Disclaimer: I own nothing below except the plot. All characters, locations, and concepts are owned under their respective copyrights.

Spoilers: Angel through Season 5

Timeline: During Angel Season 1

Author's note: As with all of my stories, suggestions about future plot developments are welcome and wanted, Reviews of any kind are neat as well.

To RandomDude: Your reviews are nice reminders, but I would urge you to get an account, I like to interact with my readers, and you are quite enthusiastic and have had some great ideas. Private Messaging is a much easier way to share those than the current limited method.

Recap: Wesley went insane, like in the show, except deeper and more permanent. Illyria see's this and tries to fix him herself. When that proves unsuccessful, she sends him to Pylea. Wesley loses what remains of his sanity trying to deal with two Fred's (the one in the cave with him and the one from his memory.) Memory Fred returns to him for a moment to restore him and offer a final parting gift, that he has a chance to be happy. Wesley and Fred gain an ally and immunity from the overlords of Pylea. Wesley starts to train Fred, and Fred learns about Wesley. She realizes why he willingly came to Pylea.

The Burden

Chapter 7: Have done with childish days.

Life in Pylea and being near Fred was actually going very well, as far as Wesley was concerned. They were friends. She had discovered quite a lot about him and the future he had lived through. He had come to accept his place in this world wholeheartedly. This was making him increasingly nervous.

Wesley, on looking back over his life, had discovered a disturbing trend. Whenever he had accomplished anything worthwhile, or achieved a level of comfort or happiness, disappointment and usually misery followed. It seemed as if the misery was far in excess of anything positive.

His time in Sunnydale was an excellent example of this. An unprecedented assignment, watching over two Slayers at once. Long story short, he watched as one quit the Council, and the other turned evil. Because of his failure, he was sacked and set adrift with no contacts or resources. All of his years of training and knowledge now belonging to someone who had no reason to use any of it.

Once he reached L.A. the trend continued without pause. He teamed up with Angel and Cordelia, only to bring upon all of them the wrath of Faith and the Council trying to capture her and kill Angel, both using him for their own purposes. Faith's torture, and the Council using reinstatement as coercion to try and force him to betray Angel. With Gunn it was the same, he befriended the man, only to then be shot for his trouble. Finally, the disaster involving Connor caught everyone in the 'happiness leads to excessive misery' cycle.

However; Wesley saw his interactions with Fred as the perfect case study of the trend. She had led him to some of the darkest periods of his life. Usually, due to his feelings for her, she unintentionally gave him some manner of joy. The case involving Billy Blim, and the ballet were two examples. But the worst time of his life, she was well aware of his feelings, and returned them. And of course, she was the one to die. Leaving Wesley alone, or almost alone. Illyria was the perfect way to make Wesley suffer all the more.

So with all of that history and Wesley's increasing anxiety on how great things were going in Pylea. When he was awakened by a head resting on his chest and a body curling around and snuggling him, he sought to get away from the situation immediately. "Fred, if it's not too forward, what are you doing?" while starting to move away from her. He feared that changing their current relationship could only lead to disaster.

Fred didn't expect anything different, he had told her he didn't want any kind of close relationship with her. "I just wanted to show you, you've given me so much, and I wanted to give you something in return." She didn't try to keep him from moving away, but nor did she move herself.

This presented a problem for Wesley, as she was hugging him. He couldn't get away. "You have given me something very valuable." Wesley was speaking of the purpose he now had in keeping them both safe. These past weeks had been filled with nothing but that. "But this physical affection isn't necessary."

"Please, Wesley, why can't I stay?" Fred was nothing if not perceptive, and this question was not accidental. Wesley stopped struggling and simply looked at her. This particular question had popped up a few times at the end the of his diaries. Fred was honestly seeking an answer this time.

For Wesley though, the contrast between the two times he heard the question were like night and day. The last time he had heard it, Fred was saying it in desperation, and Wesley could feel the pain she was in. She was trembling and obviously terrified. And she was looking right at him, as if holding his gaze would somehow change what was happening to her.

This time she wasn't looking at him, she seemed content to use his chest as a pillow. Last time, the question was haltingly asked with the last bit of her breath, this time it was in her normal voice and there was definitely time enough for an answer.

The answer was something that Wesley wasn't particularly proud of, but he also knew that there was really no reason that Fred shouldn't know about it. Wesley sighed in defeat "Because, Fred, if we become closer, I fear that something terrible would happen. Every time I tried to change the relationship with you from my time, at least one of us would suffer for it."

"I read about some of that, but couldn't it just be a series of coincidences, from what you just said, I think you see it like destiny or something." Fred was surprised at his reaction, she expected more. But then she looked back, and every time he mentioned the other Fred, there was no anger, only sadness and affection. He was simply resigned to the fact that she was gone, and he had a grim acceptance of her absence.

