beating an erratic tempo, running, chasing, hunting. The hunter. The prey. A chase between life and death. At any given time the tables can turn, as the hunter can become the hunted. The wolf takes a sudden left between the trees, under a low hanging branch. Trying to slow the horseman down. But the skilled horseman takes the jump over the low hanging branch and chases the beast further down. Breaking through the clearing there is no sign of the wolf. Moving slowly the horseman listens for any movements. Any movements to give the wolf away. Nothing. The wolf crouching low between the shrubs, watches the horseman. His stays very still. The slightest movement can give his location away. Biding his time for the right moment. The horseman is getting closer. But still has no idea where the wolf is.

A movement to the right of the horseman and with lightning speed the horseman shoots an arrow from his short bow. Whatever was there is dead now. Turning the horse towards in the same direction the arrow had went the horseman leans forward not daring to climb of the horse to see what he had shot. A deer. The wolf still in the bushes sees no other means of escape, and takes his only chance. He leaps out from the bush, flying in the air towards the horseman. Changing in mid air into his human form he dives for the horseman. The horseman realizing his fatal error tries to deflect the wolf now man, by grabbing for his sword. But was not fast enough. Daemon dives the horseman of his horse, rolling in the ground with the horseman until he got to his feet again with his left hand around the horseman's neck. Lifting the horseman high above the ground. He grabbed the broad sword and dagger from the horseman and throws it into the shrubs away from them. He then turned steely gray eyes to the horseman. "Who are you and why are you hunting me?" Daemon fired at the man. The struggling horseman did not answer, which fuelled Daemons anger even more, causing him to ram the man hard into a tree stump, where instead of a very manly grunt of pain, there was a very female grunt of pain before oblivion over took the horseman who was actually a horsewoman, and causing Daemon to let go of the unconscious burden as if burned. Shocked, Daemon stared at the unconscious heap at his feet. A woman! He bend down grabbed his unwanted burden and threw it over his shoulders with little afford and started walking back home, as naked as the day he was born.

*******

"Who is he?" Estan the Earl of Walgrave asked Daemon.

"He is a she to be more precise, and she was hunting me!" Daemon answered Estan lifted an eyebrow while looking at the unconscious form on the floor in the cell. "Interesting." Estan said after a while, stepping aside so that Daemon could open the door to the cell. Daemon is burning with fury, part of his Werewolf heritage, fighting for control, control Estan had forced him to learn from a young age, he bend down and grabbed the bundle on floor less roughly than he needed, lifting the unconscious heap up, he ripped off the helmet that shielded the womans face. Pale blond hair spilled out covering the face of his assailant, of his enemy. But the fury with in Daemon wouldnt let him appreciate the color or length. He wanted answers! Grabbing the long hair in a fist, Daemon pulled back the face to show Estan that it truly is a woman. Pain. Heat. Pain! Shooting up from his groin to his stomach, to his throat. Daemon immediately wanted to let go of his captive and sink down to his knees. But holding firmly to his captive, he let out an excruciating groan of pain. He looked down and found the bitch had kneed him in the groin and was staring at him coldly, boldly, and he wanted to rip her into pieces. Very quickly the groan of pain turned into to a roar of blood thirsty fury. He could feel the change in him. The Beast taking over. Estan sensing the sudden change in Daemon before the angry growl had moved closer. Seeing what had caused the first groan, he grimaced in pain for Daemon. But put a restraining hand on Daemons shoulder to halt him as Daemon already had the woman by the neck in the air. Werewolves! Always quick to anger and always seeking blood. "Who send you?" Daemon roared at the woman." What is your name! Why are you hunting me?" Nothing. The woman stared at Daemon and said nothing. There wasn't even fear in her Ice cold blue eyes.

Then she made the mistake. She spat into Daemons face. Daemon turned cold blood thirsty eyes on her and started to squeeze. "Leave Daemon" Estan said touching Daemons shoulder more firmly. Knowing there was a very thin line holding Daemon in control of the Beast. Leave her in my hands. I am a more skilled interrogator than you. I will extract the efficient information from her." Estan went on knowing he had to get Daemon to sanity before they lost their captive. Werewolves plunder. You know better. Remember your training Daemon. Remember. Killing the chit will not help us solve the mystery." Daemon taking deep calm breaths, started to let go. She spat at him again and kicked him again, missing the groin area luckily this time, but the intend was there. The intent was to push Daemon to kill her. A dead captive is a silent one. Daemon snapped but before he could kill her he threw her hard, flying, and hitting the wall five feet away. There the captive laid unconscious again. Daemon turned around and stalked out the cell. Estan left him knowing that Daemon will want to be alone to battle the Beast. On his own. Hunting. Feeling a little sorry for the unfortunate animal that would have to endure Daemons fury, Estan knew it would be better. He then turned his attention on the unfortunate and unwise captive. This is going to be a long night.

