The first two hours of the first watch for Allie and Cabe had most of the company performing various 'house keeping' chores but quickly enough everyone had gone to their tents and fallen to sleep. Allie welcomed the quiet as it afforded her more time alone with Cabe. They ended up spending an inordinate amount of their watch time cuddled together.
Because of the blight Allie hadn't felt that bad about it because there literally wasn't anything alive even remotely close to them that could have caused them any problems.
Allie retired with Cabe to the tent that she now regularly shared with him after Happy and Toby took over the watch. After spending so much time earlier that morning feeling the love between Lord Walter and Lady Paige, She wasn't sure why Cabe wasn't taking the next step but Allie decided it was time for her and Cabe's relationship to move to the next level. She grinned a little wickedly as she stepped over to the small wash basin. After removing the boots that Cabe had bought for her before they left Aaron Springs she boldly dropped her dress and poured water into the basin before cleaning up.
She turned and smiled at Cabe. Her mouth opened as she saw Cabe had already fallen asleep. Shaking her head she walked over and knelt down next to him. She bent over and kissed him tenderly, she felt his lips part a little and she slipped her tongue into his mouth. Cabe stirred and reached out and touched Allie. His sleepy brain woke up instantly as it registered that his hands were touching her naked flesh.
His eyes opened wide as he gasped, "Allie?"
Allie giggled, "So that got your attention?"
Happy and Toby glanced for a moment towards their tent and they both grinned. As Happy looked at Toby, "Don't you dare tease him in the morning."
Toby looked at her all innocent, "Would I do that?"
"Not if you know what is good for you," she laughed.
Lord Walter led the company north along the road when they came to the roadside grave where they had buried Jesse. Jesse was the messenger that Raynold had sent to advise the miners to the delay in their arrival so Lord Walter could pay his respects before they buried Lord Weir. At Sir Cabe's suggestion before they broke camp this morning he called for a stop.
Lord Walter had a hard time looking away from the grave, his guilt tearing at him. Paige reached out and took his hand in hers and as he looked up at her she smiled and it was infectious and he smiled back. They sat there for several minutes when Sir Cabe rode forward. "My Lord, Allie retrieved these items that had belonged to Lady Bethany. I figured we could give them to the church for them to give to another Paladin. But in the meantime, you need another shield and while this hammer is nothing special it might be of some use."
Lord Walter looked at the items and slowly nodded. He took the hammer first and hung it on the horn of his saddle before taking the shield and hanging it with the hammer. "Thank you Sir Cabe, express my gratitude to Allie as well. Place the sword in one of the packs for me please," Lord Walter told him in subdued tones.
They arrived at the mining camp a few hours before dusk. The smell of death was fairly strong. They could see a number of bodies laying about the area. Some were easy to tell they had succumbed to the blight. Others looked like they had died from violence. From horseback it was impossible to tell if the violence was from animal or man.
Looking about, Lord Walter pointed towards the west and he led the company away from the mining camp until they were far enough away that the stench of death wasn't detectable. With Sir Cabe aiding him they purified the area so they could set up their camp to decrease infection risk. After the camp was set up, Lord Walter filled their various containers with water.
As Allie and Paige started working on dinner Lord Walter got the axe out of one of their packs and stepped out to the edges of the camp. He began bringing down the few dead trees closest to the camp so that if the wind picked up they wouldn't have to worry about any of them falling into the camp and hurting anyone. Given his strength and how weak the dead trees were it wasn't long before the area was safe.
Paige had kept an eye on Walter the entire time. She didn't like the depression he seemed to be in over Jesse's death. She worried given how he had considered cutting himself yesterday to feel something different over his anger. She watched as he walked over to the packs and put the axe up. Excusing herself from Allie she walked over and stood behind him.
As Walter turned he nearly ran into Paige as she stood there smiling at him. "My beautiful bride," Walter smiled at her. Paige reached out and took his hands in hers and she stepped backwards bringing him back with her. She began singing as she brought his left hand in and put it on her hip and moved her right hand over to his shoulder. She smiled as she saw recognition in his face as he began humming the same tune and they began dancing around the campsite.
Ralph had already cared for both his Dad and Mom's mounts. He stopped caring for his own mount as he watched his parents dance.
Allie smiled as she could feel Lord Walter's mood changing. She watched as they continue to dance when she felt Cabe's arms slide around her waist and held her tightly from behind as he smiled watching them dance. Allie put down the knife she had been using and she turned and took his right hand in her left as she moved his left to her hip. She put her hand on his shoulder as they began dancing along with their Lord and Lady.
Happy, Sylvester, Kaylee and Toby all stopped their various activities and stood back and watched both couples.
For nearly a half hour they danced. Allie and Cabe stopped after a few minutes so she could continue dinner. As Allie announced that dinner was ready, Walter picked Paige up hugging her tightly to him as she locked her legs about his waist. "Thank you my Love, you make my life so much better."
Paige smiled, "The feeling is mutual my Love."
