Hi my dear readers! Thanks so much for your reviews.

Translated: Cleo28

Beta: Moonjat54 (Jat, thanks so much for helping me. Feel hugged.)

Fiery Matter

Angry and helpless at the same time, not knowing what to do with what Walter told him or how to prevent it, Jack stormed out of the room. In his hand he held the letters that Walter had given to him and Walter had managed to unsettle him. Actually, Jack knew very well he could act and make decisions in this regard and, but Walter's caused him to doubt it, not only because it was not about the laws of the Order, but rules in the human, medieval world. He had to talk to Gabriel. He would tell him the truth and know what to do. He fervently hoped that his uncertainty was unfounded and he was being manipulated by Walter. However, it made him angry, angry at himself, that Walter had managed to make him doubt himself, to confuse him ...

Without thinking about politeness, he tore open the door to the living room with a jerk, as Lily called it. His conjecture was confirmed that Gabriel was here and also Lily... Why was she here? Smalltalk? Or had she managed to get the answers to her question from Gabriel? And why was she standing next to him? Jack couldn´t continue to think about this now, first this problem had to be solved. He quickly went to Gabriel standing by the table and laid the letters before him. Desperately, he said: "What do I have to do to say no to someone?"

It seemed to Jack like an eternity, when Gabriel took the letters in the hand, and took a glance at each one. Gabriel frowned irritated and replied asking: "Jack, you can reject them all. You have to know that."

Out of relief Jack sank in the chair that was standing right next to him. But only seconds later, the relief was replaced by anger. Anger at himself and anger at Walter. How he hated that castle guard.
"Reject what, Jack?" Jack heard Lily's curious voice. But instead of answering to Lily's question, Jack decided to explain to Gabriel his behavior.

"I know, Gabriel. Only Walter has somehow managed to confuse me, "Jack took a deep breath," I was just not sure if there is a difference between the rules of the Order and the rules in this time... "

Gabriel looked at him understandingly. "Walter leans on you pretty hard, right?"

Jack just gave him a resigned nod.

"Reject what?" Lily asked again, her voice tinged with anger, because Jack had ignored her question. Jack could understand it, only if she was angry now, should he really answer her question? She would explode! But eventually he had to tell her, after all, it concerned her.

"Marriage requests," Jack said a short answer. Her eyebrows wandered inquiringly towards each other and she seemed to think about it. Slightly taken aback, and with a smile on her lips she replied: "You get marriage proposals? Just like that? Is it at common that women ask men at this time?" She stepped closer to Gabriel and looked curiously over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of the letters which Gabriel was still holding in his hand and reading through. Sure, she thought that he had received requests. A very logical response, if someone came from the 21st century. But in this time ...

Jack turned his attention to Lily and said gravely: "No, not for me, Lily. For you."

Lily lifted her head. "What do you mean for me? These letters are addressed to you. Then they surely can't be for me." But before Jack could reply Gabriel intervened.

"Jack, how is it these aristocrats and wealthy bourgeois think that you are looking for a suitable man for Lily?"
Jack had to consider briefly what he said Gabriel, not because he did not know the answer, but because now Lily was staring at him with a gaping mouth and would she explode at any moment.

"From Walter. He is or was looking for a new wife and then had casually announced that here in the castle is a woman who is of a marriageable age and it's time she married...", Jack imparted the information but his words were not well chosen, because Lily got furious.

"What?" Were the first word that Lily could say. "What does the Castellan think he is doing? First, I decide who I will marry and it would be more appropriate to ask me and not you, Jack. And secondly, what do you mean, it's time? And thirdly, what right does Walter have to think he has, to spread the word that I want to marry? Just you wait! He´ll pay for that!"

Jack had somehow expected this reaction and for him it was understandable, again Lily didn´t think of the fact that she was in the Middle Ages, and it would have been even easier, if he didn´t have to explain to her another rule of the Order, but to talk to her in peace about this...

Furious, she stared at Jack, but he knew that her anger wasn´t meant for him, but Walter. Jack could see in the corner of his eye that Gabriel leaned back in his chair and thought about Lily's words. Now Jack knew he should be careful of what he said, otherwise it would probably happen the first time that they would have a real argument and Jack didn't want that, not when Walter was the trigger for it.

