Paige and her company returned to her private study after they'd finished lunch. Paige looked out at her friends almost as if memorizing their faces. "My friends, after you had left I had a short conversation with Walter concerning this matter. And while I have every confidence in Sir Sylvester's tactical abilities I agree with Walter's position that marching with Lord Beyon and his forces against Merrick would be a mistake. Even if we succeeded the loss of life would be unacceptable. This is not to suggest that Drew's life isn't worth avenging or that we aren't going to seek justice."

"Walter wanted to volunteer to travel to Krammer and infiltrate his palace to learn if Merrick has any travel plans. I'm not willing to risk Walter being caught in such an endeavor. So Walter and I are going to travel to Lancaster to speak privately with Lord Beyon. Walter told me he has an elite group of thieves. I believe they could infiltrate Merrick's palace and get us this information. Then we could simply fall upon them as he travels."

Lady Paige jerked her arm up as her hand clinched into a tight fist simulating the act of grinding them to dust. "Thus we would bring justice to a despot with the least amount of risk."

The four looked at each other and then at Walter who was casually drinking a glass of wine before they finally looked back at Lady Paige. Happy cleared her throat. "Well I like that idea better than a direct confrontation with all of our forces against his but you don't think we are just going to wait here for you do you? What are we supposed to do while you are gone? Besides that, who's going to keep you two in check alone out there in the wilds by yourselves?"

Paige rolled her eyes. "The journey from here to Lancaster is hardly the wilds. Walter and I can keep ourselves in check. There is still Keep business that needs to be conducted. Elizabeth will handle things as she always has. The rest of you will support her as you always have."

Cabe pointed to Happy. "While I think Happy isn't right in what she said. I think we need to go with you. Even though the roads between here and Lancaster are mostly under control that doesn't mean there aren't risks. There are always highway men out and about if nothing else. Two people make poor watch schedules. The four of us should go with you. That's only prudent. Remember a few years back we went to Los Angeles with you and we were attacked by a wyvern? Two against a creature like that is exceedingly dangerous. And that isn't even counting its venom."

Toby nodded. "Not to mention there are a number of miscellaneous mundane things that could happen that you would need me for. What if you stepped in a gopher hole and broke your leg a few days out? And not to impune our esteemed Bard, how does he know about this elite group?"

Walter coughed. "Well as many of you know the reputation of Bards, we do go through a good bit of training in the art of thievery. As such we do tend to cultivate relationships in that particular industry. Even if we don't really practice those skills, relationships mean knowledge and as a Lore Master knowledge is power."

Paige grinned at him.

"Yea, that's all well and good but what if your armor gets dented so bad you can't get it off to treat a wound? You are going to need me." Happy proudly jabbed her thumb back at herself.

"Another sword arm in addition to Cabe's magic would be adventitious should trouble come calling." Sir Sylvester spoke up.

Paige rolled her eyes as she looked over to Walter. Walter grinned and winked as he shrugged his shoulders. "Fine, the four of you may come with us. It looks like you will have to hold the Keep down by yourself Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiled. "I'd rather that then risk you out on the roads by yourself. No offense to the Minstrel. Clearly he is skilled. Besides you never know what opportunities may arise out there. Maybe you'll run into Merrick on the road."

Paige gave a short chuckle as she shook her head. "We'll plan on leaving in the morning after breakfast then. Elizabeth, check with Sara and see if she wants to go with us to prepare meals. I don't fancy food poisoning again. You are all dismissed."

Toby, Happy and Cabe all pointed at Sir Sylvester and began laughing as they stood up and left.

Walter stood up and smiled. "Didn't trust my cooking?"

Paige smiled and nodded. "While I would certainly welcome your cooking anytime, I didn't want to burden you with all the cooking. Toby, Cabe and Happy aren't bad but Sir Sylvester if forbidden from cooking anymore."

Walter grinned. "Isn't there a small lake between here and Lancaster?"

Paige nodded. "You seem well versed with the topography."

