"Does he hafta come?" Amy gave a sidelong glance at Nelson as she whispered to Kristie.
"I'm afraid so, Kiddo. He wanted a chance to get to know you." Well, it was only a slight fib. Still, Kristie didn't like the situation much better than Amy. But Nelson was trying, at least. Kristie had planned on renting a couple of horses from the stables in Old Town, and thus let Amy pick out her favorite horse. Instead, the young noble had brought his own horse as well as one for Kristie and Amy. The one he expected Amy to ride was beautiful, but also headstrong and stubborn.
After watching the child try to guide the animal, Kristie shook her head. "I'm sorry, Nelson. That horse is just not the right one for Amy's level of riding skill." She insisted they get a horse from the Old Town Stables where she knew there were gentle horses that were more along the lines of Amy's riding skills. Amy wanted the chestnut horse, but Katie Stokx, the one who rents and sells horses, told her it belonged to someone else. So Amy chose the palomino instead.
The trio rode their horses from Old Town to the Trade District and through the Valley of Heroes. Kristie glanced towards where the statue of Trollbane still lay on the ramp and gave a sigh. She reminded herself that they will get it back up eventually. Once out of the city, they paused to let Amy look around. She was grinning broadly at the whole adventure. "How long will it take to reach Goldshire?"
"Not too long. At a walk, probably twenty minutes."
Nelson interjected, "If you want to gallop or run the horses, we can go beyond Goldshire. I know a place we can stop by for a rest before returning."
Kristie eyed the man. She had only planned on going as far as Goldshire. The road between the town and Stormwind was relatively safe with guards patrolling the area. Going further risked running into bandits that lurked within the forest. She was about to decline the suggestion when Amy spoke up. "Oh! I'd love to go faster! Can we, please?" Amy had such an eager look, Kristie gave in and nodded her head.
The trio walked the horses to Goldshire, then Nelson took the lead and headed west, letting the horses gallop, then trot, then a full run for just a minute until it looked like Amy may fall off her horse. The child wasn't used to riding the beast at such a fast pace. Nelson slowed and turned his horse onto a small path that lead deeper into the forest. Kristie hesitated. "You didn't say it was in the forest."
Nelson turned his horse around and rode back to her. "Don't worry. It's safe. And even if there is trouble, I'll protect you." He grinned confidently. For some reason Kristie didn't feel reassured. Still, Nelson seemed to know where he was going and he has had more experience outside of Stormwind. With a nervous sigh, she urged her horse forward, glancing at Amy. The child was looking around at all the trees and some birds flitting about. Well, at least she's enjoying her ride.
They followed the path until they came upon an open gate that led into a large estate. Green grass and fewer trees marked the yard and a huge mansion stood at the back surrounded on three sides by a mountain. If it wasn't for the tranquil scene, she'd almost wonder if it were a fortress instead of someone's country estate. When Nelson began to ride through the gate, Kristie hesitated. "Nelson, you didn't say we were visiting someone. I don't think it's good for us to come unexpected."
Nelson turned his head as he stopped his horse. "Oh, I'm expected. Baron Worthington asked me to stop by today."
"So this whole ride out here was preplanned?"
Nelson sighed. "Look. Believe it or not, I did have other plans. I chose to forego them in order to spend time doing something you wanted. Can you blame me if I wanted to mix your outing with my plans? I thought it would be a great opportunity for you and Amy here to meet the baron. An opportunity which will probably be only once in a lifetime for Amy, and hopefully a first among many for you."
Something he said bothered her. But what exactly? Kristie ran over the conversation again in her mind. ...once in a lifetime for Amy... She hadn't thought about Amy in this mix up of Nelson's proposal. Did he expect her not to visit Amy anymore? She set that thought aside for further consideration later as she recalled what else he had said. If it was true that he had set aside plans, then she really ought to feel contrite. However, she didn't. Still, they were there. They might as well finish up with what he wanted to do and then leave. After they get back and return Amy to the orphanage, she decided she would have a serious talk with Nelson. Kristie glanced at the ring still on her finger. She had put it on this morning only because she knew he expected to see it there and she didn't want to cause any arguments in front of Amy. She won't be wearing it for long anyhow.
They made their way through the property towards the mansion in the back. Kristie could appreciate the architecture of the building, but decided it could still use some improvements in design. Amy rode next to her with a frown. "I don't want to go here. It's...scary." Her voice was low so that only Kristie could hear her.
