Hello. Here is Chapter 11 as promised. I hope you all had a pleasant New Year. I haven't done a disclaimer in a long time so here's one. I don't own any of these characters from A Knight's Tale. Please don't sue. Well, having got that out of the way, enjoy this chapter.

Sweet Revenge

By Tatiana

Chapter 11: Survival of The Fittest

Count Adhemar and his entourage left the inn at dawn. It was misty and damp as the sun rose behind a blanket of gray clouds. The chilly morning gave way to a dim afternoon. The sun hadn't even made an appearance from behind the dense overcast. The storm had passed and the weather was dry but the earth was far from it. Fields and meadows along the roadside looked more like bogs and swamps. The rains had turned the dirt road into mud. At places the muck came up past the horse's fetlocks. It was extremely unpleasant and very slow going.

Kate sat on the back of her mare once again. Her hands were bound in front of her as before. The only thing different was that a servant called Marcus led her horse instead of Germaine. Kate couldn't help but notice that Adhemar was keeping a tight leash on the herald today. Germaine had yet to come near her. She only hoped she hadn't gotten him into trouble by revealing some of their conversation to Adhemar the night before. Kate couldn't believe that she'd been so bold as to do so. Adhemar had been upset by her words. His had saddened her.

She looked up at the sky. The gray clouds cast gloomy shadows over the landscape surrounding her. They had been riding nonstop for hours. Their movement was slow, hindered by the thick mud. She had overheard that morning that they were to ford a stream around midday. Midday had passed but they hadn't come to a stream. Adhemar had been shouting out orders throughout the day. From the sound of his voice she could tell that he was not pleased with the group's progress. Looking up at the sky, Kate judged it to be late afternoon but wasn't sure. It felt as though they'd been riding for far longer.

Kate was brought out to her musings when she felt the mare underneath her come to a standstill. The entire company had halted. She craned her neck, looking to the front of the convoy, trying to see what was going on. Adhemar and Germaine both dismounted. They walked up to the bank of a stream. Kate's eyes widened. The small stream that the men had spoken of that morning didn't seem so small this afternoon. The rain had caused it to flood. The ford that was supposed to be only six inches in depth was now substantially deeper.

Kate watched as Adhemar and Germaine conversed. The Count had his back to her, looking out over the flooded stream with his hands on his hips. Occasionally he turned his head to Germaine and nodded at what the herald was saying. Every now and then he would reply. He appeared to be slightly annoyed with his herald. Germaine said something and Adhemar shook his head vehemently. The Count turned and strode back to his horse. Germaine followed him more slowly. Adhemar put his foot in the stirrup, pushed himself off the ground and swung his leg over the horse's back. After settling back in his saddle, he picked up the reins and pulled the gelding around to face the rest of the convoy.

" The stream is flooded," he called out. His eyes passed over his men. " We have lost valuable time today. We will not wait for the waters to recede. We shall ford the stream and ride straight through the night."

It was all Kate could do to keep from groaning. She was tired and ached all over. The last thing she wanted to hear was that they would not be stopping for the night.

" Germaine and I shall cross first. Follow with the first wagon and some of the horses. Bring the second wagon after that group has almost reached the opposite bank. Follow up with the last of the riders." Adhemar broke it down for his men. They all nodded at their master's commands and went to work checking the wagons, preparing them for the crossing. " Marcus!" Count Adhemar called looking to the man that led Kate's mare. " Bring her over with the last group."

The man called Marcus inclined his head. Adhemar moved his eyes over the wagons, watching his men, and making sure that all was as it should be. He sat top his bay gelding. One of his black gloved hands rested lightly on the horse's withers, holding the reins loosely, and rubbing one of the leather strips between his thumb and forefinger. The other gloved hand sat on his thigh. His eyes fell on Kate. The blacksmith was looking rather anxious.

Kate eyed the current warily from where her horse stood about twenty yards away. The brown water looked swift and chilly as it swirled and rippled downstream. Her hands clutched at the horse's mane, gripping it tightly. Perhaps the stream was not as deep as it seemed. The rain couldn't have flooded it too badly. At least she hoped it hadn't. Kate bit her lip as her heart beat quickened. She glanced up from the floodwaters to see Adhemar watching her from several yards ahead. His jeering gaze forced Kate to swallow her alarm and raise her chin in defiance. Adhemar's shoulders shook with a mocking chuckle. Kate forced herself to compose her features and look away from the overbearing count.