*********

Daemon stormed out of the of the door way heading straight for the woods, filled with red hot fury, begging to be unleashed, not checking to see who might be watching him, as soon as he reached the woods he changed to his wolf form. Running as fast as he could through the trees and leaves, he sought out the unfortunate prey that he might unleash his fury on. Stopping he lifted his snout to sniff the air, getting the scent of the prey he is searching for, he turns in the direction and moves on.

Crouching low between the bushes he sees his prey. A deer grazing from a blue berry bush, unaware of the danger lurking behind him in the bush. Slowly Daemon crouched low, ready for the attack. When suddenly the deer lifted his head and started to smell the air. Daemon stopped his leap and watched the deer, knowing that he is not down wind so the deer would not have caught his scent; he lifted his snout to see what scent the deer could have caught. Hunters. A loud gunshot cracked the air, and seconds later a bullet flew past Daemons head into the tree next to him. The deer immediately took off running. Daemon thinking that if the hunters were after the deer they must be lousy shots to have missed by so far, started running after the deer, not wanting to lose his prey. "Get him! His getting away." One of the hunters shouted. "That bloody wolf wont get away this time. I want him alive do you hear me! He took Ice and I want to know what he did with her!" Daemon hearing this started running faster. He tried going around the hunters toward the keep but decided not to take the danger directly to the family, turned and headed straight, and going as fast as he could. Hearing a whistling sound coming towards him, he turned to the right just as an arrow came past him and hit into a tree. Not long after that he heard another two whistling noises coming for him so he turned to the left to try and avoid it. Another arrow hit into another tree to his right. But then he felt a searing hot pain in his left shoulder blade. Not daring to stop for even a second to try and pull the arrow out, Daemon continued on further. "Got him! The bastard wont last too long," Daemon heard on of the hunters shouting to his partner. "The wolf bane will start kicking in soon." True to the hunters word Daemon started to feel the world tip. Knowing that if he collapsed now it would be the end, so he started to look for the safest route. He cant turn back to the keep and lead them straight to the family. So the only other option is to find help. Feeling his limps grow slower from the loss of blood and the wolf bane, Daemon had to make a decision fast. He could hear a carriage coming up fast on a road not too far, and if he could just make it there the travelers will be bound to help a fallen man, and that might just stop the hunters.

So Daemon tried to make his numb limbs go faster. He could hear the carriage getting closer. Daemon had just broken through the trees when he saw the road in front of him, and the carriage about a quarter mile away, when he changed into his human form and fell face down into the dirt road, and as his face hit the ground so did Daemon slip into oblivion.

Chapter 2
The carriage suddenly reeled to a stop and threw a sleeping Claudette from her seat. Waking up with a sudden start on the carriage floor, she laid there quietly to listen for any further noise or bumps to come. Nothing. It was absolutely quiet except for the occasional tug from the horses as if something is frightening them. Climbing up slowly, Claudette carefully peaked through the window to see if she could see anything but wary of any highway men that might be around. Seeing nothing Claudette decided its safe enough to venture out and inspect the problem. She took the dueling pistol out from under the carriage seat and tucked it into the secret pocket of her traveling gown. Slowly she pushed the carriage door open and started to climb down from the carriage still watchful for any trouble and keeping her hand in

her pocket tightly wrapped around the pistol that she keeps loaded at all times just for such a moment, all is still quiet so she moves forward to check on the driver and groom. She found the horses start to move forward when they heard Claudette approaching so she moved forward to secure and calm them first, it wouldnt do to have them run off and leave her stranded. Once the horses were secured she moved back to check on the driver and the groom. She found the driver unconscious over the edge. Rushing forward to help him she found a nasty bump on his forehead; she laid him back down on the drivers seat and went around looking for the groom. She found him lying in the bushes unconscious. She bend down and placed her fingers at his throat to feel for a pulse, she found a steady one and just as she was standing up the young lad was coming to. Mlady? Where am I? The young groom asked disorientated. You were thrown from the carriage Joshua, are you well? Claudette asked. Yes Mlady, I am well. A few scrapes and bruises nothing serious. Joshua assured Claudette and started to get up. Good, then go and see if you can help Wilfred, his got a nasty bump on the head and the horses are ready to flee at the slightest thing. Do you have any idea what happened? Not certain Mlady, something jumped out from the forest and the horses went wild. Joshua answered. It could have been a wild animal Mlady, probably a wolf. Well do not worry about that now; you go help Wilfred I will go see what scared the horses. Claudette told him moving away. But Mlady, its too dangerous! Nonsense Joshua I have my pistol and your to disorientated and hurt to do much good. Claudette said, No go do what I bade you. Aye Mlady. Joshua replied and moved to do her bidding. Moving to the front of the horse team Claudette went to go and see who or what had frightened her horses. It is really dark and the only light available was the carriage torch which wasnt much as most of the oil had fallen out from the sudden stop, and then there was the full moon, a full red moon. Claudette stopped to look at it. It was the first time she had ever seen something like it and she found it frighteningly scary. Shaking of the gloomy feeling she looked around warily trying to see if she could see what had caused this disruption. Seeing a pale heap laying in the shadows a little further away, Claudette moved forward slowly, watching the form for any

