We're back. Again. Here's chapter fourteen!
"My sister is pregnant and her husband escaped before us and promised to meet her in this village. I just came along so I didn't lose the only family I have," Zephyria answered looking down at the ground.
"Oh." he said again. "are you married?"
"No, I am not. I had been engaged before the war but I was separated from my Fiancee,"Zephyria hoped he would take the hint and leave her alone.
Bryon stood up and left. As he walked away Zephyria began to feel bad. "Hey Bryon," she called after him. "I am bored anything fun to do here?"
He shrugged. "Unless you're interested in war planning, no."
"What do you do for fun?" She was trying to be nice and hang out with him anyways.
"Nothing."
"Don't be that way Bryon. I really want to get to know you," Zephyria smiled and held out a hand. "What do you say?"
Brenna was sitting with Jesse in his cell, not wanting to let go of him, when Gerald reentered. "It is time for his trial," he announced.
Gerald led them from the cell to a hallway he turned to Brenna and said, "You will have to wait here no women in the courtroom."
"I'm coming in," Brenna said, crossing her arms. "He's my husband! You cannot force me to sit outside!"
"Unless you want to be on trial as well you can't come in," Gerald insisted.
"Stay right here and I will be out before you know it. Then, we will find a place to settle down and have that little one, Bren." Jesse sounded so sure of himself.
"Then put me on trial," brenna whispered, tears sliding down her face. "I'm not leaving him again. You people are monsters, just like the invaders. Look what you did to him!"
"Brenna, I will be fine the trial is a mandatory thing but nothing bad will come of it. They will release me because they now know i am not a spy from the invaders." Jesse pleaded with Brenna to just wait for him to walk out a free man.
"Fine," she said. "But I came here for you, and I'm not leaving without you."
Jesse followed Gerald into a large room full of men. An hour or so later Jesse emerged a free man with Gerald right behind him. "I told you everything would be okay, Bren."
She threw herself at him, sobbing into his shoulder. "I love you," she whispered. "Don't ever leave me again. Ever." She kissed him, ignoring the fact that Gerald was right there.
Zephyria now paced the back yard awaiting the return of her sister. Silently singing a lullaby their mother used to sing to them to the baby. Praying that Jesse and Brenna had made it through trial alright and that Raymond was not in trouble with Henrie.
Brenna and Jesse came back holding hands. Marie came out of the house. "The three of you stay the night," she told them. "You can head back where ever tomorrow."
Brenna bit her lip. "Ma'am, I would like to speak with the leader of this town," she said. "I have information that you could use to help end this war. In return for a favor, of course."
"If you don't mind my asking what's the favor dear?" Marie's voice was now almost a whisper.
"I will help you save this town if you help save my father, and my sister's fiancée. Of course, you will have an extra interest in saving both of them, because they are the key to the war's end." Brenna explained.
"Would you like to go alone or bring your sister or someone with you?" Marie asked as she put on her shoes and pulled the laces tight.
"My sister and Jesse will come with me, of course," Brenna said firmly. Zephyria looked at her in surprise.
"Why don't you three load up on the buggy and I will have Bryon get the horses and I will drive you to the office." Marie was now being helpful instead of demanding.
They did as asked, and before long, they had reached the office. Marie knocked on the door, and a man opened it. "Ma'am," he said, in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"She brought me here," Brenna said. "I have some information for you."
"What you got for me little miss?" The man asked sounding excited like a little kid when they get a gift.
"One, don't call me little miss," Brenna said sharply. "And second, it isn't polite to leave two pregnant women standing on your doorstep."
"Oh, I am sorry. Come in, make yourself at home." He said as Jesse gave Brenna a weird look. Since when was their two pregnant women? Did he miss something while he was stuck in jail?
Brenna sat down in a chair. "Now, Monsiour, I understand that you are the leader of this village, correct?"
"Yes Mademoiselle, I am the leader of this village. May I ask what important information you have for me?" He looked inquisitively at her.
"Later this afternoon, a troop of invaders will arrive, with the goal of making this town their new capital city," she said. "With them will be their leader, a man named Henrie. Among their captives are the crowned prince, and the great Lord Ruben."
"Are you suggesting we take down this Henrie guy, and we capture the crowned prince and the great Lord Ruben?" The man looked dismayed by what he was hearing.
"That is only partly what I am suggesting. Take down Henrie. And let Lord Ruben visit with your healer. That is all I ask." Brenna stated firmly.
"What do you suggest I do with the Prince?" He looked at Brenna with a piercing gaze.