The Rainmaker's Staff

by Tanya Reed

Part 3

I'm not sure how many of you are still following this thing, but for those who are--here's the next part. I hope you like it. And thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far: Lady Lestat, Hyperactive Forever, quelofox, and Aryea. Oh, also, I'm not a rider, so I have no idea if my depiction of the results of too much riding on an unaccostumed body are accurate.

Disclaimer: Relic Hunter does not belong to me, no matter how much I love it. If it did, all three seasons would be out on DVD instead of just The Best of Seasons 1 and 2.

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As they travelled this time, Sydney began to notice that things were starting to look worse. The brownish tinge had turned to spots and the animals had started looking even thinner. Yorn volunteered that the grounds around the summer cottage were the healthiest in the country, and the further they travelled, the worse it would get.

"In some places," he said, "the grass and trees are completely brown, and once strong, flowing rivers have turned to trickles."

It was really a shame. Sydney could tell the scenery around her was meant to be lush and green.

They rode on through the day in the same formation, their guide in front, and Nigel and Sydney slightly in back. They passed few travellers, and most of them had a thin, hungry look to them--except the people who looked as if they had never wanted for anything in their lives.

Nigel and Yorn were mostly silent, as they had been in the morning, leaving Sydney to her own thoughts. Her mind flitted from subject to subject--whether Karen was doing all right, if anyone had noticed they were gone, how close to the time they left Rayzi could send them back, and if they would be as sick this time. Mostly, though, she thought about the current hunt. Theri had told them the complete story of Karolyne The Rainmaker, and it was fascinating.

Once before, their country had been plagued by drought. It had lasted years, and the people were destitute. Then, a child had been born. She was the child of a farmer, and she could change the weather. When she was a little girl, and her power started manifesting, she had caused a small shower on her farm. Word spread, and the king of the time came and took her away from her parents. His mages trained her, and soon their land was rich and green again. Weather wasn't her only power, and she was the most powerful mage in the kingdom. She dedicated her life to helping the people of Telurra. Eventually, she married and had a family, but her husband and children were murdered. She retired to a small village called Lesha and refused to leave. Petitioners, including the king, had to come to her, and then they were often refused.

And then war had come. Telurra was invaded by a country called Lorac, and Karolyne had joined in the fight against them. Using her weather magic, she was able to help turn them back. Then, she returned to her self-imposed exile. Lorac agents found her and killed her, but they were unable to take her Staff.

"What are you thinking?" Nigel asked, startling her from her thoughts.

"I was thinking about The Rainmaker."

"Everything she had someone took away."

"It's sad. I hope we find her Staff and help the Telurrans as much as she selflessly helped them in the past."

"And that we come to a better end."

She glanced at him. "Don't be a pessimist, Nigel."

"I can't help it. What if her Staff is cursed? Or holds her bitter memories of death?"

"Nigel."

"You know it's possible, Sydney." He waved a hand. "Think of all the negative residue we've had to deal with in the past."

Sydney shook her head. "I don't think Karolyne would do anything to hurt her people. Lorac, maybe, but not Telurra."

"Well, I hope you're right."

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Yorn had been right about reaching the town. The sky was just starting to turn colors when they reached a sign saying, "Welcome to Lindz." Beyond the sign were a collection of small houses, a couple of shops, and a large building with a barn in the back. The town didn't look like much, but Sydney had definitely seen worse.

The town was quiet as they rode through towards the inn. There was no one on the streets, but it didn't have a deserted feel. The life was there; it was just hidden behind wooden doors. The painted signs of the shops swung slightly with the wind, and Sydney saw they had both words and pictures.

"Look, Nigel. A cobbler. A blacksmith."

She looked at him and saw his eyes and face were glowing as they did when they found a relic he was particularly interested in.

"How many people from our world do you think have actually seen this?" he asked.

A grin came to Sydney's face at his enthusiasm. She loved it when he was in this mood; he always seemed so happy. She couldn't blame him. This was almost like being in their own past, like a living, breathing relic.

Then a sudden thought came to her that immediately wiped the grin from her face. What if Nigel decided to stay here? He had no real home and no family except his estranged brother to go back to. What if the allure of living in the past was too much for him to say no to? Granted, Nigel liked his modern comforts, but would they be enough to make him go back? Would she be enough? Sydney couldn't imagine her life without Nigel. She had come to depend on him more than she ever thought she could. He figured out the puzzle when she couldn't; he came to save her when she was lost; he was there to believe in her when no one else, including herself, did. What would she do without him?