The older woman nodded her head. She could see how Amy would think that. "I'll try to make it as short a visit as possible for us, Amy." Once they reached the building, they dismounted and knocked on the front door. The butler answered and ushered them into a waiting room. A short time later, Baron Bracen Worthington appeared. He didn't seem happy about something and Kristie wished she could leave right then.
"Good morning, Nelson." Baron glanced at the two females with the young noble. He hadn't expected Nelson to bring company. "And who is this?" He plastered on a smile as Nelson introduced them as Kristie Alexston and an orphan named Amy Masters. When he shook the woman's hand, he noticed a ring on the left hand and recalled Nelson's interest in a young woman. Hm, perhaps she could be of use after all. The orphan was of no use whatsoever, except perhaps as a new scullery maid. "Welcome to my home. Come, I have morning tea prepared in the dining hall." He led them to the room and presented the tea set with some small cakes and other food.
Kristie kept Amy close to her as they entered the dining hall. Amy wasn't very happy about being here, but when she saw the food, her eyes lit up. She was hungry after the ride and the delicacies on the table looked very tasty. They sat down as the Baron rang for his butler to serve them. Kristie glanced at Nelson who was positively beaming with pride and looking at Kristie, obviously expecting her to feel the same as he did. A polite smile was all she could muster. "So, Miss Alexston, Nelson has told me a little about you. You are the daughter of our City Architect?"
Kristie nodded, trying to eat small bites of the food. She wasn't really hungry. Amy, on the other hand was quite hungry and Kristie had to quietly remind her of her table manners.
"Good, good. He told me you were pretty. I can see he was correct."
She didn't know what to say to this, so she remained quiet. Kristie glanced at Nelson again who looked all the prouder. It occurred to her then that Nelson often only talked about her looks. Was that all she was to him? Something pretty to hang on his arm? It was a troubling thought. She really wanted to go home now. Kristie put her hand went to her temple as it began to throb. "I'm sorry. I've got a sudden headache. I'd like to go home now, Nelson."
Nelson didn't look happy about this. "Perhaps the headache will go away. You've gotten too much sun, Kristie."
"Oh don't worry, Nelson. I have some healing droughts. Your fiancé will not be going anywhere, soon. Darcon?" The butler had been standing near a door ready to serve when summoned. "Please get Miss Alexston a healing drought and prepare some rooms for our guests. They will be staying awhile."
Kristie wanted to tell him that she wasn't Nelson's fiancé when alarms went off in her mind. Something just didn't feel right about this. All she could think about was getting out of there with Amy. "Oh, please, you don't have to go through all that trouble. I just need to go home. Besides, my parents are expecting me home soon to help with a- a project." She wasn't used to lying. Kristie stood up, gently pulling Amy up as well. She watched Baron Worthington smile, but his eyes...his eyes were suddenly cold, and calculating.
"Your parents will be informed of...your situation soon enough. I'm afraid, I must insist."
"And I'm afraid I must refuse. I'm sorry Baron Worthington." She glanced at Nelson's confused face. "Let's go, Nelson." Kristie led Amy to the door of the dining hall and opened it only to find a female rogue standing there with a red bandana. Kristie stopped short and gasped. Defias! She backed up all the way back to the table as she finally heard Nelson stand up.
"What's going on here, Baron?" He was starting to clue in that something was wrong.
Ignoring his question for now, Bracen stood up slowly. "As I said, Miss Alexston, I insist on your staying...as my permanent guests."
"And I insist on demanding what the meaning of this is!" Nelson finally moved from the table to where Kristie and Amy stood. The rogue at the door had entered and slowly approached the trio.
"You're in no position to demand anything, boy!" The baron glared at him, showing what he truly thought of him. "You're nothing more than a tool for my mistress to work with."
Nelson had enough. He drew his sword, keeping an eye on the baron and the rogue. "I'm nobody's tool! Let's go, Kristie."
Kristie grabbed firm hold of Amy's arm, keeping the orphan next to her as she watched the rogue and tried to edge around her. The rogue's eyes almost laughed at her as she sidestepped to match Kristie's movements. More footsteps were heard as two of Worthington's personal guards entered through the kitchen.