Walter nodded. "That's the Lore Master in me. I actually passed through this area a few years ago as I traveled from Lancaster down to Los Angeles."

Paige frowned. "You didn't stop by here?"

Walter grinned. "I did. But you and your family had traveled to Hesperia I was told. The inn at that time already had someone for entertainment so I kept moving."

Paige nodded. "Of all the luck, we'd gone to visit my parents. It would have been nice knowing you earlier."

Walter smiled. "How do you think Ralph is going to take it that we are leaving tomorrow?"

Paige sighed as she ticked her head. "He won't take it very well to tell you the truth. Always before either Drew or I stayed here with him unless we both had to go and then we took him with us. Since Drew died he's been very difficult when I've had to leave. I'm sure part of it might be his fear that I might not come back."

Walter nodded. "What about taking him with us?"

Paige frowned and shook her head. "His school work would suffer."

Walter nodded. "I can understand that. It is up to you but if we can get what assignments he would have to do while we're gone and take his books with us, I can work with him each day as we ride."

Paige looked deep into Walter's eyes. They both smiled and she nodded. "I think I would like that. Are you sure it wouldn't be too much?"

Walter reached out and took her hand and nodded. "It definitely wouldn't be too much. Ralph's a good lad, I'm sure he'd try harder just knowing he is going with us as well. Besides, I need to earn my keep somehow."

Paige laughed. "Let's go ask him if he wants to go with us and if so then I'll send someone down to Florence's to get the assignments for the next two months." Paige smiled.

Walter nodded and then frowned. "Two months?"

Paige nodded. "Just to be sure in case something happens and it takes longer."

Walter grinned as he half turned and Paige stepped forward to leave and Walter stopped her. He leaned in and kissed her. Paige smiled into the kiss and their lips parted as their tongues touched.

As they parted they both were grinning. "But I have to warn you Miss Paige, things like that won't influence my grading of your son's work."

Paige began laughing as she turned and pulled Walter along with her out into the hallway. They walked hand in hand to the master chambers door. They stepped inside and found Ralph in his room. Paige knocked on his open door.

Ralph looked up and smiled seeing them both standing there holding hands from where he sat played with some of his toys.

"Ralph, we're going to have to go away for a while. We've got to go to Lancaster to speak with Lord Beyon." Paige told him.

Ralph's smiled vanished as he frowned and then lowered his head. "Yes Mom."

Paige and Walter both smiled at how cute he looked. "Walter has offered to continue your studies while we travel if you would like to go with us."

Ralph's head came up quickly with a desperate look. "Would you really do that Walter?"

Walter nodded. "I certainly would. But you have to promise us you will do your best."

Ralph jumped up and ran over and hugged his waist. "I promise Walter."

Walter smiled and hugged him back.

Ralph turned and hugged his Mom. "Thank you Mom."

Paige nodded as she hugged him back. "You are welcome my little man."

Paige led Walter down to Elizabeth's office. "My Lady, how can I serve?" Elizabeth asked as she stood up.

Paige smiled as she walked on into her office. "We're going to take Ralph with us to Lancaster and Walter has volunteered to work with him on his school work. I need you to send someone down to Mistress Florence's home and get the schedule of work he would need to study over the next two months."

Walter looked at her. "If you gave me directions I could go myself. Save you the trouble of sending someone."

Paige arched her brow as she looked at him and shook her head. "After yesterday morning, I wouldn't trust her anywhere near you."

Walter hastily nodded his head at her gaze. "That's true. I forgot about that, never mind." He licked his lips a little nervously.

Elizabeth smiled briefly before Paige looked back. "Of course my Lady, I'll see to it immediately. Also Sara was happy to be asked to join you. She has a cousin in Lancaster she would like to see while you are there if possible."

Paige nodded. "I have no problems with that. We should probably take a wagon with us to carry everything. It might be easier for Ralph to read his books sitting in the wagon while we travel down the road."

"I'll make sure one is ready and loaded. Probably should make sure it has cover to protect things from the rain. We are moving towards the season. Especially in the mountain pass you will be traveling through." Elizabeth made a note.