But apparently she didn´t want to talk to him about it, because she turned to the door and put her feet in motion. Jack knew what she wanted to do now. Turn her threat into action. Before Jack could utter a sound or react, he could only observe what happened right before his eyes, because it just happened too fast. Gabriel got up and had grabbed Lily's arm and moved her into the chair. He leaned his hands on the chair and made it impossible for Lily to get up. Lily gave a startled cry. When Lily's cry had died down, Jack heard, Gabriel saying in a stern and commanding voice: "You stay here! This is a matter between Jack and Walter. You have nothing to do with it!"

Jack knew what was coming next. Did Gabriel have to speak that way? Outraged gasping Lily replied confidently without any sign of fear to the vampire: "I have nothing to do with it? It's about me, so I have something to do with it!"

Jack could not help but admire Lily in this moment, for her courage to object to Gabriel. In front of her wasn´t only a noble person with a high rank in the Middle Ages, but also an old vampire. And she treated him as if there was no difference between them. Well, Jack had to admit she was also impulsive and in fact often placed herself into dangerous situations that he had to straighten it out. It was not easy, but it didn´t bother him. Lily was just Lily. And he did not want for her to change. He liked the way she was and if that meant he would pull her out of trouble more often, then he had to do it. Jack was about to say something to calm things down when Lily cut him off, and she actually tried to get past Gabriel. She had leaned forward, put her hands on Gabriel's arm and with great effort, she tried to loosen his hand from the chair. Without success.

"Get out of my way," she told Gabriel. In a way that Jack had not expected. Especially not the tone in which she had said to him. Jack now had to act. Lily had crossed a boundary. She actually had given a command to someone of higher rank in the medieval caste system. And that she didn´t know the medieval laws and rules didn´t count anymore as an excuse for her behavior.

Jack jumped up from his chair and tried to persuade Gabriel to relax, for his expression betrayed that he was not pleased about Lily's utterance. "Gabriel, Lily has certainly not meant it in that way. She is angry and then you can...", Jack didn´t get further, because Gabriel interrupted him.

"She has meant just what she said, Jack", Gabriel said coldly.

Jack took a step toward them and was looking feverishly for a way to defuse this situation. Of course, Gabriel had noticed that he slowly approached and reacted to it, in which he raised his left hand in Jack's direction and said in a warning voice. "Not one step further, Jack!"

Jack gathered up his courage, after all, he would have to fight in the next second with a friend, to protect Lily. And this friend was also a vampire. He had no chance. "Gabriel, please ..." Jack tried it in supplication.

"Jack, you know yourself that it is not the first time she has given me a disrespectful command. This action has consequences", the old vampire replied on Jack's entreaties.

Jack had to take a deep breath. "Gabriel ..." What Jack wanted to say exactly, he didn´t know himself. Lily took the decision away from him. She glared angrily at Gabriel.

"That bothers you? That I gave you a command? Not easy to follow orders, right? Of course not. A count doesn´t get commands, he gives commands", Lily said slightly ironic.

"Lily, stop that!" Jack responded impulsively. It made things worse. Jack held his breath and prayed that Gabriel didn´t allow the consequences to become true... But first, nothing happened. Gabriel did not budge from the spot and his eyes were penetrating and angry directed at Lily, who didn´t let it intimidate her, however.

Jack had to take action quickly. He could not let a vampire punish her. Who knows what that would be? He did not want to think about it further when he imagined the punishment options looked like in medieval times. But before Jack could intervene, Gabriel said something.

"Lily, you're damn lucky that I cannot punish you. First, because I´m not allowed to, although it wouldn´t stop me. And second, because it would be noticed and I place you in mortal danger", Gabriel paused for a moment and then went with a convincing explanation, "Lily, you have to stop getting angry about things that you cannot change but you should first talk about it in peace and find a solution. It is truly a fact that women aren´t asked in person first, if a man asks for her hand. And since Jack is your guardian the questions are directed to him and they will negotiate only with him. And ultimately he decides to whom you get married. And that Walter has announced in the city, that you shall marry, is a completely different thing and you won´t deal with Walter about it. Do I express myself clearly?"

Jack stood rooted there. Gabriel had told Lily the medieval approach to the teaching of spouses and in some cases they were identical to those of the Order. Only what did he mean, he could not punish her? Mortal danger?

"Mortal danger?" Jack asked out of a pulse and his face was very pale. Gabriel dared to grin actually.

