Chapter Four is here! Hurrah! Thanks for reading this far! Finally, there is a development! I'll just say it again. I don't own any of these characters. They are not my creation. I wish they were! But they aren't. Alas, maybe someday I could create characters like these. Read on!

Sweet Revenge

By Tatiana

Chapter 4: Here Comes the Rain

Kate hurried down the dark street. The night was wet and dreary. She walked quickly along in the cold rain, clutching her cloak about her. Her uncovered head was tilted downward in an attempt to shield it from the steady droplets. Kate smiled ruefully to herself. It was ironic. She never thought she'd get so wet twice in one day.

She glanced up as she turned the corner. Pausing for a moment in the puddle-filled street she breathed a sigh of relief. A hundred yards down the road stood her destination. Lanterns hung over the pub's sign. She was certain that the Lion's Den would be far better than standing in the rain. Kate started forward, heading towards the tavern's welcoming lights. She as already late. The guys were probably wondering what had become of her. She hoped they hadn't waited on her to begin the meal.

A cloaked figure stepped from the shadows to her right. Kate stopped short as he moved to block her path. She attempted to step around the large man. He moved with her. Kate's heart began to race. She looked up into his face but the hood of the cloak was deep and hid his features.

" What do you want?" she demanded, her voice contained a slight tremor.

" A new suit of armor," the man replied with a hint of satire, his voice deep.

" Adhemar?" Kate breathed, her eyes constricting into narrow slits.

The man pushed back his hood to reveal his face. An amused expression played across his features. Count Adhemar inclined his head in a mock bow. As the rain fell down upon his uncovered head, the droplets glistened in his black curls.

" I told you this morning," Kate said, her hand moving up to shield her eyes from the rain. " My answer remains unchanged."

Adhemar's tight-lipped smirk widened a bit. " Yes, but unlike this morning your companions are not here to save you."

" Save me?" Kate snorted. " From what?"

Adhemar didn't answer. He looked at her, his eyes filling with something akin to amusement. Kate's eyebrow's furrowed in confusion. Three more men emerged from the darkness behind him. Kate's eyes widened as she watched the men stride towards her. She spun around and started to run. They lunged for her. She fought hard as they grabbed her limbs and lifted her from the ground. Kicking and throwing her arms about, she desperately attempted to free herself. She opened her mouth to shout for help. A hand covered it. She bit down hard. One of the assailants let out a yelp of pain.

" William!" she screamed. A gag was secured around her head, silencing her outcries.

Adhemar stood watching with his hands clasped behind his back as Kate was carried away. He raised his face towards the heavens for a few moments, letting the cool rain fall upon him. His head turned to glance over his shoulder at the pub where Thatcher sat, oblivious to the beginning of his downfall. The smug smirk remained on his face as he followed Kate and her captors with leisurely strides through the muddy streets. The rain continued to fall, unsympathetic and cold.

* * * * *

" Are you folks ready to order?" a buxom barmaid inquired.

The pub was dimly lighted. The appetizing smells of foods of all kinds wafted throughout the building. The Lion's Den was bursting with diners and drinkers that evening.

" Yes," Jocelyn said to the waitress. The barmaid nodded with a friendly smile.

" No," William interjected. The waitress sent a frown his way. " We should wait for Kate."

The barmaid rolled her eyes and let out a sigh of mild aggravation. The group had been waiting for this Kate person for over an hour. She tapped her foot impatiently; she had a dozen other tables to wait on. It was the third time she'd tried to take their order.

" But William, we've been waiting for over an hour," Jocelyn protested.

" Come back in a little while," William commanded the waitress. The woman sent him a disapproving glare and stomped off. " So much for service with a smile." he huffed, staring after her.

" Kate probably just lost track of time preparing your armor." Jocelyn turned her head to face him.

" It isn't like Kate to be late," Chaucer stated, his eyes looking to William and then turning to Wat and Roland. They nodded in agreement.

" Maybe she just decided not to come at all." Jocelyn shrugged.

" It isn't like Kate not to tell us if she's not coming." Roland said.

" She wouldn't miss a good meal." Wat added.

Jocelyn looked around the table in exasperation. " Maybe she just wanted some time to herself. She is a grown woman! Perhaps she got tired of you all looking after her all the time!"

" We don't look after her, we look out for her." Chaucer interjected coolly, giving Jocelyn a chilly glance. " There is a difference."

Jocelyn returned Geoff's gaze with a look of her own. She let out an calm sigh and moved her eyes to stare at the tabletop. " I am merely saying that she probably needed some time away from all of you. I'm sure you all get along fantastically but all women just need to be by themselves every once in a while."

" Kate isn't like all women," William shook his head, drawing a sharp gaze from Jocelyn.

" Yeah," Roland agreed. " She's a blacksmith."

" Sometimes she's both." Wat added. Roland sent him a look. Wat shrugged.

Jocelyn sighed and looked to Christina for help. Christina shrugged. William let out an impatient breath and rose from the bench.

" Where are you going?" Jocelyn asked.

" To find her," William answered, throwing his cloak about his shoulders.

" I'll go as well," Geoff volunteered, rising.

" And I," Roland stood.

" Me too." Wat declared.

" But it's raining." Jocelyn protested.

" I've got an unpleasant feeling Jocelyn," William said to her, his eyes searching hers for understanding. " I can't sit here and dine without knowing what's become of her."

Jocelyn held his gaze, her face softened. She let out a sigh. " Go on then," she turned her eyes away, shaking her head. She held back a smile. " We'll be eating when you return."

William grinned and leaned forward and kissed her cheek. He kept his face close to hers, staring at her. Jocelyn tried to keep a smile from her face.

" Go!" she burst out in laughter. She gave him a playful push. " Go away so I can pretend to be angry."

William kissed her cheek again. " We'll be back as soon as we find Kate." he promised. He turned to Wat, Chaucer and Roland. " Let's go."

* * * * *

Well, that's Chapter 4. I'll start Chapter 5 this weekend but I have a physics lab to do, along with some English and math homework. I'll stop complaining now. Please keep reviewing! I love reading them!