Thanks so much to any one who took the time to review. I loved reading them all. One little thing, does anyone else dislike anonymous reviewers? I mean you have no avenue to reply and to me it seems as if you can have a go at someone without offering anything. That is my little rant. Please note there is some mild swearing in this chapter. I hate the f and c words so I never use them; (look LTF I used a semi colon) it is very mild – just letting you know so you will not be offended. Oh and I know I said there would only be two more chapters – I told a porky pie. I had only planned to do ten but there will be a few more ;) Jocat

DOM

As three hooded figures on horseback rode into the Town of Forest End, snow began to fall. The crisp clean air was soon filled with the gentle dance of snowflakes. It was not the first fall of the season, but since the weather had been unseasonably warm the road was still clear. The winter sun had begun its early descent to the west and Forest Ends residents had begun to hang lanterns on their doorsteps to combat the early darkness.

Twenty kilometres from the sea, Forest End was a busy thoroughfare for travellers so no one paid much attention to the three men on horse back. To anyone who did look they appeared to be trades men or merchants. Their garments were travel worn and not in the latest fashion, but their mounts were strong and in very good condition. They had no visible weapons, but it would be assumed that they carried knives on their persons. It was a foolish traveller who rode unarmed.

A small girl of about eight hurried along the path in front of the men. She carried a loaf of bread to her chest. Hearing the noise of the riders behind her she moved to the side to let them pass.

"Child, could you tell me where the Goose and Hare Inn is?" Startled at being addressed the girl nearly fell backwards.

Sturdy hands reached down and helped her straighten. Expecting laughter at her expense the girl looked into the face of the man who had spoken to her. Bold blue eyes stared back at her. The eyes held no merriment, but they were not unkind. Stammering she replied, "Tis up this road 'bout a quarter click. Ye canna miss it for a wooden goose sits atop its roof."

Placing a copper coin in the girls hand the rider nodded his thanks and rode on. Hardly able to believe her luck the girl trotted home to add the coin to her families' purse. It would mean mutton for supper the following night. Looking back at the riders she sent a silent prayer to Emil, the god dedicated to travellers as thanks.

As the sun set the air became colder. One of the men ridding a spotted gelding sniffed the air. "There will be more snow tonight." The other men murmured in response.

Music from the Inn reached the travellers as they rode closer. A pipe player was sitting at the half open window. His tune was from the north. It told the story of a woman who ruled her husband with an iron fist. Just as the girl had said a large gaudily painted goose sat on the roof.

As the men dismounted a stable boy ran from the adjacent building to take their horses. Thanking him the three travellers made their way into the Inn.

The room was dimly lit and filled with the smells of cooking rabbit stew and warm ale. No one seated at the small tables so much as glanced at the newcomers.

The Innkeeper was busy wiping the wooden counter. Looking up he surveyed his new customers. "A good evening to ye gents. What is it I can be doin' for ye on this cold winters eve?"

Pushing back the hood of his cloak and removing his gloves, no longer needing their warmth one of the men answered. He sported a short dark beard, in the style made popular by the King. He was of average height, but the barman noted with mild interest had the look of a fighter judging by the scars on his knuckles and hands. "Three rooms if you have them, and some of that game stew I can smell." As he spoke the man appreciatively breathed in the fragrant air around them. "If that is not the finest aroma I have ever had the pleasure of inhaling then I don't know me mouth from me arse."

Laughing the Innkeeper came around from behind his bar and led the three men up a small stairway. "That'll be my wife's famous rabbit stew. Its famous rounds these parts, but don't you be asking her for the recipe mind you. She never gives it out, almost gave the last man who tried to bribe it out of her a wallop on the head with her milk jug." There was a hint of pride in the Innkeeper's voice as he spoke of his wife.

All three men promised not to arouse the good woman's temper.

The rooms were small but comfortable. A maid bought hot water for them to wash and soon they made their way back to the eating room downstairs.

The food was as good as it smelt. After hearty helpings the man who had been so vocal in his praise of the stew headed in the direction of the kitchen to thank the cook personally. The other two men sat in reflective silence. After a time the third man returned from his adventures in the kitchen. In his hands he carried a clay bowl and a large chunk of soda bread. Answering the unspoken question from his companions he chuckled "The cook is not adverse to a little bit of flattery and you have to admit the stew was very good."