"Don't be a fool, Nelson. You can't escape."
Nelson moved over to Kristie's side again and tried to judge the best route to go. They had the table and wall behind them with four armed people to the front and side. No, wait. The baron himself wasn't armed. Nelson narrowed his eyes and under his breath told Kristie and Amy to follow him. The young noble made a dash towards the baron himself, intending to bash through him and push him into his two guards. This would create an opening for the three of them to escape to the door. Unfortunately, the baron easily saw what he planned and at the last minute stepped to the side. Nelson's charge took him half way across the room before he could stop himself. Turning around, he now saw that he had only succeeded in separating himself from Kristie and Amy.
For their part, Kristie and Amy had tried to follow Nelson. But after the baron had stepped aside, he moved right back to his original spot, forcing the two females to stop in their course. This movement forward allowed the rogue to move up behind them and the two guards turned to face down Nelson. Kristie's heart pounded along with her headache. They couldn't stay where they were at and just let the rogue and baron catch them! With a firm grip on Amy's hand, she dashed sideways between the baron and rogue, heading towards the door. Amy's hand was wrenched from her grasp and she turned to see that the rogue had grabbed Amy's other hand, pulling her from Kristie. The child was tried hard to get away from the rogue and Kristie turned back to help her.
An arm snaked around her waist and she struggled to release herself from the baron. "Amy run!" Metal clashing told her that Nelson was now fighting the guards, though she couldn't see him because her back was to him. She remembered a defensive tactic Adam had taught them and stomped her foot on the baron's. His grip around her waist loosened as he growled in pain. She freed herself and arrived to help Amy only to have pain explode from the back of her head. The world went black.
Amy screamed at the sight of Kristie unconscious on the floor, the baron angrily standing over her with a broken bottle. She ceased her struggles to get away from the rogue and instead tried to get to Kristie. The rogue saw this and let her go, deciding the child wasn't going to go anywhere without the older woman. She turned her attention to Nelson, but found she was not needed there. The two guards had disarmed him and one held him against the wall with a sword to his throat.
"My father won't stand for this, Worthington!" Nelson growled out in anger.
The baron threw the broken bottle to the side and walked over to Nelson. "Your father will do what we tell him to do if he wants you alive!" He looked at the guards. "Get them out of here!"
He left the room, sure that the bandit Marisa had sent would be able to deal with moving the new hostages to a secured room. Worthington made his way to his personal chambers and shut the door. Then he pulled out the scrying bowl Marisa had given him and activated it. Pretty soon, Marisa's face appeared. "My Lady. Nelson is secured."
"Good. Any problems?"
"A minor one. He brought his fiancé with him and some kid, an orphan."
"Fiancé? Another noble?"
"No, Mistress. Commoner. Her name is Kristie Alexston."
"Alexston?" Marisa's face held cautious surprise. "Any relation to Baros Alexston?"
"His daughter."
A light danced in her steel-grey eyes. "How delightful! I want the traitor's daughter brought to me now. Bring Chantly, too. You can keep the orphan."
...
Baros entered City Hall after his short meeting with some of the Royal Stonemason's Guild members to settle some disagreements. While he was out he decided to walk around the city to see first hand how his many projects were coming along. There was one shop being remodeled for a new vendor. He wasn't sure who. The business portion had all been done via letters. He cut his last meeting short, however, because he wanted to get back to the office before Elenor arrived with an early lunch. They were planning on a picnic by the lake today.
He set his pack down and looked at the papers he had left on his desk, noticing a new letter had been dropped off while he was away. Letters were often coming to his desk and he ignored it for now deciding to deal with whatever it was after brunch. A noise made him turn around, hoping it was Elenor. It wasn't. "Oh. It's you."
"And a good day to you, too." Adam had been waiting for only a minute before Baros finally arrived. He hadn't really wanted to be here either. But his job was to report in once a day just in case there was any new information from either side. "Nothing new here. How about you?"
Baros only grunted and shook his head as he picked up the letter. Elenor entered the room with her picnic basket. "Hello Adam. Is Baros trying to ignore you again?"
Adam smiled at the woman. "As always. I don't know why. I'm a likeable fellow." Elenor laughed as Baros opened the letter. Her laugh faded as she saw her husband pale and suddenly sit down. Adam looked over to see what Elenor was concerned about and they both immediately moved over to him. "What is it?"