All through dinner Ralph had talked about how much he had enjoyed sleeping beside his parents in the fresh air last night. Paige just smiled and several times as Walter opened his mouth as if to engage Ralph on the subject she'd kick his foot. After the fifth time she looked at Walter, "I think we should retire Walter, I'm a little tired. Ralph, make sure you wash the dishes before you go to your bed." She'd stressed 'your bed' significantly, cutting off any hopes he had of sleeping with them.
Ralph pouted thinking he was unable to make his parents understand his desire. Allie had a smirk on her face.
Walter looked at Paige in surprise, especially since he wasn't finished with dinner but he nodded as he stood and put their dishes in the tub. As Walter turned he saw Paige still sitting and his expression became quizzical.
Paige smiled at him and held her arms out to him.
Walter smiled as he walked over and bent over and Paige wrapped her arms about his neck as he slid his arms around her back and under her knees and picked her up before carrying her into their tent. Walter stood in their tent holding Paige and they kissed several times before he finally lowered her legs to the ground. Walter looked at her, "Why were you kicking my feet?"
Paige smiled, "Ralph was angling to get invited back to sleep with us tonight." She grabbed the bottom of his tunic and pulled it up and over his head. "I love my son, but I need my husband tonight," Paige grinned as she pushed him back onto the blankets.
Walter smiled.
Five days ago:
Lord Beyon's Master at Arms slammed his fist onto the table before him, "What do you mean Lord Beyon agreed to go back to Merrick's citadel with just three men?"
The eight men stood there terrified, "It's as we explained sir. We were fighting to the last man. Merrick's generals had us cut off from retreating. Lord Beyon's abilities were failing him. There were just twelve of us left when Lord Beyon ordered the white flag raised. As part of being allowed to live and stay on the throne here Lord Beyon yielded to Merrick.
Two days ago:
The assembled nobles of King Merrick nearly gasped as they watched Lord Beyon escorted into the throne room. They watched unbelieving as Lord Beyon knelt before King Merrick pledging his fealty to Merrick. King Merrick grinned, "Tell me Lord Beyon, do you know Lord Walter of Scorpion Keep?"
Lord Beyon slowly nodded his head, "He is a junior Paladin of the wise Lady."
King Merrick brushed away his words concerning Athena with a snicker, "He has given sanctuary to my son's trollop, the Bard known as Paige of the house of Dineen. While she is wanted for the murder of my son, she has my grandson in her possession. I offered to withdraw the bounty on her head if this Walter would simply give me my grandson and he refused. Apparently he enjoys this trollop himself. What you are going to do is issue a demand for him to appear in your court. Once he appears you will demand he release my grandson to your custody. When my grandson is safe, you will make this Walter watch as you execute this harlot. I'm thinking for their insolence something that will drive the point home. You will have her drawn and quartered."
Lord Beyon looked up, "But your majesty, this Paige isn't even responsible for your son's death."
Merrick growled and the soldier next to Lord Beyon slugged him in the side of the head knocking him to the floor. Grabbing his head Lord Beyon slowly rose back up on his knee. The three warriors that were allowed to accompany Lord Beyon jumped to his defense but were quickly beaten down.
King Merrick buffed his nails, "I don't recall asking your opinion Beyon. The terms to which you gave your most revered word was to do my bidding without exception. And for your impertinence I am going to place a company of warriors in your castle to ensure your compliance to my orders."
Present day:
After two and a half days of hard riding, the sun was setting. Lord Beyon slowly entered his castle along with the three warriors that had been with him at King Merrick's. Accompanying them were two hundred and fifty of King Merrick's rear guard. All four of them moved slowly and showed multiple abuses. As Lord Beyon took his seat upon his throne he silenced his Master at Arms as he tried to question what had happened.
"King Merrick was kind enough to loan us some of his men to bolster our numbers, you will see to accommodations for them. I also need an order to be sent to Lord Walter of Scorpion Keep. He is required to report to me forthwith," Lord Beyon told him.
The Mistress of his temple of Athena walked into the great hall with several of her clerics, "My Lord, I received word that you have returned and needed aid."
Lord Beyon barely acknowledged her.
While her clerics addressed the three warriors who were injured, she stepped up to his throne and one of the rear guard stuck his foot out and tripped her. The Master at Arms barely caught her in time, "Revered Mother, are you okay?"
She smiled at him as she put her hand on his arm, "I'm fine thanks to you, I'm getting less stable on my feet as I get older." She whispered, "Let that go, there is more going on here than we know."
The Master at Arms bit his tongue as he escorted her the last few feet to the throne where she cast a healing spell upon Lord Beyon. "My Lord, with your permission, as you just witnessed, the revered Mother is a little unsteady on her feet. I will escort her out and then issue the appearance of Lord Walter," the Master at Arms told him.
Lord Beyon just waved his hand.
As they passed out the main door the Mistress of the temple touched his arm as she whispered, "Escort me to your office."
"Revered Mother, do you mind coming back to my office for a moment? I need to issue this summons and then I can escort you on out," the Master at Arms said loudly in front of several of the rear guard.
"If it is needed, then I shall," she told him.
Once his office door closed behind them she cast a silence spell on it, "Terean, what happened?"
