<strong>Ashburne - Amberthorne</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/54/29/2e/54292eda7aecbf7e8de1395949b4700a.jpg)<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Asher Bray</strong></span></div></div>Asher dashed across the yard with a burning urgency, propelled by the burgeoning frustration of being wrenched from the arms of his lover, with the added insult of discovering that it was due to an attempted breech inside Amberthorne.  Someone dared to come onto the property uninvited, with malicious plans to stir up mischief and even cause harm to those under Asher’s protection.  He was sure it had something to do with none other than their guest, Meg, but he would have definite confirmation once the bastard’s neck was in his grasp.<br/><br/>During the hectic process of throwing on their clothes – albeit some articles would still be found strewn on Graham’s bedroom floor – Asher had managed to put back on the essentials, though the garments were still a bit askew.  He could easily explain away his disheveled state as simply 'prioritizing' after being abruptly awakened, having little time to prepare when the alarmed shouts indicated it was critical he make an immediate appearance.  There’d been enough time to grab the essentials, including his weapons, and emerge from the mansion to be thrusted in the center of madness.<br/><br/>The intruder put a curve in his trajectory, hoping to put more distance between his pursuer, but it only gave Graham the advantage of a clear shot without risking a hit to his Captain.  Asher barely caught sight of the bolt before it pierced the man’s leg, sending him tumbling to the ground with his screams of pain filling the night.  The distance was closed between them within seconds, and Asher approached with caution as the man grunted, holding his shin to keep his knee bent, as if hoping to squeeze the agony from his joint.  They were away from the torchlight illuminating from the side of the house to the first trees, so Asher had to rely on instinct and experience to map out the wailing shadow.<br/><br/>A dagger was gripped in his right hand, the blade hanging next to his leg as he assumed a defensive position, and moved forward to loom above the man.<br/><br/>The slash through the air gave Asher enough of a warning to dance out of the blade’s way, and when the hand’s clumsy arc was completed, the Captain’s boot landed on the man’s wrist, effectively pinning it to the dewy grass.  The knife was scooped up and secured in his belt, which earned him a few choice words.<br/><br/>“Who sent you,” his voice was calm, with a dangerous edge.  He would get the information one way or another; the methods he used on attaining it was up to the intruder.  His question was ignored.  The other boot kicked the injured knee, and more shuddering screams filled the air.  Asher waited patiently for the anguished sobs to quiet down, seeing if his question would remain unanswered.<br/><br/>A wad of spit was sent in a violent spray upon his boot, making the Captain lose his patience.  Dagger sheathed, his right fist came down hard on the man’s face; twice, in quick succession, with the second rendering him unconscious.  By that point a crew of guards approached, bringing with them flame to light up the area.<br/><br/>“Take him to the dungeon.  See that he is treated, and prepare him for questioning.”  He ordered to no one in particular; the men were disciplined to work together as a team to act on his commands.  He trusted they would be able to handle it without his supervision, so he started to make his way to the house.<br/><br/>The chase had opened his shirt enough to bare most of his chest, and the tie that had secured his dark hair was now gone, lost somewhere in the yard, leaving those raven locks to frame his strong features in wild abandon.  Everything about his expression was severe, from the hard line of his mouth to the heavy frown lines between his brows.  If the intruder hadn’t been stopped in time… if the house had been none the wiser…<br/><br/>He came upon the crowd of guards and household staff, moving to the center to find Graham and Meg.  “He’s unconscious and will be secured for questioning,” he explained to his Lord, though the whole time he was looking at Meg.  Concern spurned his anger, and at the moment he was shaken enough to ring her by that pretty neck.  Jaw clenched, eyes coldly fierce as they settled on the woman.  “Go climbing often, Meg?”<br/>