Lord Beyon returned to the dining room his face dark in anger. Lady Juniper looked at him even as she helped Lady Paige and Toby to comfort Ralph while waiting on the white Witch. "My Love?"
Lord Beyon looked at her. "The scoundrel slipped into the shadow and Sir Walter, Allie and the other man went in after him."
Lady Juniper smiled knowing her husband was now a bit miffed at being excluded from participating in whatever came next. "Don't brood my Lord, there may yet be a role for you to play soon. Also remember, Walter doesn't like being called Sir."
Lord Beyon nodded. "How is the lad?"
Toby looked up at him and gestured off to the side. "I'll be right back my Lady."
Both Lord Beyon and Lady Paige nodded.
As they reached the far side of the dinning room Toby looked at the older man. "The poison seems to be a slow acting one, but already Ralph's autonomic system is beginning to show signs of stress from the poison. If an antidote can't be located soon or if the white Witch can't help him I'm worried he will start to suffer strokes in about another hour which could lead to paralysis or even death."
Lord Beyon sighed. "There isn't anything else we can do?"
Toby shook his head. "I've got a few antidotes to more common poisons but none of these symptoms match with a poison they will combat."
Lord Beyon slowly nodded his head. "Very well physician, attend your patient and let us trust in the wise Lady for aid for the lad."
Toby nodded as he moved back over to where Ralph sat, made more nervous by all the attention he was garnering.
Happy held Alicia when she looked at Toby. "Can't we move Ralph to someplace a bit more private? He doesn't need to sit here feeling like a circus side show."
Toby's eyes widened a bit and nodded. "That shouldn't be a problem and is an excellent suggestion."
Before he could say or do anything Lady Juniper looked at the hotel's manager. "Is there someplace we can move to provide a bit of privacy for the lad?"
The manager was quick to nod. "Of course my Lady, please follow me to my office."
Ralph felt slightly better now that he was in a smaller room with only six other people standing by him. He looked at his Mother. "Do you think Dad is okay Mom? Or when he will be back?"
Paige smiled. "I'm quite positive he is fine, after all Allie and Ray are with him. I'm sure he will be back just as quickly as he can."
Ralph nodded slowly. Ralph frowned.
"What's the matter baby?" Paige asked quietly.
"My feet feel funny, almost like they are asleep." Ralph explained.
Toby frowned as he checked the pulse in both legs. "Blood flow is good so it must be something interfering with nerve function. Where is that white Witch already?"
Lord Beyon was pacing back and forth outside the door to the manager's office even as Sir Sylvester stood at the door. Lord Beyon looked up as the sound of a man in armor moved into the hallway and he saw his Master at Arms and a woman in red leather. "Master at Arms, Commander, what brings you both here?"
"My Lord, Theanna has brought word that the Thieves guild has attacked two of our outposts of the Elite guards. We've had six deaths so far. This is growing too dangerous my Lord, we need to get you and our Lady back to the castle as well as make provisions for the other dignitaries." The Master at Arms told him.
Lord Beyon shook his head. "We are waiting for a white Witch to treat the lad. We can't move until then. I want you to assemble every Elite member. Once the lad's condition is stabilized and we have them under protection in the castle we're going to teach these rogues a lesson they won't forget."
Theanna took a deep breath. "While I will issue the order for all the Elite to muster, I don't know if we can wait that long my Lord. We need to see to you and our Lady's safety."
Lord Beyon turned a glaring eye towards Theanna just before a member of the Elite stepped out of the shadow along with a woman in a rose color gown. "I'm sorry for taking so long my Lord. My sisters are locked in combat at various points of the city and it took longer to get Mistress Trisha safely back here."
Lord Beyon nodded. "You did well then. Mistress, your patient is inside this room." He turned and saw Sir Sylvester opened the door. "Mistress Trisha." He announced as he gestured and she stepped through the doorway and into the room.
Sir Sylvester closed the door.
"What guards do we have here right now?" Lord Beyon asked.
The Master at Arms nodded. "You've got your normal numbers plus I brought twelve additional as well as six of the Elite to keep an eye out for anyone in the shadow."
Lord Beyon nodded. "Bring all the men in here, place two inside this room along with one of the Elite to ensure everyone's safety in there. Then place the rest right here save one of the Elite. The Elite will take me into the shadow and we will go out to begin quelling this insurrection."
