Forenote: Ah, so we are reaching a resolution - finally. I don't have too much time to write this, so forgive me if it's not as impeccable in comparison to past Chapters (with the exception of Chapter 13), but I'll try. 10 reviews for this Chapter ((:chuckles as readers groan:)) and Chapter 16 is as good as up.
Responses:
No time... will apologize later... :goes into a sneezing fit:
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Chapter Fifteen: Your Grudgingly Obliging Friend, Asca
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"Even the very best of doctors and magicians - what kind of illness is this, exactly?" one of the acolytes that were taken along with the rest of the search party asked quietly, gravely. He shot a few furtive glances at his Prince, who was lying in bed and staring at the ceiling in remorse.
"We cannot call it an illness," the magician - who was sent by the King and Queen of Merilian with a few more physicians to ride to the Prince's aid - corrected solemnly. "It is not an ailment, precisely, but rather an effect of..." he broke off here, and then whispered swiftly, "Of poisoning. My fellow physicians and I cannot do more than what we have tried so far. It was a very rare poison made with the meadow red vine, which is very difficult to obtain and in turn very difficult to counter."
But the acolyte had his mouth agape, staring wildly at the magician as though what he suggested was absolutely ludicrous. "Poisoning? On the Prince himself? Oh, but that is impossible! My dear magician - we could be beheaded in a heartbeat by merely speaking of it! How...!"
"It is not so difficult for anyone with direct access to the royal family, maybe a servant..." wondered the magician. "I only beg that you send word of this - confidentially, I must add - to the King and Queen, and that they keep it quiet. A silent investigation would make it easier to find the culprit, when the he or she least expects it. But, honestly... the poison has been in the Prince's system far too long to be cured so easily now. And we don't have all of our equipment - we merely rode here a day ago."
"The King and Queen will bloody us for simply suggesting it!"
"Oh, stop being so nonsensical," snapped the magician, waving an impatient hand. "They're sensible people. Just do as I say, and if you don't..." and he nodded his head once and walked out of the tent stiffly. Seconds after the magician had made his exit, Clement stirred again.
"Samuel? What did the magician say?" Clement asked suddenly, his voice sounding unusually grating. The acolyte glanced at Clement and shrugged, struggling to pass off as 'casual'. He fixed up a sleeping draught, avoiding his Prince's eye and determined to keep the Prince from knowing his low chances of living.
"I did not quite understand him, your Majesty, but you are ill. Very ill. I am afraid that no one can risk allowing you to continue the search with the rest of your troop - your illness cannot risk that, and we cannot risk so much. You do understand, your Highness?"
There was silence from Clement, and then he gave a cold sickly laugh, trying to sit up in bed. The acolyte obstinately pushed him back into it. "Do you expect me to?" Clement asked, sitting up again. "I am afraid no illness - simple or deadly - will stop me from finishing what I set out to do. I will go as far as any other troop member, and farther. Lady Rozenta needs me, and that is all the reason I need. I'd like to understand, Samuel my friend, but I cannot if it means abandoning my men and the Lady Rozenta. I stay with my troop."
"Your Highness, you are more ill than you perceive -"
"That matters not. All that matters is bringing the Lady back, alive and safe and healthy and with all our troop members intact," Clement said firmly. His tone was enough to command silence. The acolyte frowned, but did not look at him.
"Thank you, Samuel." Clement shivered, and let out a ragged, shuddering breath. "Gods, it is cold north of Arvette, and my head is starting to ache. You do not mind making the sleep draught?" And he sat back in bed, rubbing his forehead and falling limp against his pillows.
Samuel knew that Clement's shivering had nothing to do with the cold, but said nothing. Clement would find out later that the situation was more serious than he guessed, and that he'd be better off riding back to Arvette where he could be properly tended to. He was poisoned strong enough to be killed, but he did become fatally ill as a result of the red vine. Samuel began softly crushing green softpods with a heavy stone, being careful to not waste any of the juice. "Of course I do not mind making the draught. It'll be done in an hour, Sire."
Samuel paused, and decided to push his luck.
"If I wouldn't be too bold to ask, your Highness... let's say this ailment gets out of our control. And honestly, the situation is serious enough already. Would you really insist on continuing your participation in her rescue if you discovered you were doomed to death? Would you really throw away your life so brashly?"
