As the whip rose in the air, the monstrous crack sounded as it leeched through his scars. Jamie stood stoic, unwavering in his stance as his back soon became bloody and mangled once again. Daniea looked on in horror, with every strike her chest felt as if it would cave in. The tears that now ran down her bruised cheeks were not for her own pain but for his.

Almost an hour later the final lash butchered his back, as he stammered slowly from the post he noticed the crowd had mostly dispersed, his unfaltering strength no doubt becoming boring to witness. The judge handed him his clothes before tenderly grasping Jamie's hand in appreciation and awe, while St. Germain huffed off into the city.

He slowly dressed, the blood quickly soaked through his shirt and vest as he made his way over to Daniea. He gently laid his jacket over her flayed back, hiding her exposed skin from the harsh sun and onlookers. Silently, he mounted and led his horse to the stockade platform so Daniea could easily swing over and into his lap. Each movement made them wince in pain as he took her back to Jared's.

The servants all gasped in horror once they saw Jamie, a bloody mess reining in his horse before the front door. He shushed them away as he dismounted, carefully he reached his arms up to slowly lift Daniea from the saddle. As she was catching her breath from the pain of the ride a flurry of dark hair burst from the front door towards her.

"Claudel!" Daniea exclaimed, sinking onto her knees, wrapping her arms around the weepy boy.

"My lord did it, he saved you, just as he said he would." He murmured in her arms, Daniea glanced up at Jamie as she whispered in his ear.

"He always does."

"Come now lad, best be getting your lady a room so she can clean up." Jamie smiled wearily.

"Oui, my lord, right away." Fergus cheered, running ahead to make preparations with the serving staff.

Jamie motioned for her to enter the manor.

"This is my cousin's house, you'll be safe here mistress."

"Claudel?" she asked.

"The lad...I caught him rifling through my pockets one night and has been working for me ever since. No need for the boy to live in such a manner."

"The generous man…" Daniea played over in a near whisper.

"You were the one giving him food and taking care of him."

"Aye, and gave the lad a proper name."

Daniea cocked an eyebrow in his direction, "What pray tell did you name him?"

"Fergus." He smiled.

Daniea couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"Well I will have to thank Fergus for informing you about my arrest."

"I have to be honest mistress, I had the boy keep an eye on you for me," He admitted, hanging his head abit. Jamie stood, still waiting for her temper to ignite.

"Thankyou Jamie." She softly stated.

"Your room is ready my lady," They heard yelled from the staircase where Fergus eagerly awaited.

Daniea forced a weak smile and began ascending the staircase.

"Jamie." She called. He froze in place.

"I need to attend your back… and my own. Who can I send out for herbs?"

Jamie motioned to the maid bringing clean linens up the stairs. She nodded and left to begin cleaning up in her room.

An hour later Daniea had been given all the ingredients she requested from Master Raymond's apothecary shop and was beginning to make a paste for the poultices when Jamie rapped on the door.

"Come in." She called busy by the fireplace.

Jamie slowly limped in, the pain in his back finally reaching a point where he could barely stay conscious.

"Sit on the stool," Daniea instructed, waving her hand by the fireplace.

Jamie achingly removed his bloodied vest and shirt. A sharp hiss escaping his lips as the dried blood clung to the fabric.

"I have to clean the wounds first, so try and stay still."

He nodded, allowing his eyes to roam over her form. She had washed and was now wrapped in a silken robe.

"Don't you need too.." he pointed at the poultices.

"I already had Suzette apply it earlier." She replied, gently washing his back.

The silence that fell upon the room was stifling, the only noises that arose were those of pain as she placed the poultice strips across each whip mark till his back was fully covered.

"I will have to change these twice a day for the next few days." She informed him.

He nodded, catching her hand as she turned back towards the fireplace.

"Daniea, you have no idea how sorry I am."

She nodded, refusing to look at him.

"Please.." He begged.

"I can't… I...I don't know what to say. I never would have…" She stumbled over her words, "You took lashes for me?"

"Why wouldn't I? I love you more than life itself Mo fiadhaich aon." He assured her, gently pulling her around to face him.

"Jamie, please don't." She implored her eyes turning red from holding back tears.

"You drive me mad woman," He announced, taking both of her hands in his, kissing them gently.

"Ugh, Jamie." She growled pulling away, regaining her composure.

"I know it won't be easy but could we just try to find our place around one another again."

"Jamie, stop, you know I can't… I must leave soon."

Anger flared in his eyes. "I won't let you go back to him, I won't condemn you to this fate."

"That's not up to you…. I told you to forget about me and just enjoy your life." She reminded him, crossing her arms across her chest.

"I could never forget you lass, I could no sooner forget how to breathe. I know I have hurt you.."

Daniea placed her hands on his chest stopping him in his tracks.

"Seeing you take those lashes for me, it broke me Jamie… I no longer want to even think about our hurtful memories, they have cost us too much. But you must understand I cannot remain here, I have to go back and soon,"

"You are my wife! I will not.."

"No. Not anymore," She pushed, "I told you to marry another."

Jamie brushed his hand against her cheek, "Then you wish me death." he softly told her, his brough deep.

She stood on tip-toe and dragged her lips against his jaw, "Only if I stay." she reminded him, pecking him gently on the cheek before pulling away, far from his grasp.

"I'm tired, I am going to retire for the night."

Jamie nodded knowing there would be no use in arguing the matter any further that night, "As you wish mistress," he muttered and left her room.

While she slept, he was busy writing letters to Murtagh, Dougal and other clan members. He would not let her go without a fight, and the first thing he needed to do was figure out what kind of man his enemy was.