I'm back everyone!!! I hope you're ready for another chapter of Sweet Revenge! Well, if you aren't, too bad! It's here anyway! So you'd better get used to the idea! Just kidding. Sorry, it's late as I'm typing this introduction, and I tend to get a bit silly when sleepy. Don't ask me why, cause I sure don't know! Okay, enough of my odd sense of humor, yes believe it or not, right now I'm finding this rather amusing. Here is Chapter 23. Enjoy. Oh, and don't worry, this intro was written after the chapter was completed, so I did not write Chapter 23 under the influence of my current silliness. With that said, I shall allow you to proceed.

Sweet Revenge

By Tatiana

Chapter 23: Behind the Clouds the Sun is Shining

The morning brought mist with it. Before the sun rose into the sky, a layer of white fog had coated the ground. Kate awoke to an eerie, chilly atmosphere. She thought it quite ironic. Within the hour they were all packed up, and mounted on horseback. With a shout from Adhemar, they were on their way. Kate was somber as she rode behind Adhemar and Germaine.

They were on their way, all right. Adhemar was on his way to revenge, and she was on her way to heartbreak. She let out a silent sigh. There was no use in denying it. She could fight her feelings all she wanted, but where would that get her? Nowhere. Somewhere along the way, she had fallen for the bad guy. She couldn't explain it. The feelings that she held for Adhemar were nothing like the feelings she had held towards Charles. The emotion Adhemar inspired in her was painfully sweet. How did it happen? How could she fall in love with a man whom she had every reason to hate? She didn't know.

Part of her told her to fight it. Deep down Kate knew she was going to get hurt sooner or later. Adhemar saw nothing but his ultimate goal, revenge against William. In order to achieve that revenge, Adhemar was determined to have Jocelyn for his bride. He would not stray from his objective, of that Kate was certain. Not that he would ever feel the same way about her that she did him. Chances were that he would never give his love to anyone, least of all Kate. But while part of her told her to fight her feelings, another part told her to just accept them. No one can choose who they love. They love whom they love, no questions asked.

Kate bit her lip. But, what would William and the boys say if they found out she was in love with their sworn enemy? Her brow furrowed. Would they think she had betrayed them? Had she betrayed them? Kate squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head. When she opened them she glanced up to find Germaine glancing ever so slightly over his shoulder at her. He turned to face forward when she caught him. She shifted her gaze to Adhemar. His shoulders were broad, his back as straight as an arrow. He looked as though he was steeling himself against something. The wall of indifference had once again been raised.

She raised her face to the sky. Bleak, gray clouds blocked the sun from view. A chilly breeze gusted suddenly causing Kate to gasp. She wrapped one arm about herself, the other gripping the saddle for balance. Her eyes went to Adhemar once again. She sighed a long, silent sigh. She felt like the sun, unable to shine through Adhemar's gray, chilly exterior.

Within a few hours the view of a manor could be seen in the distance. It loomed large as they drew nearer. Adhemar sent Germaine ahead to announce their arrival. Germaine urged his horse into a gallop. They followed at a slower pace. Kate's heart grew heavy as they approached. Marquis Henri de Vaudemont's estate was impressive. By the time they approached the gate to the courtyard, a throng of stable boys were waiting to hold their horses. Germaine, followed by a richly dressed older man and a group of attendants were walking into the courtyard from inside the castle. Adhemar kicked his horse into a trot and rode forward through the portcullis, into the castle's courtyard. The horses' hooves made a clip clopping sound as they struck the cobblestone floor.

" Count Adhemar!" Marquis Henri de Vaudemont called out in surprise.

" Greetings my lord," Adhemar called. A stable boy rushed forward to take hold of Adhemar's gelding's bridle.

" What brings you to France? Surely you did not bring the free companies here." Jocelyn's father questioned, approaching the group of riders.

" Indeed I did not," Adhemar dismounted. " Prince Edward ordered me to take some time for myself." He left out the fact that the prince had disbanded his army indefinitely.

" As well you should, my dear Count Adhemar!" Lord de Vaudemont laughed, slapping Adhemar on the back. " It must be hard work winning consecutive World Championships!" News of the tournament had not yet reached him.

" Hard work it is indeed and even harder to lose." Adhemar replied, tongue in cheek.

" What's this you say?" Jocelyn's father gasped. " Surely you did not forfeit!"

" I will only say that it was time for the world to have a new champion, with lesser years of experience in the position," he sighed humbly in a weary tone.

From where Germaine had helped her down from her mare, Kate arched an eyebrow in Adhemar's direction.

" How very generous of you. You are too modest Count Adhemar." the marquis smiled.

Kate let out an unladylike snort of disbelief. She and Germaine stood a few feet behind Adhemar. Jocelyn's father shifted his gaze to them.

" And who might this be?" Lord de Vaudemont raised his own eyebrows in Kate's direction.

Adhemar glanced over his shoulder. " You know Germaine, my herald." His eyes fell upon Kate's petite frame. " And this is Kate," he cleared his throat. " My blacksmith."

Kate crossed her arms slowly over her chest, her already quirked eyebrow, arching even higher. Adhemar met her stare with his own, challenging her to say she was otherwise. Kate's stare was disapproving, but she kept her mouth shut.