"Jack, you want to explain Lily the rules of the Order tomorrow, right? Maybe I should be there and explain a few things", Gabriel said but without answering Jack´s question.

So Jack repeated his statement. "Deadly danger? What do you mean?"

Gabriel looked at Jack for a moment. "The danger is not from me, but from others, Jack."

Gabriel's tone made Jack realize that he would not talk about it further. Jack nodded in understanding.
Jack let himself fall back into the chair and his eyes landed on Lily, who was staring thoughtfully at her hands. Suddenly Jack remembered again their conversation from earlier. Hopefully she didn´t blame herself now with accusations that she had not played by the rules again. Maybe Jack was doing the wrong thing now, but judging by Lily's face, he was right. He got up and knelt in front of Lily, raised her head with his hand carefully up so she looked into his eyes.

"Lily, do not blame yourself. No matter what you do. I´m always behind you", Jack said softly.

Lily took a deep breath before she replied in a shaky voice: "I've done it again, Jack. I disappointed you again."

Jack shook his head. Furthermore, they had not talked directly, but Jack already suspected that there was even more behind it than just Svafa Vanadis statements.

"No, you did not. I expected no other reaction from you", Jack gave back with an honest smile on his lips.

"Jack, that. .." Jack turned his head quickly to Gabriel and interrupted him before he could say something that would make Lily's self-doubts worse. "Gabriel, don´t..."

"Gabriel", Lily began and Jack's head turned back to her, "I'm really sorry that I misbehaved. I know that I sometimes lose my temper, but it's not really easy for me to accept that I am not a free woman anymore."

"Lily, you're a free woman. You are not born in servitude", Gabriel said with emphasis and Jack knew that Gabriel had forgiven Lily even before she apologized. Something told Jack that it wouldn´t normally the case. Gabriel had threatened consequences, but they were not materialized. And Gabriel was really not the kind of person who made idle threats.

Lily sighed. "No, I'm not a free woman. And if I understand it right, it doesn´t just have anything to do with this era." Lily paused and turned her head to Jack. "This marriage rule is also a rule in the Order, right, Jack?"

Jack was always impressed anew by Lily's gift to draw the right conclusions. Jack nodded, but he also had to explain her something. "It's not exactly like it, Lily. Actually it's more that I must give my consent. If I refuse, you may not marry the man."

"And what about you? Or is it only for women?" Lily asked and her voice tinged with contempt.

"I need the permission of the Order."

"Well, then there is actually such a thing as some equal rights within the Order", Lily said and actually a smile appeared on Lily's lips that Jack gave back.

"Equality" was heard in Gabriel's questioning voice, and Jack could see in Lily's face that she regretted her choice of words.

Jack thought for a moment whether he should talk to Gabriel or leave it to Lily. Perhaps it would be better if she would do it.

"Lily," Gabriel said without giving the two a chance to say something, "you have the same rights as a man in your time, right? And not only that, there is no caste system, right?"

Gabriel had completely understood the point. Jack was glad, for it allowed Gabriel to understand Lily and him better. Lily nodded and gave him a friendly smile.

"That explains a lot," Gabriel added.

Jack sat back in his chair and actually he still had to talk to Gabriel, about those proper gentlemen who wanted to ask for Lily's hand and would show up here tomorrow. He simply had no idea how that should be dealt with. And he also wanted that Lily would be present at the interview with Gabriel, it was because she was right. She had something to do with it.

"Gabriel, you've certainly seen that these proper gentlemen want to come over tomorrow and I just do not know how to handle it. I mean, do they ask me and I just say no? I know how it is in Order, but it doesn´t necessarily mean it is dealt with the same way in this case."

Jack looked expectantly to Gabriel.

"It´s different. They will negotiate for Lily's dowry and they obviously will want to see her. Jack, if you wish it, I can lead the negotiations. That would be no problem for me. And then we should have a serious word with Walter."

Jack was really grateful to Gabriel, and he had no doubt that Gabriel would not mislead him, no, tomorrow he would ultimately gain only what was his rightful position in Lily's life, because then, not only Jack would be Lily's guardian, but also Gabriel. Jack did not really know much about this alliance Ehwaz, but he knew that Gabriel had the same duties as he had, and there would also be other duties that Gabriel would have, which he unfortunately did not know really. For example, there was the matter of the punishment. What the heck did Gabriel mean? What was the punishment?

