The count and Rhiannon were walking quietly through the forest near the lake, his low voice talking of his estates and his fortune that would be hers once they were married.The count had suddenly turned up the next morning. Apologising for leaving early during the banquet. Then he insisted on her going riding with him. Now here she was along the lake. Taking a walk and thinking about Vasilios.She replied sparingly to his questions, as something about him made her stomach ill at ease. "So as I was saying, my castle has 100 rooms, maybe you should visit me sometime, I would love to show them to you," he held her hand in a romantic gesture.She pulled her hand away from his grasp. "Thanks for the ride sir, I am tired now, I want to go back," she said, increasing her steps.

Tap tap tap tap.....The sound of water dripping from a leaking pipe broke her nap. Rhiannon had been locked in the cell after being dragged away from the court. She had not protested because it was useless.It's not like she was scared of dying. That would be fantastic compared to the life she had been leading so far. However, she was furious over the unfairness of it.Her character was questioned. Her reputation was in tatters, even if she managed to escape death she had no future. She would have to run away.She was sitting against the hard cell wall, awaiting her fate."Rhiannon," a familiar voice called her.She turned towards the cell door and was surprised to see Alfred standing there.He looked at her with concern."How are you, Rhiannon?" He asked in a soft voice."Alfred, what are you doing here?" She stood up and walked up to the cell door."Well, I wanted to see you, I am sorry for everything." 

 Vasilios stepped over the dead body of her possible tormentor who was now a dead man. His bloody hand reached out to stroke her brow. "Are you hurt in any way?" His voice was hoarse and his breathing ragged. She saw the concern in his eyes. The shock of seeing him as her rescuer had subsided, it was now replaced by wonder, how did he know she had escaped? Why did he rescue her? To take her back? To keep her his slaver forever? She quickly stepped back and clutched at her cloak, her knuckles turned white. She had her freedom; she now understood she would have to resist to keep it. He might catch her eventually.Still, she would rather die than go back. Before he inferred her intent, she turned and ran away. He stared at her sprinting figure disappearing into the woods. He sighed, then sprung after her like a wolf chasing his prey. As she s

 Rhiannon rushed to Martha's room as soon as she was relieved from the living area.    If her father could have hit Alfred his only son, she shuddered what he would have done to her for helping her escape.        "Nan!" She scurried to hug a very surprised Martha.        "Oh, child! How come you are here? I know you were captured back, I feel so sorry for you my child." Martha sobbed on Rhiannon's shoulders.        "I am fine nan, please don't weep for me."        She broke the hug and looked at the wrinkled face of Martha, "are you ok nan? Did father harm you in any way?"        "I am fine my child, but what happened to you. Why are you back? And how come you are not in the dungeon?"        She opened her mouth to explain but anot

Rhiannon tied her travel cloak around her neck and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked nervous.Taking a deep breath she walked out of her chamber. This would be the last time, she would ever walk along these corridors. It felt surreal.Rhiannon had just one small bag of belonging to carry with her. She didnt possess anything of much value except her mother's golden comb which she had tucked carefully in her bag.She walked into the courtyard where Vasilios was waiting along with his brother and a few of his warriors.King William, her father and Lady Catherine stood with grim expressions"You are late," Vasilios said stiffly as he grabbed her bag from her.Rhiannon rolled her eye, feeling another pair of eyes on her she turned towards another man who was unmistakably his brother.They had striking resemblance, though his brother had brows eyes and lighter hair."My lady, I am Arios, glad to meet you." He took her hand and gent