Sir Jean de Lyon, champion of the downtrodden rode his steed through the night toward the castle of the Count de Montenegro. He was steadfast in his task as he neared the castle.

When his warhorse threw a shoe outside of the tiny village he was on his way to Paris on a pilgramage to Notre Dame to offer his services to the king. But the blacksmith and his family were distraught when he asked for aid in shoeing his horse.

After explaining that they had given their oldest daughter in bondage for the tiny debt of a few gold coins, Jean grew livid and angry. He was determined to right the wrong.

Sir Jean approached the castle at dusk and approached the gate as it was being lowered for the night. His warsteed lept into the inner courtyard.

The guards were dumbfounded but acted quickly. Sir jean swung his sword and headed his horse into the castle keep.

Violet after her ordeal with the count was sweeping and crying plaintively at being treated so cruelly as she heard the commotion and the sound of horse's hooves on the stone floor.

Hearing her name being called by Sir Jean as he rode through the castle she turned in his direction. She called out, "I am violet."

Violet had been described by her father but when Sir Jean laid eyes on the beautiful face framed by the long brown curls he was smitten. He hesitated a second as he cut down another guard and rushed in violet's direction.

With one mail-covered arm he scooped violet up in his arms and lay her across his saddle. In the same moment he let the bag of gold tied to his saddle fall to the floor, payment for the blacksmith's debt.

The steel-shod hooves of the warhouse came down on a guard as he lept back the way he came and out of the castle at a gallop and into the night.

After heading deep into the forest at the edge of the mountains did he stop and gently let the blacksmith's daughter down to the ground.

Looking up at Sir Jean confused the girl then bows down before the knight. Sir jean gets down from his horse and takes the petite beauty in his arms.

"I have been sent from your father, dear lady. But once I laid eyes on you I fear I want you for myself. But talk of that can wait. We must get you to safety."

They look at one another for a long moment of time.

Sir Jean murmurs a faint "Forgive me.," as he leans forward and kisses violet with a kiss rapt with promise and passion.