"I want you to focus on teaching Tara how to properly defend herself." Logan noticed Walter's surprised expression out of the corner of his eye, but the man remained silent. He walked around the map of Albion. Logan found his vision straying from the unmarked lands where that darkness was housed. Whenever he looked at it, even for a moment, it seemed liked that damned Seer's vision crept back to him. "I would also like her to know how the kingdom is run. Whether those lessons come from you or-"

"Wouldn't it be better if you showed the princess how to manage the kingdom?"

Logan looked up from the map, "I don't have time for that, Walter."

The man frowned slightly as his grip on the papers he held tightened. "With all due respect, Logan, your relationship with your sister is being strained. I know something is wrong and if you would let me know-"

"No!" Logan's voice thundered through the war room, echoed by the sound of his hand slamming into the wooden table that held the map of Albion. Pain lanced through his arm as he pulled away. He tried to mask the pain that must have been on his face, turning sharply, but he noticed Walter's worry. "Put the papers down and leave."

"But your hand."

"I said leave!"

Walter said nothing more, the worried look on his face darkening into one mixed with anger as he slapped the papers down. He left in much the same way and Logan knew a cloud of irritation was going to loom of the man's head much of the day. Logan walked around the map, flexing his injured hand as he retrieved the packet Walter had left. In the hall he could hear the older man say something lost through the walls and a reply from someone else that was lost as well.

"Seems like it's another lively day in the life of royals."

Logan glanced up at the sound of a familiar voice. Reaver stood in the doorway, dressed in his best traveling clothes. It wasn't the clothing, though, that caused Logan to ignore the pressing matters that lay in the papers; it was the way Reaver looked. He skin seemed ashen and the eyes that had always seemed to glint with some mischievous intent seemed to verge on dulling to the point of unrecognizable. Even the man's hair appeared to have lost its luster and he had taken to trying his damndest to hide it beneath a hat.

"You look like hell."

Reaver feigned a jovial smile as he made his way deeper into the room. "And you wonder why you haven't found the right lady."

Logan ignored the comment, "I wasn't expecting you until later in the week, Reaver."

"I'm not here on business per se, majesty. I am taking a little jaunt out of the city for a few days and was wondering what I could do to convince you to join me."

"Join you?" Logan shook his head and retreated deeper into the war room, ignoring the fact that Reaver was trailing right behind him. "I have pressing matters, Reaver. We can't all just drop our responsibilities to wander off for a few days of fun." As he turned to tell the business man to leave the papers were promptly snatched from his grasp and thrown into the air. "Reaver!"

Those dulled eyes surged with fury. "This is not something I take lightly nor would I consider it fun. If you must, look at it as a way to getting to know your business partner better."

Logan stared at Reaver, knowing that his own stare matched the man's anger. "And what am I to tell Walter? What about Tara? This whole mess is-"

"Tell them what ever makes you feel better, but either way I am expecting you in my carriage in fifteen minutes."

Even if Reaver had stayed in the room, there was no point in responding. Logan stood amongst the fallen papers and fought the urge to cry out in rage. Reaver had him in a stranglehold. What had started out as an equal partnership had mutated and now he was nothing more than a plaything and a way to increase wealth. As much as he wished he could end their agreement Logan knew that Reaver was needed. Without the man's help there would be no army and no way to save Albion.

Logan made an excuse. There was some matters he had to take care of, things that had been brought to his attention that needed to be tended to right away. He had a few things packed for the trip; clothes, some money, and a weapon or two. Logan avoided both Walter and Tara. He didn't want to see either of them. Not out of anger but out of shame; he had fallen so far.

"Tell Tara that I love her."

Jasper cocked an eyebrow, "You make it sound like you're not returning, sir."

Logan didn't respond. He had every intention of returning but he needed Tara to know that he did care for her. He turned away from Jasper, who said nothing more than words of safe travel. Reaver was standing beside his carriage, directing one of the servants as they placed his small bag amongst those already there. It caused Logan to pause. There was more than Reaver's share of items.

"Happy to see you made it so quickly," Reaver smiled. It shocked Logan to watch the business man open the carriage door and motion for him to enter. "Please, majesty, after you."

Offering no words of thanks Logan slipped into the carriage. It was the sound of a muffled gasp that caused him to pause. A young woman was sitting beside the other door, eyes wide in awe and cheeks flushed as she stared at him. Logan felt himself grow warm with embarrassment as he sat across from her. The young woman averted her stare, seeming to taken a sudden interest in the stitching of her gown. This gave Logan a moment of comfort in studying her. She was young, perhaps a few years older than Tara, and obviously from a wealthy family. She wore a necklace probably worth more than a few months wage for the average worker and the dress she wore was made from the finest materials the city had to offer.

Reaver slipped in beside the girl, producing one of his usual smiles for the girl as the carriage door was closed behind him. Within moments the carriage lurched forward and their journey was beginning.

The young woman leaned close to Reaver, her eyes flicking to Logan as the blush in her cheeks deepened. "You didn't tell me. . . ."

"That would have ruined the surprise, wouldn't it," Reaver replied. He stroked her cheek with a gloved hand which elicited a giggle from the girl. "Logan, I would like to introduce you to our traveling companion, Vanessa."

"It is an honor to meet you, your majesty."

All Logan could do was nod in response. He remained silent for most of that day, listening to Reaver extol his journeys through the country and beyond the borders to Vanessa. The young woman was enamored and didn't seem to Reaver's change in appearance. All that seemed to matter was the fact that she was in the presence of not only Reaver but the King as well.

Logan hated to admit that he felt both a pang of anger and jealousy. Anger in the fact that he felt like he had been led into this situation. He didn't know what was going to happen or what Reaver had in store for the young lady and himself. With him, one could never truly be sure. The jealousy, though, was something that put a sour taste in his mouth. He watched Reaver dote over the girl; complimenting her and, as night fell, giving her small glasses of wine. She seemed little worried over the man's wandering hands, though it appeared Reaver was behaving himself.

The wine seemed to take its toll on Vanessa and soon she was sleeping, her head propped against Reaver. He seemed to heave an annoyed sigh when it finally happened and slowly moved away, letting her take up one side of the carriage. "You've been awfully silent," Reaver whispered as he sat beside Logan. "Not enjoying yourself?"

"Obviously not as much as you."

Reaver smiled slightly, "I'm making sure the darling is comfortable and happy."

"For what I'm a little worried."

"It's not what you're thinking, I can truthfully say that."

Logan looked at Reaver through narrowed eyes, "Then what's going on?"

"The dear wanted to see more of the country. I told her there was an interesting place in Wraithmarsh that I could show her. Lucky for me, she was more than happy to see it."