This chapter is rated M for Mature towards the end.

It was getting on towards evening and Louise looked up at Sean, "How much further do you want to travel today dear?"

Sean looked up and saw the sun's position, he'd been trying to watch the road for possible ambush points. "Maybe another hour dear," he suggested.

Louise nodded as she looked at their daughter. She was sleeping more and more now, the salve the temple Mistress gave them was doing a good job of helping her breathe but still, everything seemed to drain her. Louise looked up suddenly and sniffed the air, "Dear, do you smell that? It smells delicious."

Sean sniffed of the air but barely detected anything, "Not really Louise, what do you smell?"

Louise shook her head, "I think it is some kind of fowl roasting."

"Ho, in the wagon. Would you care to join me for a bit of supper? I've got plenty," A young woman in chain mail called out to them from a short distance ahead.

"We don't want any trouble," Sean announced as he steered the wagon towards the other side of the road but slowed their pace a bit.

The young woman smiled, "Neither do I. I wouldn't mind a bit of company though. Like I said, I got plenty."

"I won't accept any charity," Sean said as he continued to slow as they got closer.

She continued to smile, "I'm Elizabeth of Caranth, Bard by trade. If you don't want to accept my offer for free, I wouldn't mind exchanging it for a ride tomorrow since you are going my way."

Sean looked at Louise with concern and she nodded as she saw the owl emblem on her armor. "We'd be delighted to an exchange," Louise told her.

Elizabeth smiled as she gestured at her campfire and walked back as Sean steered the wagon over to her campsite. After Sean set the brake Louise got out, "I'm Louise, my husband Sean of the clan O'Brien. That is our daughter Megan."

Sean began unharnessing their horses and caring for them.

Elizabeth stepped over to the Wagon and looked at Megan sleeping peacefully, "My dear sweet child."

Louise smiled, "The temple Mistress in San Deggo told us our daughter's only chance was to bring her to Scorpion Keep. The Lord there might be the only one who can heal her. She's been getting weaker and weaker though. The salve she gave us has helped her to breathe easier but she just can't stay awake."

Elizabeth nodded, "The Lord of Scorpion Keep is a good man and a devote follower of the wise Lady, she'll be in good hands with him." Elizabeth reached over the side of the wagon and lifted an eyelid, "She hasn't really eaten in a while, she needs a good meal."

Louise nodded, "She usually eats a bite or two and falls asleep."

Elizabeth frowned, "With your permission I know a song that can help her. Wake her up so she can eat properly. Judging by her coloring she might not make it to Scorpion Keep if we don't get some nourishment into her body soon."

Louise looked at her with gratitude, "If you can do that, we'd be ever so thankful."

Elizabeth smiled, "Looks like this meeting might have been ordained." She gestured at the fire, "Go ahead and fix Megan some food while I get my lute."

Louise nodded and moved over to the fire and picked up one of the four trays laying there. She saw four pheasants roasting on the fire along with several pots with vegetables simmering. She quickly sliced off several pieces of the pheasant.

"Don't be bashful Louise, I'm sure Megan will be famished when she wakes up, take the whole bird," Elizabeth said as she opened a pack and pulled out an ancient looking lute.

Louise nodded as she carved off all the meat from the bird.

Elizabeth began playing the lute as she lifted up her voice and instantly both Louise and Sean began to relax. The horses all turned their heads to look and listen to the music as she performed. Louise smiled as her spirit began to soar as if the weight of the last few years had never been. She gasped and nearly dropped the tray when she saw Megan open her eyes, "Mom? I'm really hungry."

Tears ran down Louise's face, "My dear." She hurried over and she watched almost unbelieving as Megan pushed herself up to prop her back against the back of the buckboard. "Sean, look at our girl."

Sean turned from the horses and stared almost unable to accept what he saw, "My girl, how are you?"

"Hungry Father," Megan smiled.

Elizabeth grinned as she continued to play and sing.

Louise climbed into the back of the wagon and knelt down next to Megan. She ran her hand through Megan's hair as she smiled with tears in her eyes.

"That really smells wonderful Mother," Megan told her closing her eyes.

Louise smiled and looked at Elizabeth, "Elizabeth here offered to share her dinner with us if we let her ride with us tomorrow."

Megan smiled as she closed her eyes, "Thank you wise Lady." She prayed as her Mom reached out with a small forkful of food and she opened her mouth and she moaned as her tongue tasted the flesh of the bird. "I think we got the better part of that bargain then," Megan said after swallowing.

Elizabeth played and sang the entire time Megan ate. Megan stayed awake and finished the entire tray of food before she began to yawn and Louise helped her to lie back down.

Louise got down out of the wagon with tears in her eyes as she reached over and hugged Elizabeth tightly, "Thank you."

Elizabeth smiled as she hugged her back, "You are most welcome."

The three adults sat up well into the night after eating. Sean was still being guarded but Louise welcomed the woman completely.

"I'm curious Elizabeth, you have no horse but that is a lot for one person to carry," Sean was looking at her packs.

Elizabeth nodded, "My horse was bitten by a snake back a ways. I've been making slow progress since. So running into you fine folks, was a real blessing."

