Victorious had arrived at the De la Croix castle after having a wonderful day. She had met a memorable charming man, named, Bergan Mortimor, a Lord no less. Well he accepted my invitation to go see Lordblackhawk and his family.
She had packed some things the night before and now it was time to meet him at the Town Hall. She thought that was a neutral place for now since she didn't know him very well yet.
She brought her things around to the stabe manager, Sean, and told him I needed him to escort us to Fenia City. He nodded in agreement. He was such a faithful man always willing to take care what I needed him to do and he took such good care of Princess.Sean can you please hook Princess and one of your best mares up to my carriage. We need to go to the Town Hall and pick up Mr. Mortimor.
Yes milady, as you wish. Just give me a few minutes. I was just finishing up grooming Princess. I guess I can have Prince go with Princess if you want.Oh yes that would be good. Princess fancies him.
Victorious went back inside to get the rest of her stuff and went to the kitchen to get the basket of food and wine. She also grabbed a bottle of fruit juice in case Bergan would only drink that.
She walked out the front door and there was the carriage with both horses attached to it.
Sean had stepped down from the carriage and took the bags and basket and put it at the back of the carriage. He then took Victorious' hand and helped her in the carriage and shut the carriage door.Now take me to the town hall, Sean.
Yes milady.
They arrived at the front of the town hall and now we just needed to wait for Bergan.
Protector of the Te'sorthene Roma|Married to Katara Dalakoi|
Meanwhile Bergan had barely slept a wink all night He’d got up at first light and bathed, taking especially good care to get an extra close shave today in the hopes that just maybe, he maybe lucky enough to kiss this lady Victorious at some point, and would hate to scratch her delicate face with his rough stubble.
Looking in the mirror he smiled at himself, thinking how proud his aunt Faith would be of him now. She had always encouraged him to use his rightful title of Lord, but he was reluctant to do so. But today was a new day and he bid himself good day my lordship, as he finished off from having a successful, bloodless shave.
He reached for his large leather travel bag and after first dressing himself in his most sober looking suit and crisp white shirt, he began packing several items of clothing, plus a journal to make any notes he deemed important.
He did have reservations about meeting Victorious’ family. But his confidence was unshakeable as always. Checking that all was safe, he grabbed his large leather bag locked the door and whistled for Flynn who was waiting near the paddock ready saddled.
As he approached the town hall, he could see well in advance the gleaming magnificent carriage he assumed would be their transport to Fenia. Riding alongside he could see lady Victorious inside with a beaming smile on her face. Sat up on the driving board was the driver.
“Good morning sir. I’m Bergan Mortimer, you will be expecting me, I hope I’m not late.”
He then indicated to Victorious that he was just about to take Flynn over to the livery stable to be kept for him until his return indicating 2 minutes.
Quickly hurrying back he handed his luggage up to the driver and jumped in beside Victorious.
“My dear lady Victorious. I’m sure I’m not late am I? I’ve hardly slept a wink with all the excitement of the day ahead. May I say you look divine. I’m ready when you are.”
Victorious was waiting in the carriage when she saw Bergan and his horse ride next to the carriage. She saw him get down and he was looking rather dashing today. She couldn't resist but stare into his beautiful eyes and looking over what he was wearing. He looked absolutely handsome.
Bergan stopped to talk to Sean and he replied,No Sir you are right on time, Lady Victorious has been waiting for you and she is in the carriage.Sean then took his luggage and got off the carriage to put it next to her masters. He then proceeded to get back in his seat to wait for Lady Victorious to give him a signal to leave.
Bergan had come to talk to me telling me how wonderful I looked. He was dashing and such a gentleman. She hoped that this would be a lovely trip.
Please come in, Bergan, so we can be on our way. Sean my driver will take us to Fenia City. We will be stopping just outside of Widu to eat. I must say you look very handsome today. She moved over to open the carriage door and gave him her hand.