And Clement suddenly spoke angrily, enraged by Samuel's idea that he would be 'throwing away his life'. "Samuel, if that means I have to die for her, I would. I am still amazed that anyone would need to ask that question."
"But Sire, I cannot pretend that there are no great chances of death, and you shouldn't either - "
"Samuel." And Clement decided to soften his voice a bit, knowing the acolyte only meant the best for his health and welfare. "I am no fool. I know there is much you physicians are not telling me, that I could possibly be, as you say, 'doomed to death.' Why else would the magician speak to you in private? Because I am going to be fine the next day? No. Samuel, there is no difference. I will not let Lady Rozenta down. I would prefer to die searching for her and possibly seeing her again than to die cozily in bed while she could be out there, starving and hunted."
Samuel stared at his Prince, and saw the determination and defiance in the weary and ill features of his face. Pride on having such a monarch welled up in his chest, and he nodded. "Yes, Sire. I understand. I shouldn't have doubted you."
"You didn't, Samuel. You only care. There is nothing wrong with that. Now," Clement said, sitting up and steadying himself by clutching his pillow. "The rest of the troop is going to ride around the outskirts of Vainbrook for any leads. I will be joining them. Can you ready Aeolus for me, my acolyte?"
"Of course, your Highness." And Samuel finished the sleep draught and darted out of the tent without anything else to say.
o...o...o...o...o
Eszti
"Maybe you should slant your hand a little," I suggested, bringing the sheaf of parchment up to my eyes and examining the letters with meticulous scrutiny, wondering at the cook's forgery skills. She was actually very good; according to her, she had been the cook of an intelligent scholar who was kind enough to teach her to read and write like a courtier. Corinne insisted that it was safe to trust her with the bandit's conspiracy and my countering plan, so there were no worries there.
"And it would be smart to include some grand curls to the letters." I glanced up to see Cook Vera's incredulous, confused expression. I laughed a little.
"Well, Vera, she is a noblewoman, and they tend to write as such, with all the unnecessary grandeur and flourishes. Or - at least - it'd be more believable, don't you think?"
Cook Vera shrugged and traced over the letters again, being a little more lacy with the text. I continued dictating the words, being as careful as I could be.
The letter was done in a matter of fifteen more minutes, in which I read and reread the letter constantly. When Corinne came into Cook Vera's quarters an hour before midday, I handed it to her with careful directions and watched her go outside through the back door, come back into manor through the front manor entrance, and confront Yukael, who was having his midday meal in the dining room. I spied around the corner and positioned myself where I could hear them and still keep out of sight.
Corinne was saying imploringly, "Master Yukael, Lady Asca just stopped by when I went outside to visit the stables. She came with a letter for Rozenta - but I suppose you'll want to see it first?" My, but these servants are talented, I thought in extreme amusement. The cook can forge a noblewoman's hand and the housemaid can act on the spot.
Yukael spoke, and his delighted surprise was evident. "Oh? Yes, you are right - I would very much like to read it first. So there's already been a correspondence between Lady Asca and Rozenta then?"
"You didn't know, milord? Lady Asca and Rozenta have been sending them back and forth with servants, even for just these two days! Well, Lady Asca sent this one outside herself with a grave face, and I thought you should see it. I am too simple to know much, but perhaps that would mean it to be important."
Yukael took the letter with an impressed look and opened it eagerly, ruthlessly breaking through the red wax seal Cook Vera had insisted on adding. He read for a moment, and in my mind's eye I visualized the delicate, curling words:
Evetti, my dear friend,
I have thought about your suggestion relentlessly since it was proposed in your last letter. You remember I had been angry with you, for daring to ask such a thing? I am sorry. I was merely distressed. I have been so for many a day, and you should know why. I am hoping for another visit from you, so that we may discuss this matter more thoroughly, but I will be as clear as I can in this one letter.
You say that this is completely up to me, but you defend your idea so well that I cannot see any other reasonable choice. You are right. I am very vulnerable at the moment, and reluctant though I am to believe it, I need someone capable of taking care of me - and I guess your cousin can do that. I marry for love; I always had. I will not lie to you: I do not love Lord Huvyl, but you two make it very clear that being his wife would protect me well. As you say, he has connections to the Royal Family, and in their country what better protection could there be? I have no substantial work and source of income, and as he puts it he does. I am very reluctant, but it seems you will not leave me alone until my choice is made.
