So I have recently started watching this series and I am totally hooked. After watching the Episode where Bash gets run through it could not stop me from wondering what would have happened if the Lady Delphine had not found Bash. Instead, his brother goes in search of him.

Stay with my Big Brother

The cold bit at Bash's face as he continued to pick the stones out that agitated his horse's delicate hooves. His day had been long and he knew that he needed to get his horse sorted soon in order to get back to the castle before nightfall. Suddenly the crack of a branch breaking sounded in the cold winter air. Bash's head shot up as his eyes scanned the woods around him. He could see a shape moving from behind some trees and he squinted as he tried to get a better look.

'Who's there?' he asked fear touched his voice.

Suddenly a searing hot pain pierced through his abdomen as a voice sounded behind him.

'A friend' it replied.

Blood began to spill from Bash's lips as he looked down to the long sword that protruded from his body. His attacker pulled the sword out and Bash collapsed to the ground, blood had already soaked through his clothes. Rolling onto his back, his eyes wide as he realised it to be the man he had stripped of his title merely hours before.

'Your brother the King can't protect you now' he stated as a smirk crossed his lips.

Bash's head fell to the snow as it became harder and harder to breathe, blood filled his mouth and spilt onto his cheeks as the darkness of unconsciousness took him.

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Francis paced around his room as he anxiously waited for his brother to return, it was not like Bash to take this long. He grew more and more concerned as his gut began to twist in worry. The sound of a door opening broke the silence as Mary walked into the room, she adorned a white dress that was detailed with intricate Gold thread that shone as the light of the fire hit her. Despite everything that was happening between them, he could not help but admire her beauty, her dark brown hair tumbled over her shoulders and a small diamond tiara sat perfectly upon her head.

'My Lord, why do you pace so?' She asked as she perched on a seat sat beside the fire.

'Bash has yet to return and I fear for his safety. He has not been himself since he and Kenna ended their relationship with one another.' Francis paused for a moment as he walked toward the open window 'He was out looking for blood and I fear that he found it.'

'If you are concerned, send a party out to find him.' Mary replied as she looked at the flames.

'He headed north to speak with a subject that was abusing his post. He is at least a two-hour ride from here.' Stated Francis as he turned to look at Mary 'Perhaps I am over reacting but if he is hurt we may not get to him in time.' He finished as he perched himself on the edge of his desk.

For a long while, silence filled the room. Since Francis had given Mary permission to be with Conde, they were unable to hold any form of conversation without one snapping at the other. Francis looked at his Queen, she looked content as she sat beside the fire. It was the first time in quite some time that he had seen her look like she was at peace. It hurt his heart to know that it wasn't him that gave her that, but his cousin.

'I shall go out in search of him.' Said Francis suddenly, rousing Mary to look at him with concerned filled eyes.

'Francis, I am sure that Sebastian is fine. He is a fine warrior and can take care of himself. He's probably just trying to avoid another run-in with Kenna.' Mary stated as she continued to hold his gaze.

'I am going Mary, I know that something has happened. I can feel it, and as I have learned, its best I trust my instincts.' He finished as he left the room abruptly, leaving Mary sat by the fire with her thoughts.

Francis was quick to saddle up his horse, Leith at his side as they galloped off into the fading sun. For a what felt like an age they ran, not stopping for rest, Francis knew his brother was close. It was almost dark now and the woods were getting exceedingly hard to navigate, Leith knew they needed to stop soon but he could see the determination in his Kings eyes. They came to a holt so Francis could get his bearings, he didn't want to admit that as the light died he was struggling to find his way. All of a sudden, the sound of a horse screaming sounded in the distance.

'We aren't alone in these woods.' Stated Leith as his horse walked so he was stood beside Francis.

'Walk toward the sound,' Stated Francis as he urged his horse on 'only walk, we don't want to draw unwanted attention.' He finished as they walked quietly, farther into the woods. Very soon Francis could see the shape of a black horse through the trees. He dismounted his horse and crept closer to get a better look, it was Bash's horse. A smile crossed Francis' lips, his brother must have set up camp. After some time scanning his surroundings however he realised that he could not see his brother anywhere.

'Leith, that's Bash's horse. He can't be far. Stay here, I am going to see if I can find him.' He stated as he handed his mount's reigns to his friend.

'My lord surely I should go, it may be a trap.'

'This is my brother we're talking about here my friend, I must be the one to find him.'

Leith nodded in agreement and Francis began to creep toward his brother's horse. As he got closer in the dimming light, he noticed a black shape sprawled across the floor. Francis' heart began to race as he got closer and closer to the figure, suddenly he could see blood in the snow that surrounded it. At that moment Francis' heart sunk, he ran towards it, it was Bash. He was in a bad way, the snow beneath him was red with his blood and his clothes were soaked. Blood from his mouth spilt over his cheeks and down his neck.

'BASH!' shouted Francis suddenly as he sank to his brother's side.

He pulled his brother into his arms, he was cold but still breathing, the cold must have slowed down the bleeding.

'Bash, bash if you can hear my please wake up.' Said Francis, his voice cracking as tears began to form.

Leith heard his king shout and immediately ran to his friend's aid, what met him was a shock. The king's deputy, lying in the blood-soaked snow with his brother cradling him in his arms. Bash started to stir, his face creasing in pain. Suddenly he let out a blood-curdling cry as his eyes shot open.

'Francis' he said softly as he coughed causing more blood to spill from his lips. 'Francis I'm sorry.'

'Shhhh, don't say anything big brother. We're going to get you home.' Stated Francis as he rocked his brother gently.

Leith inspected Sebastian's wound, he knew it was bad. Death was coming, and soon.

'My lord, I don't think he will survive a journey back to the castle.' Leith stated as he stood up.

'We must try.' Replied Francis 'I won't let him die here.'

Leith nodded and walked back to his horse to fetch bandages.

'Stay with me big brother…' Francis rested his forehead against Bash's 'Please don't leave me.' He finished as tears began to fall freely down his cheeks.

'The man that attacked me,' said Sebastian as he stopped for breath 'It was the man I came to see. I stripped him of his title, he attacked me for revenge.' He finished as his face creased in pain.

Leith wrapped up Bash's wound tightly, he knew that Francis' plan to get him back to the castle was likely to kill his Bash. However, he helped his king none the less. Francis mounted his horse and then had Leith put Bash in front of him, he could feel his brother's warm blood seeping onto his clothes, they needed to leave now. Once Leith had mounted his horse they were away, galloping into the night, Bash's horse being led by Leith. They once again ran for hours without stopping, Francis' tunic was now drenched with his brother's blood. His horse grunted in displeasure at being forced to run without respite, but Francis couldn't stop, not now. Eventually, the lights of the castle could be seen in the distance, Francis smiled as he pulled his steed to a brief holt.

'We're almost home Bash, hold on big brother.'

Bash's head rested upon his brother's shoulder, he was growing weaker and weaker, his head lolling to one side.

'Bash?' said Francis 'Bash can you hear me?' asked Francis, terror filled his voice.

'I'm here little brother' replied Bash weakly 'Francis the pain, please help me.'

Francis' heart began to race, he held to his brother tightly as he readied himself to ride. Bash let out another scream, the pain clearly becoming too much for him to bear. Then his whole body went limp.

'BASH?' Shouted Francis as he shook his brother. When he received no answer, he kicked his horse into a gallop, he had to save his brother.

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So this is the first instalment of this story, I hope you like and I will try to get the next chapter up soon. I have a few other stories that need to be updated soon also.