Protector of the Te'sorthene Roma|Married to Katara Dalakoi|
Bergan smiled, holding his eyes firmly on lady Victorious’ own. Taking her hand in his before pressing it firmly to his lips. Slowly the carriage pulled away, and it wasn’t long before they were out in the countryside.
Bergan commented on what a superb day they had both spent yesterday, and what a fine day the day was showing today. She listened to him, smiling, and both of them occasionally looking out of the window, but quick to look into each others eyes again.
All the time he was chatting he hadn’t realised that he had been holding Victorious’ hand in his, and stroking the back of it as if it were a pet kitten.
“Oh! Please forgive me. I got completely carried away with the wonder of all this. Please don’t think me too forward. I…..I find you very, very attractive and to be honest, it seemed so natural to me”
He released her hand and placed his hands down in his own lap.
Bergan had entered the carriage and she moved over so he could sit next to her. Victorious told Sean to move on and she would let him know when to stop. Yes milady as you wish. He motioned the horses to speed ahead and they were on their way to Lordblackhawk's residence. She couldn't wait to see him. She had seen him and his family at the family gathering but didn't really have a chance to chat like she wanted since she had to watch over the whole family. She was looking forward to having some quality time with him and his family. She hoped she could be more acquainted with Ladyblackhawk since she seemed like such a lovely lady.
Suddenly she noticed that Bergan was still holding her hand and then was petting it, she gave him a smile and then he apologized for doing it.
Dear Bergan I thank you for your affection but I do think it is best that we get to know each other better before anything further happens. I am a pure woman plus my family wouldn't want me to do anything with another man without their approval first but it does flatter me with your affection and I do look forward getting to know you more but please do not feel slighted. She kissed his hand and then let it go.
Well they were on their way when she heard a horse trot quickly behind them. Sean told herit seems we have company milady.Yes I hear that Sean. Try to move faster if you please.
Victorious turned around and saw a strange looking man on a beautiful mare approaching their carriage even faster than they could go. He pulled up in front of Princess and Prince and scared them to a sudden stop.
Protector of the Te'sorthene Roma|Married to Katara Dalakoi|
Dear Bergan I thank you for your affection but I do think it is best that we get to know each other better before anything further happens. I am a pure woman plus my family wouldn't want me to do anything with another man without their approval first but it does flatter me with your affection and I do look forward getting to know you more but please do not feel slighted.
Bergan smiled. “Of course my lady, I wasn’t intending to appear overly forward. Fact is, I surprised myself that I was, in my absent mind, still holding your hand. Please forgive me, I respect your purity, I was lost in thought there and I wouldn’t dream of taking any advantage.
Just then, there was a thunderous gallop of hooves approaching them from behind. It was clearly someone in a hurry, or perhaps a courier with important news. Either way, the rider whom it was now clear was a man, had now brought their horses to an abrupt stop was now ordering the driver to step down and enter the carriage.
It was now clear that this was no friendly carrier of news as the highwayman had now drawn his word and was physically shoving Sean the driver into the carriage, who had missed his footing and had fallen flat on the floor.
“Well now, this is a fine day aint it” the man said sneeringly. . “Now I don’t want to waste any more time keeping you from yer enjoyment of it, so and me over yer valuables, and be sharp about it” At that Bergan leapt out of the opposite door of the carriage, quickly drawing his sword. He slowly walked round to where the robber stood seemingly unmoved by Bergan’s attempt at defence. He was facing the highwayman now and stood tall, though slighter built than the man who had his face partially covered, and was wearing a long cape, and wielding a broadsword.
“You sir, are a scoundrel, and you will not gain anything from this party.” Said Bergan “This is lady Victorious Cromwell, the priestess’s carriage and while I am accompanying her it’s my bounden duty to protect her. Now if you value your head, you will mount your horse and be off.”
Hearing this statement the man laughed saying, “Aye, and I’m the viceroy of Fenia”
then raising his sword high he brought it down sharply. Bergan was swift to side step the blow and though reluctant to inflict harm made a thrust with his own sword which the attacker easily parried. More thrusting and flailing ensued, but Bergan’s small sword was no match for this huge broadsword.