Wesley had considered that, but he had seen destiny and fate manipulated far too many times to discount his fears "I wish that were so, you've no idea how much, but after what I've seen I don't perceive how I could come to any other conclusion."

"What about you coming here? How does that fit in with your theory. You've helped me, protected me, and still nothing bad has happened." Fred thought she had found a hole in Wesley's argument.

Wesley was thinking along the same lines, it could be that Illyria altering time had removed whatever supernatural cloak of failure and misery Wesley carried with him. "It would seem that you're correct, putting aside my concerns for the moment. What do you want, Fred?"

"I've watched you Wesley, and you've never been happy since you came here. I want to try and change that." Fred moved up so her face was closer to his.

Wesley had to admit, she was right about that. Since he had woken up in her cave, he had given every waking moment to how he would keep Fred in a far better situation than she had endured in the previous timeline. But she was correct, he was satisfied with how his time here had been spent, but he wasn't happy. And now he was beginning to notice her proximity to him "How do you figure you'll make me happy?"

Fred squeezed him tighter and kissed him. She pulled back and said "Well, I thought I'd start slow, this kind of stuff, you know."

Wesley had some very well-reasoned counter-arguments ready, there was more than just fear involved, he still had to contend with his history and memory. And then he remembered his Fred's final farewell, and her desire that he accept and care for this Fred the same way. They were the same person after all, it was that this Fred had yet to see the terrible things the future version had seen. Wesley smiled "I think you'll have to try again, I don't believe you got through to me yet."

Fred was perfectly willing, so she kissed him again. This time it was deeper, and he was drawn into it far more than the first one. He wrapped Fred in his own embrace. It felt right. She felt the same as he remembered. All of the kisses he had with her. The one he had stolen from her during the fiasco involving Billy, the one after Angelus revealed Wesley's feelings for her, the two at Wolfram & Hart when she returned his love.

The only kiss with Fred that couldn't be put in the same category was the one right before her death. She was just trying to hold on by that point. Of course, any difference was overshadowed by his own grief, they both knew what was about to happen. With this memory, Wesley wondered if the Fred from his memory was telling the truth. That she was watching over him.

In the afterlife, Winifred Burkle had indeed told the truth, and she smiled at her living counterpart. Her Wesley could be slow sometimes, the living Fred finally had to get his attention. But that was only after he had shown her how he felt about her on numerous occasions. It seemed some things never did change. When she finally saw what was right in front of her, it took some time to bring Wesley around.

It was no different this time. 'Good job, alive me, please be careful, Wesley can't handle another loss. And you're going to need him.' Fred should have been feeling bitter. It was her life that was stolen at the whim of a crazy and obsessed co-worker. However; Illyria's actions had led directly to this current situation. With that the soul of Winifred Burkle continued to beam, watch, and hope.

Back in Pylea, Fred and Wesley finally broke the kiss. After Wesley had gathered himself he took the time to really look at Fred. Her appearance was her usual when she slept. Heavy clothing for warmth, hair undone for comfort, only this time her face looked as if she had slept much. She had been waiting for him to wake up. In fact, the best comparison that Wesley could make was how Fred had looked when she helped out with those torturous visions sent by Wolfram & Hart. When he finished scrutinizing her he asked "So, what does this all mean?"

"Well, Wesley" and Fred let him move so he could sit with his back to the cave "what it means is that I know how you feel about me. Now, I don't feel the same way yet." Fred moved to sit beside him.

"Not that I have any objections or control over your feelings but what do you mean by 'yet'?" Wesley wasn't surprised, he hadn't wanted any affection from this Fred, and he was in no position to expect the kind of love that brought him here. But her qualifier made him curious.

Fred placed her arm around Wesley's shoulders and smiled "From what I read, eventually my future self returned your love, and it's not hard to see why. Who else but you would come here, Pylea isn't a vacation spot for people like us."

Wesley had to give her that, only he would choose this hell-hole over Earth, and all for Fred. It was even unconditional, he didn't want her to throw herself at him. She was kind of doing that right now, in spite of his protests and efforts to keep her away. "Yes, eventually she did, so you're telling me you 'like' me as it were, but why?"

"Wesley, we're in this together. The happier you are, well, things can't help but get better for the both of us, can't they? Fred squeezed him and pecked him on the cheek.

Regardless of any misgivings he had earlier, Wesley had to agree. One part of the trend he had looked at earlier that he had ignored was the presence of joy and it's effect on his life. He was able to accomplish some truly extraordinary things due to that.

His time with Angel and the rest were peppered with examples. Arguably his greatest triumph was due to a hollow echo of happiness. He was able to convince an Old One not to kill or attempt to conquer the world. All because of his connection to Fred. "Yes, I do believe you're right." Wesley went in for the kiss this time. Fred happily responded.

