Sarah C here. I finally got the completed story from Sarah R (I know it took forever, but she DOES have a newborn. So we'll forgive her, lol) Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen

Brenna was lying on the ground when they reached her, eyes closed. One of the men lifted her up in his arms with no problem. "Go get Madame Kelley," he instructed the other. "Tell her to meet us in my home."

The second man ran into town as the first lead the way to his home. "Where is her husband?" He asked Zephyria with a half smile.

"He was also a prisoner of war but he escaped and ran here. That's why we came. To find him," Zephyria hoped he would volunteer some information about Jesse.

"The only men that came here were spies from the invaders. They were soon taken care of," the man told her.

"Before we escaped we seen one man return. The leader's son in-law, but the other man what became of him?" Zephyria questioned quietly hoping not to upset the man.

"He is being kept prisoner." The man paused. "Who did you say you two were?"

"I didn't say, Sir. I am sorry. I am Zephyria of Velde. That's my sister Benna of Velde," Zephyria gave him a shy smile.

They reached a house just as the door burst open and a woman ran out. "Gerald!" she cried. "Bring her in, quickly! Oh, you poor dears."

Zephyria worried the woman would realize that not only her sister was pregnant but her as well. "Is there anything you need me to do, Ma'm?" Zephyria eagerly awaited orders.

She shook her head, motioning for the man, Gerald, to put Brenna on the bed. Brenna let out a moan, and slowly opened her eyes. "Zeph," she rasped, her voice sounding weak.

"I am here Bren. What is it?" Zephyria stared at her sister with an expression of worry and hurt.

She started to sit up, but the woman pushed her back. "Do they know where Jesse is?" she whispered.

"The man said they have a spy from the invaders they are keeping prisoner but other than him only one man came through. That was the leader's son in-law," Zephyria said softly to her sister.

Tears slid out of her eyes. "He said he was going to come here. He promised we could meet here."

The man and woman were exchanging looks behind them. "Do you think-" the woman began.

"No," the man said sharply. "He is dangerous. There is no way she's going near him, even if he might be her husband.

"How would you have been Gerald, if you weren't able to see me when I was pregnant? What if he is only dangerous because he is worried about his wife and child?" The woman reasoned with him.

"Marie, it is not a good idea. We don't even know if it is him. Besides," he whispered, trying to be quite so Brenna wouldn't hear, but she did anyway. "He's so beaten up. They tortured him for hours earlier. You know that."

Brenna gasped, sitting up. "What?"

"Gerald take her to her husband this instant do not be a monster who rips families apart like the invaders." Marie was now raising her voice.

Gerald sighed, glancing at Brenna, who was looking frantic. "Fine," he said after a moment, lifting Brenna up in his arms. "You are not walking," he told her when she protested.

"Bren, will you be alright by yourself?" Zephyria asked softly unsure of what to do or where to go.

"You may go play in the yard with the children," Marie told Zephyria. "We have two daughters who are probably a tad younger than you and a son about your age." Marie smiled on this note.

Hopefully Marie didn't think Zephyria would be the girl to marry their son. She was pregnant by Christophe and she loved him. "What are their names?" She was stalling for time by asking these questions.

"Ava, Nicola, and Bryon," Marie told her. "Go."

Meanwhile, Brenna and Gerald had reached the place where Jesse was being held captive. "Who is this?" the guard demanded, staring at Brenna.

"She believes she is this man's wife," he told him. The guard stared for a moment, and gestured for them to enter.

Jesse was tied to a post, barely conscious. "Jesse," Brenna breathed.

Jesse lifted his head and smiled at Brenna. "Is this your husband?" Gerald's voice was soft but urgent.

"Yes," Brenna whispered. Gerald put her down, and she rushed to his side. "Jesse…"

Gerald went and got the guard to untie Jesse. "Can you promise me that he will not run away until after his trial?" He spoke directly to Brenna.

"I promise," she whispered, hugging him as tightly as she could without hurting him. When he winced, she pulled away.

At this point Zephyria was praying for her sister's return. She had sat down quietly in the yard only to have Bryon stand over her. "Hello, may I help you, Sir?" She asked very softly.

"Who are you?" he demanded. "And what are you doing here?"

"I am Zephyria and I am an escaped Prisoner of war," She answered him softly.

"Oh." he replied. "Why are you here though?"