New Day - Chapter Thirteen

  
 
 

"Talking in Circles with a Child"
King Hawk
Princess Rowena

It took forever to see her brother.  He was off inspecting some room or
another Finally, he left Lord Alterian's offices but he didn't look happy.
He didn't seem to notice Rowena in the corner as he strode off so she
followed him.  
 
Hawk was still angry about the dungeons and having to kill the girl assasin.
And he worried if the Raven would be aprehended this time. The king was
totally oblivious to everything around him. 
 
"Hawk, you walk to fast." Rowena gasped from behind him.  It was hard to
keep up in skirts. Sometimes she wished girls could where leggings. 
 
He stopped. "I didn't notice you there, little bit." He said smiling. "Were
you looking for me?" 
 
"Yes." She answered. "May mother and I go home?" She looked to see if he
would be angry.  "I miss our home."  
 
"So do I, sweetheart."  He said with a small sigh. "you want to leave me
already?"
 
"I miss Bronwen and she should't be alone.  I miss our home and I miss the
freedom of fewer eyes.  Besides, you don't have time for me anyway." She
pointed out with a small pout.  "You are all so important now, like some
God."  
 
"You know that's not true."  It came about a little bit too harsh."  Sorry"
he sat down.  "I promised to make more time for you, don't you believe me?" 
 
"It is true.  I have a hard time finding you without all these people bowing
and kissing and stuff.  I want to go home.   Let me and  mother go home!"
She insisted, her little hands on her hips.   
 
He sighed. How would she understand that he needed both of them here,
especially with Arianna injured. He needed someone to fall back on badly. "I
am not a dictator, so I am not forcing you to stay." He said curtly. 

"Why do you care? I thought you would want someone with Bronwen or did you
not know she is home all alone." Rowena could tell he was angry with her and
she didn't understand why.

"She wanted to be alone. And she has our old nurse to look after her."

"You have a Queen and lots of staff." She pointed out.  "I miss our home. Do
you not miss it?" Rowena remembered walks in the forests and picnics.

"Of course I do!  Do you think I want to go back?  Arianna is still severely
wounded, I have so many things I need to be here for in the capital.  And
now my whole family is deserting me."  He was too angry to remember he was
talking to a small child.

"Well, I am not King." She pointed out.  "No one wants me to go back to the
druids, and no one wants me to be nine years old." Her eyes filled with tears.  "I
am not a doll." 
 
He cursed a little and then took his little sister in his arms. "Life is not
fair, little one.  Yet you are not completely correct, I think most people
would be very happy if you did act like a nine-year-old." 
 
"Then I want to go home.  We haven't been home... I can't remember when we
were last home?" She pointed out. 
 
"By all means, like I said before, I cannot stop you." 


"But you will be mad at me." she pouted. "And mother won't go if you are
displeased." Rowena pointed out.

"I'm not mad."  It was not a lie because he was sad.  "And I will order your
mother to go with you."

Rowena sighed. "No, that will make her upset." She bit her lip.  "I will find something
to do." 
 
"No."  He sighed.  "There is indeed enough for you to do here, but if you're not happy none of us will be." 
 
"Your not happy." She pointed out quietly.  "You haven't been happy since you came home." 
 
"I'm happy with Arianna, and the rest of the family." 
 
"Then how come I never see you smile?" Rowena asked. "You are always frowning at
me." Rowena pointed out.  "Hawk, do you remember when I promised not to do anything
about Morgan?" She said suddenly switching topics. 
 
"Yes."  He said very carefully. 
 
"I might have broke it.  I didn't mean to break it. I didn't think I was, but I think I might
have." She said in a rush of tumbling words.   
 
"What did you do, little one?"  He asked. 
 
"I .. I used the medallion to find the Raven for Sir Gwynne." She muttered. "Only.. only I think she knows."  
 
"Hell, do you think she is coming after you?"  No chance in hell Rowena was leaving the capital now. 
 
"I don't think so."  Rowena said. "But if she knows, won't she be waiting for Sir Gwynne?"
Rowena asked with concern. 
 
"Where is he?"
 
"He went to get her at a hunting lodge." Rowena said, biting her lip. "Are you angry with me?"
 
"You should have told me."  The King said.  "I'm not angry, I doubt that would help.  You know where the lodge is?"
 
"No, but he seemed to. He said it could only be one of two."  She siad quietly. 
 
Hawk cursed.  "I have no way of finding him." 
 
"I am sorry. I could try again." She offered. 
 
"Not if it's dangerous, I am not going to risk you."  He said firmly.
 
She didn't know if it were dangerous.  "Perhaps he told his squire?" She suggested.
"Or.. does he have a squire?"  She was not sure.  "Hawk, what shall I tell mother?" 
She switched subjects as only a child truly can do. 
 
"I don't know..huh?  Tell mother what?"  She confused him. 
 
Rowena let out a sigh of frustration.  "About going home!" She answered. 
 
"Sweetheart, you will have to wait I am afraid.  There is no chance I'm letting either of you out of the castle if the raven might be on to you.  I'm not being mean, I hope you understand that." 
 
"Okay." She answered, deflating somewhat.  "I am bored.  Diora is gone. I have no lessons."  
 
"Tell you what, you think about it, and come up with things you want to do, then we will discuss it."  Her brother said. 
 
She brightened somewhat. "All right. I will make you a list."  She had been practicing her letters and though she often still left blotches of ink, they were readable. 
 
"You do that, sweetheart, and remember don't do anything without talking to me first."  He admonished her.  
 
Rowena nodded and kissed him on the cheek before scurrying away.  She had much to think about. She still wanted to go home. But the Raven needed dealt with. She could see
her brother's belief on this. 
 
Hawk didn't feel well when she left.  He was sorry that he could not make her happy, and at the same time he was worried that she might not keep her word and do something foolish.  She would have to be guarded very closely.


-----------------------------------

"The Court of the King."

Sir Conor O'Fearghail &
King Ioerwerth

IC:

Conor had wrapped his cloak closely around his body, though his
general muscular form was not hidden, as it was accenuated by his
armor. His shiled, strapped to his back, was that of a Black Cross
with the insignia of a Red Dragon on it. The insignia was that of
the Duke who Knighted him. The Red Dragon also made an appearance
on his chest-plate. A War-Sword hung sheathed at his hip. He
carried the appearance of one who could easily stand his own in a
fight.

His horse breathed mist in the chill air of the early hours of the
morning. He nudged it on with a slight pressure to its sides. It
wasnt long before they happened upon a city, that of Abertawe, home
of a his King. He was going to swear allegiance to the King.

He dismounted at the gate of the Keep of the Kings Castle, making
his presence known to the Guards. A stable boy came and led his
horse away, to be washed and fed. One of the guards led him to the
Kings Court. The Guard bade him wait outside as he entered to let
the King know of his arrival. Sir Conor O'Fearghail glanced about
him as he waited, throwing his cloak over his shoulders so that his
body was unhindered from use and from view. One hand rested on the
hilt of his sword.

The guard came back a little later, if you will follow me, the King

will see
you in his study.

After a walk through the corridors they came to a room and two more

guards.
"Your weapons please" one of them said.

Conor looked at the guard. He shook his head as he unclipped his
scabbard-belt. He pulled a knife from his boot and handed it over
to the guard. He didnt like departing with his weapons, and he
always kept one on him, well hidden, no matter what the situation.
He wasnt about go kill his King. "Can i go in now?"

"You may."  The guard said and opened the door.

Hawk came to his feet when the knight entered.  "Sir knight,
Wellcome."  He said.  "You must excuse my bodyguards, there was an
attempt on my life and that of the Queen recently.  They trust
nobody any more."

Conor bowed before the King. "That is a safe precaution to take,
and a very wise one. I have come to pledge allegiance to you, my
King. I am Sir Conor O'Fearghail, Low Knight of the Crest of Oynx."

"It's good to meet you Sir Conor.  Have a seat."  The King
gestured.  "Tell me a little bit about yourself."

Conor took the offered seat before speaking. "Well, Sir, i was born
into the house of a Noble, and an only child. I was well taught, as
one might expect, and began my Knight-hood training at an early
age. I became a squire to one of the Dukes Knights, and was
Knighted a few years later. My father died shortly thereafter, and
i was left parentless and squire-less, having not taking up a
Squire. I could have stayed there, but my heart was restless and
there was nothing to keep me there. So i sold my fathers estate as
it had become mine. I have been on the road since then, several
months now, until i wandered here. I know not what my goals are,
but i feel as though something is missing inside of me, that i also
need to prove myself as a Knight. I wish, some day, to become a
High Knight." Conor was suprised at himself once he was done
speaking. He was known to be quiet, and he had just told the King
his life story in several minutes. He leaned back in his chair, not
knowing how the King would respond.

"It's good to have you."  The King said.  "We lost some good people

during the last year, the uprising of Sanglet.  I'm sure you'll
have a good future in the army, and I hope you will feel at home
here."  He smiled friendly.

Conor nodded his head. "Indeed, Sir. Is there any lodging nearby? I
have no place to stay, nor do i know anyone here. Nor do i have a
squire..."

"We can find you lodgings in the castle.  And there are always
young men looking for an opportunity to be a squire.  So don't
worry about that." The King said.

Conor nodded his head. "Much appreciated, Sir. I hope that i wont
prove to be a dissapointment."

"Do your best and you can never be a disappointment."  The King said.

"Yes, Sir. May i ask your leave to go to my quarters? I have been jorneying long and wish to wash up and rest."

"No problem.  See me or my father again tomorrow and we will get you started." With that the King gave him leave to go.

Sir Conor stood and bowed before making his exit. He retrieved hisweapons from the Guard, and made his way back to the stables to check on his horse and gather his few belongings. Shortly afterwards, he was making his way to his new quarters.


--------------------------
"The Beginning of the End"


“Baron Caedmon, you know I can’t stay here,” Aine responded to him primly. “My clothing is at the inn, and I really must change into something fresh. It won’t do for me to wear these another moment, but I must wear them to ride in.”

Rhianriod had returned as soon as it had become light outside. She had come with solemn news for both the Baron and Aine: before she had even arrived, Collwen had died. Caedmon had look half relieved and half frustrated at the same moment, but had offered to let Aine stay another night if she wished even as they had begun preparations to leave.

“I wanted to be polite,” Darcy replied with a slight bow to her. “And I wished your company to continue. I don’t often receive guests of such beauty or fire.”

“And your words are as sweet as your mead,” Aine smoothly replied, staying gentle. “I assure you that you’ll see me in the court of the king quite soon.”

Darcy looked interested for a moment. “You mean to leave so soon?” he asked, disappointment in his tone.

If she hadn’t known there was more than met the eye to the whole situation, she would have believed the disappointment. “As soon as I can,” she told him with a bland nod. “I have tarried here far too long already, I fear. The winds have begun to strengthen once more, and though we dare not hope, it seems as if I should be ready to travel to the capital in another day or two.”

“Then I wish you luck in all your travels.”

They had parted ways soon after, and Darcy’s guardsmen had seen them along the most desolate stretch of the road towards town that they traveled. Once they were within sight of the walls, the men turned and rode back the way they had come.

It was then that Rhianriod stopped them all on the side of the road to give her full report. “Tis true, my Lady,” she nodded firmly. “She died before I got there. And they buried her before I got there, to boot!”

Gwynneth frowned fiercely at her. “What? Are you mad?”

Rhianriod shook her head at her fellow servant. “It’s the truth, and I tell you it with all haste. Buried before I got there, and not a single servant in that manor saw Collwen die. They said that it was a private affair between Aeton and Collwen.”

Aine looked bewildered for a moment. “But did they see her buried? Come now, they must have seen that much!”

Rhianriod hesitated and then shrugged slightly. “They saw that much, but… well, they kept asking quietly where one of his servant girls was during it. She had vanished at some point, and they didn’t know where she had gone. They called her rude, disrespectful… and that was after I got there, so I can imagine what they were saying about her before then.”

Aine glanced from one woman to the other, squinting faintly in wary thought. “How long had she been missing?” she asked, a feeling beginning in the pit of her stomach.

Rhianriod pursed her lips. “Since just after Collwen harmed herself and we left.” She nodded a moment later as if to confirm it in her own mind.

Aine sat back on her palfrey, letting it shift its weight patiently at her own movements. She stared back the way that they had come, her brows lifting slightly in surprise. “He couldn’t have…killed that servant,” she began, and then pressed her own lips together. “But he almost certainly did, and that’s who is buried in that coffin in the earth, you mark it. Collwen is most likely alive and in one of the rooms, tended to in secret. Either the servants lied about not seeing her, or they were kept out of it as well.”

“What if that servant girl isn’t dead?” Gwynneth asked breathily, her green eyes large in her face. “What if she went to the Earl last night?”

Aine made a soft sound in her throat. “Then Rhianriod and I both would have awakened to the Earl’s men dragging people out to take them to him. No… I don’t know where that woman went if she’s still alive, but if she were gone for as long as she was, then there’s a chance she’s up to no good, or no good was done to her.”

Rhianriod cleared her throat softly and moved her horse towards the town a few steps. “I would suggest, Lady Caerdydd, that we hurry and dress you for the day,” she offered benignly. “If she went to the Earl, he will want to speak with you. If she went to assassinate Darcy Caedmon, or to speak with him, then Aeton will want you again. He may want to apologize as it is.”

“None of the above,” Aine replied lightly as she got the palfrey to move once more. “I’m going to speak with Gherard today.” She glanced at them with a too-sweet smile. “The man who knows where to send me to get everything most likely also knows how a mere manor servant who never left the manor except to see her truelove somehow got hold of a poison to use on Caedmon’s pregnant wife.”

