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The day began as had every day since Cat O'Conner could remember. The chambermaid came in to help her with her toiletries and to get dressed, but something told her that today was going to be different somehow. Her senses were heightened, she could feel it, no taste it, in the air. Her heart soared with anticipation. "Miss Cat, is there anything you wish for me to do before I go about my duties today?" Maddy, the chambermaid, asked of her, pulling her out of her musings. Maddy and Cat had been paired together for years, there was only 1 yr difference in their ages, Maddy being the eldest. It was amazing how their friendship was so close given the class difference. Cat was the daughter of Lord Kraven and Lady Serene of the O'Conner Keep on the English border. Her father was granted this keep in his youth for great heroism in the Crusades. But for all the blood ties her familial ties with Maddy were strong for some reason. Maybe it was because they practically grew up together, exploring the Keeps hidden passages and playing together as best friends, not seeing class as the grown folk did. "No, Maddy, and please, don't call me miss when we are alone. You are my friend, and it hurts to have to keep up formalities like that." Maddy gave her a look of complete love and adoration,"Alright, Cat, only in private, though. Your father would give a right good flogging if he heard me call you by anything other than the respectful title. I don't think I like that idea atall." Walking out of the room with her linens and things for wash, she was laughing and smiling. Cat loved to hear that melodical sound from her best friend. Maddy was a beautiful woman and on many occasion while walking around the keep, Cat had noticed the look the guardsmen gave them. They were 14 and 15, curious of the stares but never questioned why until Maddy came in one day to tell her she was in love. At first, Cat was jealous of this mystery man who took up more of Maddy's free time, but she soon let it be because she saw the happiness in her friend's eyes. Cat often caught herself daydreaming of the day she would fall in love. He would be perfect. Tall,dark and mysterious, and yet so adoring and gentle with her. He would have her father's daring and never lose his temper in anyway. Aahhh, the dreams of inexperience. 'Well, it's time for morning meal.' She thought to herself as she took one last glance into the mirror. Satisfied with her look, she left her room in the eastern wing upstairs of the keep. As she came down the stairs she heard voices unfamiliar to her ears. "I shall be honoured, sir, if you should let me woo your daughter's hand", the voice was thick and heavy with what sounded like utmost respect for her father. Someone was asking permission to woo his daughter,'How sweet...wait...thats me!!!' Her heart began to sputter with nervous energy. Slowly, knowing to be as quiet as can be, she made her way to the door of her father's study to listen to more. "As I have told you before, Lucean, I do not believe that she is old enough for the responsibility of being wooed and married. She is only 14, for pities' sake!" Her father's voice was patient but it was also hardened to warn off any argument. There seemed to be an eternity of silence before Lucean spoke again. " My Lord, I understand your fondness for your daughter, but may I be so bold as to point out that girls her age are already married and baring children to their husbands?" At this insolence, her father bellowed for him to leave and to not come back at all for her hand. "She will have her husband when she is ready!" Cat ran to hide in the alcove just below the study and it offered her enough view to see this tall, dark, and handsome figure emerge from her father's study in a huff. There was something familiar about him somehow. The dark tan, the brooding eyes, the thick set of his shoulders. Oh, no sense in trying to make him out. Father says no and that is set in stone as far as he is concerned. She didn't give him another thought, instead headed to the Great Hall for morning meal. She was seated next to her mother when her father came in. He looked as if nothing transpired between him and Lucean. Mother sat on his right side, dressed in a beautiful dark purple frock, tied underneath her breasts to show off her swelling belly. The thought of a baby after 14 yrs was so exciting to her that she sewed all her clothing to show off her growing stomach. Cat was excited too. She would be an older sister. A wishfulness came over her, 'Oh please please please let it be a sister.' she prayed in silence. To whom, she did not know. Her parents gave her the teachings of the church but she felt there was something more than that. Something she couldn't put her finger on, but there nonetheless. The morning progress normally, mother sewing dutifully by the hearth in the Great Hall, with her ladies. Father in his study, going over the plans and needs of the keep. Cat strolled through the private garden, taking in the many scents that assailed her: roses, jasmine,daffodil, the many beautiful flowers that the gardener so miraculously coaxed out of the hard turf. She sat on the wooden bench that someone carved yrs ago, aged but yet still so sturdy. If one was to observe her from a distance they would see a very handsome young woman. She was tall and slender with beautiful curly raven hair. Her skin glowed with her youth, fair as if she were a porcelain doll. Her lips were bright red and a full natural pucker. They were oft times described by the guardsmen as kissable lips. As she sat there in the garden, lost in her own thoughts and fantasies, she felt a faint caress on her cheek, as if the wind were touching her...but the was no wind. She got the peculiar feeling of being watched but the garden was secluded only the highest tower could see in. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her.

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Lucean was furious. How could that man deny his offer of marriage? Was he not good enough? Did he not come from a good enough family? He was the first son of the Camden Keep. She would become the Lady of Camden. He would have her, come hell or high water, he would have that masterpiece called Caterina O'Conner. Immediately, his mind started out the plan. He would find a few of his most loyal men and lay out the details to them, in a few days she would be his wife. With or without Lord Kraven's permission. He was coming out of the stables, when he caught sight of her, in the garden. His breath left him at the stunning sight. 'Soon, my sweet Cat. You will be mine', he thought in his mind.

