Lady Paige stood hugging Lord Walter as the Keep guard dragged the bodies of all the thieves out and piled them up with the other bodies of Drew's men. Several men brought the wagons and horses back towards the bridge and drove them on up to the Keep.

After Lady Paige had discussed dealing with the dead with Allie they came up with a plan to augment Allie's ability to call forth the roots to drag the bodies down deep into the earth.

Paige looked at Allie. "I'm ready when you are Allie."

Allie smiled and nodded. "Then let us begin my Lady."

Allie raised her arms up over her head as her eyes went white and began glowing. Sweat started beading up on her face and Paige lifted up her voice in song. Everyone standing within range of her voice began feeling the music entering into their bodies and as their minds focused on what they were doing they felt themselves being refreshed as well.

Allie continued focusing her power when suddenly one root broke out of the ground and then another and another. Now two and then three at a time before long four and five at a time broke through the earth and began wrapping around the bodies. Each second more and more roots shot up out of the ground and they all were lashing over the bodies. Small tendrils erupted along the roots and they grabbed hold of the bodies wherever they could gain holds.

The great Mother gestured and cast a spell upon Allie and Allie glowed yellow for a moment and Allie felt the energy reinforce the power of Lady Paige's song, strengthening her, aiding her, and the roots began coming up quicker and quicker because of it. After nearly thirty minutes the roots had wrapped around every body in the field and Allie finally yanked her arms down and the roots strained against the bodies and the ground gave way as the roots pulled every body down deep into earth.

Slowly Allie relaxed and her eyes quit glowing and returned to normal. Sir Cabe grabbed hold Allie as she shuddered from the strain. Paige kept singing to ensure Allie recovered completely from her exertion. Finally Allie looked up at Sir Cabe and smiled and kissed him. She looked back and smiled at Paige and nodded.

Paige stopped singing as Allie and Sir Cabe walked back. Allie reached out and took Paige into her arms and they embraced for a moment before Allie turned back to Sir Cabe.

Lord Walter looked out at everyone and smiled. "Thank you my friends. Your assistance was invaluable. Let us return to the Keep. We have a party to finish preparing for."

Paige looked at Baron. "I didn't realize you were a Paladin."

Baron nodded. "I retired about fifteen years ago but much like Clerics, once a Paladin, always a Paladin. Well at least as long as we hold our tenants. But I think the Council won't be too happy with me, technically I am not suppose to get involved beyond mediation. Though I am sure they suspected something might happen. It is usually when they call for me to mediate."

Paige smile. "Well in any case I am so grateful for you and the great Mother helping to settle the matter, thank you both. My Lord and I will most definitely write to the Council thanking them and advising them that you acted only in the best interest of the Council and brought much honor to Los Angeles and yourself."

Baron smiled and gave Lady Paige a bow.

Walter had climbed up on his charger and he rode over next to Paige and he reached down and held his hand out. Paige looked up at him and took his hand and as she put a foot into the stirrup he pulled and Paige rose up. Walter grabbed her gently by the waist with his left arm and his right reached under her knees as he lifted her on up and put her side saddle across his lap.

Paige smiled and kissed him while everyone else climbed back into the carriage. And once everyone was ready Lord Walter and Sir Cabe led them back across the bridge. As they passed through town on their way up to the Keep the townspeople all began cheering and applauding as they passed by.

As soon as Paige entered the great hall she stepped over to Walter's desk and pulled out his quill, ink and paper and began immediately writing her letter to the Council of Los Angeles. Walter smiled as he saw her writing. He walked up and put his hands on her shoulders and bent forward and kissed her neck.

Paige tilted her head back and grinned at him and so he kissed her several times. He smiled down at her as he lowered his head down beside her ear as he whispered. "I suppose it would be bad form for us to retire to our chambers for our regular after lunch nap."

Paige grinned as she closed her eyes. "You mean our time of pleasure before my nap?" She whispered back.

Walter grinned as he nodded. "You know me too well my Love."

Her hand came up and caressed the side of his face. "Let me finish my letter to the Council, we can have lunch and then we can retire until Ralph arrives home."

Walter grinned and kissed her cheek. He walked over to where Baron and the great Mother sat by the fireplace. "My Lady wishes to finish her letter to the Council first, then we can lunch before we will retire for her afternoon nap. Ralph should be home by four and we'll be celebrating his birthday then. Both of you and your aids are welcome to attend the party and dinner to follow. Of course you both will stay until tomorrow morning before heading back home, correct?"

Baron nodded. "We'd be honored to attend the party and stay until tomorrow morning before we leave for home. Your hospitality has been gracious and kind. Thank you."

Walter inclined his head with a smile.

