Chapter 29

Bart heard the unsaid threat and the mocking tone in his voice but chose to ignore it especially when looked at the lowered gaze of his dear friend and knew something was wrong. Taking the challenge, Bart smiled his own tight edged smile and said, "Thank you, but what brought on that comment?"

Morgan chuckled, "Keeping an eye on M'lar for Marstoq Gods know I may bite her."

The comment was said in a teasing banter but taken as the intended threat he had delivered. Bart knowing his friend laughed and looked back at Morgan and then to M'lar, "I am not so sure who might bite whom Dr. Manshak she had been known to be pretty terse when pushed."

Morgan laughed, "Really, the many mysteries of the Lady M'lar do come to light at the most opportune times. Well I can assure you I have no need for your protection."

They both noticed that she was meandering away from the now growing crowd of would be protectors slowly making her way to the top of the hill. M'lar walked away from them both Her thoughts fraught with what might be happening to Kait while she is with Darrin.

Just the thought of what he would do to her made her stop and shudder. Bart was confused by her detached and cold attitude and spoke softly, "Be well M'lar."

M'lar stopped and turned back to face Bart and forced a smile, "Thank you Bart."

He smiled seeing she was really distressed and spoke gently in return, "Nothing to thank me for my friend."

M'lar was feeling the tension of her anger and the unwanted champions needs to protect her beginning to wear on her and as Magnus asked, "Sister will you tell me what is on your mind?"

She knew what was on her mind and she could not talk about it, all she could do was feel the blinding throb of her head finally letting the tension win and her anxiety over the missing Kait mounted. "Tis really nothing Brother I am suffering from a head ache and was trying to discuss business with Morgan."

She watched Bart retreat back a few steps from her and Morgan. She sighed deeply knowing he was confused and feeling hurt because she had rebuffed him. Magnus edged closer to her and spoke softly, "You are also filled with anger and rage, sister what makes you so upset?"

Bart turned to Morgan; "I know you will treat her well, who would want Marstoq or his men after them?" He laughed but the threat was there nonetheless.

Morgan chuckled and shook his head, "You will excuse us won't you Bart, we have much to discuss." Morgan turned to make his way to the now forestalled M'lar.

"I suppose it has been a intense day for me so far Magnus and the day is catching up with me."

At Morgan's approach he turned to face Magnus and smiled coldly at him, "You will excuse us now won't you?"

Magnus not ready to give up on his suspicions turned to peer at M'lar and ask softly, "Only if M'lar wishes it?"

M'lar feeling it better to get this over with so she can go search for Kait, turned with anxiety and now real pain to Magnus and said softly, "It is all right Magnus, the good doctor and I have business to discuss, I assure you I will be fine, and thank you for your concern. "

She turned her attention back to Morgan only to hear from a distance as Bart left his last remark float back to her, "M'lar I hope to see you soon, we have not talked in awhile."

She sighed and smiled and nodded, "Yes Bart, soon."

Morgan could not help but notice that she offered Bart a smile that truly soften her features and made her very beautiful and very desirable. Frowning slightly he used his training to draw on his patience waiting for Magnus to take his leave.

Feeling he was defeated at this time he also spoke before he moved away from her, "As you wish sister, but perhaps later we could have a drink and talk?"

M'lar nodded and seemed now lack luster and drained speaking softly, "Yes, later a drink."

She turned back to Morgan and waited for his hand. Once again, Morgan offered his hand to her and she gave her hand over to be tucked gently into the crook of his arm. Morgan took a deep breath and thought it was not often a warlock looses patience but at this time, this particular one was about to, yet it showed not in his control over mind and body.

Assuming another smile he lifted her chin to face him and smiled. He assumed that very charming manner as he spoke softly and leaned forward to graze her lips with his lips he spoke softly, "Now all the would be guardians are gone I can ask you what I wanted to ask you."

M'lar drew back startled and flushed, "Then ask." M'lar was unaware that Feleena had entered the park and was now standing next to Marstoq.

She studied Morgan with M'lar and frowned. "What is that about?"

Marstoq spoke softly for his wife's ears only, "It appears that he wishes a discussion with M'lar."

Feleena frowned, "And does she refuse?"

Marstoq shook his head and continued to watch the intimate exchange between the two on the hill. "No but those who care are concerned."

Morgan held her hand in his and studied her demeanor, "You know you are very lovely when you are angry, the color of your eyes change to a deep green and you seem to be building with so much passion, perhaps that is what you need to contain is that anger and passion."

M'lar flushed at such a compliment and sighed, "Thank you but it is my genetic make up that affords me this passion Morgan. Oh and thank you for your assistance this morning, I am truly grateful for your help. Do I owe you anything?"

Morgan considered flaunting his position in front of all the would be protectors by demanding a kiss but decorum of such a public display was not on his agenda this day. Instead he smiled and shook his head.