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"Where is Caterina, Maddy?", Lady Serene asked. She hadn't seen her daughter since morning meal and she hoped to get her measurements for her winter clothing so she could start early on the sewing. "She is in the garden, melady, enjoying the warm sun and daydreams.", Maddy smiled caringly at the woman sitting at the fireplace. Lady Serene treated her so kindly, as if she were kin, no less! She praised the gods constantly for the wonderful people who employed her. She could've been born to people less fortunate that had a lord and lady who treated them as slaves and animals instead of human beings. "How are your studies, my dear?", the lady's question shook Maddy out of her thoughts and back to the present. Her studies were her life! When Lady Serene convinced Lord Kraven to let her become an apprentice under the keeps wise woman/ midwife, she was estatic. She was honored and humbled at the same time. No other lord would allow servants to study under anyone except the ones that pertained to household chores. This way, she would be present when the baby came. She could witness and learn, through hands on experience. She would become a healer. "Oh, melady, I enjoy the lessons so greatly. I am learning so much. Kera is preparing me for the birth, she said she wanted me there to see exactly how things go.", her eyes shone bright just thinking of it. "You just be sure and not tell Caterina every gorey detail, you might scare her off from even trying to find a beau." The lady laughed her beautiful laugh, it was like music to the servants. It would always put them in the best of moods, and make them go about their tasks gladly."Would you go and fetch Cat for me, Maddy? I wish to have the measurements as soon as I can. Thank you ever so much." Maddy curtsied and rushed out to the garden to find her mistress and best friend.

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He watched her closely, noticed her nervous discomfort. She felt him again, he knew it. If she only knew who he was and what she was and could accept it, there would be so many endless possibilities for his love for her. He was in love, and he had to take some sort of measures to insure that she does not marry another. He had been her pet for 2 years now and he couldn't help himself. He had never seen such a perfect being before in his life. He just couldn't bear his life without her in it. If she refused to turn, then he would greet the sun. That was all there was to it. He felt that he had to reveal himself in some way or the other, maybe come as a suitor to her father and try it that way. 'Damn, here comes that twit Maddy. What does she want?', he didn't like her. Maybe it was because she was close to his precious Cat, or maybe it was the magicks he sensed in her. Either way she always found a way to distract Cat from her time in the garden with him. He had a sneaky suspicion that she knew that he wasn't what he seemed. That he wasn't really a cat. "Your mother needs you, Cat, to get measurements for the winter clothing," Maddy whispered her name so the others wouldn't hear her being too familiar with her mistress. "Oh, I don't want to do that right now! I am so comfortable, at peace. Its always this way here somehow. I think my kitty here gives me comfort." Maddy looked down at Prince Charming, scowling at him. "Why do you insist on holding that pest? He is full of fleas and mites. He's filthy." He got up and stretched and hopped down off of Cat's lap. There was no use in trying to stare her down, she would get more suspicious of him. "See, you've gone and hurt the poor thing's feelings," Cat said playfully. She loved the cat. He was sleek and black. The way he moved like liquid, and the way he comforted her even when she felt like she didn't need it, is what captures her loving attention to the creature. "Tell mother I shall come at once." She knew that she enjoyed the times she spent with her mother, she just hated leaving the serenity of the garden and the warm feel of the cat on her lap. Slowly, she walked into the keep through the kitchen, where she took a small roll out of the bread basket and asked to see what was for the noon meal. Afterwards, she headed into the Great Hall to see her mother at the fireplace with her ladies, sewing and talking happily. "How do you fare today, Mother?" Cat bent down and planted a kiss on her mother's cheek and sat down to discuss the colours and designs for this winters clothing.

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Lord Kraven was in his study with the captain of the guards, Johns, discussing with him the workings of the Keep. "What about the harvest? Do we have plenty for the village and the Keep?" Kraven always thought of his people first, ruled with a gentle but firm hand. The people adored their lord and lady, greatly appreciated the many gifts and the love that was given to them. "Aye, melord, the harvest was aplenty this season. I am sure there will be a great feast in the village soon." Johns was a sturdy man of his early 30's. Not tall but not short either. He was plain of sight, nothing special to make him stand out in a crowd but once you made him your friend it was for good. There was something about his demeanor when among friends that made you love him more every time you were with him. He adored Cat, was there the day she was born, watched her grow into the lady she was today. "My lord, I have a question, if I may?" he was respectful with his request. "Yes, speak your mind," Lord Kraven knew what he was going to ask but let him ask anyways. "Lord Lucean was here to ask for Cat's hand, was he not?", Johns always voiced his opinions when it came to Cat. "Yes, what of it?", Kraven knew it was coming. " My lord, if I may be so bold to offer advice about that man. He is trouble. He is spoiled and thinks he should get whatever he wants no matter what anyone says. If I were you I would watch out for this man, he may take things into his own hands." Kraven didn't expect this, but he brought out a good point. Kraven had known Lucean's family, had known Lucean since he was born. His parents gave him everything and let him go about with no rearing at all. He wasn't prepared to take over the Keep when it came his time. He was a trouble maker like Johns had said. "Maybe you're right, Johns, I believe we should keep an eye on things around here more closely for a while." They sat there a little longer than usual, discussing the details of guarding Cat from Lucean and his devious ways.