"Funny you had four pheasants roasting when we came up," Sean looked at her.

"Sean, stop being so suspicious," Louise chastised him.

Elizabeth smiled, "It is okay. He's just cautious when it comes to his family. I take no offense. But having no other idea of what tomorrow would bring I figured it would be better to prepare all four and take what I didn't eat along with me to eat tomorrow."

Louise smiled, "You certainly know how to prepare them. I can't recall the last time I enjoyed pheasant so much."

Elizabeth nodded, "You have my former student to thank for that. Paige has a real talent for preparing them. We ate them many times on our way to San Deggo almost nine years ago."

Sean frowned, "Paige, the Bard, from the house of Dineen? The one wanted for murder?"

Elizabeth looked over harshly at Sean, "Don't believe everything you read on a wanted board Sean. The Lady Paige is quite innocent of the accusation. Indeed the man she is accused of murdering is alive and well."

Louise smacked Sean's hand tenderly, "Forgive him please. We're just simple farm folk."

Elizabeth nodded, "Well I caution you, not just in my presence, but in the Lord of Scorpion Keep's presence not to repeat such matters. She is his Lady now and he will be deeply offended if you don't accept her. In fact, they'll be having their state wedding not long after we arrive there."

Sean looked at her, "You knew we were going to his Keep?"

Elizabeth smiled but shook her head, "Only that you were headed in that direction. Your wife told me you were headed there."

Elizabeth looked at Sean and Louise, "So you are part of clan O'Brien then, you are a long ways from Ireland. What brought you here?"

Sean nodded, "Louise's brother Tobin moved here over twenty years ago. A drought went through the countryside in Ireland a few years after he left and killed off most of the vegetation which in turn killed off most of the livestock. We were ruined. We had just enough to get us to America. We had to take our time crossing the country so I could earn the money to afford the rest of the trip."

Louise nodded sadly, "We lost our youngest in a storm at sea north of Los Angeles. We thought we lost our own lives but thank the wise Lady part of the mast broke off and Sean was able to get us to it."

Elizabeth nodded, "I'm sorry."

Louise yawned, "I think I am going to retire dear."

Sean nodded, "Sleep well dear."

Before she could stand they heard the flapping of wings and an owl swooped in past them and called out. Elizabeth looked up before she quickly jumped up and grabbed a spear that was lying by her pack. "Bobo warns of men approaching. Get in your wagon O'Briens. Leave this to me."

Without even realizing why, they both obeyed her instantly. Elizabeth stepped over to the other side of the wagon and stood there with her spear.

Six men came out of the forest and grinned seeing Elizabeth standing there, "Well looky what we got here gents. A sweet young thing, I bet she is lonely. Would you like some gentlemanly company wench?"

Elizabeth growled, "I offer you one chance to save your worthless lives. Flee back into the woods never to step out again or die where you stand."

The one man who seemed to be in charge glared at her, "Not very friendly is she. I guess we need to make her understand why she should have been friendlier."

Two of the men charged her and Elizabeth quickly threw her spear and struck the lead man so hard it pierced completely through him and impaled the man behind him and they both fell to the ground dying. She quickly drew both of her swords. She held a short sword in her left hand and a long sword in her right.

The remaining men looked at their friends and then back at Elizabeth and slowly they drew their swords before carefully moving forward.

Elizabeth smiled, "Have it your way." She waited until the first man stepped up and swung. She caught his blade with her long sword and swung it up while slashing across his throat with her short sword. As he dropped to his knees she jumped up and landing up on his shoulder before leaping at the next man. She kicked him in the side of his head as she spun catching the man to his right in the head with her long sword. She spun as her feet touched the ground, slicing his throat with her short sword as she jabbed her long sword into the second man's chest.

The fourth man dropped his sword as he fell to his knees with his eyes wide open almost crying. "Please, don't kill me."

Elizabeth threw her short sword and it pierced through his throat, "Tell it to Hades." Elizabeth cleaned her long sword off on one of the men before she stepped forward and drew her spear out of the two men and cleaned it off on their clothes. She walked over to the last man and retrieved her short sword and cleaned it.

Sean looked up and saw her sheathed her swords and walked over to the fire and laid her spear next to her pack before picking up her lute again. Sean stared at her, "How in the name of the wise Lady did you do that? Six armed men."

Elizabeth smiled, "I've been at this a long time." She began playing her lute and singing while Sean stared in amazement as roots came out of the ground and wrapped around the bodies and dragged them down into the Earth.

Sean slowly slid out of the wagon, "You aren't even as old as my daughter, how long could you have been doing this?"

Elizabeth smiled, "How very kind of you."

Sean waited a moment but she didn't answer his question, "Do you want to split the watch?"

Elizabeth smiled, "No, Bobo will keep watch and alert me if there is something dangerous. Get a good night's sleep with your family Sean."

Walter stepped out of their tent and buckled on his sword before stepping on over to the campfire. Sylvester smiled, "I followed Sir Cabe's instruction when I made the coffee my Lord."