"Not at this time perhaps I will think of something later."

M'lar sighed, "What was it you wished to know Morgan?'

She turned to look up into his deep blue eyes that were fathomless and unable to read or see into his soul. "My sources tell me that you and Lady Kaitlin recently went on a pirate raid is this accurate?"

M'lar stiffened her spin and nodded, "Yes, that is correct. Why?"

Feleena sighed deeply and looked to Marstoq, "Well perhaps I should go and pay my respects to the doctor?"

Moving forward with some degree of confidence, Feleena moved up to M'lar and Morgan nodding to them both she approached and took up a stance near her mother in law and the doctor. M'lar shifted she sighed with relief seeing Kait back and it appeared unmolested and actually smiled.

Then her gaze darted around to make sure that Darren was nowhere to be seen. M'lar visibly relaxed seeing there was no Darrin in sight and then turned her gaze back to Feleena and Morgan. Morgan chose to ignore Feleena and smiled, "I did not know you were the adventuring type M'lar."

M'lar responded with a tight smile, "Then you do not know me at all now do you?"

Morgan smiled oozing his charm as he lifted her hand to his lips and spoke against her knuckles. "A matter I wish to rectify my dear."

Feleena looked from one to the other and frowned slightly then spoke softly, "Hello Mother and Morgan how are you both this afternoon?"

M'lar stiffened hearing this comment but recovered and spoke softly, " I am well daughter, how are you doing?"

With yet another interruption Morgan frowned deeply and turned to Feleena and spoke coldly, "May I help you?"

Feleena smiled and shook her head. "No, I am not ill at this time, I merely wished to say hello to mother and I did. I also wished to say hello to you and ask how you are this afternoon?"

Morgan allowed only the slightest frowns and then spoke clipped tones with his irritation now nearing the surface he took a breath and nodded slightly then spoke, "I am well and trying to have a conversation with the council woman."

Fel turned to M'lar and noted she did not look well or comfortable in the company of Morgan and asked, 'Mother is something bothering you? If you wish we can leave here and go somewhere to discuss it?"

M'lar looked away from Fel and shook her head. "No dear thank you for your concern but I have a horrible headache."

Morgan on the other hand was ruthlessly crushing down his own feelings as yet with another distraction in the form of Feleena. He knew she was running interference and was beginning to formulate his own plans for Marstoq's mate.

Feleena like the tenacious bulldog was sensing that things were not right and attributed M'lar's demeanor and her cold manner to being with Morgan, "Perhaps you should seek a potion?"

M'lar smiled, "Thank you daughter I shall cure it when I am alone. I do appreciate your concern." Feleena noted her manner was politely cool and she appeared to be controlling her anger as she stood in a defensive pose.

"I am only concerned for your well-being" M'lar sighed and looked over at Morgan and thought he looked like a spider haunting its web. He was showing infinite patience. He appeared to be exerting a lot of control with all the would be protectors. They all wanted to come to rescue her from the evil Doctor Manshak.

"Please know your concern is appreciated and noted dear."

Feleena noted how M'lar had turned away from her closing her eyes and then turned her attention back to Morgan, "You know you never told me how you were doing this fine afternoon doctor are you well?"

Morgan knew that Feleena was trying to thwart his efforts to keep M'lar alone by producing a subtle threat in the form of false cordiality and put on a pretense of being bothered by her show. Instead he just nodded and spoke softly, "Yes, I am."

M'lar could no longer contain her headache as she turned to Morgan and Feleena, "Would you both excuse me a moment, I would like to pay tribute and cure my headache."

Morgan smiled taking her hand and kissing it again, "Of course pay your tribute to Oghma now." Patting her hand in a conciliatory manner belied his frustration. He had planned to have a longer conversation. Perhaps his next attempt would not be in so public a venue. M'lar paused surprised, "I thought you wished to discuss something with me?" He smiled and spoke softly, "Do go and cure your headache and if you need my help you know where to find me."

M'lar disengaged her hand from his hold and nodded, "Yes, thank you for your kind offer. Now excuse me." M'lar turned leaving the two at the foot of the hill making her way to the top of the hill and paused to pay her tribute to her god.

M'lar stood on the top of the hill and watched the ocean and the activity below on the docks. Closing her eyes she began to chant softly, "Oh father of wisdom and knowledge grant thy unworthy servant thy most benevolent powers and help me ~cure disease on self~"

Waiting she felt the wash of the warmth of her god's love over her body and found her headache was now gone and she was more level headed and at ease. Reaching out to the cosmos she called out silently, "Lord of Wisdom great father of knowledge hear my plea, help me deal with this incredible anger, give me strength to fight my own shame and give me your strength to find a way to cope with all that is before me."

