Chapter 28

M'lar with a great deal of angst moved from her temple back to the Hoch and stood outside noting that Mars' horse was tethered in the back, she figured he was in his office and she was not ready to face him. Glancing to Kait she sighed, "I think I will stroll in the park for a while, Kait. I see Baloq had plenty of help for the afternoon crowd so I think I am going to take a little time for me."

Kait frowned noting her sister's trepidation about entering the Hoch. "Are you not going in because of Marstoq being in his office?"

M'lar shrugged, "Maybe or maybe I just don't feel like justifying myself or telling him I have no idea what happened to me. It has me unsettled Kait and I just am not ready for it."

Kait nodded, "Of course, but M'lar you won't be able to avoid him for ever you know he will eventually ride you down and corner you and if you are going to have a big fight over everything then I think it is for the best that for now you just avoid him, you don't need this and besides he can be very scary when he gets that look on his face.

She shudder slightly then continued, "You know the look where his eye brows, which are very bushy and he should consider trimming them, he would be so much more handsome if he trimmed those eyebrows, well anyway you know when they go into an exclamation point and they make that fierce warrior looking face when he frowns it is very distracting and very frightening and he does intimidate me when he does it and well you just don't need it!"

M'lar was glad she made it through that dissertation without passing out from not breathing and then remembered she had done this most her life and had learned to control her breathing. "Yes, I know. You can go in, I see Orion's horse is in the back with Mars so you can go on in and see him. I am just going to stroll in the park a bit and think on the hill and pray. So, if Mars gets pushy you can tell him I am praying."

Kait frowned, "I don't think I want to go in, he will make that bushy brow face and I don't want to see it, he looks so much more handsome when he smiles and does not do that bushy brow thing, you know I bet he would look good with his ear pierced. You know you should consider letting me pierce your ears and getting you some nice diamond earrings to put in them, they would make your ears look so much more refined."

M'lar glared, "I do not do body mutilation Kait, go ply your trade on someone else, but not me."

Kait frowned, "Well fine."

M'lar stopped and looked at her sister as she waited for the tomes of arguments to follow the 'well fine' and it never came instead she had clamed up and was walking sedately by her side.

"Is that all you are going to say?" M'lar asked softly on their way at to the park. "Well would you want me to say more? I thought you said I talked way too much and so I was just trying for once to be nice and accommodate you with my well fine."

M'lar rolled her eyes, "Yes, well fine and thank you."

Kait snitted softly, "I can not seem to please you no matter how I approach this, you want me to not say too much then you want me to say more and then you don't know what you want me to say."

M'lar turned and put her index finger on her lips. "Well fine was just perfect, I just expected you to Kaitize it. Saying more than needed to be said."

Kait folded her arms defensively over her breasts and frowned, " I just wished you would be more flexible to new things."

M'lar laughed, and then turned to walk backwards so she could talk to her and look her in the eye. "I am very flexible you have not seen me fight."

Kait looked up her eyes dancing with mirth watching her step backwards rather gracefully, she knew if she had tried to do that, she would more than likely fall on her arse and bruise her pride. "You do walk backwards very nicely. You seem to balance very well without seeing or knowing who is behind you and sometimes when you do that I think you have eyes in the back of your head the way you just seem to keep to a straight line."

M'lar spoke softly, "You know I think I do recall there being an argument between Kane and Gabby this morning. And I saw him, there."

Kait's eyes widen. "Him as in the haunted him or another him that we both have decided should be persona non gratis him?"

M'lar sighed, "The persona non gratis him that is why I went to pray on the hill. He seemed to have come with Gabrielle and was there with Kane and Gabby. I found it odd that he would be with Gabby."

Kait nodded then shook her head. "No that cannot be right, she would not be with him. She knows that it might upset Kane. Now tell me, you were not alone with him were you?"

M'lar shook her head no, "I told you I went to the hill to pray when he approached Gabby and Kane. Kane did an odd thing, he was speaking with his sword."

Kait looked surprised, "He did?"

M'lar nodded and turning back around to walk with her instead of backwards in front of her. "Yes, he told Gabby his sword was upset and did she know why?" They moved into the park and noticed that it was very busy with activity. With slow even steps they moved up to the lake and discovered That Lady Gabby with Sylver McDragon along the pathway was Yielder's father Gregor taking in the mid afternoon air.

M'lar noted Gabby seemed to be growing over whelmed with the number of people present and she was in the process of giving a report to one of the town's guardsmen. That was when she saw him approach Gabby. Gently placing his hand on her elbow to calm her down.

M'lar stiffened and frowned deeply watching Darrin move in place next to Gabby and speak softly to her and then looked past her and to Kait. The glance M'lar gave Darrin was a dark one filled with rage and anger as she suddenly remembered how she was injured that morning and what he tried to do to her.