"Is there something wrong, Syd?"

She shook her head, shaking away the unwelcomed thoughts. "No, I'm just tired."

"Me too." He grimaced, shifting gingerly. "I think my blisters have blisters."

This brought her smile back. "Poor Nigel. Hopefully, they'll have a tub so you can soak them out."

"And just think, we'll be doing this every day for weeks."

Yorn turned. "You'll get used to it after awhile. You just need to develop the right muscles for it. A good soak is a good idea. For you too, Sydney. You're both going to be a lot sorer in the morning than you are right now." Then he eyed them strangely. "And I'd advise you not to do anything too...strenuous tonight."

Nigel blushed suddenly and said, "We're not..."

But Sydney interupted. Let Yorn think what he liked. If his thoughts ran that way, it might even keep him away from her. "Noted, thanks."

Nigel looked at Sydney with raised eyebrows, but she just shrugged.

As they pulled up in front of the inn, a little freckle-faced girl of about ten came out to meet them.

"Hi," she said, "take your horses? Copper a night per horse."

"Sure." Yorn slid off of his horse and his severe look softened slightly as he dug in a belt hung around his waist. "Here's four. One for you."

The girl's face lit up. "Thank you, sir."

He actually smiled at her briefly before gathering his bags.

Sydney and Nigel both dismounted, and Sydney almost stumbled as she touched the ground. Nigel moaned softly and collapsed to the dirt.

"Nigel!"

"Sorry, Syd." He looked extremely embarassed. "My legs just wouldn't hold me."

"Get him inside," Yorn instructed, "Before they start to cramp up."

Sydney helped Nigel to his feet and threw his arm over her shoulder. Her legs and butt weren't feeling that great either, but at least she could walk.

Yorn took all three packs while Sydney helped Nigel inside. The inside was small but cozy, well-made, and clean. They entered into a common area, where a few people were eating or drinking.

"They don't have a bathhouse here," Yorn told them, but they have a wooden tub that can be brought to your room for a small fee. This place is reasonable, so we can afford it."

For obvious reasons, Theri had put Yorn in charge of the money.

The three of them went to the counter by the door, where the portly innkeeper smiled at them. It dropped slightly when he saw Sydney half carrying Nigel.

"Is everything all right?"

"First time on a horse," Yorn explained. "Two rooms. One with a tub. Hot water. Filled twice."

"Certainly, sir. That will be three silver. Your rooms are at the top of the stairs, one on the left, one on the right."

"Thanks."

Yorn paid and took the keys before they slowly went upstairs.

"You two can have the the one on the left," Yorn said as they reached the rooms.

Sydney was still reluctant to break his belief in her and Nigel's couplehood, so she just nodded. She still didn't trust Yorn, and there was no way she was going to allow her and Nigel to be separated.

She awkwardly opened the door of their room, and they shuffled inside. Yorn came in briefly, dropped their bags inside the door, then went to his own room. Sydney helped Nigel to the bed and helped him sit.

"Okay?"

"Those crampings Yorn warned about, I think they're coming." He winced in pain.

As he said this, two young women, possibly sixteen, entered carrying a big tub. It barely fit in the little room. Sydney was pleased to see that it was big enough to sit in comfortably.

"You wanted a tub, ma'am?"

"Yes, thank you."

"It will take a few minutes to fill. We have to bring the water from downstairs."

"That will be fine."

"Just don't take too long," Nigel groaned, leaning back to lay down.

They didn't. Before she knew it, Sydney was downstairs eating stew with Yorn while waiting for her turn in the tub. The guide told her there was some salve that might help Nigel's muscles, and her own, which had started to tighten. He was pretty sure he could get it at the local apothecary, and would do so after they'd eaten.

Sydney had ordered Nigel to stay in the tub for at least an hour, so after she had eaten and Yorn had left, she got one of the girls to make Nigel up a tray.

She carried it up and tapped at the door. "Nigel, I'm coming in."

When she opened the door, he squeaked, "Sydney!"

"I wanted to bring you something to eat. Are you feeling better?"

"Fine. Weren't you going to give me an hour?"

"I still am. I just didn't want to sit down there by myself." She moved to put his tray on a nearby stand. "I'm just going to lay down for a bit. Let me know when it's my turn."

She went over to the bed and flopped down, closing her eyes. She was tired, and she hurt, and she hated not knowing where they were going.

"You all right?" he asked for the second time in an hour.

