The pain was excruciating. Bash's middle felt like it was being torn in two. He screamed until he blacked out.

He came to slowly, vision blurred, his mouth dry as the desert. Was he dead? No he was in too much pain to be dead.

When his vision finally focused he could see Sister Delphine sitting at his side. He tried to sit up.

"Don't. I've saved your life, but it will take a few hours before you are healed completely." She said. He let his head fall back down, as he passed out again.

When he woke again, she was gone. He looked down at his mid section. The wound was almost gone. He looked around the room for some water. He found some and drank it down quickly. He went outside to see if she was there, but she was nowhere to be found. He had no idea how long he was unconscious and it looked like it was getting late. To continue his mission after what had happened would be a bad idea. He saw his horse tied up just outside the fence and decided it was time to go home. He felt foolish for taking off the way he did, and he'd almost died for it. He left her a note thanking her in case she returned and left for the castle.

When he arrived back at the castle, he made his way through the uncharacteristically quiet halls. Where was everyone? He was going back to his room to clean up and he ran into Leith.

"Leith. Has everyone gone off to some event I'm unaware of?" He asked.

"You haven't heard?" He said.

"Heard what? I've been gone." He said. Leith then noticed his torn, bloody shirt.

"I can see you had fun." He said sarcastically, but then changed his tone to a more somber one. "It's the king, he's fallen ill. No one's really up for socialization." He explained.

"What do you mean ill? What's wrong with him?" Bash asked, panic on his voice.

"The doctors say he has an ear infection..." He said. Bash's mind immediately went to Sister Delphine's warning. 'Oh God, I may have killed my own brother.' He thought.

"I have to see him." He said taking off toward his room, not giving Leith a chance to reply.

When he got there, he opened the door to find Catherine at his bedside in tears. She looked up at him momentarily but said nothing.

"It's true then." He said, as his eyes started to well up. He walked over slowly and knelt down next to the bed, taking hold of Francis's hand. "How long has he been like this?" He had to know if he'd caused this.

"Since last night." She replied trying to keep him from seeing the her tear stained face.

"I don't understand, he seemed fine when I left. How did this happen so quickly?" He asked not expecting an answer. He looked around. "Where's Mary?" He wondered.

"I don't know. No one's been able to find her." She choked out, not ready to explain to anyone where she really was. He thought he heard a hint of anger in her voice, but he chose to let it go. It wasn't the time. He was surprised she hadn't tried to kick him out of the room yet.

"He's going to die...isn't he?" She said. He didn't answer. They sat in silence for a moment, aside from Catherine's occasional sniffles. He wanted to say something, he hated seeing a woman cry. Especially a woman as strong as Catherine. It seemed almost unnatural. But he had no words that would help, so he simply put his hand over hers. To his surprise, she returned the gesture. They sat like that a little longer, until Bash could no longer take the thought that this might be his fault. He gave a quick squeeze to her hand.

"He'll be alright. He has to be." He said as he got up to leave. "I'll try to find Mary." He said as he walked out. He needed something to keep him occupied. Catherine almost hoped he would find her in the worst of situations. It's what she deserved. But she knew now was not the time for such things. Mary would need to rule until Francis was well...or god forbid until he died. She couldn't have her rule questioned right now. Chais would ensue. It would have to wait. She ran out after him.

"Bash. Wait. When you find her, she may be...in a...sensitive...situation." she tried speak as properly as she could. "Whatever...However you find her. You have to keep it to yourself...at least for the time being. For Francis's sake." She explained. Bash couldn't believe what she was insinuating. She must be mistaken. He nodded anyway, hoping she was wrong.

"Of course." He said, and went on his search.

Catherine went back to Francis's side. She didn't want to leave him. She felt guilty over what she'd done earlier. When he'd fainted, she panicked and ran to Narcisse. She knew it didn't make any sense, but she didn't know who else to talk to. She'd felt so alone in that moment. It had gone further than she'd intended. She'd never meant to sleep with him, but she had. She felt like a weak fool. Letting her emotions get the best of her, while her son lay unconscious in his bed...alone. She told herself nothing else would take her attention from him until he was well again. Nothing.

Bash pondered where she might hide. He had spent enough time at her side to know how she thinks, 'Although that form of thinking may have changed.' He told himself. He went down to the housing that lay just outside the castle. The rooms his mother used to live in, but hadn't been used since. When he got there he could see the candle light in the window and he knew he'd found them. He went to the door and tried to decide if he should knock or just walk in and catch them in the act. His decision was made easy by the door opening. Conde had opened it, and when he did Mary's lips were attached to his. They both noticed Bash standing there at the same time and quickly broke apart.

"B..B..Bash. What...What are you...I this isn't..." Mary wasn't sure how to react.

"Save it. I don't want to hear your excuses. There are more pressing matters at the moment." He said glaring at Conde.

"Pressing matters?" She asked.

"Francis has fallen ill with an ear infection. He's been unconscious all day." He said. Mary's hand flew to her mouth.

"Oh God." Her heart dropped into her stomach. Conde stood silent.

"You need to go back to the castle. Catherine thinks he might be dying." He said "That is if you can find the time." He started walking away.

"Bash I'm sor..." she began.

"Don't apologize to me...it would be falling on deaf ears." He said as he left. Mary stared out after him, tears starting to fill her eyes.