Baros handed him the letter and he and Elenor read it at the same time.
To my dearest Baros,
I simply must thank you for your darling gift. Please know that I will take good care of my new pet. I believe her name is Kristie? Anyways, I will make sure nothing happens to her while she is in my care. Oh, and I'd hate to ask a favor of you, but I'm sure you'll be a dear and do it for me. I'll let you know what it is soon enough. Until then I'll make sure to take special care of my new pet. I do hope nothing happens to her while in my care. By the way, I'm sure that Shaw person would be jealous of my new pet. I would suggest not telling him. While I'm sure you would love to brag about giving me your precious Kristie, I'm positive the Stormwind guards would not care to hear about the pet.
Well, that's all for now. Just stay in that dreadful building of yours and I will be in contact soon.
~Marisa
ps~ Have you ever felt like you're being watched?
Elenor's face paled the same shade as her husband. Adam's face reddened in anger. "Who is this Marisa?"
"Marisa du'Paige. By the Light Baros! If she has Kristie..."
Baros stood up and turned to face Adam, punching him in the jaw. "Where were you!"
"Baros!" Elenor was just as surprised as Adam who quickly stood back up, this time more wary of the architect.
"You were supposed to keep an eye on her!"
"Baros! It's not his fault!"
"It may as well be." Adam's jaw was set. He blamed himself as well. His assignment was to keep an eye on the family and he had deliberately stayed away this morning because of yesterday. Would she be in this situation if he had come by? Adam stopped his contemplation, squaring his shoulders. "I'll find her and bring her back."
"You better! Because I'm not going to tell Shaw or the guards. And neither are you! I'm not going to do anything that would put my daughter in more danger. Especially if Marisa has her!"
Adam had to get what information he could if he was to succeed. "I need to know anything you can tell me about her."
Baros glanced at his wife and deflated a little. "Marisa du'Paige is the daughter of a former associate of mine and Edwin VanCleef's. He was killed in the Stormwind Riot."
Adam's face darkened, a steely glint coming to his eyes. "Many people died in the riot. Surely she can't be after you for that."
"You don't know her. She was a little unstable even back then. When her father died, she joined VanCleef for the mere reason she could do cruel things to those opposed to the Defias...and take joy from it. From the looks of this letter, she's gotten worse."
"If she's mentally unstable, then why trust her to not hurt Kristie?"
"I don't! But she obviously wants something from me. She may be unstable, but she is also smart. She won't kill Kristie until I've done what she wants."
"And then she won't need her anymore and kill her!"
"That's why you're going after her, you idiot! You're her only chance." Baros grabbed Adam's tunic in his hand, pulling the man closer to him. "Don't you dare fail her!"
"I won't. Where was she supposed to be this morning?"
"Horseback riding with Nelson and the little girl, uh...Amy. To Goldshire."
"Amy!" Adam let out a curse. This just kept getting worse and worse. Were Amy and Nelson taken as well? Or did they escape? He turned to go. Goldshire would be his first stop in finding them.
Elenor had fallen silent during the latter part of the conversation. Her worried eyes fixed on Adam's hands. "Adam. Before you go, come with me. There's something you should see."
Adam gave her an annoyed look. "I should leave right away. The trail goes cold even as we speak."
"I insist. You'll understand why in a minute." She took his hand and lead him out of City Hall. Adam remembered to ghost himself before they exited the building. The letter had hinted that they may be watched and he didn't want to cause any more troubles for the Alexstons. Without a word, Elenor walked into her home and up the stairs to Kristie's room. She stopped at her daughter's work stand where something sat with a cloth over it. "I heard Kristie working for half the night on this. I was curious to see what she was working on so came in this morning and found this." She removed the cover to reveal an unfinished sculpture of two hands. One hand was feminine. The other was masculine. The masculine hand looked to be touching the feminine one.
"I recognized her hand but wasn't sure whose the other hand belonged to." She held up his hand and put it next to the sculpture. "Someone has gotten her attention, Adam."
Adam reached out and touched the sculpture feeling a little surprised and almost in awe. "She made her decision." His voice was quiet as he spoke.
Elenor didn't bother asking what he meant. "I just thought you should know a complete picture of what's at stake here." She stepped out of the way. "Now go. Save my daughter."
Adam nodded and disappeared.
