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

Whitewashed buildings hugged the street, adorned with flowerboxes hanging from second story windows and lightened the mood as William quietly rode down the cobblestoned street. As he reined left to avoid a large patrol heading towards the gate behind him, his hazel green eyes spotted a large wagon parked in the back of a nearby inn. He slowed Rusty and gazed at the enclosed vehicle a bit closer.

“What is it,” Orem asked as the templar rode up beside him and followed his eyes. “Oh. You think that’s theirs?”

“Possible,” the paladin stated and glanced to the front porch of the establishment and noticed no one peering through any of the windows at them. He spurred his mount into the narrow alley and out into the yard that fronted the stables. Dismounting, he walked up to the wagon and noted the solid craftsmanship. Solid walls and wheels made it heavier. The enclosed driver’s seat was also interesting as he walked around to the front of it and noticed the narrow gaps for sight and the reins. “Someone went to a lot of trouble.”

“Have had a lot of problems over the past year,” a deep voice stated from behind him and he turned to recognize the tall soldier they had been looking for.

“Sir William of Inellan,” he introduced and kept his awareness up for any ambush, hand on the handle of his sword. “This is Sir Orem,” he motioned to the templar whose hand also rested on the handle of his warhammer.

“Lericanin. Pleasure,” he glanced to the equally stout templar, then back. “Was there something that I could do for you, sir?”

“Actually, yes,” William turned to face the taller, young man squarely. “I’ve come initially to thank you and your friends for your kindnesses to our brothers at Laksay. I was there not a few days later and noticed the graves. I’m assuming you buried them.”

Lericanin nodded. “We did. I couldn’t allow them not to rest.”

“I take it you’ve escaped the hodhedhel then?”

Brow furrowed, the large man shifted his weight. “The what?”

“Dark elf,” Orem clarified.

“We had a demon attack two friends mentally in Bakony,” he shrugged. “But, I never found out what it was specifically. Arhus protected us and has the whole time we’ve been together.” A statement that eased William’s mind somewhat.

“He does that for his faithful,” William agreed. “You have a large group traveling with you? I’d like to thank all of them personally, if I may.”

Lericanin nodded hesitantly. “Sir, if you don’t mind me asking, why would you ride all this way just to thank us for tending to those men? Laksay is over three weeks ride from here.”

“Indeed. It’s not the only reason that we’re here,” he began and studied the face of the man before him the whole time. “Initially, we were sent to kill a demon and I had thought the hodhedhel was it. I just want to be sure.” He noticed a petite female emerge from the alley and then slow her approach as her blue eyes fixed on the scene. Daggers filled her belt and by her stride, he could tell she knew how to fight as well.

“I see,” Lericanin replied quietly, then nodded as he turned to notice the female also. “Avion, go get the others and tell them to meet us in the main room here.”

She nodded. “Okay. Everything alright?”

“It’s fine, just go.” A simple command and she turned and left as the tense moments lingered.

“From where to you hail from,” William queried as he moved towards the alley and prompted Orem to move also.

“Anderslough,” he replied as he continued to the wagon.

“You’re a long way from home also then.”

Lericanin approached the back door to the fortified wagon and opened the door. “Not exactly. My home is Ghevond when He calls me,” he stated, referring to Arhus’s home. “These friends are my family and I’d do anything for them,” rummaging through something in the rear of the vehicle, he finally removed a board, then closed the door and followed them.

“Bonds between warriors on the road is natural. It can also get you into trouble, if you’re not careful who you’re traveling with.”

The large warrior nodded. “Indeed.”

“I take it then, that you’ve learned a lot about the ones you travel with now.”

Blue eyes turned to him, “Sir, if you have a direct question, I have nothing to hide.”

William could see the man before him as they walked was no fool. Hazel green eyes glanced to the end of the alley as they approached to note his tall companion standing at the corner, watching them intently. “Is Kailee still with you?”

Lericanin hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “What has she done?”

“Nothing,” he glanced back to Lericanin. “I just would like to speak with her, that’s all. Preferably in private.” He noted the warrior become a bit more nervous, but acquiesced to the request as they neared his compatriot.

“Allaster, is Kailee still upstairs?”

“I think so,” the sandy brown haired, teenager nodded.

“Mind bringing her down for me?”

“Okay.” Allaster turned and headed inside as William waited with Orem.

“You a carpenter also,” Orem finally asked, blue eyes glancing to the board in the man’s hand.

“I learned that trade from my grandfather, yes. Makes us a few silver once in a while and helps pay for food and supplies.”

“Nice work on the wagon,” William motioned back to the fortification on wheels.

He nodded and smiled. “Slower but, keeps the girls safe. Also nice to sleep in when it’s raining.”

“Indeed.” He wondered how they kept a day or two ahead of he and Orem then. “You still made good time though.”

Lericanin’s weight shifted to the right. “Trying to help fulfill a vow to one of our friends.”

“A long road still to go, I take it.” William heard the front door open and noticed Orem’s eyes widen a bit as he stood behind and to the left of Lericanin.

Lericanin nodded as he glanced over William’s shoulder. “Heading to Tywyn, yes.” Hazel green eyes turned to follow the distracted attention to the shapely, gorgeous girl who approached him. In a simple, woolen dress her long, sandy brown hair fell to her waistline and he found entranced by her vibrant green eyes. He knew better than to allow himself to be lost in them, as evil more often than not wore the face of an angel, like the young girl before him. “Kailee, these men wanted to talk to you.”

