Good day friends. Franxine, the messenger that was killed beside the road was not Wendell but the messenger carrying the message to advise Lord Walter of what was actually happening with Merrick. I wish I could say the owl was named after you but I took the name from the original movie Clash of the Titans with Harry Hamlin, it seemed like a nice homage to Athena and her owl.

Thank you guys for your support of this story. It means a lot. To the Adventure! -Tim

Raynold sat in his office going over paperwork when there was a knock on his door. "Enter," he said a bit testily.

The door opened and Elizabeth stepped in, "Sorry Raynold, there is a Mistress Amanda out here to see you. She just came in on the coach along with a couple of prisoners. She says she has a note from the Lord."

Raynold nodded, "Show her in." He stood up and straightened his tie and pulled his coat off the chair and twirled it around before putting it on.

Elizabeth pushed the door the rest of the way open, "Raynold, Mistress Amanda." She announced as Amanda stepped around Elizabeth and entered the room.

"Welcome to Scorpion Keep Mistress," he looked at Elizabeth.

"Amanda," Elizabeth reminded him.

Raynold smiled, "Amanna."

Amanda smiled, "I suppose there are worse things to be called." She held out the note from Lord Walter.

Raynold took the noted and opened it, "Yes, Amanda, my apologies." He continued to read the note. "Goodness, our Lord was certainly busy the other night."

Raynold turned to look at the Keep's floor plan and wrote Amanda's name on the room near where Allie's was. "Let me show you your quarters," Raynold smiled.

Elizabeth cleared her throat, "If you'd like I can escort her. There are the prisoners still to deal with."

Raynold shook his head, "They are prisoners they can wait." He opened the safe door in his wall and dug through the keys within and pulled out one and doubled check the code with the floor plan and nodded.

Raynold walked around his desk, "If you will follow me Mistress."

Amanda nodded as she stepped up and put her hand through his arm. Raynold looked surprised but led her off. Two of the Keep's servants followed after them as they brought her baggage with them.

Raynold looked up at Amanda, "Without assuming anything, are you familiar with telling time by bells Mistress?"

Amanda smiled, "Harris used them, so yes I am."

Raynold nodded, "This is the main dinning room, unless of course the Lord invites you to the great hall upstairs. Meals are from 5 am to 8 am, 11 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm. But if you miss the regular time leftovers are typically available anytime."

Amanda nodded, "Are the meals vegetarian?"

Raynold smiled, "Typically no, but if you have a special need the cook will accommodate it."

Amanda smiled, "My sister Allie and I are both vegetarians."

Finally they arrived at her room and Raynold inserted the key and locked and unlocked the door to be sure it was the right one before handing it to Amanda. He opened the door and let her enter and then the two servants walked in and set her baggage down and left.

Raynold smiled, "Just one thing I would like to stress Mistress. There is a certain woman in the town who is the school teacher. Florence is her name. Stay clear of her, and don't mention anything you know about our Lord and Lady to anyone else until after they return to the Keep and we have a chance to conduct the official state wedding."

Amanda smiled, "I can do that. Is there any certain dress code for while I am here?"

Raynold smiled, "Nothing special is required unless of course it is a state affair. If you have any questions feel free to speak with myself or Elizabeth. If you will excuse me, I need to go address these prisoners."

Amanda patted his hand, "Thank you Raynold."

Raynold was shocked to see Jon stand before him in shackles and he looked down at the constable's paperwork. Raynold looked back up at him and shook his head, "Seriously Jon? Hasn't the Lord always been good to you? Have you ever been left wanting? I never would have believed this of you, you make me ashamed I ever gave your name to our Lord for your position."

Jon looked down, "What does it matter? I disgraced myself, just lock me up and leave me alone."

"Fine," Raynold yelled. "Throw him in the dungeon to await the return of our Lord."

As the door closed behind them Raynold sat down in his chair his head in his hands.

A few minutes later there was a knock on his door and Raynold sighed, "Enter."

The door opened and one of the Keep guards stepped in, "Raynold, do you know Javen from Lancaster?"

Raynold seem to think for a moment, "Didn't she use to courier messages for Lord Beyon?"

The guard nodded, "I was at the tavern last night and she was there drinking."

Raynold frowned, "The tavern in town?"