"I'll have my report written before we leave tomorrow. I'd like to get both your and our Lady's signature as well as Sir Cabe as liaison of Queen Katherine of the kingdom of Coopers. Since it involves the death of King Andrew they will of course be a bit upset so all the signatures supporting what happened the better it will be." Baron told him.

Walter nodded. "Of course Baron, I will of course pen my own letter to the Council before you leave as well."

They turned as they heard the squeak of wood against wood and Paige stood up and smiled at Walter as she walked over. They put one arm around each other as Paige reached out the envelope addressed to the Council to Baron. "I heard what you said and I will be only too happy to sign your report in the morning."

After lunch was finished Lord Walter and Lady Paige excused themselves as journeyed up to the master chambers.

All the kids had been very curious about what had caused Ralph to charge off on Selase at the start of recess and all the noise out beyond the great bridge. It was so bad that Mistress Florence finally gave up trying to teach and called Ralph up front to give a report about what happened.

Ralph was a bit embarrassed to have to stand up in front of his classmates but he did his best to bury the feeling as he began explaining what had been going on the last couple of days culminating with the confrontation outside of town.

All the kids grew excited at the tale and they asked all kinds of questions and at one point Ralph pulled out the green steel hammer of Lord Markus so everyone could see it.

By the time the story was over and all the questions asked an answered Mistress Florence looked at her watch and shook her head. "You may use the last thirty minutes to work on your homework from this morning. I expect this to be the last time we dwell on this subject."

Ralph smiled and returned to his seat next to Patty and everyone got busy with their work. As the town bell rang out announcing it was three thirty the kids all but ran out of the school house excited. Patty and a number of the kids Ralph had invited up to the Keep for his birthday party all dashed home to get the small gifts they'd gotten for him even though he'd told them all not to worry about gifts.

Selase flew down to the ground and shrieked and Ralph looked back and saw her raise her wing up. He looked at Sir Fredrick and the Cleric of Hera. "I'm going to ride back to the Keep."

Sir Fredrick nodded as Ralph ran over and climbed up in Selase's saddle. Selase ran off towards the Keep and extended her wings and took flight. Selase soared out to the east, out and over Lake Athena. She took her time to treat him to lots of aerobatics and the more Ralph squealed and screamed the more she performed.

Sir Fredrick smiled while watching as they flew off when he heard a woman's voice call out. "Sir Fredrick. Woohoo, Sir Fredrick."

He turned and saw a carriage coming up the street towards the school house followed by two wagons driven by Keep guards. He saw Mistress Veronica looking out the door of the carriage waving. He remembered dancing with her at the pre-wedding dinner for the Lord and Lady. He smiled and waved back.

He stood waiting on the carriage with the Cleric while occasionally looking out over the lake at Selase.

As the carriage slowed to a stop next to him Veronica smiled. "My dear Sir Fredrick, what a pleasure it is seeing you again."

Sir Fredrick looked back from Selase and smiled as he inclined his head to Veronica. "Mistress Veronica, what a pleasure to see you again. This is Sister Abigail. She is a Cleric of Hera. Sister Abigail, this is Mistress Veronica of clan Dineen. She is the Mother of our Lady Paige."

Veronica looked surprised but smiled at Sister Abigail. "Good afternoon Sister. What brings a Cleric of Hera to Scorpion Keep?"

Sister Abigail smiled as she inclined her head. "Greetings Mistress Veronica, it is an honor to meet the Mother of our Lady Paige. I traveled here with Adjudicator Baron and the great Mother of Hera because King Andrew brought a petition to the Council of Los Angeles seeking custody of his son Ralph."

Veronica instantly looked horrified, "My grandson? Where is he?"

Sir Fredrick smiled and pointed out over the lake. "He's enjoying a little flight with Selase. But don't worry King Andrew's claim upon our lad is over now."

Veronica looked at Sister Abigail and Sister Abigail smiled and nodded. "Lord Walter along with members of his Keep including Sir Fredrick, the Adjudicator and great Mother dealt with the issue. King Andrew tried to cheat in a contest with Master Ralph. Lord Walter had warned him and proved the folly upon him."

Sir Fredrick nodded. "I don't think any of us thought King Andrew would go as far as he did. When Selase drove several thieves out of the shadow around our Lady, I was worried for a moment. But Ralph summoned the holy fire of Athena and the Adjudicator summoned the holy fire of Hera and then twenty other assassins appeared, driven out of the shadow by the holy fires. Clearly they were acting in a way to try and assassinate our Lady. Thankfully we had Sir Cabe, the great Mother, Sister Abigail, Master Ralph, Sylvester and a large number of the Keep guard to deal with them. It freed up our Lord to deal with King Andrew."

Veronica's hand flew up to her lips. "My baby, is she okay?"

