Chapter 31: What's a secret society without its secrets?

Curled up in bed with a cup of tea, Angelia flipped through her notebook working out some dates. It had been 1yr and 7 months since Walter passed, about 19 yrs and 7 months since Angelia had the throne taken from her which made her bristled thinking back to that horrid time. Her surprise pregnancy only 1 month, she looked down at her belly she is only just starting to show. What's surprised her is the fact she hasn't told anyone yet, except Treacle but that doesn't really count, she giggled at the thought of Treacle having an opinion about the pregnancy. Looking around the bedroom, Reaver and Logan had disappeared off to do more business training leaving her home alone. Rather than wasting the day in bed Angelia got up and dressed deciding to go for a walk to the white marbled band stand that projects out over Bowerlake where the old guild entrance use to be.

Since there has been a lot of Balverine activity in the Millfield's area Angelia armed herself just in case. With Treacle by her side and her satchel slung across her chest, Angelia stepped out of the mansion walking towards the bandstand. She gave the guard a salute as she passed by continuing her walk, when she got to the long-marbled walkway she felt more relaxed. The Balverines tended to hang around wooded paths and forests rather than grand bandstands where they could be picked off from a distance. Angelia reached the bandstand resting her hands on the cool marbled railing looking out across Bowerlake admiring the beautiful manors and well-dressed noble folk wandering the paths.

Inhaling deeply then exhaling "This is more like it, eh Treacle? Just peace and quiet"

Angelia looked down at her dog who was curled up on the grass on the other side of the railing enjoying the sunshine.

"Heh, you've got the right idea"

After a few minutes of undisturbed bliss, a faint noise of footsteps caught Angelia's attention, it was from shoes not paws so it wasn't beast, but it could be bandits. With a hand on her pistol she readied herself, when the noise got closer she pulled out her gun aiming it right between the eyes of a frightened villager. She quickly cocked her pistol up pointing the barrel to the sky as she apologised.

"Sorry, normally when people rush me it's because they want to attack"

"*panting from exhaustion* No-No, No it's quite alright princess Angelia"

"You can drop the title, it's just Angelia now… or Mrs. Bloodstone"

The poorly dressed man fidgeted where he stood struggling with the notion of talking to a hero of Angelia's stature.

"N-no problem…Mrs. Bloodstone"

"What's the matter? You look exhausted?"

"Yes! It-it was Ba...Bal… *hyperventilating* Balverines! It was Balverines, they…oh avo… they took my wife and daughter! I tried to stop them, but they were too strong!"

"Say no more, do you remember what direction they left in?"

"Ye-yes, they went this way… come on!"

The man ran off down the walkway up the path towards Silverpines, Angelia didn't hesitate she chased after the man with Treacle following suit. It did feel a little like déjà vu as the hero thought back to that time that sad woman lost her husband and wanted to find her son, but it turned out heading into Howling Halls would lead to a mass ambush of Balverines ("If this is same situation I'll give up helping random strangers that approach me"). Her thoughts also went to her unborn child, she really should've asked someone to come along in case things get ugly but she's a hero whatever happens she will handle it. They soon were in the thick of the forest heading towards the village in Silverpines, the man stopped running turning to face Angelia he yelled loudly pointing behind Angelia.

"LOOK OUT! ARGHhhhh"

The man ran off into the dark wooded trees, Angelia turned around with her gun ready but saw nothing. She thought the man might be hallucinating due to complete fear of the situation.

"No, wait come back! There's nothing here… Oh for heaven's sake"

Angelia ran into the woods with Treacle getting her dog to sniff out the man, she crept through the dark forest when she could no longer hear any movement. Angelia has dealt with these situations before but that didn't mean they were any less scary. A few feet behind the hero, Treacle was trying to pick up a scent, but they came across a thick fog blanketing the forest floor. Angelia heard a whimper from Treacle, she turned to comfort her dog, but she heard a struggle branches snapping on the ground behind her followed by a snarl then another whimper, Treacle was gone.

"Treacle!? Treacle baby girl, where are you? C'mon girl not funny this is no time for games!"

The panic in Angelia's voice got worse as she soon realised her dog was no where to be found.