Shaking his head one of the men removed a small scrap of vellum from is belt purse.

On it was written GOOSE AND HARE INN – THIRD HOUR AFTER SUNSET.

"Well Dom, do you think we will have any more luck with this one?" The man eating the stew spoke in a quiet voice through a large chunk of bread.

"I hope so Declan. We won't know till he……" Dom stopped as a small plump woman sat at their table. Her apron was dusted with flour as was the small scarf wound around her hair. She nodded to Declan and favoured him with a broad wink.

"You would think that good looking progressive lads like yourselves would not always assume that all of those persons in The Whisper Man's employment were men. It is amazing what you find out when you feed a man. What you find out when a belly is full and the company charming. Mistress Rowena Peaks is my name." Smiling she leaned back in her seat and flirtatiously battered her eyelids.

It took Dom only a moment to recover. "I meant no disrespect Mistress."

"None took sweet cheeks. Please call me Rowena. Now who are you? What is it you want to know or whom do you need to know about?"

Dom looked about to make sure no one was listening. "I am Dom. This is Declan and Magnus. We are looking for a noble. We were told he was heading this way. His name is Vinson. Vinson of Genlith."

Frowning slightly Rowena spoke. There was no hint of the flirtatious tone now. "Now there is a name I wish I did not know. He and his men have been here two days now. His stay has not been without trouble."

"Trouble?" Declan asked.

Drawing a deep breath Rowena said. "His first night here a local girl who works in the laundry house was raped and beaten. She was also drugged. Some people say Mage work. Her father went to the Watch but was told nothing could be done. As I understand it the Watch commander is now five gold nobles richer and the poor girl will carry scars for the rest of her life. Now we have had attacks here before, but this one was the worst I have ever seen. It just seems to me that only a noble could pay that big a bribe."

Exchanging looks the three men sent prayers to the Mother goddess for the girl. Slipping a silver coin from his belt purse Dom pressed it into Rowena's hands.

"Can you tell me where he is lodging?"

"I can do better than that, I will take you there. My kinswoman and her husband own the Inn where he is housed. Wait a moment while I fetch my coat." Standing Rowena walked back to the kitchen. Nodding to the other two men Dom also stood. Quickly they returned to their own rooms to fetch their cloaks.

Leading the three men into the cold night air Rowena turned left and hurried down the lane. Skidding slightly on the frozen ground Dom, Magnus and Declan followed.

It only took a few minutes to reach their destination. The Inn was larger than the Goose and Hare. Upon a chalk board outside it boasted the best stew in town and the finest ale. Sniffing dismissively at the sign Rowena led the men into the crowded eating room.

It took Dom and his men only a few moments to spot their quarry. Sitting at the best table in the room Vinson sat with five of his men. They were all drinking heavily and talking loudly. Only one man sitting apart looked sober. He fiddled with a small tankard, his eyes scanning the crowd from time to time.

Finding a small table empty Dom and Magnus sat while Declan went to fetch drinks. Rowena had walked straight to the kitchen without as much as a backward glance.

It was amazing to Dom that he was so close to Kel's attacker. For six long weeks he had been pursuing Vinson across the Kingdom. In moments of despair he had thought they would never find him. It was satisfying to be so close now. The temptation to cross the room and beat the cad to a bloody pulp was strong. It would be so easy to drive his fist into the smirking face. He had seen what this monster had done to Kel. But years of training stopped him. He wanted the bastard to suffer and for that to happen he had to be bought to trial.

Returning with their drinks Declan began to report what he had learned at the bar. "They have been drinking for most of the day. If Vinson were not a noble they would have been thrown out hours ago. The barmaids refuse to go anywhere near them. Oh I was told they are very poor tippers."

Glancing to the sober man Magnus commented "Mage?"

"Most likely, not too many Mage's drink, it tends to dull their gift." Dom replied.

For several minutes the three men spoke of trivial matters such as the weather and cotton prices. All the while they observed Vinson and his men.

After a time Rowena came out. She carried a large basket and catching Dom's eye she motioned for the three men to follow her.