Gwynneth gasped a little in horror. “You mean Collwen--!” she began, but Rhianriod made a sharp “shht!” sound and nodded towards the town’s outer perimeter as they approached it. Aine nodded at the words all the same. “And most likely pushed her from the battlements,” she told them succinctly. “To cover it up.” She fell silent as they entered the town, leaving them with only the ending sentence, “Dress me fit to meet the Earl, ladies. And send Gherard a message that I need to speak with him immediately.”

* * * *

"Ah, you look ravishing," said Gherard, obviously pleased with how things were going. "I trust everything is proceeding accordingly? I have heard many interesting tales of what has been occuring over the past few days... quite entertaining."

Aine settled into her seat, bathed and changed and perfumed lightly once again so that she felt radiant rather than wilted. “Indeed,” she said off-handedly. “I still have a few holes to fill, however, and I fear the one who could have filled them for me has died by her own hand.”"Really!" exclaimed Gherard. "A pity." He inquired no further as to either the identity or events that surrounded the mentioned incident. Aine wasn't sure whether it was because he wasn't even interested, or that he already knew. He tipped a goblet gently in her direction with a calculating gaze. "Do you have the journal?" Given everything he had thus far told her, and what he wanted her to do for him, she would bet that he already knew. The fact that one of the maids was missing seemed to her strange until she recognized a second place for her to go would have been Gherard. “No, unfortunately,” she lied, lifting her own goblet lightly and letting it take her attention so that he couldn’t read much from her. “The Baron seems to not know where it went to, by his words. Almost certainly destroyed after his wife’s death, I would assume.” She sipped at her cup a little, a little coy, but also placid. “Poor Collwen,” she tsked a little. “I find myself pitying her despite her threat on my life.”

"I feel forced to remind you, fair lady, that the mentioned journal will do others little good in furthering their own aims," he said, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "Unless, of course, they are seeking the downfall of those implicated in its writing. To withhold such information of a crime against the Earl would be tantamount to a crime worse than those directly involved..." He raised his goblet to her and narrowed his eyes. "... in the unlikely event that your recollections should prove to be misguided."

She lifted a brow at him and set her goblet down lightly, her features suddenly as cool as her voice. “And might I remind you that, given the situation at hand, those you’re indirectly accusing of withholding this information have no leg to stand on to use it for themselves anyway?” She settled her fingertips around her goblet, watching him with an unblinking, burning, wildcat-eyed stare. “As well as the fact that said suspicious character, in your pretty eyes, is working within very restricted limitations by being a foreigner in this land.” She lowered her lids, blinking at last, and then smiled faintly at him, quite like a promised hint of sunlight behind a wall of stormclouds. “If I had the holes I know of filled in, perhaps I would know better about where to look for that journal, and maybe even who to look for as having it.” She lifted her goblet again. “Given Collwen was thick with the Lady, I would think she may have stolen it at the first chance she had. Now that Collwen is dead and gone, buried with utmost haste and secrecy, she may have taken the journal with her to her grave.” She gestured with one hand towards him. “Hence why I’m asking about the holes in this woeful tale, my Lord. If I can see how these people are thinking, I might yet be able to piece together how they behaved, or misbehaved in this case, and follow through with far more clues than there might be at this time.”

Gherard sniffed lightly. "Perhaps," he said. "But I agree with you with regards to at least one matter: important information has certainly gone to the grave with Collwen if she indeed took her own life." He waved a hand around absentmindedly. "And if you have not been able to locate the journal by now, then I doubt you will be able to do so later." He tapped a finger over his lips for a few moments, as a finely dressed servant approached him. The servant presented a scrip of paper on a tray to Gherard, who raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me please," he said by way of apology to Aine. "My Lord... an urgent message."

Taking the paper, Gherard scanned it's contents, before replacing it on the tray. A calculating smile began to spread thinly upon his lips. "It appears, my lady, that Darcy and Aeton are destined to meet together to sort out their differences shortly. And it appears they are preparing for a less than pleasant discussion." He got to his feet and waved another servant forward. "Prepare a carriage and arrange to summon the Earl's Sheriff. Request that he meet us at Aeton's estate. Go, and be quick!" As the servant rushed away, Gherard turned back to Aine. "We may not even need the journal after 
all," he said smugly.

Aine’s brows lifted at the news, and she frowned delicately, if dourly. “Why must men resort to violence so readily?” she asked, a touch huffily. Something was still rattling around in her head that she felt she had missed in all of this, and she felt it had to do with the man in front of her the more that she felt it rattle. “So much over one woman who didn’t even deserve the love of the man she wedded, let alone both of them.” She tossed her head with a sniff, lifting her glass for a final sip of it. There might have been jealousy in her tone, but it could also have been any number of other emotions. “What do you plan to do, my Lord? Surely it's not against the laws of the land to have a duel...?” She tilted her head at him, honestly curious about this question's answer. "Where would the knights of the realm be, if it were?”

"I plan to do nothing apart from watch my competitors fight with one another," replied Gherard. "And make sure that the news reaches the ears of the Earl. After the event of course." He stood up and smoothed his tunic smartly back into place. "As for the knights of the realm, they are few and far between. The surrounds of the capital Alban are as lawless and remote as our fair little town, you have my assurance on that. Now, if you don't mind, I would enjoy the pleasure of your company today. I assure you, this is a spectacle that happens very rarely, and as such should be savoured like a fine wine." He approached her and offered his arm, a look of 
anticipation in his eyes.

She set her glass down and rose as he approached her, and nodded all the same. "They will know I came to you," she said warily, reaching out to set her hand upon his offered arm. "It may ruin any chance that I have of finding what you need, if they think I've gone to you or the Earl." She paused a moment and then shrugged lightly. "However, I would have been in error had I not reported to the Earl's estate that my life had been threatened by a servant of Baron Caedmon's, within the home of another lord who is his sworn mortal enemy." She glanced at him to the side, a look that somehow, from angle to lighting and shadow, made her almost too beautiful to be earthly or mortal--and almost too intelligent to be anything but dangerous. "You're going to wait for one to kill the other and then arrest him, then?" she continued softly, the words barely audible in passing from her full lips. "Bringing to light all of these things as the reason behind it? If so, I can give you the book from Caedmon's library, the figures and all, with the utmost sincerity--and the utmost sincerity in telling you that I'm very aware that he knew it was happening... because his wife was the root of it." Her brows lifted just a little. "Collwen took something else to her grave as well, taking her from the Earl's grasp and his justice in this case and quite possibly damning both men as assuredly as if they had done it themselves. That woman was the key to having both of them hanging, my Lord, and I only wish that she hadn't threatened me with what she had."

She glanced away a little poutily. "I had wanted to bring her to justice for threatening my life, if nothing else. My father would have had her head for no other reason than I carry his blood and his title."

Gherard began to stroll from the hall with Aine at his side, laughing loudly at her words and the expression on her face. "My dear, you are as vengeful as they come. I am only grateful that you are on my side, as I fear I would not last long should such wrath be directed upon me." He patted her hand gently. "That journal would be useful indeed should you find it shortly, if only to prove to the Earl that such mismanagement needs to be prevented in the future. Hopefully, both men will see good reason to mortally wound one another." He sniffed. "It shall save me the trouble of having to drag the victor before the Earl and explain at length the nature of the conspiracy. Ah, our transport." They emerged into the high morning glare of a bright sun. Gherard's carriage was ready, his servants at attention. He inhaled deeply, content with the scene before. "What a beautiful day," he announced. "And many more shall come from it."

Aine politely refrained from responding to his words about her vengeful spirit.  If he knew the half of it, she was fairly sure he would use it for blackmail purposes, and as of that moment, the only thing he could catch her on was her involvement with the whole fiasco he was about to reveal to the Earl.  Even then, it would be simple to play the fool and simply state the baldest of truths: she was asked to bring certain objects of proof to the Earl’s kin.  That they’d made a deal could be disputed, of course: Gherard stood to gain much, but she was barely a week on the King’s lands and had nothing to stand upon to make herself any form of reasonable catch.  It soothed her to know this even as Gherard himself begged to be taken down with the other two men.

The trouble would be in finding out how he was entangled in this whole affair, should she wish to do that.  She knew that he was, indeed, a part of it, but she had no good proof as to how.  She therefore just nodded at his first words and, after he motioned at their transport, replied softly, “Indeed, many more shall come.  For you most of all, I should hope, and for the Earl as well now that such things will have been brought to his attention.”

Something in what Gherard said suddenly struck her, however, and she slid a fleet sidelong look at him.  He wants the journal, she thought to herself with a sudden flare of interest.  He means the financial journal, though, not Sibille’s.  I wonder…  does he know that it still exists?  I must get my hands on it before Darcy and Aeton kill one another!  There would be evidence in plenty in that little journal, evidence that points to Darcy’s wife as the instigator of all this madness.  Aeton would rescind his dubious feelings towards Darcy if he knew he was being used like a fool.  He’s a smart man who has had time to grieve for his lost love.  Darcy himself would be at fault for knowing of his wife’s involvement with the finances and not stopping it.  An accomplice.  But if he read the journal at all before or after his wife’s death, then he has to also know that she was sick of Aeton’s refusal of her advances for a more physical relationship.  He said as much to me, that he knew what they had done…

And yet, Aeton has never intimated that he even kissed the Lady Sibille, let alone anything else.  She bit her lip as she watched the men readying the carriage for their departure, and felt more than saw the presence of her ladies in waiting behind her.  Collwen had access to the journal, however.  IF, IF Aeton was innocent of any touch to Sibille, then Darcy would never have been upset at him.  It would’ve been his wife that he reviled.  Which means that she may have added it to the diary in order to inflame him, but that would mean that she meant for him to find and read what she had written.  Collwen would never have allowed that, though, because it would mean that Sibille would be thrown out, and freed of her marriage bed to her husband.  She and Aeton would have found a way to wed, after she had  pushed him to greatness and his own title.

She smiled radiantly at Gherard’s aides as they helped her up into the carriage, knowing her ladies would follow after Gherard himself.  She knew that they would be listening to things around her, just as she knew that Gherard wouldn’t say anything terribly important with others around to hear it and interpret.  It gave her ample time for thought.

And so we come back to Collwen, Aine continued, ruminating.  Sibille wouldn’t have jeopardized her position by putting anything lascivious into her journal if she meant for her husband to see it.  However, if Collwen added things behind the Lady’s own… bit by bit over time, changing a few things here and there so that perhaps anyone reading it would really think there was more to it…. to make it seem as if Aeton were the seducer and not the seduced, mayhaps… The Lady Sibille would never know that her words were being altered a page or so behind her.  Rare is the one who re-reads what they’ve written two days before, or two pages before.  Collwen would most definitely add enough to focus her Lord’s ire onto Aeton, to send him away.  If he were free and Sibille weren’t, that would allow Collwen herself the freedom to have him.  She had the knowledge of the affair, given her part in covering everything up for them as she did, to make up things that sounded believable.  The trouble was that, in the end, Aeton had eyes only for the Lady and not Collwen.  If I were madly in love with a man who wanted to be with a married woman to his own Lord and master, after as long as it seems to have gone on by the records the financial journal indicates, I might grow as desperate as Collwen.

The trouble lies in what to do to get rid of Lady Sibille so that the absent Aeton would no longer think of her.  So long as she lived, therefore, Aeton could never be Collwen’s; therefore, Sibille must be killed.  But she carried a baby, and if Collwen knew that Sibille hadn’t slept with Aeton, then she would have known it wasn’t his own.  Thus, there was a complication.  The child wasn’t due, and was apparently healthy so far as any knew.  If Darcy suspected it was his child, rather than Aeton’s, but everyone else suspected that it was Aeton’s bastard…. well, Collwen most certainly couldn’t kill the heir of her employer’s estates with Darcy’s help, nor Sibille’s, and Aeton was gone.  She didn’t strike me as the type to know about what herbs would poison people, more a city dweller than a country girl.  She’d let the healers tell her rather than go to an apothecary herself.  And that means that she would’ve asked someone else… and had she asked anyone in Aeton’s current employ, or in Darcy’s own, they would've known what had really happened to the Lady Sibille and would’ve told Aeton about it, given the spread of the news of the affair in Darcy’s house at the time.  Many of them went with Aeton when he left, after all.  There would be more to be gained in telling him the truth, perhaps even a man with his hand on two estates and titles rather than just one.  Such a man, indebted as he would be, would be a great asset.

That means she got her poisonous information outside of the manor.  She glanced towards her two ladies-in-waiting, saying more with her one look than she could have with her mouth.  They turned and proceeded to speak quietly to one another, if animatedly, gesturing while they talked and simpered and giggled as they were supposed to.  I have a suspicion that the same man who would know of what might help Collwen may also have set up this little battle between Aeton and Darcy.  I know more for certain that Gherard is the latter rather than the former, but I can’t bring up anything directly.  I suppose the only thing to do for now is to wait.  I won’t get answers out of him right now, but I might hear something useful once we’ve arrived at the duel.  Even should I not get any proof, I think Gherard was at fault.  I can get the proof at a later date if needed.  My position in all of this is, quite simply, one that I can most definitely turn to my favor should I need to do so.

She sat back in the carriage and smiled at Gherard with just enough warmth that it was eye-catching.  Watching it all play out would be something to see, indeed.


------------------------------


"New Beginnings"
Lord Alterian
 
Alterian stood at the banister overlooking the courtyard sipping from the goblet that held the cool dark wine.  It had been a long winter season and much had occurred.  The King had married.  The Princess Bronwen had married, become a widow and he had just received word, birthed a son.  The Princess Rowena was safe within the walls but for how long?
Prince Brendan was searching for the Priestess Diora, who was also the King's personal
healer.  
 
