As dawn breaks and the sun begins to brush away the night sky Kara groans while tossing in her sleep clenching her blanket flashing back to the battlefield.

In a daze she stands with her arm bloodied from the cut, frantically going in circles as her surroundings go blurry, the sound of screams and clashing swords echoing around her. The sound of piercing flesh, and groaning pulls her around: seeing the tip of a spear sticking out her Guards back, blood dripping off it as the man who wields it grins wide as the Guard goes limb. She's frozen like before except Marcus isn't there to save her, she watches as the disarms throwing his spear away, drawing his sword and charging her with the haunting grin on his face.

She snaps up from the nightmare yelling, and panting waking up, Connie being the nearest to her briefly startled by the yelling is the first to tend to Kara trying to calm her while Marcus jumps from the chair going for his sword thinking something is happening as the Guards from outside barge in with their swords partly drawn.

"McKaelyn! McKaelyn, calm down! You're okay! you're okay!" Connie says while sitting on the bed in front of her, putting her hands on her shoulders trying to get Kara's attention focused on her.

Kara gasps as Connie starts to calm her down, getting her to focus on her breathing with deep breaths. Her breathing begins to calm and steady returning to normal while Connie says she's going to get Kara something to drink. Once Kara's breathing has returned to normal Marcus asks her if she's okay, visibly concerned about her.

"I'm fine, just a bad dream." She explains with a low voice.

Marcus walks over, and sits next to her putting his arm around her gently pulling her against his chest, though leaning against his armour she feels secure with his arm around her, feeling warm and safe. Connie returns with water, handing Kara back her waterskin before sitting on her knees waiting for any instructions while Kara drinks some water after thanking her. She sighs with relief after the drink feeling somewhat better still leaned into Marcus. Her eyes begin to close slightly, feeling more relaxed, and comfortable despite him wearing his armour. Just before her eyes close fully she notices Connie grinning at them, what are you grinning at?

"Oh, nothing, Mi'lady. you two just look comfortable together is all. Especially for a Lady and her Bannerman." She says with a cheeky tone still grinning.

Kara, and Marcus both are taken slightly off guard and awkwardly move away from each while Connie chuckles at them. As Marcus stands up pulling his arm away from her the flap to the tent swings open

"Mi'lady- uh, sorry. Is this a bad time?" A young light skinned man in cloth clothing asks looking slightly out of breath,

Marcus asks him what it is he needs feeling awkward enough as it is because of Connie.

"Pardon the intrusion, the Lord Commanders have requested your presence, Lady McKaelyn, and you Lord Cnaith for a meeting." He explains with a very formal tone, Kara and Marcus look at each other for a moment before Kara tosses the blankets off getting out of bed after dismissing the young man.

She starts putting her armour on with the aid of Marcus and Connie with him teaching her how to assist Kara when putting her armour on, while he walks Connie through it she notices Aidan's armour isn't on its stand anymore. Her heart aches seeing it gone as her head hangs low sighing. Marcus's eyes glance to her seeing her saddened expression.

She'll thank for this soon enough

The three of them make their follow by House Guard to the same tent where the Lords were discussing plans for the previous battle, when they enter they see all the Lords present standing around the table, Kara dismisses Connie to wait outside for the meeting, she gives a slight bow then walks out. Right away she notices the stares at her knowing they aren't happy with the most piercing of them coming from Cullan, and Williams with their arms crossed.

They can give me all the stares they want. I refuse to look weak in front of them!

Liam being the first to break the silence when she enters expresses his gratefulness to see her up and about, asking her how her arm is feeling.

"It's fine uncle, nothing I can't handle." She said with a serious expression trying to brush off the obvious pain she's in

Even though it hurts like a bitch. That was more painful than I thought it would be.

"We pray for your health, Mi'lady. May the Prophet watch over you." Lord Williams says with a genuine tone, she thanks him for his kind words before asking what the meeting is about.

"We want to propose a raid, Mi'lady. We send some troops behind their lines to cause enough chaos that they won't see the main force coming. scouts located several lookout points along the '' Liam explains.

Kara doesn't say anything right away, taking a moment to look over the map that's been laid over top of the main one marking the various lookout points along the ridge, and tree line. Marcus explains that his riders determined that each one is spaced out significantly but close enough that a signal fire can be seen to alert the others of movement or attack.

"Attacking the Ridgeline isn't an option, we'll be too exposed. The tree line's our best choice to ensure they don't see us coming until it's too late." Kara says with a very confident tone.

Feeling confident about her decision she looks up and sees their expressions, and knows the reason why the Lords called the meeting.

"Mi'lady, given your injury, we do not believe it would be wise for you to be go on this raid, but rather to remain here and rest." Lord Williams explains.

"You didn't want my advice, you wanted my approval to go through with the raid!" She snaps, the Lords lowering their heads to her accusation.

Agitated with them she looks at Marcus who she unexpectedly has the same expression, seeing this sends a burning anger through her body. Fists clenched she knows that they don't want her on the raid because of what happened. Liam goes to put his on her shoulder but she pulls her shoulder away.

