****Kane***
Kane stops at the door of the study just as Duncan comes charging at him. "On second thought, I have a better plan," Kane says gesturing for Duncan to go back into the hollowed out room in the study. Kane picks up a sack of coins out of his desk draw and closes the door tight. "I'm going to the forest to collect Lotty and you will keep her here, understood," Kane says slowly approaching Duncan.
"Yes Father," he says. The tiny glimmer of fear in Duncan's eyes used to make Kane cringe a tiny bit inside; now it rarely affects him.
"And you are to tell everyone that you were attacked by Nutwoods army, and they have Roselyn."
-"But father I wasn't," Duncan stops when he realizes why he was in this room and not the study. He was always a smart boy, Kane thinks to himself. Kane raises his fits clinching the bag of coins tight and struck Duncan across his face. Duncan yelps and pain as he falls to the floor. The mixture of rage and frustration is making Kane enjoy this more the he should. Soon Duncan's cries mix with Red's fictional ones in his head, Kane can see her curled up on the floor rolling in pain. The thrill of it being by his hand sends a shiver of excitement throughout his body and it pulsates in his loins.
"Father please stop," Duncan's cry finally pierces Kane's delusion. Kane looks down at his son. Duncan's face is covered and blood and he is doubled over in pain. Duncan tries to get up and falls to his knees. Blood and spit rush out of his mouth.
"I'll send the doctor to your room when I return with Lotty," Kane says leaving Duncan doubled over in pain.
Kane goes to his generals and orders them to start planning an attack on Nutwood. He collects a small party and marches to Gran's. The snow is slowly dying out and Kane knows the ride back will be quick and effortless.
The horns sound as the party approaches the cottage. Kane sees Lotty and Gran out in the yrad with Thunder. He hopes Red didn't come here. The look of fear in Lotty's eyes reassures him. Kane gets off his horse and bows to Gran who is in her usual mood, the old bat will get what's coming to her in due time. He thinks to himself. Kane then kneels in the snow in front of Lotty. "Lotty my love I have terrible news," he starts and she sinks to her feet.
"Please tell me it's not Red. Please promise me she's okay," she demands. Kane knows Lotty does not deserve to be hurt, but she pick this path and now she had to deal with its consequences.
"I'm sorry my love, but it seems as though King Erwin has Roselyn," he says his lies coming out smooth as butter.
"Why would he do something like that?" Lotty asks falling into Kane's arms.
"Yes Kane why would Erwin take Little Red? Is he not an ally of yours?" Gran asks questioning Kane's motives.
"It seems he feels disrespected by a stunt the kids pulled at the ball. He took Roselyn and Duncan's really hurt," Kane says looking over to Gran.
"I'll go tend to Duncan you need to get Red," Gran says going over to Lotty.
"I'll handle Erwin, and you should stay here. I'll have a few guards keep watch incase Roselyn shows up here," Kane insists. "I'll take Lotty to tend to Duncan and wait at the castle this way where ever Roselyn turns up someone will be there to protect her. After I know you're self at the castle I'll take a party to Nutwood to have counsel with Erwin to see if we can resolve this problem diplomatically," Kane signaling a few guards to take post at Gran's door.
"I don't find it necessary to have guards posted at my door like I'm some kind of criminal."
"Mother please Kane is just making sure you're protected. Can you just keep watch for Red," Lotty cries. A smug smile tugs on Kane's lips as he and Gran lock eyes.
"Mom please keep her safe if she comes and have a guard come get us. Don't let her leave your sight," Lotty says going to hug her mother. "Able is in the barn tell him about Red."
"I love you too sweet heart," Gran says kissing her daughters forehead.
"Very well we must go," Kane says rushing Lotty into the grand royal carriage. "Don't worry about Roselyn, Scarlett, I'm sure she's safe," Kane offers as he mounts his horse.
"I'm not worried about her, I just pity the poor soul who thinks you'll let him get away with hurting her," Gran smiles at him as she takes Thunder to the barn house.