"I'm fine. I just don't like having to rely so much on Yorn. And my butt hurts."

"That, I can relate to."

Sydney smiled slightly, forcing her body to relax. Maybe she'd even have a slight nap before it was her turn for the tub. The bed wasn't the most comfortable she had ever lain on, but it wasn't too lumpy.

She had almost let Nigel's splashing and off-key humming lull her to sleep when a knock on their door jarred her awake. She blinked sleepily.

"It's Yorn. I brought the salve."

"What salve?" Nigel asked.

Sydney explained to him as she went to let the guide in. She also passed Nigel a towel on the way by.

"How's he feeling?" Yorn asked when she opened the door.

"Ask him yourself."

"Still sore," Nigel admitted. Sydney could hear him splashing out of the tub. "But not as bad."

"This stuff will keep you from stiffening up. You use some too, Sydney."

"I will."

"The girls are coming up in a few minutes to change your bath water."

"Good. Thanks."

He turned and went into his own room, and Sydney closed the door. Nigel had wrapped his towel around his waist and was headed for the stew she had brought him earlier. Sydney sighed. She just couldn't wait for the girls to get up there and change the water. She really needed a bath.

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The next morning, they started out quite early. Sydney was feeling stiff, but not as bad as she had feared. That was probably due to the salve now tucked safely in her pack. Nigel was a little stiffer than she was, so she helped him onto his horse. Events of the night before after her bath were kind of fuzzy. Nigel had gone downstairs to give her privacy. She had soaked her stiffness away, then sleepily used the salve and put on one of the lacey nightdresses. Once she slipped into the bed, she conked out before her head hit the pillow. She vaguely recalled Nigel coming to bed sometime later, and that was it until morning.

"How much further do we have to go?" Nigel asked.

"It should take about three ten-days," Yorn answered.

Nigel's mouth opened, and he looked at Sydney. She shrugged. It wasn't as if she could change how long it took.

"Don't worry. Your flesh should make it that far." The smile Yorn aimed at Nigel was definitely mocking.

"That's a relief...I think."

"So, where to today?" Sydney broke in.

"We'll be traveling towards Wester. It's a two day ride, so we'll have to camp out tonight. You prepared for that?"

"I think we can handle it."

She had a sudden vision of Nigel sleeping in a gypsy tent with a bunch of snoring men crushed together. He always used it as the worst place he'd ever slept when they spoke of such things. Her most unpleasant awakening had been in an abandonned warehouse where she found out she was about to be sacrificed. Sleeping outside wasn't going to be too much of a problem. They'd done that before too. At least, sleeping outside here, they didn't have to worry about rain.

They started out at pretty much the same pace as the day before. Nigel grunted as they started, but once more didn't complain. It was unusual for him to stay silent about his discomfort for so long. She wondered if he was intimidated by Yorn.

Finally, she came out and said, "Nigel, you're awfully quiet. What are you thinking?"

"Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about how peaceful it seems here, despite their problems. It's so calm and quiet. No cars, no cellphones, no computers. Not that I don't like those things, but it's nice to get away from them for awhile. We've been in remote places before, but we always had a cellphone or my laptop. It's kind of freeing."

"Well, wait until we get to the sword fights. You might be ready to go home then." At least she hoped so.

"True."

"It'll be a lot nicer once we find the relic."

He nodded. "I hope we don't have too much excitement until then. A nice, sedate ride is just my style."

"Maybe more your style with a pillow."

"Funny."

"I thought so."

"So, how long have the two of you been married?" Yorn interupted from up ahead.

"We've been together almost three years," Sydney said truthfully.

"It shows. Though most couples don't pass water together."

"You should see us in the bathtub."

"Sydney!" Nigel exclaimed, so she winked at him.

Yorn just rolled his eyes and started forward again. Sydney was feeling very pleased with herself. She was also in a playful mood, which was strange. Usually, when she was on a hunt, she was deadly serious, no matter how playful she was the rest of the time. It probably had something to do with the endless (except for meals and short rests for the horses) riding and silence.

They passed more people on the road than they had the day before, but they were mostly the same type. Early in the afternoon, they passed a group of a dozen men in uniform with shiny swords and sour expressions. The king's men, Yorn told her afterwards.

That was pretty much the only excitement they had all day. Sometime just before dark, Yorn suddenly broke from the road and took them into a meadow with a small stream slowly flowing by its edges.

"This used to be a river," he said. Sydney could see by its path how it had once been much larger. "Big enough to wash and fill our waterskins in, though."