Yes, it had been a long winter.   The winter solstice had passed with much celebration.
The pagan rituals had been observed along with the new rituals of those who followed 
the one God.  It was interesting that the One God's son was born so close to the winter solstice, an odd coincidence?
 
Alterian took another drink.  He was not a religious man. He believed that each man
made himself.  Those that could not find the inner fortitude to face life with courage and wisdom, sought Gods to explain their inadequacies and inabilities to provide more in life.  
Alterian was wiser. He knew that every wrong path in his life had been his own error.  He
believed that eventually, man would find that nature could explain each phenomen that they turned to Gods and legends for now.  What could not be understood, in the common man's eyes, must be divinely appropriated by either the deities of Goodness, or those of evil.  Even the one God's followers had in their own way, created a god of evilness.  It was an interesting need in most men.  Alterian smiled.   There was something cold and solid in knowing you were the master of your fate.  But there was also a sense of loneliness to it.  There was no divine being to turn to when your choices tore your heart from your chest.
 
He took another drink.  He was the gaurdian of a weak King.  He cared deeply for Hawk, but he considered him weak in health.  He considered him somewhat soft.  However, there were strengths too.  The King cared for the people in a way he had not seen of a leige of Abertawe.  He would do what needed done if he truly felt it befitted the people.  So Alterian's job was to make sure that Hawk always saw the benefits to the people, or the problems his decisions might cause.  Every advisor knew things his King did not.  Each one had to choose what he told and what he withheld.  In Ian's eyes, the choices were easy.  He would keep this King in power and he would remain advisor.  All information contrary to those two objectives would be eliminated.  
 
He turned and walked into his room. Seeing his reflection in the mirror, he raised a glass in toast.  To New Beginnings.. and the Power behind the throne.


---------------------------------

"Spoiled Workings'
Princess Rowena
Lady Isa, Queen Mother

Isa walked into her daughter's bedroom, it looked very different than a few
days ago.  "Hello honey."  She said looking around.  "How do you like your
new room?"

Rowena covered her drawings casually.  "It is beautiful, Mama, I feel like
I am almost grown." She said with a smile. She got up and went to her mother 
and hugged
her.

"You are growing so fast."  Isa said tenderly."sweetheart."  She said a
little later.  "Do you think you will like it here?"

"It will be nice to visit and stay here." Rowena smiled at her mother.  "It
is much better then being sent to the nursery."

"You won't consider staying?"  Her mother asked.  "It would make us all
very happy if you did."

"I am here till Fagan calls for me." She said quietly.  There was no doubt
by her tone and the set of her jaw, that the little girl had given her
total allegiance to the druids.  Her parents were no longer her first 
thought.  She sounded so mature and yet the way her lip trembled was that of 
a child.

Isa tried to keep the hurt out of her eyes without really succeeding. "I
had hoped you would reconsider."

"Reconsider?"  Rowena looked at her in confusion.  "What do you mean?"

"About staying here with your family.we all love you so much and your
brother needs you."  Her mother said.

"But you told me I could be a druid?"  Rowena didn't understand why they
were upset about something they gave her permission to do.


"Sweetheart, when your father and I gave permission we thought you could be
taught here.  I still think you are too young to live in the forest, a
child your age needs her family as well."

"I hate walls." She said quietly.  "I hate being locked up in the castle."
She always had. As long as she had been old enough to climb, they had been
forced to watch in case she slipped over the walls of the castle.

"I know you do.  Yet in the forest you are so far away, can't we try to
find a compromise?"  Isa asked softly.


"That is up to Fagan."  Rowena said quietly. "I have pledged my loyalty to
the druids, mama, you would not have me break a vow?"


"You are under age, my child.if your father forbids it there is nothing the
Druids can do.  And you know how he can get.  That's why I would suggest a
compromise."

Rowena knew this was not true.  There was much that could be done.
However, she wisely said nothing for a change.  She was slowly learning it 
was best not
to argue with adults. If you said nothing, there was so much they could NOT
forbid you to do.  "I am here now." Rowena pointed out. She had heard no 
sound of her being recalled to the grove.

Isa sighed. This was not going to be easy.  "have you spoken to your
brother lately?"  She changed the subject.

"He is chasing after Diora." Rowena pointed out.  "Which by the way, is one
way I could have stayed here, but my teacher left." Rowena said somewhat
disgruntled.

"I meant your other brother, the one you were angry at."

"I spoke to him yesterday." Rowena said looking at her mother.  "How did
you know I was mad at him?"

"Darling, the day I don't know how to read the emotions of my children is
the day I am going to withdraw from court."  She smiled.  "Did you children
make up?"

"Yes, we patched our feud." Rowena admitted.  "Why does everyone make such
a fuss when I am not here.  No one seems to be fussing that Bronwen went to
our manor home?"

"Bronwen is a lot older than you are, and never think I don't worry about
her, I just don't show you." No need to tell the little one that she lay
awake thinking about her pregnant daughter, and if it had not been for
Rowena coming home she would have gone with Bronwen.

"Then how come we are here? Why do we not go home?" Rowena asked curiously.

"I would love to, sweetheart.  But your brother and your father have their
work here.  Do you really want to leave them alone?"

"Why can't they go?" She asked with a frown.  "If one is King, can' t one
do what they wish?"

"Hmm, if Hawk moved the court, home would become just as busy and that is
not what you want is it?"

"Why can't he leave like when he left me to go with Arrianna?" Rowena did
not understand.

"You want him to give up being king?"

"For a day or so?" That didn't seem such a bad thing to Rowenna.

"And who do you want to run the country?"  Her mother asked. Ro was acting
her age now.

"Uncle Ian can do it. He runs it most of the time anyway." Rowena pointed 
out.

Isa smiled.  "Uncle Ian is a good man, and I don't think your brother could
cope without him. But what do you think this country really needs, a
passionate man who believes in rights for all and who is willing to take
chances to create that.  Or a good man who doesn't have a passion and will
not change anything?"

"Ian changes things all the time?" Rowena didn't understand. 'I am not
saying Uncle Ian should be King, just for a week?"  Rowena didn't understand 
what the
big deal was. Uncle Ian ran things when Hawk was with his wife on his 
wedding trip?

"I am sure your brother can take a holiday again sometime.  Yet he's just
been away on his honeymoon and the country needs him.  I don't think he will
take a break until certain matters have been resolved."  She didn't want to
talk about the raven with her daughter. "besides Uncle Ian is not allowed
to make decisions, your father is, but if that's a good idea."

Rowena knew Ian made decisions all the time. He only took those of a
political nature or one likely to draw attention to the King. She said
nothing, however, obviously adults liked things this way.  She stuck out
her lip.  "So, I am not important enough to spend time with but to
important to let go train in the things I want most in life."

Isa raised her eyes to heaven.  "Why can't I have a couple of normal
children.  All right, all right, we will leave your brother alone and will
go home."

"I am not normal?" Rowena was curious about this. She felt normal
to her.

"You children are all too smart and too stubborn."

"That is because we are just like you." Rowena answered with a giggle.
"When can we leave?"

"Smart like me, stubborn like your father." She sighed. "I tell you what,
we leave after you have cleared it with your brother. I am not going to do
your dirty work."

"Okay." She hopped to her feet.  "I will go do that now." She hugged her 
mother tightly.

"Good luck, dear." Her mother said smirking.
******************

"Long Walks"
by
Sir Aidan Lochlenin High knight of Wind
and
Raelin Morgance Lady of Morin



Night had just fallen on the Caer, Aidan made his way
back to the stables to retrieve Rae, and then would
leave the Caer to head to a small place that he knew
though the trip would be on foot and took at least a
day to get there.  He hoped though that he could keep
her safe there and away from prying eyes for the time
being.

Raelin was hiden in the hay loft, curled up under a
saddle blanket and well hidden from prying eyes.

Aidan smirked when he saw her and gently shook her.
"Squire get up." he called out holding in a chuckle.

"Go away Aidan" she muttered

"We need to leave the caer now squire I have
something that I must attend to." he said as he shook
her again.

She opened her eyes and glared at him. "Have I told
you lately that you are an arrogant person at times"

"A squire does not talk in such a manner." he growled
out for appearance. "Now come we leave now." he said
and started to walk away from her.

She stuck her tongue out at him and stood up. "when
this is over" she muttered harshly.

He turned and eyed her. "When our task is through
squire you can find yourself another Knight to train
you." he said and then turned to continue on.

"with pleasure" she snarled

He continued on ignoring her and when they came to
the gates talked to the guard.  The gates were raised
a small amount just enough for them to get out by
rolling under them, once he was out of the Caer he
waited for Rae.

She stood and followed him catching up but not
walking beside him, but behind him.

He made a quick pace towards the forest where they
could talk without being seen, he had a small refuge
he had been to once before which he hoped would
suffice for now.

Raelin's legs were shorter then his and she had to
half run to keep up with him

He chuckled and stopped once they had entered a short
ways into the forest. "You need to keep up with me in
here." he said as he looked down at her.

"Well excuse me for being short sir" she replied

He sighed, and then whispered. "It is dangerous Rae,
I don't want you hurt in here."

"Oh? A forest dangerous? who would have thought" her
tone was sarcastically light.

He looked down at her and growled. "Would you rather
I leave you in the Caer? or alone here?"

"You leave me alone and it wont just be padric who
gets their bed filled with glue."

He sighed, and turned to walk on, into the forest
they had to make a good way of it before they could
stop to sleep.

"So where are we heading anyway?"

"That is for me to know squire."

"Oh bosh." she muttered.

He sighed.  He didn't want anyone to hear him, at
this point and knew that if he did tell her that she
might not like the idea.  He looked back and trudged
deeper into the forest.

She glared at his back and struggled after him. the
clothing she was wearing was hindering her movement
but she did not dare complain.

A few hours before the cock crowed Aidan slowed and
moved towards a patch of shrubbery. "Come you can rest
here for a bit squire."

When they reached the place she sat down and
refrained from removing the boots. She looked at him.
"now what?"

"You rest for a while." he said simply as he moved
and leaned back against a tree.

"Can not wait for this to be over" she mummered

He nodded. "I know, when we reach our destination I
think you will be able to relax."

"Where are we going?"

"I can't say yet squire."

She glared at him and raised her hand and waved him
closer

He stood and moved over to her. "Yes squire?" he
asked raising an eyebrow.

She waved him down and when he knelt beside him she
hissed in a low tone. "Surely we can drop this game
already?"

He hissed back. "Do you know who is in the forest?"

She shook her head. "No."

"nor do I so we continue" he hissed

She groaned. "You owe me big for this." she muttered.

He chuckled. "Are you rested already?"

"Yes I am fine Sir." she forced herself to stand up.

"Are you?" he asked again.

"yes" she stressed.

He nodded and then smiled. "Then follow me squire."

She waited until he moved ahead of her and wished
again that she had never left Morin before following
him

Aidan led Rae for a few more hours he stopped when he
notice a stream and smiled. "We are not as far away as
I thought we were, we must have made good time in the
night."

She did not comment and just looked around.

He smirked. "Do you need a drink Squire?"

She shook her head. "no sir"

He nodded. "Then we shall continue I would gauge that
when the sun is setting we should arrive." he said as
he looked up the sun had just past the zenith.

~great~ she thought as she nodded in reply.

Aidan smiled as the small hut came into view he had
been right about the arrival time as the sun had been
setting.  He just hoped that the hut was in as good of
shape as it had been a few years back and that the
clothes he had left were still in one piece.

"Is that where we are going?" she asked

"Yes it is." he said as he continued upon weary legs.

"ok."

He smirked. "Once inside we can relax." he said
softly. as he moved and opened the door slowly so he
could check inside.

She waited silently for him to check the inside

He came back in. "Come on squire."

She nodded and stepped inside

He closed the door and then smiled. "I hope you like
the dwelling Rae."

She turned and pushed off the hood. "how long do i
need to be here for?"

"I am not sure Rae.  I left a note at the manor that
I hope Padric will find I hope not long, just until
they are thoroughly confused."

"ok" she said softly.

"What's wrong Rae?" he asked as he approached her
slowly.

"I am .. just tired, sad, you name it I am feeling it
currently,"

"Loved?" he asked as he motioned to the bed. "You can
sleep you know."

"I doubt I could sleep. I tried in the hayloft, It
didnt work." she sat down on a bench

He chuckled. "If I remember you weren't to happy." he
said as he knelt before her.

"I am not happy with having to run like a coward
Aidan"

"Nor am I but I have you to consider and your safety,
without your Aunt you could be easily married off."

"by who?"

"By the last family that you have left."

"there is none. I am the last."

"Do you not think that the Pritchards will try to?"

"They have no power left in this land. They were
banished remember"

"Yes I know, but who said that they would try to
marry you off in this land?"

"Who would believe that they have that power?"

"Do you think the king can fight a claim from another
noble that easily and with the reputation that you say
you have."

She looked at her hands "I do not know" she said
softly feeling the  tears well up again

He frowned. "I am sorry Rae, but I want you safe, and
honestly I want you with me that's one of the reasons
that you are here."

She looked at him. "its not your fault"

"Partly, I love you Lady Raelin, and I want you to
marry me."

She blushed softly. "Even though i have been horrid
to you?"

"Because of all of this Rae."

"you are.. crazy" she managed

He chuckled. "Perhaps but what about you what do you
say to me?"

She looked at him softly. "if.. it is what you want."

"What do you want Rae?" he asked looking into her
eyes.

"I love you Aidan" she said, knowing that was not
really an answer

He nodded. "Do you want to think about it Rae?"