Then she felt it once again that warm rush of healing air and the gentle voice of her god filled her with his love, his voice spoke gently to her and as she communed with her god, she to the appearances of others appeared to glow with a radiance that was divine.

Morgan quirked a brow and then turned to Feleena, "You will excuse me for now?"

Feleena was not about to allow him close to M'lar as long as she was there, so she spoke quickly, "I was curious as to how you are since the passing of Katon?"

Morgan wanted to mind blast her knowing full well what she was doing and ruthlessly once again crushed his feelings to keep from reacting. Affecting the look of grief he forced his lips to curve down to appear he was controlling his grief, "Yes, Katon will be missed, she was a lovely girl."

Feleena noted that M'lar seemed to be caught up in commune with her god and knew she would be a while so she nodded to Morgan. "Yes, she was and we all miss her horribly."

Morgan turned once again away from Feleena to control his emotions to not react to her being so obtuse and keeping him from his objective. "You again will excuse me my dear. I am going to see how M'lar is faring with her prayer."

He bowed and Feleena reached out to stop his advance up the hill. Morgan reacted quicker than the eye could see as he broke the hold and turned and pinned her to the ground. "I would appreciate you not touching me in that manner again Feleena, if you wish to keep; your arm."

Marstoq seeing his wife attacked by Morgan moved forward. "Dr. Manshak? Fel?" He looked from one to the other.

"I beg your pardon Captain but I fear your wife found the one thing I do not tolerate and that is a hand upon my body without my permission. Just as you both I am sure would not appreciate the same in kind?"

Feleena arched her back and jumped to a standing position. "I understand perfectly Dr. Manshak, I beg your pardon no harm was intended." She quickly apologized but having felt his strength she was a bit unnerved leaning to Marstoq, "I suggest husband you take me home please."

Marstoq looked with a great deal of concern to his wife and then to his mother's figure on the hilltop. "Of course my love, come." He led her away from M'lar and Morgan. M'lar finished her tribute she stood with her head bowed and reposed in thoughtful contemplation she relished in the touch of her god and his words of encouragement.

Lifting her head she turned and even seeing Morgan standing awaiting her did not bother her and she actually was able to give him a pleasant smile, "I am done now Morgan would you care to continue this conversation back the Hoch?"

Morgan smiled and thought a moment. "Actually my dear, why not allow me to choose our place to continue our conversation without being interrupted."

Extending his hand to her he smiled watching as she minutely hesitated to take his hand. As he closed his hand over her small slender hand he pulled her close to him then ~teleported~ them from the park.

With the disappearance of M'lar with Morgan, Magnus and Kait stood both upset at seeing them disappear. Bart who had stood back observing them was now more concerned than before.

He moved forward to stand next to Kait. "What is going on with M'lar and Morgan? Kait you're her sister what do you know?"

Magnus frowned deeply and looked down, "I think M'lar is fighting another demon right now Bart, she has and I believed been foully abused by someone and is ashamed and may think it was her fault."

Kait chew her lip and sighed. "I don't know what is going on, all I know is I found a blood stained dress under her bed crumpled up, and it had holes in it like arrow holes. She also has been avoiding the subject and will not talk about it to me or anyone that I know."

Bart's face darkened. "Are you two telling me you suspect she was sexually assaulted?"

Kait flushed deeply and sighed," I suspect she was injured and today when she went for a run in the park and then after she finished her tribute to her god she was brutalized and cut up pretty badly. Whoever did it, cut her face and her breasts and legs. It was horrible when I arrived at Morgan's office; she had been stripped and left naked to collapse in the park. Marstoq found her unconscious and bleeding in the park."

Bart growled and looked to Magnus, "I think someone needs to be skinned alive, or beheaded and his head put on a pike."

Magnus agreed as he too allowed his features to darken with a scowl. "He needs to die, who ever it was that did this to her. She did not deserve that. She looked different tonight do you know why Kait?"

Kait shrugged, "I believe it was what Morgan did in his office earlier this day. He healed her deep cut and I think he regenerated her to a younger look."

Bart sighed, "Well he did not hurt her for that I am grateful."

Magnus nodded, "She actually looked in fine health but for that incredible anger she has been holding in."

Kait frowned, "Well I suppose part of that anger is because of me, she and I did not agree on my company I was keeping and she got upset with me. I did not want to explain myself to her or to whomever I choose to walk with and well she got really upset with me being with a certain individual and then I felt I needed to walk with them and while I was gone she and Morgan were together and I can tell you I did not enjoy myself with my walk worrying over her being with Morgan, and we all are wondering what Morgan wants, and he wanted to talk to me later as well, and well now he is gone with M'lar and I am more worried than I have ever been."

Bart cocked an eyebrow and looked from Magnus to Kait he could see what M'lar had meant about Kait and her rambling on and wondering how she could say so much without taking a breath.

