Politics - Chapter Two

Niall was happy to be back in his bed at the Swan. He spent the night dreaming of all that had occurred. He couldn't help by smile as he awoke at the thought of saving the lives of all those children. As Niall stretched, he could feel the pain all around him from his various burn marks. 'Dats gonna hurt for some time' he thought to himself. Just then, one of the barmaids came in with a big bowl of steaming porridge.

"Pwyll has asked me to keep an eye on ya while ya rest up a bit," Miren said as she winked at the big fella. Niall could do nothing more than blush as he lay naked in bed with the sheets covering him. Miren payed no attention to the bashful giant and set the tray down on his night stand. "Ya best get better soon, though cause I'm not about ta bring three trays in here a meal tryin ta keep yer big ol body fed!" She said with a smile.

"Aw, I won't eat THAT much," he said back to her as he reached for the bowl.

"Well, ya might want ta hurry up cause you got little guests outside who be wantin ta see ya," Miren said as she walked out the door.

Niall got a big grin on his face and excitedly slurped down his food. Niall assumed it was Pwyll wanting to see him so he got out of bed and threw on his clothes. Niall had grown fond of his little boss. He never looked at Niall like he was a misfit or an idiot. Pwyll actually treated him with a bit of respect. To Niall, Pwyll was the best friend he had.

Niall heard a knock at the door as he was tying his last boot. "Come in Pwyll. I'm all dressed," Niall said in a loud cheerful voice. A second later the door opened and in walked four little children. Niall stood there in shock for a moment not seeing the man he had expected.

"Ello mister," said one of the children, "We're here to see how you were feeling today." Niall could tell the children were afraid of him and wondered why they really came. Niall sat on his bed to try and come down to their level.

"How did you know I was not well?" Niall asked

One of the little girl's giggled, "Cause you saved us you silly."

Niall blushed. He remembered being so proud of his actions just moments ago but couldn't remember any of the faces he had saved. All he could remember was their screams of terror. "Well then, I am very happy to see that you are all ok as well." Niall sat on the floor and then patted his hands to indicate they do the same. He could tell their fears had not subsided and wasn't sure how to handle that. "How bout we all introduce ourselves. My name is Niall."

The little girl started first, "My name is Candice and this here is my friend Deedra." Both girls smiled at him.

The little boy who greeted him earlier spoke next, "I'm Marcus and this is Radliffe."

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you four," Niall said as he smiled, "and what made you decide to come and check on me?"

"Your friend told us that even though you were as big as a monster that you had a heart like a kitten. He told us you would really enjoy it if we came to visit you once we got to the city," Deedra said as she squirmed up close to Candice.

Niall chuckled as he remembered his words to Pwyll, 'tell them ogres aren't bad people' then he plunged into the wall. "My friend Pwyll was very right. I am enjoying your company."

"Your not gonna eat us are you? Our friend Fagen said you were an ogre and ogres eat little children," Rad said with fear in his voice. Niall laughed louder, "I won't eat you. I am very big man, but I'm no ogre." Niall paused a moment until his laugh had subsided, "Where are you all staying at?"

"There is a new church just a few buildings down the road. It is of the one god. They were very generous and offered all of us children shelter until other family members can come and get us," Candice said with pain in her voice. "some of our parents were killed by the cult and we have no place to stay. The Priest said we can live there as long as we like though." She hung her head low after she spoke and began to cry.

Koda and Kain, upon hearing Candice cry, moved over to her and laid down with their heads in her lap. All of the children got excited about the dogs and started petting them. Candice wiped her tears away and began to smile. "What are their names?"

Niall grinned, "these are my two dearest friends. This is Koda and this is Kain."

Niall sat there for quite some time and enjoyed watching the children as they played with the dogs. In all of his life, these were the first children to ever warm up to him. Maybe this town was different. Maybe he would be able to make a home here after all.

Gwilym felt hopeless. The enemy surged forward and Quarra and Mical had already fallen. Gwilym, Justin, and Eli showed various cuts and bruises and were obviously fatigued. Gwilym could see the last amount of hope leaving the eyes of his comrades.

That's when he heard it. A feint noise at first, but slowly it got louder. Gwilym could sense tension amongst the enemy. The clashing of steel on steel echoed through the cave, but not from them. The noise grew louder and Gwilym's head rose. He realized the conflict. The calvary had arrived! Ava and Reys must have made it through!

"Fight on men! Our reinforcements are here!" Gwilym shouted with anticipation in his voice. Eli, Brendan, and Justin heard the words mixed with the battle outside. They began to push forward with vigor. Gwilym led the way slashing a man across the face then parrying an axe chop. Eli, Brendan, and Justin followed suit each taking a man to the ground.

The group leader in the cave could sense the change in momentum and began barking orders, "Move in you curr dogs! You'll not be paid until those children are dead!" In the back of the cave, the children began crying louder. The effects were just as he expected. The enemy began to close in one more time.

A few slashes to set the three off balance followed by a pierce from the back of the enemy lines straight into his abdomen put Brendan on the ground. Before Eli, Justin, and Gwilym could recover and aid their fellow warrior, Two men stepped in and finished Brendan off. Gwilym, Eli and Justin couldn't help but retreat a few feet and try to regroup. In the back of the enemy lines, though, a commotion was heard which seemed to rattle the enemy once again.

Quarra had shakily regained her feet and found herself surrounded by three men. With lightning quick speed, she caught the three men off guard and used her claymore to behead two of them. The third struck at her side, and she managed to deflect the blow with a twitch of her arm. She turned and engaged the brigand as the two warriors got into a sparkling clash of swords. Within moments, Quarra had managed to overwhelm the brigand and slashed him across the throat. Not wasting any time, she dashed next to Gwilym and the others to continue in the fight.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Wolfhere saw the men fighting their way into the cave. He knew that his son was in there, he could not let anything happen to him. He ordered his men to charge up the hill he lead the way. Wolfhere was already bleeding from two spots. The cut on his side had reopened and he still had part of an arrow sticking out of his shoulder.

Ian, the commander of the assault, saw this new threat come around the hill. He immediately turned and began barking orders to engage the reinforcements as they started climbing the hillside. Ian was no fool. He realized that he held about thirty-five men compared to the sixty or so reinforcements. He needed to dismantle this new force. Observing the group, Ian's eyes fell upon Wolfhere. Ian felt this man was the leader because he was the only mounted one of the bunch. Ian smiled an evil grin as he made his way to this mounted leader. 'Remove the head and the body will follow' he thou! ght to himself.

The two groups collided and a fierce battle began. Wolfhere went into battle rage even though his sword arm was weary from the loss of blood. He pushed his way to the middle slashing down on anyone who got in his way until his blow was blocked by a curved long blade. Wolfhere stood face to face with Ian. Wolfhere was tired and most likely should have fallen a long time ago. Fresh blood painted his clothing, but the thought of seeing his son again kept him standing.

Ian also held streaks of blood along his clothing. He had a deep cut along his left hand that had forced him to drop his shield. Ian would not falter. This man needed to fall in order to demoralize the reinforcements and send them scattering. He could already see his men were losing. Ian watched as the red-haired man jump down off of his horse directly in front of him. Both men snarled as their swords met one more time.

Wolfhere was still fighting out of pure desperation. Ma! ny of his men had already fallen, but he outnumbered these murderers and could see that he still held the advantage. Wolfhere broke through Ian's defenses as his sword came just short of Ian slicing through the front of his tunic.

Ian could see the fatigue in the red head and the many spots of blood that held cuts and decided to take advantage. He quickly kicked Wolfhere in his side directley on his open wound and sent the red head stumbling back. Ian followed with a stunning blow to the back of Wolfhere's head with the hilt of his curved blade crumpling the man to the ground

Liath watched her lover fall to the feet of his attacker and rallied the men around her. Without care for her own life, she charged the men directly towards Ian. Cutting and slashing, Liath fell any that stepped in her way until she was directly over the body of her fallen lover. Seeing that Wolfhere was still breathing, though faintly, she stared at Ian daring him to attack her. Ian smiled at the new challenge. With the loss of their leader, he felt he was in control. He grinned an evil grin as he stared in the face of this inferior helmeted warrior. Ian was no fool, though. He had watched this person fighting his way over to him and could tell that it was definitely a fierce warrior. Ian came at the new challenger hard swinging his sword in a quick slash. The new challenger quickly parried.

Liath could tell this man was very good and used all of her skill to parry. Catching the man off guard, she followed with a quick stab that partly caught Ian in his left arm. Ian retaliated by swinging down hard and trying to overpower the smaller opponent. Much to his surprise, Liath had quickly sidestepped the attack and countered with a thrust straight into Ian's spine. Ian fell to the ground. Liath quickly rolled him over and took off her helmet so that his last glimpse was the golden hair falling out of the helmet. Ian mouthed a curse as he realize! d a woman had killed him; then gasped his last breath and died.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Gwilym smiled at Quarra as she made her way back to the group, but only briefly. Things looked grim even with Quarra now at their side. As the assailants pressed on, Justin had taken a longsword right through the eye and fell dead before he hit the cold floor. Gwilym, Eli, and Quarra were all that remained and the threesome pushed together to form a tight wall. Eight attackers pressed on.