"Shit, shit, shit! I knew I should've brought back up"

There was another branch snap directly behind Angelia, she whipped her head round with her gun pointing out into the blackness. She saw nothing. Steadying her breathing Angelia pressed on, now trying to find her dog and the man. The hero couldn't see the forest floor because of the thick fog she took a wrong step falling onto her backside skidding down a sloped hill, she braced her legs against a tree to stop her sliding picking herself up dusting off the leaves and dirt. She didn't fall from a great height, so she prayed that didn't shake up the baby too much. Grabbing her gun getting frustrated with the situation Angelia stormed towards a clearing hoping it was a path.

"WHOEVER IS MESSING WITH ME! YOU'VE PICKED THE WRONG TIME FOR IT"

Her voice echoed through the vast wooded area when she no longer heard her echo there was silence then a menacing deep laugh echoed around her.

"*dark deep laugh* FOOLISH HERO! You think you are in control?"

Suddenly 6 Balverines jumped down from the trees surrounding her, Angelia was about to fire her gun but the Balverine in front of her held the man by his throat. She held her finger off the trigger dropping her gun to the floor.

"Ok, ok let's that it easy. Why don't you let him go and we'll leave"

The Balverine holding the man let go then softly stroked his hair, the man smirked at the Balverine behind him then laughed menacingly at the hero.

"I freakin' knew it! You're with them aren't you!?"

"Didn't your mother tell you it's not wise you follow strangers into the woods"

Angelia rolled for her gun shooting a nearby Balverine in the head killing it instantly, the others surrounding her roared in anger, but the man held up his hand.

"Ignorant fool! Don't make this any harder for yourself"

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?"

"Only your life"

"No…No you can't! Why? What have I done to you?"

"Your daughter, the great queen of Albion! It is what SHE did to us! We found out our brothers and sisters were slaughtered at Reaver's masquerade by a young hero… Your daughter no less!"

"It was SURVIVAL"

"IT WAS MURDER! *clears throat* Since then we discovered that same hero is also Reaver's daughter, we'll deal with him too. We tried to offer your daughter redemption by allowing her to help us claim the village, so we may live peacefully here in Silverpines. Instead she helped the savage villagers killing many more of our kin"

"What would killing me prove? That you're animals? Your bloodlust prevents you from peace? It won't bring back those you've lost!"

"True, it won't. But it will bring us peace and justice!"

The man clicked his fingers as two white Balverines approached Angelia, she started hyperventilating not for her own safety but for her unborn child's safety. She instinctively put her hand over her belly shielding it between the beasts around her with her other hand firmly on her gun aiming it at one of the white Balverines. The man frowned at the hero seeing her panicked state, it was very unheard of for a true hero to seem afraid and the way she held her stomach puzzle him.

"WAIT!"

The Balverines growled lowly at the man but did stop their stalking towards the hero. He walked up her Angelia looking into her eyes then eyed her stomach, he reached out to put a hand on her stomach, but she flinched away.

"Don't. Don't you dare"

"I wouldn't talk back to me 'hero' otherwise my brethren will rip you to shreds… Or *eyeing her stomach* is it rip you both to shreds?"

Angelia said nothing she glared at the man giving him evils keeping her protective stance, he inhaled deeply then rushed closer to Angelia. The Balverine behind the man snarled aggressively, Angelia only assumed that was probably the mans mate or something since they look human but transform into beasts. The man delicately caressed his hand against her cheek looking deeply into her eyes, he moved his face even closer then froze watching Angelia try to move away without bumping into the Balverines behind her.

"Does daddy know?"

Angelia frowned harder at the man, he got his answer, with a smile he backed off turning on his heel.

"Change of plans my brethren! We take the hero to our hideout"

At first the Balverines snarled and growled at the man seemingly annoyed with the plan but the one behind the man transformed into their human appearance. Angelia was right, a young slim woman with long brunette hair sauntered up to her partner.

"Why, baby? Why not just let us kill her?"

The man pulled his woman closer to him kissing her passionately then he whispered into her ear, the woman gasped then giggled eyeing up the hero. The woman turned to the pack of Balverines to address them.