Little did either of them know, Wesley's seemingly disproved fears were about to be horribly verified.


The rulers of Pylea, The Covenant of Trombli, were active while Wesley and Fred were working through their various issues. They had initially been cowed by Wesley's implied threats and his knowledge of the Senior Partners. The cow had kept his word, he had not made any overt moves to threaten the established order.

His well-being was considered important to the Senior Partners. They were aware that Wesley had information that they would like to have, he was from the future after all. There were very few entities that could manipulate time and space in such a manner. Wolfram & Hart would like to know who or what had caused Wesley's appearance.

The priests that made up the covenant had other, more localized concerns. The cow and the she-cow were unintentionally causing trouble. The fact that they didn't wear collars, and spoke with respectable members of Pylean society as equals, this behavior was causing other cows to question their lot in life.

There had always been some clever cows who had disabled their collars and lived in the wilderness and were little more than hermits or bandits. With Wesley and Fred being seen in towns, and not bothering to set an example for the other cows. There were rumors of these clever cows grouping together. This could prove dangerous. Cows were devious, and if enough of them got together, a challenge to the authority of the Covenant was all but certain.

The priests could not have that. While the Senior Partners had said Wesley was off limits, they had said nothing about any other cows. And the Priests had learned from Narwek and the Groosalugg that Wesley kept exclusively to the company of the she-cow he was seen with.

The priests wanted Wesley's troublesome influence to stop, and they also wanted the information that Wesley possessed. They also had no respect for the threats he made to Narwek. A single cow was as nothing against the might of the Covenant. They came to one very clear and brutal conclusion.

The day was unusual for Wesley and Fred. She had insisted on a day off from her training, and Wesley had readily agreed. He had sent for the Groosalugg to escort Fred to town, so she could replenish their dwindling supplies. They managed to sell many of the of things Wesley brought from Earth, as well as the excess food they were able to hunt, fish, and gather.

Wesley could spend the time while Fred was away to practice some more advanced magic. Stuff that wouldn't be safe inside the cave. Also, some of the more dangerous spells Wesley wouldn't dare to try around Fred. Wesley was concentrating on an incantation that would allow for the manipulation of water in the air around him.

If he became skilled enough, he could form ice shards to throw at his enemy. If there was enough water around he could encase part of his body in ice and use that to attack or defend. The downside to this was the magic's pull on him. Its desire to corrupt him and use him as a vessel for destruction would become stronger the more often he used the spell, as it was with all dark magic.

Wesley had just finished creating a shard big enough to be an arrow, which he fired at a tree. The results were disappointing. The spell created ice shard barely damaged the tree, leaving only a small dent. Wesley would have to practice a great deal more to be effective in anyway, from putting more speed behind the projectile to willing it's shape to be more aerodynamic and deadly, Wesley had lots more work to do. It was at this point that the Groosalugg appeared.

Wesley reined in his meager power and felt the compulsion of the magic disappear. The Pylean champion was alone. But more than that, he had all the signs of having been in a fight. He had blood on his armor, probably from an enemy he had killed. He was scratched, stabbed, and bloodied himself.

Whoever it was that had attacked him was foolish, yet they had bested him, even if they hadn't killed him. The reason Wesley thought the Groosalugg had been beaten was the question that first came to mind, he growled. "Where is Fred?"

"A group of palace guards took her. I defended her as I promised. There were too many." Groo fell to his knees. The fight and the journey to inform Wesley had taken most of his energy.

Wesley could have let panic overtake him, but he remained calm "Was she alive when they took her?"

"She fought, you trained her well. Between the two of us, we killed many of them. They wounded her, when she fell, that's when they took her." The Groosalugg gasped out while still remembering how she fought, yet again he was amazed that cows could be so fierce in their own defense. It was only through sheer numbers that the Palace guards had prevailed.

Wesley helped the other warrior stand. They made their way to the cave. Wesley got the Groosalugg situated. "Tend to your wounds, I have some work to do."

"What do you intend to do?" Groo noticed a change in the other man. Before he was calm, now he was becoming steadily more enraged at what happened. Groo wasn't very happy about it either. The lost battle was infuriating to be sure. But the priests had made an agreement that they had broken. That made them dishonorable. Groo felt shame that he had served them for so long.

Wesley had already grabbed both template books. "I'm going to retrieve Fred. I don't know why they took her, if it was to get to me, well, we have a saying back on Earth. 'Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it'"

Groo didn't know why, but the saying combined with the way Wesley said it made the Groosalugg uneasy. The cow was smiling as he said this.

His uneasiness only increased when Wesley opened both templates and said to them "Grant me power. The power to destroy, to maim, to kill." and both books filled with magics various and dark. Wesley had a distressing lack of power. But for the magic he was seeking, his emotional state made that weakness irrelevant.

