MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Chapter 18 – Helplessness

Nataila watched with unconcealed glee at the still figure of Emilie Queenscove who laid few metres away on the cold, earthy ground. It had been so easy, kidnapping the little court flirt in the forest in the afternoon. Everything went perfectly.

She smirked as Lady Emilie started to move her head and wake up to unpleasant surroundings. Emilie groaned softly which brought a snigger from Nataila.

"Head hurt", Nataila said dripping with sarcasm.

Emilie shifted her body so that she was facing Thom's ex-lover. "Slightly, but I think I will cope. Thank you for asking", she replied her face completely blank of any emotions. "So what do I own this pleasure?"

"Don't get smart with me", Nataila seethed, "you're here and that's all you need to know."

"Well, how can I be accommodating to your plans?", Emilie further questioned.

Nataila crossed her arms over her chest. "You will find out soon enough. I don't have the blissfulness of revealing it all to you."

"Ahh, a lackey", Emilie commented as she moved her body to sitting position.

Nataila cursed and strode purposefully to Emilie and slapped her face hard, causing Emilie to fall back onto the muddy floor. She stood threatening over shaking with fury. "I will have my turn with Lady …and by the time I'm finished, you will be praying that you never met Thom and that you were happily dancing in your frivolous dresses at court."

"Can't wait", Emilie murmured into the ground.

Nataila was about to continue her administration on Emilie but a voice from behind stopped her. "Don't let the little wench annoy you dear", came from a sickly sweet feminine voice.

Nataila spat on Emilie before strolling back to her seat that was stationed near the door. "You are right cousin. I wouldn't want to spoil the fun for later." She smiled evilly at Emilie who finally managed to perch her back against one of the wall.

"Patience is the key to success", said the lady at the door. Emilie could not identify her since she was hidden in the shadow until she stepped further into the torch light.

Emilie's mouth made no sound but rounded into an O.

"Surprise!", cackled Lady Harriet of Mahi as she widened her arms out to the surrounding of the cell which occupied Emilie. "We have spared nothing for your comfortable." Again she laughed which made the room seem cold.

"Cousins", blurted out Emilie as she looked between the two women, trying to see a family resemblance. "Truly?"

Nataila answered. "Third cousin to be precise but those are small details in the grand scheme of things. Do you agree?"

"Of course", Emilie commented, "when one has been kidnapped, beaten and tied…everything is seen in a different light."

Nataila and Lady Harriet smiled smugly at one another.

"I do apologise for dire situation but it is necessary", Lady Harriet said without any regrets.

"And how my being here helps you?" Emilie asked with a forced smile. "You'll will be either hanged or imprisoned when the King's Own capture you."

Lady Harriet waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. "Our plan can not fail therefore we will escape free…we just want to leave a little warning to our King about the way Tortall is going to the gutters. You presence is imperative if we are to trap Lord Thom."

Emilie eyes widen with fear as the women chuckled.

"What does Thom have to do with any of this?" Emilie cried out.

"Haven't you no idea what Thom is?" purred Nataila as she again walked to Emilie, glancing back to Harriet, "I forgot how dense these court ladies are, cousin." Grabbing Emilie's chin, Nataila forced her eyes to stare in straight into hers. "He is the Court Spy…the King's ears."

Emilie gasped aloud. "No, he's not."

"She's in denial", called Harriet from the door, "maybe we should leave her and wallow in her stupidity for awhile?"

"Great idea coz", Nataila moved towards the door, "because she'll have to face him soon enough."

As the door swung shut and Emilie heard distinctively the lock turning in the keyhole, she stared at the opposite wall and allowed silent tears to fall.

Thom! Thom…don't come! It's a trap…Thom!

It was then that Emilie hit the lowest point in her life. Her engagement ring was not on her finger. They must have found out what it does!

Thom stood like a stone statue on the battlements of the Fort. It was his long, black robes fluttering in the night wind that reassured the guards on watch that he was indeed human.

The sound of a steady footstep made him move his head slightly to acknowledge the person. It took a while for him to recognised Sergeant Dom as the gust of wind blew his red hair into his dead eyes.

"You should be sleeping", noted Dom as he turned to stare out in the night permitting the silence to lengthen before continuing, "although I must thank you for drugging Neal's cup of wine."

"He needs to conserve his Gift", Thom replied curtly, "a healer is the most important necessity in a battle."

Dom did not argue and waited.

"Anyway…I couldn't stand watching him…him crying," Thom murmured with guilt, "it's my entire fault and …and …."

"He doesn't blame you", Dom interrupted kindly, "neither do I. Emilie as a spirited young woman…we will find her safe and well." In a gesture of support, Dom grabbed Thom's shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze. "You need to go to bed."

"I…I can't…not without", Thom broke off, fighting the tears escaping from his violet eyes. "She keeps me whole. I can't lose her." Thom muttered quietly into the wind.

"And we won't", Dom stated. "At least we know which direction that she is in…thanks to your engagement ring."

"It is something", Thom admitted with a glimmer of hope appearing in his heart. "Yet I can't feel her mind…what if they have worked it out?"

"You said that you only told Emilie, correct?" Thom nodded at Dom. "Then there is a very slim chance that they have any idea what it is. It's luck that we have a destination to ride out on tomorrow."

"You're right, of course", Thom sighed heavily.

A soldier ran up towards the two men, only halting near to give a quick, sketchy bow before spilling out, "Mil lords we have recovered two horses from the forests…one is Lady Emilie's and the other is Lady Nataila. We have checked her rooms which are deserted of any belongings. Lady Nataila is gone."

Thom's eyes flashed with annoyance and unsuppressed anger which scared the soldier who took a step back.

"Lady Nataila is gone!", barked Thom.

"Yess mi'lord", quaked the soldier.

"She is the one behind all of this", spat out Thom with such venom that even Dom was taken aback at the rage that lit Thom's face in the dark. "We need to leave at first light because Emilie is in grave danger."

Without saying another word, Thom stormed away further away into the darkness.

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Ok this is a bonus update for you guys! THANK YOU for all of your reviews! Could I ask a favour? It's just my personal nosiness but could you tell me where you guys live as in what country…just want to see how far fanfiction actually reaches people. You don't have to BUT please review makes me a happy bunny!