Eli's shoulder was pierced as Gwilym slashed another foe. Quarra In turn gutted the enemy in front of her. Gwilym did not want to see his new friend die, so he grabbed Eli and threw the man behind him. Quarra, seeing that Gwilym was distracted, parried an attack aimed at Gwilym's heart. Gwilym, was taken back from the near fatal attack, but pierced the foe's heart in return as Quarra held the man in check. Eli fell back towards the kids. Gwilym and Quarra were tired but fought on blocking and thrusting to try and gain some advantage, but they were tired and knew they could not last.

"RETREAT!" the man in the back yelled. Quarra and Gwilym were stunned at the strange call, but as quickly as the yell was heard, the clash of steel was also heard at the entrance to the caves. The reinforcements had broken through. Gwilym and Quarra fought with a new purpose. They immediately took down two more of the enemy when the reinforcements entered and took down the rest.

Gwilym and Quarra paused as they stared at the mercenaries standing before them. They held their weapons up in a defensive posture as Gwilym spoke, "You are not of the king's Guards. Who has sent you?"

One of the mercs stepped forward, "We were sent by Alterian to provide escort for the refugee children of Nethbo. Wolfhere leads us." Gwilym and Quarra both lowered their guards as he spoke the name Alterian. Gwilym and Quarra glanced at each other and the many small wounds they held. Almost immediately they collapsed of fatigue. The last thing Gwilym remembered was looking at Eli who was smiling back at him before he drifted into unconsciousness. Quarra drifted right behind him.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Gwilym opened his eyes and looked about. A camp was set up outside of the caves. Off in the distance he could see the sun rising. Some of the children were awake and Quarra and Avalynn were aiding them. Gwilym smiled at Ava happy to see her alive. Then Gwilym rolled over in his cot because of the sound of another man aching just as he was in a cot right next to his own.

Gwilym found a red headed man in the middle of a morning stretch, "Good morning to you. I am Gwilym ap Gavin and though I have never met you, you are a sight for sore eyes. Your arrival was moments before I should have died. You have saved the lives of these children and I am sure the king will reward you greatly. Might I inquire as to your name?"

"Aye, knight, well met. I am Wolfhere, leader of this here mercenary band. I was sent here by Alterian to aid you," Wolfhere moaned as he looked Gwilym up and down.

"Well met indeed, Woflhere. You have saved me the trouble of having to find you. I am the one in charge of the care of these children." The two men conversed for awhile about the trials that they had each gone through over the past few days. Wolfhere left out the actions he took against King Dyfadd. He wasn't sure how Gwilym might react to that. Eli showed up with breakfast and joined in the conversation. When the men finished their breakfast, the camp sight was broken and they were heading back to Alban.

Gwilym was happy that all was well, but for him this was only the beginning. He swore silently to the gods that he would not end until he placed Urianus' head in a basket and stood before the king acquitted of all accusations against him.

Amlyn waited. Patiently. The parlor was nice and quiet, well away from the people outside in the street and those partaking of meals and drinks in the common room beyond the drapes. The ale in front of him had been untouched since being handed over by the barman, and he could not even find any comfort in sitting down. So he remained standing, examining the panels in the walls as if they may threaten to become interesting unexpectedly.

"Grey Man!" Pwyll smiled as he drew back the drape and slipped into the parlor. His face had a few more lines of care than when they had last parted, but otherwise Pwyll was much unchanged. "It's good to see you alive and well... not that I expected otherwise o' course, but those Donn did seem ta be persistent buggers." He set his own cup down and offered the knight an outstretched hand. It was then, before any response on the part of the one-armed man, that Pwyll noted his guest's somber attire and slightly aloof air. "Methinks we both suffered some trials in our time apart," Pwyll said as they clasped forearms.

When they separated Pwyll indicated a chair for his guest. "Well," Pwyll said as they sat, "You've no doubt heard my tale from the guardsmen, but I cannae say I've had the pleasure of hearing yours."

"Yes..." said Amlyn with a half-hearted smile. "Before I would start however, I wanted to thank you for taking over after I had left. Llewyn told me enough drivel to piece together what really happened, and I think they all owe you and Niall more than just their lives. You also both single-handedly set back the Sect enough to keep them out of the picture for some time. Alterian looked quite pleased when I mentioned it to him."

"'Twas the least I could do after losing those men in the rockfall." Pwyll looked into his tankard for a moment and with a resigned shrug took a long draught. "I shouldn't have taken town men by that way. Would've been better to wait for the river to come down."

After a moment of silence he continued, "Anyway. Truth be told, I think the giant deserves the better part of your thanks. The children wouldn't have survived without him. A simple man, but a brave one." Pwyll smiled slightly. Much of the silver he had looted from the Donn enclave had been spent to ensure that the giant's burns had been well cared for.

Amlyn nodded. "Then if I see him, I'll make sure to pass them on personally. Alterian expressed some interest in your whereabouts also, so it may also be appropriate to pay him a visit and let him know exactly what happened."

"I'll be sure to look the auld bastard up when I've finished settling my business. Though I must say, it's not my place to be giving him a report... I mean what if I was to contradict that young corporal and cast him in a poor light," Pwyll added with a wink. "Well. What about you then?"

"As for my tale, after we left the group I was captured by the Sect and then managed to escape a few days later. Privately, however, things are much more complicated than that. There are some things I have to do. Which means I'll be leaving again in a week or two. So if you wanted that training, then now's the time to start."

Pwyll raised an eyebrow at the one-armed knight. "So you were 'captured by the Sect and managed to escape'?... Truly an epic tale, Grey Man." Pwyll smiled and then gave a little shrug. "Even Death needs a few secrets I suppose."

Pwyll thought he saw the briefest flicker of pain flash across the knight's features. Amlyn then quickly looked away, shrugging off his lapse in composure. "Perhaps one day outlander," he said as a throwaway, "I'll be able to sit down and tell you about many things. When I am old and grey, as a grey man should be." There was not much conviction in his voice.

Pwyll simply nodded at Amlyn's evasive response. "As to your offer of training, I have to admit that I could probably use it. I was nearly undone by a man with a long sword. If he'd actually been trained to fight, I might well have lost my head. But don't be concerned about past arrangements. I won't hold you to any promises--particularly if your private life intrudes. I'll still be here when you return... That is, if you plan to return?"

Amlyn's jaw tensed and began to squirm slightly under the skin. "I don't know," he finally admitted. "I would return if I could, but I do not know what sort of welcome I would receive." Rowena's assurance that he was a 'friend of the enemy' had finally begun to hurt. He keenly moved to head off any more discussion of his future, as mysterious and unpredictable as it always seemed to be. "I want to start that training. I have time to wait, and I shall not spend it in idle waste. I will be camping several hours outside the city as of tonight, but I will tell you where I shall be resting." He inhaled and held his breath, his eyes darting briefly to the floor, before coming up to look again at Pwyll. There was a lot of hope reflected in them. "Can I leave Nia here, in your care, while I am gone?"

Pwyll's eyebrows went up again, but this time in surprise. "So the prodigal daughter has returned, and her timing couldn't be worse?" Pwyll looked into his cup and stroked his short beard in thought. He immediately grasped the difficult position that Amlyn was faced with: his duty to his squire stood at odds with whatever task was at hand. His only way out, short of breaking his oath to her, would be to put her care in the hands of another... of someone he trusted? "I would be honored Grey Man, but I have to inquire as to how I am to care for her. Am I to be host, mentor, or employer? I am comfortable with any role, but that role must be a clear one."

Amlyn seemed somewhat relieved. "Nia needs a little time to come to her senses. But after that, I have no objection to her earning her stay by performing whatever labor needs to be done. If you can even help her find her calling in life, then I would be grateful."

"Then it will be first as a host, and afterwards we shall see. Among my people it's usually ability and birth which marks one's path in life, but I will guide her as best I can. Now, where might she be?"

"She is outside with the horses. I took the liberty of paying Swithen for a room for several weeks. Any outstanding balance I will pay on my return."

"Good, good. I will tell Gwyn and Swithen to make the necessary arrangements, and then you and I should be free to meet on the morrow." Pwyll looked into the knight's eyes, and added in a more serious tone, "Is there no further service I can render?"

"No, my friend. Nothing that I would willingly involve you with," he added. "You've already done more than enough." He pushed the chair away with the back of his legs and rose to his feet. "I will go and prepare her."

As he stood, Pwyll followed suit. "Before you go, I was wondering if you might know anything about an old mill down in the tanning district that's been turned into some sort of one-god church?"

Amlyn's eyes flashed darkly, but it was just for a moment. "Why do you ask?" he said with a guarded tone.

"Call it business driven curiosity, that's all. Seems someone saw that dandy who delivered your sword in the neighborhood--Tyngyr. Thought I might go have a look."

"... To myself, 'tis already a place of bad memories and lingering nightmares. Although I hear it is quite to the poor man's liking." Amlyn pushed in the chair with his hand. "The one god is becoming popular to many kingdoms these past years, Pwyll. Popular, strong and powerful. One day we might all wake up and wonder why."

"Maybe the Dunn were on to something, Grey man." Pwyll grinned in an effort to lighten the sudden pall his question had evoked. "Well. Enough of such dark talk. We've got our paths set before us and work to be done now... I'll send Pic out to help carry any baggage." Pwyll extended his arm again to the knight.