"Las, we just feel that after yesterday you need your rest." Liam explains,

"You think just because I'm a woman I can't handle this! That I'm weaker, less able than you! Fine, you have your approval!" She snaps before storming out of the tent as Lord Williams calls out to her.

Connie watches as Kara marches past her followed by Marcus calling out to her trying to get her to stop for a moment, but she doesn't and keeps walking away. He yells out again for her to stop and listen to him, she stops and violently turns to face him: her face light red with anger, teeth and fists clenched, breathing heavily.

"I expect this kind of scheming from them, Marcus, but you?! You went behind my back like the rest of those bastards! You're supposed to be my friend!" She snaps with a furious tone borderline yelling at him.

"I am your friend! But what you need to realize is this isn't about friendship, Kara: this is war! This is life or death! That's my job, to keep my Lady safe!" He says with a raised voice.

"Like you kept Aidan safe?" She snaps without hesitation looking him straight in the eyes with a piercing stare.

Her words cut deep like a dagger in his stomach, a flurry of emotions rush through Marcus who remains silent unable to muster a response, just stands there with a shocked expression while Kara stares at him before marching away. His heart beats with a sharp pain from her words, he goes to take a step forward but feels a hand on his shoulder,

"Leave her be for now. It's been a long few days for her." Connie says with a calm voice, Marcus sighs watching Kara fade into the crowded camp.

Did she just blame me for Aidan's death? How could she say that?...

"Watch out for her." He says with a low tone, and his head low as he begins to walk away.

Kara barges through the opening of her tent, fuming with anger grunting and groaning while pacing back and forth when Connie enters to hear Kara ranting, taking a seat on the chair.

"Those lying, scheming bastards! They dare go against me? Behind my back? I am their Lady, they follow MY order! Who are they to tell me what is best for me?!" Connie remains silent while Kara continues to pace around, still just as mad as she was when she started.

In a moment of blind anger from getting herself agitated she kicks the chest, a decision she quickly regrets as a painful tingle races through her foot up into her shin.

"AH fuck!" She exclaims in pain, groaning in painful frustration.

The two guards from outside walk in checking on what the noise is about,

"NOTHING! Get out!" She shouts, the guards exit as fast they entered.

With her foot now in throbbing pain she sits on the bed and takes her boot off, her foot red from the impact. Connie, still silent, walks over, sits on her knees, and grabs Kara's foot. Before she can say anything she winces in discomfort, damn it!

"Oh hush. You brought this on yourself, Mi'lady. Shouldn't have kicked the chest." Connie says while she begins to massage her foot.

"Maybe so, but those sons of bitches went behind my back!" She snaps in response

"So it's their fault you asked like a child and hurt yourself?" Connie replies calmly.

A child! Who the hell does she think she is to talk to me like that?!

"Who are you to speak to me like this? What right do you have to judge me?" Kara asks with a scornful tone,

"Someone who has seen what anger and power can do to people. I've seen close friends turn on each other, Houses and families torn apart." Connie's voice getting lower as seen explains, her expression saddening.

Kara sits silently, realizing that maybe Connie may know more than she's letting on. She assumed that Connie was another lowlife, low born thief but now feels that there's maybe more to her than she first thought

"Have you ever noticed yet what your friend, Marcus, did for you yet with the armour?" She asks while looking up at kara looking down at her, Kara looks at her confused.

"The armour? Aidan's armour? They got rid of it! It's probably on its way back home or being melted down for new armour." She replies with a slightly emotional voice.

She thinks they would just dispose of a Lord's armour like that? Would they do that? Do these people not respect their dead? It's already strange to me that their Lord was sent back home without it, not like my home...

Connie sighs, stands up, walks over to the armour stand that is covered with a sheet and pulls off of the stand. Kara's eyes fill with emotion as the reveal is Aidan's armour modified, and shaped to somewhat fit Kara's body. She stands up from the bed, walks over to the armour and places her hand on the chest plate. Her heart feeling heavy as emotions brew to the surface, tears begin to well as the feeling of the plate gives her the same sensation she would feel when she'd touch Aidan. Her heart beats against her chest as a tear slides down her cheek while she sniffles softly.

Marcus did this for me? Because he knew I wanted to wear the armour... and I blamed him for Aidan's death? I'm such a bitch...

"I owe Marcus an apology. Assuming he'll speak to me after what I said to him..." Kara says as she brushes the tears away.

"You were a bit of a bitch to him, Mi'lady. But someone who goes through the efforts he did to make your desire come true obviously cares deeply for you, I have a feeling forgiving you won't be a problem. I would still give him some time though." Connie replies with a blunt yet compassionate tone, resting her hand on Kara's shoulder.

I know I was wrong for what I said to him, but all the same I still plan to go on that raid whether they like it or not. I swore I'd avenge Aidan, and I will not let someone else take that son of a whores head. He will die by my blade.

Night begins to fall over the camp and the Lords begin quietly preparing for the raid, while Kara begins putting her new armour on after she asked Connie to bring her some bread feeling a bit hungry but not wanting to eat something overly filling. The clangs while she struggles to put some of the pieces on without assistance, one of her guards offered to help but she refused, now wishing Marcus was there to help her. She sighs heavily thinking back to earlier in the day feeling like such a fool for what she said to him.

