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To the Highest Bidder Goes the Prize (Chuckeles/butterfly040

Lund glances down at the farm lands below them. He smiles as he looks over the land seeing a few workers moving among the fields. "Yes those fields below belong to my family. It seems most of the harvesting has been good this far." He smiles as he clicks the horses moving them closer to the even trail moving among the fields. "And I flatter because its the truth Nessa.
 
Nessa went back to her work on the dress and laughed a little as she finished the last few seams on it. "Well I've never had experience with fine ladies dresses before. All my designs are much more simple. I'll need to make up some new patterns perhaps. Who knows, perhaps someday I'll have everyone wearing the designs that I make up and create."

Kiana was still staring over the lands as they came down the last bit of the mountain and closer to the fertile lands. All this was his families... dear lord what kind of man had she fallen in love with? She knew he was higher above her but this? This was like being in love with some unattainable god from the heavens. She wasn't even worthy looking at him let alone loving him. Especially now that she was damaged goods. Sighing, she rested her arms upon the edge of the cart near, the gently rested her head on her arms. With a deep sigh, she tried to decide what she was going to do. How was she going to tel Lund that she couldn't let him marry her now?
 
Lund smiles as he glances back at Nessa seeming to be content on letting Kiana have whatever space she needs to heal. "Im sure my sisters will find plenty of work for your needles." He clicks his tongue at the horses nudging them to abit of a faster pace. "Were still a few days travel from my home. There is an inn a few hours from here. Im sure I can get us lodging there.'

His eyes glance over at Kiana trying to understand the look on her face. "Kiana Im sure my sisters will love you as well. Just dont let them unsettle you." He smiles at her softly as he turns to Angus watching the road as they pass by a few workers who seem to recognize him and start to bow.
 
Seeing the field workers bow only made Kiana sigh in a hint of distress. She turned around to face the back of the cart, watching things pass them by rather then seeing was was ahead of them. His warning of his sisters possibly unsettling her only unsettled her more. As the hours went by, it only sunk in deeper and deeper. By the time they did reach the inn, Kiana had made an unhappy choice, but it was one that she really thought for the best.

The sun was still in the sky when they reached the inn, but they could not travel any further this day and find another place to spend the night. It was the inn or the ground once again.
 
Lund pulls the horses leading the cart to a stand still. He slips out of the drivers seat stretching his back out. He slowly moves to the back of the cart pausing as he sees a couple of stable boys coming out. He kneels giving them quick instructions and tossing them both a silver piece. He resumes his trip to the back of the cart offering to help Kiana and Nessa from the back. "The boys will see to our horses for the night. Once were inside Ill see if I cant do something about a hot bath."
 
Nessa came out of the cart first, holding the dress in her hands as she turned to watch Lund helping Kiana out as well. "A nice bath would be SO wonderful and just the thing needed before putting on a brand new dress like this one," she commented with a smile as she handed the dress over to Kiana. She seemed a little reluctant to take it, but eventually does, nodding her head a little, "Thank you..." she said in her thanks.

Angus was soon at Nessa's side giving her a little kiss on the cheek, "Let get inside shall we? The promise of food and a bed is even appealing for a bit brute like me."
 
Lund smiles as he watches Nessa give the dress to Kiana. He moves to her hugging her gently kissing her cheek softly. "Well I certainly cant wait for you to have the dress on." He leads the way inside as the innkeeper bows. He waves it away seeming to be abit embaressed. "I need two rooms for the night. As well as a warm bath for each of my friends and myself." He reaches into his money pouch sliding the money on to the man. "I believe that will cover everything including a warm meal."

He turns to Kiana taking her hand kissing it softly. "Would you like to take a bath first?" He places his hand on her arm leading her upstairs to the bath room. "The inn keeper will send a maiden along to get the water warm and keep it that way for you."
 
"Thank you. Yes please," Kiana said. Usually, she would likely have offered someone else the first bath but she needed it. Badly. She could still feel those horrible men on her skin. Just the thought of it sent a shiver through her whole being.

"I'll see to helping her," came Nessa's voice as she came up from behind them, taking Kiana from Lund's grasp. "I think it would be better for someone that Kiana knows to help attend her rather then a stranger in this strange place, don't you agree?" Knowing he would, she started to lead Kiana away, meeting the young maid at the door to the bathroom. "We will be along for dinner... eventually. But I think we will both like a long, long soak."
 
Lund laughs softly as Nessa takes Kiana in tow. "Im sure Angus and I will meet you there in an hour or so." He heads towards a second door with two maids already inside filling up the tubs with steaming water. "It definitely looks like they are waiting for us." He smiles as he slips out of his cloak stretching out once more. He tosses it down on the bench as he begins tugging his boots off.
 