He took it firmly. "I make miserable company," Amlyn admitted. "But I thank thee in any case for listening." He gave him brief details about where he had planned to camp for the next few weeks. Then he left.

Pwyll returned to the common room and made arrangements with the staff for Nia's accommodation. That done, he called Coch to his side. "I want you to have Corbo go down to that mill-church and listen to the churchmen speak. I want to know exactly what they are saying and doing. Tell him he will be amply compensated. Oh... and send word to Carda. If the churchmen bring so much as a pig past the city gates, I want to know of it."

As Coch left to find Corbo, Pwyll looked to the door through which Amlyn had departed. He knew that the one-armed man had left much unsaid. Pwyll's sources had already told him a great deal about the new church and its proselytizing among the poor. Those same sources had also spoken of a black knight who had ridden past its gate, and the destruction of a nearby alehouse. It annoyed Pwyll that the knight had not given more information, but the warning in his words was clear: here was a power to be watched and studied. If Pwyll could learn no more from his friend, then he would have to gather information on his own.

"Popular, strong and powerful indeed... but not absolutely so," he said to himself as he turned and made ready to visit Alterian.

Rowena was deposited with her mother by her father. She smiled at Isa for they had not spent much time lately. Rowena had been spending a great deal of time with her garden until she had gone into the city. She nestled close too her mother. "When will I be to big to be held by you?" She asked. She would soon be nine.

Isa laughed. "If you leave that up to me, you will never be too old. A mother loves to cuddle her children. And if you need it, I am always there for you." She smiled at her daughter.

"Papa said that people in your family could see things. Can you tell me about them? What did they see? How did they know when it was truth?" Rowena pressed quickly, clearly concerned.

"He told you that." Isa was a little bit surprised, Iorwerth and she hardly talked about it. "Several of the women in my a family are seers. A kind of priestess. They can read the future in the entrails off an animal. It is common among my people. Or they had visions. You never know if the vision is going to come true. So many things can influence it. I see it as one path of the future that may be. But why does it interest you, my dear?" She asked

Rowena looked at her and bit her lip. "Cause I see thing too." She hoped her mother wouldn't be angry with her. "Papa said he wasn't surprised, but you .. I don't want you to.." Rowena didn't know how to express what she was feeling.

Isa gathered her thoughts for a few seconds. "I am not surprised, sweetheart. It runs in both families, it was a miracle that none of my children had it. Is no shame, Rowena. But you will have to learn to manage it. Some people might be afraid of you because of the gift." She held her daughter close, from this day forward the little girl's life would never be Easy again.

"Maybe it will go away? Or I can just pretend I don't see things?" Rowena ventured hopefully.

"it will not go away. I know that much." Her mother said. "We will teach you to live with it. It is not all bad. The women in my family were greatly revered by the rest of the tribe. And you are a princess, nobody will harm you."

Rowena bit her lip. She knew that was not true but it was clear her mother believed it. She knew soon that things would change. "Can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Of course you can." Isa would keep a much closer look on her daughter now. And she was glad for the guards, she knew they were good. For now, the child would stay with her.

Rowena hugged her mother close. "I knew Hawk would protect me but he left. I am scared. I have dreams that a great black bird takes me away." Rowena confessed.

It hurted Isa that her youngest was having so much pain. And there was so little she could do to help. "do you want me to send messengers to your brother, to Ask him to come back?" She said gently.

Rowena shook her head no. "Papa said he would take care of it." :Rowena answered confidently. Then her little face fell. "I am just afraid I might be wrong and then.. he will hurt someone who has done no wrong?"

"Your father trusts you. and he is not as violent as he sometimes says he is." Isa smiled. "He will do what is best. Now what would you like to do, Princess?"

"We can sew." Rowena suggested. She could see her stitches now if they were large but mostly she moved by feel. However, it was a good clue to her state of mind as her mother knew she had always hated her lessons in needlework.

"Are you sure?" Her mother asked. "We could go to the gardens, or the stables?"

"I am sure." Rowena answered quietly.

Arianna followed Gwynne out of the library. She liked the fact that he stuck to his opinion and was open enough to hear her out. Her mentor had told her long enough her mouth might get her killed before she ever completed her purpose in life. She realized that whether or not she was right or wrong, she almost blew her knighthood back in the library.

He seemed a handsome enough fellow and was well mannered. There was a time in her life, when she believed in faerie tales, when she might have enjoyed and admired him for treating her like a lady. Arianna knew that if this man wasn't taken that one day he'd make a good husband for some noble lady of the court. She could respect that, but she had no desire for it. Men would only stand in the way of her goals. She would make a name for herself as a knight, and she would get revenge on her father. She could taste it. She would let nothing get in the way. Maybe then she'd consider that kind of life … one as a wife and mother.

As she followed Gwynne, she realized she had no clue where they were going or what she was doing. "Sir Gwynne, what is my next test to be and where are we going to do it?" she was looking forward to combat. With the longbow, she could shoot with the best of them, and she would prove worthy enough with the longsword. She mainly looked forward to showing her skills in unarmed combat. She was trained in an eastern style of martial combat involving kicks and using the body weight of your opponent against them. Very few people were familiar with this style and were typically caught off guard.

"You will find out soon enough. Do you have a horse lass?" Gwynne asked. They were both still walking, with Arianna following Gwynne just a few steps behind. He had not yet begun to understand this young woman. She was so pretty, strong willed and intelligent, but yet she could not see the advantages of courtly etiquette. This puzzled Gwynne, but he would not allow it to cloud his judgment in the matter. She would learn soon enough the advantages of being a lady who could protect herself, and possibly her home shire.

"Aye, Knight, I have a horse. Tis in the stables by the front gate," Arianna answered curious to see what Gwynne had up his sleeve.

"Good, then you go on ahead and saddle your horse and be prepared to leave the city," Gwynne replied, his tone was commanding. He carried himself with complete control. "I will be along shortly lass," he added. Gwynne stood still and watched the lass walk toward the stables. When the lass was out of sight, Gwynne turned around and disappeared into the shadows of the Caer. He had plans to arrange.

Gwynne had kept Arianna waiting for a good twenty minutes by the time he walked into the stables. "Milady, sorry I took so long, pressing business. Are you ready to leave?" Gwynne asked with a smile. He had a stable saddle his horse a few hours ago, so when he arrived he just mounted his steed and steered it next to Arianna's horse.

"Aye, Sir Knight, I am at your side now. Lead on and I will follow," Arianna didn't like waiting but she didn't show it. However long it took, she would finish these tests that the knight had planned out for her.

"Then we are ready, come lass. We are to travel. Part of the test is that I do not tell you where we are going. You will follow my lead. This is all part of the test," Gwynne smiled.

They rode out of the Caer gates, side by side. Once they were about two miles from the city. Gwynne decided to get to know this young woman better, "So lass how do you like Alban and Abertawe? You grew up in this shire?" Gwynne wondered, making small talk on the journey ahead of them. Gwynne wasn't good at small talk.

"I'm sorry for not understanding your term 'Shire' but I grew up in Abertawe, out in the city of Evandler as a child and spent the last five years living in Dyfadd with my mentors, Bromlin ap Denovin and Forimor ap Nigael, to train to be a knight. They both served honorably and faithfully under King Iorwerth for many a year." Arianna didn't mind the small talk, but she stayed on alert with the knight. She figured he had something going on and was trying to side track her. Arianna would be prepared.

Gwynne chuckled a bit at her, "Shire, lass. That is what Abertawe is, shire. A kingdom within a bigger kingdom," he smiled and shook his head. "Abertawe is not the only kingdom in the country. There is more to see than you might expect. I've heard of your trainers they were very good. Why did they accept to train you?" Gwynne wondered.

"Well, Forimor ap Nigael served with my foster father, Alwyn ap Kynan, also a retired knight of Abertawe. My father raised me proper but didn't want to do the training himself. He felt he might be too lenient on me. Forimor told him of Bromlin and the rest is history," Arianna said with a smile on her face.

This story was rehearsed so many times between Bromlin, Forimor, and herself that even they began to believe it. The only part that wasn't really true was how she came across Bromlin, for her foster father and Forimor really did serve together. Bromlin wrote her foster father and said Arianna was in good hands and that he'd look after her. Alwyn was pleased to hear she was well and agreed to the training. The part about her running away to seek vengeance on her real father was left out. So it was the truth just slightly twisted.

She really had wanted to be a knight as a little girl. She would have Alwyn tell her bedtime stories of his knighthood, and she would drift off to sleep with dreams of her killing dragons and saving the day. She never planned that this was how it would all occur. Sometimes she wished her parents would have never told her the truth.

"Well, it is indeed a small world. I was once a Prince of my lands, until my older brother banished me. I was trained in many things, but one of them was as a scholar. I have never been to my home since I was banished. Take account that you are where you belong and in a land where you were raised," Gwynne replied, the anger and resentment, clearly seen on Gwynne's face as he remembered his dastardly brothers.

"Do you have any siblings?" Gwynne asked. The proud, scholarly knight was doing his best not to show his attraction to this young lady, though she didn't like the term, he still saw her as a lady.

