laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The following morning, Kailee stood in just her long, woolen nightshirt on the small patio that her father, Duke William had built and enjoyed the evening silence with his wives. Eyes closed, she loved the cool breeze that washed along the river and across her face, blowing her long, fiery hair along with it as she quietly dreamed at the stone railing. Her mind took her along with the invisible flow down river and past miles of mottled white pine as the sunlight pierced the sky and touched the soft clouds above. A journey she didn't wish to end.

Soon, a familiar spirit joined her as Tess moved closer and she took her hand, guiding her friend through high, majestic mountains still capped with saflia's snow. Dipping playfully into the valley, over roiling white water, large boulders and then up over the white carpet and down into the next valley.

"...ailee."

A large lake came into view whose icy borders melted as it reached outward from the forest lined bank.

"Kailee."

Slowly, her vision retreated as golden eyes opened to view the quiet far bank.

"You okay?"

Kailee turned to smile at Adgertesse, polished bronze face glowing. "I'm fine. How are you doing?"

Tess eyed her quizzically and grinned. "Fine. I take it you slept last night. Finally."

Nodding, she giggled and felt like a kid again running with the pack of wolves through the forest. She could feel, smell and taste everything in the world around her almost as if being awakened for the first time ever.

White brows furrowed in confusion as the nightblade studied Kailee who neared and hugged her. "What's going on?"

"Nothing. I'm just so glad to be home, that's all."

"I've just never seen you like this before, that's all. It's a bit strange, to tell you the truth."

Kailee laughed and backed. "You worry too much," she stated then sobered. "I'm fine."

Orange eyes studied her for a long moment. "Did you feed this morning?"

"What?"

"It's been a year since your last. Just thought you finally went out and hunted."

Her last kill had been so long ago, Kailee had nearly forgotten. "No," she shook her head.

"Aren't you hungry? It's been getting longer and longer since the last."

"You've been keeping track? Why?"

Adgertesse grinned. "It's my job. If I didn't keep track of you, who would?"

"I'm really not hungry," she shrugged. "Haven't ever thought about it, to be honest."

Tess nodded. "Well, I'm going to get Danaca in shape. Sir William and I are going to trade mornings and try to help our newest servant of Arhus be better prepared."

"Take it easy on my girls. Katsandra isn't a warrior, you know."

"They still need to be ready if they're going to be adventuring. I would tell you to get dressed before you catch a chill but, I know that's a useless gesture. I'll see you this afternoon."

"Okay," Kailee smiled. "Have fun and try to remember, she's not a veteran like you are."

"I know what I'm doing," Tess defended as they both walked back into the room. "Danaca is a grown woman now and she asked to be trained. Need to get used to the fact that the little kids that we chased around town will soon have children of their own one day."

Kailee nodded in agreement. "Time goes by too fast, doesn't it?"

"Sure does," Tess agreed. "I'll see you later."

Once Kailee had dressed and tied her veil over the bottom half of her face, she strolled downstairs and into the great hall where she noticed most of the women preparing for the celebration's dinner. "Morning ladies."

"Good morning," Nyrellia greeted as Selyria, Lina, Alandria and their daughters, granddaughters all turned and smiled, repeating their warm acknowledgments as well. "How did you sleep?"

"Great actually, thank you," Kailee smiled as she approached Alandria and hugged her squire, now an elderly grandmother herself, then backed. "What do I need to do to help?"

They all looked at one another as Lady Lina cleared her throat. "We've got this completed actually but, if you could maybe suggest some songs for Selyria's students. She's offered their talents for the dance afterwards."

"Oh, okay," she thought for a long moment, then named several that she had enjoyed and knew would be lively numbers to keep everyone's spirits up. Afterwards, she eyed Lady Nyrellia, "Where's Lericanin?"

She motioned to the east and their home up the hill, "Probably in his shop. Go and see him, I know he's missed having you around."

Kailee nodded, "I had some things to ask him, thanks". She thought of the villa's front door and the shapely form soon disappeared in a column of flame which materialized before the tan stone wall. Quiet voices and the crack of burning logs in the hearth was replaced by plane on wood to her right and inside the courtyard. She pulled on the brass handle and went inside the trimmed garden still awaking from the cold. Down the wide, stone tiled pathway, she turned right and saw the carpenter bent over another project reminding her of her grandfather as she approached and soon noticed Allaster watching quietly from the right.

He turned and smiled. "Good morning. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Morning, Allaster," she greeted as he nodded in return, then looked at the duke, "I needed to ask you some things but, it can wait. What are you working on?"

Large, gnarled hands gently placed the rectangular tool to the side as he glanced downward. "A shelf for the den," he stated as he wiped his hands and sat on a nearby stool. "So, what's on your mind?"

Golden eyes turned to the aged friend and for a brief instant, she saw the young adventurer, brave warrior and determined leader that she came to love so long ago. "How did you do it?"

Bushy, white eyebrows furrowed. "What?"

"Lead a people. I've been trying to think of everything that you and Nyrellia as well as the queen of Kevelaer dealt with and how you would handle certain things but, it's not easy." She leaned against the workbench and crossed her arms before her healthy chest, near Allaster who rested atop another stool.

He grinned. "No, it's not easy. But, I actually tried to keep in mind the future implications of my decisions. I know I joke about those days but, to be honest leading and protecting so many was actually rewarding. I hated the politics and squabbling nobles, but to see that the people's children were learning in a school and would grow up to be more intelligent and not follow some arrogant, misguided doctrine is comforting." He picked up a nearby pewter tankard and took a long draught, then rested the simple container on his thigh. "You just have to let your heart guide you. You know them better than anyone and understand their history. It sounds like you've been using that to your advantage especially if you led them to the negotiating table with Kevelaer. That's quite an accomplishment if what Tess was telling me was true, which I don't doubt."

"It's just been so confusing sometimes. I never wanted this, you know that. But, now that I'm here I know I have to get the remaining hundred thousand to a safer lifestyle otherwise the dark elves would've been forgotten to time. Had their previous king had his way, they would've all died in the capitol of Kevelaer. That's not much of a future if you ask me."

"There's only a hundred thousand of them?"

Kailee nodded. "They've been at war since the first dark age. It's taken it's toll."

He shook his head quietly. "Well, you've put an end to that. I'm proud of you."

She sobered quickly, smiling as her eyes dipped to the stone floor. "Thank you. I've had a lot of help, believe me," she defended Eliane and many others as she looked back up to him.

"No leader can do it alone, that's for certain. But, in the elven queen you've had a good example."

"And a few others, sir," she smiled.

He grinned warmly, "It's been my pleasure, Your Highness".