The guard nodded.

"That is odd. What is she doing there?" Raynold drummed his fingers on his desk.

The guard shrugged, "She claimed to be journeying to Oxinaer. But the innkeeper said she has been there for two days."

Raynold sighed, "I guess I better go check it out then."

Thanks to Elizabeth playing the song that helped Megan to wake up and eat, Megan's coloring was improving and she was gaining some strength even though it was still difficult to control her muscles. She was at least actively able from time to time to hold a conversation with her parents and Elizabeth. She was even beginning to have more as well as longer periods of consciousness in between meals.

The O'Briens were constantly impressed with Elizabeth's skill at hunting. She'd disappear into the woods an hour or so before meal time and come back a short bit later with rabbits or other game for their meals.

Sean was constantly worried that it was taking too much time, slowing them down from reaching Scorpion Keep in time. But every time he opened his mouth to voice a complaint Louise put him in his place, "How can you constantly complain about her? Thanks to Elizabeth, Megan is doing so much better. Any time we've lost to her hunting has been more than made up for by Megan gaining strength."

"Mother is right Daddy, when we got off that ship I didn't think I would make it to this Scorpion Keep. Now, I not only feel like I will but I am optimistic about the outcome," Megan told him as they waited for Elizabeth to return from her current hunting trip.

"Fine, I know when I am out numbered," Sean gave up.

It wasn't long before Elizabeth came out of the woods carrying a small wild boar on her spear. She smiled, "Ho O'Brien family, we're eating good tonight."

Louise smiled at the boar, "We'll have to stop a little earlier tonight to cook that. I'll make sandwiches for all of us for lunch. That way we can keep traveling."

Elizabeth nodded as she placed the boar on the gate of the wagon and climbed up on the buckboard with Sean.

Raynold opened the door to the tavern and walked in. He looked about the floor of the tavern were he spied Javen. He walked over, "May I join you?"

Javen looked up and spit her mouthful of ale out. Raynold closed his eyes as he reached up and wiped his face, "A simple no would have sufficed."

Javen blushed, "I'm sorry Raynold, you surprised me. You were simply the last person I thought I would meet here today."

Raynold sat down across from her. Javen looked at him, "How did you know I was here?"

Raynold smiled, "I have a few people that are loyal enough to tell me when a former courier of Lord Beyon is in town."

Javen nodded, "Figures."

Raynold's eyes narrowed, "So what brings you to town?"

Javen smiled, "Nothing really, just passing through."

Raynold smiled, "Really, passing through and you've already been here a few days. You couldn't even stop by and say hello to an old friend?"

Javen took a swig of her ale, "Yep. I finally decided to take some time off and just wander a bit. I stopped here on my way to Oxinaer, I plan to catch a ship to San Francisco."

Raynold nodded, "Okay, so now that you told me that. What is the real reason you are here?"

Javen shook her head, "Sorry, it isn't time yet."

Raynold stared at her, "Damn it Javen, time for what? There are too many things going on in the background. Tell me what is going on."

Javen shook her head, "I can't, Terean's orders."

Raynold looked shocked, "Terean? Lord Beyon's Master at Arms? What in the name of the wise Lady, Javen?"

Javen took another drink and looked around before leaning forward, "Look Raynold, you know I like you and I don't like playing games. It is important for both of our lands, if I was to tell you the rest of what I know it would violate what I was told to do. I'm sorry. I don't like it anymore than you do."

Raynold drummed his fingers on the table, "I could have you arrested and searched."

Javen shook her head, "Wouldn't do you any good. It's all up here." She tapped her head.

"I could call for the temple Mistress then," Raynold told her.

Javen shrugged, "You could try but I don't think you would like the outcome."

As Lord Walter and his company resumed their journey following lunch he kept looking over at Paige and smiling.

He'd done it all through lunch but with everyone right there she'd held off asking him what was going on. Finally back on the road and with some distance between them and the rest of the guys, Paige smiled as she kept playing her lute, "What is it my Love?"

Walter blushed a little, "Nothing really."

Paige rolled her eyes, "Nothing huh? Am I really supposed to believe that?"

Walter blushed a bit darker, "I was just remembering my watch last night. You were so brazen."