Jerking on Kait's arm she hissed softly in her ear, "NOT alone with that man you hear me! Not alone."

Kait frowned and looked at her sister, "You are hurting my arm M'lar let me go."

M'lar looked down apologetically "I am sorry sister, if you want me, I will be on the hill but do not ever be alone with him."

She nodded and looked concerned as M'lar glared darkly at Darrin.

From the pathway Morgan Manshak walked with a sense of purpose, which became more with a sense of a direction he headed for M'lar and Kait. His words were soft and filled with a silken touch. He was if nothing refined and smooth as most southern gentleman's tones should be. Morgan had taken it a step further making it cordial.

He smiled his charming snake smile approaching them both. "Good afternoon ladies, I see you are much recovered my dear."

He looked directly at M'lar and had to admit he had done a nice job regenerating her and giving her back some of her youth.

Kait smiled politely sweet and said, "Good evening to you sir, I must say that for your office today, that was the first time we have seen you in a while." Kait studied her sister and then Morgan and began to hum softly under her breath.

M'lar watched the approach of Gabrielle with Darrin. He paused with Gabby and spoke softly, "Lady Kaitlin would you care to stroll with Lady Gabriele and myself?"

Kait looked to Darrin and nodded to Morgan and M'lar, "I don't think I should walk very far perhaps around the lake with you and Lady Gabby?"

Darrin frowned glancing for a moment darkly to M'lar and then said politely, "As you wish my lady I believe that was the original plan."

Darrin using his polite manners and smooth demeanor angered her more as he stood quietly and waited for the affirmation from Gabby that the walk around the lake was all they intended.

M'lar glared at him her anger so intense she was finding it hard not to tremble with the withheld emotions. Taking a defensive step back, M'lar let out a slow easy breath to try calm herself.

Dropping her gaze she stepped back from Darrin and Morgan, only to be stayed, "My dear you will join me for a stroll to the hill? Won't you council woman?"

M'lar fixed her gaze on Morgan and her conflict of going with him and loosing sight of Kait was beginning to show, she opted to nod politely and speak softly, "Yes, of course Dr. Manshak."

Then to compound her problem the sound off hoof beats with the rider wearing heavy armor entered the park with a contingent of Marstoq and his guardsmen. He rode directly to M'lar and Manshak and reined in his horse. "Good after noon Doctor good to see you back and about."

Morgan nodded to Marstoq, "Yes, good afternoon to you too Captain. Now if you will excuse us."

M'lar took the opportunity to watch Kait with Gabby and Darrin her gaze filled with anger and her body actually beginning to tremble from her control over her rage that was just below the surface. Turning she moved towards Morgan and looked to the hill. "Excellent choice M'lar, me over that commoner show a refined taste in partners."

Morgan paused and turned to M'lar, "Forgive me my dear one moment if you please." M'lar rolled her eyes and nodded, she did after all owe him a great deal so she stood patently waiting for him to take care of whatever business he needed.

She watched as he delayed Kait's walk with Gabby and Darrin and she crossed her arms over her breasts and waited. "Lady Kaitlin a moment if you please." Again there it was that charm that was coming into play to benefit his appearance to those present.

Kaitlin laid her fingertips on Darrin's arm while he escorted her toward Gabby. Pausing she turned and smiled, "Yes Doctor Manshak?"

M'lar watched dispassionately as she waited for Morgan's return and wondered why she was waiting on him. She wanted nothing more than to go to the hilltop and pray. Morgan bowed to Kaitlin and said in his most charming and practiced southern voice. "I would like a moment of your time later this evening if you please."

M'lar was fixed watching Kait with Darrin and Morgan and could not help but make a comparison between the two. As she watched Kait's hand on Darrin's' arm she could not help but shiver from the cold anger that burned in her. "Yes of course, I am just going on a short stroll with Lady Gabby and Darrin but will be happy to meet with you."

Morgan bowed to her again and smiled, "Then I shall find you later?"

Kait smiled graciously and ever the true aristocrat nodded, "I will see you soon then." Nodding politely to Morgan she turned back to Gabby and Darrin and spoke softly, "Shall we?"

But not before she turned her gaze back to the now stoic looking M'lar and bit her lip. She could see the rage that her sister held for this man and she could only guess at her thoughts. Moving along with Darrin she spoke of trivial things until Morgan arrived back at her side.

M'lar lowered her gaze her body was stiff and her anger barely contained. Kait bit her lip moving along the pathway of the lake and saw M'lar with Morgan, her own trepidation now filling her over this meeting between two adversaries. She could not help but notice that Morgan was enjoying this situation immensely. He had M'lar exactly where he wanted her.

She watched Morgan lift Kait's hand to kiss. He never let his gaze go very far from the man at her side. "I was going to stroll with Lady M'lar and will seek you out later."