"It seems our little hero here is with-child! Let's take her to our hideout… Then when daddy comes a running we'll kill them both! A tragic family reunion meets demise! How wonderful"

The other Balverines howled in agreement, the white one near Angelia grabbed her slinging her over its shoulder as they left leaping into the trees.

Back up the sloped forest floor buried under some leaves was Treacle, that man snuck up behind her hitting her with a large branch knocking the dog unconscious for a few hours. When Treacle woke up she shook off the leaves then dashed through the forest searching for her owner, she sniffed the ground finding the last piece of scent. It was the clearing where Angelia was taken, perking her head up looking around Treacle couldn't pick up anymore scent but she did spot something shiny in the dirt. Digging her paws into the dirt she found Angelia's pistol, the dog sat on the forest floor whimpering then looked behind her at the path that leads back to Millfield's. Grabbing the gun by the handle in her mouth Treacle scampered back to Millfield's to try and find some help.

Coughing and trying not to vomit on her captors, Angelia felt very queasy when the Balverine that was carrying her dropped her harshly to the floor. She was on her hands and knees bringing one hand to her stomach trying to steady the vomiting feelings she was getting. The pack of beasts snarled at the hero as she stood up, she brushed off the dirt and leaves feeling herself. She still had her katana and satchel, but she must've dropped her gun when she was snatched. Keeping her hands where they could see them she looked around at the Balverine hideout. It was a make-shift village-type area similar to the camps bandits would set up but this one was high up in Mistpeak mountains on top of one particularly high mountain. The bitter ice cold snowy air made Angelia cough again as her lungs breathed in the icy air.

"Come, my dear. You will take centre stage right here"

The woman approached Angelia looping her arm with hers forcibly dragging her to the edge of the mountain. Half of the Balverines transformed into their human appearance warming up around the fire they had going.

"Watch your step, don't want you taking a nasty fall too soon"

The woman deliberately tripped Angelia up but by holding onto her arm she didn't fall over, Angelia glared at the woman as she laughed. She then pushed Angelia towards a leaning totem that leant over the edge of the mountain, looking over the edge there was no ledges just a sheer drop to the bottom.

"Thrilling, isn't it?"

"Fuck off"

"Such language from the princess hero! I hope your unborn doesn't pick up on that"

"Don't you dare mention my child"

The woman slapped Angelia hard across the face using her Balverine claws she left three scratches across Angelia's face narrowly avoiding her eyes. The scratches stung like hell but didn't bleed the woman only scratch the top layer of skin off.

"Shove off, you bitch. You don't get it do you? If Reaver doesn't kill you. I will"

This time the woman back handed Angelia leaving a red mark across her face, her forehead bleeding slightly as the blood trickled down her face Angelia laughed.

"What's so funny dear? How pathetic you look?"

"No *laughs* I feel motivated!"

The woman took a step back not liking the psychotic look in the hero's eyes, she clicked her fingers ordering the nearby Balverines to tie Angelia up against the totem.

Angelia watched as the woman and her brethren walked off joining the others around the fire, the hero shivered against the ice-cold stone she was tied against. They tied her back against the totem with her body on the side of the totem that leant over the mountain edge, one false slip and it's a long way down. With no-one paying her any attention Angelia allowed a few tears to fall, she seethed in pain when her salty tears hit the scratches across her face. Blinking away the tears Angelia thought about using her Will to break the ropes, but they tied her not only by her hands but bound her feet together too, if the ropes break she will fall. Clearly Balverines only care about each other and not materialistic things since none of them took her stuff she still had her satchel and katana, not that she could use them. She shivered turning her head to the side trying to find warmth in herself as she let a few more tears slip thinking how the hell she got in this situation again.

"*whispering to herself* I'm sorry little one. I'm not very good at this mother business, am I? I promise to not be so crap in the future"

Back in Millfield's Treacle leapt over a low stone wall with Angelia's gun still in her mouth. A few passing by noble people questioned why the dog had a gun but Treacle ran off before they tried to take it or approach her. The guard near the mansion saw the dog frowning at what she had in her mouth, when he saw it was a pistol he chased the dog. Being quick on her paws Treacle narrowly avoided the man ducking and running between his legs running through the gates. Reaver was just entering the mansion, he almost closed the door but Treacle burst in with the guard coming up the steps chasing her.