Adhemar pulled his horse around to face the stream. With a few words to Germaine he urged the gelding forward into the murky water of the flooded ford. Germaine followed his lord moments later. When the two reached the center of the twenty-five yard crossing the rest of the convoy started across. First went one of the wagons followed by a few riders. After that group reached the middle the other wagon went. A few riders, including Kate, followed up the rear and were the last to enter the chilly brown water.

Kate attempted to keep herself calm but as her horse advanced further into the stream her heart rose into her throat. The current was much stronger than it looked from the bank. The water pulled at her feet forcefully as it came up past the underside of her mount's belly. Her horse halted suddenly. Kate glanced around in alarm. The man leading the horse gave a sharp tug on the reins. The mare refused to budge, the white of its eyes were showing its fear and alarm. The man let out a string of curses and pulled on the horse's reins again. There was still no success. Muttering under his breath, he maneuvered his own horse so that it stood beside Kate's, facing the bank from which they'd come. Kate clutched tensely as the horse's mane at its entire body began to shiver with fright.

Adhemar had reached the opposite bank. He turned in his saddle to check the rest of the train's progress. The two wagons were nearly out of the floodwaters but the last riders were being held up.

" What is Marcus doing?" Adhemar demanded of Germaine.

" It seems as though the blacksmith's horse is balking," the herald replied, following his master's gaze.

They watched as Marcus took the ends of his own horse's reins and gave Kate's mare a sharp slap on the hindquarters with them. The horse squealed in alarm and lunged violently forward. Kate lurched in the saddle as the horse threw itself ahead. She held her breath as she fought to keep her seat in the saddle. Suddenly the mare lost its footing on the slippery mud of the riverbed, and fell.

Kate let out a cry of terror as the swift current swept her off the mare's back. Her bound hands still clutched at the horse's mane and saddle with all her strength. Kate was in the water almost completely, belly down with her feet being drawn downstream. Kate choked on the water that swirled about her nose and mouth, breathing rapidly for fear she would not be able to for long. The mare fought to regain its footing, pitching and swaying abruptly as it pushed itself to its feet. The horse's sudden movements caused Kate to loose her grip. She let out a shout as the water towed her under.

" What the hell?" Adhemar exclaimed as he witnessed his captive resurface a little further downstream.

" Oh Lord," Germaine breathed, his eyes were wide as she slipped underwater again. " Can she swim?"

Adhemar glanced sharply at his herald. He quickly looked back to the river as Kate reappeared. He let out a string of angry curses and threw himself off of his horse. Adhemar hurriedly sprinted down the riverbank. When he'd passed her position in the river, he dove into the water and swam out to intercept her. He grabbed her by her wet clothing before she was drug down by the current again. With an arm over her shoulder, grasping her underarm, he swam back towards the shore. Her body was heavy and lip.

Adhemar hauled her onto the bank. His own breath was labored as he knelt beside her and held her face down over his arm. After a few moments Kate began to spit up water. Adhemar supported her as her body was racked with fierce coughing fits. He gave her back a few solid thumps with his free hand, and then rested it between her shoulder blades as she began to gag and expel the remainder of the water from her lungs. When she was done she leaned back on her haunches, her head falling back and her chest heaving with strained breaths. Adhemar let her go and leaned back on his elbows in the sediment of the riverbank. He shook his head and water droplets from his black curls flew everywhere.

Within a few moments all the men, headed by Germaine, were close by. They stood in a semi-circle around their master and Kate, watching. Adhemar gestured to his herald to see after Kate. Germaine rushed to her side to see what he could do. Adhemar pushed himself to his feet slowly. He was dripping with water. His expression was as black as pitch as he strode towards the group of his men. He approached Marcus and calmly stood before him. He drew back his fist and stuck the man across the face with all his might. Marcus was laid flat onto the ground from the force of the blow.

" Your stupidity is unbelievable!" Adhemar roared at him. " Get up and take the punishment of your idiocy like the man you pretend to be. Never in my life have I known a fool such as you!"

Marcus did not rise to his feet. He remained on the ground staring up at his master with a humiliated, red face and eyes full of dread.

