A/n: I kinda forgot to say what imbolc where ya go: BrigantiaMore commonly known as Imbolc (the day when newborn lambs begin to nurse) or, to the Christians, Candlemas (the purification of the Virgin), and Brigantia is usually celebrated Feb. 1 or 2. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, when buried seeds begin to stir within the earth. It also marks the beginning of the third of the year, which belongs to the Maiden aspect of the three-fold goddess. "Brigantia" is the day of Brigit, an Irish goddess of smith craft, healing, and poetry. The Old Saxon and Norse communities knew her as Birgit, the lusty, spring-loving consort of Ullr, the god of winter. The color of this day is red.

Chapter 4: The Rogue King and the Dancing Dove

Taking Rayne by the hand, he led her to the Dancing Dove. Upon entering, a man grabbed her by the waist, and threw her over his shoulder.

"I'll show ye what a real man does in bed lassie. George 'ere'll do nothin' but tickle ye." A man said, his breath smelled strongly of alcohol

"Put me down!" Rayne screamed and pulled his hair.

"Let her go now." George said in a low voice.

The man patted Rayne's backside, causing her to stiffen. George pulled a dagger out of one the many coat pockets. He brought the dagger to the man throat.

"Put her down or ye'll be headin' home in a casket." George said

The big guy dropped her to the ground and grabbed George's hand. They began to fight, when another hand appeared in front of Rayne's face.

"Might I help the lady stand?" The noble voice came.

Rayne looked up to see a very handsome young boy. He couldn't be that much older then herself. He looked like a commoner, but his voice portrayed that he was of noble blood. His hair was black and he had blue eyes that matched the sky on a clear day. She took his hand and he helped her up easily. Standing on her feet she whirled towards George's fight.

"No need to worry about George, my lady. He can handle himself quiet well." The boy said.

"Yeah. He's been in more fights with Nicolas, then the King's own been to war." A girl with red hair and purple eyes said. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine."

"Well I'm Alanna, this is Jonny, and here's 'Fingers." She introduced everyone with in eyes sight "And you'd be?"

"With me." George said standing behind Rayne.

"I meant her name. Alanna said bluntly

"She's Rayne of Persopella, or just Rayne." George answered for her.

"There's a knight by the name of Julian, he's in the prince's own. You know him?" Jonny asked

"Nope. Asked her the same thin'. But she don' know of him."

She turned to look at him, smiling slightly. He pulled her and Alanna to a table in the back. He sat down with one on each side. Jonny and 'Fingers walked slowly, and stopped to talk to a few girls. They called Rayne over, wanting to introduce her to the tavern girls. Alanna turned to George with a look of confusion.

"Where'd you find her? She's noble blood." Alanna said quietly

"The Sight. It brought me ta her, as it did ye. Yes, she noble blood, and Julian's her brother."

"Why'd you lie to Jon then?" Alanna was outraged at this

"'Cause she ran away from home. She doesn't want him ta know. It's was sort of an unspoken agreement that neither of us would say anythin' about it."

"Then why tell me?"

"'Cause ye're a girl. She'll need ye as a friend, as someone ta trust."

Rayne returned to the table in not such a happy mood. Before either George or Alanna could ask what was wrong, the door of the Dancing Dove's door flew open. The two at the table along with Jonny, took off up stairs. A riot broke out in the tavern. To many noises were in the room for anyone not to get a headache. Someone stepped on her dress, and another someone hit her leg. Rayne fell to the ground and covered her head with her hands. Strong but gentle hands pulled her off the ground and behind the counter.

"Ye should be careful." A voice said making her look over her shoulder. It was 'Fingers. Her gripped her arm so not to lose her and hid her in a cabinet.

A man with a deep voice bellowed for silence, and was given it. People froze in their spots. 'Fingers pressed own finger to his lip, saying to be quite. He shut the cabinet door so only a crack was open for air.

"Where is the Rouge king?" The man asked

"Not 'ere." 'Fingers said "He left shortly 'fore ye came.

The man's foot placed a huge hole in the wooden cabinet. Rayne squeaked, but covered her mouth quickly. Not long after the Dove's doors swung shut again. A few guards took some people with them.

"It's safe ta come out now lass." 'Fingers said helping her stand.

George came down the stairs as Rayne sat herself on top of the counter. A girl was on her left side putting a makeshift bandage on her arm. She was cut when the wood caught her skin coming out of hiding. He walked over and pushed her hair to her right shoulder.

"Sorry I didn't grab ye, but it was un'cpected." George said looking at her arm

Jonny stood by Alanna and said, "She had n reason to hide in the first place."

"She's a noble, Jonny. He would have taken her because of her looks." Alanna said crossly.

George kissed Rayne's forehead and pick her off the counter. Being fifteen and standing at 5'7", he towered over her slightly. He hugged her and then set he on the ground. Alanna smiled as she took Jon's hand. They stepped aside as they walked past.

"This is to much excitement for one day, for even the true Corus'." George said causing everyone to laugh, "We're off to retire now. Have fun."

"Retiring sounds good right now." Jon said and Alanna agreed

The four of them walked out of the Dancing Dove together. Alanna and Jon left them to head for the palace. George pulled Rayne to their house.

As they stood at the door, George stole a quick kiss from her and then another. Rayne snuck away as he tried for a third. She ran into the house, but stopped when she saw no one. A note said that Mistress Cooper would be home in two days time. A friend was sick and wanted her close by.

"I wish I could say it gets easier everyday, but I can't. It's harder and riskier, but all together funnier. You'll make great friends with Alanna, but watch out for her mouth. She'll say things that are blunt and wont notice it. Jon now, he's a gentleman as I ever saw. He'll treat you right, and Alanna wont get mad over that. They're both nobles.

"Nobles?" Rayne asked

"Yeah, but don' treat 'em like ones. They like ta be commoners when out of the palace."

"I like them."

"They like you too, Rayne, a Rouge Princess. You are now part of the Rouge" George said and took off up the stairs.

"A Rouge Princess?" Rayne asked herself quietly.