<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ashburne - Amberthorne</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/05/Graham_Ellery_1.jpg)<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Graham Ellery</strong></span></div></div><div class="floatleft">(http://)</div>It seemed that life just did not want to give either of them any chance to relax, for once. Hardly surprising since it was the norm over much of both their lives. Still, for a few moments, it had seemed liked Asher's intimate surprise would have given the day a positive book-end. Just as things were beginning to heat up, though, frantic slamming on the door warned them that something was amiss. This was followed soon after by shouting and a commotion down below in the gardens. It could mean only one thing, and Graham's stern expression as he turned to Asher said it all. Meg. Leaving their passion behind in the room, Graham threw on his tunic and met the guardsman at the door, making sure to order the man ahead so that no one would see Asher coming from his room. There were still quite a few people in their employ oblivious to their relationship and the young lord wanted to keep it that way. Openly homosexual relations were frowned upon deeply by the noble circles as it did not lend itself well to heirs and the continuation of high society. The Ellery name did not need more fuel on the fire that was already burning everything the name stood for. It frustrated him, and he knew Asher felt the same, but there was precious little they could do, at least until their situation was more stable. Until then, sneaking around was the only option they had.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>"The stablemaster saw someone skulking across the courtyard. The man had been headed for the fruit trees. They overlook your private quarters, my lord, we suspect he may have been targeting you or the lady O'Hourihane,"</strong> the guardsman explained while Graham nodded calmly.<br/><strong>"The latter seems far more likely given what we've gotten ourselves involved with. Tell the others to try and capture the assailant alive. But if he threatens anyone's life, take him down permanently, I do not want death on my hands because of my curiosity."</strong><br/><strong>"Yes, my lord."</strong><br/>By that point, Asher would have caught up to his lord, who seemed exceedingly worried. <strong>"If lady O'Hourihane's detractors are resolute enough to bury this issue to send assassins, then we need to double our efforts. I'm going to bring this to the attention of the Supreme Court in the capital. I don't care that we don't have anywhere near enough evidence yet, the paperwork'll take time to clear anyway, but it would allow us to use any further attempts as incriminating evidence. Even if we don't get a confession out of this intruder, who else would have it out for her?"</strong> he was thinking out loud, his mind already working on what to do several steps for now, as they hadn't even caught the bastard yet. He hoped he hadn't gotten to Meg yet. He had given her his word that she would be safe under his watch...<br/><br/>When they reached the guards, they were quickly pointed in the direction of the intruder who seemed to now be making a mad dash for his mark. Maybe he knew he had been detected? Whatever the case, he had a lead on them and it wasn't going to be easy catching up, given the speed of the male. As Asher began to rush after him, Graham gave the order for some of the guards to accompany their captain, while he reached for the crossbow in the hands of a guardsman to his right. He leveled the weapon and began to take aim, slowing his breathing by taking intermittent, deep breaths.<br/><em>*Come on... Lead the shot...*</em> it had been a long time since he'd last had to turn a ranged weapon on another human being. It was different from target practice, and different from hunting. But as he pulled the trigger, he felt a pang of pride as the bolt flew perfectly between two trees and embedded itself right into the side of the man's knee, instantly crippling him and having him fall forward. His cry of pain removed any semblance of peace and quiet left that night. He would still be dangerous, but Graham trusted Asher to deal with him safely.<br/><br/>He returned the weapon to its original owner and rushed after the others to be able to interrogate the would-be assassin. It was in his approach that he caught sight of something from the corner of his eyes. The flash of a dress, followed by a familiar face.<br/>Meg.<br/>So that was why he was headed for the fruit trees. What a peculiar passtime for a lady like her. He broke off his pursuit and halted by the thick trunk, calling out up to her.<br/><strong>"Miss O'Hourihane, would you mind informing me why you believe it was a good idea to be out here by yourself? Climbing, no less? Do you need help descending?"</strong> chaos in his household, and people wondered why he sometimes seemed such a grumpy, reluctant host...</div>