Daniea had an hour on Jamie, maybe two. She was careful to avoid any unnecessary contact with anyone, stopping only when her horse needed a break or water. Within a few more hours she would be on a cargo ship and free from the highlander nipping at her heels. As the journey continued Daniea's mount grew weary from the lack of exercise it had been condemned too, so she unwillingly slowed her pace, not wanting to force the tired animal.

Her journey trekked her through every back road, and waterway. When the dark sky began to peek she finally sought camp, away from all towns and villages to allow her horse much needed rest. For tomorrow she couldn't afford to slow down, exhausted animal or not.

Thankfully when the sun rose and the morning dew clung to the grass in crystalline spheres, her horse was rearing to head off into the woods once again.

"Almost there boy," she told her horse, slowing him down into a canter as they entered one of the last clover fields they had to transverse.

Within minutes the sound of fast moving hooves caught her attention, glancing back the shape of a large black destrier appeared, bursting from the treeline.

"Dammit all to hell," She groaned picking up her lead, spurring her horse faster across the field. She never peeked over her shoulder, she refused to be distracted for even an instant as she raced ahead across the enormous expanse of field. The hoofbeats grew louder and louder, she could now hear the breath of the stallion behind her as he pushed himself forward. Within an instant his rider had pulled ahead, snatching the reins from her hands, pulling her horse to an immediate halt. Daniea jumped down and began sprinting towards the woods. Harder and harder she pumped her legs, unwilling to give up.

Her head spun as the breath was abruptly knocked out of her. She tried to roll, catching her arms beneath her as the ground seemingly rose up to meet her. Her lungs burned as she maneuvered into a crouch, staring into the face of the one who tackled her. Jamie.

He stared wide eyed at the rabid fox in front of him. Clad in black riding pants, boots and a billowing white shirt, cinched in by a black corset; resembling a man more so than a woman.

"James I don't have time for your games." She growled, slowly withdrawing a dagger from her boot.

"I won't allow you to do this Daniea." He stated, his annoyance plastered all over his face.

He stared at her for a long instant, truly realizing he had no clue who this woman was in front of him. As she stood, she threw off her cape allowing her to maneuver more briskly around the field.

"I'm done talking, get out of my way!" She screamed at him as she switched blades, swiftly withdrawing the rapier that hung next to her hip.

"Or what woman, you'll run me through?" He laughed, aggravating her even more.

"Aye, if I must."

"You wouldn't dare." He provoked.

She was on him within a second, he had little time to react as her blade came slashing its way towards him. Stumbling back from the blow, he drew his own sword. Meeting her calculated thrusts with blocks that barely kept him from being skewered.

"What's wrong dearest? You look petrified." She called, twirling around to aim for his exposed side.

Her fierce blows and speed stunned Jamie. It had been many years since he truly had to concentrate against an opponent in swordplay.

He growled, retaliating with his brute strength against her agility, knocking her off center long enough to pin her sword arm down to her side as he held her against him. Forcefully, she threw her head back into Jamie's face making him release her.

As he staggered backwards, she sprinted towards his horse but as she was climbing into the saddle Jamie caught onto her leg pulling her back down onto the hard ground.

Regaining her footing she came to discover his sword tip was now pressed against the hollow of her throat, guiding her to stand up.

"Would you quit trying to kill me lass!" He roared, his breath coming in hard pants.

He watched as her grip tightened on her blade and her eyes shift, accounting for all points of escape.

"Let me go Jamie, I won't warn you again." She seethed.

He was silent for a few moments, "Just tell me this. Are you going because you want too or because you have too."

She growled, clashing her blade with his once more as she refused to answer him.

Their lethal dance continuing.

"I don't want to hurt you." He called over the clash of steel.

She couldn't help but laugh, "Don't worry, you can't."

"Enough!" he burst minutes later as he untangled their blade once again.

"Lass if it's your true wish to leave then go, if you simply want to be rid of me just tell me, but if you are only doing this because your master beckons then fight with me, not against me."

She stood staring, her breast heaving as she tried to slow her heart.

"It's not that simple." she urged him.

"Aye, it is. You just have to have the courage."

She groaned, re sheathing her blade and tying her hair back up. Her thoughts and emotions clashed like titans within her. Crossing the expanse between them she wrapped her arms around Jamie's neck pulling him down to meet her feverish lips. Her fire engulfed him, igniting a passion within him that had long been dieing.

As she pulled away, she muttered "I have no choice," before dashing towards her horse.

He remained as a statue, watching her ride away. But as she reached the wooded outskirts of the area she began doubling over in the saddle. He raced towards her as she fell from the horse. When he reached her she was on her knees, rocking back and forth in pain gripping her stomach. Without hesitation he picked her up, mounted his horse and rode as fast as he could back towards the nearest town.

She still struggled slightly against him as he grappled to find a healer of any sort.

"You need a help?" He kept repeating, yet she shook her head no, all the while groaning from intense pain.

When she finally could choke out the words " Master Raymond," Jamie knew something sinister might be in play; but they first had to get back to Paris in order for him to find out.