"Nae, that I know of. My foster family, whom I do call mom and dad, could never have children. I don't know what the reason behind that is for I never asked. Mom still holds a sadness for this, and I don't want to drudge up painful history that doesn't concern me," Arianna replied wondering what it would have been like to have any siblings.

"Our pasts are not much different, when my father died a few years ago, my world crumbled all around me. My wealth was taken from me, my birthright, my sister. All of it was lost. My little sister is still at home, I miss her," Gwynne's memory of his sister made him withdraw deep inside himself, it was a long while later that Gwynne noticed that the sun was beginning to set.

"Come lass, find us a good place to make camp, we will stop here for the night," Gwynne suggested. "I'll unpack our gear once we have set up the tent," he told her with a gracious smile.

Arianna had no problem finding a flat clearing by some trees to set up camp and the two of them began pitching the tent. Arianna was thinking about Gwynne's words and felt sad for him, but by no means were they anything alike. She had no real clue about her past or heritage. She often wondered about her mother and what she looked like.

In no time at all, the tent was up and they were eating by the fire. "Gwynne, what is the next test to be about? I am anxious to finish. When you've dreamt your whole life of this moment, it makes being patient VERY difficult when that moment is finally upon you," Arianna smiled. She really could wait. Arianna just wanted to see what information the question would get her. She had tired of the small talk.

Gwynne couldn't help but laugh, "It's a test of patience," he replied. He stayed silent for a few seconds and started laughing again. He couldn't help but joke with her. "Seriously milady, I am not at leisure to tell you. This test is one of the most important for a Knight, and nothing should get in the way of it. If I were to tell you what the test was about, it would be most easy to pass. However, the essential part of a test is that it's hard, in this way the test is difficult, so we know just how well you perform your duties if you were a Knight. Be patient lass. Eat, get some sleep, and the second phase will be over and you'll be in the throes of the third phase before you know it," Gwynne replied, still smirking at the girl and her child-like excitement.

Arianna smiled and finished her meal. She assumed that nothing more would happen tonight and rolled herself in her heavy sleeping blanket then drifted off to sleep. Arianna slept uneasy for she continually dreamt about her final confrontation with her real father. A bad dream that plagued her often.

As the two traveling companions slept in the dead of night, a band of mercenaries began to approach their camp. As the fire dimmed out, they made their move. Three went for the girl, and the other five went for the Knight.

Gwynne heard a twig break and was awake in seconds and jumped to his feet. They came at him, and pushed him to the ground. Gwynne kicked one over his head and flipped to his feet. Gwynne didn't have great strength but he was quick and nimble. Two more came after him, he ducked and fell to his knees on purpose, one flew over his head. He then turned around and kicked the second attacker. But these thieves weren't about to stop. Three down and two more were coming at him, and the three that were down, wouldn't be down long. "Get up, lass! Too arms!" he said, as the two thieves tackled him.

Arianna sprung out of her heavy blanket with her sword in hand before Gwynne began his words to wake her. The leader watched her get up and began to smile, "I likes me women with a tad bit o' fight in dem." He looked to the two men with him, "Well, what are ya waiten' fer? Get her!" The two men grinned and leapt at her.

Arianna quickly sidestepped the two men, but her movement did not fool them. The two men spread out to try and have one at her back at all times. Arianna was familiar with the form of attack and kept one man to each side. After circling her for a few seconds, they made their move. The first man came in fast and hard. Arianna spun her body around and lifted her leg kicking the man in the face. She immediately went into a crouching position as the second man swung his sword just missing her head. Arianna’s blade met the merc's blade and the two began to dance. Arianna could tell the merc was skilled equal to her. Their dance lasted a few seconds until the first man got off the ground and tackled her. The leader watched on and smiled.

As Arianna lay on the ground, the man struck her in the face. The merc didn't have good leverage on her, though, and she lifted her leg throwing him over her head. Quickly she recovered her sword and got to her feet as the second merc began swinging his sword at her again. The leader began to get frustrated, "Why can you two not handle the likes of a woman!"

This seemed to act as fuel to Arianna. She blocked a downward thrust from the merc and then dropped and rolled forward and onto her knees to get behind him. Without turning around, Arianna swung the flat of her sword backward catching the merc behind the knee cap. The merc dropped to the ground grasping his leg in pain. Arianna, still on the round, rolled towards the merc kicking with her leg. Her foot squared the man in the jaw and he dropped into unconsciousness. Quickly Arianna stood back up to face the merc she had thrown moments before.

A new dance formed as their blades met. Arianna quickly began to think of other options for this merc appeared to be a little better than she was. Arianna began to give ground as he used his strength to try and overpower her. She knew she could not handle many more of these strength driven attacks as he had already sliced her arm once. But the wound made the merc over confident, and he came in fast slashing down with his sword. Arianna held her sword up to block the attack and let the man's body meet her own. As she fell to the ground on contact, the man could not slow down his motion and was flipped over Arianna. Arianna knew this would happen and, in one fluid motion, rolled backwards placing herself on top of the merc. Just as Arianna set to drive her blade into the man's chest, the leader plunged into her knocking her sword from her hands and sprawling her on the ground as well. Quickly Arianna tried to roll herself over and onto her feet, but both men grabbed hold of her pinning her to the ground. Arianna felt helpless and began looking around for solutions … or help.

Gwynne was nervous now. These men were good and were either great actors or were really meaning to kill and steal. Three men held Gwynne down, one of them held a knife to his neck in such a way that if he tried to move the knife would kill Gwynne. He was stuck, and that's how Gwynne wanted it. Only problem was, would the leader do as Gwynne paid him or something more?

"Well lass, we have you both now. Question is how important is this man to you? Give us your gold and all your belongings, if you do not this man will die, and his blood will be upon your hands," the leader replied, his black, rotted teeth making him look a lot older than he was.

Arianna lowered her head, "Aye, you cur, you can have all I possess, but it won't give you much." Arianna felt stuck but decided to attempt negotiate, so she picked her head back up. "I hope you would be interested in who we are, though?" she said with a wry smile formed by her lips. The leader looked intrigued and nodded his head to continue.

"This here," Arianna pointed to Gwynne, "is the Crest of Topaz, good knight of Abertawe." That did seem to faze him… a little. "I am Arianna ui Alwyn and am heir to Bromlin ap Denovin." The leader almost looked as if to yawn. "Know that my godfather is Quandry." The leader almost snapped his head and Gwynne could see fear in some of these brigands' eyes.

Gwynne closed his eyes for a second to let the name sink in then it hit him who the man was. Quandry had worked within the king's court for ten years now. He is the most noted bounty hunter in all of Abertawe. Quandry has a vicious side though for he never brings his men in alive. His real name is Corigan ap Denovin. 'Of Course' Gwynne thought. Quandry is Bromlin's young half brother. After Denovin's first wife passed on, he remarried and they had one child. Corigan grew up and married but his wife and daughter were killed during a raid on his lands when he was off fighting the war. Corigan was renowned as a bowman possibly the best in all of Abertawe. He now uses his talent with the bow as a bounty hunter. In all of Quadry's years on the job, he has never missed his mark and is also very expedient.

Arianna continued, "If I am dead or alive it won't matter. My dear godfather will take up the chase and he will have the backing of Abertawe behind him." Arianna looked stoutly confident in what she said and the leader began to look nervously between Arianna and Gwynne. Gwynne smiled up at the man who held a dagger at his throat. This girl was clever and had managed to wiggle out of a situation without violence to anyone. Gwynne wondered if her story was true.

"Now, this situation has a simple remedy. Just leave. Don't take a thing and we will forget we ever saw you. BUT, you must do it right this second!" two of the five men around Gwynne dashed for the trees. The rest stood still for a moment looking back and forth at each other. Their morale was destroyed and slowly they all walked away from the campsite and into the darkness.

Arianna retrieved her sword and stared into the darkness for a while. Gwynne had done the same. Feeling confident that they were gone, Arianna walked to Gwynne's side, "I'm glad that was over. Four to five on one is still no match for even the best of knights. Borimir taught me that using my head can get me out of more trouble than a sword will by far." Arianna turned and winked at Gwynne, "I seriously would have let them take my stuff if they had called my bluff."

Gwynne's instincts were right, "Quandry is not your 'godfather' then? Do you even know him?" Gwynne was very curious about Arianna's family.

Arianna smiled, "I have met Quandry a few times. After all, he is the brother of my mentor. He is a very dark and quiet man who seems to have a chip on his shoulder. In any case," Arianna shook her head to let go of the thought.

"Indeed many men have chips on their shoulder," Gwynne replied, he himself had one. "You passed the test of loyalty," he told her. "For you did not let a fellow Knight be harmed. You do know that I could have taken four brigands at once?" Gwynne wanted the lass to know he wasn't incompetent on the battlefield, but then he did hold the Crest Of Topaz. That spoke for itself.

Arianna laughed, “And what else might you brag to me about when this is all over?” The two set back down and finished their night’s rest.

Niall had become friends with the priests at the church of the one god where the children were staying. He would stroll down there and spend most of his free time playing with the children and aiding Father Paul and Father John with restoration of the church which was named Christian Church of the Almighty. In turn for Niall's help, both fathers began teaching Niall how to read. Niall was ecstatic for he got to sit in class with the children. As a child he never attended school.