She nodded. "If that was a proper proposal"

"I doubt it was though, I wanted to know before I did
this in public."

"ok.."

He leaned up and kissed her gently. "I will leave you
to your thoughts Rae."

"Where are you going?"

"Well we do need to eat." he said as he stood.

"oh"

"Why?"

"just wondering"

"Ah well there is a stream a bit away do you like
fish?"

She nodded. "yes I like fish"

He smiled. "Good, I shall be back." he said and
checked his scabbards and then left.

She watched him leave and then curled up on the bed
to try and sleep.
*******************
"Aftermath"

Arianna
Isa
Hawk



"How is she"  Isa asked when they brought her daughter in law in.  With
Diora gone she had immediately called for another healer.  "Take her
through here, we will create a makeshift hospital in the hall."  She
ordered the staff around without showing any fear or nervousness.

"Isa...I'll live..." Arianna said quietly.  She knew that once the arrow was
out she would heal.  Oh how she wished Diora was there, she'd show everyone
up.  She just shook her head and chuckled.

The healer took at the wound.  "Aye, the arrow isn't buried too deep and
she'll be fine.  I just have to remove the tip." He said to the Queen Mum.

Isa knelt down next to her daughter-in-law.  "You want to hold my hand?  It
is going to hurt." She had dealt with wounds often in her life, having a
warrior husband and sons. "I know you are tough, yet you might want a
little help through this."  She smiled.

Arianna didn't argue for the moment that she grasped Isa's hand, the healer
went for the arrow.  She gasped and let out a scream as she gripped tightly
to Isa.  Tears were streaming down her face and it was over in the second
that it happened as the endorphins set in.  She relaxed and gave a little
sigh as the healer began to stitch and wrap the wound.

Isa took the healer aside when she was finished.  "How bad is it, how long
should she rest?"  She had a feeling that her daughter-in-law was just as
bad as her husband and sons and would be difficult to keep it in bed.

"No more than three weeks.  She's able to get up and move around but she
must rest in between those times." the healer had said.  He was not as good
at predicting healing times as Diora but he was one who studied under her.

"I'll behave and listen.  I'm not going to be coddled but I'll listen."

Arianna said breathlessly.

Isa smiled at this.  "That is good to hear, my dear.  For the rest of today
you are going to rest in your room.  And I am afraid that will involve a
little codling, the staff are all pretty shocked, so I don't think I could
stop them if I ordered it.  Are you in pain?"

"I'm uncomfortable, but I have a feeling I'll be in pain later." She said as
the guards lifted her off the table again.

"Which way, your grace?" Delnaithe asked.  He was the captain of the Queen's

Guard and one of Arianna's friends.  He watched over her as he did his own
daughter.

"The queens private quarters." Isa said. They weren't too far from her own
and deep in the castle as safe as possible.

"Can you give her something for the pain." The queen mother asked the
healer. "Maybe something to make her sleep." She added more softly.

The healer already had a vial prepared and handed it to the Queen Mum as
Delnaithe carried Arianna towards her rooms.

Isa followed with the visl, and waited until Arianna seemed to rest
comfortably on some extra pillows.  "Here," she said gently.  "Drink this."

She sighed and did as her mother in law told her too.  She got warm and
fuzzy as the liquid hit her stomach and she stretched out as best she could.
her mother-in-law sat next to the bed, and waited till she fell asleep.
Only then did she show her concern.  Was her family not safe anywhere
anymore?

Arianna slept soundly through most of the day an well into the night. She
awoke with a bit of a start.  There was no pain in her shoulder but there
was stiffness and she felt it as she stretched.

"Try not to move, love."  A tired voice sounded from the chair next to
their bed.

She held out her arms to him in defiance.  "Come dear, you need better rest
than that uncomfortable chair and you will not hurt me." she said watching
him quietly...she knew he watched over her as she had slept.

He came over to her and very gently touched her lightly. "How are you?"

"I'll be fine...I've survived worse than this..." she said to him giving him
a smile.  "How about you?  How are you?" She asked him knowing full well
that he took two arrows for her in the arm.

"Just a scratch."  He lied.  "Don't worry about that, are you comfortable?
Do you need anything?"

She could see through his lie.  He was never a good liar around her as she
could read him like a book. "I know you don't like healers and Diora isn't
here to look after you, but you need these looked at.  I don't need anything
at this moment.  I'll let you know.  Promise me you'll get it looked at."

"I will."  He didn't specify, because honestly he had no intention of doing
that soon.  You try to rest some more, they tell me that is the best for
you."

"I do not want to find that you have let yourself bleed to death or worse
have to lose the arm for infection." She said letting him know the worse
that could happen.  "I will rest but you need to be looked at." she said to
him.

"It's not bleeding." he said a little annoyed.  "Honestly it's fine, and I
have a lot of work to do.  We caught the girl who did this."

"Always have too much work to do...and I'm grateful that you found her..."
She said quietly...she knew better than to fight with him.  She sighed and
looked at him and knew that he would never go see a healer.  "There's no
point in arguing something that I cannot change." she said to him.  She
watched him for a time more.

"What?"  He asked, her look was making him nervous.

"Don't give me 'what??' I know full well that you won't get that looked at
and it'll only fester.  You look after my well being and yet you do little
to look after your own." She said getting irritable with the pain coming
back to the wound in her back.

"Careful love."  He was all over her full of consern in a second when he
saw the pain on her face. "you should rest and absolutely no excitement.

She sighed with a hmph.  "How can I rest when I worry for you." She said
lightly to him.

"Are you try to blackmail me?  I will go and see Diora when she's back.  I
trust her, until then I'll be fine."  He grumbled.

She grew quiet then and had a look on her face as if she had been bitten by
an asp.  She was in pain and loved him too greatly to see him suffer.  She
couldn't respond as she had no intention of spoiling anything.  "I'm sorry"
she said quietly closing her eyes.

"You did nothing wrong, love."  He said being the doting husband again.
"Just get better". I wouldn't know what I would do without you."

She nodded and then smiled.  "I'm a tough bird.  It'll take more than an
arrow to be rid of me.  And knowing Delnaithe, he'll be watching closer
now." She said reaching up lightly and carressed his cheek.  "Atleast get
some rest yourself...stay with me and rest for a time..."

"Hmm, may be just a few minutes them."  He said, hawk really was tired.
Very gently he laid down on the bed next to her.  "Tell me if I am hurting
you."

"I'll let you know." She said holding him to her her.  She stroked his cheek
and his hair and listened to him quietly as they laid there together.

"I don't want to kill the girl, she was used.  It feels wrong."  He said
laying there next to her.

"Aye, but if you don't...where is the justice in this...she did what she
thought was right.  She thought she was justified in her fervor to whomever
did this.  If you don't and are compassionate, then what happens the next
time this happens and their aim is true?" she asked him.

he set up again, it was clear that this bother him.  "And what kind of
statement is it to the people she tries to lure to her? they think we are
cruel and uncaring.  If we hang her..." he couldn't finish.

She raised her arms to him again.  "If we save her then they'll say you
weren't strong enough to do what was right.  There is a no win situation in
this.  She came here expecting to die." Arianna said quietly.

"Dammit, it would make me feel like a murderer. She is hardly more then a
child. She was used. I hate this." He grumbled.

She sighed.  She was caught in the middle and could see his pain.  "I don't
know what to tell you.  I know you are trying to find the humane sense in
all of this...but I honestly don't know what to say.  Yes she was used, but
she knew what she was doing.  She worship whomever sent her to do what she
did."

"I know.  It was clear that he was seriously torn on this issue."  After
that he stayed silent and brooded.

"And that means she is prepared to die knowing that whomever she was trying
to protect would be safe or they were already dead and she was willing to
join them for the sake of doing this duty." She said quietly.

"Look at her! Go down to that jail and look at her and then tell me you
would be able to execute her!" He shouted at his wife.

She had tried to remain calm with this but now that he was shouting at her
she went inside herself.  She was shocked and appalled at him.  He had taken
too much upon him in this instance and now it was eating him alive.  "I
would but have been ordered to remain in bed..." She said to him coldly.
She didn't want to fight with him, and she knew he was tired.  "You need to
rest with me a little while.  Then we'll discuss this a little more later."
she said to him trying to change the subject.  She wasn't happy in the least
that he snapped at her and was hurt.

He realised that he had now hurt his wife as well.  This brought him
dangerously close to the edge of reason, for there was one thing a man like
hawk could not really deal with, and that was condemning somebody who was in
his eyes not really guilty to die.  He cursed in utter defeat and slammed
his hand against the stone wall ignoring the pain.

"You do what you feel is right.  If you don't think she deserves to die then
don't kill her...but what happens the next time and the child is younger
than her?  Can you save them all?" She asked him after he punched the wall.

"I don't know!"  He shouted desperate.  "I became King to make a difference,
to be good ruler to  my people.  Not to kill girls.  I should have refused,
my father is the next in line, he had no qualms about refusing!"

"But you didn't and you need to stop yelling at me." She said calmly.  "You
are a good ruler and you are making a difference, but I think you'll better
have an understanding once you've rested.  You never make a wise decision on
no sleep."

"Why do women always want me to sleep!  As if I cannot looked after myself.
I lived in the wild looking after myself for two years, and I survived that.
This is nothing compared to that."  All reasonableness had gone out of him.

"Fine...forgive me for trying to repay you for your kindness." She said
sitting up and moving to get off the bed.  She couldn't bear him when he was
not thinking coherently.  Her face was screwed up with pain but she didn't
care.  He was not going to listen to her and the only thing that would work
would be either a bump on the head or a nightcap.  She needed some air and
wanted to hide the tears from him as he continued to hurt her.

"What the..." it was the only thing that could calm him down and he was next
to her in a heartbeat.  "You have to go back to bed...Arianna, you can be so
foolish."

"Foolish??" She started but decided not to continue only to get his
arguement once again.  "I'll only go back to bed if you come with me and
rest." She said with the stipulation.

He hesitated for a second and then picked her up in his arms and very gently
put her back on the bed.  "If it makes you happy.  Are you comfortable?"

"Tis whatever makes you happy...Comfort is a relative term right now..." She
said to him.  She could see the fatigue in his eyes.

"No, you come first always.  Tell me what I can do for you to make you more
comfortable."  He was very gentle now.

"You here with me...and not thinking of that girl for now.  Time will tell
of her fate." She said with an exhausted sigh.

"Okay, I won't, sweetheart."  He lay down next to her.  "Now just try to
sleep for a little while."
********************
"Forest Hideaway"
by
Sir Aidan Lochlainan High Knight of Wind
and
Raelin Morgance Lady of Morin




The day after their arrival dawned and Raelin felt
stiff and sore from their walk. She wanted to go home.
But knew that would be running away. She sat up on the
bed and looked out the window.

Aidan was lent up against the door and still sleeping
he could afford that small luxury today after the
exhaustive trek to the hut.  He just hoped that he
could keep Raelin safe.

After surveying the outside Rae climbed off the bed
and tip toed over to Aidan's side and kissed his
cheek.

Aidan stirred , and looked up to see Rae.  He yawned
and smiled up at her. "What is it?" he asked as he
slowly stood and stretched.

She straightened up "nothing. just thought Id say
good morning"

He smiled. "Ah thank you." he said softly as he
arched his back in a stretch.  "Well I guess we should
get breakfast."

Rae nodded. "One question.. what is breakfast?"

He smiled. "Well there are an assortment of berry
bushes in the area, and I could fish again."

She smiled. "ok.. I'll go collect the berries"

"Are you sure of that Rae?  I would rather not leave
you alone outside." he said with a small frown.

"Aidan I am not incapable you know. I can defend
myself if pressed."

"With what Rae?" he asked as he wrapped his arms
around her.

She looked down. "Well.. normally I'd have my knife
but Padric confiscated it two weeks ago when he woke
me and i almost slit his throat."

He chuckled. "As he should have.  I can teach you a
bit with a small sword, and in the trunk I think there
is a knife which might be your size."

She nodded. "I can also use a bow," She said
carefully. "My father had me taught in it and the
dagger."

He nodded. "What good is a bow though in close
combat?  Just stay close please Rae and I think all
will be well."

"ok" she said softly.

He smiled and kissed her quickly. "I'll wait for you
outside Rae."

She nodded and turned to dress again.

He exited the hut and leaned against the outer wall
of it he wondered what this confined time was going to
do to them other than drive them insane.

Rae exited a short time later with the knife in hand

Aidan smiled and then led her towards the river and
the bushes. "Like I said stay close and call me if you
need me."

"I promise I will Aidan" She said softly

He nodded, and moved towards the stream to fish
leaving her be for the time being.

Raelin began to collect some berries that she knew
were ediable.

Aidan worked on fishing hoping that this time he
would have better luck in the time it took to catch
them.

Rae took off her cloak and put the berries in it.
Soon she had a large ammount and headed for the river.

Aidan had lucked out this time and had already caught
two fish.  He smiled at his accomplishment and noticed
Rae.  He walked over to her with a small smile. "Are
you all finished?"

She nodded and sat down on the bank. "Yes. But I was
just going to wait here for you."

He smiled "there is no need I am ready as well."

"Ok.." she sighed and got up again

"What?" he asked as they started back towards the
hut.

"Sore legs" she said with a smile

"Ah well later you can soak them if you wish."

"Can we swim?"

"If you wish you may, just be careful we are not the
only ones in the forest."

"i know. I will be" she said with a smile

He smiled. "Then you are most welcome to swim while I
stand guard."

She hugged him impulsively.

He hugged her back wary of the berries that she had
picked.

She released him and headed for the hut

He sighed and shook his head still not sure of what
was going on but her followed her slowly.

