A/N: Hello everyone, hope you all enjoyed your weekend. Here is the next chapter and it's the longest I've written for this story so far. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Apologizing for any spelling/grammar errors and or any errors. I'm trying to catch them before I upload the chapter for you guys.

Lots of names of new characters will be appearing and it may get a little confusing but I'll make a little cheat sheet soon to help you guys out once we get there. To help from further confusing before I upload more chapters, I'm going to give you guys a little background info. There's a group of highly trained warriors that are called Bruce's Phantoms. Their identities are kept a secret, but their actually names are still quiet known. For example, Erik is known in both England and Scotland for his skills at hand-to-hand combat, strength and his temper. But you guys will learn he has a secret identity and he'll meant a name during the story that of course, if you know Phantom of the Opera, his character is known as. Now, there are people who know these warriors' identity but help keep their secret and you'll meet some of them as the story progresses.

I hope I explained okay, I suck at explaining sometimes. If you need a reference, this story was inspired by the Highland Guard series (very good ready, by the way, highly recommend it). It can help explain stuff if you want to look it up. Erik's character was based off one of the books in the series, Raider.

Okay, enjoy from me, I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 27: The Scottish Camp

The rain had stopped sometime during the night while everyone slept. At some point during the night, Erik woke. The sun had yet to rise but the smell of wet forest filling his nostrils. Getting up, he stretched his stuff muscles. He couldn't wait to be able to sleep in a bed again, to have the warmth of woman next to him. You pushed a woman away who you could have had. Sighing, he pushed that thought out of his head. Walking around the sleeping men, he saw Christine sleeping against the tree. Though she was sleeping, he could tell that she was cold. Before he could stop himself, he grabbed one of his plaids and covered her. She stirred slightly, her hands grabbing a hold of the fabric to pull it closer. He couldn't help but feel something, he wasn't sure what it was. But whatever it was, he never felt it before towards someone. Forcing himself to look away, he continued to check on his sleeping men. Coming to a tree, he leaned on it and stared up at the dark sky. A soft breeze brushed along him, pushing his hair slightly away from his face. Reaching his hand up, he removed the mask to let the freeze hit his face. The cool air felt so good against his scarred face. He remembered the day it happened; he'd still have nightmares because of it. Only a few had seen his face, but he still covered it whenever he was in public. He enjoyed the time before everyone woke; it was his time to think, to recharge and the only time it was peaceful.

After the sun rose, the men started to wake. Erik had one of the soldiers wake Christine. Waking from her sleep, she was surprised to feel a plaid covering her body. Sittin up, she looked down at the plaid and immediately recognized it. Standing up, she folded the plaid up and looked around the owner. Finding him, she walked over and held out the plaid to him.

"Thank you." She hoped he would say something to her, but he didn't. He just took the plaid and put it back in his saddle bag. Sighing, she turned around to talk over to the soldier who Erik had ordered her to ride with, waiting.

"You shouldn't be so hard on the lass." Seten said to the captain. Erik just looked at his partner, giving him a glare that told him to 'back off'. "Your threats don't work on me anymore, Erik." He said as he turned and mounted his horse. Mounting his horse as well, the watched as the others followed. Shouting an order, they set off again.

Hitting an opening, Christine glanced forward to see where they were headed. The tall mountains seemed to stretch higher than any castle she had seen. Wait, she knew these mountains. Those mountains were rumored that Bruce's phantoms lived there. They were truly in the heart now of Scotland. Glancing behind her, she knew that her father wouldn't be following now. No one dared venture to the mountains, the stories of what happens is enough to scare even the English king. Any thought of trying escape again left her mind, afraid she would run into any of the Phantoms. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought about the stories she's heard. Trying not to think of what may be in the shadows of the mountains, she tried thinking of happier thoughts. But she no longer had happy thoughts. All thoughts of her family back in England brought sadness to her, wondering when she would ever see them again. She wouldn't dare think of Erik for right now, he didn't bring any happiness to her. Nothing could make her happy anymore, not even things she used to find to make her happy. She brushed a tear that had threaten to fall and tried to stay strong, it wouldn't be easy but she had no choice.

Coming into the density of the forest at the summit of the mountains, they halted. Looking at the soldier, she wondered why they stopped. Hearing something, she saw Erik and a soldier riding up to her. If she wasn't scared, she sure was now. Before she could ask, she felt something cover her head. Her sight when dark and she no longer could see. Now she was really scared. Feeling the movement of the horse again, she knew they were moving again. Erik had ordered her eyes to be covered so she couldn't know where she was going. Unable to see, she could only hang on and wait until they reached their destination. After hours a riding, the sack was removed from Christine head. Able to see again, she immediately looked around at her surroundings. They were no longer in the forest, but an opening with the tall mountains surrounding them. Glancing behind her, there was no clear path that clearly led to this. How did they get here? Trying to figure it out, she heard sounds in front. Looking forward, she saw what surprised her: tents, buildings and a castle. Hearing a horn sounding, she knew it was to let people know of the group's arrival. Passing some defensive posts, she noticed the looks she was getting from the guards. Soon they halted and Christine could see a large crowd gathering; men, women and children. She was surprised to see women and children. She always thought that Scottish camps only had the men, she didn't expect women and children to be here. A few men dismounted to embrace what Christine assumed were their wives and children. The soldier who she had ridden without dismounted, not bothering to help her as he embracing one of the women. No one seemed to come over to help her, leaving her to have to dismount by herself.

Taking a hold of the reins, she thought of how she was going to do this. Normally, she would be side saddled which was easier to dismount or she'd had someone helping her. Here however, she was on her own which she seemed to be getting used to. Erik helped her at first, but now he wouldn't go near her.

