It would be a far more intimate one and when he grew tired of her she would be shipped on to the next man and the next, until she was too old to be of interest to anyone and then she would be used to clean floors or some other low task until she finally found peace in death.
"Krista it's time to go."
She turned and nodded at Rugar and stooped down to pick up the bags, but he beat her to it.
"Thank you Rugar. Thank you for everything you've always done to care for me."
His hard to read steely eyes were clouded unusually, as he stared at her for a moment and then he offered his arm like a man of high society would to a lady and she took it as a high born lady would.
Later in the twilight of the evening Krista and Rugar stood waiting in a darkened alleyway near the inn where they were to meet up with Roric and Zarsha. Krista heard the clatter of a carriage draw near and then she saw it stop at the inn. She moved to step forward, but Rugar suddenly barred her way with one of his powerful arms. She looked at him questioningly noting the tenseness of his body in response to some unseen danger in the darkness. He met her eyes and shook his head sharply no. Krista looked back at the carriage before the inn.
Roric and Zarsha had gotten out of it and the carriage continued down the street. There seemed to be no one around, when suddenly shadowy figures seemed to materialize from everywhere and surrounded Roric and Zarsha.
Krista gasped and turned to Rugar, "We need to warn Sebastian!"
"No, it's too late."
"How do you know that?"
Just then there was the rumble of an explosion and a flash of light that lit up the evening's gloom.
Rugar finalized, "It's too late. Come we must leave this place at once before the dark ones find us."
Sebastian had watched his grand nephew and the sweet little girl leave in the carriage and then he had seen his passion flower for the last time, as she had left with Rugar. Then he had seen them, the dark ones. They had found him after all.
They came closer towards his home like wary dogs finding their way through an unknown lair. Let them come, Sebastian thought to himself. His work here was finished. He had served his God, country and family well. Now he would go out equally well.
He could hear doors being opened as they made their way into the house and began to search through it. None of his servants were home because he had sent them all away. He had been expecting the dark ones to pay him a visit. Sebastian turned away from the window and moved back to his desk. He sat down in his time worn seat to wait. He didn't have to wait long.