Niall created a daily routine which kept him busy throughout the day. First, he do his morning choirs at the Swan followed by attending school with the children. Then, Niall would do his afternoon choirs at the Swan so he could rush back over to have an early evening dinner with the children. Last, Niall would do a little manual labor for the church and run back over to The Swan where he served as an evening bouncer. Niall was not only beginning to learn how to read but was also learning how to count by sitting in on their math class as well. Niall was very surprised to learn how much money he had in his possession. Before he learned how to count, he only knew he had a saddle bag full of coins of various colors and shapes. Niall never truly cared about money just that everyone wanted it. He knew that it was important to have some on him, though, so he always worked for room, board, and fees when doing his animal training.

The problem with knowledge is that it makes you more nervous. Niall didn't want to get robbed, so he decided to ask Pwyll for help one night in the bar, "Um, Pwyll, can I speak with ya in private?"

Pwyll looked curious but obliged his oversized friend," Aye, Niall, what do you need?"

Niall set his saddle bag down on the table with a loud thud and then opened it, "I don't know nothing about handling money and wanted to know if you could help. I know you have lots cause of this bar and all, so I figured you could handle mine too … Please?"

Pwyll stood in shock for a moment looking at the large quantity of coins. "That's a tidy sum Niall. Looks to be more than a few pounds worth alright." He sat back and scratched his head a little. "I'll invest it for you if you like. We'll put half over to one of the money lenders and you can draw an income from that. The other half we'll take and put it to work in my 'trading' business." Pwyll said the word trading with a wink. "I'll take a modest portion of the profits and the balance can either be put back into the business, or used to buy land, baubles, whores, or whatever you like. How's that sound?"

"That sounds great to me. Can you actually believe the church of the one god is teaching me how to read and do simple math? Everyone told me I was too simple to learn that stuff." Niall had never felt happier as Pwyll could easily see from Niall's facial expression.

Pwyll smiled at his friend's joy. "Learnin's a great thing Niall, an' many's the time I wished I could read... but I want ya ta be careful. Those churchmen are not all peace an' love. Nor are they going ta always be looking out for yer best interests. When I was young, my father welcomed a travelling churchman into our Caer. He taught about the ways of the one-god, an' even convinced a few of my people to take up the religion. I meself learned to speak some latin from the man. But then, on the evening of a raid, he betrayed us. Two men died, an' many suffered grievous hurts. Now that churchman's skull, an' his little wooden cross, sits on a cairn by my father's gate as a warning to others."

Pwyll saw the concerned look on his friend's face. "Now don't worry Niall. Not all churchmen are goin' ta betray you. Just have an ear for what they say an' what they do. The proofs in the puddin' after all."

"Aye, I'll be careful my little friend," but still held a look of caution from Pwyll's words as he left to go to the church.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Niall was on his way to the Swan to perform his nightly duties as bouncer when he heard down a back alley.

"Ok kid, you're gonna give me the stuff I want or I'm gonna kill ya," Came a deep voice.

A child responded, "I don't gots nuthin mister … honest … don't hurt me!" The voice was filled with fear.

Niall gasped and instantly went for his sword but found nothing. 'DANG!' he thought. He had remembered that the church did not allow weapons of violence through their doors. Niall glanced around until he found a thick piece of wood he could use as a club, picked it up, and charged into the alley. Niall came to a sudden halt once he was back there and looked around confused. Three men went behind Niall to block his escape and five others were standing before him. One of the men, the one with the deep voice, turned to the child and handed him a few coins, which he pocketed before he took off out of the alley. "Looks like you are dumb enough to fall for this stupid trick after all," He said. "My name is Ula, Niall."

"How'd you know my name, Ula cause I never met you before," Niall responded as he looked at each of the men around him. Anger flared from his eyes. Eight of them had him boxed in. Ula stood outside a ways.

"My, my, you are a real bright one aren't you? Could you do me a BIG favor and deliver a message to your boss, Pwyll." Ula said in a sarcastic tone.

Niall started breathing hard as the adrenaline began surging through him, "If'n you got a problem with Pwyll then you also gots a problem with me. I'll take no message to my friend AND, you're gonna have ta go through me to deliver it to him yourself." Niall stood amidst the men in defiance.

"That is precisely what I had in mind … get him!" Ula ordered and the men came at Niall.

Niall knew he was about to receive a beating from these men because they each carried a staff, but he wasn't going to go down without a fight. Niall ducked the first staff as it flew over his head then swung his club around crashing into one man's nose sending blood everywhere. The man dropped dead before he hit the ground as his nose flew into his brain. Niall produced his teeth in an evil grin that sent a couple of the men back a step, "I promise nothing but pain before you all finish with me. I can take it … Can you?"

"Shut up you big oaf!" Ula cursed at Niall. "Would you gentlemen please try and beat this man until he gets smart?" Uli demanded frustration was clear from his tone of voice.

The men dove in and Niall could not move clear of them. Punching and kicking all the way, the men had finally pulled Niall to the ground. Various bruises could be seen on Niall as he was held down on his knees along with a few spots of blood. Niall struggled but there were just too many.

"My message is clear. Tell Pwyll that if here were a smart businessman, it would be in his best interest to consider a merger with my boss, Feagh. This city is not big enough for two operations such as they have. There is no way for them to co-exist. Am I clear,” Ula asked?

”You don’t make any sense to me,” Niall said completely confused.

"You imbecile! You stupid son of an ogre raped whore! I'll …" ula began to scream, but Niall cut him off.

Niall had heard enough and went into his berserker rage. Once in this state, Niall couldn't hear anything. He quickly reached up with both hands and grabbed the privates of two men who were standing beside him. With all of his might, he squeezed until he felt a 'pop' a second before both men hit the floor. Other men began beating him with their staves, but he brushed aside the pain as if ignoring a group of pesky flies. His only thought was getting to Ula.

Ula stood as if in a trance from the sudden monstrous rage from Niall. His body finally received the messages from his brain that he needed to run at about the same time Niall's huge hand clasped around Ula's throat. Ula started grasping for air as Niall tried to crush his throat. Niall began laughing in his deep laugh that echoed throughout the alley. One of the men actually got scared and ran away. The others started hitting Niall with their staves placing all their strength behind it. Ula's eyes began to roll in the back of his head.

Niall started breaking down from the beating and reached out with his free hand catching the end of one staff and breaking it in half. Quickly, he thrusted the jagged, broken end of the staff into the throat of another man who then stumbled back and fell to the ground grasping his artery torn throat. But Niall had no fight left in him and finally dropped Ula who also fell to the ground and began a huge coughing fit. The men continued to pound Niall until he was near unconsciousness. Ula then stood over Niall's body. With a brick in his hand, Ula crushed it on Niall's head, which was the last thing he remembered.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Swan was as loud and rambunctious as ever with the bard playing and people dancing all about. Two men came crashing through the door dragging a huge bloody form with them sending a wave of silence throughout the establishment. Once inside, they fell to the ground exhausted. "Pwyll!" one of the men yelled, "You best come see this.”

Pwyll rushed over to the side of his giant friend and, with help from Coch, rolled Niall onto his back. Niall had a huge knot on his fore head which would require stitches along with other wounds all over his body. But unmistakably carved into Niall's chest for everyone in the Swan to see was a circle with a sword through it. Pwyll heard someone in the back utter, “That’s the markings of Feagh!”

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Ula and what remained of his men made there way up to there master's room. Ula was a little nervous to go inside for Feagh was known to have a bad temper. After pausing at the door, Ula went in. “Um … all’s well, boss. We delivered your message,” Ula said with a twinge of fear in his voice.

“If my message was delivered then why you be so nervous,” the grizzled old man asked. “Did something go wrong?” Feagh began to walk over to Ula.

“Well, sir, it didn’t go smoothly,” Ula mumbled and then told Feagh the entire story.

Feagh laughed which made everyone scared, "I do hope your voice isn't permanently like that my dear servant. It is a nuisance to me." Feagh then peered at Ula with his sinister eyes, "It disturbs me that two of my best men have died, two of my men are now eunuchs, a fifth has his larynx crushed, and another ran like a coward from a henchman in this little outcasts service. Maybe we have underestimated this … Pwyll character." Feagh walked over and sat down in his chair and held silent for a moment. "Listen carefully to me you stupid fool! Send a rider to Aberan and bring me Serevin and his companions. They'll know how to handle Pwyll for me."

Two days had passed since the attack at the cave when Gwilym and company road into the city of Alban. The journey back to the city had gone as smooth as could be expected with a bunch of scared children and a wounded company of men and women. The group road into the castle grounds and up to the building the children were originally staying in when they first arrived in Alban for protection. Gwilym paused a moment and reflected on all that had occurred.

"Quarra, could you and Avalynn take the children inside while Eli and I go to Alterian's office?" Gwilym asked the knight.

"Aye, consider it done," Quarra replied and immediately she and Avalynn began taking the children into the hall.