Understand that I will give him no heir, and that we will be friends and nothing more. If he would like an heir, there are many orphanages out there with children that would rather like to be heirs to nice fortunes. I am telling you now that I submit to your very undeniable logic: it would indeed be best for me to marry. And since his offer seems to be the best, to Lord Huvyl. Come to my home and we can go over some minor complications and wedding details. Do not bring your charming cousin (or anyone, for that matter), for it would be best that we keep the news to ourselves until everything is entirely planned out. I have one condition: Huvyl and I shall have no honeymoon.
Your grudgingly obliging friend,
Asca
Disbelief spread itself over Yukael's face like an unfolding fan, and his eyes seemed so wide that they looked as though they were ready to fall out of his face. He raised his eyebrows, seemed to skim the letter again, and let out a chuckle. "Goodness," he said. "She wasted no time; plunged right into the question, now did she? Reluctant though I am to admit it, she did well. It is either that or Huvyl's future wife isn't as strong-minded as we imagined. Send Rozenta here, please. I'd like to give my thanks to her personally."
Corinne bobbed down in a quick curtsey and turned the corner, lingering out of his sight to make it seem as though she truly was sending for me. She stared at me in delight, bit her lip excitedly, and stepped around to fake footsteps. Then together we made our way into the dining room, Corinne with her expression blank and mine looking rather perplexed.
"Yukael," I asked, staring at the letter in his hand. "You have my next letter from Lady Asca. What makes you believe you have the right to read it? I daresay it is none of your business."
"Well, you mule, if you read it you shall find that everything about it is," he laughed triumphantly, handing it to me. I threw him a genuine glare and read over it, my mind reeling. How easy he is to fool. It seems that he isn't openminded enough to suspect anything outside of what he wants to hear.
When I was done, I gasped and stared at him, slow happiness drawing over my face. False happiness, of course. "She'll marry him. I can't believe it; I've done it! I'm free! See, Yukael, you have to free me now! I've completed my task!"
Or did I? I thought, wanting so much to smirk.
His lips thinned into a frown, and he gave me a long, cold look. "I do not think you can be freed just yet. When the wedding is over, but not before."
Now my frustration was genuine. "What! You gave your word! I have assured a marriage, and I have done even better than Huvyl! I do not know why I am putting faith in your word right now, but you should prove your worth and honor! At least give me a horse, map, and decent rations, if not an escort."
Yukael shook his head, his lips thin. "I am afraid I cannot do that. You are to stay here until our plan has been carried out."
"I have no other reason to stay."
"And when you reach Arvette? What then? You will speak of our plan, report us, and leave us to be hung by your precious Prince? Do you really believe us stupid?"
I stared at him, furious. But why did I even bother to try? It would be better if I just worked with my alternative plan.
"I believed maybe even you bandits would have the least bit of honour."
"Oh, you know that isn't true. You only believed in a fool's hope. Now go and dress; you will be going to Lady Asca's residence to confirm that wedding." He stood and looked ready to leave the dining room. I racked my mind, trying to remember the preset excuse through which I could bring Corinne. I would not be escaping without her.
"Wait! I need to bring a cake; I mentioned once to Lady Asca that if she did submit to my reasoning and if she did consent to marry Huvyl I'd give her a cake, and she made it a promise. It'd be unwise to pretend our friendship was only for the marriage," I added coldly, making the last statement as pointed as possible.
"That is ridiculous, Rozenta."
"Oh, but it is true. And it must be a big cake - a cake that may possibly even require more than two carriers. Perhaps Cook Vera, Gehedrion, or Corinne? But I doubt Gehedrion should come; it'd be suspicious, and she did request my audience alone. Servants couldn't count."
The elderly bandit turned on his heel and stared at me as though I were nothing more than a precocious, spoiled toddler who harbored not an ounce of sense. Then he sighed in what I guessed was grumbling resignation.
"Cook Vera is in the middle of cooking our supper, and possibly she'll be baking your cake. Bring Corinne instead to carry this absurd idea of a wedding gift. Corinne," he turned to the shorter girl. "Send word to Cook Vera. Request a ... a cake. Of notable size. Would it take her long?"
"Not at all, sir," she replied, dipping into a neat little curtsey. I knew what she was thinking: the cake was already ready, just in case I would not get permission to leave immediately and we'd have to resort to this second plan. "I'll hurry. Miss Rozenta claims she can dress faster alone." And she sped off, probably smiling the instant she turned the corner. The old man turned to me again.