Bergan made a rash attempt to surge forward at the man with a powerful lunge, only managing to nick him at the top of his arm. The man gave out a shriek in pain, and swiped a side blow in temper, catching Bergan in the left side of his chest, cutting clean through his tunic, and his white shirt deep into his chest.
Bergan dropped his sword and fell to his knees clutching his chest in a hopeless attempt to stop the blood which was now copiously pouring forth. He looked towards the carriage, just catching a last glimpse of the lady Victorious whose face was almost covered by her hands I....I'm...So sorry Vi......"His voicel his tailed off to a whisper as he fell to the ground his life now at an end.
Victorious was appalled at the attempt of the strange man trying to rob us when suddenly Bergan snuck out the other side to stop the man but the attempt was not going well at all. She was proud that Bergan was trying to protect her and knew Bergan was a keeper in her life. Suddenly she saw Bergan fall to the ground as he was badly hurt. After the shock wore off that the burglar had seriously wounded Bergan she quickly grabbed her sword from the floorboard of the carriage and rushed to scare the burglar off.
Her face was filled with anger and she swung her sword to slice his abdomen but the man ran off before she could touch him with her golden sword that her mother had given her.
She turned to see Bergan bleeding profusely. She knelt down and held his head in her arms. Oh Bergan you were so brave but you didn't have to do this for me. Please don't die, my sweet prince.She put her hand on his wound and closed her eyes and concentrated on Bergan and the future that they could have. She trusted in the Mages and her hand began to glow a florescent green. She pressed hard on the wound and felt the pain go through her. She was taking on his pain until the wound was no more.
Bergan opened his eyes and stared into her eyes.Oh good Bergan you are alive. I thought I almost lost and Victorious was feeling weak and fell to the ground.
Protector of the Te'sorthene Roma|Married to Katara Dalakoi|
Bergan’s parting attempt to speak was followed by the most wonderful sensation of peace. Lightness spread through out his body. The searing pain in his chest was now gone. He was now experiencing the joy of separating from his body. He’d experienced this before many times, but only in his self induced astral projection.. This time was different.
He knew he was about to enter another plain of existence, and his mind was struggling to understand why things were so different. He looked at his hands which appeared to be less than the usual paperish, two dimensional quality that was his usual experience when making trips out of his body for the good of others.
This time, he was experiencing only colours. Colours of a hue that he had never seen before.
He could see a bright light before him now, which again, was something never experienced before. He felt himself spiralling towards the pure white light. The colours that seemed to be what was the essence of himself began glowing brighter, and with each colour was an accompanied sound. Again, a sound, that was of an audible value, which he had never heard in all his life. “Life” he thought. “I’ve lost my physical life. “Victorious” he shouted then tried to look back as the realisation of what had happened to him became apparent, but he could see no sign of his physical body.“I’m not ready to die. “Victorious!” He called out again. And as he spoke, the beautiful array of his newly acquired body began to dull, and grow muddy. The accompanying sounds which they emitted became a cacophony to the ears.
“Victorious”! He shouted out again and at that, his spiralling began to slow down and he once again lost consciousness.
After however long, his eyes began to flutter open. He actually thought that he was now in some kind of heaven he’d only imagined before. It was like waking after a long hard, refreshing sleep, and there before him was his first sight of an angel. She was pressing her hand against what was the gaping hole in his chest. Other than the evidence of blood on his shirt he was well and truly alive.
It was then he realised the angel was Victorious. Just before opening his eyes he clearly heard her say, Oh Bergan you were so brave but you didn't have to do this for me. Please don't die, my sweet prince.“I’m fine, I’m fine but how?”
He said. But Victorious couldn’t have heard him. Her determination to save him with powers he never knew she possessed had proved too much. She collapsed at the side of him barely breathing.