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After noon meal, Cat had her lessons with her tutor, Brother Damien. Cat adored the older man, with all his knowledge and wisdom, the man was a bumbling forgetful old priest. She could sit there in study for on half an hour and the priest would dismiss her thinking that the alloted 2 hours were up. She used to take advantage of it, but mother found out and made her stay the whole time. "You must learn to become a lady so you can run a keep of your own when you get married," she would always remind her when Cat decided to complain a little. Of course, she was right. It was time to grow up and accept responsibility. To learn to be a lady of a keep. She wished it were O'Conner keep, but knew that if mother were to have a boy then it was to go to him. Oh, how she prayed for a sister. That way she didn't have to get used to a different keep, she didn't have to make her mark on other servants. They knew her here, they loved and respected her. If mother did have a boy then it was over for her. She was going to leave and go to a convent, so she wouldn't have to marry. The men who showed up day after day, asking for her hand and insisting upon meeting her were tiresome. She longed for someone like minded, someone who knew that she was more than just a contract of peace between families. Sometimes, she imagined that Prince Charming were a man, not a cat. He was the only one who made her feel at peice, for some reason. He came to her in her dreams, not in cat form but the form of a handsome young prince, takes her hand and leads her into love and bliss. Oh, if it weren't only a dream. 'Where is that cat, anyways?', she thought as she was walking to the practice yard to watch father fence and parry with the young paiges, as she had for as long as she could remember. Father always said she gave the young men encouragement when she showed up, but she only came because she adored her father and he was the only one that she was interested in watching. Kraven was a very handsome man,Cat could only hope to have a husband as nice and caring and handsome as her father. She sat there daydreaming of the day her father would tell her that he had approved of the most wonderful man to be her husband. Tall, elegant...he would command attention yet not harsh at all. All of the sudden she was jerked out of her reverie by something warm jumping in her lap. "Oh, Prince, why couldn't you be the man of my dreams?" she whispered in the cat's ear as she snuggled him close. Then the strangest thing happened, a thought not her own came back in answer,' I will be yours forever. Have patience and it will be soon.' She got chilled just by that thought. Cat looked down into the cat's deep green eyes and suddenly felt like things were going to be alright, that somehow Prince Charming will take care of her, for the rest of her life. It seemed silly, but she believed it with all of her heart. She knew that this special animal somehow would make all her dreams come true. "Caterina!", she jerked up to see her father standing in front of her with an impatient look on his face. "You were off in your own little world again, weren't you?" his demeanor soften with a smile. He remembered holding her on his lap when she was young and telling her the fairy tales of knights in shining armor rescuing the beautiful princess from the mean old dragon. He wondered if she daydreamed of those stories or if her imagination made it bigger and better. "Oh, Father, I didn't realize you were standing over me. I must have been in my own little world to miss your match. Please forgive me for my inattention." Her father started laughing at this point, she could see that he was making jests of her. She jumped up and threw her arms around the man she loved more than any in this world.

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Lucean sat in the dark corner of Rita's Pub, waiting for his men to arrive. He was still seething from the denial Kraven gave. 'How dare he deny me what's rightfully mine. What makes him so high and mighty? I will just have to take him down a few notches, and taking Cat as mine will be just the thing to do it.' His way of thinking was so twisted that he actually believed that Cat would love the idea of being whisked away to another keep and taken forcefully as wife. For as long as he could remember, he had wanted her for his own, wanted to control that spirit of hers until she loved him with all she was. The sad thing was in reality, if Cat had recognized him, she would have been very grateful to her father for refusing Lucean. His men arrived on the appointed time and they set about making plans to take Caterina O'Conner from her home. ______________________________________________________________________________ Just before dusk, the O'Conner Keep recieved an unexpected arrival. The man claimed to be a lord from London, but for the life of him, Lord Kraven couldn't place the family name as being a familiar one. Donovan McInna had explained that his family had only gained favor and title in the past year. The king had rewarded his family with large parcels of land by way of Scotland, and titles for faithful service to the throne for the past 30 yrs. He also informed Lord Kraven that his father, Kye McInna, had spoken highly of the O'Conner Keep and he had chosen to come here to see for himself the beauty of it. With Lord Kraven's ego sated, Donovan gained access to the Keep and to complete his mission.... The evening meal was delightful. Donovan regaled the family with stories of the goings on in London, Cat seemed completely entranced with his stories, she knew him yet she couldn't place where she had met him. The lord and lady seemed to be enjoying this unexpected guest immensely. After the meal, Donovan excused himself from their company and went to relax from the long journey.

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