Raelin did not walk to fast and allowed him to catch
up

He fell in stride next to her. "Why did you do that
Rae?"

"Do what?"

"The hug."

She looked at him. "Cause I could"

He nodded and smiled. "Ah."

"Why?"

"I was wondering why you did that." he said as he
leaned down to kiss her.

She smiled and allowed the kiss, even kissing him
back

He broke the kiss and moved to work on the fish.  He
had a small smile on his face as he cooked them.

Raelin placed the berries on the table and watched
him

Once the fish were cooked he brought them over and
laid them on the plate.  "How was last night?" he
asked as he took some berries.

"ok.. I am surprised i slept."

He chuckled. "Your body probably forced it, the
journey is not one to be taken lightly." he said as he
took a bite of fish.

Rae nodded. "Still.." she said eating a berry "I was
sure i would not"

"Yes well I can get you to sleep I am sure of it." he
said as he took another bite of fish.

"oh?"

He nodded as he continued eating. "I would rather not
have to but I believe that I can."

"ok... care to share?"

"I would rather not at this point, but there are
plants out here which I have used and have been used
on me to help calm one."

"oh ok"

Aidan did not respond but continued to eat.  When he
had finished he pushed himself back from the table.

Rae looked at him carefully as she finished her meal

He looked up and frowned. "What is it Rae?"

"nothing"

"Is it?"

Rae nodded

He smiled and took her plate. "If you wish to swim
you may want to get ready while I clean these, and
then we can go."

"ok.." she said softly. She knew she couldjust wear
the shirt and trews

Aidan returned a few moments later, and waited for
Raelin. "Shall we milady?"

She nodded. she had removed the outter garments and
was in the tunic and trews

Aidan was surprised at her choice of dress and
averted his eyes.  He moved beside her and escorted
her to the river.

"You'll trip" she said

"What?" he asked turning to face her.

"If you keep not looking at me while walking you may
trip"

"Rae the way you are dressed it is inappropriate for
me to look."

She rolled her eyes. "You have seen me in less." she
reminded him

"In private, not out in the open." he retorted "Or do
you not care about propriety?"

"I can't see anyone else here and you dragged me out
here remember"

"Yes I know." he said with a sigh. "If you do not
have a problem with it then so be it."

She rolled her eyes and when they reached the stream
she headed straight for the water taking off her shoes

He moved and sat beneath a tree, and relaxed somewhat
since Raelin was not in such close proximity.

raelin moved into the water and out to where it was
deeper before diving under

Aidan closed his eyes and smiled as he listened to
the birds chirping.

Suddenly hegot a wet face. raelin had splashed him
from the water

He looked up and wiped his face. "Yes?" he asked but
froze when he saw her.

She laughed. "How can you watch with your eyes
closed?"

"I can listen, besides what I see before me is well,
too tempting."

She raised an eyebrow. "yeah right." She turned and
headed back into the water

He slowly opened his eyes and let out a breath.  She
had no idea how tempting she actually was, which was
sad, but he had to protect her now, and what he had
seen could sorely test any man.

raelin swum calmly in the stream ignoring the
comments from Aidan occasionally splashing him

Aidan sighed he was close to dripping wet when he
noticed something out of the corner of his eye. "Rae."
he called and motioned to her.

She swum closer. "yes?"

"You need to get out of the water." he said urgently.

"Why?"

He pointed behind her to the stag that was
approaching them.

"Oh isnt it handsome" she said softly

"Yes it is but you are in it's way if you continue to
swim you might spook it."

She sighed and climbed out of the stream

"Just stay here for a bit and you can go back in if
you wish." he said and then blushed when he realized
how she looked.

She shook her head spraying him with water. "ok"

He sighed and grabbed her to stop her. "Stop that
will you please."

She looked at him with inocent eyes "Why?"

"I do not want to be soaked at this point in time
Rae."

She pouted at him

"What?" he asked as he looked down at her and let her
go.

She shook her head again. "Wimp"

He sighed and grabbed her again. "Do you truly want
to test me Rae?"

"maybe"

He leaned in close. "Becareful with that Rae you may
not like to get burned."

"oh Fine" she huffed and pulled away. "I am going
back to swimming"

He grabbed her wrist spun her around, and kissed her
deeply.

Shocked she let him kiss her and slowly kissed him
back

He pulled back and looked down at her with a small
smile.

"I should slap you for that but i wont"

"And why should you slap me?"

"taking advantage"

"I am?"

She smiled. and pulled away. "maybe"

He chuckled. "Oh perhaps you should slap me."

"nah." she turned and headed for the water, her
clothes sticking to her

He sighed and sat back down.  She very well could be
the death of me he thought as he closed his eyes and
relaxed.

Raelin floated for a while in the water

Aidan watched her surreptiously, and hid a smile.
Part of him was glad that she was alone with him
another was infuriated at was going on and another was
just plain scared.

After a while Raelin exited the stream and grabbed
the cloak she had brought down with her

Aidan had dozed a short time before and was still
propped up against a tree.

She wrapped the cloak around her and tip toes up to
him. "Some bodyguard" she muttered

He stirred. "Yes?"

"I said Some bodyguard"

He yawned. "Not everyone is a bundle of energy
besides if you had yelled I would have woken."

"Drowing is silent"

"Yes, and did you?"

"Could have"

"You didn't." he said as he looked at her and stood
slowly.

She had the cloak wrapped around her but she let the
ends fall apart slightly as she straightened up

He looked down at her and his mouth dropped. He knew
she needed to change and was rather shocked that he
liked the way that she looked.

"What?" she asked

"You.." he trailed off.

"me what?"

"You are too tempting Rae." he said as he turned away
from her.

"What?" she asked stunned. "Oh Males." she muttered
and stalked off towards the hut

He turned and jogged to catch up with her and stop
her. "Rae do you know how tempting you look?"

"Tempting? I look like a drowned rat!"

He shook his head. "Rae you look beautiful." he said
as he leaned down to kiss her.

She allowed the kiss and kissed him back.

He held the kiss and slowly deepened it.

Raelin kissed him back, unsure where it would lead

Aidan slowly broke the kiss and looked down at her.
"Like I said you are too tempting."

She bit her lip and shrugged

He sighed and slid the cloak off her shoulders, and
then ran his hands down her. "This... You are tempting
me very much right now." he said as he kissed her
again.

She smiled faintly against his lips.

He pulled back again. "Do you understand Rae?"

"Kind of"

"What do you not understand?"

"Why me"

"Why not you?"

"You know why"

He sighed. "Because I love you, because you are
beautiful, because no one gets my blood boiling quite
like you."

She blushed deeply

He smiled. "Do you understand Rae?"

she nodded

He smiled and kissed her again.

She kissed him back gently

He pulled back. "We should stop and you need to
change."

Rae nodded. "yes I am getting a bit cold."

He nodded, and let go of her. "You may want to lay
under the covers for a bit as well to warm up."

She shrugged. "Shall see"

He nodded, and waited for her to go inside. "I will
wait out here."

She entered and changed as quickly as she could and
then called out to let him know he could come in

He entered the hut and sat just at the door. "So what
shall we do now Rae?"

"Not sure.."

He nodded. "Are you cold?"

She nodded. "Hair is too wet to lie down though

"Grab the beds blanket, and come her." he said
softly.

Rae did as she was told and moved to sit beside him

He pulled her onto his lap, and wrapped the blanket
around them. "This will help." he whispered against
her ear.

She snuggled into his arms content

He smiled and kissed her gently, as he started to rub
her back.

Rae rested against him and closed her eyes

He continued to rub her back slowly and smiled, as
she snuggled closer.

Rae drifted off into a half sleep

Aidan held her close and continued to rub her back
slowly.

Soon Rae's breathing became even

Aidan smiled and looked down between them and nearly
caughed at what he saw, he closed his eyes and let go
of her so he could stand.  He then picked her up and
carried her to the bed and laid her down on it for a
moment, as he went to see if there were any shifts
still there.

Raelin rolled over in her sleep, leaving the cloak to
fall open

Aidan found the shift and looked back and nearly
choked.  He moved back to her and kissed her softly,
and removed the cloak.  He sat her up gently, and
slowly slid the shift over her to cover her.

rae moved slightly as he did so.

Aidan pulled back and sighed, he sat next to her and
smiled as he ran his fingers through her hair.

raelin was fast asleep and did not notice anything

Aidan had fallen asleep next to Raelin on the bed, he
had been more tired than he had thought from all of
the walking and watching after her, and now he was
dreaming though they weren't the dreams that a knight
was supposed to have,

Raelin had moved durring her sleep and now lay half
on him

Aidan wrapped his arms around the woman in his dreams
and held her firmly against him, his actions mimicked
his dream, though he did not know it.

Raelin did not seem to notice in her sleep and she
snuggled closer

Aidan sighed and pulled her up his body slowly
without being aware of it.  He sighed in his sleep and
a broad smile crossed his face.

Shifting slightly in her sleep Rae mummbled

Aidan woke from his sleep having been trained to
sleep fitfully but lightly.  He was shocked when he
saw Rae on top of him.  He sighed he just hoped she
wouldn't get to excited when she woke.

raelin seemed to calm down and snuggled closer

Aidan sighed, and held her close. "Rae you need to
wake up Rae." he said softly.

"hmmph!" she shook her head and remained asleep

Aidan groaned. "Rae you need to get up." he repeated.

"no"

"You have to Rae just for a bit."

"Why?" she asked sleepily opening her eyes

"Well aside from laying atop me, and well the way you
are dressed, I need to move to the door to sleep."

She frowned and rolled off him. "ok"

"What?" he asked as he sat up.

"nothing,:

"Are you sure?" he asked as he thouched her arm.

she nodded

He sighed. "If you say so."

She closed her eyes

He stood and and walked out the door he needed to get
something for dinner, and she was safe here at this
point.

rae drifted off to sleep

Aidan moved down to the stream and started to fish.
The dream had been too real, with him and Rae.  He
shook at the memory of it, and then put it out of his
mind as he waited for the first fish.

Rae woke up a while later to notice she was alone.
She sighed.

Aidan started back to the hut with the fish that he
had caught.  He sighed it had to be his luck that it
would rain and that he would be caught in it.  When he
arrived he sighed he was soaked to the bone, he
quickly put the fish down and then looked at Rae.

She got off the bed and looked at him. "You get
changed." she ordered.

He looked down at her. "Rae I can manage, and I will
not change infront of you." he said even as he saw the
shift, slide off her shoulder.

She shook her head "I'll close my eyes. get changed"

He sighed, and stripped out of his wet clothes, and
rummaged through the trunk for a shift, once he found
one he slipped it on.  He grumbled when he found
nothing else. "Umm... Rae we have a small problem."

She did not look. "My clothes should be dry so, use
my cloak."

"I have a shift it is pants which are my problem and
I doubt that your cloak is going to help."

"Then use a blanket" she said

"And how will I cook Rae?" he asked as he moved to
the bed and sat down on it and moves the covers across
his lap.

"I can cook." she said calmly.

He sighed. "Alright and I am covered Rae."

She opened her eyes and headed to start dinner

He sighed, tonight would be far more interesting that
he had anticipated.

She silently cooked their meal ignoring him

"What is wrong Rae?" he asked from the bed.

"nothing" she said calmly

He frowned. "Are you sure?"

"yes"

He sighed and stood, and moved behind her and wrapped
his arms around her. "Is earlier bothering you?"

"no." She replied

He kissed her neck gently. "Talk to me please and
don't ignore me." he said softly.

"I am fine Aidan. Go back to where you were sitting."

"Why?" he asked as he held her firmly.

"because I will burn the fish if you dont

"Oh and why is that?" he asked with a small smile.

"Because you are distracting me"

He chuckled. "Oh?"

"Aidan" she began warningly

He sighed. "Fine, but we talk later."

"Ok fine whatever"

He sighed and walked back over to the bed and sat
down slowly.

raelin finished cooking them dinner and brought his
over to him

He took it and smiled at her as he started to eat.

She ate silently beside him

He finished the meal and looked over at her.  "Rae
what are we going to do I am not dressed to stand
watch and there is no way that I will let you."

"So? Stand or rather watch from the bed."

"Are you sure Rae?"

she nodded.

"How are we going to umm work that?"

"We'll figure it out." she took his plate and moved
away

He sighed it was going to be a very interesting night
indead.

After a moment she returned and built up the fire and
made sure his clothes were in a spot to dry properly.

He chuckled. "You are a wonder Rae."

She gave him a wonky smile. "thank you"

"You are welcome kind lady. "Would you come to bed?"

She nodded and walked over to it

He lifted the sheets to allow her in. "How shall we
do this?"

She shrugged. "Like the other night?

He nodded. "Are you sure that you want to do that?"

She nodded.

He leaned over and kissed her gently.

She kissed him back and then rested her head against
his shoulder

He ran his fingers through her hair. "You are very
tempting Rae."

"thank you."

"What for?"

"fo the compliment"

"Ah." he said and kissed her again.  "You are far
more tempting than you think Rae."

She blushed

He smiled and kissed her deeply.

she kissed him back gently

He held the kiss, and wrapped his arms around her.

Slowly she broke it and said softly. "sleep"

"I am not sure that I can right now or that I want to
Rae what about you?"

"Nothing else to do"

Aidan sighed. "You mean nothing proper left to do."

she nodded

He smiled. "So is there nothing to do?" he asked as
he kissed her again.

she shook her head

He pulled back and sighed. "Well is kissing a bad
thing?"

"No, but it normally leads where?"

"That's depends Rae, though usually I believe
children become the end result."

"Not ready for children"

He chuckled. "I know, but who says that would be the
end result?"