Kait had nodded politely smiled, "I look forward to meeting with you again Doctor. Now you will excuse us, I am going to stroll around the lake with Lady Gabby and Mr. Summerset. Oh I beg your pardon, Darrin Summerset this is Doctor Morgan Manshak, he is the head of our council and the doctor on this island."

Morgan was way too polite and Darrin's hand in a genteelly executed soft handshake. He spoke with even polite tones that could be understood to have strong under tones. "I am sure I can trust you to protect and keep safe Lady Kaitlin she is the island's treasure and should be guarded well."

Darrin understood the doctor's words and nodded, "I shall treasure her and keep her safe. She is a delight and I fear we are keeping Lady Gabby from her walk."

Morgan bowed and turned searching for where he had left his date and smiled. He carefully studied her standing and waiting for him and rather enjoyed she took requests well.

She knew he was watching her gaging her reaction to the retreating forms of Kaitlin and the mysterious man known as Darrin Summerset and his interest was piqued. This time, M'lar did not care if Morgan saw her anger or how she was feeling she stood stiffly and watched Kait and Darrin disappear around the corner of the lake's bend.

Then she realized that Sturm Stormgard had moved to her side and smiled bowing slightly, "Malady M'lar, how are you this day, I heard you had an unfortunate incident earlier and that the good doctor has healed you?"

M'lar turned her frosty gaze away from the last spot she saw Kait and Darrin disappear and offered a tight smile to Sturm, "I am well and fine good fellow Sturm."

She had accented fine and smiled the best she could with all the rage she had in her. Her voice must have quivered with her contained anger because Sturm who had grown an interest in M'lar as a potential suitor now asked with some concern, "'Is there a problem?"

M'lar looked from Morgan to Sturm and smiled, "No not with you my dear Sturm. You are the epitome of refined culture and a true gentleman. Very much like Doctor Manshak you know how to treat a lady."

Morgan was surprised but pleased she recognized him as a gentleman and knowing how to take care of a lady. Stepping next to her he smiled bowed from the waist. "Now, shall we?"

He graciously offered his arm, taking her hand possessively. Tucking her hand into the crook of his arm prepared to move with her at his side. Turning to Sturm he smiled, "You will excuse us, I have some important business to discuss with the Lady M'lar." He noted there were many eyes on them for their stroll in the park. He rather enjoyed the fact she looked good on his arm. He like the fact more that there were many who resented she was on his arm.

"I see you are distressed my dear what troubles you this beautiful evening? Surely it is not I? I am trying very hard to close the gap between us and want to make amends. Is there anything I can do to alleviate your tension and anger?"

M'lar turned to Morgan and sighed and shook her head. "No thank you. I will be fine if some vermin were exterminated. I would not expect you to be an exterminator Morgan. Nor would I sincerely wish to see anyone put to death." M'lar's tones were strained when she spoke making her voice quiver.

Once again a distracting was being placed between M'lar and Morgan. One of the villagers moved to Morgan's side and had whispered softly in his ear. M'lar having excellent hearing heard the villager speak. "Milord Manshak there is a problem on the docks and we need some of your advice and direction."

Morgan knew she could hear turned bowed with an apology to M'lar "I shall return shortly my dear and you will take that walk with me?" M'lar nodded allowed him to move away from her waiting again for Morgan to return to her side.

Marstoq realizing his mother was controlling her anger he tried to distract as best he could. "Lt Sturm a moment if you please."

Sturm frowning slightly nodded and stepped away, "Excuse me. It appears you son requires my attention."

M'lar nodded and watched him go address his duties to Marstoq. She stood and waited patiently for Morgan to return so they might continue the stroll he had requested. Glancing around she saw Marstoq was coming her way. "Mother? Did I just see Morgan with Kait?"

M'lar nodded. "Yes."

Marstoq frowned and turned with a barely concealed scowl. "Do not tell me he had an interest in Kait now?"

M'lar rolled her eyes. "Not likely she is much to refined for him or his tastes."

Marstoq frowned, "And Katon was not refined?"

M'lar looked past Marstoq to the place she last saw Kait and Darrin then back to Marstoq, "Did you say something son?" she was distracted and he saw it in her manner.

"I said what about Katon? She was a goddess."

M'lar sighed deeply and looked down "And is Katon with him now? No." Then she noted that Morgan was walking gracefully back towards her location and she sighed, "Besides it is not Dr. Manshak her concern son, there are far worse things in this world than the good doctor."

M'lar's tone had fallen flat and she looked away. Then realized that Magnus had come up to her and Marstoq. "Hello sister how fare you today?"

M'lar sighed deeply and nodded to Magnus, "I am well brother and how fare you?" Magnus noted that she was filled anger in her tone and in her gaze. He felt it was affecting those around her and their concern was evident in their need to reassure themselves of her well-being.

