It had been two weeks since Crimsyn had gone to the market, Maude had been going with a knight or Varrick to avoid any more encounters. Crimsyn had been avoiding the king himself for the last weeks. Cooking, cleaning, tending the garden, and continuing her studies.

Maude had given her a day to relax and she chose to sit in the court yard and enjoy the cool winter breeze on the tale end of summer. She was drawing the roses, at least the ones that hadn't been taken by the frost.

She set the quill aside and grabbed a piece of charcoal and returned to her sketch of Emeric. A small smile formed as she drew him as he'd been when she saw him sparring for the first time. Defining each line of his torso, his jaw, his lips. Those eyes that seemed to pierce her very soul. She stroked the line with her finger, could feel the warmth.

Emeric had two wooden staffs, Crimsyn had been avoiding him for weeks. She was going to learn to protect herself, even if he had to force her. He came up behind her as she was drawing. She was very good at it, her children would be blessed with many talents. From this standing point he had a pleasant view of her.

"If you are going to watch me, at least learn not to stand up wind." She said shutting her book and standing up.

When she turned to look at him his shirt was open. She felt suddenly warm, his chest was well defined and she followed a small trail of hair to his britches. Emeric smiled when he noticed the blush creeping up her chest. Her cream colored dress was perfect, it added to her blush.

"Its time you learn to fight." He said throwing a staff at her.

"I told you I refuse to fight." Crimsyn said catching the staff as she dropped her book.

He snatched it before she could and held onto it.

"You may have this back if you win." Emeric said putting the book in his belt.

"Give it back." She demanded taking her shoe off and throwing it at him.

She missed.

"Negative four points. Want to try again?" He said smiling as she reached for her other shoe.

The red was returning to her chest, she was getting angry. After she'd lost her other shoe she finally decided to use her staff and attack. The sound of sticks hitting each other echoed all over the court yard, never once hitting a body.

Crimsyn doubled over out of breath, using the staff she leaned against it. Removing the top of her gown she hung it on a low hanging branch and took a drink from the sheep's bladder. Her cheeks were red and she was tired.

Emeric was just getting started, he had a plan to get her riled and angry. He waited until she was about to take another drink before he used his staff and knocked the bladder from her hands and onto the ground.

"Oops." He said gripping the staff.

She glared at him and lunged with her staff leading the way as she was going to beat him with the stick. He caught it and held her captive against him. She wiggled against him, as he held the staff below her breasts where they spilled over it. His mouth was suddenly dry.

"I surrender." Crimsyn groaned and fell to the ground.

"Maybe next time." Emeric said leaving.

"My book Emeric." She called after him.

"I said when you win I shall return it. You lost, so it will remain mine until you beat me." He said walking away.

She growled and screamed in aggravation as she lay in the grass grumbling. Her arms hurt, but that book had sketches of him in an unholy light. There was one sketch she now prayed she had torn and burned once she'd finished it. She knew the truth though, she could never bring herself to destroy one of her drawings even ones that she would need to repent for months for forgiveness.

"I have to get that book back before he sees it." She said to herself as she took her pride and her staff back to the manor and up to her chambers to bathe.

Crimsyn lay in bed unsure of what she could and should do, she needed to get that book back and fast.

Over the next few days Crimsyn attempted to retrieve her book, or even the drawings that could damn her. Each attempt failed, she was almost caught sneaking around and digging through his private things. No such luck. Though everytime she saw Emeric, he had the book on his person.

"Crimsyn you look as if you are about to murder the beef." Maude said pulling her out of her delusions.

"Sorry Maude," She said releasing the mangled cut and tossing it into the stew pot, "just a little flustered I guess. My ego hurts."

"Ah, well why not challenge his highness to a rematch. Retrieve your lost ego." Maude said stirring the pot.

Crimsyn smiled and jumped a little at the idea, why hadn't she thought of that.

"He's out sparring with his knights." Maude said with a knowing smile.

"Thank you Maude!'' Crimsyn said excitedly.

She hugged Maude tight and ran out to the stables. Leaving the staff at the door way Crimsyn stood watching as the knights sparred with each other. Each of them ready for battle, not a one off their guard.

"Come to admire my men? See if one of them will take you home." Emeric said from behind as he put his hand on her hip.

"I have come for my book. I want it back and I want it back now." She said removing his hand from her hip.

"No can do Princess. See you have to fight me for it and win, I will not give it to you that easily." He said with a smile as he pulled it out of his saddle bag.

"I demand a rematch. At the oak tree, the torches will be lit and I will not stop until I have my book back." Crimsyn said crossing her arms over her chest.

Emeric smiled and his eyes were drawn to her chest, "Challange accepted. See you at the Oak Tree."

Nodding she made one last attempt to take the book from him so as to avoid the spar, but he held it just out of reach. She left flustered.

"Weren't ya gonna tell 'er that 'er brother be on his way to bring the wee lass home?" One of his men asked from behind.

"I have another month with the girl. Might as well show her how to defend herself." Emeric said before he dismissed his men to the gally for supper.

Emeric began his way to the tree, bringing his saddle bags to hold the book and keep her focused. He had a plan to make it interesting.