Sydney slid off of her horse and helped Nigel off of his. Though she hated to admit it, she told Yorn she didn't know what to do to make their mares comfortable for the night. The big man showed her with his own, and she and Nigel copied his actions, Nigel letting out little moans once in awhile. She bet he'd be glad to get done and put his salve on. At least he was standing on his own two feet. As for herself, her legs and bottom were sore, but not quite as much as they had been the day before. She was still looking forward to the salve, though.

After caring for the horses, Sydney, Nigel, and Yorn went off one at a time to perform personal functions (which included the applying of salve). Since the grass was too dry for a fire, they had a cold but filling supper before preparing their bedrolls.

They stayed up for a little while after that talking. Yorn was curious about them.

"So," Yorn said, leaning back on the outside of his bedroll., "Where do you come from? You know nothing of money and almost as little about horses and Telurra."

"Well," Sydney was sitting cross-legged on her own bedroll with Nigel beside her. "How much did Princess Theri tell you?"

"That you come from far away, where customs are different. That it took a lot of magic to get you here. That you are famous adventurers. That's about it."

"That's all true. Nigel and I hunt for relics like The Rainmaker's Staff all the time. We're also teachers. We teach about the history of these relics. That's how we met."

"I assume your kingdom is allied with ours."

"Honestly, our...um...kingdom is so far away that we'd never heard of yours."

"Then your arrival was completely through magic?"

"Apparently."

"In your...what did you say? Relic hunting? ...have you had any experience with danger?"

"Well, I don't know how adventuring is here, but where I come from, danger is a big part of it."

"So, you really know how to use the toe stabber on your hip then?"

"Yes, I do." She reached into her boot and drew out her dagger. It made a familiar rasping sound as it slid out of its sheath. "I know how to use this one too."

Since they didn't have a fire, they were only illuminated by the stars and the little globe of light Rayzi had given her. The dagger set off several sparkles in its glow.

"You want to hope so."

"Sydney's more than a match for anyone," Nigel said, sounding annoyed.

"Sounds like you have your own squire." His eyes flicked to Nigel. "How about you? Can you take care of yourself?"

"Nigel's fine." Sydney cut off his answer, not trusting Nigel to say something that wouldn't earn Yorn's disdain. "Leave him be."

"Don't you ever let him speak for himself?"

"I do speak for myself," Nigel protested indignantly. "I'm not Sydney's bloody puppet."

"Calm down, Nigel." Sydney gave Yorn another one of her cold, cutting looks. "He's just trying to get a rise out of you."

"Well, I'm not."

Yorn just shook his head and rumbled a laugh. "Whatever you say, little guy."

Sydney's hands clenched, and she fought off the urge to attack. She had made larger men than Yorn beg for mercy for picking on Nigel. He certainly didn't look any tougher than that giant Neanderthal of a biker that thought Nigel was pretty enough to drag back to his cave.

The fight seemed to go out of Nigel at Yorn's words, and he sighed. "Shouldn't we be getting our sleep or something? My tired muscles want to rest."

"We'll keep watch in three shifts. I'll take the first. Sydney, you take the second, and Nigel, you take the third."

"Fine," Sydney said and wasted no time crawling into her bedroll. She left Yorn with the light.

She watched as Nigel crawled into his roll beside her and turned his back on both Sydney and Yorn. She knew that Yorn's words had bitten him, mostly because of his own insecurities. Sydney wished she could put her hand on his arm and tell him that Yorn was just a jerk. With a sigh, she just gave Yorn one more glare and closed her eyes to sleep.

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Sydney felt more than heard the movement near her bedroll. She knew instinctively that it was not Nigel. After their two and a half years together, he was like an extension of herself. He was asleep; she could hear his heavy breathing. The presence that had awakened her was in between the two of them. She tensed, ready to leap, and ready to grab for the dagger under her bedroll.

"Sydney." The voice was familiar.

Still, it was not familiar enough for her to unclench. She did open her eyes, though, and saw Yorn leaning over her.

"Your watch," he said.

With relief, Sydney let her body relax, though she did finish her motion to retireve the dagger from underneath her. "Anything?"

"No, it's been pretty quiet. Did you sleep all right?"

"Nigel and I are used to sleeping on the ground."

He just nodded. "See you in the morning. Wake Nigel in about three hours." Then he gave her a stern look. She supposed it was meant to intimidate her. "And make sure you wake him. Taking his turn will do him good, even if he is sore from riding."