“Okay,” her innocent voice also gave him chills and he found himself oddly distracted suddenly, compounded with the smile as she glanced to him. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

“We found the room you were in,” he glanced to Orem, then back. “Well, I did actually.” Sweat began to build and he motioned towards the stables and she complied as he walked, followed closely by Orem and Lericanin. “I also met your father.”

“I have no father.”

He grinned and nodded. “Actually, you do. Alisandro lives in Bakony now and works for the church of Arhus there. He’s an alchemist and apparently met your mother when she and your grandparents traveled to Laksay many years ago.” He noted the confusion in her eyes as they walked toward the wagon and he stopped just shy of it’s rear wheel. “I also met your grandfather in Carbost. He’s a nice man.”

“Why have you been following us?”

He untied the small pouch on his belt and produced the small stone, it’s blue symbol still vibrant in it’s face. “I found this when I went to investigate the raid on the compound. And it led me to you, ultimately.” Concentrating, he found his link to magic was cut off and grinned to himself knowing using a spell to detect any evil within her would have to be determined naturally.

“Tia grabbed two of those also when we were leaving,” her perfect white teeth along with everything else about her made him wonder if she had been created in Alisandro’s lab instead of born naturally.

“How did you survive in there all those years?”

Green eyes rose to meet his. “The wolves taught me how to hunt when I was old enough. I think they fed me before then and Anush taught me how to use my magic as well.”

He half nodded in interest. “What type of magic do you command?”

“Mentalism,” she scanned around them, “But I guess it doesn’t work here for some reason. It’s kind of strange.” William noted an almost naive quality about her, like a child in a woman’s body as she looked back to him. “Tia doesn’t like this place much because of that.”

He chuckled. “It unnerves a lot of people for that reason and that’s why this city was built. Keep those evil men and women in the world from hurting anyone else.”

Nodding, she smiled. “That’s good.” He found himself staring at her, smiling. Soon, Orem cleared his throat and snapped him back to reality.

He sighed and returned the stone to it’s pouch. “I’m amazed at few things, but you’ve certainly set the bar a lot higher.”

“I don’t undestand.”

Sympathetically, his gaze met hers. “The church thinks you’re...something you’re not.” He glanced to Lericanin who became visibly tense. “I was surprised that a newborn could survive alone in a room of illusion. Not only survive, but thrive and grow into such a lovely woman such as yourself. The only explanation is that you were protected by Arhus himself and that strengthens my faith in him,” he spewed without thought as his eyes began to burn with tears.

“Then why won’t he talk to me like he does Lericanin, Allaster or Avion?”

William shrugged. “I can’t answer that. Faith comes at different times for all of us. Some just need a good teacher and guide,” he glanced again to the large man shadowing her. “I think you’ll do fine and in time, he’ll speak to you,” he nodded. “I’d warrant it.”

Kailee nodded, still not convinced. “Just have to get Sater to leave me alone long enough,” a comment that turned the whole scene darker as Orem’s warhammer sang from it’s frog on his belt, Lericanin moved forward to place his hands on Kailee’s shoulders and William’s calm attention turned to alarm.

“What do you mean,” the paladin asked.

“He claims to be my father and said he was the one that protected me in that room all those years,” her eyes misted. “My friends are hurting because he’s trying to get me to marry him. He said their pain would go away if I would come to live with him.” A revelation that shocked William, something he had never been faced with before.

“What do you believe,” he finally asked.

Kailee shook her head. “I don’t see him as a good person at all. Lericanin and the others have taught me how good life can be and I want that too. I can’t find it if I give in to him....and I won’t.”

William glanced to the templar ready to destroy the young girl and motioned for him to lower the weapon. A compliance not quick in coming as William knelt in prayer, eyes returning to Kailee. “I’m going to entreat for you, if you’d like to join me,” he extended his hand and she reluctantly received it, then knelt with him as did Lericanin. He lowered his head. “Great Father, I come to you on behalf of this child who I believe has been coerced by your enemy. Show her the way to the light, to truth of his wickedness. Open your heart and accept her in your fold, I beg you.”
William soon felt the chill up his spine as his champion physically announced herself. “She’s in right company and will find peace. Well done.”

He opened his eyes as the presence of his ethereal guide evanesced and looked up to Kailee who’s eyes never left him. “You’re going to be okay now,” he nodded and smiled. Her grin lifted his heart in return.

“So will you.” A comment that caught his full attention as both men behind her raised their heads. “Your friend caught the one’s responsible for Randall’s death,” she revealed. “Alysia won’t get far for very long. Her deeds will damn her without you raising your blade.”

“How did you know about him,” he inquired confusedly as she smiled.

“Because I met you,” she replied calmly and glanced to their hands clasped together.

* * *

Their return trip to Inellan was quiet. As they rode through the gatehouse and into the courtyard of his home, he smiled as the familiar sounds from the smithy as Stewart’s hammer worked his magic.
“One day, we’re going to have to take him to Borge’,” he grinned to Orem as they dismounted.

“So, who’s the evil one now,” the templar chuckled as they recalled the conversation.

William grinned. “No one i know,” he replied thoughtfully and turned towards the main keep to turn in his report.