Hi everyone. This chapter came along quickly. The plot begins to thicken. Well, thicken more. Sorry about the title. It's Newton's third law of motion, in a nutshell. It's also a mouthful. But hey, it's a unique way to use Newton's 3rd Law! Anyway! Read on!

Sweet Revenge

By Tatiana

Chapter 7: For Every Action There is an Equal but Opposite Reaction

The sun was setting as Adhemar's party halted in front of the inn. It was a small establishment, the wooden planks that formed its walls were weather worn and stained. A stable stood just behind the inn. Adhemar and his men dismounted. Kate was pleased to see that Adhemar still retained a limp from the day before. Germaine met him in the front plot.

Kate's shoulders slumped in relief. They had arrived, finally. She watched as Count Adhemar and his herald spoke to one another. Germaine said something and they both glanced her way. Kate straightened in the saddle and lifted her chin. Adhemar frowned and gave Germaine a curt nod then turned and entered the lodge. The herald walked towards her. He motioned to a fellow nearby. Together they reached up and helped her down from the back of the mare.

As Kate's feet hit the ground her legs gave out. The herald and squire steadied her. She took a deep breath and forced her legs to hold her weight. Germaine put a hand under her arm and led her forward towards the door of the inn. They paused in the doorway and Germaine turned back to look at Count Adhemar's men.

" Stable the horses. Count Adhemar ordered food and ale to be served in common room when you've finished." the herald called back to them. A cheer from the men went up and they hurried to get their duties done.

Germaine turned back into the doorway. With a glance to her, he urged her through and stepped in after her. He led her through the dimly lit hall and past the common room towards a flight of steep, steps. Kate looked at her surroundings. The light from the setting sun through the windows gave everything a shadowy look, almost as though there was a cloud of dust in the air, but everything was very clean and orderly. Germaine shifted his hand to grasp the rope that bound hers together. He started up the stairs, pulling her along behind him. At the top of the stairs was a narrow hall will several doors on either side. They walked down to the last room on the right and entered.

The room was dark except for a grouping of candles on the stand by the bed, which was made up with crisp white linens. There was a small fire in the fireplace. Germaine led her to the center of the room and released her arm. He turned to leave.

" Wait!" Kate exclaimed. The herald turned and looked at her questioningly. She paused, realizing she had no idea what to say.

Germaine pressed his lips together and lowered his eyes to the floor. He exited the small chamber, shutting the door behind him. Once he was gone Kate let out a groan of frustration. She went over and perched on the edge of the bed with half of her weight on her feet and held her bound wrists in her lap. Kate stared blankly at the floor; all of her thoughts were blended together into one big mass of confusion. Unmoving, she remained that way for some time. The room was silent except for an occasional crackle of the fire.

" Careful," Adhemar ordered from the doorway. Kate glanced up in surprise. " You might hurt yourself, thinking that hard." She rolled her eyes.

Adhemar smirked and moved from the entrance. A chambermaid carrying a large bucket of steaming water followed him. He frowned at the slip of a girl as the water sloshed over the sides of the wooden container. Kate looked at the sullen maid sympathetically. The bucket of water probably weighed more than she did. The woman set the water down in front of the fire and with a quick curtsy to Adhemar ducked from the room.

" No need to thank me," he declared dryly at her silence. " I thought you would like to freshen up a bit." Kate remained silent, staring into the flames of the fire. " What? No smart remarks? Nothing to say? Well, you're no fun." he snorted.

Kate slowly shifted her eyes from the hearth to the Count. He raised his eyebrows in expectation. " Go to Hell Adhemar."

" Now that's disappointing. I thought for sure you could come up with something more original." he sighed, stepping into the room further.

" And why should I?" Kate demanded. " Seeing as you take such pleasure from my insults I've come to the conclusion that I'll not say another spiteful word to you."

" What a pity," he stated sarcastically. " I'm all tears." He looked to her for her reaction. Her facial expressions remained emotionless. He frowned." Your friends must be frantic by now." Adhemar continued to watch her. " Your friends and your beloved Thatcher." Kate's eyes sparked sharply. " Poor William. He must have been beside himself with worry. It's a good thing he has a lady love to ease his pain."

" Poor Adhemar," Kate said through clenched teeth. Her face relaxed into a mocking expression.