Gwilym wasn't sure what to expect from Alterian as the two walked towards Alterian's office. Eli could sense the tension in his friend and said in a comforting voice, "Don't worry, my friend. All has been cleared up with no fingers pointing at you. The letter Avalynn gave him was proof enough. Alterian, I believe, will happily let you pursue this matter with Urianus. With all that goes on in the castle, his time is already overspent. He's just going to pass the assignment on to a knight anyway, so why not let it be handled by the Knight of Justice since justice is what you seek in the first place. Just be forward with Alterian. I don't think he likes a kiss arse. I think he likes people of action."

Gwilym smiled at Eli for his words were comforting. The two rounded the next corner and were outside of Alterian's office. As usual, Alterian was handling castle affairs when he heard a knock at his door.

Alterian looked up. His eyes narrowed as the two men entered. "I hope you have better news then that with which you left."

Gwilym could tell that Alterian was in his typical overwhelmed mood. He entered, bowed cordially, and got to the point. He told Alterian of all that had occurred since he left with Eli, which Eli agreed with Gwilym's words. Gwilym finished his story by stating that the children were back in the hall. He then waited to see if there was anything Alterian was going to say.

Alterian sighed with relief, "The King of Nethbo is dead. There has been a request for certain children to be returned. However, those of the royal house… well, their fate is undecided. It will be the King's to decide when he returns. Now, this other matter, speak to me your thoughts."

"Master Alterian, I believe the children are under great care with Quarra, Avalynn, and some of the royal guards. I can't believe that Urianus would be so stupid as to try another attack on castle grounds. I respectfully request the assignment of bringing Urianus before the king. I believe that this responsibility is mine as knight of Justice for all he has done to try and disgrace the king and my name with it. I will sadly pass off this responsibility if you feel I am not worthy of the task. I only wish to redeem myself in the eyes of the king aside from bringing the children back safe," Gwilym was as sincere and to the point as he felt he could be. He just hoped it was enough. Eli stood behind Gwilym in show of his support of the new knight.

"As there is no one else to currently give it to, I will give you this chance. I know your honor has been besmirched, so here is your chance to retrieve it," he said quietly.

Gwilym bowed once again, "I am in the court's debt, Master Alterian. I will act in honor of King and Country. Justice will be served." Gwilym smiled with confidence to Alterian then rose and left with Eli.

Once outside of Alterian's office Eli turned to Gwilym, "What do you suggest we do from here?"

"Well, I believe that we should first get some scouts to investigate his mansion. I am sure Urianus has received reports by now that his assault on the children was met with disaster. If I were Urianus, I would be heading back to Nethbo especially since the king he meant ill will towards is now dead. While our scouts do some investigating for us, we get a couple of hours of rest. I think we're going to need it," Gwilym said as he began to formulate a plan of some sort in his head.

Eli listened to Gwilym's plan of action and replied, "I know the perfect scouts and will have them leaving the castle within the half hour. Where are your quarters that I may find you?"

Gwilym snapped his head as if he'd been struck by his thought, "You know, Eli, I haven't any clue where to sleep. I have been with the children from the moment I arrived in Abertawe. At some point, I'll need to find me a respectable estate to purchase."

Eli laughed, "Well, I hear Urianus' place has just come available. We should give the interior a good inspection and remove any 'pests' that reside there." Gwilym began to laugh.

Alterian screamed from his office, "I am concerned, Gwilym, that with all that has happened to your honor that you would find humor outside my door!"

Gwilym and Eli's laughing came to a sudden halt. "Forgive us Master Alterian. We will leave immediately," They both said and exited the corridor.

Once outside, Eli turned to Gwilym, "come with me and we'll set the scouts in motion then you can rest at my place." Gwilym shook his head in agreement and followed Eli towards the guardhouse.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Gwilym stretched in his bed to the knocked at his bedroom door. "Come in," Gwilym said assuming it was Eli. A voice from outside the door proved otherwise.

"I'm sorry sir, I may not. You're presence is requested by Sir Coulte in his study as soon as possible. I'll wait out here and take you when you are ready," Replied the page.

Gwilym jumped out of bed and threw on his clothes as fast as he possibly could. He opened the door and walked out. "I am ready. Lead on," and the scout led the way. Once they arrived at the study, Eli rose from his chair to greet Gwilym.

"I hope you are well rested. I have received news from our scouts," Eli said as he handed Gwilym a cup of hot tea.

Gwilym could see that Eli had just awoken himself. He accepted the hot cup and took a sip, "What is our situation?" Gwilym asked.

"There is no indication that Urianus is there or not, but his mansion has plenty of guards surrounding it," Eli told him. "What course of action would you like to take?"

Gwilym answered without hesitation, "We are going in. I have a dear friend that I think is inside and held captive. I cannot stand idle."

Eli shook his head in understanding, "I knew that would be your desire, friend. I was with you on the road that day, if you remember. I swore then and stand by my words now that I would help you."

Gwilym closed his eyes and remembered his confrontation with his best friend …

Gwilym sighed as Eli came over to help him up. Gwilym then ran to Cedric's side, "What can I do Cedric, tell me?"

"Save my sister as you swore to me earlier. They used her to make me get close to you so you wouldn't suspect anything. I'm sorry. Forgive me?" Cedric's body then went limp.

Gwilym held him close, "I will save her and I will get revenge."

Eli walked away for a moment to give Gwilym a small amount of grieving time. He walked back over towards Gwilym who still held Cedric, "I do not wish to replace your friend, but when we get through this, If you ever call on me, I'll be there." …

Gwilym opened his eyes and looked at Eli, "I do not know that she lives. With her brother dead, Beth serves no purpose. He can't let her go, though, for she knows too much." Gwilym let out a sigh, "I believe we need to go in there with stealth. We need to take out every guard on the outside with stealth before they can notify anyone on the inside. We also need to find a layout of the place. Once we head inside, we need to make it to Beth's room, wherever that may be, within the first minute or it could be too late."

"The king has troops for espionage. I believe what you want accomplished can be done," Eli responded. "As for the layout of Urianus' estate, that may prove to be difficult as we haven't the time to investigate the builder or any cleaning crew Urianus has in his service. I am afraid we are going to have to guess as to her where about once we're inside."

Gwilym shook his head, "I'm afraid I agree with you on this. Let's gather the men and put this in action tonight."

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Becareful, my friend," Gwilym said as Eli smiled then led fifteen of the thirty elite soldiers into the trees surrounding Urianus' house. Gwilym had to smile at the layout of Urianus. It was definitely beautiful, but with trees all around the house, it was hard to defend.

Eli and his men made easy work of the twenty guards surrounding the estate. Each of the elite hid amongst the trees and waited patiently for the guard to come around. As one entity, the elite took down the guards knocking them out. Gwilym and the remaining fifteen stood back to provide bow support if necessary.

Once the guards outside were out of the picture, Gwilym took his men into the castle. They knew they had to be fast. They opened the door and began the search spreading in all directions, but the estate was empty. Every room was searched yet not living soul was found. As Gwilym searched in desperation throughout the upstairs room, one of the soldiers shouted out, "Sir Gwilym, we've found something." Gwilym rushed downstairs to where the soldiers and Eli stood. His eyes searched, but he did not seen Beth.

"Your newest 'friend' has left you a note," Eli stretched out his hand with the note in it towards Gwilym. The note read:

Ah, My dear friend Duke Gwilym,

The King of Abertawe will let anyone into his country. He has let in outlanders and wanderers, Refugees and outcasts, Those in exile and … and … now murderers. That is what you are, yes? Oh, I'm sure you get to claim that because it was during a war that you're excused. After all, the guilty always claim that they are innocent. Are you aware of the size of the bounty on your head in Plas Gorerddan? Oh, but I'm sure you are. They want you dead or alive for the murder of innocent women and children during the war. Well, enough about your past. I'm sure you know it all to well.

I will be back in the country of my birthplace, if you need me. I have a much better estate in Nethbo. I grew bored of Abertawe. Spying on its courts for so long was about as boring as churning butter. Please come and visit Beth and I sometime. We would love to have you over for dinner. I believe you and I have a lot in common.

Give your King my best regards. That is, if he actually remains king long enough for you to meet him. I here that he is losing much influence amongst the nobles. Nethbo may have been in a state of civil war, but we removed our slouch for a king. Who will you side with when the line is drawn? Do you serve king or country? Sometimes you just can't do both.

Urianus

**********

"Nia.... Nia...."

Moaning, she struggled awake to find herself in a warm cot, with someone's hand on her shoulder. Tired beyond belief, Nia nevertheless recoiled automatically, letting out a ear-piercing shriek and grappling with the blankets to try once again to cover herself.

Startled and confused by the reaction, Amlyn stared at her. Once Nia realised who it was in the chair next to her, she stared back, tears already in her eyes. After a few moments had passed between them, she broke down and began crying. Amlyn could do nothing but wait.

Minutes passed.

"I have to leave," he said finally in a subdued tone.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" she choked back.

Provoked, his look of concern changed into one of anger. "Your own actions brought this about!" he shouted, glaring at her. "Do not presume to blame me in any way for what has happened! You'd still be there if I had any sense!"

Nia pushed herself away, sullen and fretful yet daring not to answer in kind. She fixed her eyes at the wall past the foot of her bed and would not look at him.

After repressing the urge to grab her and give her a good shake, Amlyn calmed down enough to settle back into the chair and sigh. He opened his palm in his lap and looked at the lines etched into it. He could trace the faint scar accross the base of his fingers, gifted from his clumsiness at a time that seemed already so long ago.