Kiana was soon naked and soaking up to her ears in the tub, the heat of it seeping into her bones and for the first time in days really just relaxing her. Nessa was soon in her own tub nearby, enjoying it as well. The maid at hand took the time to fold up the clothing the two women had removed. The maid did not speak, but she could not help but think how strange Kiana was that she came in wearing men's clothing. As she piled the clothing to one side, she brought the dress closer, noticing Kiana had laid the ring upon the top of it in preparation to change after her bath. The maid discreetly inspected it and knew the crest of Lund's family well enough to know that this was his signet ring. Being worn by a woman that walked about in men's clothing. Oooooh this was juicy gossip she could not wait to run and tell the servants down in the kitchen!
 
Lund is soon relaxing in his own tub of hot water. His fingers flex under the water as he enjoys the warmth after the biting cold of the mountain passes. His thoughts once more return to Kiana worrying over her. He tries to push them to the side as he begins cleaning himself from the dust of the road. He feels how rough his face is becoming but decides to keep it after trimming it up neatly.

Once out of the bath he dresses in clothes that are alittle finer but still made for travelling. He tugs his boots on then heads down to the dining area ordering a glass of wine as he waits for Kiana and the others.
 
It was a bit of a wait for him, Angus having started and finished his own bath in the meantime and coming down to join Lund. Almost exactly one hour after he said they would meet the girls once again, Nessa and Kiana descended the stairs. Nessa had changed into a dress almost the same as the one she had traveled this far in but much cleaner of course. Kiana was looking very pretty in her new dress. Very close to her ruined green dress, the pale blue color seemed to make her fiery hair color seem to glow all the more. Not wanting to be such the center of attention, thought it was hard with her stunning looks no matter how she tried to hide it, Kiana had asked Nessa to braid her hair for her so that it would not rage about like the wild tangles it usually was. The lace of the necklace was around her neck, but the ring she had stuffed under her dress to hide it from the view of those around them. Little did she know, everyone in the inn already knew about it.

As they girls joined Lund and Kiana, everyone was trying to get a look at the girl that held Lund's signet ring, an action that meant a lot in those parts.
 
Lund sits with Angus when he comes down sipping at his wine. He had chosen a table in the corner to try and keep out of the center of attention but seeing what was going on so far it seemed to be failing. "At this rate my family will know Ive returned before I even get to the wagon tomorrow." He smiles shaking his head slowly.

His head comes up seeing Kiana and Nessa coming down the stairs. He stands smoothing his own coat as he watches them smiling softly. He moves to offer his arm to Kiana planting a soft kiss on her lips. "You look beautiful darling." He leads her to the table motioning for the food to be brought out for them along with two more glasses of wine.
 
Kiana swiftly pulls her lips away from him, "You shouldn't do that..." she whispered to him, a buzz already starting in the room around them about the kiss that Lund had planted upon the lips of a girl that no one knew anything about. Had Lund married while he was away at war? And if not, who was this girl her so openly showed affection for?

Kiana in turn moved swiftly away from Lund, taking a seat at the table, find she would have to sit next to him, but inching her chair a bit away from his as she kept her eyes away from him.
 
Lund blinks in surprise as Kiana seems to swiftly rebuke him for placing a soft kiss on her lips. He glances to Angus almost seeming for help before steeling his shoulders up and moving towards the table sitting next to her. "I ordered some quail for us to enjoy along with some wine." He begins sipping furiously at his cup now that Kiana has rebuked him.

He gets well into his third cup keeping his eyes off of Kiana as he tries to figure out a way to deal with whats going on with her. He picks at the quail finding his hunger suddenly gone as he glances around the inn catching the looks from the barmaids. He stands taking his glass with him. "Im going to get some fresh air." And with that he is gone from the table his arm trembling with pent up frustration.
 
Kiana really had not eaten much of her food as well, feeling more sick to her stomach then hungry. Angus and Nessa tried to make some kind of conversation during the meal, but Kiana not Lund seemed to have their minds on talking. As he rose up, leaving the table with his drink, Kiana sighed and rose only a few moments after he had departed, excusing herself and bidding her friends a good night as she was turning in until morning. Turning in though not sleeping. She would wait for Lund to return to the room for they needed to talk. There really had not been a time for it until now and it had to happen before they went any closer to his home.

Meanwhile, outside, a rather busty barmaid came out to him, a bottle of wine in her hand as she took the liberty to fill his cup again, "You have not passed this way in so long Lord Lund. It is so good to see you once again..." there was a hint of sexual suggestion laced into her simple words. "I saw you glancing about in there. I was wondering if you were looking for someone or... something."
 