Paige nodded as she squeezed Walter's hand. Nine months since she was told Drew had died, ten months since the last time she had been physical with Drew. She was relishing in the physical contact with Walter more and more. They held hands as they walked out of Elizabeth's office and were walking through the hallways of the Keep.

Walter found the constant little touching enjoyable. It had been years since he had a serious relationship. Most of them had just been simple encounters for sex following his performances.

Paige stopped and looked at him. "Walter?"

Walter was shocked and looked back at her.

"Didn't you hear me?" Paige looked at him.

Walter kind of laughed as he shook his head no. He lifted up his hand she was holding. "I was just thinking of how much I enjoyed this. It has been a long time since I was in a real relationship."

Paige smiled. "I'd asked why you had wanted to know about the lake."

Walter chuckled. "I had remembered you said Ralph had wanted to learn to fish at one time. I just thought if the opportunity presented itself that maybe we could do some fishing in the lake."

Paige nodded. "I'm sure he will really like that. You've made a real difference in his life already."

Walter smiled. "Maybe he just sees me more as a big brother."

Paige laughed as she shook her head. "He definitely doesn't see you as a big brother."

Walter kissed her hand as they turned and continued through the Keep. "I was actually a little surprised that you and Sir Sylvester used your real swords earlier."

Paige smiled. "Well there wasn't much of a chance he would actually hurt me and I am trained enough not to really hurt him. Toby was a bit concerned about the two of you fighting with swords. But I figured you knew what you were doing or you wouldn't have challenged him like you did."

Walter smiled. "Thanks for trusting me. I was surprised, as a Cavalier his skill is rather rudimentary. Almost as if he doesn't have a lot of experience fighting."

Paige nodded. "He spent so much of his time learning tactics and being a tactician his skill at swordplay never progressed as much. But sometimes he feels like he knows more than he really does. Let's just say I wouldn't have wanted him trying to engage Lord Benjamin like you did."

Walter smiled as he nodded.

Dinner was quite elegant that evening and after Walter finished his meal he excused himself from the table and walked over and poured a glass of wine and set it on the table by the fireplace. He'd brought his lute down with him for dinner. He picked up his lute and began performing for the group. He entertained and thrilled Paige and the company for hours.

Many of the servants hung out in the back of the hall to watch and listen as he performed as well. As servants were sent to find out why another one hadn't returned lately they inevitably became ensnared by his performance. Before long the supervising servants were looking for their people and ended up standing inside the hall enjoying his performance as well.

Toby even got Happy to get up and dance with him periodically during his songs. Cabe saw the young lady who took care of his tower and he stepped back and asked her to dance. She blushed but quickly agreed. Even Sir Sylvester was moved to get up and asked one of the maids to dance with him during some of the songs.

Walter smiled as he moved around the room from time to time to pass by Paige and danced from one side of her chair to the other and then sneak a quick kiss before moving back over towards the fireplace. Every time his glass neared the bottom Linda was quick to move over and refill it.

Paige was a little concerned he might become intoxicated but he never once lost control. She was surprised during one song that Happy and Toby were dancing too that Ralph got up and asked her if she'd dance with him and Walter smiled as they moved out from the table and began dancing. As that song came to an end Walter quickly moved out and over to them before they could sit back down and danced around them both as he continued to play and sing.

Ralph grinned as he continued dancing with his Mom.

As the Keep bell rung out announcing it was nine p.m. Walter finished the last song and then bowed floridly.

Everyone applauded and it was then that Paige realized just how many servants were in the hall watching and she just smiled at them all. Many of them she knew were well past their end of shift. She got up and walked over towards Walter as he finished off his glass of wine. She pulled him in and kissed him. "I think I need to start charging admission."

Walter laughed. "Since I am working for you I suppose that is your right."

A number of the servants as well as the company all filed past Walter to thank him before moving on out into the Keep.

Greetings! I trust this finds you all well! We're doing okay.

To the Adventure! -Tim