"Reaver! Sir! This dog has a weapon in it's mouth I was trying to- "

Reaver held his hand up to the guard waving him off in a dismissive manner. When the guard left going back to his post Reaver turned his attention to the dog.

"What is it mutt? What could you possibly want to tell me that required you almost ruining my front door!?"

Treacle dropped the pistol at Reaver's feet waving her front paw at him whimpering softly, Reaver picked up the gun inspecting it then he realised who's it is.

"Where is Angelia?"

Chapter 32: Kidnapped again?

Treacle barked at Reaver running out into the front garden then turned to him woofing again trying to get him to follow. With her gun in his hand Reaver tightly gripped the gun then slipped it into another holster he had on his other leg. He walked out of the mansion following the dog.

"Come on Treacle, take me to my wife!"

The dog woofed wagging her tail at Reaver then darted for the path to Silverpines with Reaver following close by.

After following the dog through the thick foggy forest Reaver almost lost his temper with the mutt thinking she's dragged him on some wild goose chase. The dog started barking again doing some digging in the leaves, Reaver was not going to ruin his white suit digging in the dirt instead he kicked some of the leaves away. It was a bottle of dye, Reaver picked up the bottle shaking the dirt off it away from him then inspected the label.

"Bloodstone Red Dye… This is Angelia's, that satchel of hers is bursting with numerous dyes, but where could she be?"

A snapping sound of a branch surprised Reaver he whipped round firing his dragonstomper at the noise. A small child was quivering beneath the smoking bullet hole left in the tree, if that child was the size of an adult they'd be dead, soon the child was collected by their mother who looked at Reave in disgust.

"How dare you shoot my child"

"I did not 'shoot' them, as you can see they are very much still alive. I think the questions begs what is your child doing sneaking up on strangers in the woods"

The woman eyed this smartly dressed man with caution, he had a dangerous flare about him. Then she spotted the dog whimpering looking up at the man with wide eyes she realised who she's speaking to.

"Your Reaver?"

"You mean, you didn't figure that out sooner? Psh what do I expect when you come down off the beaten track"

"Your married to the old hero queen? Angelia Bloodstone"

"Yes, now where is my wife? Her mutt has lead me here, but I don't see her?"

The woman had a worried look in her eye she knelt to her child whispering to the kid to go back to the village where it's safe then she turned to Reaver.

"If her dog guided you here then she must've been taken by the Balverines, that or she's…"

"DON'T go there. Fine! I'll find her myself"

As Reaver turned on his heel to leave the woman called out to him.

"WAIT! Look if there's even a sliver of a chance she's alive then she'll most likely be at their hideout. Since your daughter graciously helped us defeat them the Balverines have retreated to Mistpeak mountains. They are pack animals which prefer surprise attacks, so I would advise searching the mountain tops"

Reaver stuck his nose up at the woman's haggard appearance but he did listen to her advice, when she finished speaking he gave her a gentlemen's smile dipping his hat as a silent thank you then walked off with Treacle heading for Mistpeak.

Reaver and Treacle arrived in Mistpeak valley there was a few rabid wolves and bandits to deal with, not a problem for Reaver. Recalling the woman's advice Reaver looked up at the high mountains, his keen observant eye spotted a few packs of Balverines congregated more on one mountain than the other. Walking up the snowy paths Reaver waited for the beasts to turn their backs then picked them off from a distance, a few leapt high up into the air landing behind him but he quickly slid his blade out of his cane stabbing the creatures through the chest killing them instantly. One Balverine howled which Reaver silenced with his dragonstomper but it was too late the howl echoed across the bitter icy winds.

The talking, laughing, growling and snarling ceased when the group of Balverines and human transformed Balverines heard the howl. A few turned their attention to Angelia who was turning blue from being so cold tied to the totem exposed to the icy winds. She closed her eyes from sheer exhaustion but slowly opened them when she heard the faint echo of the pistol, with her dried cracked cold lips she whispered.

"*whispering* Dragonstomper .47, Reaver *coughs* Reaver honey I'm *groans* here"

She was too weak to shout or yell her voice was barely audible. The man approached the cold hero leaned forward to inspect her, she shut her eyes again pretending to be passed out from the cold. The man growled at her then backed off.