"Go," Nia mumbled, after several more minutes of uncomfortable silence.

Amlyn closed his fist and looked about the room absentmindedly. "The room is paid up for several weeks," he said calmly. "Pwyll as agreed to keep an eye on you, but if you aren't here when I get back... I won't be responsible," he finished. "I've also arranged to have a healer look in on you from time to time... just in case."

At that, Nia started crying again.

Her sobbing frustrated and annoyed him. Then he realised that his frustration and annoyance was directed at himself. He felt as if he should do something to try and make her feel better. But he didn't know what.

As a clumsy gesture, he reached out a hand-

"GO!" she sobbed again. It was not what she needed, but she wanted to be alone.

Amlyn got out of the chair, walked to the door and closed it gently behind him. She could dimly hear his fading footsteps as he walked down the hallway away from her room. Soon she could hear nothing at all.

**The Inn of the Green Tower**

The days was a cool cloudy day that was to expect rain, the land was covered in a perpetual dusk as the clouds covered the land, It had just rained and everything was still damp and a mist was rolling out of the forest along the eastern edge of the small village, the village sat at the bottom and along side one of a wide dale, it had at one end a long hall with three wooden parapets that stuck out along the spine of the great wooden hall, it was the home of the lord of all the lands south and east of the forest which lay to the north of and along the east side of the dale then ran away to the north where the road met it.

The town was a small village with a single Inn and for the most part were the servants and farmers that paid loyalty to the lord that dwelt that hall, there was in times of trouble a long palisade that ran along the skirt of a hill to the south west end of the town and a mot and bialy crowned the hill, its inner walls were stone and crenellated with long wooden poles, the palisade was nearly twenty feet high and was only breached by three towered gates.

The town was just finishing the evening meals and busying themselves with the evening chores, the clouds still lay across the land and an early night was approaching, all wished the weather to change but agreed that the rains were much needed for the crops the last year had been skimpy and many of the game had moved to greener pastures to the south west where the rivers still ran broad and full, a mist had begun to creep from the forest and lay across the land, as the day began to wane a figure strode out of the woods and came to the road, he looked along it and turned towards the town.

As the man walked silently all that could be seen was his weather stained green hood and cowl and he rested his right arm on the hilt of a sword that protruded through his cloak, his face could not be seen but his name was known to a few in the Inn and the Lord himself, as he passed the city gates he was not questioned of his busines here nor was his name asked, he strode towards the Inn taking long strides and pushed the door open on it, inside there was a busle of movement and fire light filled with the smells of smoke and food and the noise of songs and laughter, a large party was present that had come out of the east after a long hunting trip for the lord and were making a great noise, and a mess.

The keeper of the Inn immediately noticed the cloaked man walked in and move to a table across the way of the party and take a seat putting his boots up on one edge of the table and throwing back his cowl, he was a tall man for the most part, he looked somewhat pale yet not ill, his hair was ragged and unkept and long, he had a look of weariness about him as though he had traveled many leagues, the keeper came over to his table remembering a flagon of ale and a plate of meat and potatoes.

"My good sir i see you return to us after only a month this time" the barman said setting down the food and ale, he was a fat man that spent almost no time tending his hair but more so on his long mustache that wrapped around his face.

"Yes my business was cut short, send message to Lord Woolsac that i will take an audience with him er the morning, but for now i wish a room" Ancalagon said, and the barman walked away.

As the keep walked passed the party one pulled him aside, "In Keeper who be that man that walks in and gets service immediately while we need more ale" the man said softly, he was a short man with a demeanor about him that suggested the leader but the laky of another,

"Well my good sir i don't rightly know but around these parts were just call him Drailin, he comes and goes as he pleased and he is a respected friend of the lord and if you wont mind i need to prepare his room, il send Gany out with more ale" the barman said then turned and cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted,

"GANY MORE ALE FOR OUT FRIENDS" he yelled and a few seconds later a stout man of barely five feet came bursting out of the back with a keg and stand, and hurried over puffing and huffing to where the keeper stood,

"What took you" the keeper said and grabbed the stand from him and set it up next to the table then mounted the keg on it and tapped him, there was an uproar of approval as the small leader poured himself another mug and lifted it to the party and then they went back to their matters.

"Gany you watch our friends here i must go prepare a room" the keeper said and trotted off up the stairs.

The night came early and the fog grew thick as it came rolling down from the forest, the sounds of wolves were heard of in the distance and a faint glimmer to the north signaled the moon.

Ancalagon had come to the town with ill news and had only arrived to find what he didn't want to see, the men that had been after him had taken up with the same part that he had seen down below in the Inn, from what he could tell they had not recognized him and only seen a worn traveler come into the Inn.

After his meal he stole off up the stairs and found the keeper just walking out of his room,

"Sir your room, do you wish anything" he said and opened the door back up for Ancalagon,

"No this will be all" Ancalagon said stepping through the door,

"Well if you do ring the bell and il send Gany up" the keeper said then turned and left,

The room was a modest one with a bed and a table with some assorted paper and ink on it and a candle in the center, there was three lamps in the room one by the door and the other two on each side of the window that took up most of the wall opposite the door, a dresser with mirror adorned one corner and the one next to the door held a stand with a pitcher on it with a bow of water.

Ancalagon went over and turned down the lamps and ste his things down on the table and chair, leaning his bow and sword up against the foot of the bed, he took of his cloak and hung it on a peg on the wall and proceeded to take of most of his traveling gear and wash up some, fixing his hair and washing some of the weariness out of his skin, there had been little time to bath and the waters as of late had been cold due to all the weather, so it felt good to clean up some.

He went over and sat down on the bed unsheathing his sword, it shone brightly in the fire light and he pulled a wet stone from his pack and worked the blade some then rubbed it down and washed it off some drying it and setting it next to the dresser to his right.

He didn't expect trouble tonight but then that one leader of the hunting party had looked at him strangely, he had never seen the man but he took too much interest it seemed in one lonely traveler.

Ancalagon put out the lights and lay down and fell into an uneasy sleep.

The night grew dark and the party below died down and they all went to their rooms, save three.

They had stole off outside as soon as Ancalagon had went upstairs,

"What luck he came strait back" one said as they huddled against the east side of the building,

"Yes i don't think he thinks we noticed him" the second said, the third had just stood there listening then he heard a snap behind him, he turned just in time to see a arrow flying strait at his head from a figure that had lept from around the corner.

The other two saw him fall and drew their swords.

"Ancalagon you wont escape us this time" the first said and they charged him,

Ancalagon drew his sword and parried a sharp jab and thrust up to block a downward cut from the second, then sending a boot into the second and spinning around hitting the first with the hilt of his sword,

"Yes but worse for you, you wont live long enough to report to the lord" Ancalagon said drawing his sword across the first mans back as he screamed then swinging the sword around catching the second man in the thy as he hit the ground on his back Ancalagon flipped his sword back and thrust down into his chest, then turning to see the first man take off running stumbling as he went, Ancalagon lifted his war sword and sent it flying through the mans back.

"Perhaps i should have done this earlier, i heard they were good" Ancalagon said as the Keeper came around the corner, he had told Ancalagon about the three, he walked around and looked bewildered apon the face of the man with an arrow through his head, Ancalagon picked dup his bow and then pulled his sword out from the mans back useing the mans own shirt to wipe the blood from it.

"Hide them as best you can, i expect they didn't have time to speak to the lord, this should all be over by mid day tomorrow" Ancalagon said and went back to bed.

Feirha and Iorweth left their horses in the care of the Swan's stable boy. Under normal circumstances the lad would be a little overwhelmed to serve such important customers - Lord Iorwerth was the King's father after all - but over the last few days he had seen so many important visitors that he was almost blasé about his latest charges.

The Swan was fairly busy at this time of the evening. The barkeep and serving women were moving about. A path cleared the two lords and word spread quickly as to who they were. The Swan fell silent as the two men approached the bar.

"Good evening good sir," opened Feirha. It would be unseemly for Lord Iorwerth to make introductions, "We would like to speak with the proprietor if you will."

"He ain't in." The barkeep said gruffly. "I can prepare a parlor if you inclined to wait, sire."

Iorwerth was not in the mood for waiting, so he leaned forward, until his face was very close to that of the barkeeper. "We would like to talk to him now." The old general said very softly.

The barkeep gulped loudly. "I will send someone to find him. Can I get you two gentlemen a drink while you wait. The outlander's parlor be open?"

"You get him here within an hour." Iorwerth said. "And bring us some of your best while we wait."

The barkeep beckoned a young lad over and then turned to fix the men their drinks. Just minutes later the men were ensconced in the parlor with drinks and a warm fire.

The two men waited at the table. Iorwerth still far from calm. Some of the men here recognized him, and he heard whispers. Good, let them be afraid. Right now that could only help him.

Feirha was carefully studying the other customers, noting weapons and other tactical details. If this was the Raven's current nest, he expected some of her henchmen to be close at hand.

The two didn't have long to wait. After a very short space of time a dishevelled old man arrived before them. His bent figure looked to have been garbed very quickly, and his wiry hair stood out at all angles--he'd obviously just woken up. "Beggin' yer honors' pardon for the wait. You asked to see me?"