Bergan was now on his feet, feeling fitter than he had ever felt. He quickly picked up his saviour and carried her to the open door of the carriage. Sean looked on grief stricken asking what he could do. Bergan urged him to get something for her ladyship to drink. Carefully he laid her light and tender body down on the long seat of the coach. Then laying his hands either side of her temples, he summoned the invisible power that he regularly used, and insisted that he would continue to be a conduit for the hidden healing powers he’d been chosen to administer. But please help him now.
“Dearest Victorious. Please come back to me You gave me back my life, now bring your own back to me.” He said. With that he felt an overwhelming surge of energy that he could barely conduct, but he held his hands firm. It wasn’t long before the flickering of her eyes indicated that she was still of this world. Taking the flask of whatever it was, he gently held it to her pink, perfect lips. He smiled, allowing a tear to form in the corner of his eye. The colour slowly returned to her angelic face as Bergan wiped his with the back of his shirt sleeve.
Victorious came out of her unconsciousness. She wondered when this fainting will stop from healing people. I really have to figure this out she thought.
She opened her eyes and saw Bergan and Sean with a terribly worried look on their faces. I'm sorry Bergan. I'm still fine tuning my healing powers. I've only been using it for a little while and then when I got hurt really bad my uncle transferred his healing powers to me so I'm still adjusting. Victorious drinks some more water and can feel the life come back to her face. Boy I have such a headache but other than that I feel fine.
She sat up and hugged Bergan thankful that he was alive. She couldn't bare losing someone else in her life. Suddenly she just let go of him and gave him a passionate kiss. Bergan after almost losing you I realized I'm falling in love with you and couldn't bare losing you.
Well I think we better get out of here before that robber comes back. Sean I'm ok now, let's move on to Fenia City. Yes milady.
She wrapped her arm around Bergan and held his hand with her other hand. I'm not letting you out of my sight. Next time let me deal with the criminals, my dear. My family has taught me to be a warrior and I just don't want to lose you but I do love that you tried to protect me. My family would be grateful.
Hopefully I won't have to kill that man if he comes back. I really don't like to battle unless it's absolutely necessary.
Victorious must have worn herself out because she layed her head on Bergan's shoulder and fell asleep.
Protector of the Te'sorthene Roma|Married to Katara Dalakoi|
Hearing Victorious declare her love for him, Bergan could barely stifle a sob. But as she placed her soft lips upon his, and the flow of pure love between them, he simply swallowed his emotion, and bathed in the warmth of their loving embrace. “My darling Victorious, I know this all seems very quick, but I knew the instant I set my eyes upon you that you had to be the love I have searched for. You are more than beauty to the eye; I see far beyond that, I see the other half of myself.” “I don’t believe in fate” he went on. " I believe in preordained destiny. It’s like a whole half of me has been missing, and now I’m whole again. I don’t care what I have to endure from your family to prove my worth. I trust in providence to make our way clear. You brought me back from the jaws of death Victoria, and you very near lost your own life in the process. I had no idea you were a holder of the same power that I possess. When I wandered into Cork, I knew there was some reason, some force pushing me. Now I know why.”
I love you more than any language can convey my darling. I’ll wait patiently until our union has the blessings of your family.” Well I think we better get out of here before that robber comes back. Sean I'm ok now, let's move on to Fenia City. Turning to face Bergan again she then went on to say . I'm not letting you out of my sight. Next time let me deal with the criminals, my dear. My family has taught me to be a warrior and I just don't want to lose you but I do love that you tried to protect me. My family would be grateful.
Hopefully I won't have to kill that man if he comes back. I really don't like to battle unless it's absolutely necessary. “I’ll always protect you my darling, always. You gave me back my life. It’s a life that you also own. I can hardly see such an angel as you being a warrior he said in a lighter tone. But knowing what I now know I would be the last person to doubt you.
Are you feeling any better?” ?” He said. But he got no reply. Her beautiful head was where Bergan wanted it to be. Safely nestled into the crook of his shoulder.