Paige looked at him with wide eyes, "Me? You started it, I was happy just being in your arms."

Walter swallowed hard, "I started it? You came out without clothes my Love."

Paige smiled and shook her head, "You seem to have a selective memory, but if you recall I was wrapped up in the blanket. You are the one that took the liberty of reaching within the blanket to caress me. Not that I am complaining, I just decided if you could do that, why couldn't we expand on your actions since you seemed more than interested?"

Walter's blush got darker still as he vividly recalled every moment. He nodded, "You are right my Love, but what happened after you got off my lap wasn't my fault," he grinned.

Paige blushed herself as she recalled dropping the blanket and walking boldly over behind the horses to give them a little cover in case someone did wake up and step out of their tent. "I don't recall you putting up any kind of resistance," Paige arched her eyebrow.

Walter laughed, "I suppose I didn't, even though I was really worried someone was going to catch us."

Paige smiled, "Not to mention, if you recall, I told you before as long as you desire my love I won't deny you. The pressure against my ass as I sat on your lap and the tent of your leathers after I stood up told me how much desire you had for my love."

Walter smiled, "In truth? So the other night when you were wrapped up in the blanket and refused to acknowledge me. You still would have welcomed my advances?"

Paige blushed, "Well, I was mad at you but if you had demonstrated the same boldness as last night I wouldn't have denied you."

Walter looked at her as he thought, "So if I desired you right now?"

Paige laughed, "It might be a bit rude and conspicuous for us to leave the others on the side of the road, and journey back into the trees, but if that is your desire, I won't fight you, unless that is what you would like."

Walter let out a laugh, "I'm not sure I am that daring my Love. But," he nudged his charger a bit closer to her horse. He reached over and grabbed her and pulled her up and across to sit sideways between his legs.

Paige let out a squeal at his unexpected action, her face beamed with joy as she settled against him and he wrapped his arms about her. She looked up at him, "This would be much nicer if you weren't in your armor Walter."

Walter smiled, "It would, as one part in particular is very uncomfortable right now."

Paige laughed as they continued down the road.

After about an hour Walter noted his charger was starting to have an issue with their combined weight. So regretfully Paige had to get back onto her mount.

Lord Walter and his company arrived at the customs shack just inside of the border of Lancaster. He swung down and stepped over to Paige, "This shouldn't take long unless you just want to stretch your legs my Love."

Paige smiled, "I think my legs would appreciate a bit of a walk."

Walter grinned and slipped his arm under her legs and picked her up off her mount and held her while they kissed for quite some time.

The customs agent finally came out when no one came into his offices, "What do you have to declare?"

Walter continued to just stand there holding Paige up in his arms as they kissed.

The customs agent began to lose his patience after asking the third time. Happy nudged her horse over, "I'd advise you to calm down before you tick Lord Walter off and he decides to make an object lesson out of you."

The agent stared at her with a worried look on his face, "Lord Walter, of Scorpion Keep?" He looked to the east at Walter and Paige oblivious to everything else kissing.

Happy nodded as she pointed back at Sir Cabe, "Sir Cabe of the house of Gallo, from the kingdom of Coopers and Lord Walter's advisor, if you would rather talk with him."

The agent swallowed and looked back to Lord Walter and Paige again as he saw they were continuing to kiss. He turned and walked back to Sir Cabe. "Sir Cabe, by right of treaty Lord Walter doesn't have to declare anything. The rest of you have to declare anything over ten thousand gold."

Sir Cabe shook his head, "None of us are carrying anything near that value. Besides equipment Lord Walter gives us to use in the course of our responsibilities. We're just passing through with our Lord and his Lady to pick up a few things for their wedding before returning to Scorpion Keep."

The agent nodded as he looked back and saw them still kissing. He shook his head, "You are free to proceed on to the city. Whenever they finish that is. Good luck on getting them to the wedding if they do that very much."

Sir Cabe broke out laughing as he inclined his head.

Walter finally broke the kiss. "I love you Paige," as he put her down.

Paige smiled looking up at him, "I love you too Walter." Paige began walking around a bit.

Walter looked up for the agent but didn't see him and he frowned. He began walking towards the front door, "Where is the agent?"

Happy grinned, "He got tired of watching you two make out and went back inside. He said for you to have a good day."