"Come on! TONIGHT, WE WILL HAVE OUR REVENGE! Brothers and Sisters let us feed on the flesh of those who dare defy us!"

All the Balverines howled in agreement leaping off the mountain side to attack Reaver and Treacle.

The battle was bloody as Reaver used all his skill to avoid the slashing claws and vicious teeth rolling away from danger shooting the beasts right between the eyes. Treacle hid in nearby shrubbery until a creature fell over then she'd leap on them sinking her teeth into their neck killing them. One particularly nasty black Balverine stomped up to Reaver showing his large sharp teeth it laughed darkly at the hero of skill.

"You betrayed us Reaver! You promised us entertainment and good company, yet you allowed your very own to slaughter us"

Reaver soon realised what this was about, he rested his weight on his cane tucking one foot behind the other doing a pose pointing his gun at the larger creature.

"No-one survived. Well, no Balverine survived that fateful night, how would you know what happened?"

"We. Have our… resources"

"Uh-huh, well it's been nice having a little chit chat with you, but I must be off. My wife needs rescuing… again"

The black dark beasts snarled at Reaver slamming its fist into a nearby tree breaking it in half.

"You CANNOT LEAVE! Your wife is ours! We will have our revenge and feed off her flesh… but we'll start with you"

"Big mistake, I'm just saying"

The creature pointed up the mountain, Reaver eyed the beasts cautiously following its point. There high above tied to a totem post leaning over a sheer drop was Angelia she was bleeding from the head and had scratches across her face making Reaver's blood boil.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER!? You filthy despicable animals!"

With that Reaver fired off his gun killing 6 more Balverines around him, the larger black one leapt out of the way just in time.

Reaver went into full bloodlust rage killing everything around him that got too close, even Treacle had to stay down in case his rage consumes him, and he accidentally shoots her. He made it to the top of the mountain seeing his wife about a stone's throw away, but several Balverines jumped in front of him blocking his path. With a suave dark smile Reaver gently shook his head tutting at the creatures then in the blink of an eye shot each one with a perfect headshot. With nothing in his way, he ran up to Angelia, she looked blue and felt icy cold. Taking off his gloves so his heat could be felt through her skin Reaver cupped her face turning her to face him. After a minute Angelia stirred she was pretending to be passed out at first but the cold was getting too much to handle. She slowly opened her eyes getting ready to shove off whoever dared to touch her, but her senses ignited when she smelt that familiar aftershave.

"Reaver?"

"Yes sweetie, I got you. You know, we really need to talk about these kidnappings you are so fond of"

Angelia weakly laughed earning a painful grunt as the scabs on her face cracked and bled.

"Aw my love, what have they done to you?"

Reaver kissed the individual scratches then her forehead as Angelia looked into his eyes she knew it was now or never to tell him the moment felt right.

"Reaver I need to tell you… I'm- REAVER LOOK OUT!"

Though Reaver killed all the Balverines he didn't kill the leader, the bigger black furred beast that taunted Reaver further down the mountain. With a mighty roar the beast wacked Reaver to the side he went flying smashing into some nearby trees, Treacle ran up to the beast snarling at she stood nearby Reaver protecting him. The Balverine ignored Reaver as he didn't move right away then stalked towards Angelia, she shook her head not believing what she was seeing Reaver was knocked out but still breathing. The beast put his claws near the ropes that bound Angelia to the totem.

"Any last words hero!"

Angelia's eyes widened in horror as she looked at the Balverine then at Reaver, she swallowed her fear headbutting the beast as it got that close making the creature stumble back a few steps.

"Reaver! Reaver honey, wake up! Please wake up, you're going to be a father again!"

Reaver groaned holding his head in his hand, he heard Angelia his eyes widened in realisation of what she said. The Balverine snarled at Reaver for daring to move he changed his attention from Angelia to Reaver.

Reaver went to his gun but it wasn't there, his weapons were knocked out of his hands when he crashed into the trees. Smiling at the beast Reaver casually slipped off his coat hanging it on a nearby branch picking his hat up off the floor hanging it on the same branch then balled his fists holding them up ready to fight.