"Go, you ridiculous girl. You haven't got all day."
I mocked a curtsey and hurried to my bedroom, where I had lain out the dress I had already chosen.
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"Explain your plan to me again, please," Corinne grumbled, struggling to help me bring the weight of the sweet cake an hour later. "It is beginning to sound more complicated than it did at first, before we started to bring it about."
"We've already got half of it completed. Tricking Yukael was the most important factor." I shifted my grip and continued concentrating on steadying my steps backwards as we scuttled towards Lady Asca's manor. "With the letter I thought I might've gotten permission to leave - I figured I'd smuggle you along somehow - but they won't oblige. So now we're just going to escape on our own. We are going to Lady Asca's home to drag her forcibly with us - I should convince her, I'll think on it later - and to find a map, some good rations, and good horses. We may be forced to ride all the way to Arvette, where I can get Clem- er, Prince Clement to finish the job of ridding Merilian of those thieves. We have to be quick. Gehedrion may be standing guard outside your master's manor, and may see us. We'll have no choice but to run for it."
I thought for a moment and tried not to wobble when I felt a rock right behind my foot. "You can ride, can't you Corinne?"
"Not well. But I'm capable."
"Good. We will be doing plenty."
Some grueling minutes later, we made it. We tricked Elbert into accepting the cake as a token of treating the servants of newly made friends, pretending it was Kionean tradition. Out of breath, we found Lady Asca - most conveniently - lingering in the stables. She was petting a horse; when she heard our footsteps crunch forward, she glanced up sharply, surprised.
"Lady Evetti? What are you doing here? Come calling already?"
Before I could force out a word, Corinne had regained breath and choked out, "YOU'RE IN DANGER" before anything else could be said. I settled for nodded vigorously and checking to see that we were alone.
She froze, her hand stopping in mid-stroke. "What?"
I took up the story. "Your fortune - bandits want it. We want to help - please, just trust us. You must leave Whitewhey immediately and seek refudge in Arvette - I can provide security -"
She stared at us incomprehendingly. Oh, but she was stubborn. This complicated things.
"My fortune? You mean, Ozril's fortune? Bandits? How do you know this? What game do you think you play?"
"You have no other choice but to trust us right now, unless you want to be robbed and killed, as a bonus. Can you only just cooperate? This is a serious matter, and we play no games now. Lord Huvyl - don't marry him, don't trust him. He is not my cousin. He is one of the bandits; he is one of those after your money and possibly your life. They are holding myself and Corinne hostage. We had to pretend to go along with their scheme to stay alive," I decided to embellish a little. But it was no grand exaggeration.
Her eyes bulged. "Ludicrous!" she breathed, her brow furrowing.
"I wish it was. Oh, but we haven't much time. We need horses, bountiful rations, and a map - we'll all be traveling to Whitewhey together. We have to hurry, all be damned!" I added crudely, my tone rising a pitch. We had to be gone quickly, while Yukael would still be convinced we were only paying that "short visit."
Lady Asca clenched her slackening jaw. Even if her features started to soften - indicating that she was starting to believe it - she did not want it to show. "So you think I believe you? Prove it."
Corinne sobbed a little and resolved to make herself useful by hitching up three horses. I couldn't stop an impatient sigh.
"My name is not Lady Evetti. I am truly Lady Rozenta, Elysian ambassador and guest of Prince Clement himself. We are very close friends. I ended up here only due to kidnapping, which is - needless to say - courtesy of those bandits. I can assure you will be under the best protection Merilian can offer, so long as you cooperate. My hand-maid and I are trying to escape and save your life in the process. All it takes is a little trust, riding and survival skills, the proper supplies, and the ability to avoid enemies. Your life is on the line, as well as ours. Your life was threatened before ours were. You are in the most danger."
Her jaw slacked at my name. "You are the Lady Rozenta? The tailor told me all about you! You are that enchantress who managed to pull the Prince to cater to her every whim and ended up kidnapped by bandits! Gods, are you really her?"
"Of course I am," I snapped. "And I am so flattered that your tailor thinks so highly of me, but we really must be going. Can you trust us now?" I stopped myself from adding that her brother was in on the conspiracy, for if I did there was no way she would believe us then.
"Erm..." she looked uncertain, but she was starting to get up. "I'm still very doubtful. You are a very good liar, you know... I would've never thought you could be she. But your story fits, and so did the description."
