The Elite guard stared at Walter for a moment. "Do you know what you are asking us to do?"

Walter stared at her for a moment. "Of course I do."

"How are we supposed to explain this?" Her partner asked as she stepped out of the shadow.

"I really don't care how you explain it. Just tell them you found him dead when you got there so you fled the scene so as not to get caught." Walter whispered.

The two sisters looked at each other and then to Walter. "Fine, but we need to speak with Theanna first."

Walter nodded. "That's fine, you just remind Theanna to remember what all I've done for you guys and I have never asked for anything in return. Because if you don't do it there will probably be a war. Merrick took the Lady Paige's first husband's body and put his soul into it so he could live on. This needs to come to an end. Even if we are successful at catching him traveling to some other place that is no certainty that we'll be able to end him there or that one of his sorcerers might get word back to his people about who attacked them."

Their eyes opened wide as they nodded before they both slipped into the shadow.

Walter squared his shoulders and walked back over to the table with a smile. Paige smiled up at him as he sat back down. They shared a tender kiss. "So what did they want?"

Walter looked at Ralph for a moment. "We can discuss it when we get back to the suite. I don't believe it would be prudent to speak about such things here."

Paige slowly nodded and they resumed eating their lunch.

After they finished eating Walter took Ralph to use the relief rooms beside the eatery. Ralph looked up at Walter. "Dad, when will I be able to learn how to use a sword like you and Mom?"

Walter smiled. "Well that would be something we'd have to discuss with your Mom. But if you want we can start by working your muscles to build up your strength and dexterity."

Ralph frowned. "What's dexterity?"

Walter chuckled. "Dexterity is the ability to manipulate your body or items and either stay in or regain balance."

As they stepped outside Walter pointed at the retaining half wall before them. He picked Ralph up and stood him on top of it. "Now place both feet on it so one foot is in front of the other and try and walk along the wall."

Ralph nodded and he turned and almost lost his balance as Walter's hand came up to steady him. "Okay, I'm going to take my hand away and you start walking."

Ralph took a step and swayed and his arms rose up and he caught himself before he fell. He took another step this time leaving his arms out from his body and Walter walked along with him, his hand just a few inches behind him. As he walked his confidence grew and he'd occasionally lower his arms a little at a time. He walked the nearly thirty foot length of the retaining wall.

Ralph turned triumphantly towards Walter. His eyes looked out into the eating area and he saw his Mom watching from their table and he waved wildly immediately causing him to lose his balance and he started to fall backwards. But Walter's hand wasn't far away and he grabbed his tunic and pulled against Ralph and he fell out towards him as Walter caught him up in his arms.

Walter and Ralph both laughed as Walter threw him up in the air and caught him. "You did well Ralph."

Ralph hugged him. "Thanks Dad."

Walter set him on the ground and he ran over to his Mom. "Did you see Mom?"

Paige smiled as she reached out and touched his face. "Of course I did. You did really well."

As Walter stepped up Paige got up from the table and they kissed for a moment before Walter picked Ralph up and put him back on his shoulders and putting their arms around each other then walked off into the market place. "What was with Ralph walking the wall?"

Walter smiled as he looked up at Ralph. "He was curious about when he might be allowed to learn how to use a sword. I told him we'd have to discuss that with you, but in the meantime we could work on strengthening his muscles and dexterity."

Paige nodded before she looked up at Ralph. "I'm not sure I am comfortable with you learning sword play at this time Ralph, but in a couple of years we can revisit the issue if you still want to learn."

Ralph frowned but nodded.

Ralph pointed over at one of the vendor stalls. "Dad, there is Frankie."

Walter looked over and nodded with a smile and they stepped over. The four of them spoke for a few minutes and after ensuring Frankie was doing okay and thanking her again for being there for their family they walked on into the market place before heading back towards the castle of Lord Beyon.

Frankie was frowning as she tried to close one of the drawers in her display case. She tugged it back open and saw a small velvet bag had been placed there and she frowned as she picked it up and opened it hearing the jingling of coins. She found one hundred Los Angeles minted platinum pieces and she looked out into the market the way Walter had gone and shook her head. "Damn you Walter." He'd been the only one to buy anything from her in the last six months with platinum minted in Los Angeles. It just so happened, that adding the one hundred to the price they agreed to on the three jewelry pieces and it came to the original amount she'd ask him for.