The creature lunged for Reaver he quickly rolled over the beasts back landing on his feet laughing taunting the Balverine. It then did multiple slashes with its claws but Reaver ducked then drove his fist under its chin as he punched it. The Balverine shook his head snarling at Reaver leaping into the air landing directly behind Reaver. Knowing that old trick Reaver span to the side out of the way then did a high kick knocking the creature over. Blowing a loose strand of hair out of his face Reaver held his battle stance for a moment but when the creature didn't move he put his hands down turning around he ran up to Angelia.

"Reav you know it's not dead, go take care of it before it jumps us again"

"I want to make sure your safe, both of you *smirks*"

"I'm sorry, I should've told you sooner"

Reaver kissed her passionately not caring that her lips were dry and cold.

"You think I'm mad? Honestly I'm just happy that you are alive"

The Balverine woke up seeing the couple close by he howled then got ready to charge at Reaver, the pirate king turned around shielding Angelia from the beast then a loud bang from a rifle rang out. The creature collapsed with a bullet in it's back, as the beast collapsed Reaver saw who shot it.

"Benji! You into stalking me now?"

"Haha, hardly mate. I saw you run off with doggie here, figured you might need my help"

"The idea is the help during the fight, not after I've killed everyone"

"*clicks his fingers* Dammit, must make mental note to help 'before' the fighting starts, got it Reavie"

Reaver rolled his eyes at the nickname then turned his attention to Angelia he untied her holding her close to him guiding her away from the edge. Once Angelia was no longer on the totem she embraced Reaver holding him tightly against her, Ben turned around giving them a minute. What neither expected was the Balverine leapt up again using the last of its strength it slashed its claws out but the heroes narrowly avoided it, but it sent them over the edge. Ben heard the scream from Angelia turning back round he saw the Balverine shooting it in the head.

"Try walking away from that you oversized rug!"

Ben skidded to the edge peering down he saw Angelia holding onto a protruding rock, but the rock was slippery from the ice. Her grip was slipping, she had Reaver in her other hand holding onto him for dear life.

"Angelia, you can't hold us both"

"Shut up Reaver! Yes, I can! Don't you let go, I need you, I love you"

"You're slipping my love, it's ok… honest, I love you too"

Angelia couldn't hold back the tears as they streamed down her face tightening her grip on Reaver's hand then on the rock. Then it was like time slowed down as Reaver's hand suddenly slipped out of hers she watched in horror as he plummeted to his death.

"REAVER! NOOO"

She squeezed her eyes shut as she cried hard, but a voice above her caught her off guard peeking through her tears she saw Ben holding Reaver with a rope tied around Finn's waist.

"Ah-hem, you can put me down Finn"

Ben laughed as he put Reaver down then dived over the edge sweeping Angelia up in his arms, swinging on the rope he landed next to Reaver putting Angelia down she ran into Reaver's arms.

"Oh, my gods, I thought I lost you"

"Ssh don't cry my sweet. Lucky, we had old Benji here"

"Thank you Major, as hard as it is to believe I can't live without this dangerous man"

"Heh, no need to thank me Angelia. Just glad you two are safe. Come on, I don't know about you, but I've had enough of this bloody weather"

With her tears subsiding Angelia took Reaver by the hand, they walked over to where Reaver crashed into the trees collecting his stuff and weapons. Treacle hobbled over to Angelia she fed her dog the healing elixir then all four of them started making their way down the mountain. Angelia only made a few steps before Reaver scooped her up in his arms carrying her bridal style.

"Ah, ah, ah my love. I can't have my pregnant wife taking unnecessary risks and putting strain on our baby *wink*"

Ben froze mid-step turning to face Reaver who was now carrying Angelia.

"Did I just hear you right, pregnant?"

"You heard right, future son-in-law *smirks* I am pregnant, about 1 month"

"Oh, you little minx. So, when our dear Benji here was pouring his heart out with his romantic tales of his proposal you knew back then?"

"*giggles* I found out that morning, what wondering why to tell you"

"Never a dull moment with this family is it?"

"No Ben, I hope you're ready to be a part of it"

The Major flashed a cheeky crooked grin holding his rifle at the ready in case they saw more trouble, giving his future parents-in-law a wink.

"Bring it on"