Chapter 24

Karlsruhe

Kitty shifted restlessly in Phantom's saddle. One week had passed since Bobby's miraculous escape from death. One week since Nighcrawler became their guide to Karlsruhe. For one whole week, Kitty had suffered through not only her difficulties with her friends but she had to deal with an infuriating demon as well. The whole time Nightcrawler was guiding them he was also was her near constant shadow. When she slipped off to practice her sword, he would secretly follow. When she selected her sleeping spot for the night, he would find one as close to hers as he could manage, usually in the tree above her. When they settled down to eat or rest, he would always appear at her side. The only time he wasn't near her was when he was leading the line or either of them was relieving themselves.

However, that had changed recently. Barely five minutes previous, Nightcrawler had stopped and refused to go any farther. They were close enough to their destination that they would no longer need him. If he went any farther with them not only did he put himself at great risk, he could put them in danger too. Demons are minions of the Devil Himself and should be killed on sight. Anyone who traveled with a demon was just as bad and since Nightcrawler looked like a real demon that fate could befall them all. So Nightcrawler was forced to turn around and leave them. Now she was free of Nightcrawler forever. Kitty disguised a small smile as an innocent yawn.

The line of traveling horses exited the increasingly patchy forest and entered onto a wide grassy plain. On the horizon was what appeared to be a decent sized town that could only be Karlsruhe. With some luck and a little bit extra speed, they could make it there before nightfall. Logan urged his horse to a fast trot and led the traveling line on to the distant town. Kitty wished they could go faster, but if they did, the horses might become exhausted before they reached the town. High above the open plain a few wisps of clouds hovered high in the clear blue sky. A small flock of birds was driven to flight by the rushing band of riders.

As the sun began to touch the horizon, the town, which never seemed to get any closer finally began to grow in size. Logan once again picked up the pace in a race against the fading light. The closer they came, the more details of the town became clear to them. Kitty could see clumps of small homes surrounded by tiny garden plots and dusty little trails. They probably had a few small flocks of chickens that wandered throughout the town. There would be all sorts of people living there ranging from holy men to village idiots. And with a little luck, the town gossips might know something that was actually useful to them. As the sky faded into shades of red and orange, Kitty noticed a dark line of dense trees behind Karlsruhe. Great, another forest.

"I win!" Bobby cried victoriously as he and Blizzard were the first to enter the town.

"It wasn't a race Bobby." Kitty sighed as she slowed Phantom to a stop.

"So? I still won." Iceman crowed.

"Stop the shouting Icicle, you're scaring the villagers away." Logan gruffly commanded.

"I am not." Bobby whined.

"Do you see anyone around?" The feral man questioned. Bobby looked around slowly.

"Um, no." Iceman haltingly replied.

"Right, now settle down." Logan growled and led the group off to find an inn.

The group once again fell silent as they explored the twisting 'streets' of Karlsruhe. Kitty absently patted Phantom's sweaty neck as she lost herself in her thoughts. Nightcrawler was a creature of many secrets, his sword was perfect evidence of that. It may not have been laced with gold or silver or encrusted with rare gems, but Kitty could tell that his sword must've been very expensive because of its obvious high quality. How could a person such as he have such a fine weapon? Did he steal it? And that horse of his was also strange. The mighty black stallion looked to be of very good breeding, how did that horse end up in Nightcrawler's hands? And Schwarzi's saddle also looked to be expensive. Kitty hadn't really gotten a good look at it, but from what she'd seen it was finely crafted from high quality leather. There was no way on earth that a simple peasant could have that kind of sword, horse, and saddle without stealing it.

{Kitty, are you alright?} Jean nervously asked.

{I've been better. What do you want?} Kitty mentally sighed.

{I was only wondering how you were. You've looked so sad and upset lately.} Jean hesitantly replied.

{It's partly your fault.} Kitty grumbled.

{I know. I'm sorry.} Jean whispered. Kitty felt Jean's sorrow and remorse through their mind-to-mind link.

{Don't worry about it Jean, I forgive you. Just don't ever do that again.} Kitty sighed.

{Thank you.} Jean gratefully whispered back. {So will you talk with us again?} She asked.

{Of course.} Kitty replied. {Do you have anymore questions for me?}

{Oh I have thousands! I just don't think that you'd willingly answer any of them.} Jean admitted. Kitty quietly sighed.

{Ask me one and if I feel that I can answer it I will.} Kitty promised. Jean paused as she considered her question.

{What would you do if you ever found your missing husband?} Jean asked finally.

{I honestly don't know. I guess my reaction would depend on how I found him and how he answered my questions.} Kitty softly answered.

Before Jean could say anymore, they came to a stop. Kitty blinked several times as she was jolted out of her mental conversation and returned to reality. They'd found an inn and a stable was close by, making it all the better. Logan went to negotiate with the elderly, nervous-looking innkeeper while the others headed to the stable. Kitty put her very rusty Germanic to good use to make the appropriate arrangements with the stable master while Jean, Bobby, Remy, and Piotr got the horses settled. When they returned to the inn with their packs, Logan was finishing up with the innkeeper. They ate a quick dinner that had been hastily prepared by the innkeeper and his aging wife before turning in for the night. Before Kitty entered the room she was sharing with Jean, Bobby tugged on her arm.