"Erik!" The sound of a woman's voice calling his name caught both of their attentions. Christine looked up to see a woman pushing through the crowd to rush over to the masked warrior. She practically jumped in his arms as he got off his horse. Her body was plastered to his as his strong arms wrapped around her body, seemingly familiar with the curves of her body. Her wavy brown hair hung loosely down her back as her head titled up. For a second, Erik's eyes met with Christine's before he accepted the woman's kiss. Christine felt as if the horse just kicked her in her chest as she watched them. No! Please no! You can't! You-she stopped mentally shouting. She had no claim to him and the fact that he was making it clear to her was tearing her heart up. Oh god, they were lovers…

Tearing her eyes away from him, she couldn't let anyone see the hurt she was feeling. Fighting away the tears that started to form, she tried to not to show her emotions. Sliding her foot out of the stirrup, she wasn't prepared for the horse to suddenly jump. For a second, she thought she would have fallen off if not a pair of arms stopped her, grabbing her before she would have fallen. She knew these arms and looked up to see Erik standing here. She tried to ignore the fact that she interrupted his reunion with the woman.

"I'm surprised you didn't let me fall." She said as she straightened up, trying not to let him see the hurt in her eyes. He's not yours Christine, he just made that perfectly clear.

"There's not much of a choice, as you are our only hostage." He replied.

"Yes, my father would not pay if I am harmed, you might want to remember that." She tried to sound threatening, but he only smirked. Clearly, nothing could scare him.

"I think he would pay to get you back no matter what state you are in, princess."

"You are still wrong of what happened." She tried telling him. "Surely you must know the difference between practiced or not from your knowledge of experience women." She regretted her words, now having let him know that his kiss with that woman had affected her.

"This way, princess." She had begun to hate how that word came from his mouth. Not saying anything, she just followed him through the crowd. Walking pass the woman, Christine couldn't help but noticed the look she got from her; a look that sent a warning to Christine to stay away from him. Walking pass the crowd that now had begun to return to their duties, Christine followed Erik. They passed a longhouse which she assumed served as their hall. They walked pass several rows of tents as they approached the castle. Though it wasn't as big as some of the castles she had seen in Scotland, it was a decent size. Thinking she was going to be staying there, she noticed Erik just walking passed it. After the castle came a series of large tents, much larger than the others. These tents would usually hold the king's commanders: generals, colonels and lieutenants. Stopping at the first tent, he held open the flap to let her walk in. It wasn't what she thought of a Scottish rebel tent. A dozen wooden poles helped give the structure of the tent, giving it it's large space. A long wooden pole helped divide the tent, allowing two people to use it. The ground was covered in woven rugs, giving the feet a cushion to walk on instead of the ground. Two bed sat in the room, along with trucks for each bed and a table next to the bed with a candle of them. Candles and torches helped light the tent up whenever the flaps were closed. She noticed the lack of personal belongs or anything to let her know whose tent was this. This was a warrior's tent and it seemed perfect for Erik's.

"Where am I to sleep?" She asked him.

"That bed." He pointed to the bed on the left.

"Is there nowhere else to sleep?" She asked, not wanting to share a bed with him.

"Have you noticed where we are?" He asked back. She nodded, understanding. There was no other place for her to sleep.

"I just don't wish to deprive someone of a bed that was meant for them."

"If that's how you think, you can always share mine." She froze, a little taken from his offer. Was he serious about letting her share his bed with him? Christine couldn't help but wonder what would happen if she took him up on his offer. Immediately her cheeks blushed at the thought and Erik had noticed. "Fear not, Christine. Seten doesn't mind." He said, still not helping her erase the image of their bodies tangled in the sheets. "Now, if there's nothing else I can help you with..." He headed for the flap of the tent.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Her voice made him stop, turning to face her.

"To celebrate with the camp." He answered. "But I will warn you, should you try to escape again. Even if you could get pass the two men guarding you who are kinsman to the Black Douglas who I assume you have heard of…" Oh yes, she had heard of the famous Black Douglas. Just his name could strike fear into anyone. The stories say his heart is a black as ebony and along with his fighting skills, earned him the name of the Black Douglas. However, no one feared the Black Douglas as much as they feared the Phantom. Even with the Phantom not around, she still feared the Black Douglas…and Erik Boyd. "…the forest is no place for a lass, especially should get lost. Unless you like boars…" He paused. "…and phantoms." Blood turn cold as he said the last word. Could the Phantom be here? Could Erik have brought her to where the Phantom supposedly lives? Either way, Erik's threat was well heeded. She was trapped and she knew it. She didn't want to meet the Black Douglas or the Phantom.

"Wait, you're going to leave me here alone?" She asked, hoping he would stay. She didn't want to be left alone, especially here now.

"Yes." He answered. "Unlike you, I didn't get to take my release the other night and Rhona has offered to. Unless you want to offer, I bid a good night." He opened the flag to leave, closing the flag behind him. Christine stood there, unable to move or speak. She wanted to protest, beg him to stay and take him up on the offer. But all she could do was she stand there and let him walk away. She didn't want him to touch that woman, but what could she do. She knew that if he let that woman touch him like that, it would be over between them. That woman would make claim to Erik and Christine knew she wouldn't win. Sighing, she realized that the soldier she had watched from the balcony of Kilchurn wasn't the man who was standing before her.

PS: Christine doesn't know Erik is the famous 'Phantom'. She just thinks he's a warrior and not part of Bruce's special army.

I'm sure you guys aren't a fan of Rhona now

Review are welcome