"Well what happens to get children?"

"We go farther than we shall."

"I do not think we should"

"Would you like me to get up?"

"no."

"So what do we do?"

"Sleep"

He leaned over and kissed her again wrapping his arms
around her and pulling her to him.

She kissed him back gently

He held her against him, and held the kiss/

She hugged him and hereyes closed

He broke the kiss slowly and closed his eyes slowly.

Rae snuggled closer

Aidan held her close and rubbed her back slowly.

"Love you Aidan" Rae mummered as she drifted off to
sleep

"And I you Rae." he said as he drifted off.

Aidan woke the next morning to a weight across him.
He opened his eyes slowly and smiled when he realized
that it was Rae.  He didn't want to wake her  ,and
kissed her gently.

Rae smiled in her sleep but did not move

Aidan smiled and kissed down her cheek to her lips.

"hmm" she mummbled

He slowly deppened the kiss. as he rubbed her back.

Raelin's eyes opened and she smiled softly

Aidan smiled at her. "How are you this morning Rae?"

"good. Yourself?"

"I am doing well, and am glad that you are here."

She smiled. "When can we go home?"

Aidan looked out the window at the down pour. "Not
until that passes."

she pouted. "Ok"

"Sorry Rae we can't risk it besides I thought you
enjoyed the company."

"i do. its just.. the funeral."

"I know Rae we will get you home for it."

She closed her eyes and snuggled closer

He held her close, and rubbed her back.  I do have
one small question Rae."

"yes?"

Aidan smiled. "About that question I asked you."

"yes"

"Is that your answer to the question I asked now or
then?"

"both" she said not opening her eyes

"Are you sure about that?" he asked as he moved away
from her.

She looked up at him yes

He smiled and moved over to the trunk and took out a
pouch. "this is for you Rae."

She looked at it. "What is it?"

"Open it." he said softly.

She opened it.

Out fell a ruby pendant, and ring with saphires
around each. 6 around the ruby on the pendant and 6
around the ruby on the ring. She stared at it. "Oh
Aidan they're.. beautiful."

He smiled. "They've been passed down for years, just
had to find the right woman."

She looked up at him with a smile. "Thank you."

"There's no need to Rae and you will get that public
proposal." he said with a smile.

She leaned up and kissed him

He kissed her back gently.

she smiled as she broke the kiss

He laid his hands on her shoulders.  "Is there
anything that might interest you today?"

"Hmm no not really"

He leaned in and kissed her again deeply.

She kissed him back and then when it broke she said.
"Aidan.. you remember telling me about the fact that i
have no relatives??"

"Yes I do Rae what of it?"

"I was thinking.. The duke of my region.. is the
kings father."

"Yes Rae and?"

"Meaning you have to talk to him."

"Yes, but that is the least of my worries right now."

"ok"

He leaned down and kissed her again as he slowly
wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back
slowly.

***************

Another Unexpected Turn
Aine ui Caerdydd, a Lady of Caerdydd in Llandaf
Rhianriod and Gwynneth, NPC servants
Baron Darcy Caedmon, NPC nobleman

“Gwynneth,” Aine commanded sharply as soon as they were within sight of 
Caedmon’s abode, “ride ahead and announce our presence, and ask for succor.” 
  At her lady-in-waiting’s assent and action, Aine took one deep breath and 
let it out slowly.  “We’ll soon have our answers,” she told Rhianriod 
firmly, purring it.

“You have a plan, then?” the dark-haired woman asked with a slight frown.  
She was still put off that she hadn’t been allowed to eviscerate her Lady’s 
foe before the foe had basically done it herself.

“Something like one,” she said with a nod.  “It will require you to do 
something for me, however, that will also require you to have an armed 
escort.”  She motioned around a little.  “I’m surprised that we’ve not been 
waylaid already by brigands, given we are three women alone on this road.”

“Perhaps the Baron and vavasour keep it well-watched,” Rhianriod offered, 
still eyeing Aine curiously.  “What is it that you wish of me, my Lady?”

Aine tapped her palfrey up into a slightly faster trot, causing a 
disgruntled Rhianriod to follow suit.  “You are to return to Archantael’s 
manor and see if that little witch decided to die,” she said evenly.  “You 
are also to stay there, given how close to nightfall it will be by then, 
overnight and keep your ears open and your eyes wide.  Listen to everything 
and everyone that you can under the guise that I’m concerned for her, 
despite her heinous actions, and most concerned over what caused the 
commotion to begin with.  Perhaps the vavasour will speak with you a little 
more candidly than he would with a noblewoman herself.”

“There is something amiss with this, my Lady,” Rhianriod growled as they 
approached the front gates of Caedmon’s manor.  “I wouldn’t wish for you to 
be left alone with only Gwynneth for protection.  Especially not here.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Aine asked, turning to frown at her servant.  “You 
heard something…?”

“Somewhat, Lady Caerdydd,” Rhianriod acknowledged unwillingly.  “It strikes 
me that if Collwen and Lord Archantael were speaking the truth, from what 
you told us at least, then the Lady Sibille was the serpent at the root of 
these ill tidings.  Collwen loved, and apparently still does, the vavasour, 
to the point where she would kill herself for him.  And yet, though we know 
that Archantael courted her while he worked under Caedmon, she wanted him 
to… see her, you said?”

Aine nodded, but then shrugged.  “Which comes back to the point of the 
matter: Aeton Archantael was bedding Darcy Caedmon’s wife.  We figured that 
out already, Rhianriod.”

“Not if he were telling the truth when he told Collwen he hadn’t been with 
Sibille,” Rhianriod pointed out, much to Aine’s dismay.  She nodded glumly, 
recognizing her own slip-up in the matter.  Rhianriod almost hid the glee 
she felt at one-upping her Lady.  “Which means that he wasn’t betraying his 
then-Lord, but was the victim of love, by what it appears.”

“Love,” Aine said with a grimace.  “Nothing good comes of it, from what I’ve 
seen.”  She eyed Darcy’s walls looming closer to them.

“That’s as may be, Lady,” Rhianriod replied cautiously.  “But it begs the 
question: if Darcy Caedmon is also telling the truth, then it was his child 
Sibille carried.  And why would all of this have come about if the woman 
lost her life and her child in what might be considered the normal ways of 
bad luck?”

Aine opened her mouth to reply, but then closed it as what the servant woman 
had said sunk in.  As she rode, she looked quickly from the walls to the 
ground to her right and then her left, darted glances that she wasn’t aware 
of in her thinking.  “There wouldn’t have been a need for secrecy if it were 
a true tragedy,” Aine agreed, something finally dawning on her.  “But if 
Aeton weren’t truly doing anything with Caedmon’s wife, he had no reason to 
fear after he sent the man to war.  That would’ve effectively removed the 
problem.  But the wife died during the time when Archantael was gone, and he 
claims that the man had her killed.”

“So he had to know what happened, first of all,” Rhianriod agreed with a 
nod.  “And Collwen worked there at the same time, which was why we were told 
to speak with her.  She knows more than she told.”

Aine pursed her lips.  “She sounded… angry at Sibille.  Still.  I’ve only 
ever been that angry when…”  She blinked and straightened in her seat 
sharply.  “When something I consider mine has been stolen from me,” she said 
softly.  “Or when I’ve been told to do something I have no desire to do, 
that I can’t see as beneficial to me.”

“Aye, my Lady,” Rhianriod sighed, having actually been around for those 
rather chilling moments.

Aine licked her lips lightly.  “I have killed people for doing those 
things,” she continued, her fingers tightening on the reins slightly.

Rhianriod looked at the Lady warily this time.  She nodded as Aine turned to 
face her and caught her eyes.  “Aye,” she repeated, looking away quickly.

“She wouldn’t have thought twice about killing me, I think,” Aine continued 
with a creasing of her brow.  “For trying to take what she considered hers 
again.  I’m surprised that she hadn’t tried to off Darcy before she’d come 
to warn Aeton.”  She kicked her palfrey up into a lope.  “If she killed 
Sibille..” she began.

“Then there was no way that Darcy couldn’t have known about it, being as he 
was there at the time,” Rhianriod finished for her in satisfaction.  “Now do 
you see why I would rather not be here?”

“On the contrary,” Aine returned with a toss of her head, “it means I have 
every reason to confront the Baron with this and perhaps clear off some of 
the questions, while you do the same with the vavasour.”

“My Lady!” Rhianriod exclaimed in slight fright.  “You mean to stay the 
night here with the Baron!  Are you mad?  He could have helped kill his own 
pregnant wife!”

She shook her dark head so that the late afternoon sun flashed blue through 
it briefly.  “He won’t touch me, Rhianriod,” she argued with a tone that 
noted it was no longer an issue.  “Not with Collwen dying and a chance to 
fight Aeton in the mix.”  She smirked at her faintly.  “Besides, I don’t 
know that he actually did it more than protected himself after it was done.”

“But--!” Rhianriod began, silencing herself as they rode through the gates.  
Gwynneth stood in the courtyard waiting for them alongside Baron Caedmon.

The latter had a thunderous look on his face.  She didn’t have to look at 
Gwynneth to know that her second servant had told Darcy the reason why they 
were arriving.  Aine was relieved that their ride and talk had flushed her 
face, as it made her appear as if she were valiantly holding in her 
emotions.  “I will call him to a duel for this,” Darcy growled as he stepped 
forward to help Aine off her palfrey himself.  “He had a spy in my home all 
this time, and that spy threatened your very life.  I will have his head 
with the Earl’s very approval this time!”

“In the morning, sirrah,” Aine snapped, glaring at him with heat in her 
cheeks and icy green eyes.  The title she gave him, and her tone, was like a 
slap in his face, and he withdrew from her slightly, speechless.  “The 
creature who threatened me was of your house, and I mean to find some 
answers this night.  And I mean to wait and see if she even survives the 
night after stabbing herself as she did before I think of allowing you to 
uphold my honor.”

“How dare--” Darcy began, but Aine gestured sharply at him.  “Something 
isn’t right in this place,” she told him, low and cold, “and I don’t wish to 
be a part of something that may destroy me while you two are trying to 
destroy one another.  I cannot ride these roads at night, and you very well 
know it.  Fortune, or fate, has brought me back here today to you after my 
life was threatened by the most surprising of sources, who originated from 
you.  I will go to the Earl myself on this matter if I do not get the truth 
from you, Baron Caedmon, and you know very well that the Earl may punish 
both of you truculent beasts for being so childish as you have been.”

Caedmon looked at Aine for a long moment, his hands balled into fists at his 
sides, and she was almost certain the man was going to explode and toss her 
out bodily with her servants.  A moment later, her risk paid off.  He closed 
his eyes, swallowed once, breathed in and out deeply, and motioned for her 
to enter his house.  “Go,” he told her succinctly.  “They’ll show you your 
room, and I’ll speak with you in a little while.  I had little intention of 
drawing in an innocent, and you are correct in calling me a beast for it.  
Especially now that  your life has been threatened needlessly.”

“Come, Rhianriod, Gwynneth,” Aine said softly, coolly, as she brushed past 
Darcy to enter his manor.  She would have celebrated her victory if she 
hadn’t known how close to failure she had actually been.

* * * * *

“Where has your other lady in waiting gone off to?” Darcy asked much later, 
after she had freshened up with Gwynneth’s help and had come down to dinner. 
  He looked around the room quickly, almost warily, as if he fully expected 
Rhianriod to be lurking somewhere scribbling down notes of anything that 
they said.  Which was quite stupid to think of, Aine knew, seeing as she 
knew very well that the man wasn’t afraid of her servants or of her in that 
way.  He had promised to tell her some things, and she believed him.  He had 
little choice in the matter, besides.  She’d shown she knew something more 
than what he thought she knew, and he most likely wanted to know that 
information as much as she wanted to dig more out of him.

“She took one of your men and rode back to Aeton Archantael’s manor,” she 
said matter of factly as she daintily lifted a bit of meat towards her 
mouth.  “She’s to see if Collwen has indeed died, or if she might yet live.  
I would like to know why the woman felt the need to threaten me when I had 
done nothing wrong.”  It was a little bit of a white lie, but she 
acknowledged its usefulness.

Darcy hesitated at the words, however.  “For her sake, I would hope that she 
doesn’t survive,” he said at last, still wary.  “As harsh as it sounds, what 
she would face if she did indeed survive, either by my hand or the Earl’s, 
would kill her far more slowly than her self-inflicted wounds.  The Earl 
doesn’t allow for these things in his lands.”

Especially not with his daughter as the Queen of the land, I would imagine, 
Aine thought with only faint cattiness.  He was still avoiding the issues at 
hand, however, and had yet to say his piece.  It irritated her a little that 
he was being so elusive with her, let alone that he wasn’t trying nearly 
hard enough to fish information out of her like a proper nobleman.  It 
almost made her think that maybe he really was frightened of her.  She 
remained silent for a moment, both to savor the venison she was eating and 
his anxiety.  The combination was a heady mix to her.

He noticed it, and set down his goblet of mead with a hollow thump.  The 
force of it splashed some of the contents out and onto his table, barely 
missing his retreating hand.  “Do you truly mean to bring the Earl into 
this, Lady Caerdydd?” he demanded at last in a tone that made her easily 
visualize his hands balled into fists beneath the table.

Aine lifted her glass of water to her lips with a slight smile.  “If I don’t 
hear enough from you tonight to warrant not doing so, then yes,” she replied 
casually as she sipped at her drink.

“What is it that you want to know that I’ve not told you?” he asked in 
frustration, his gesture sharp and almost violent.  “What could you possibly 
WANT to know that I’ve not told you?”