" Your blacksmith?" Jocelyn's father repeated in surprise, glancing back at Adhemar. He took another look at her." She must be an excellent fairess indeed, to be in your employ."

" That she is my lord. An excellent fairess." Adhemar agreed wholeheartedly and turned his attention to the father of his intended bride-to-be. " How have you been fairing since I left you last?" He changed the subject. Deftly, he turned Jocelyn's father away from Germaine and Kate, and began walking with him across the courtyard.

" Quite well," Lord de Vaudemont replied. " You cannot imagine a father's relief at the prospect of a good match for his only child."

" I am pleased to hear you are still considering my offer," Adhemar's tone was modest.

" Considering it? My good Count Adhemar, as far as I'm concerned, it is as good as accepted." Jocelyn's father proclaimed.

" You humble me, my lord," Adhemar brought one hand to rest on his chest.

" No, my good man, it is you who humble me. I could not hope for a better son-in-law," Jocelyn's father proclaimed. " Come inside and rest, you must be weary from your travels."

" Thank you, my lord." Adhemar graciously accepted the marquis's offer.

Kate watched the two men walk away. Marquis Henri de Vaudemont had an arm good-naturedly over Adhemar's shoulders. They made the perfect picture of father and son-in-law. They were ideal for each other, Adhemar and Jocelyn's father. Both wanted the same thing, Jocelyn to marry Adhemar. What could be more perfect than that? She did not allow herself to answer that question.

Kate sighed and shook her head from side to side. She glanced over to where Germaine stood at her side. He was watching her, his eyes knowing. Kate averted her gaze. She turned away from where the two men had disappeared through a doorway. Adhemar's men began to go about unloading and caring for the horses. The courtyard was active and noisy. Germaine followed her suit and turned to observe.

" So what now?" Kate sighed wearily.

Germaine glanced down at her in surprise. " Now?"

" Yes now," Kate replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. " Now that we are here. What now?"

" Well, now Adhemar will further press negotiations with the marquis for Jocelyn's hand," Germaine said.

" I know that," Kate interrupted him. " I was talking about you and I. What are we supposed to do while Adhemar is in there carrying out his revenge against William?"

" Oh. I suppose, I will attend to my lord," Germaine shrugged. " As always."

Kate nodded. Germaine clasped his hands behind his back and looked around the courtyard. Kate stared at him. " And?" He gave her a blank look. " What about me? What the hell am I supposed to do?"

Germaine's face fell. " You are supposed to spend your time in the forge, making Adhemar his armor."

" Fat chance of that!" Kate snorted.

" He has commanded it," Germaine insisted. His eyes were concerned. " You must go to the forge."

He did not want Kate to be foolish. Germaine was not blind. He had noticed the change in Kate and Adhemar's attitudes towards one another. Yes, even in Adhemar, though he hid it well. Germaine knew his friend. But one could only know Adhemar to an extent. Despite his change of manner towards Kate, Adhemar could easily carry out his threat to turn her into the authorities. Adhemar never let anything get in the way of his plans, no matter what. Kate was not out of danger, and Germaine did not wish to see her hurt.

" I'll go to the forge," Kate agreed. " But it won't be his armor that I'll make."

" I beg you to reconsider," Germaine pleaded. His face was etched with lines of concern.

After regarding him for a few moments, Kate smiled softly at him. " You are a true friend Germaine. To us both." She squeezed his arm. " I thank you for that." She straightened her back and set her shoulders. " But you needn't worry about me. I know what the consequences will be for not giving him my armor. He will turn me into the authorities. Well, then so be it. I will not aid him in his revenge against William, even if it means the stocks and the end of my career."

" You are far braver than I," Germaine shook his head.

Kate snorted again, shaking her head ruefully. " I'm not brave Germaine. I am stubborn." Germaine patted her on the shoulder. She let out a sigh, her smile fading. Her expression became thoughtful. A few moments later she straightened with a jolt. " And I am going to the forge." she declared with a forced smile.

With that she walked away, in search of the comforting familiarity of the forge. Germaine watched her go.

" You are brave," he murmured under his breath. " Torn between your friend and the man you have fallen in love with. Both of which are sworn enemies, neither of which deserve you. And yet you go on, trying to be as faithful to each as you can be, not denying your feelings towards either for the sake of the other. Dear, dear, Kate." He let out a heavy sigh. " You are far braver than I."

Germaine shook his head slowly from side to side. He slowly turned away from her retreating form to where the men were unloading the wagons. Before he stepped in to offer his assistance, he glanced heavenwards with disapproval. The sun had not broken through the clouds. The day was doomed to be a dreary one.

* * * * *

Well, that is Chapter 23. More to come shortly, I promise you. But I should warn you, the end of the semester is nearing which means twice the homework in half the time, so I apologize if the next few chapters take me a little while to complete. But don't lose hope if that happens, for after the end of semester rush is nearly a month off for Winter Break! So much can be accomplished over a month of free time! I can't wait for free time! I dream of a time when there are no papers due, no tests looming in the distance! I'm sorry. I'm allowing silliness to take over once again.

Thank you so much for reviewing! I love hearing what you think. It's like opening presents at Christmas time! I really appreciate it! See you next chapter!