I was mad but even for me that was too far... It's not his fault Aidan died, this is just the world of war: people die...

Outside the tent her guards are casually talking about home back West, one of the guards tells the other he's going to get a drink, the other guard asks for one as well. Given the Fort is heavily guarded there isn't a sense of urgency to stay at their posts for most of the guards so many of them leave if they are able to for brief moments.

Still staying alert the guard notices something in the corner of his eye, not concerned he brushes it off until he hears a noise coming from around the tent. He casually walks over thinking maybe one of the smaller animals got loose again, he rounds the corner and before he can even react there's the soft sound of flesh cutting, a warm liquid feeling running his neck and chest, and a rag suddenly wrapped around his mouth as he's pulled behind the tent.

Hearing a thump from outside her tent Kara's head snap behind her to the entrance,

"Hello?" An eerie silence is all she hears, and no reply. She brushes it off, and continues to fuss with the armour.

As she adjusts the leg pieces getting the leather straps tightened when she hears another sound from outside her tent,

"Is someone out there? Guards?" There's no reply, she walks slowly to the entrance with her hand on her sword.

Her heart begins to slowly race as she approaches it as a gust of wind opens it enough to reveal nothing on the other side but she remains wary as she nears closer to it when suddenly a rag is violently wrapped around her mouth, and she's pulled towards the back of the tent as she struggles.

"You messed with the wrong people, bitch!" A deep male voice says as Kara continues to struggle.

She throws her back hitting him in the face WACK! He groans as a stinging pain shoots from his nose, getting her arm free she elbows him in the side of the head throwing him off balance long enough for her to reach for her sword. The man charges her, diving into her torso knocking her off her feet and flat onto her back knowing the wind out of her. Dazed from the impact she looks up to see the face of the man who attacked wrapping his hands around her throat, she chokes while trying to fight back while the man puts more pressure on her throat. Her vision begins to go hazy and her strength weakening as her breath becomes shallow.

A sudden shout, GAH! As the man is suddenly knocked from her hazy sight and loud crashing is heard as Kara's eyes widen as she coughs and gasps, she rolls over onto her side still gasping and sees the man fighting with someone who's gotten behind him with their arms wrapped around his head and neck. Her eyes come into focus, expecting to see her Guards or Marcus but who she sees shocks her

"Connie?" She says weakly,

She watches as a Connie's eyes look almost as if on fire as she squeezes tighter on the man's throat as his face beginning to change colour, eventually a loud, CRACK! after a flex of her arm. Connie lets him go, his limb body hitting the ground with a thud, as she rushes over to Kara,

"Mi;ady, are you okay? Are you hurt?" She asks frantically but Kara is too shocked to answer.

Seeing the marks on her throat Connie dashes out the tent and begins yelling

"HELP! There's been an attack!" yelling it repeatedly until a bell begins to ring signaling the Call to Arms.

Voices echo throughout the camp yelling TO ARMS, TO ARMS! Several soldiers and different House Guards rush into her tent, two of them drawing their swords and putting their swords across the back of the man's neck. Marcus forces his way through followed by several McKaeyln House Guards who start to form a circle around Kara,

"Are you okay? What the fuck happened?" Marcus asks with a frantic, emotional tone visibly worried about her.

Before she can even answer him he wraps his arms around her, and pulls her into a hug. He lets go, and stands up furious.

"Where is the Guard who wasn't on post? Bring him to me, now!" He shouts with a commanding tone, three guards from another House leave the tent. He orders everyone to clear out of the tent except for Kara's personal House Guards, the body is also removed.

He helps Kara to her feet, gently holding her hand and guiding her to the bed. She collects herself, straining to talk a bit, Connie leaves to get medicine from the healer.

"Marcus, Im- I'm sorry for what I said. It's not your fault Aidan died." Kara says with her voice straining, and painful.

He sits down next to her, resting his hand on hers, sending goosebumps up her arm, and her heart races slightly.

"You don't have to apologize, you've been under a lot of stress these last few days." He replies with a soft voice, looking her in the eyes.

Their stares locked together for a moment before it was broken by the sounds of struggling outside, the guards returned with the House Guard who left earlier throwing him to his knees in the tent. He sits on his knees, his face pale knowing what could happen to him. He pleads for his life before Marcus aggressively stands up, and kicks the Guards in the chest.

"Shut your damn mouth! You don't speak!" He snaps with anger in his voice, pulling his sword pressing the tip against the Guard's throat.

"You left your post, for all we know you were working with this assassin. Give me one good reason I shouldn't gut you like a fish!"

The Guards face goes paler than it already was, breathing heavily struggling to put even a simple sentence together. Kara stands up, and rests her hand on Marcus's shoulder, he looks back at her and what she sees is pure rage. He and Kara look at each other for a moment, and without saying a word he knows what Kara is saying.

"Put him in Irons, and get him out of my sight before I change my mind." He says removing his sword from the Guards throat, and back into its sheath.

Connie returns with medicine as Kara sits back down on the bed while Marcus stays where he is standing.

This is my fault! I never should have left her! If I had been here I could have protected her!