She fixed her eyes upon him. " That lady love wants William and not him." Adhemar's flexed his jaw. " Perhaps he isn't man enough for her?" she suggested. His expression became clouded. " No!" she exclaimed in an attempt to further provoke him. " I know why! Its because William is a champion and the poor count is a cheat and a loser."

Adhemar let out a growl and rushed towards her. He pulled her off of the bed and held her by the throat in front of him, his face close to hers. " Such brave remarks from someone in your situation." He ground out fiercely.

" You asked for them," Kate whispered, trying to shrink back from him.

" And you're asking for this," he said, drawing a dagger from his belt. The silver blade flashed in the firelight. Kate drew in a quick breath as he held it near her face. Adhemar let out a short, humorless laugh. " I thought you weren't afraid of me Kate." he taunted with a sneer.

" I'm not." She declared bravely although her trembling voice suggesting otherwise. She lifted her chin. " Go ahead. It wouldn't be any worse then what you've already done to me."

Adhemar's expression softened slightly. His eyes focused on the abrasion on her forehead. He lowered the dagger and with a firm stab of the blade, cut the cords that fettered her hands. Releasing his grip on her throat, Adhemar pushed her from him. He sheathed his knife. Kate backed away from him until she felt the wall behind her. Her hand was clutching her neck. Adhemar gave her a brief glance.

" Clean yourself up and go to sleep. You look like hell and you smell even worse." he stated abruptly. He spun on the heel of his black leather boots and strode purposely from the room.

Kate let out a jagged breath. Her knees, against her will, weakened. She slid down the wall to the floor. Her other hand went to cover her mouth. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall. She had to admit to herself, he could be frightening. Kate forced herself to stand and went over to the bucket by the fire. The firelight played on the surface of the water, reflecting her troubled countenance. She gasped.

Kate barely recognized herself. The aching of the abrasion had ebbed over the last two days but it still looked painful. Her hand went up to her face. The abrasion above her temple was bruised but the discoloring black and blue had not stopped there. Her eye beneath the wound was bruised and swollen slightly. Kate let out a snort. She looked like Chaucer after Wat had beat on him. Her eyes went to the door. Adhemar had done it to her. Her brows furrowed. But what had she done to deserve it? More than what had just occurred? Kate shook her head. She wished she could remember what had happened to cause her bruises.

* * * * *

Adhemar made his way down to the common room; his strides were long and determined. His men greeted him warmly as he entered. The men had already had a few rounds of ale and some of their inhibitions were already fading. Adhemar did not reply to the welcome. He stood silently, his eyes searching. They flashed as they caught sight their aim. The man was one of his squires, the one who'd caused Kate's injury. His name was Gunther. He was in the middle of a long swallow of ale. The room fell silent. The man, sensing the change in atmosphere, lowered his mug. Some of the brew dribbled down his chin onto his shirt. His eyes widened as Adhemar stepped forward.

Adhemar moved to stand in front of the Gunther. His hand shot out to grasp the neck of the squire's tunic. The next thing Gunther knew, he was sprawled on his belly out in front of the inn. Adhemar stood in the doorway looking out at the squire. A rectangle outline of yellow light streamed onto the ground where Gunther lay. Adhemar's shadow loomed over him. Gunther rolled over to look at his master.

" You're fired." Adhemar declared. " Get out of my sight and pray that we never meet again."

Gunther scrambled to his feet, intending to thrown himself at Adhemar's feet and beg for forgiveness. Adhemar slammed the door shut. Gunther let out a frantic howl. He hadn't really meant to drop the woman. First she'd bitten his hand and then punched him in the face. He'd only wanted to cease her struggling. It had worked. What had the offense been?

Gunther looked around him in the darkness. He hurried to the stables. He was already out of Count Adhemar's good graces. What harm would it do to take a horse for his trouble? The squire saddled a horse. He rode out into the night with one thing on his mind. Adhemar had fired him. He would spoil Adhemar's plans. He kicked his mount into a gallop, heading towards London.

* * * * *

So that's Chapter Seven. See! And you were wondering if the title fit. It does, despite its wordiness. At least I like to think so! Oh, well. Now I know I'll remember it for my next Physics test! I'll start working on the next chapter. Hope to get it posted as quickly as this one! Love to hear from you!