Twenty metres from the Inn she stopped and moved into the doorway of a bakers shop. "He is on the second floor. He sleeps in the corner room on the eastern side of the building. His men take turns at guard duty when they are sober. The Mage has a room next door. My kinswoman was told they would be leaving in the morn for the coast." Gripping each man briefly on the arm she mumbled, "Mithros guide you". She turned and walked back in the direction of the Goose and Hare.

"Now?" Declan asked.

"Now we wait", was Dom's grim reply. Waiting a few minutes they followed Rowena back to the Goose and Hare.

In the four hours that passed Dom and his men went carefully over their plans. Declan polished his knife while Magnus rocked in his chair and flexed his fingers. The only problems they foresaw were the Mage and the Watch. On such a cold night it would not be likely to encounter many men patrolling the streets, but one could never be too sure. The Mage was an entirely different problem. The possibility of a Mage was why Dom had asked Magnus to accompany him. Magnus did not advertise it, but he too was a Mage. His skills were vast and varied and he had become a valuable asset to the Own. Part of his value was that he was not known as a Mage and it had led a number of men to underestimate him. He did not use his skills often, preferring a soldier's way of doing things, but when Dom explained the stakes he had readily agreed to come.

The new day was in its second hour as the men left their rooms. As they skulked their way to Vinson's Inn they were careful to make as little noise as possible. Luck was with them. The snow that had fallen the day before muffled their movements making their approach virtually silent.

At the back of the building a large wooden door led to the Inns kitchen. It was braced with strips of iron and sported a large lock. Wordlessly Declan moved. After a moment he gently pushed the door open. Waiting a few seconds he pressed it open enough to slide in. After a moment he motioned for the other two men to follow.

Breathing into his ear Dom mouthed, "You're getting better. It used to take you a few minutes to pick a lock."

White teeth flashing Declan murmured back, "No need. It was unlocked."

The slowly began to climb the stairs that led to the second floor. They went one at a time, using hand signals to tell each other what they saw. Declan who had gone first had held two fingers behind his back indicating that two guards were outside Vinson's door. Removing his knife from its sheath Dom followed. By the time he had reached Declan's side there was no need for his knife. The two guards were asleep, assisted by the vast amounts of ale they had consumed. Using strips of linen and hemp rope they bound the two men and dragged them to one side.

Magnus who had followed Dom up the stairs passed his palm over the lock on Vinson's door. Nodding his head to tell Declan there was no magic in it he then moved to stand opposite the Mage's door.

Declan opened the lock with a soft popping sound. The room was lit by a small candle that sputtered when the door opened. Closing the door behind them the two men surveyed the man they had been pursuing. To Dom it was almost a let down. He had imagined himself taking the man captive in combat. A glorious battle he could tell Kel about. It almost felt wrong to capture him as he slept.

Vinson had obviously been drunk before he had gone to bed. He still wore a tunic and breeches. His boots were unlaced but still on. As Dom leaned over slip a knotted rope around his neck he was assaulted by the foul stench of Vinson's breath. It almost made him gag. Declan then pressed a wet rag into his hand. It was soaked with a sleeping draught. In his current state Vinson would sleep for eight hours or more.

Pressing the gag to Vinson's mouth Dom felt him begin to stir. For a moment he thrashed about lashing out with his arms and feet but the draught was too strong. When Dom was sure he was asleep once more he and Declan hoisted the now dead weight between them.

As they struggled down the stairs a flash of green light came from the Mages room. Knowing better than to interrupt a Mage battle he and Declan hurried to their horses.

As a Watchman called the fourth hour before dawn Dom and Declan rode towards Fort Steadfast with a drugged and bound Vinson tied to a horse between them.

It took Magnus only half an hour to catch them. He was soot stained and sported a shallow cut to his cheek.

"The Mage?" Dom asked.

"He won't be putting anymore women to sleep for a long while", was all Magnus would say.

As the sun rose Dom judged them to be five days ride away from Fort Steadfast and Kel.

Okay I know you probably wanted Dom to beat Vision up or something like that. Enact a bloody revenge or rip his guts out perhaps. But this is a story about Kel so I think it needs to be up to her. Please feel free to disagree with me or comment. Toodles Jocat