Terean held a chair while she sat down, "Mistress, I am not sure. What I do know is that Merrick set a trap and caught Lord Beyon and took him back to his citadel. Now we have to obey Merrick's every whim. I'm sure that is where this order of summons for Lord Walter is coming from. But for what purpose, I don't know. Plus we now have two hundred and fifty of Merrick's rear guard in support to deal with."
The Mistress sat there tapping her chin, "We need time to find out more information. Is there anyway of delaying Lord Walter from receiving the order?"
Terean sat down on the edge of his desk, "Well I can't do it by not issuing the order. Wait, I could send it using Wendell. He's so slow he'll be late to his own funeral."
The Mistress looked surprised, "Wendell, of the house of Eris? Why does he even still have a job?"
Terean smirked, "His Mother keeps coming and begging me to give him another chance."
She considered that, "What are the odds he would actually do his job right this time?"
"Not likely, to be safe I could send him by way of the town of Harris. There's a jam maker there, Lord Beyon loves her jams. I could give him a few coins to pick some up before he goes on to Scorpion Keep. I'm sure he'd probably spend a few nights in the Inn there as well," Terean told her.
The Mistress nodded her head. She pulled a small coin bag out from under her robes and handed it to Terean, "The temple will pay for this. Alright issue the order and send it by Wendell. Take him to a tavern and buy him some ale, casually mention there is no rush. That might help too. I will go back to the temple and try and commune with the wise Lady. I don't know if I will be able to get any information back to you but I will try. Now for the hard part, I need you with your position intact. I am giving you permission to do what you need to do to remain in your post. Is that understood?"
Terean shook his head, "I will do whatever I can, but if I think the wise Lady will have a problem with it I am not doing it."
The Mistress reached out and slapped him as hard as she could across his face, "You will do what you have to. If you have to come to the temple and break my leg, you will come to the temple and break my leg. Is that understood?"
Terean looked at her in shock as he slowly nodded.
The Mistress smiled, "Good, I don't know what is going on, but since it concerns that scum Merrick it can't be good. He's already beaten Beyon, we can not allow for him to get to Lord Walter. I am going to delay my return to the temple long enough to go upstairs to Lady Juniper and I will see if I can get her to direct some questions to Lord Beyon in private. Maybe she can uncover what he wants Lord Walter for. If worse comes to worse then Lord Walter will have to remove Lord Beyon from the throne."
"Merrick has long had dreams of grandeur. He may be making his move to expand his kingdom. Getting rid of the knights would be a crucial step for that," Terean told her as he turned and wrote up the order of summons. As he sealed it he had a second thought. Instead of addressing the outside to Lord Walter he addressed it to Senechal Raynold. "That might slow it up a little more. Raynold won't be as quick to open it as he would be in giving it to Lord Walter if it was addressed to him," Terean told her as he helped her to stand before escorting the Mistress up to the residence of the castle before he went looking for Wendell.
Lady Juniper smiled as she saw the Mistress waiting for her. "Mistress, what an honor, what brings you here?"
"My lady Juniper," the Mistress greeted her warmly. "I would speak privately with you."
Lady Juniper nodded and escorted her to her dressing room. "No one will disturb us here Mistress," Lady Juniper told her as she helped her to sit on the couch.
"I'm sure you must be relieved now that Lord Beyon has returned," the Mistress began.
Lady Juniper nodded, "Thank you for your prayers to the wise Lady for his return."
"I am sorry lady Juniper, I must invoke Optemare. You were and always will be a cleric of the wise Lady and your assistance is needed and required," the Mistress told her.
Lady Juniper's hand came up to her mouth in shock, "Mistress?"
"Merrick is up to something, I need you to be careful but insistent with Lord Beyon to discover what is going on. Your husband has agreed to summon Lord Walter as his subordinate. He's also allowed Merrick to send a large force of his army into this very castle. We can not afford for Lord Walter to fall into a trap. After you discover what is going on you will journey to the temple under the guise of thanksgiving for Lord Beyon's safe return to advise me. Is that understood?" The Mistress looked deep into her eyes.
Lady Juniper slowly nodded, "I will comply and do whatever I can to assist you."
The Master at Arms left the tavern shaking his head. Talking to Wendell had to be the most draining ordeal. He slowly made his way back to the castle his mind running over everything that had happened since he'd first heard of Beyon's unconditional surrender to Merrick. As he drew near to the entrance he noted that only two of his guards were at their post but now there were a half dozen of Merrick's rear guard standing with them. Merrick's mean taunted him and he almost went for his sword when the heat of the slap on his cheek flared up and he gave in and continued into the castle without confrontation.
Passing by the entrance to the temple inside of the castle he saw the temple Mistress was back inside but he quickly looked away trying not to draw the attention of the number of Merrick's guards who had replaced and even increased the number of guards he usually had stationed through out the castle.
I hope everyone is still doing well out there. They just extended the 'stay at home' order here in the US until the end of April as I understand it. We had been going through days of dark and drizzling weather and thankfully the last couple of days have had a good amount of sunshine and no rain. We're doing okay, other than she is starting to have a bit of wheezing which usually means fluid build up. To the Adventure! -Tim