Sydney just waved her hand at him. As she rose, she slid her dagger back into her boot sheath. She also took out her crossbow and cocked it, wanting to be ready in case something happened. Bending over Nigel to check on him, she noticed that he was sleeping peacefully and she smiled. He looked like a child when he was sleeping. Very sweet and innocent. Not that he looked very worldly when he was awake.

The night around her was quiet as Sydney walked around their campsite trying to work the cramps out of her legs. She had decided by now that walking, while slower, would have been much preferable to riding. She was used to walking--walking and running and climbing and even flipping. Riding, she could do well, but she could count on her hands the number of times she'd been on a horse in the past year. Since Nigel was allergic to horses, she didn't get much practice.

As she walked, the grass crackled softly under her feet. Nigel was right, it was nice here. Despite the land's distress, the silence was both welcoming and comforting. It was almost as if Telurra were welcoming her home.

Sydney yawned slightly, willing herself not to let the night lull her into complacency. It would be easy, especially with the soft snores coming from the bedrolls.

She went down to the stream and leaned on the bank. She was just starting to splash her face when the feel of the night changed. Her stomach clenched as the quiet around her seemed to turn ominous. Sydney froze, listening with her whole body, trying to detect what made everything suddenly wrong.

Then, she heard it. On the other side of the stream, a forest grew. It was there that Sydney heard the crackle and snap of twigs. It was only a slight sound, something that might have been missed if she had still been nearby with Nigel, Yorn, and the horses. She waited there, crouched, wondering if the noise was human or animal, friend or foe, and whether it could see her.

Her crossbow was on a rock beside her. She reached her hand out slowly, inching toward it. Just as her fingertips caressed the shaft, a figure came out of the trees. It was a big man and, in the light of the moon, he looked grizzled and mean. He was also pointing towards the light globe. He was so close to Sydney that if he turned his head he would see her.

Sydney's hand tightened around the shaft of her crossbow. She waited for it and wondered why he was pointing. This question was answered as other men slid out of the forest, all ragged and all dangerous looking. Sydney counted six, including the first. For a split second, she wondered whether she should follow them to the site or attack them here. The choice was taken from her as one of the men turned her way.

With a cry, she jumped to her feet. At the same time, the first man elbowed the man next to him and reached at his hip.

Hoping it would work, Sydney yelled, "Light, brightest!"

Light flooded the clearing, turning night to day. Even with her eyelids closed, Sydney felt the pain. Having been prepared for it, and having her eyes closed, Sydney recovered first. She blinked her eyes open and squinted in the glare.

"Dammit, Sydney, what's going on?" She heard Yorn growl. The light was closest to him. She hoped he had sense enough not to open his eyes right away.

She also heard Nigel's quietly mumbled, "Syd?"

"We're under attack."

Knowing her crossbow would be more of a hindrance than a help now that she had been discovered, she gently dropped it and gripped the hilt at her side.

The men were recovering from their blindness and also groping for their swords. Sydney slid hers out with a swish. She could hear Yorn fumbling to his feet, and hoped that Nigel had the sense to stay out of the fighting. Sometimes, when he was worried for her, or when he felt someone thought he was inadequate, he'd jump in unarmed. In the former case, everything usually came out all right, but the latter had often ended in disaster.

Two of the men rushed her while the others ran to meet Yorn, who was running towards them and roaring like a bear. There was no sign of Nigel.

Sydney dodged under the blade of one and came up to connect blade to blade with the other's. A loud clang rent the air, echoed a moment later by what she assumed was Yorn holding his own.

The man was strong, but she managed to deflect his blade. She put enough power behind it to make him stumble a little, then did a sudden backflip to avoid the sword coming from the other direction. The man stumbled, trying to adjust his swing, and she kicked him in the back of the knee to help him along. On his way down, he just missed impaling himself on his friend's blade. Sydney grimaced--that would have helped her out.

The other blade came down at her again, and once more she was able to catch it and turn it aside. She hopped back a bit and watched warily as the man circled her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the second man get back to his feet.

Come on, Sydney, she told herself, there's only two of them.

One of the men sneered at her, and she sneered back. She faked a lunge for him, then whirled and kicked at the other one. Her foot landed squarely in his stomach, and he folded over with a satisfying grunt. When his partner made a stab towards her, she met it, throwing her body behind her blade. This man was smaller than his partner and stumbled. In his brief moment of inattention, she slammed him in the face with her hilt. Something snapped and hot, gooey liquid ran down Sydney's arm.