M'lar was so focused on the area she last saw Kait and Darrin that she was barely aware of Morgan's arrival or the concern of her son as he watched her and saw her anger. Morgan smiled and turned to the others that had gathered around his date.

"If you all will excuse us, we have a lot to discuss. My lady?" He offered his hand to her. She hesitated long enough that Morgan was feeling irritated but showed nothing of his irritation outwardly. "Now my lady, come." He smiled his pleased self-centered smile and took her hand that she had reluctantly laid in his gloved hand.

He closed his hand around her hand he pulled her hand to the crook of his arm and tucked it to his hold. "You have nothing to fear from me my dear I assure you."

M'lar sighed and glanced back to the area she last saw Kait disappear with Darrin and frowned, "I do not fear you. . ." she left a lot unsaid and knew he was digesting what was left unsaid. With gentle care he moved them off towards the top of the hill. She noted he had arched a brow when she left her sentence unfinished.

Marstoq watched M'lar move with Morgan away from him and he was now perplexed at the cozy attitude that Morgan was showing his mother. Turning Marstoq looked over and saw Bart Blackheart leaning against a tree with a look of concern seeing M'lar with Morgan.

Marstoq's own thoughts were that if Morgan were with his mother it did not bode well. He could not help but hear his mother's comment when she walked away from him with Morgan. "I suppose it is the lesser of two evils."

Marstoq noted Bart leaning against the tree as puzzled as he was and motioned to him to come over. Bart pushed from the tree and moved to Marstoq, "Hello my old friend, so tell me what has gotten into your mother?"

Marstoq rubbed his head and frowned, "Are you feeling the way I am?"

Bart nodded, "Aye I am."

Marstoq sighed deeply and looked over to where his mother who did look more beautiful than he ever recalled was walking slowly along with Morgan. "I don't know what is going on but her being with Manshak cannot be good."

Bart sighed, "Is there nothing you can say to her?" Marstoq shook his head.

"Nothing she knows what is he like. I can try to warn her off but other than that, there is nothing else I can do."

Bart watched them walk off towards the hilltop and frowned, "I wish I knew what was going on. The least I can do is go say hello." Marstoq nodded slowly and sighed watching Bart trail off behind the two that strolled away.

Morgan smiled and said softly, "Am I"?" Catching M'lar off guard.

"What?

She looked distracted turning to look back to the spot she last saw Kait and Darrin.

"Am I really the lesser of two evils?"

M'lar flushed and sighed, then looked down, "I am sure I do not know what you are speaking of Dr. Manshak."

She looked down as she answered him but inside of her there was that anger that rage that boiled to her core. Putting on the most charming of smiles and patting her hand gently he spoke softly, the first time since they began this stroll that he called her by her name.

"My dear M'lar you are practically boiling over with anger."

M'lar looked down and away "I am sure you are mistaken."

Her words were clipped and constrained with her anger. "Do not forget my dear I am a doctor and have been trained in body language, and yours is telling me that you are fit to be tied and full of rage and anger."

She stepped away from him breaking her hold on his arm and walked towards the hill. 'I am sure you are mistaken, I can assure you, you have nothing to do with my mood." She forced a tight smile glancing up fixing Morgan with her gaze she tired to contain her emotions better.

Morgan laughed lightly and affected a wave of his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Oooh not I, that rogue that left with Gabriele and Kaitlin."

M'lar shook her head and looked down, "I am sure you are mistaken." Her words were soft and filled with emotion she lifted her gaze to see the approach of Sturm and Bart. She nodded to Sturm and turned to the smiling and curious Bart. With his approach he nodded to Morgan.

She could not help but wonder if her shame would be revealed if she did not get her emotions under control? She had to fight for control but her gaze kept drifting back to where she last saw Kaitlin with Darrin. Her stomach had grown in a huge knot.

Morgan sighed dramatically and looked to the spot she kept looking to. "See you give yourself away yet again my dear."

M'lar frowned, "You are wrong."

Morgan affecting the charming gentleman capitulated with a slight affectation of his manner, "If you insist."

M'lar frowned and looked down locking her hands together and spoke just as softly as she had before, "I do. Now you wished to discuss something?"

She turned to the approach of Bart who nodded politely to Morgan and then turned and took M'lar's hand and kissed it then looked into her eyes to see if he could communicate his concern to her. "Hello Doctor, M'lar how fare you both this day?"

M'lar gently disengaged her hand from his and lowered her eyes. "I am well Bart, thank you for asking."

Feeling cloistered by the approach of yet another concerned individual she felt like she was about to jump out of her skin when Magnus also moved forward. Morgan turned and with an edge to his voice and a dangerous glint in his eye like a predatory male he spoke with a precise tone, "You are a good man Bart."