She set down her goblet and rose to her feet, letting him simmer for only a 
few moments before she responded.  “Collwen wanted your man, Aeton, and he 
made every sign, from what I’ve heard, that he wanted her as well.  Yet, 
when your wife died in childbirth while he was away, he returned and got 
upset at you… and went to serve the Earl.”

“Yes, I told you: his service to the crown was so great, and to the Earl in 
particular, that he was offered the position of vavasour to him,” Darcy 
replied irritably.  “I told you that.”

“And he said that he believed you had harmed her while she carried a child,” 
Aine countered smoothly, lithely and silently pacing with a slowly 
methodical gait back and forth at the other end of the table.  “You then 
replied she had died in childbirth despite your best efforts, and that you 
had a private nurse who belonged to your mother who tended her and then left 
afterwards.”

“I did,” he admitted with a sigh, leaning back with his hands placed on the 
table before him.  He watched her moving, though, and she could feel his 
eyes on her form as it shifted beneath the fabrics that she wore.  She 
wasn’t sure if it was interest or if he were getting ready to flee her like 
a mouse would a cat.  “And so therein lies the kernel of this personal war 
between us: my wife.”

“Well, you told me,” Aine continued softly, gesturing just as lightly as she 
turned to face him, “that you didn’t believe the two of them were together.  
How did you know this for a fact?”  She lifted a brow at him.  “How did you 
know for a certainty that the child your wife carried was yours, Baron 
Caedmon?”

His eyes narrowed dangerously at her, but she remained aloof and observant 
rather than quailing.  “You dare…” he began, but then stood and waved it 
off.  “Very well.  How did I know it?  I knew it because I found my wife’s 
journal accidentally one day.  She or one of her ladies in waiting had left 
it in the garden, and I thought I would see what book my beautiful Sibille 
had chosen to practice her reading on that day.”  He paused a moment before 
he glanced at Aine.  “She could read and write fairly well, the basics and a 
little better, but she had wanted to learn more.  I was teaching her.”  He 
shrugged a little as he turned to pace slowly.  “I didn’t get to read much 
of it before her frantic lady in waiting came back for it, and nearly 
fainted to see me with it in my hand.  She was accurate in thinking so, 
given I’d read her latest entry and it had proclaimed, once more, her 
growing irritation that Aeton would not consummate the affair she had lured 
him into.”

Aine cocked her head at him somewhat.  “So you knew that she was false, and 
Aeton wasn’t?  Why didn’t you confront her with the information and end 
everything right then and there?”

“I thought it best to remove his presence rather than to throw it in her 
face,” he answered with a sigh.  “He wasn’t anything more than a pawn to 
her, a toy.  I had hoped that without his presence, I could amuse her myself 
so that by the time he returned, she would have forgotten him and saved him 
the torture she was putting him through.  I wanted it dealt with quietly.”

“And then she miscarried,” Aine said with finality, crossing her arms at her 
chest.  He nodded a fraction, and she quirked a brow at him.  “So, if she 
had miscarried your child, what was the secrecy surrounding it about?  Why 
not call in more than one midwife to try and save the mother, if not the 
babe?”

Darcy shook his head as he turned around to face her again.  He remained 
silent, his features and throat working, and at last burst out with his 
reply.  “It looked like I had killed her!” he shouted wildly, gesturing with 
great sweeps of his hands.  “I had to keep it silent or lose everything I 
had simply because of that witch’s black heart!”  He pointed up towards 
where she could recall his battlements resided.  “She went for a walk with 
Collwen to the battlements of my castle,” he explained, his hand shaking as 
he babbled it out.  “She began to miscarry the child there, and Collwen said 
she grew dizzy and sick.  She tried to reach her to bring her back inside, 
but Sibille fell from the battlements.  Collwen, the stupid bint, came 
directly to me to drag me out to the battlements rather than to my wife’s 
body on the ground.”  He struck his chest, his face flushed with color.  “I 
was seen by the servants.  Why wouldn’t they have told Aeton that I had done 
it, thinking as they did that I was such a horror to my own wife that she 
had fallen in love with my knight to find the love she needed?”

“And when he returned,” Aine finished for him softly, “they did just that, 
and sided with him.  Except for Collwen, who knew the truth but loved him.”

“Daft bird,” Darcy cursed as he ran a hand through his hair.  “She helped me 
spread the stories around and helped me cover everything up, even threatened 
the servants though I hadn’t the heart.  She seemed so… eager to do it.  I 
thought she had designs on taking Sibille’s place in my bed, but then I 
learned that she had designs on Aeton.”  He began to calm down, closing his 
eyes and breathing deeply as if he was realizing comfort from telling her 
everything.  “It confused me for a long while after the others had left as 
to why she had chosen to stay when Aeton had gone, knowing as I did that she 
loved him.  I thought she was his spy on more than one occasion, but then…”

“Then what?” Aine cajoled after he’d trailed off into nothing, watching him 
intently.  Some of the pieces that hadn’t fit before were suddenly coming 
together.

He didn’t reply for a long set of moments.  When he did, it was to sigh and 
open his eyes in regard for her.  “Then I asked her why my wife had gone up 
to the battlements in the first place.  Collwen told me that it had been for 
a breath of air, and then lightly told me it had been because she was 
dizzy.”  He shook his head a bit.  “I don’t think she even realized her own 
slip, but it meant the world to me, Lady Caerdydd.  It meant that what she 
had first told me was false, and that she had allowed Sibille to walk up 
several stairs in a dizzy, sick state to get to the walls of my abode.  
Anyone in my house would have set her to bed immediately and fetched me and 
a healer at a run.  Collwen had to have helped Sibille up those stairs and 
then helped her walk up there, at her side.”

“She left her at the edge,” Aine whispered, her eyes growing larger as the 
realization came to her.  “She so much as killed her by allowing her to 
fall.”

Darcy nodded slightly.  “Or killed her outright by pushing her.  The trouble 
is that nobody was with Sibille that day except Collwen, who fetched her 
food and water and shadowed her every step.  Sibille’s ladies in waiting 
were sisters who went to visit their family for a little while, on… come to 
think of it, on Collwen’s suggestion.”

“And now Collwen is dying, or dead, or wishing that she were,” Aine replied 
with a nod of her own as she moved slightly once again.  “Was your wife 
healthy all that time?”

“She was.  There had been no troubles with the babe inside her.  The healer 
had said as much when he checked her a week before.”

Another bit of the mystery clicked into place for her mentally.  Poison? 
Aine wondered.  Something to start the process of miscarriage, and then a 
push right at the right moment off the highest reaches of Darcy’s abode… 
just to make it look like an accident.  I wonder if she was already well on 
the road to being dead before she ever reached the ground?

“You’ve thought of something,” Darcy said in the quiet that followed his 
words.  “What have you thought of?”  He moved towards her a few steps, his 
gaze curious and yet hesitant.

“You know of what I was thinking,” she replied immediately.  “A poison.”  At 
Darcy’s unwilling assent, Aine continued.  “Collwen knew what she was doing 
right enough.  If she could kill your wife, then her main opponent for 
Aeton’s affections would be out of his reach forever.  That she carried a 
child… Collwen had no idea that it couldn’t be Aeton’s.  She may have 
thought that it was, and therefore she wouldn’t have any qualms about 
destroying it.  As a matter of fact… she probably thought that she’d help 
you by doing all of these things, and hiding it, because then you wouldn’t 
have a smirched honor.  And neither would Aeton, and she would wed a knight 
and vavasour, the deluded creature.”  She shook her head at him a fraction.  
“I doubt that she mistakenly told you what she did about your wife.  She 
probably expected thanks from you, in truth, once you had figured it out.”

Darcy growled a little.  “So this entire debacle was because of Collwen?” he 
asked rhetorically, starting to pace.  “And now she’s beyond my reach.”

“Why is it that you’ve been so angry at him, then?”  This from the man who 
was wanting to kill him earlier today, Aine mused silently.  And from the 
man who has been angry at him for this long after apparently knowing the 
truth all the while?  He must think I’m a fool who doesn’t know about his 
little figure-diddling.

Darcy halted a moment and turned to look at her.  “Because he followed my 
wife’s instructions, and by doing so, has brought me dishonor more than what 
being with her has,” he replied gently, moving back towards his seat at the 
table.  “Loving her is one thing, but I read the things she made him do to 
please her, and it was almost everything but the consummation.  It was as if 
kissing and fondling were acceptable so long as he didn’t bed her.  He 
betrayed me, Lady Caerdydd.”  He lifted his mead to his lips.  “He may as 
well have completed the act in my own bed to finish the deed.”

You couldn’t have not known what she was doing with the figures, Baron 
Caedmon, Aine told him with a pleasant smile as she retook her place at the 
table.  She ran the house while you checked those figures and saw to it the 
goods were sent off to the Earl at the proper time.  You’re as guilty as he 
is in this.  It was your duty, after all, to work with him.  “Then you have 
no need to fear me going to the Earl about what happened, Baron Caedmon,” 
she told him as she settled back down in her seat.  “Perhaps now you and he 
can move on with business and life with the two culprits gone.”

“Perhaps,” Darcy replied, relaxing slightly.  If he had any suspicions that 
she wasn’t being entirely truthful, he didn’t seem to heed them.  “Do let’s 
forget about the unpleasant things and enjoy the rest of our meal, my Lady?”

“Indeed,” she agreed, her voice chiming and edged with a purr.  Rhianriod 
will bring me information of some form when she arrives tomorrow, she 
thought to herself.  That will confirm or deny what Caedmon told me, more 
than likely.  But what I doubt they’ll answer is where Collwen got her 
poison, or her knowledge of what would be needed, let alone why she stayed 
with Darcy Caedmon after she had free rein to rejoin Aeton and wear him 
down.  Darcy doesn’t even seem to know.

She lifted her goblet of water to her lips and paused a moment, covering it 
up immediately and easily.  Caedmon didn’t even notice.  There’s someone who 
will know, Aine thought somewhat grimly.  Someone who has apparently known 
all the details and where to get them all this time, to share with me.  
“Baron,” she asked idly, “what was the message that you received from Aeton 
today?”

He grunted a bit.  “Just that he knew what I’d done, and knew that I’d taken 
a few lovers on the side of my own.  That maybe I should choose from one of 
my bastards since I’d killed my lawful heir and his along with my wife.”

“How horrid,” Aine murmured in response, letting Darcy change the topic once 
again.  She watched him for a long moment to see if his words would sink in, 
and then proceeded to eat again.  He doesn’t even realize that he’s being 
played for a fool, she pondered.  Aeton knew Sibille’s child wasn’t his, but 
he might have known that Darcy knew that truth too.  Why would he tell Darcy 
in a letter, therefore, that Darcy had killed the heir to both of their 
estates?  He may not know about politics, but he isn’t that stupid.  He 
wouldn’t use that to incite Darcy’s wrath.  There’s too big a risk that it 
won’t work, and isn’t his style.  It has to be someone else on the outside, 
then.  Someone who, perhaps, hasn’t the same perspective as Aeton and Darcy, 
and who may believe that Sibille’s baby was truly Aeton’s.

She smiled and nodded at something Darcy said.  She’d get her final answers 
the next day, one way or another.

*********************
Shocking a King"
King Hawk
Lord Alterian

After resting for a bit Hawk went to find Ian.  He was still very troubled,
even Arianna wanted him to hang the girl.  He didn't have any illusions
that Ian would say otherwise, it was just that he needed a good long talk
with his old mentor, somebody who had known him his whole life  it wasn't
Afraid to speak his mind.

Ian was working in his study and he was not alone he was instructing some
of the clerks.  Hawk patiently leaned against the doorframe and watched
this simple scene, sometimes he wished he was just a simple clerk without
responsibilities.

Ian looked up and saw the King.  At a simple wave of his hand, the room
cleared immediately.  "Your Majesty, I was not aware you were in need of
me?" Ian said with
a slight bow.

"There was no need for that, I could have waited."  He hesitated.  "I am
not here as the King, Sir Ian.  I am here as a young man seeking advice
from his mentor."

Ian's eyebrow raised.  "I see.  Well, come and sit by the fire, my Lord."
Ian waited until the King was seated and provided with a mug of mulled
cider before he too sat across from the King.  "How can I help?"

"I need to talk, Ian, So for today it's just hawk not your Highness or my
lord."  He hesitated for a second.  "I have troubles executing the child."

Ian's eyes clouded with fury for a brief moment before he forced his
emotions down.   "When does a page or squire cease to be considered a
child?" Ian asked carefully.

"When he can take care of himself.  But Ian, I believe this girl was done
an injustice.  Somehow her parents were killed because of some command my
Uncle gave. the raven took advantage of that.  She is guilty not this poor
creature.  It would be sending the wrong message to the people."

"When we meet a soldier in battle, we do not spare him justice because he
follows an evil leader unless he is obviously conscripted.  If you let this
girl loose, you are letting one who is convinced in her cause have another
chance. It doesn't matter how she came to believe this, there is no doubt
in my mind that she is fully convinced of the rightness of her cause.  Do
you think your dungeons a softer punishment? Because if you do, you haven't
visited the dungeons.  You are doing this girl a greater punishment to
throw her to the wolves beneath your feet then to put her to the sword."
Ian said carefully.

"You don't think we could reeducate her, that would really be sending a
message." He paused.  "Are my dungeons really that bad?"

"I suggest you tour them yourself, your majesty." Ian said softly.  "And
no, I do not think you can reeducate her.  If you spare the woman who 
attempted the wife of
your Queen, what message will you be sending to the dissenters?"

"I know!  Whatever I do in this is wrong, it feels wrong, Ian.  Can't you
understand that?"  He almost pleaded.