" I grow weary of this insolence!" Count Adhemar shouted, this time addressing all of his men. They all hung their heads. " There was a time when I was proud to call you my men. Now I am beginning to doubt your abilities. First Gunther's clumsiness and now Marcus's poor judgment." Adhemar shook his head at them. " With every mishap, my faith in you all fades." Adhemar's gaze drilled into each man present. " I cannot afford to surround myself with untrustworthy men. The next incident will result in something far more than a blow to the face." Adhemar vowed. " Is that understood?"

His men all nodded. Their heads were hung in shame. They all glared at Marcus. He was the cause of the scolding.

" But, if you carry out my orders as I wish without further mishaps," his eyes went to Marcus pointedly. " I promise to you that your good services will not go without reward."

Adhemar's men brightened a bit at the final declaration. Kate watched Adhemar as he spoke. She couldn't help but notice how his speech affected his men. She couldn't believe how much they actually admired and revered him despite the evil person he was.

" Who is Gunther?" she asked Germaine in a labored exhale.

Germaine glanced to her in surprise. He too had been absorbed in his master's talk

" Gunther was one of Count Adhemar's squires. Adhemar dismissed him the eve before last." the herald answered.

" Dismissed him?" Kate shook her head in confusion. " Why?"

Germaine touched her bruised forehead with the tip of his finger. " He caused this."

Kate's eyebrows rose in surprise. " But I thought Adhemar did that," She raised a heavy hand to the injury. It was still tender but was no longer painful or swollen.

" No," Germaine replied seriously. " He didn't."

A breeze blew past them. The air was cool. The sky had begun to darken, foretelling the coming of the evening. Kate shivered violently as her skin prickled. A cold chill ran down her spine. Adhemar also noted the chilling rush of air. He looked to the sky in disapproval. With a quick glance back at Kate he saw that she was pale and obviously shaken by her near drowning. Her black hair lay flat against her head and her clothes were soaking and heavy. The bruises on her forehead stood out a deep purple against her pallid skin. Adhemar looked away from her and to the ground. He thought for a few moments. Raising his head he turned his gaze to the men in front of him.

" Make camp," he ordered. " We'll go no further today." Adhemar's servants hurried off, back towards the wagons, to carry out his bidding. He turned back to his herald and Kate. " Germaine help her back to the wagons. Get her a blanket and put her near the fire." He turned to follow his men.

" My lord!" Germaine called to his master's back.

Adhemar turned, a frown was set upon his lips.

" Would it be possible to remove her bonds, Sir?" Germaine asked, his voice was uncertain. " Just for this evening?"

Adhemar flexed his jaw. His eyes went to Kate. She raised her gaze to meet his. Adhemar smirked and reached to his side for his dagger. He stepped towards them. Germaine helped Kate stands. She was thankful for the herald's hand under her elbow. Without it her legs surely would have given out. Adhemar unsheathed the dagger and cut the ropes that encircled her wrists.

" Get her by the fire and make sure she is warm," he ordered his herald tersely.

" Yes my lord," Germaine inclined his head.

With one last glance at Kate, Adhemar turned on his heel and strode back towards the wagons.

As darkness fell the men moved about. Fires were started, the makings of dinner were brought out, and bedrolls were distributed. Kate sat alone near one of the fires with a heavy blanket around her shoulders. Her hair and clothes were still slightly damp but she was no longer freezing. She watched the men move about the camp. None came near her. She sighed and turned her eyes to stare into the fire. The flames flickered yellow and orange. Heat radiated off of the blaze onto her face. Kate closed her eyes and basked in the warmth.

She wondered what the guys were doing right now. She smiled to herself as she pictured them sitting around in the tent together. Wat and Chaucer were probably bickering, as usual. Roland would be embroidering and keeping an eye on them to make sure they didn't kill one another. And Will? William was most likely with Jocelyn. Kate sighed deeply, her smile fading and expression turning despondent. She couldn't help but wonder if they missed her as much as she was missing them.

" Eh hem,"

Kate's eyes flew open, startled. Adhemar stood a foot away holding what looked to be a bit of bread and cheese. He shoved it close to her face in an abrupt motion. She flinched. Adhemar raised his eyebrows but held out the food all the same. Kate let out a breath and reached up to except the meal, avoiding his eyes.

" A bit jumpy aren't we?" Adhemar asked dryly after she'd taken his offering.