Walter grinned, "I guess I should do that more often then."

Toby rolled his eyes.

Happy stared at him, "More often? Aren't your lips chapped yet?"

Walter laughed. He looked up at the sun, "I guess we got about five hours of daylight left but from here another eight hours to the city. We'll travel another four hours before we stop for the night."

Paige walked back over, "What was that Love?"

Walter smiled and he grabbed her up in his arms, "I said we'd travel for another four hours before we stop for the night. We'll make it to the town tomorrow shortly after noon, depending on when we get started in the morning."

Paige smiled as they kissed and then felt Walter lift her up and put her back up on her horse. She laughed and shook her head at him as he turned and climbed up on his charger and they began moving on down the road.

Lord Beyon walked into their private quarters and slumped down in his chair before the fireplace. Lady Juniper heard his footsteps and the squeak of a chair on the stone floor. She walked out of their private kitchen and saw him brooding. She smiled. At least he came to their quarters instead of his private study.

She stepped up, "My Lord, how are you this evening?"

Lord Beyon grunted, "Fantastic."

She stepped around the chair and sat down on his lap, "Don't be so sarcastic, what happened?"

Lord Beyon sighed, "I received word today that King Merrick is coming for his first tribute payment in two days. Plus he's going to want to know what is going on with Lord Walter and this woman he's got with him." He wrapped his arms around her waist.

Lady Juniper frowned, "Is there some way we can take advantage of that?"

Lord Beyon looked up at her, "What do you mean?"

Lady Juniper looked at him, "You know exactly what I mean Beyon. We have our best men in the throne room, at the right time we order the door to be locked and our men cut him and his men down."

Lord Beyon's eyes opened wide, "I never thought I would hear you say something like that Love. You are talking cold blooded murder. But he always travels with his sorcerers and we don't have anyway to counter them. They could certainly cause a lot of damage."

Lady Juniper shook her head, "It isn't murder when you are fighting for the life of the land. As for his sorcerers, I'll speak with the temple Mistress. She may have an idea of how to deal with them."

Lord Beyon kissed her, "Love, you have to be careful for both you and the temple Mistress. If the rear guard catches wind, the chaos they will cause."

Lady Juniper smiled, "I already killed one of them and helped dispose of two others while helping cover up the death of a total of six of them. I'm not afraid of them."

Lord Beyon's eyes went wide, "You what?"

"The other day I was accosted by three of them, in the middle of demonstrating why they shouldn't mess with a Cleric of the wise Lady, Terean showed up and helped. After we disposed of the bodies three more showed up, because of the noise, along with four of our guards. I ordered our men to cut them down. After which I healed our men and ordered them not to reveal what had happened," she told him proudly.

Beyon grinned as he hugged Lady Juniper tightly and kissed her.

"Besides, Terean has assigned several guards to escort me about the castle," Lady Juniper explained.

While Lord Beyon attended his mail, Lady Juniper, along with her guards, journeyed down to the castle temple. She found the temple Mistress kneeling before the altar praying so she took a seat and waited.

As the Mistress finished one of the junior Clerics stepped up and assisted her in standing. Turning to go back to her office she saw Lady Juniper sitting in a pew and smiled, "My Lady, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?"

As Lady Juniper opened her mouth to speak the Mistress barely shook her head, "I just need some advice Mistress."

The Mistress nodded as she held out her hand and Lady Juniper stepped up and took her hand as they went to her office. Once her door was closed and they sat down before her desk, "Now, what is going on?"

Lady Juniper nodded, "Lord Beyon just informed me that Merrick is coming in two days to collect tributes. I told him we should take advantage of the situation and get rid of him. But he is concerned about his sorcerers. I was hoping you might have an idea of how to deal with them."

The Mistress sat there listening and thinking, "Well it's hard to say for sure. The best way to deal with sorcerers is other sorcerers. But I don't know any I would trust with a plan of this kind. As you know we can dispel their magic but that magic must first coalesce. And of course there is our silence spells but they could move out of the area of effect so that isn't very effective. The best way might be to try and anticipate where he will have them stand and have a few guards close by and when the order is given they could strike them first."

Lady Juniper nodded, "I will speak with Lord Beyon, that maybe the best way. Thank you Mistress and have a good night."