His Only Reward **Completed and Free**

Chapter 12: Strange happenings

 2 days later

Sam sighed, and looked down at the sound asleep red hair girl in the back of the medical cart. Of course Lord Raoul order a private cart for her and ordered Sam to guard it. Not only that, he had to inform the Lord as soon as she woke up. Sam knew that everyday sleeping beauty did not up, the higher the anxiety level in certain people. Even the strange Black Cat seem to be getting worried. 

The Black Cat intermittently licked the girl’s cheek or whacked her on the nose with his paw in an attempt to wake up the girl. Most of the time the Black Cat just sat on Kitten’s chest and glare at anyone who came near. No one has dared try to remove the black cat, it is all a bit strange really!

“But that was not the only strange thing that has happened” Sam thought. 

Sam had know Lord Raoul Since he was 9 and had never seen him as angry as two days ago. When Sam and Raoul had gone to the Crone’s Head the stupid women tried to accuse Kitten of attacking her precious son Ronnie and stealing from them before running away.  Raoul quickly explained how funny that was considering she could not run away with two broken legs.

Sam remembered the fear that had suddenly appeared on the women’s face, as she realised the game was up. 

“Yes, I quite expected you thought my Dogs would have killed her and tear her body into unrecognisable shreds!” Raoul had said dryly.  

Sam spotted the evil glint in Aunty Judith’s eyes, confirming what he already knew. She had thrown Jamie into the pen and expected her to be killed.

 The old man, Tyrone, suddenly had went mad and yelled at the women to get out. He Then begged the Lord for information on Jamie and for her to come back. Lord Raoul just threw a black velvet bag of 20 gold coins on the bar and said that Jamie was no longer there concern. Tyrone shouted that he would never sell his Nice!  Raoul had to cooly explained that a legal agreement was already made and witness with his wife. If Tyrone decided to contest it, Raoul would take it to the Royal Courts and leave them with less then nothing. They would be made to work off their debt in one of the King’s punishment camps. So unless they fancied digging latrines for murders and rapist for the next 30 years, they would let Jamie go without complaint. Tyrone mumbled that he agreed to the sale. He was smart enough to know he had no argument.

Then it happened, the stupid runt Ronnie had smirked and said “Such fuss over a Little b***h. I do admit she can suck c**k well though!” 

What. An. i***t. Sam had thought quickly about some good burial spots.  He had known things were going to get ugly fast. Lord Raoul moved as fast as lightning and grabbed Ronnie by the throat and picked him a foot off the floor. His normally amber eyes were now shining silver, the colour of his power, and Raoul had cast a spell “recive ut vos quod proposuerunt in mercatu ad alios. Et hoc est testamentum.” (May you recived what you have done unto others. This is my will).  Ronnie’s body had completely flashed silver for a second and Raoul dropped him.

His mother had ran and crouched over him screeching  “What have you done to my poor boy?” 

“Oh I cast quite an intreasting spell I learnt, I am a bit of a scholar you see.“ Raoul has said calmly like he was explaining something to a child “ It is called a mirror or speculo spell. I will give you the benefit of some of my very expensive education, so I suggest you listen very carefully. Speculo spells can be dual purpose ; One use is they can reflect light back almost making the caster invisible as they are mirroring their surroundings. The other use, as you son is about to show, is to reflect the actions a person has done back on themselves. Put simply, every punch, kick and cut that your son has inflected on someone else will be reflected back on him. Don’t worry though, I limited it to the last 24 hours and if he has done nothing wrong he feel nothing” Raoul explained.

Suddenly, Ronnie screamed as his nose had broken and blood started to pour from it.

 “How intreasting” Lord Raoul said coldly with an evil smile.  Another crack sounded as Ronnie’s arm had contorted and snapped. Ronnie predictability screamed again.

“You can’t do this!” shouted Aunty Judith.

“Oh you are very much mistaken Mistress, I can. You knew who I was before you messed with something that was rightfully mine. I suggest you thank me for being so merciful, under the King’s law I could kill you for damaging my property!” Raoul had said angrily. 

Sam knew that he did not seen Kitten as property, he had just used it as an excuse. King Stephan was a good friend of Raoul’s, but Raoul still needed a reason to punish these people if questioned. 

“Lord Raoul did receive a very expensive education indeed“ mused Sam at the time.

 Lord Raoul had insured there was no chance of any repercussions or of putting his friend in an awkward position. Ronnie whimpered as large bruises started to form Over his face and chest.

 “Please, please make it stop!” Sobbed Aunty Judith.

‘Did he stop when he broke her arm? Or when he broke her first rib? How about the second or third one? Do you have any idea what your imbecile son could have done to me? I suggest you use the money I just paid you to find a good doctor. Good day to you all and I pray our paths never cross again!  Sam let us get out of this cesspool.”  Raoul shouted.

