"Madam." Young Justin bowed over Lady Lindsay's outstretched hand. She smiled at him softly and held fast to his hand as it brushed her's.

"Come along now Justin. We've been through far too much together to be slaves to such formality."

"Of course." He said in a controlled voice. Lindsay could tell that the young man had suffered greatly on the battle field. It was evident in his manor of speaking and walking. But mostly it shone in his eyes. The childlike wonder had left the bright blue eyes, and had been replaced with an emptiness that frightened Lindsay greatly.

"Come in. Sit. We can catch up on gossip." She motioned to the stool beside the roaring fire. Justin simply stared as though he didn't understand.

"My lady, you are married now. I will not enter your room. It isn't proper."

"What has propriety to do with anything? Justin, you are like a brother to me. You cannot actually think that something might happen?"

"No. But McKinnon is lord here now. I have only just arrived home. I've yet to meet him. I won't make enemies with a man that I have yet to lay eyes upon."

"McKinnon." She scoffed, showing her obvious contempt towards her husband. "I don't hate him. But I could never love him. Not the way mother wants me to."

Justin watched as his friend and teacher railed on about her father laughing from beyond the grave. He had, after all, chosen McKinnon as his predecessor, leaving Lindsay without any choice but to marry the man. Justin could only muster up a small amount of sympathy for her. At least she knew the source of her problems. She knew where to direct her anger and could acknowledge her limitations in rectifying things. Justin knew none of that. He was, as he had been for the past two years, an empty shell seeking some unknown fulfillment that would ultimately complete him.

"Well if you won't come in...how about a walk?"

Justin hesitated but relented as the woman widened her eyes in a way that would not allow him to deny her. He would have loved sitting by the fire as they had before he had left. Lindsay had always enjoyed helping him with his painting and drawing. He was an astute pupil and yearned for more knowledge of the craft. Though his father had been her own father's second in command, Justin had never shown any want for a life on the battle field. Forced to train and follow in his father's footsteps, the art lessons had waited until late at night.

That was in the past. Justin was a warrior and now that his lord had perished and the feud with the neighboring clans had truly been settled, he had no other course of action but to meet his new lord and continue the patterned life that had been carved out for him.

Taking his arm, Lindsay guided the taller man down the steps and into the main hall of the castle. It was quite a bit draftier than he remembered. Still, it was a great improvement to the open air on the hillsides at night.

"I must tell you, you look extremely handsome. My attendants will be mooning over you, I'm sure. You have filled out nicely, little one."

"Little... We are the same age."

"Are not. I'm a full month and a day older than you."

"Indeed." He acquiesced.

Before long, they were slipping into the comfortable conversation and teasing jabs of their youth. Lindsay giggled as Justin played with several of the village children, running around the outskirts of the village, holding a peacock feather in the air as they attacked him to retrieve it. She cried out to encourage the game but silenced as a shadow fell over the ground at her feet.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Justin looked towards the new presence and quickly handed the feather off to one of the smaller boys, who ran away from the mob, the other children on his heels in pursuit. He was taken aback by the man in front of him now. He was tall and imposing. His figure lean but defined. The man's dark brown hair was cut closely to his head but a warrior's braid hung from the back of his neck and down the middle of his broad chest. It was then that Justin noticed the crest upon his training armor. He fell to one knee and lowered his eyes to the ground.

"Lord McKinnon."

"What are you doing, man? Would you care to explain why you are in the company of my wife?"

Justin kept his head low and stayed where he was. To explain would not only seem weak but also give the man a reason to hate him. It didn't matter how close they had once been. It wasn't fitting to escort another man's wife - especially this man's wife - without his consent. He knew that and cursed himself for allowing Lindsay to persuade him.

"Brian, stop it. This is Justin."

"Justin?" There was recognition of the name in his voice but the anger was still there. "Why did you not come and speak to me first, Justin?"

Justin slowly looked up into the eyes of his leader. He bit his lip to hold in the gasp, trying desperately to escape. The piercing eyes were the color of fresh honey and they demanded instant respect. Justin gave it without question. "I had looked for you. The guards informed me that you would not be returning until late. I had only meant to let your wife know that I had arrived safely."

"Very kind of you." Brian raised an eyebrow and smirked at the man before him. "Lindsay, go inside. Make sure things are ready for the feast tonight." Lindsay nodded tightly and turned stiffly on her heel and stalked away. "I've yet to train her to my liking."

Justin bristled, and spoke freely before he could even think about consequences. "I would not try to...train that particular lady. You have acquired perfection from the beginning sir, and that needs no improvement."

Brian did not get angry; simply nodded. "She does not care for me."

Justin wouldn't confirm this but did feel some obligation to further the conversation. "Perhaps it isn't you that she doesn't care for. Only...the situation that has been forced upon her."

"She is willful."

"As a stubborn mule."

"And you?"

"Sir?"

"Are you willful?"

Justin looked McKinnon square in the eyes and stood his ground. "I am but your humble servant and loyal subject m'lord."

"So there will be no further speaking out against me and my actions. Even if they should be geared towards my wife?"

The young man blanched and wanted so badly to kick himself. "Of course not sir. I don't know what I was thinking. I shall do as you command."

"Good to know."

And with those words, Lord McKinnon was gone and Justin shook his head. That hadn't gone well at all.

To Be Continued...