"Yes. This is Lord Feirha and my name is Iorwerth, and I would like some answers about a certain guest, the Lady Morgan."

The old man trembled slightly as he realized to whom he was speaking. "Aye m'lord. The woman booked a room fer the month, an' paid in advance... though I'm sure she won't be needin' it."

"How is that?"

"She ain't here. Hasn't been fer a week. I heard she's bought a manse to the north of town... up the road to Ailinne." He lowered his voice a little and added in a conspiratorial tone, "Gossip says the fare'd been paid by the young Earl."

Iorwerth cursed. He had never trusted the man, and now finally he was getting some proof. "Let me guess, his name was Sanglet?"

"Aye. Sanglet," the old man replied.

The old general cursed some more. "I suggest we send a messenger to Alterian, telling him to arrest Sanglet for questioning." He said when the men were alone again. "And we go after that woman."

Feirha nodded his assent, though he had an odd feeling that something about all this did not quite ring true. Sanglet had been on Alterian's original list of suspects when Feirha began investigating Audrey's murder, so it was possible that the Earl of Abertawe was involved on some level. However, he found it strange to discover that Morgan was not here after all. Sir Gwynne had seemed very sure that she was, and had even told Feirha that he'd visited her here less than a week ago. But then Gwynne had seemed very cagey about the woman, and had stated, almost outright, that he felt some attraction; even that he was under a debt of some kind. It was not unreasonable to assume that he was protecting the woman, though Feirha felt sure that the knight had no idea of Morgan's true identity or motives.

"Yes milord, we should find this manse right away, then, if need be, we can return here before it is too late," he told Iorwerth draining his own glass. "Finish your wine Sir, I will see to the horses."

Iorwerth sat back, and drained his drink. He was actually happy that things were moving again. Talking wasn't his style.

"That's the plan?" Renny asked, not a bit too skeptically. "Mother seems to be growing lax if you ask me...something so damned simple..."

"Tis not our place to question yer mother and you know it!" Bear warned sternly. "You're just mad cause ma took away your town privvies," Renny pouted, crossing her arms across her chest. Her dress that day, despite her misgivings about tramping it through the forest--which she was seriously reconsidering since Sparrow couldn't meet her--was very warm.

"And you iyllana are acting like a spoiled rich kid." Bear pointed out, shoving a finger into her shoulder to get her reaction. Dressed as a traveler, Bear was still hurting from the bout Sparrow made him go through thanks to the position the Captain put them in. "Listen you just--" Bear suddenly quieted down, staring into the woods intently.

"What? WHAT?" Renny whispered when he shoved her aside.

"Nothing good."

Through the trees, Bear could see the approach of a person on horseback. Both... a man it appeared, and his steed, were swaddled in black, leading a rouncey laden down with packs and equipment. The horse was ridden at a slow canter, a comfortable pace to put on a little distance without being too great a cause of fatigue for rider or mount. Bear could make out the length of a scabbard protuding under the cloak, and the man rode with a well-practised posture.

Before Bear could move, the man looked up and their eyes met. The stranger immediately changed course, and slowed his horse to a brisk trot, his head beginning to scan the woods for signs of others.

"Renny me dear, you know the guy coming towards us?" Bear asked in low tones, partially shielding Renny from sight.

"No. But he didn't follow me. Couldn't have. I would have heard a horse." Renny hissed back, gaining a peek.

The surcoat under his cloak carried a charge, a red tau cross, which meant that the man had to be a knight. He came up to the edge of the clearing, and examined the branches of the tree above him. That was where he then stayed, pulling in the reins to his horse and examining the scruffy but rather large man. He looked briefly at Renny for a moment, his face flickering between confusion and then a frown. But he quickly fixed his eyes back on Bear. His right hand rested on the pommel of his saddle, still grasping the leather straps that held a clacking metal bit between the charger's mouth. His brown eyes were passive but searching, and slight beads of sweat dotted his forehead. Seemingly oblivious to the warmth, the knight said nothing, but waited.

Eyes wide with shock, Renny hurried past Bear who had retrieved his dagger. "Gandish!" she ordered briskly, ignoring the tearing noise she just heard as she scrambled to face the Knight better.

Bear understood what Gandish meant. It was a spook game he had taught Renny as a youngling learning to hunt. Immediately he relaxed his pose and put an almost comical idiot's expression on his face. The whole time watching Renny and the stranger.

"I'm sorry sir. Gandish is ever such a ninny. He merely sought to protect me from what he thought was harm." Renny explained breathlessly.. "He means absolutely nothing by it, do you Gandish? See nothing? If you want I will have him punished." Renny said, her tone bored but obviously used to being listened to.

"What are you doing out here, my lady?" Amlyn stll kept his eye on Bear. He had seen the emotion in his previous look all too often, and wasn't fooled by the change. But at long as the woman wasn't under any apparent threat, he would leave him be for now.

"Me? I went for a walk and lost my way. Never can contest taking a map along--really where's the fun in that?" Renny asked laughing lightly. "Gandish here, he's my bodyguard. And supposed to be an experienced tracker. Honestly! The people my mother hires!" Renny cried in annoyance.

**She's rambling**, thought Amlyn. Her clothing was by no means suitable to be wandering around in the forest, while a proper lady of the court would make sure that the hired staff would at least be presentable. Bear and Renny were so different in appearance that it was painful. In fact, if the lady hadn't been here, he could have sworn Bear looked like any other cutthroat or bandit.

Nothing would be gained by accusations however. Instead, he sat quietly on his suspicions and decided to play along with their little charade. "There aren't many decent woodsmen for hire in Alban these days. It's understandable that any peasant would then try and masquerade as one for a few extra coppers a day." He raised an eyebrow at Bear, as if to indicate that he didn't buy a word of it.

Bear bristled and glared at the Knight. Was he implying Bear was a mere peasant? Renny glanced at her comrade and saw him ready to leap at the man's throat. It was understandable, given Bear's reputation amongst the others in the band. *but that's them not him.* Renny reminded herself sternly.

Amlyn watched the change again in the 'servant', the tenseness in his shoulders and the lowering of his centre of gravity, ready to strike. Unseen under the shroud of his cloak, he gently moved the heels of his boots out and back, ready to drive in on the flanks of his horse. He already had a good length of the reins tight in his hand... any sudden movement towards him and the charger would viciously rear up onto it's hind legs at his urging, front legs flailing in front to lash out and strike at any attacker. Outwardly, there was no difference in his posture or expression, although his horse pawed twice at the ground, sensing the mood.

"Are you from Abertawe, then, too? Perfect timing Sir Knight! You can take me back and I can send Gandish on his way home. To be properly reprimanded for losing my most valuable self," Renny said, clapping her hands as if happy with the outcome. "My name is Lady Renalla ap Capall, newly arrived just a few weeks hence actually."

"... My name is Amlyn, son of... Berach. I am not from Abertawe, but I have been here for long enough. I am an errant knight, although I can take you back to the city gates if you wish."

"Here I thought everyone was from Abertawe that wasn't from home. Seems to be that way at least." Renny said honestly, giving a small laugh. "Hmm, yes I suppose that will have to do. Wouldn't mind given the gate guard another scolding. Gandish? Do you understand? Go straight to Mother and tell her what has happened. She'll understand what to do." Renny instructed Bear in her most commanding tone.

When Bear didn't move, both out of sheer stubbornness and distrust, Renny got mad. "Do as I say! I won't be ignored!" she said angrily, stomping her foot. For a second Bear saw Renny as a child, doing the exact same stance, except she was facing down her mother.

He sketched a perfect bow murmuring his ascent. Satisfied, Renny faced the Knight again. "Sir? I am at your disposal."

"Then once your servant leaves my lady, we'll be on our way." He was not prepared to address Renny until he had seen Bear disappear. His intuition told him he was too much of a threat to assume that the lady had enough control over him for now.

"Take care iyllana," Bear said. "Sir, please take good care of Lady Renalla. Many are willing to champion her." Bear warned, staring directly into Amlyn's eyes. With a final glance at Renny, Bear nodded and fled into the safety of the trees, not even a twig cracking to mark his get away.

Renny sighed. "Honestly, these servants who've known you years take all sorts of liberties. 'Iyllana' indeed!" Renny grumbled under her breath.

After Bear had gone, Amlyn nudged his horse forward and offered his hand to Renny to help her up onto the back of his horse.

Renny accepted the hand with grace. "Thank you sir." she murmured, settling herself behind him. She held locked her arms around his waist securely, making sure she did not knock his breath out. "Mother always told me I held on a bit too tightly. Do tell me if I am. An unconscious rider is no better then an inexperienced one."

He then kicked the horse into motion, turning around and beginning to head back the way he had only just come earlier. Although at a slower pace. "We are only a half hour from the city," said Amlyn, settling in for the ride.

"I did take a walk didn't I?" Renny said surprised by how far Bear had dragged her. **No wonder Sir Amlyn questioned why I was out this far...** Renny thought. "It will give me time to talk with you then. I fear my circle of friends is quite sparse compared to what I am used too."

Amlyn remained quiet, content to let the young woman talk. His suspicion began to ease ever so slightly the further away from the clearing they rode. But he still wondered if Bear would ever find his way back walking *away* from the city.