Both the Master at Arms and Theanna looked at him unbelievingly. "My Lord, we need to get you and our Lady back to the castle. Let our people deal with this."
Lord Beyon growled. "I will not hide in my home while others take up arms in the defense of my city and people. Now, carry out my orders."
The Master at Arms swore but saluted before he moved out to the front of the hotel and began bringing everyone inside. He saw all the guests who were standing around and he barked at them. Ordering them all to return to their rooms until the situation was under control. He stepped backup to Lord Beyon. "And what are your orders for me my Lord?"
Lord Beyon nodded. "Guard my beloved." He looked at one of the Elite. "You will take me into the shadow and we are going out to bring this to an end."
The young woman looked nervously at the Master at Arms and Theanna. She nodded as she saw the slight nod they both gave her. She reached out her hand. "I need your hand my Lord."
Lord Beyon nodded as he drew his sword and then reached out with his left hand and took her right hand. She concentrated for a moment and then pulled him with her as she stepped into the shadow with him. She quickly led him out the main door into the street. The sound of fighting could be heard from a number of places. He pointed towards the north as the sounds from that direction sounded closer. They turned as they began moving that way together. "When we reach the combatants I want you to stay in the shadow and watch our backs while I deal with the rabble."
The young woman nodded as they moved quickly. Most of the city had already retreated to their homes or shops where they had locked down windows and doors in the hopes that the situation would be resolved quickly. "How did these people rally so quickly?"
"Apparently the guild master ordered it after Lady Paige and her people had killed a number of their members my Lord." She told him.
Lord Beyon grunted. "I don't suppose you know where this guild master is? It seems to me the best solution might be to take this fight to him."
She shook her head. "Every so often we try to infiltrate their membership to learn where places and people are but with the exception of the Black Rose and a couple of minor places like it, we've never been successful. Even more direct means of pain haven't aided our efforts."
They saw two Elite members fighting several members of the guild and Lord Beyond let go of her hand as he charged out of the shadow and slammed into one of the men which created a domino effect and knocked all three men down or off balanced and they were quickly killed as the Elite members drove their blades into their unprotected bodies.
They stared at Lord Beyon even as they gulped in air in large amounts to replenish their oxygen starved muscles.
Mistress Trisha had her hands on Ralph as she chanted and he stared a bit in fear as her eyes had glowed white and then her hair rose up as her power pulsed out and into him. For several long minutes she stood there chanting. Her chanting grew silent but her hair remained up continuing to defy gravity. She looked at Lady Juniper. "I am sorry my Lady, this poison can not be purged the way I would normally purge it and there is no cure for it."
Happy gasped even as Lady Paige stared at Mistress Trisha. "You must be wrong, there must be a cure." She demanded.
Mistress Trisha shook her head before she looked to Lady Paige with those glowing eyes. "Wait, you are a Paladin, I could transfer the poison to you. It will still make you sick but it won't be able to kill you."
Paige looked at her as she demanded. "Then do it."
Mistress Trisha nodded. "It will take me a few minutes to prepare my Lady."
Happy stared at Paige and stepped over to her while Mistress Trisha began going through some ritual. "Are you sure about this? We don't know anything about this woman. What if she's wrong?"
Lady Paige smiled even as she began unbuckling her breastplate. "Would you hesitate to take the poison from Alicia?"
Happy shook her head.
Walter along with Allie, Ray and the three Elite force members found themselves battling along side the guards of the transport wagon that had pulled outside of the Black Rose to transport Steph and her people to the dungeon. Walter grabbed the arm of one of the men as he side stepped his blade and threw him hard into the wagon before grabbing him again and tossing him into one of the guys that Allie was fighting. "This doesn't make any sense they are deliberately opposing Lord Beyon's forces. The thieves' guild has never done this before." Walter observed as he kidney shot the man Ray was fighting and as he fell to his knees Ray stabbed a dagger deep into his neck.
"We'll figure it out after we've got them all down." Ray complained as he turned to help one of the Elite force members.
With Walter and Ray now free to attack at will the fight turned to their favor quickly and they soon had everyone who was still alive inside and out of the Black Rose in the wagon. Walter's head looked up. "There is a lot of fighting going on in the city. This has to be a large scale assault. I've got to return to my family."
Allie looked over before she turned to go with Walter. "Well wait for me. You three stay with these men and help them get all of these people to the dungeon."