"You never even knew her! And I am not lying now."
"At least let me tell my brother and what he thinks of all this," she insisted, truly getting up and making to get into the house again. Panicked, Corinne and I threw out our arms and gripped her elbow to stop her.
"No! No one must know! And we've no time; we must go now!"
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I cannot even tell my own brother that I am traveling? Do the both of you really take me for a fool?"
"Just get on!" Corinne snarled, forcing her to a horse. Lady Asca gasped, but actually stayed atop it.
"I'd like a bit of adventure in my life," Lady Asca said, starting to smile. "If you two mean me harm, I could have you straightened out and punished without any help. But you two can't possibly be lying right now. You really do seem like the Lady Rozenta, after all."
Corinne looked at me, a wild gleam in her eyes. "Rations! A map! I shall go get them!" She hurried into the manor to find them, but an idea suddenly struck me. I knew a place where I could get them, and the place was merely on our way. I wanted to point this out to Corinne, but she was already gone.
Setting the idea aside, I focused on choosing a horse, saddling it, and mounting it. I took the reins in my grip and glanced at Lady Asca, who was staring at me.
"I do not believe you are lying," she said, as though trying to convince herself. "You two seem very desperate, and if you truly can enchant the Prince, you don't need any inheritance of mine to obtain wealth. I believe I shall humor you two for now."
"Well, I am glad you are not panicked, at least. Even if you do not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. We will humor you for now."
She actually laughed, and whispered to her horse, which started into a trot out of its open stall. I followed - slowly, mind, so that Corinne could catch up when she got back - but the loud, clanking noise of falling metal clutched at my hearing and at my heart, and my sense of panic all but flew back. Even Lady Asca seemed startled.
The sound of a yelling girl reached us, and the voice of a young man yelled back. Both came from the manor. Then came a strangled high-pitched yell, more banging ear-splitting metal hitting against metal, and then the evident commotion of a struggle. I gave an involuntary yelp of panic and slid off my mount, running. With every long stride, the manor came more and more into sight and I could see Corinne at the side, pressed against the wall, countless pots and pans all scattered at and around her feet.
My heart practically stopped, and I could see that familiar lanky figure stepping backwards from her, a shining blade in hand. Corinne twitched against the wall, and Gehedrion lunged at her, sending the noise of fighting metal ringing into the outdoors air once again, drowning out her yells. I blinked and saw he had her arms pulled behind her back, her neck craning back with a dark hand pressed against her Adam's apple, the blade of an opening razor playing with the light of the sun. He had spotted me and the Lady Asca. He was staring tauntingly at me, giving his knife-hand the slightest of twitches.
Somewhere behind me, I heard Lady Asca try pathetically at a yell, but her voice had left her halfway through the obscenity.
I stepped forward, maintaining eye contact with Gehedrion, who was shuffling a step or two backwards. I struggled to remain calm, but I couldn't help being drenched in cold sweat.
"Don't," I grated, breathing heavily. He raised one cocky eyebrow at me in silent question. I repeated myself, this time in a pleading voice. "Don't."
"And what do you propose to do to me if I do?" He was trembling too; his voice broke like a cracker being split. "Yukael does think they are no bandits to match you, let alone me, his most apt pupil. Oh, he is so impressed by you, did you know that? The way you lie," he moved his hand just a little, the blade almost touching flesh. Corinne turned a ghostly pale. "The way you act... the way you are everything he wanted me to be. He's always comparing us, you know. He'd love to teach you in my place. Well, I cannot become you, but I can prove myself to Yukael by capturing you. Now," he shook Corinne. "Unless you want me to spill every drip of blood your precious little friend possesses, you will cooperate. You are trying to escape; that much is understood. This brat came running into the house shouting for a map and rations, the foolish girl. I had been sent to tail you, and I am not stupid. Lady Asca, you are coming too. We cannot risk you getting away either. You both have seen too much."
I spoke up, trying to decide what I should do. I couldn't find my wits, no matter how hard I tried, so I took a breath. Then I said whatever came to me first.
"Gehedrion, please. You are better than this; that I know. You wouldn't harm Corinne, we both know that. You aren't that kind of person. What you are doing now... it is unforgivable, but you can always give in before you do anything you will regret. This will not help you, and you know that. This plot, this scheme to take the Lord Ozril's fortune... it is despicable. Just... please don't hurt her. Let her go."