"What do you want Bobby?" Kitty asked tiredly.

"I want to know what you thought of Nightcrawler." Bobby replied.

"What do you mean?" Kitty asked somewhat suspiciously.

"Well, when I first met him, I thought he was great. But after that sword fight, I don't know what to think of him anymore. So what do you think?" He asked.

"I think he's a more mysterious Germanic version of you." Kitty replied. Bobby looked insulted.

"I'm nothing like him! I'd never fight you like that!" Bobby hissed. Kitty looked at him strangely.

"Relax Bobby. I didn't mean to insult you or anything. But Nightcrawler was just as annoying as you." Kitty muttered.

"I know, it just made me so mad when I saw that fight. I just couldn't believe that he put you at risk like that." Iceman more calmly explained. Kitty's eye twitched. One thing that she absolutely hated was when a male tried to shield her from any possible harm, real or imagined.

"Goodnight Robert." Kitty tersely snapped and stalked off into her room without giving him a chance to respond.

When Kitty slammed the door behind her Jean looked up slightly alarmed by the noise. Upon seeing the younger woman's expression the mind-witch wisely decided not to ask what was the matter. It was better to wait until the next day at least before risking it. Kitty flopped down onto the bed and fumed. She didn't care if he hadn't meant to make her angry. He'd implied that she was weak, that she needed a man to protect her. She could take care of herself just fine, she needed no man's protection. As she tried to settle down to sleep, she began to remember. There is only one man who could protect me...

Nightcrawler crouched silently before his tiny campfire. Schwarzi was resting a few yards away munching on some weedy greens that grew around him. Somewhere out in the dark woods an owl hooted a few times breaking the silence of the night. Nightcrawler went through his pack noting how much food and money remained. He was running a bit low on food but he still had plenty of coins to spend. He used an oiled rag to polish his first and second swords and the dagger he always wore on his belt. When he finished his polishing, he packed everything away again and gazed deep into the flickering flames of his small fire.

He was in so much trouble right now. He was long overdue to return home from his little vacation. He'd run off and ditched his guard and now he was beyond late. When he got home, his father would kill him. Once every year his father allowed him to go out and explore, but he always had to have his guard Axel with him. Every year Nightcrawler had ditched poor Axel within a few days and went off on his own. Father had always been angry with him for that but would be forgiving if he returned safe and sound and on time. This time he would be late and he knew he was going to pay for it. But he wouldn't regret it.

He'd found her. He'd seen her again. He'd been near her again. He'd heard her sweet voice again. He'd watched her practice her sword. For him it was worth all the pain and torment in the world. But he'd seen that despite having wonderful new friends around her she was lonely. She was sad, she was hurt, she was upset. She grew angry far more easily than before and she was less forgiving. The whole week he had been with her she had never once smiled. She was in pain and he was leaving her behind to go home. Nightcrawler wilted.

He couldn't leave her, not now. He should never have left in the first place. She felt that she was alone and she was hurting. And it was all his fault. He wanted to fix things, but he didn't know how. But he did know that he had to try. Even if he had to make a complete fool of himself, he'd do it. He'd do anything for her. She meant the world to him and more. Some way, somehow he'd find a way to make her smile again. He'd find a way to make her happy. Nightcrawler stiffened with new resolve, he would not fail in this.

Nightcrawler reached down his shirt and fished out a ring hanging from a chain. He glared disdainfully at the large, elaborate circle of gold. On top of it was an intricate family crest that was raised in relief for pressing into wax seals on letters. It depicted a black griffon clutching a sword in each taloned hand on top of a blue and white shield. The crest was surrounded by a fancy design carved into the ring of precious metal, which denoted it as belonging to a noble clan. This ring symbolized his status in the world and he hated it. Having this ring meant endless tortuous social functions and a never-ending game of popularity and backstabbing betrayal. The ring trapped him in a world he despised where he was forced to live a lie to survive. Nightcrawler snarled and roughly shoved the accursed ring back down his shirt.

Nightcrawler came to a decision then. So what if he was late getting home? He'd just have to be later. He wasn't going to leave her again, he would stay. He'd wait until the Engländer left Karlsruhe behind and join up with them again. He'd guide them wherever they wanted to go and do whatever they wanted him to do. No matter the consequences, he'd do what was needed to be done. With that decision made, Nightcrawler doused his dying fire and climbed into a nearby tree. He found the perfect branch and settled down on it with a contented sigh. With a satisfied smile, he closed his eerie, glowing eyes and fell asleep.

Note: From this point of {} will denote telepathic communication instead of the slashes since those don't seem to want to upload in the document manager anymore. Sorry for any confusion or inconvenience. [Molliemon irrately slices up several pieces of furniture...]