Kate didn't reply. Instead she began to eat, focusing her attention on her dinner. Adhemar remained standing near her for a few minutes, watching her silently. Then he turned from her. Kate let out a breath of relief. But much to her dismay, instead of leaving, Adhemar seated himself against a log a few feet from where she was sitting.

" If you had told me how terrified you where of the water I would have untied your hands before we forded. None of this would have happened." Adhemar stated coolly from his place beside the fire. He was leaning back against the log, his dark, heavy cloak was drawn about him and his arms were crossed over his chest. He had changed into dry garments, all of which were black.

" No," Kate protested quietly, her tone was low and filled with weariness. " It wouldn't have made a difference." She shrugged. " I cannot swim."

Adhemar snorted. " Can't swim? Well that's rich."

Kate's jaw flexed in slight annoyance at his contempt. She swallowed her irritation and took a deep, slow breath. " Although it pains me to do so," she began slowly. " I want to thank you." Kate shifted her eyes to Adhemar. " You saved my life."

Adhemar raised his eyebrows upward slightly. His expression was one of surprise but not unpleasant. Their eyes met and he saw sincerity in her gaze. His eyes softened. Suddenly he looked away. He cleared his throat. He stared into the fire for a few moments. When he looked to her again his expression had hardened.

" I didn't do it to save your life." Adhemar insisted archly. " I did it to save my plan."

Kate frowned but continued in a sinking tone. " For whatever reason you jumped in the river after me," Her gaze shifted around, avoiding focusing on Adhemar. " It was a very brave deed." She glanced to him. Her eyes were hesitant. " Very noble." Kate finished softly.

Adhemar's eyes narrowed. He didn't know how to take the comment. Nor did he know how to reply. Kate had surprised herself with her own choice of words. Never had she ever thought she would use the world " noble" to describe Adhemar.

" So thank-you," Kate said hurriedly, slightly flustered, breaking the awkward silence. Adhemar didn't acknowledge her gratitude. He merely stared into the fire. She gave a little laugh. " I hope you were listening because you'll never hear those words come out of my mouth again." She declared in an attempt to lighten the somber atmosphere.

" No," Adhemar looked at her pointedly. His eyes were cold and proud. " Because next time you are in danger, I won't jump in after you," he said darkly.

Kate's eyes widened and her mouth fell open slightly in surprise. Her cheeks became flushed. She took in a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself. She clenched her jaw tightly but could not hold back the torrent of words that were flooding her mouth. " You are something else! Do you know that?"

" Am I?" Adhemar drawled in a disinterested tone, a smirk spreading across his face.

" Yes," Kate replied. " I offer up a thank-you, heaven forbid a compliment, and you shove it right back in my face. I despise you yet I went out of my way to show gratitude for your saving my life. The least you could have done was keep your mouth shut. But no, your reply was sour enough to curdle milk."

" What is your point?" Adhemar demanded. He was no longer amused. " I grow weary of this tongue-lashing."

" My point is that you are cruel without cause or reason. I swear you have no conscience! You lie, you cheat, kidnap, and kill! Is there no end to your wickedness?" she continued.

Adhemar let out a short, sarcastic chuckle. " First I have no heart and now I have no conscience!" His smirk reappeared as he shook his head slowly from side to side. " Next you'll be telling me I have no soul." He laughed.

" I'm beginning to wonder," Kate muttered under her breath.

Adhemar frowned. " It's survival of the fittest in this world. If you want to stay alive then you do what you have to. Winning is survival. I do any and every thing necessary to win. If I have to be wicked and cruel in order to achieve my goals then so be it!"

" Another one of your father's lessons?" Kate asked, her voice laced with ice.

" No," Adhemar growled in a deep voice. " That one is mine." With that he rose and strode rigidly away. She watched as he disappeared into the night.

Looking down at the ground in front of her. She drew her knees up to her chest and picked up a small twig nearby. The firelight flickered across her features as she concentrated on breaking the twig into tiny pieces. Her brows were drawn tightly together as she did so. She glanced back up in the direction that Adhemar had stalked off in.

" Noble indeed!" Kate huffed to herself. She threw the pieces of the twig into the fire. " More like royal." Her eyes flashed. " A royal pain in the ass!"

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It's another one of those chapters where the setting stays the same. I hope you enjoyed it. Whether you did or you didn't I would love to hear from you. Please review! I would love to hear what you think! Thanks for tuning in! Bye bye.