"Sometimes, choices are a matter of the better of two bad choices.  Do not
blame yourself, blame the person responsible for putting you in this
situation." Ian pointed out.  "You are not the one who started this, but to
remain King, you must be the one to end it."

"Ian..." he didn't know what to say.  "Will you show me the dungeons now,
incognito?"

"If you wish but may I suggest you change into something less... costly."
Ian said quietly.

"Of course."  He send a servant to get some other clothes and waited
patiently.  "Arianna and I fought over this."  He admitted.

"You fought over the lass?  What is the Queen's position?"  Ian asked, not
wanting to hear that he and the Queen were in agreement.

"She agrees totally with you."  He began to change when the clothes
arrived. it went a little bit awkwardly because of his hurting arm.

"I would think that since she was the target, your grace, that you would
see her point." How Ian hated that the queen sided with him. He wasn't sure
why, but it perturbed him for some reason.  He moved to help the King into
more common garb.

"I do.  I understand what both of you are saying, the problem is that
neither of you understand what I am saying."  He finished dressing.  "does
this look okay?"

"It will do."  Ian handed the King his own cloak.  "I think we understand
your point very well, Hawk. The problem is, as a King, can you afford to 
have it.  Can you
afford to give a public announcement that your Queen is fair game. If you
spare this girl, that is what you will tell every dissenter."

He sighed.  " her life comes first, that means I will have to kill the
girl.  Lead on, Ian."

Ian lead Hawk down to his dungeons.  The Dungeonmaster was surprised to see
Lord Ian.  He did not at first recognize the king.  A few seconds later he
dropped to one knee. "Y...Y.. your Mas...mastegy." He managed to finally
spit out.

Ian pulled the man up. "The King wishes to see his dungeons.  You are not
to treat him as a King before your guards or the prisoners. He is merely
another visiting lord.  Do this or the punishment will be severe?" Ian said
in a tone so deadly that Hawk had to look at him twice to make sure it was
Ian.

Hawk could be without mercy on the battlefield, but this kind of
ruthlessness was difficult for him.  He kept his mouth shut as not to
undermine Alterian.

Ian picked up the lantern and led the way down the damp steps.  It was
clear as they stepped into the main chamber that this was a room that was
used to wring confessions and information from prisoners.  The devices
scattered about the room looked vicious even with disuse.  Ian moved past
them.  In the dark hall beyond the room, he took another lantern and handed
it to Hawk.  The guards were ignoring them as the master was with them.
The men working down here were somewhat unkempt.  Ian led the way to the
first cell.  He held up the lantern so the King could peer through.  Inside
lounged a man against the far wall.  The stench of body wastes in the far
corner could be identified even from the small grate in the door.  The man
was filthy beyond recognition.  His body was marred with marks of whips.

"What has this man done?"  The King asked keeping his face neutral only
with difficulty.

The Dungeonmaster stepped forward.  "That be Sanglet's First Captain." The
man said and spat into the cell.

Ian was off to the side.  "That would make him Lord Aaron de Gustany. It
also explains why he has his own cell."

Hawk remembered condemning the man to life in prison.  Somehow he wished he
had not come here, it had been easier to do that when he didn't know what
prison meant exactly.  He nodded and was ready to move to the next cell.
Ian led him to the next cell. It was larger and held several men. These men
were more mobile and rowdy.  They were playing some kind of game on the 
floor with
what appeared to be small bones.  They too were filthy but unmarred.  In the 
far corner,
huddled under a blanket was what appeared to be a woman.

"Are there no separate cells for women?"  He was quite appalled at what he
had seen so far.

"Well noblewomen don't get here much.  Murderin wenches and the like about
all we see." The man said carefully.  "That there wench murdered her
husband.  So, we gived her to the men as part of her punishment. Keeps the
men more .. in place." The dungeonmaster said, quite proud of himself.
Hawk motioned for the man to let him in.  Two guards came and then the door
was open.  Hawk just walked over to her and crouched next to the woman.

"Why did you murder your husband, lass?" He asked.

The other men in the room were held at bay by the two armed guards.  The
woman looked up, her lip split and swollen.  "He beat me. I didnae mean to
kill em.  I was trying to keep the bugger off un me and he hit his head."
The woman shivered under the blanket.  From this distance, Hawk could tell
that she had no clothes save the blanket.  The room was filthy and cold.
Hawk was getting more and more angry. He took of his cloak and covered the
woman with it. "Come with me." He commanded her.

Ian watched, noting the looks on Hawk's face.  It would seem some changes
might soon be made.  He did not much care what happened down here, but it
was clear that the King was soft hearted.  It would be interesting to see
over time if the King could hang onto such sensibilities.  The men made
sure that the King and the woman were out. It was a tense scene as the
prisoners were not pleased about losing their only piece.  They made that
quite clear by their obsence phrases and gutteral speech.  Once the door
was locked again, Ian breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ian I want this woman placed in a single cell, given decent clothes and
blankets. And I want to see the trial records."

"As you wish, your highness." Ian said quietly.  He beckoned a man forward
who looked at Ian as if he had gone daft.

"Come on." He grabbed the woman by the arm to lead her off as Ian turned
back to the King.

"Do you wish to see more?"

"Damn sure I want to see more, this place is a disgrace Ian!"

"It is a prison, Hawk.  It is not an inn."  He pointed out.

"There is still a thing called humanity, Ian.  Human dignity, you knew
about this!"

"I did." Ian said quietly.  "You were not ready to face this, Hawk.  Your
Uncle was a good king but once a man was condemned, he didn't care what
became of them.  A condemned man has no rights."

"I don't agree, they are still people.  That woman killed her husband in
self-defence, she doesn't deserve to be punished like this.  No wonder the
common people hate us, this is not fair."

"Will they love you more if they learn they can commit a crime and rest
from their labors and their want in you dungeons, fed and warm?  How long
before we fill these rooms?" Ian pointed out.

"I'm not saying people should not be punished, and there is a difference
between a pleasure resort and this and you know it, Ian."
I
Ian said nothing more.  "Do you wish to see more." He asked hiding his
concern behind a calm exterior.

"You know I want to see more.  I should have done this ages ago."  He
muttered.

Ian led the way to another large chamber.  In this room, there were seven
women. They were relatively clean. There were small beds of crude making.
They women had clothes and blankets.  It did not smell.  They had a small
fire and what looked like a small flowing stream. Ian was curious to see
what the King would make of this.

The king nodded. "This looks more like it." He said when they were outside
again. "Tell the King why they are so clean." Ian insisted.

"Well, to service the gaurdsmen." The dungeonmaster said in confusion as if
this was commen knowledge.

The king exploded. "What do you think this is, a brothel!"

The man did not understand why the King was so upset.  He dropped to one
knee. "It is a dungeon.  Dungeons are where those who have crossed the crown
and deserve little but the air they breathe."

"I don't run a brothel you idiot! Some of these people are in here for minor
offences!"

"We don't keep prisoners of minor offenses.  They jus' gets a whippen and
sent on their way." The dungeonmaster pointed out.

"So what did all these women do!"

"I don't know My Lordship.  I don't keep that. I just keep em here LIke I am
told."  the man blustered.

When Hawk looked at Ian, Ian had to admit he didn't know.  He had no idea
that this many women were kept here.

The king shook his head. "I would like you to review this or appoint someone
to do that." He was tired and his arm throbbed.

Ian nodded.  He led the King through several more rooms.  Most fit somewhere
between the women's quarters and the state of the first man's room.  It was
deplorable and Ian knew it. But he had no authority to better the
conditions.

Hawk rubbed the bridge of his nose when they were finished. "What will it
take to change this mess?"

"A total change of staff.  About six weeks of cleaning and a clear
expectation from the crown of what will and will not take place in your
dungeons." The man said quietly.  "You also have four political prisoners in 
the towers." Ian waited for the King to absorb this.

"What did they do, how long have they been there?"

"Ever since Princess Gwen disappeared." He answered. "They refused to assist
the King in the hunt for his daughter."

"What exactly did they do? they must have done more than refuse."

"Your Uncle felt they knew more then they will say." He said quietly.  "Your
Uncle, was a good king but when it came to his daughter, he was very
protective."   Ian didn't add that it had been of great value to keep them
hidden.

"What's your assesment of their guilt and the rightfullness of their
imprisonement." Hawk asked him.

"I think that the political ramifications have not been addressed.  I
believe maybe one or two are justified.  The others, have been detained far
to long.  But, if they report back now, what will the ramifications be?"
Ian said with a frown..

"Maybe I should talk to them because this is wrong. We will have to do
something about it sooner or later and the longer we wait the worse it
gets."

Ian was glad to see the King finally taking interest in ruling.  "As you 
wish,
your Highness." He said softly.

"Let's go through this together and then I will speak to the prisoners."  
The King said.  "Anything more I should see here?"

"No, your majesty." Ian said with a slight bow and laid the way out. Ian 
knew the  King
was surprised.  Some times, chosen ignorance can be difficult to let go of.

The King nodded and followed his chief adviser out. inwardly he was shocked, 
this had been going on under the place where he lived without him knowing.  
Hawk had always liked his uncle and to him he had always seemed a gentle 
man.  That Wyn could have run a dungeon like this was not a nice thought.  
So he stayed silent as he followed Ian up.
**************
"In Dreams I come"

Diora di`Annagar
Rowena ui Iowerth

Diora quietly listened to the night about her.  She didn't know the
difference between days anymore and grew concerned.  More concerned for the
little girl that awaited her back in Alban.  She knew in dreams is where the
girl had not dared and it was in those dreams that Diora roamed.  She looked
upon the small flame of the fire and searched.  She found the one she
seeked.  "Rowena, child...it's Diora."

"Diora?" Rowena gasped at a  presence she could barely feel.

"Aye, tis me.  I still live and though I do not know what goes about, you
are on my mind.  Be ye careful in the waters that you tread around Morgan.
There not much time for the druids these days.  The mercenaries hunt us now
as I speak to you.  They are fed on the fuel of the One God and will stop at
nothing to have us all run through.  I will be returning to you soon...I
promise you that." she said quietly to the girl.  In the dream she reached
out and held Rowena tight.  "You must put your trust in the goddess and
remain for me in the gardens, as you are safer there..."

"Gardens, what Gardens?" Rowena said, clutching her tight to her.  She was
afraid to let Diora go.

Diora led her to the main castle gardens and to the oak tree there.  "Here
is where you can find me when I am away from you...dearest of my heart.
Reach out and touch the oak and speak my name...you'll not be far away from
me when you close your eyes at night.  I'll return to you soon...I promise."
She said still holding onto the girl.

"Your babes, are they well?" Rowena asked, uncertain of her time.

"Their time grows near...and aye they thrive." She said giving Rowena a
smile.

"I want to be there." Rowena whispered.  "I hate it here."

"I hope to be back in time for you to be with them when they arrive." She
said and Diora flickered for a moment in the dream and was quiet...she
promptly returned.  "I'd rather be in the midst of safety than being hunted
as I am right now."

"But you are free." Rowena pointed out. "What good is safety if you are
always told what to do."  Rowena asked, still looking at life from a child's
eyes.

"There are days when I wish I still had that.  I am not as free as you are
my heart.  There may be guards but you are still allowed to do as you
please.  I cannot.  I have a duty and there are days when I would love to
have been a child again." she said to Rowena quietly.

Rowena did not understand that. She hated being little.  She saw absolutely
no benefit to that. "Then come back?" Rowena answered with simplicity.  "My
brother is looking for you?"

She smiled at the child's innocence.  She remained quiet as she knew which
brother was looking for her.  "He is...is he...I doubt he'll find me..." She
said with a chuckle.

"He went with some other man.  I think they each kept blaming the other
because you left.  I did not know the other man, but he was very angry."  
Rowena
confided.

"Strange are the emotions of one who says he's your friend...and the other
openly says he loves you.  Men are weird...be wary of them as well.  Rest
now...and do not fret. I will visit with you again soon and know that I will
be back before you know it." she said with a smile and a hug to the child.

Rowena hugged her back and then the dream faded away. She sunk back into
a deeper sleep.  A peaceful smile graced her small face.

Diora pulled herself back as another pain rolled through her back.  She 
would have to find a better sitting position.  She would contact the girl 
soon and now she knew that both Brendan and Matthias were looking for her.  
The mercenaries grow closer by the day and she didn't know how much longer 
she could hide from them.  She sighed and settled in to watch the night once 
again.
***************

"Madness"
Lord Davydd Sanglet
Sir Shannon

Davydd was picking his way through the thickest and hardest to navigate 
terrain he could find, just in case the King tried to follow and kill him. 
Davydd was headed back to his castle to take his rightful spot on the 
throne. "Once I have my power back I can really start having fun. I will 
kill anyone that supported or even thought good about my brother." Davydd 
said the an evil grin.

Shannon left his chance meeting with the General and began to scout the 
roads out of the Capital. He made his way quickly on his horse to the very 
outskirts of where the farms finally began to fade out. Seeing how that the 
elder Sanglet didn't take a horse it stood to reason that the pathetic 
creature had went into the wilderness returning to where he felt the most 
safe. He cursed himself for not binding Sanglet to a post while he went to 
court. Searching where the open fields ended and the wilderness began, he 
finally came upon an unmistakable sign of where someone had broken through 
and into the brush. Cursing the curr once more he plunged into the thick 
underbrush. His horse at first resisted then gave into it's own instincts 
and lust for the fight and drove hard into the thickness. Having no need for 
stealth he charged ahead hoping to catch Sanglet before dark.

Davydd was picking his way through the woods when he realized that being on 
the road would be faster. ~What if the King goes to my throne and waits t