Both Sir Fredrick and Sister Abigail nodded. "She is fine Mistress. They should be waiting at the Keep for Ralph and his friends for his birthday party."

Veronica frowned. "Today is Ralph's birthday? Oh dear, Paige never told me. I better go back to the market and find something for him. Would you care to go with me Sir Fredrick?"

Sir Fredrick smiled. "I would but our Lord has me on duty to watch over Ralph until he returns to the Keep. And while I am sure the threat is gone now I am not about to abandon the duty."

Veronica smiled. "I wouldn't want you to. Perhaps I will see you at the party then?"

Sir Fredrick nodded his head. "I look forward to seeing you again Mistress."

"Ted, lets go back down to the market. I need to get something for my grandson's birthday." Veronica called up to her driver.

"Aye Mistress," Ted slapped the reins and guided the horses into a tight turn to go back into town.

Veronica spoke to the wagon behind them and told them to go on up to the Keep.

After about twenty minutes Selase turned and flew back to the Keep. Selase came in through the east gate and ran up to the entrance of the Keep. Ralph frowned seeing all the wagons in the livery yard. Two of them filled with all kinds of furniture. He saw Sir Fredrick and he slid out of Selase's saddle and stepped over and pointed. "Where did those come from?"

Sir Fredrick smiled. "Those belong to your grandmother Mistress Veronica."

Ralph's face lit up and he ran into the Keep. He flew up the steps and into the great hall and looked around seeing the hall colorfully decorated but didn't see Veronica and he frowned.

Paige looked over from the chairs by the fireplace and smiled. "Ralph, come here baby."

Ralph walked over still frowning.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" Paige looked at him concerned.

"Grandma Veronica, where is she?" Ralph asked still looking around.

Paige frowned. "She hasn't gotten back yet. Why do you ask?"

Ralph scratched his head. "But there are two wagons down in the livery yard full of her things. Sir Fredrick told me."

Paige looked over at Walter speaking with Baron. "Let's go find Raynold. He should know."

Paige and Ralph walked out of the great hall as Raynold was walking up the stairs and he smiled. "My Lady, Master Ralph. I was just informed your Mother has arrived back at the Keep. She stopped in town but should be up here shortly."

Paige laughed. "We were just coming to find you and see what was going on. I guess she has two wagons down stairs with a bunch of her things in them."

Raynold nodded. "I've assigned quarters for her and will have her things moved into storage until we can speak about what she wants to do with everything."

Paige nodded. "Thank you Raynold."

Patty was the first of the children to show up and she ran over and gave Ralph a hug before wishing him a happy birthday.

As more of the children showed up Ralph was being distracted more and more. So much he didn't see Veronica finally walk into the great hall. Paige however had been anxiously awaiting her Mother's return and nearly ran to her when she came in. They hugged for several minutes until Veronica pulled back and looked down at Paige's pregnant belly.

Veronica smiled with tears in her eyes as she reached out and touched her stomach. "My baby, you are so beautiful. Nothing against you but I always felt like a beached whale."

Paige laughed as she shook her head. "I felt that way with Ralph. But then Drew wasn't very attentive. Walter on the other hand is just as insatiable now as he was before we found out I was pregnant. Of course unlike on the road, here we can sneak off to enjoy each other almost any time of the day."

Veronica laughed with a slight blush.

Paige looked over and saw Ralph playing a game with his friends. "Ralph, someone is here to see you."

Ralph looked over and saw Veronica and a smile erupted on his face as he ran over. "Grandma," he exclaimed as he flew into her arms.

After dinner was over a large cake was brought out and everyone sang happy birthday to Ralph who promptly blew out the candles.

Before they cut the cake Victor brought out a large metal cylinder on a cart. Linda stepped up and took the top off and stuck a large serving spoon inside and brought out a large serving of chocolate ice cream.

Ralph's lit up and he looked at his parents with a large grin. "Thank you Mom, Dad. This is the best birthday ever."

Walter looked from Ralph to Paige and they smiled as they looked to Ralph, "Happy birthday Ralph."

Greetings! Hoping this finds you all well! The heat and air is still horrible here but we're getting by. Here we are at the close of this segment of the story. But what a great day, we got the start of another fantastic story by Scorplin and an interesting one by Ehmaline

Franxine - Sorry to hear about you not being able to sleep. I hate when that happens. It is hard to say about Sly's phobias vs Ari's physical size. I sure wouldn't want anyone else playing Sly though, Ari (and the entire cast) did an amazing job. As for Selase and biting heads off and stuff...lol Well she did bite off several, I just didn't want to go into too much detail. I'm sure they are going to be trying to get the blood out of her feathers for a while though. lol

To the Adventure! -Tim