Magnus however had never heard Kait ramble so much so quickly and looked at her curiously. "And whom might that be?"

Kait looked down and sighed deeply, "Please Bart, I really do not wish to go into this now. Let us just say sometimes M'lar is too over protective of me when she should be worried more for her own safety. I mean after all look at everything that has happened to her and then she refused to talk to Olorian when he saw her come in that night with the bloody dress and acting all secretive and just avoiding everyone and their questions and getting all angry when she was questioned about it."

Bart and Magnus both turned to look at Kait, "Olorian saw her the night she came in injured and asked her about the dress?"

Kait nodded, "Oh yes, he was quiet sure she had been sexually assaulted and she shut him down and even locked him out of her room as he followed her there and then got upset with me when I asked her about the dress and she is never upset over somethings but sometimes she does get upset over other things but then that is M'lar she is part woman part child, then there was the thing with Gillian and her talking about seeing her father the other evening and M'lar got all upset thinking she was talking about Tarin instead it was Olorian who Gillian calls her Daddy O now and well now she has all that anger and then this morning being attacked like she was."

Magnus nodded, "Aye she seems to be a target for hate crimes lately."

Bart growled, "It annoys me that I have not been around her more, to help keep an eye on her."

Magnus hung his head as well, "Neither have I. I have been keeping to the woods and watching over it to keep the balance of nature in check. I suppose I should look at my own family to make sure they are in balance instead of hiding in the woods."

Kait sighed deeply and shook her head. "I suppose we all have been caught up in our own problems. But then again, why should we not have time to worry over our own problems? I mean after all they are our problems and we have them so we should be able to be distracted with them?"

She crossed her arms and looked over to the spot that Morgan and M'lar had occupied earlier and she frowned. "He has been showing a lot of interest in her lately, something with that Temple he gave her and a bunch of books and the large bids on her dresses for the fashion show, it is almost as if he is trying to manipulate her time so she won't have time for us and only for him. Surely, he is not ready to move on after Katon's death?"

Bart frowned deeply, he had a true affection for M'lar and did not wish to see her caught up in a web that was being weaved by Morgan Manshak, and those in the house knew he was a nefarious pirate and killer.

He did not deserve anyone as nice and sweet as M'lar and this was what drove him now to move away from Magnus and Kait. "I have something to do. I will see you two later."

Magnus watched Bart move off into the shadows and disappear from sight. Turning to Kait he sighed and sat on the bench near the lake. "I worry for her Kaitlin, she does not deserve the hate that had been delivered on her as such."

Magnus expressing concern much as a brother would spoke softly," She did not ask to be made as half elf and half scro, someone out there wanted to dabble with genetics and cause a God war is what I suspect."

Kait had to think about this and nodded and before she could respond, Magnus stood, "Will you excuse me Lady Kaitlin I need to check on something. I shall see you later at the Hoch?"

Kait stood and looked around in the park, with the departure of M'lar and Morgan it pretty well left her alone and feeling uneasy with what happened to M'lar earlier she nodded, "of course." Before she could say anything else, Magnus was gone from sight and Kait was taking her satin reticule and dashing along the pathway heading to the City proper and away from the park her destination set for the Hoch.

Morgan teleported them directly to his estate and appearing in his drawing room he stepped away from M'lar and nodded to the settee in front of the fireplace. "Please make yourself comfortable my dear. I will have Mrs. Johnson bring us something to drink or would you prefer something stronger?"

M'lar shook her head. "I would appreciate some tea if it is no bother." She glanced around the room she remembered her first day she arrived on the island. It had not changed much in furnishings or comforts.

Moving to sit on the edge of the settee she folded her hands in her lap and looked about nervously.

"Relax my dear, I meant it, I won't bite you." He smiled at his own little joke and sighed deeply studying her profile and finding it very pleasant to look upon. Moving to the fireplace he tugged on the bell pull and watched the door.

He did not have long to wait. Mrs. Johnson entered the room and bobbed a curtsy to him. "Yes, M'lord?"

Morgan smiled, "Please bring the Lady M'lar some tea and oh by all means those lovely little meat sandwiches you make."

Mrs. Johnson bobbed another curtsy and turned leaving them alone. Morgan moved to sit across from her on the fireside wingback chair and studied her. "I find that we have not had enough time to get to know each other my dear. I find you like to adventure and go on a pirate raid and I heard you and Lady Kaitlin were very adept and had your own plan. That none on your crew were lost and your energies and your powers were used admirably."

M'lar tucked her chin and smiled, "You are being kind, thank you for your vote of confidence."

Morgan waved his hand and then draped his leg over her knee and continued to watch her like that spider that haunting his web, his eyes narrowing a bit. "I find you a fascinating study of contradiction my dear, you have piqued my curiosity about who you are and what your intentions are."