Thread: Firewalk with Me (Madam Mim x EvelynWillows)

Story synopsis thus far Nearly thirty years ago in the United Kingdom of Green Isles a duke was found responsible for the death of King Alastair's wife and only son, young prince Duncan, who was only 18 months old. In penance for the inattention that led to the tragedy, the guilty Duke Bertrad Esaul de Perigod was ordered to send his infant son to be tutored by Duke James Murdock Chester, a man thought to be a fair mediator among his 'brother dukes'. A few years later the United Kingdoms went to war over a difference in belief those who believed in the 'old' gods stayed loyal to King Alastair. These were the dukedoms of the north primarily. Those who chose to follow the 'new' singular God pilgrims spoke of united under Chester, now renamed Duke High Chester but regarded by many as the King of the South. Hence the Northern and Southern kingdoms were created, and Duke Perigod chose to keep his son under the tutelage of Duke High Chester. What Duke High Chester and King Alastair did not know was that the boy they both believed was Jacques de Perigod, eldest son of the 'traitor duke', was in fact Prince Duncan. Years passed. Jacques grew up with Duke High Chester's son Charles. They both came of age and went to war with King Alastair in what would be known as the Seven Years' War. Upon their return they discovered that Charles' little ragamuffin sister had blossomed from the gangly, tom-boyish thing she was when they left, into a gorgeous woman full of poise and spunk. Lady Althea was everything a young lady should be, and both Jacques and Charles found themselves drawn to her charms. Unfortunately the war had ended with a truce meant to unite the kingdoms once again that required Lady Althea to be wed to King Alastair. Our story begins here, six weeks after the Seven Years' War has ended, with Sir Charles and Sir Jacques having escorted Lady Althea nearly the entire distance from High Chester to the capital city of Ellington. During the journey Sir Jacques and Lady Althea both revealed to each other their mutual affection, and Lady Althea had hidden from him the fact that her brother had betrayed her. Sir Charles had acted upon his own lust for his sister and had molested her under threat of retribution if she revealed his actions to anyone. We are currently in the city of Perigod, Jacques' home, where his own 'father' has jailed him for unlawfully withholding names of the soldiers who had died under his command so that their families would continue to receive part of their pay. With Jacques in the dungeon, Sir Charles has just entered Lady Althea's room with the intent of having his way with her once again before they reach Ellington... Sir Edward stalked the castle searching for Althea. Finally he found a steward with the key to her suite, and he gathered a few things before approaching the door. Unlike at home there was no guards stationed in the corridor. His own men had the night off and were busy entertaining themselves with the castle wenches they would neither hinder or help the Highchester children tonight. Edward found his sister's door and carefully slid the long, hard key into the slot. The fit was tight, but quiet. A strong, steady pressure to the left and the pins in the lock slid into place and released the bolt in the lock. He pushed the door open and quietly stepped inside. Knowing Althea she had her huge dog in the inner rooms with her, but Edward was prepared for that. If Apollo got in the way Edward was prepared to stop him, but the knight was hopeful that Althea wouldn't risk her dog like that. He hated the thought of giving up one of his blackmailing points just to have one night with her. But if he had to...Edward was prepared to kill the mutt. He smiled to himself as he caught sight of Althea's slim form on the bed. Sure enough that damned dog was on the bed with her.