He stared at me for a moment, and then hardened, firming his knife-hand again after it had gone slack. "There you go. Manipulating again. Everything you say is a grand lie of its own, Rozenta. I can't believe you. I have your friend's neck against a blade, and still you spout nonsense. Now cooperate. Come here, both of you, so I can tie you up with rope."
I opened my mouth to threaten him with the power of the Merilian government, but I heard Lady Asca's feet shuffling, and she stepped forward, her pretty face flushed.
"I don't know what you are playing at, sir, but I demand that you release that girl at once."
And a figure stepped out from behind Gehedrion, taller and burlier. I blinked in surprise and looked into the man's face; it was Huvyl, and he was laughing. "Fiesty thing you are, Lady. A fine girl to have at one's side." And he reached for her arms, but she was not weak and submissive. She evaded his grasp and punched him hard in the stomach, pushing him backwards. Gaping, Huvyl fell against Gehedrion, who was still clutching Corinne as though she was his life-source. His grip went weak , so Corinne squirmed out of it and ran to my side.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, I took a metal pan that lay on the ground beside me and swung it at the softer region of Gehedrion's head with all the might in my arm. He dropped his dagger, fell to the floor, and clutching his head, he let out a final groan and stayed there.
I doubted he was dead, but only knocked unconscious. I never did have strong arms, and I knew not to exert so much force that I would become a murderess. Lady Asca and Corinne gawked at me, but Corinne recovered from her shock and took a pot, stepping forward and bringing it to collide against Huvyl's head, in the same human tender spot. The hit echoed along the dimensions of the pot. He did not expect the petite girl to try such a thing, and thus had no chance to dodge; he fell to the floor, eyes closed.
There was an awful silence between the three of us, but Lady Asca broke it first.
"So. You did not lie then." Her voice was clearly quavering, and she sent nervous glances towards Corinne's neck. The pale hand-maid was rubbing at it, her fingers pressing against the part where Gehedrion's blade laid.
"No. It was no lie."
Corinne broke in, her voice full of suppressed wrath. "What about these two men? What do we do with them? They will need medical help, no matter how much we loathe them."
I steadied my breathing and dropped the pot as though it burned my fingers. I turned to the Lady. "Lady Asca, can you tell Elberto about these two? Let him know only that they tried to attack us; speak not of anything else."
Lady Asca nodded vigorously and disappeared into the house, her dress sweeping and swishing around her ankles. Silence fell; my heart's racing gradually slowed to its regular pace. The firmament above us was sunny and clear, and I found myself watching the way the sun's rays flashed against the still features of Gehedrion's face. My heart filled with hatred and dread; not far from his body was his blade, the clean silver glimmering in the dancing sunlight.
Corinne and I turned to stare at each other, and then we walked hurriedly towards the stables. "Corinne," I croaked, finding my horse and mounting him again. The hand I put against his mane was cold but sweaty. "Did you get the supplies?"
"Evidently not," she replied, sounding bitter. She pulled the saddle over her own mount with brutal force, sliding the leather around and again with loud snapping sounds. I wondered at her ill-concealed anger and distress, but one could not blame her. It was difficult not to be troubled when you only just had a blade pressed hard against your throat.
"Oh, that is no problem. I know precisely where we can make a stop to get them, where we might be welcome. At least, I was welcome the last time I went there. It is not far, and the bandits wouldn't suspect us to stop there. Unless I am very much mistaken, I have a friend there who would be glad to help us." I flashed them a bit of a smile before I directed my horse into a trot.
Corinne's brow had risen and she opened her mouth, but closed it when she saw Lady Asca and Elberto striding towards us. Elberto looked aghast and inspected the unconscious bandits with his face wrinkled in disgust. Lady Asca spotted us on our mounts and made her way to hers, looking harried.
"Madam, where are you going?" Elberto asked her, bewildered. Lady Asca glanced back at him as the three of us began to ride past the manor grounds.
"To the market!" she yelled, her horse coming to a quick gallop. She waved back once, and together she, Corinne, and I rode past the open gates, calling to our horses to gain speed.
o...o...o...o...o
Afterthoughts: I don't have anything to say right now. I've got a cold and a sore throat, and to top it off I'm in a rather tetchy mood. Read, enjoy, review, and pray that I update before I end up destroying my computer by overuse.