As Walter and Paige made their way out of the market and down the street headed towards the castle they heard a voice call out. "Lady Paige, oh thank Athena we found you."

Paige and Walter turned and saw Sara and Victor running to catch up to them. "Oh my Lady, we've been so worried since we found out about the explosion at the hotel had involved your rooms. The hotel staff wouldn't tell us anything." Sara threw her arms around Paige and hugged her tightly.

Victor smiled even as he puffed a bit out of breath. "We've been very worried. We hadn't been able to find anyone who could tell us anything. Then what with all the fighting that broke out in the city. We were fit to be tied. We'd finally managed to find a Cleric of Athena who told us you were safe but wouldn't give us any more information than that."

Paige nodded as they broke their hug. "They should have but I guess I can understand their reluctance when they didn't know if someone else might be trying mischief. Lord Beyon and Lady Juniper had moved us to the castle. But it is good that you found us. We'll be leaving first thing in the morning."

Sara and Victor both nodded. "Good, let us put this crazy town behind us." Sara told her. "I probably better do some shopping before we leave then. Are we still going to visit your family in Hesperia my Lady?"

Paige nodded even as she opened the bag from her belt. She reached in and took out a small bag of coins and handed it to Sara who gave it to Victor. "Is there anything specific you want me to get for our trip my Lady?"

Paige thought for a moment. "You know, we haven't had popcorn and chocolate sweetmeats in a long time. I think we should have some on our way as a treat."

Sara nodded and was about to say goodbye when she saw the ring on her finger and her eyes lit up. "My Lady, that is such a beautiful engagement ring."

Paige smiled as she looked down at it. "We kind of got the order mixed up but my Love certainly picked out a beautiful ring for me."

Sara nodded as she stared at it.

"I got Mom a pair of earrings." Ralph announced excitedly.

Paige smiled with a nod as she reached up and moved her hair back so Sara could see the earrings.

"Oh Master Ralph, you picked out beautiful earrings." Sara told him as he sat there grinning.

"We'll meet you in the morning in front of the livery, if you'll make sure they'll have our horses, wagon and belongings ready Victor." Paige told them.

They both nodded. "We'll see you there my Lady." Victor told her.

Walter looked at the two backpacks he carried holding all the things they had bought. "You know, I just realized, I had my old backpack for almost ten years. That's depressing."

Paige looked at him and shook her head. "Well it was definitely time for a new one then."

Walter laughed. "Remember what I told you that night on the road? I always made things last. It isn't in me to buy new stuff that often."

Paige rolled her eyes. "Is that why you didn't buy a new telescope when we walked by that one store?"

Walter nodded. "There are more important things to spend money on than something that is frivolous."

Paige stopped and turned to face him outside of the castle. "You mean like an engagement ring when we are already married?"

Walter smiled. "No, that has value."

Paige shook her head and rolled her eyes. "The telescope has value too, Ralph never got to experience it, he might have been inspired by it like so many things you do."

Walter bent over just a bit and kissed her. "Perhaps."

Paige sighed as she took his hand and they walked on into the castle and up to their suite.

As they entered Walter sat Ralph on the floor and he ran into his room as Walter and Paige walked into their bedroom. "So what was it the Elite force wanted?" Paige asked as they began unpacking the backpacks so they could open all the packages of things they bought so they could repack the backpacks.

"Allie told them to let me know they were about to leave for Krammer. They wanted to know if there were any other instructions. I reiterated that he is a necromancer and for them to be careful. I also said if they had the opportunity they were to end him." Walter told her simply.

Paige looked up at him with her eyes wide. "Walter, you know that is not what I wanted."

Walter nodded as he stepped around the bed and took her in his arms. "I do my Love. But I also know that even if we have enough lead time, there is no guarantee that we will be able to catch him away from serious support. If he even leaves his city for a while. He's probably going to hang out there for some time. There isn't much need for him to move out and about in the world right now. And even if he does, even if we have the lead time to meet him on the road somewhere, there is still no way to know how many troops he takes with him or if we could end him before his sorcerers spirit him away or even send a message letting his people know who attacked him. I'm not about to risk your life and the lives of all your people in a war against that maniac's forces."