movements, grasping the pistol more firmly in the pocket of her gown, Claudette took another step further. Trying to make out what it could be, thinking of the stories she heard of highway men laying in the road pretending to be injured or dead and when the carriage is stopped others jump out the woods and attack the unsuspecting travelers. Moving closer still Claudette could make out the form a man. A naked man! A naked unconscious man! Claudette stopped feeling the fear in her throat; she started to look around to see if any of those rumors are true and if any highway men will be jumping out from the forest. Fairly certain no one else was going to jump out from the forest she moved towards the naked man. Coming closer she could see he was a very big man. A very big man with an arrow in his back, Claudette went down on her knees behind the naked man. Sitting the there and wondering what to do next. She decided to first see if the man is alive. She started to turn the man slightly so she can feel for a pulse. Reaching forward toward his neck to feel for a pulse, the man started to growl, stopping in mid reach Claudette looked up at the man with a start. Daemon feeling the excruciating pain from being turned and fear of it being one of his attackers his animal instinct stepped in and his fangs came forth and he bit into flesh. Hearing a scream, a feminine scream, Daemon stopped himself from going for the throat and looked at his victim and seeing it to be female. Claudette shocked from the sudden movement. She felt a searing hot pain coming from her for arm where this man had just bitten her. She looked at the man and found the most golden eyes staring back at her. For a few precious seconds they were just staring at each other then finally oblivion over took Daemon again breaking the spell. Claudette feeling her forearm burning and paining she pulled back, shocked of what had just happened. She heard footsteps running towards her and she looked up behind her finding her driver and groom rushing towards her, assuming she was in danger from her scream. Pulling herself together, Claudette faced them. Mlady are you hurt? We heard your scream. Wilfred asked I am well Wilfred I just caught a fright, thats all, she answered with a reassuring smile. The man is hurt we need to get him to the coach. A man, Mlady?

Aye Wilfred, a man, an injured naked man. She told him, I will need you to hold him down so I can pull the arrow from his back. An arrow, Mlady? Wilfred asked shocked Aye Wilfred an arrow, Claudette answered with a touch of annoyance in her tone. Now come here and hold him down. Wilfred and Joshua moved quickly to assist the Duchess with the man. Claudette turned towards the man to assess what must be done. She turned the man slightly over again, more gently than before, to see if the arrow had come through the front. Nodding to herself that thats what she suspected she then made certain that the men had her patient secured she turned to the back of the man. She grabbed the arrow firmly in her hand closest to the wound and the end where the feather starts and broke the arrow. Breaking off the feathered part. Throwing away the piece of arrow, she slowly turned the man aside so she could get to the arrow point. Claudette took hold of the point and started to pull it threw as quickly and as painlessly as possible, hearing her patient groan, Claudette caught a fright and pulled the arrow out faster than she intended, but her patient went deathly pale and quiet. Breathing a sigh of relieve Claudette stood up. Take him to the carriage we shall take him to Moonacre. Claudette told them more briskly than she intended but she was trying to hide how shaken she was. Moonacre Mlady? But he be naked and we know naught who he is. Wilfred said Aye to Moonacre! He is injured and unconscious and as a Christian I cannot leave him be in the middle of a road. Now do as I say and take him to the carriage. Claudette stated and she turned and walk briskly towards the carriage. She threw the door open and took out the traveling blanked to cover him with and she climbed inside to await the injured man. Wilfred and Joshua brought the heavy burden and laid him inside the carriage with his head propped onto Claudettes lap and she covered his naked form with the blanked. Closing the door behind them the driver and groom moved forward to tend the horses and get ready to carry on with their journey. Soon they were on the move and Claudette prayed that the journey would not take much longer. *******

The hunter stood in the shadows of the forest and watched the carriage move by.