"Sure," Jack replied.

But before another word could be exchanged, suddenly a bell rang and Azrael simultaneously stormed into the room. "The barn is burning," he announced, and all stood up at the same time and ran to the courtyard.

Agatha, Johann and the other residents had already formed a chain and handed a bucket from one to the other. But Jack could see that it didn´t really helped much. It was like a drop in the bucket. The straw and hay caught fire too fast. Jack quickly joined in the line and helped. Jack heard Gabriel give instructions and warned the others to prevent the fire from extending access to the castle. The barn was already lost to the fire. How much Jack wished now to hear the sirens of the fire brigade, but they wouldn´t sound.

From the corner of his eye he saw Lily run to the burning barn. Was she crazy? Ignoring the next bucket, which then fell to the ground, Jack ran after Lily. When he reached the stable door he was met by flames and he saw that the horses were still in the barn. Why had nobody thought to bring the horses out of the stable? A split second Jack had the thought that it was absolutely mad, to go into that burning inferno to retrieve the horses, but did he really have a choice? Lily was already there.

Determinedly, he ran in and pulled free every horse that he met on the way to Lily. Lily had gone through already, and drove back the horses, which were free towards the exit. Fortunately there were not many horses. It was a scorching heat and it got harder and harder to breathe. The first horse had left the stable, and Lily went to Gabriel's stallion, which fought in his agony with all the force he could muster against the rope that made the flight to safety impossible. Curiously enough, Jack had no worries that this black stallion could do something to Lily. He looked dangerous as he reared up angrily, but when he saw Lily and she grabbed the rope, the horse calmed down and let her help him. Seconds later, the stallion stormed past to Lily to the courtyard.

The next moment Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her with him to the exit. Beams were already down. Just before they reached the exit, Jack noticed that the roof gave way and crashed down toward them. But in the next moment Jack was gripped by the arm and found himself in the next second out in front of the barn. The roof came straight down on to the floor. Azrael looked at him narrowly and angrily and behind him, Jack could hear Lily arguing with Gabriel.

"Thanks," Jack said guiltily to Azrael. He knew that they had risked their lives and if Azrael and Gabriel would not have been there, the roof would have buried them.

They did fortunately prevent the fire from reaching the castle and eventually it was smoking only in some places, which was dampened with more buckets of water. Jack was standing exhausted in front of the ruins of the stable. It was really a very long day. It would not be long and the sun would raise and with it a new exciting and long day. And he would get only a few hours sleep.

Behind him were heard hoof beats and Jack turned around. Diann, Svafa and Albin were returning. Jack had no inkling that they had been on the road and now they brought no good news. They had recovered dead bodies, killed by vampires. Jack turned back to the barn and looked at it thoughtfully. How long would he and Lily stay in this time and what else could they expect to happen? And what would they probably find in their time? It had looked after all, that the Legion was planning something, not against the Order because the Order had had to hide from the Legion always, but against the vampires.

Jack was about to turn around and go back to the castle to sleep a little while, as his gaze remained fixed on something at the entrance of the stable. Jack walked toward it, bent down, picked it up and looked at it. He had found the cause of the fire and it alerted all sorts of alarm bells inside him. In his hand he held a cigarette butt.

Jack turned and ran towards the entrance door, where the vampires and all members of the Order were standing. Ignoring the others he grabbed Lily's arm and pulled her with him to the castle. "Come on, Lily", he said and Lily followed him.

Together they ran to their rooms, he pulled her behind him. Out of breath and completely surprised Lily asked, "Jack, what's going on?"

Jack had to first get his breathing under control before he could answer her, so he opened his hand and showed her the cigarette butt. Lily immediately understood and panicked. Jack grabbed her by the arms and spoke soothingly to her. "Lily, calm down. There is someone else from our time here. And he caused the fire. I do not think he is still here, but if he seeks us, he knows with certainty that we are here. And the question is what does he want from us. And I cannot answer this question. We should get out of here as quickly as possible."

Jack realized that she was beginning to get her panic under control and nodded approvingly. Jack set her free again and he went to his room. When he opened the door, he saw that Lily had also put her hand on her door handle. Jack went inside his room, rushed to the cupboard, took out his bag which was almost packed and the next moment he let it fall again, because Lily screamed his name.