"You doubt my abilities or the tactical abilities of Sir Sylvester?" Paige asked him seriously and her anger rising.

Walter smiled. "I have no direct knowledge of Sir Sylvester's tactical training. And I have no doubt in your abilities. But I look at these good people you are surrounded by. Happy much like a sister to me, Cabe a wise uncle, Toby and annoying brother at times, Sara a sweet soul whose heart is in serving you and the wise Lady. Victor a doting husband and Ralph who is as dear to me as any child I might ever have. I would be devastated to see anything happen to any one of them. And regardless to your abilities and the powers granted you by the wise Lady, I couldn't go on if something happened to you. So if by calling in all the markers owed me by the Elite force can ensure that Drew is avenged, that his despot father is killed and all of you kept safe then I will gladly bear that."

"Then why not speak with me before hand about all of this? Why keep it secret until after you've issued the demand? Or were you just worried I wouldn't let it go forth?" Paige demanded.

Walter looked at her, while smiling inside at her beauty. "Paige, if I wanted to keep this from you I could have just made something up. There is plenty of time if you really wish to stop this by going to Lord Beyon or his Master at Arms. Either of them could order Theanna to send a sister after them with ease. The coach to Krammer won't leave for another two days."

Paige looked into his eyes. "What makes you think they will take a coach?"

"Because they can blend in as travelers and not have to worry about horses to take care of. They only do that when where they are going doesn't have a coach or speed is needed. You can ask Allie if you think I am trying to deceive you." Walter told her as he continued to look deep into her eyes.

Paige huffed. "You think I don't know if you were to tell me a lie?"

Walter smiled as he bent down and kissed her lips before he ran his tongue out and licked the tip of her nose.

Paige slapped his shoulder even as she giggled. "I'm serious."

Walter nodded. "Hello Serious, I'm Walter."

Paige put her fists against her hips.

"Of course you could tell if I was lying to you. That's assuming of course that you didn't trust me and expected me to lie so you invoked your ability. By the way I told Ralph never try lying to you because you could detect if he ever tried to lie to you." Walter told her grinning.

Paige hugged Walter tightly. "I'm not comfortable using assassins to do what needs to be done Walter."

Walter returned her hug as he nodded. "That's why I issued the order. So it wouldn't sully your hands and you could even kick my butt to ease any guilty feelings you have over it."

Paige pulled back and kissed Walter. "If I choose to kick your butt it will be for something you deserve to have it kicked for."

Greetings! Hope this finds you all well! I'm much more myself today. Still a little heat in the arm from the injection and a little inflammation but otherwise Moderna shot 2 after affects are over. Sadly a little less than 10 miles away at the FedEx facility by the airport had a mass shooting last night, at least 8 dead, no idea on how many are wounded. I'd really hoped this chapter would see them out of the city so I could put it to rest for a while and posting the other stories I've been working on. I guess I could have just said *boom* they were out of the city. lol Not really my style though and I am pretty sure something else must be going on.

Heleen - Thank you! I do love Walter and Ralph's relationship as well. 52 chapters, well 53 now but still. A bit over half way to Knight's Tale current total I think it is 96 all together. This has been 9 months in the making so far. Pretty wild.

Railman - Thank you! I am feeling better. Had a little difficulty getting into the headspace to write this chapter I think I am just really wanting to get to the other stories. lol I think you are right, a bit petulant and jealous combined. As Paige had told Walter he had spent so much of his young life learning strategies and tactics and he doesn't really have a need for them, so he is wanting to do something.

Margaret - Oh no, don't jinx their trip to Hesperia! lol

Franxine - *LAUGH* Thank you for the laugh I needed it.

Susan - Thank you! Much better even if writing this chapter was a little difficult as the story wasn't just flowing. Though just after I complained it wasn't flowing it finally broke through. lol MTV actually turned the Elfstones of Shannara into a tv show, as best as I can remember they were pretty truthful to the original story. They made a 2nd season of it but I haven't seen it since I think it is just more about having a 2nd season than anything else.

I'm still waffling on whether to post the uncensored Happy Secrets or not. Some days I am like, yep I am doing it and others I'm like, maybe I shouldn't. lol I guess we'll find out in a few days what I decide to do. And on that note.

To the Adventure! -Tim