Disclaimer: I do not own the valdemar books; I own Dean and Scrat owns Charlie.

An.: Dean is my favorite character I have ever invented, he and Charlie kept Scrat and me awake during lit class in eighth grade, 3 years ago (Has it really been that long?) I've just now gotten to type their story. My little Dean is now all grown up tear, sob, cry Oh well, enjoy!

Charlie tapped her foot, the villager flinched,"why did you call us here?" her brown eyes stern. Dean, trying to the same thing in his saddle, fell off his steed. Charlie glanced over, she should really be used to this by now." You said it was urgent, yet we've been sitting here for over a candlemark

Dean stood, trying to brush the dirt off his bardic reds said, "Yes, and why did you request a bard as well?" he brushed his long, dark brown hair out of his light gray eyes.

The villager bowed an apology," I'm sorry but our lords…." He paused trying to find the correct word that he should use, "'Guest'" He finally said in a sarcastic tone," wouldn't like it if they knew a herald was here."

Dean smirked, "let me guess, unwanted…" he too paused," Guests have taken over the manor?"

Charlie nodded, with a thoughtful look at her partner, "I see, this makes sense, now I need information, is there a house we could go into?" she looked to the Manor with it's high walls, it was unsafe to be out in the open in her herald whites.

The man nodded, "Yes, please follow me." The villager led them to a humble hovel, made of mud and thatch. Inside men sat, expecting the debriefing. The first villager bowed, "Let me get the head of the village."

"Thank you" Charlie said, less worried for her safety now. She moved over to the table where the rebel faction sat, she sighed and began questioning them "Do you have a map of the manor? How long have the 'guest' been here? How many of them are there? What arms do they use and what do we have to use?"

After a moment, a miller spoke up "Well… the head should bring a map, err… they've been here for about a month, there are ten men and they are armed with swords and such like."

"No twelve men" a person that seemed to be a baker chirped in.

Charlie interrupted," Lets say 12 then. I have a sketch of an idea, dean tell me what you think of the situation."

He stroked his chin, it was times like this the pair were truly effective. " We may have to give the performance of our lives, if I'm correct in why they sent for us instead of any other herald." It was true they were the best team for a job like this. His eyes began to twinkle with the excitement that he showed every time he came up with on of his brilliant scams, "My young assistant may need to join me as well," He fished through his bag and pulled out his old bard in training uniform, "will this fit?"

Charlie grinned," Yeah, this will be fun." She now had the same laughter in her eyes as dean. The villager that had originally greeted the pair, returned with the Head. Charlie spun to talk to the Head, "Did you bring a map?"

The old man nodded " Yes, Herald, is this good enough?"

She took the map and laid it on the table and replied," Yes," she broke her gaze with the map to turn around and say to her partner, " Dean, get a good look at this map over here, we have to memorize this!"

Dean looked it over for a few good moments." I got it." he poked at the main dais, "If I'm correct, the leader of these ruffians will sit there, in the high chair where the lord should be, he will be to the leaders right. If you can position yourself about here." He pointed to one of the main pillars, "you should get a clear shot at him." He looked up at Charlie, with a look that reminded her of a disapproving teacher " Have you been practicing with your throwing knives?"

Charlie gave him a look like he was retarded, she turn from him, thwacking him with her ponytail. She know spoke to the head," hmn… Twelve men. How many villagers are willing to fight?"

The head spoke softly," Over twenty, but we are not armed."

Charlie thought for a moment, " and what of your farming tools, aren't they sharp? We need all able bodied men and women here and here" she pointed at the two side entrances" All men will be here, right?"

" Yes herald."

She stood and walked to the door," Well Dean, time to make the big entrance."

Dean hadn't been paying attention to Charlie's question, he had been packing his instruments, a harp, a fiddle, and his beloved lute. "Hmmn?"

Charlie sighed, sometimes she wondered about her friend," We have to leave town and make a big entrance, coming into the village and going straight to the hold."

Dean smiled at her, "looks like another ballad for me to write well be made to night," He stood and stroked her cheek, wanting much, much more than that tender touch.

Charlie, as usual, shied away, "Dean, please, not now."

Dean, feeling her unease, dropped his hand, " Charlie, you know how I feel, I can't help—" he broke off. He stood straight and swung his pack on his back, "Ready now?"

She rested her hand on his shoulder, smiling at her dear friend, wishing that she could return his affection" I've been ready."

"You have been, now haven't you." He smiled a bittersweet smile. "Let's go then."

And so began another adventure of Dean and Charlie

An: Want a picture of the pair, I'll draw one and email it to you if you leave me your email.

To be continued