Not to worry he will be dead before the nights end, he said to himself and turned and walked away to go find his friend. Ice is as good as dead if that animal had gotten hold of her, his death is revenge enough. And so he moved on not sparing another glance towards the carriage. Knowing that if the wound and infection alone did not kill the beast the wolf bane poison would.

Chapter 3
Daemon wakes slowly, he can feel that he is in a comfortable bed and there is a warm fire going not to far from him. Thinking that he is in his own bed he slowly opens his

eyes wanting to judge what time of day it might be. He struggles with the simple task, feeling that stones have been tied to his eyelids to keep them closed, but he manages to open them and immediately regrets it when a searing pain shoots through his scull causing his head to ache all over. With the ache in his head he feels the searing pain in his shoulder. Forcing himself to look around he notices that he is not in his chambers but in a womans chambers and with that realization the memory of the night before came rushing in, the hunters, the arrow, the womans scream after he bit her. Daemon sensed a presence next to him and turned his head to find a woman asleep in a chair next to him. She is sleeping, not wanting to waken her he laid still not even wincing when the pain shot through him again from his shoulder. Daemon stared at the woman who saved his life. He could see she had dark hair but one can not truly judge by firelight. But he could see it was a reddish brown, and judging by the thick braid hanging down her shoulder onto her lap it must truly be magnificent when unbound. She has fine features, yet strong, it spoke of nobility. Long lashes dusting her cheeks, a small petite nose, and lips so inviting it drives one to distraction with the full bottom lip to tempt the devil himself. A strong jaw to give strength to this beautiful face. Though she is slumped in the chair she still has a good strong posture which shows that she is no weakling and is of somebody that is active regularly. Not something one finds among the nobility. Her cloths are of good quality which proves the fact that she is of good breeding but they are not that of a young maiden they are of a spinster or widow. Or might she be in mourning? Daemon notices her right forearm is bandaged. Is this the unfortunate woman he bit? Good Lord what had he done? Daemon could hear her heart beating fast and her breathing erratic as if she is being chased. But he was so lethargic he could barely move, must be from the wolf bane, but he still tried to move his hand from his injured shoulder to touch her hand to wake. ********** Flashing images coming at her, strange and frightening images. Claudette feeling so overwhelmed by it all. There is a beast chasing her trying to grab at her, a monster, an animal, a wolf. Just as what the wolf tries to grab at her, she finds herself in front of a man.

The man she found injured by the road side. The man looks concerned and worried, and he is pulling her closer to him, calling her name, she feels compelled to go to him. As he pulls her into his arms and holds her close a feeling fills her, a feeling that she had not felt in so many years, a feeling of safety. Claudette pulled away to look at him and as she did, she was not in his arms but in the wolfs. Claudette tried to push away, to get away from the beast, but couldnt and he snarled barring his fangs and brought them down onto her forearm.

********

Claudette woke up with a start starring straight into the most arresting eyes she had every seen. It was like there was fire in his eyes. The fire from the fireplace was reflecting in his clear eyes giving the illusion of fire in his eyes. The searing pain from her forearm drew her attention down to his hand holding hers. Frowning at the pain coming from her wound and making sense as to why his hand was holding hers. Claudette sat up straighter; as she did he removed his hand, leaving her feeling cold and empty. "I see that you have awaken" Claudette said trying to cover the strange feelings. "How are you feeling? Do you require some laudemen?" Daemons throat feels extremely dry since touching her, her skin so soft it felt like silk against ones naked skin. It took all his will to let her go. Trying to concentrate on what she was saying Daemon tried to clear his throat so that he could give an audible response, "Where am I?" "You are at Moonacre, near Nottingham," she answered "Water, I need water, please," begged Daemon. "O, yes of course," she said moving to retrieve the water pitcher to pour him a glass of water. Helping to lift his head and hold the glass to his mouth so he may drink. Daemon drank deeply from the glass, loving the feel of her hand in his hair. "Thank you," he said.

"Your welcome," Claudette replied. "Do you feel up to telling me who you are and how you came to be in the middle of the road, naked and shot with an arrow?" Thinking it best to get straight to the point as soon as possible while he is awake. "My name is Daemon Logan my brother is the Earl of Walgrave," Daemon answered. "Highwaymen attacked me and stripped down. But because I saw there faces they decided to kill me so I made a run for it. I guess the one shot me." Trying to stick as close to the truth as possible. "Shot you with an arrow, my Lord?" Claudette asked sceptical, "I am sorry for doubting your story my Lord but would they use pistols?" "One would think so my dear," Daemon smiled in spite of the pain he is feeling. "But one can for ever wonder at these mad barbarians." "That is true my Lord, one can only wonder," Claudette replied, feeling disarmed by that rueful smile of his. "I shall send word to you brother of your accident and safety at first light."