Lord Walter nodded, "Thank you Sylvester, you and Kaylee sleep well."

Lord Walter poured a small amount into his cup after Sylvester entered the tent he shared with Toby. Kaylee looked at Lord Walter, "It's okay but it isn't as good as Sir Cabe's."

Lord Walter smiled as Kaylee entered the tent she shared with Happy.

As Walter poured his second cup he saw Paige come out of their tent wrapped in one of their blankets. He shook his head, "Love, you are supposed to be asleep."

Paige frowned as she stepped up sat down on his thigh and slid her legs over his other leg as she curled up in his arms resting her head on his shoulder, "I missed you so much last night while I was being a jerk to you. I need to feel you against me."

Walter swallowed hard as he held her, remembering the last time she had joined him like this on his watch. His eyes looked down at her feet and saw the blanket was parted and he saw her bare shins. He looked up and around the campsite, almost feeling guilty, before he slid his right hand inside of the blanket and he felt the bare flesh of her stomach. He considered the propriety of the situation and he was so glad they were married as his hand slid up her torso to cup her left breast. Walter's eyes closed as he thank Athena that they were married now.

Paige grinned as she felt his caresses when she had an idea. She reached up with her left hand and taking hold of his wrist she gently but firmly pulled his hand back down, until his fingers touched her soft folds. She moved her left leg granting him greater access. The movement also caused the blanket to part and his eyes opened and now he could see where his hand rested.

Paige opened her eyes slightly and saw the lost look on Walter's face. She smiled, while his brain might have been lost his fingers knew exactly what they were doing. She reached up and pulled his head over and they kissed, tenderly at first and then harder with passion. The action forced the blanket to fall away from her left side. Walter barely realized it and he forced his hand to move away from her soft flesh to grab it. Paige growled into his mouth as she grabbed his wrist again. She pulled his hand back over and held it against her smooth flesh.

Walter opened his eyes and saw the look in her eyes, just daring him to remove his hand again. He swallowed as his fingers began to caress her flesh again. He felt her lips curl upwards as they continued to kiss and her eyes closed. He darted his eyes up and around hoping no one would wake up.

Walter broke their kiss to bend down and kiss and suckle on her breast, flicking his tongue across her nipple. Paige moaned as her head rolled back and her pelvis thrust up at his hand as his fingers moved within her. He kissed up her breast to her neck as he began to lick, bite and suck.

Paige moaned loudly as she orgasmed around his fingers, her body shook and convulsed as Walter looked up and around with a slight bit of panic. But no other sound was made and as she came down from her orgasm he reached down and pulled the blanket back up and across her body.

Paige smiled and kissed him deeply, finally she stood and stepped a few feet away as she looked back at Walter as he sat there. His leathers tenting outward and she smiled. She gestured with a finger for him to come to her and as he stood she dropped the blanket and walked naked over to where the horses were tied up.

Walter's eyes nearly fell out of his head as he quickly grabbed the blanket and followed after her.

Paige smiled back at her husband seeing he had grabbed up the blanket. She turned to face him as he drew close but as he held out the blanket she took it and threw it over his charger standing next to them. She stepped up and kissed him as she reached down and loosened his leathers. She reached in and held his manhood before she quickly yanked them down with her other hand before he could stop her.

Walter's eyes opened wide, "Love?"

Paige smiled and put a finger to her lips before she turned and bent over and held onto one of the iron rods Happy had driven into the ground for the horses to be tied to. She grinned looking at him as she swayed her ass at him.

Walter swallowed hard yet again as he looked about the camp and then stepped forward and Paige grinned as she reached back between her legs and taking hold of his manhood pulled firmly and as he moved further forward she slipped the head of his manhood inside of herself. Walter didn't need any further encouragement as he pushed on up inside of her.

Walter and Paige slept late that morning. Enjoying having her curled up along side and on top of him Walter was willing to just stay at their campsite for another day. Paige however wanted to keep moving. She wanted to get back to the Keep and get the state wedding over and then go on a real honeymoon.

As they finally emerged from their tent Allie noticed the blush on Walter's face. She smiled and began fixing their breakfast. "Mom, Dad," Ralph exclaimed as he came running over and hugged them both.

"Good morning my Lord and Lady," Sir Cabe greeted them. "We were beginning to wonder if we were going to spend another day here."

Lord Walter coughed as Lady Paige just smiled, "I considered it, but I think my Lady is right. We need to get to Lancaster and back to the Keep and wrap this up."

Sir Cabe nodded, "I was speaking with Allie last night and while you told me after we get back to the Keep I could take the next thirty days off that perhaps with the wedding and your honeymoon to follow I should wait until you return to take the time off."

Lord Walter looked at him in surprise, "Well it would be your time off Sir Cabe, but I am sure the Keep would be okay for a couple of weeks without one of us. And Raynold could contact me if something urgent came up."

Sir Cabe shook his head, "There would be no need for that my Lord. You and our Lady deserve your alone time. Consider it my wedding present."

Lord Walter smiled, "Well it is your time and if you want to wait until after we get back I won't try to talk you out of it."

Paige bent over and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Sir Cabe."