Lund blinks slightly as the barmaid comes up to him a familiar smile spreading across his face as he takes the offered wine. "Its been sometime since I was out this far Lily. I thought perhaps some soldier had tamed you down." He stands slowly as he sips at his wine. "Im afraid I cant indulge you tonight. Im afraid Im spoke for." He smiles as he takes her hand refilling his glass once more. "In fact I think Im going to see if I cant get her to drink with me." He steps past her swallowing as his eyes dip down to look at her cleavage.

He makes his way upstairs opening the door slowly making sure Kiana isnt covered before opening it fully and stepping inside. "Good evening my darling." He nudges the door shut moving to wrap his arms around her waist hugging her as he lets out a warm laugh.
 
She thought she could do this but the moment his arms wrapped around her, holding her close, Kiana felt her strength start to fly away. If she didn't speak now, she'd never get things out, "We need to talk Lund..." she spoke quickly as her hands reached to remove the lace with the ring upon it while she pulled herself from his grasp at the same time. She looked at the ring, letting her fingers rub over it a little bit before she handed to him, "I should not wear this. Wearing it leads people to think things that could hurt you Lund. Already I think the people in this inn are talking. What will your family say if they see me wearing it when we arrive? You have to be wearing this when you return to your family, not me."
 
Lund blinks as she pulls away from him. He swallows as he sets his cup down on the table rubbing his chin. He scoffs softly as he takes the ring then taking her hand and pushing it back into her hands. "Look Kiana this ring is for you. I dont care what people say or think." He lifts her hand keeping it closed around his ring. "I gave this ring to you because I want to marry you. Nothing has changed that darling." He leans in pressing his lips to hers once more.
 
He is only given a little touch of her lips before once more she pulls back, a little tear falling from the corner of her eye as she moves, her hand still remaining in his. "No, Lund things have changed." Her lip trembles a little as her emotions start to rise to the surface and threaten to burst. "There was a chance that your family might have accepted me... before. But the moment they find out what happened to me in the mountains," she shut her eyes and shook her head, a few more tears slipping out though she tried to keep the rest inside as best she could. "I am never going to be a woman fit for a man like you Lund. You need someone... someone better then me as your wife."
 
Lund glances at her watching her face as he listens to her words. His head starts shaking before she can even truly finish her words. "No...No Kiana dont say that. Its not your fault what happened in the mountains." He brings his hand to her cheek softly as he takes the ring from her hand and trying to slide it around her neck. "I dont think there is someone better Kiana." He runs his thumb over her cheek wiping around her cheek of the tears.
 
She looked like her eyes were just about ready to burst with her tears as she tried to stop him from putting the ring around her neck again, "I don't think, I know. Some noblewoman or another that knows about your world. Someone your family would approve of. Dear lord look at me Lund? Think about what I have done," she acted as if she had had a choice in the matter of the mountains, "What noblemen would want me for a daughter-in-law? What mother would approve of me for her son? I am not fit to be a wife, but..." she bit her lip a little, knowing he would never truly let her go even if he accepted the fact he could not marry her, "I... I could be your.... you mistress..." It was a demeaning position, but in many cases it was the only way for two lovers of different classes to be together at all. Kiana had already resigned herself to the idea of it, so haunted by what happened to her in the mountains she thought herself no better then a whore now.
 
Lund swallows softly as he tenses his fist slightly before placing them on her cheeks looking into her eyes. "Kiana dont say that darling. Theres nothing you could have done there. If its anyones fault its mine. I wasnt fast enough to keep them from getting to you." He presses his forehead to hers softly as he looks into her eyes softly. "A..a mistress Kiana? Do you even realize what your asking me to do? I love you Kiana. I love you more then anything." He swallows as he forces himself to continue looking into her eyes.
 
She whimpered a little, feeling lost and torn, "Lund, please. Please don't blame yourself. You did everything you could. I was careless and I paid for my faults. It wasn't your fault. It was mine." Kiana sighed, "Oh Lund... I know what it would mean but..." she swallows and her voice dropped to almost a whisper as she spoke her true fears for the first time, "What if I'm pregnant? It would be a bastard and... and it may not be yours. I already am like a mistress. Or do you forget so quickly how we even came to meet?" She refereed of course to him buying her as a slave.
 
Lund swallows softly as he continues to look into her eyes. "Kiana..what if you are pregnant? It could easily be mine darling." He presses his lips to hers softly as he holds her close. "And I remember well how we meet Kiana. And I also remember how much I love you darling." He strokes his fingers along her cheek softly. "If you need more time then I will give it to you." His own frustration spills out slightly as he holds her wanting to keep what they had between them.
 
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