She heard the other man stirring behind her, so she didn't stop to think of the blood as she whirled and kicked her attacker in the head. He was stunned but didn't fall, so she followed it up with two punches to the face. He finally fell to the ground. The man with the broken nose stood holding it, blood squirting from between his fingers. She struck at him with her elbow, catching him in the temple. He crumpled to lie beside his companion.

Sydney made sure neither would get up again, then hurried over to help Yorn, who miraculously was still alive despite the fact that he had been attacked by four men. Two even lay dead--or injured--at his feet.

She saw Nigel then, off to the side, standing by the horses. He had retrieved a knife from somewhere--probably Yorn--and was standing there looking terrified. Determined, though. Yorn must have told him to guard the horses.

Sydney sprinted the short distance to where Yorn faced his two opponents. One of them heard her and turned, ready to fight. Their swords met noisily. Sydney grunted at the impact. The two of them exchanged blows, Sydney looking for a weakness. She had fought and won against better fighters than he, and she confidently met everything he dished out. She just hoped she wouldn't have to kill him. In her line of work, she had seen many deaths, some of them she had even caused, but she hated it. Death was so final.

Yorn didn't seem to feel the same way. He reached out and viciously slashed his opponent across the throat, spraying Sydney with more blood.

Her opponent realized he was the only one left and started to fight with desperation. His desperation left him wide open, and Sydney was able to knee him in the stomach, and then knock the sword from his hands. She planted her elbow in his back, and he fell. While he was on the ground, she hit him on the back of the head with the hilt of her sword. He went still.

"Who were they?" Sydney asked Yorn.

"Bandits. This forest is teeming with them. It's even worse now that the drought has come."

"We should tie these guys up."

"Or finish them off."

Sydney scowled at that, but didn't reply as Nigel approached. "Sydney?"

"Everything's fine, Nigel. See if you can find us some rope."

He nodded and went to look through the packs. Yorn watched him with disdain on his face.

"How can you stand being with someone so useless?"

She had been waiting for this question ever since the moment she had felt Yorn's hostility towards Nigel. People were always telling him he was a wimp, that he wasn't good enough, that the great Sydney Fox kept him around because she pitied him--and he believed it. It was because of jerks like this that Nigel had such a negative image of himself. She was sick of it.

She gave Yorn her coldest glare. Though she was angry, her voice was ice. "You don't know what you're talking about. Who are you to judge him? Nigel is not useless. He's just had a lifetime of jerks like you telling him he'll never be good enough. He is the most intelligent person I've ever met. He's smarter than I am, and he's definitely smarter than you. What he doesn't know about ancient antiquities isn't worth knowing. He absorbs knowledge and languages like a sponge. He's brave and loyal and there's no one else I'd rather trust my life to. He's saved it more times than I can count, which is more than I can say for those hulking, deceptive, Neaderthal types who are always out for their own interests, and who think that brawn is always superior to brain. Granted, yes, he is a little clumsy, and he frightens easily, but he never runs from danger if he knows I need him. He's my best friend and my partner, and I wouldn't be alive without him. He's worth a hundred of you. Now, lay off Nigel, or I'll break both your legs--guide or no guide."

Yorn's eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to speak. Nigel chose that moment to reappear, lugging rope.

"Found it."

Sydney forced a smile. "Great. Let's tie up this guy, and the two over there."

Feeling something in the air, Nigel looked at Sydney, then at Yorn. "What's going on?"

"Nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Yorn?"

"No problems, little guy. Help Sydney with the bad guys."

Yorn turned then and started wiping his blade on the grass.

"What did I miss?" Nigel asked as they started manhandling the stunned bandits.

"Nothing, Nigel. Let it go."

After the three bandits were secure, Sydney hurried to the stream to wash off the blood. Yorn took this time to tell her once more that he thought they should finish off the bandits.

"I don't like killing. It's one thing if it's unavoidable and to save yourself. It's another thing to kill in cold blood. I won't do it."

Yorn shrugged. "All right, but they'll just be around to attack us or someone else again."

"Or they could take this as a lesson and go back to their families."

"I doubt it."

"So do I," she admitted, "but there's always a chance."

"Well, what do we do with them in the meantime? Just leave them tied up on the stream bank?"

Sydney shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

Yorn just shook his head and said, "Should we get a little more sleep? Nigel, your watch."

"Sure."

Sydney replied, "Fine," before going over to her bedroll. After turning their light down, she crawled in and tried to get some sleep.