Sam remembered feeling shocked at the time.  “Could have done to him?  Why has Lord Raoul taken this so personally?”  Sam thought.

These questions still annoyed him two days later.  It was not the only strange thing that had happened that day. Preparing the horses and dogs to travel normally took a couple of hours. The dogs had to be persuaded by every means possible,  to get into the kennel carts. The horses had to be individually captured and tied to a long rope in groups of four. The group could then be guided along the road.  Sam had being doing this trip a long time with His Lord and they were always issues. Always.  A horse would kick a poor stable hand, a dog would try and escape. But not this time, both the Stable and Kennel Master reported they were done in half an hour. The animals had lined themselves up and followed instructions exactly. The Stable and Kennel Marster guessed it was Kitten and argued about who should employer her.  Lord Raoul was diplomatically suggested she needed to get better first.

Suddenly, his attention was drawn into the present moment as Kitten’s eyes started to flutter open. The Black Cat suddenly starting purring and licking her face. 

“Fluff, it is not time to get up yet!” she moaned. Sam could not help  it, he burst out laughing. After two  anxious days Kitten had woken up! 

“We have all been worried about you Kitten” Sam said softly.

Jamie’s eyes shot open as she realised she was not in her stable loft. “Where am I? “ panic started to set in and her throat began to tighten. 

“ It is ok little one, you are safe now” Fluff said softly. Jamie began to relax and started listening to Fluff’s rhythmic purring “The Lord saved you with Sam”

“How long have I been out? Asked Jamie.

“You are not allowed to talk anymore till you had a drink. Sip this don’t gulp it” insisted Sam as he put a cup of foul smelling liquid under her nose.

 “Urgh no thanks!” Jamie politely refused.

“There are some very expensive and rare herbs in there from Lord Raoul’s personal medical supply. This has been especially prepared by Lord Raoul’s own personal hand, so if you want to explain to him why you have not drunk it..” Sam said 

“For chaos sake!” Jamie rolled her eyes and took a sip.

“He played you like a fiddle“ mocked Fluff.

“Shut up!“ Jamie snapped through her mind - link as she took another sip.

“That remains me, Major Shoesmith please inform the Major General his Kitten is awake!” Shouted Sam to someone outside the cart.

“Yes Brigadier Thompson, right away sir!” Jamie heard a horse gallop off as Major Shoesmith went to get Lord Raoul.

“Please stop calling me Kitten! It is embarrassing me and my name is Jamie,”  Jamie snapped.

Sam raised his eyebrows and simply said “Keep sipping!”

“Where am I?” Demanded Jamie.

“Ah! Not till you finished your drink!” Sam commanded.

Jamie was about to retort when she heard a horse galloping up to a cart. Suddenly she saw Black Winters’ head and Lord Raoul smiling face. “ Ah Kitten  I see you have decided to join us in the land of the living. Tell me how are you feeling?”

“Why should I answer your questions when you never answer mine? And whilst we are at it, for the love of Light can someone please tell me what going on?” Jamie shouted.

Sam was desperately trying not to laugh at the shock on Lord Raoul face. Sam very much doubt anyone has spoken to his Lord like this before.

“Well, I am glad you are getting your feistiness back. To answer your question you have been out for two days and we are on the way to the capital.” Raoul said drily 

Jamie gasped “But….but..I have a life back in Fairbridge!”

“Really? That is surprising to hear considering you were almost beaten to death and lived in a loft above a pub stable. It is of no consequence now, I have brought you off your Aunt, you now belong to me. Are you not going to thank your Lord and now Master for rescuing you?” Lord Raoul said triumphantly. 

“You have got to be f*****g kidding me? I am not a sack of potatoes that can be brought from the local market! “ raged Jamie. She was pissed off at men ordering her the f**k around. First Ronnie, then Sam and now this cunt stain.

“You are under 16, and don’t try to deny it. That means your guardian can legally transfer your care over to someone else.“ Raoul said coldly 

“You mean sell me to some rich arse hole with a God complex!” Spat Jamie.

“I see that you are not in the mood to talk. Sam make sure she finishes the drink and watch her. We can’t have our Kitten attempting to run off. Not when she has caused so a commotion in the troop.” Raoul said in a voice without emotion and then motioned Black Winter to move towards to the head of the convoy.

“You could try and be a bit nicer to him Kitten!” said Sam reproachfully when Raoul was out of earshot.

Jamie took the final sip of the horrendous tasting mixture and suddenly felt very sleepy. She looked at Sam accusingly realised the mixture had included a sleeping potion. “ Sorry Kitten...but it for your own good and My Lord needs you safe.” Sam said gently.

Jamie mumbled “You f*****g prick!” before falling into darkness.

**