"Me too." Ray called out as the three of them slipped into the shadow and began moving quickly out of the alley and headed south towards the hotel.
They found several groups warring against each other as they moved south. Against his better judgment Walter couldn't just pass by without rendering aid to the forces of Lord Beyon. It wasn't long before they joined up with Lord Beyon a block north of the hotel. Walter paused long enough to play his restorative song for Lord Beyon and his people that were with him. Walter suddenly stopped singing and slowed his playing until he stopped and looked to the south.
"Walter?" Allie asked as she saw the look on his face.
Walter's eyes closed as he slightly turned his head. "There is a black Witch nearby. I can hear her chanting. She's invoking a curse."
"There is a white Witch aiding Ralph." Lord Beyon told Walter.
Walter's eyes flashed open and he took off running.
Mistress Trisha held Ralph's arm in her right hand and Lady Paige's in her left as she chanted.
Happy stepped over to Toby as she whispered through the side of her mouth. "I don't like this Toby. We don't know anything about this woman. We can't just accept that she's a good person without some proof."
Toby nodded as he whispered back. "I understand Happy. But there isn't anything else I can do for Ralph, so if this doesn't work I don't know what we'll do."
Happy decided to take action even if it would upset Paige and she quickly handed Alicia to Toby before she stepped up and grabbed the arms of Mistress Trisha and using her full strength yanked her hands away from Lady Paige and Ralph. "Before we go too far I want to know more about what you are doing."
"How dare you!" Mistress Trisha exclaimed. "You've ruined twenty minutes of preparation."
Happy made a face. "I don't care about your preparation time I want to know exactly what you are doing."
"It would take too long to explain the full procedure to you. My lady Paige, isn't there something you can do about this woman?" Mistress Trisha complained.
"Happy, this is Ralph's life we're talking about. Now leave her alone so she can continue her work." Lady Paige demanded.
"I get that Paige, but we don't know anything about this woman. Use your ability to detect lies and ask her if she is here to save Ralph." Happy pleaded with her.
There was a knock on the door and a guard stepped over and opened the door but no one was there. Sir Sylvester looked at the guard from the side of the door. "Was there something you needed?"
The guard frowned and shook his head as he closed the door. Suddenly Mistress Trisha screamed in pain and they saw a dagger point emerge out of her chest, just below and to the right of her sternum.
As the Mistress fell to the floor they saw a woman in leathers and a blue smock over her torso standing behind her.
"Seize her." Lady Juniper ordered and the four guards surrounded her. Suddenly her head dropped a bit as if she just fell asleep standing up.
One of the Elite force emerged from the shadows after having sapped her. "I'm sorry, I wasn't able to stop her in time."
Paige resisted the urge to curse. "Toby, help Mistress Trisha." As Toby got down so he could examine Mistress Trisha Lady Paige stepped over and stared with venom at the woman about her own age as she stood there unable to do anything.
Ralph pointed at the woman. "That's Dad's friend Frankie."
Greetings! Man what a beautiful day outside! Sun is out and it is fairly warm too boot! Of course this is Indiana and there is no way it will stay like this for long! lol I'm starting to get either spring or cabin fever. I'm finding it a little difficult to stay in a writing frame of mind. lol
Franxine - But remember, if I'm impaired by your voodoo doll I can't write so...LOL I'm glad you are enjoying the story!
Railman - Thank you! Well it seems we must wait yet again! lol
Margaret - I'm sorry that some of the jargon is hard to follow, you are always free to ask for clarity. Yes, the shadow is basically the same area as everything else, just normal perception can't see into it. It doesn't convey any way of moving through something. If there is a wall and a door, the person in the shadow still has to use the door to get through to the other side. And worse if they want to stay in the shadow they have to wait until the door is opened before they can move through. But they do have special abilities in the shadow if they are trained for it. Such as like when Allie stepped into the shadow and was able to cross over 20 yards almost instantaneously to be next to where Walter was lying on the floor. The same with Frankie in this chapter. She used a trick to make the guard open the door and seeing Trisha she used the same ability Allie did to appear behind Trisha and backstabbed her.
Lucy - Thank you! Oh, can hardly wait for your next story! She would have for sure, but Walter was more worried about what was going on rather than bringing the man back with him this time. lol
Marie - You got that right!
To the Adventure! -Tim