The templates helped out here. Being what they were, they allowed Wesley to absorb the power of the text he had called forth. His hair, eye's, and clothes all turned black. A certain witch in Sunnydale would repeat this process a few years from now after a tragedy stole her love. Wesley had already gone through that, he would not see it happen again.

The Groosalugg was unnerved when Wesley turned to him, and in a hollow monotone, suggested "It might be a good idea to prepare this place for defense, and if you know anyone skilled in healing, bring them here. When I return, I will likely be injured, and you already told me Fred was wounded."

"I shall do so, my wounds will heal on their own. I've no need for someone with those skills. I'll find a cow who serves in that capacity for other cows." The Groosalugg had seen some masters use their cows for such service. They could charge a great deal for each cow that the healer-cow treated, whether they cured them or not.

Wesley nodded "I give you my thanks, and you have done your duty. I release you from your service to Winifred and myself after Fred is safe again." Wesley started to leave the cave.

"You do not possess the power do that, I can only be released by my master, in this case, the fighting she-cow, the one called Winifred. The priests are slime for breaking their word with you and her. They are worthy of my service no longer." The Groosalugg was still picturing the way Fred had fought, moving and weaving fluidly while she could. It was something that the Groosalugg couldn't describe, except to liken it to a dance. Groo would never associate something as useless as dancing with the glorious beauty that was present in the blood and screams of the battlefield, but he had to admit, Winifred combined the two.

Wesley understood what the Groosalugg was saying. He was making a choice of masters, even though he had just said he had to be released. Wesley nodded again and left the cave.


As Wesley stalked towards the city and hence the castle where Fred was undoubtedly being held, the demons and beasts in Pylea that could sense and track such things could feel a massive dark force on the move from the wilderness. Members of the Deathwok clan were particularly interested. So various demons, and even some drokken, were drawn towards Wesley.

Some wanted to challenge him, some were curious as to source of the power, and some others were simply hoping for a good meal or a chance at revenge for some slight they suffered from someone in the city where Wesley was heading.

Now as the walk was a long one, Wesley concentrated on a promise he had made earlier. He reviewed the powers he now had control over. Much of it was simple telekinesis. Though there were some techniques involving the elements. Finally, there were some temporary enhancements for speed and strength.

For the moment, he kept coming back to his promise 'Narwek, I vowed that he would die if anything happened to Fred' Wesley called forth his power, and the sky broiled with storm clouds, where there were usually no clouds.

Unfortunately for constable Narwek, he had been told of the move against the impudent cow that had disgraced him, and he accompanied a number of guards on a mounted patrol that was tasked with capturing the cow when he came for his mate, the priests were sure he would do so. The first bolt of lightning didn't kill Narwek, but it did cause his detachment to scatter. And it sure did hurt the constable. The second and third bolts not only killed him, but his horse as well.

Wesley felt his power work, and he felt the results. It was a heady feeling, so intoxicating. He could definitely feel the appeal of dark power and evil. He had just killed someone, and the power wanted more of the feeling. Wesley couldn't wait to get to the city. His little lightning storm must have caused a stir.

The priests saw the lightning and ordered most of their guards back to the castle. Leaving only observers in the surrounding city. They knew which direction held the cave that Wesley lived in, but the cow might use a different one. They were strange sometimes.

Wesley opted for the direct approach, the longer this took, the more suffering Fred would endure. As he neared the edge of the city, he noted the drokken that were following him 'I'll have to find a way to deal with them.' He also felt the migration from the outskirts. Members of independent demon clans in the countryside were gathering for what promised to be an entertaining fight.

Wesley was well within the city when he came across a familiar green-skinned warrior and some of his kin, who looked like they wanted to fight him. Wesley addressed the imposing and armored demon "Hail and well met, Landokmar of the Deathwok Clan. I knew you before, as well as your cousin, Krevlorneswath."

"I have no reason to trust anything you spew out, you are cloaked in darkness, and anger drives you. You intend to kill your betters. My family will stop you, we will gain honor and feasts will be held for our triumph." Landok smiled at that "In truth, I will be the first to fight you, and the honor and glory shall be mine alone." He drew his sword and advanced on Wesley.

The magic burning within Wesley called for him to strike, to bathe in his enemies' blood. With a considerable effort Wesley resisted and he spoke "Landokmar, I ask that you read me, see past the darkness and look at my past. I am telling the truth. My friends and I fought by your side."

Landok did as requested, the cow was probably lying to avoid certain death, only when he had penetrated past the magic, he saw Wesley's history. Landok was unfamiliar with the rituals of cows, but this one was a warrior and leader, Landok also saw his wayward and cowardly cousin. Landok stopped his advance and appraised the cow anew "You speak the truth, but it changes nothing, you still intend to kill those who rule here."

"Only if they get in my way, I'm concerned only with releasing a prisoner. She was taken, your rulers broke an agreement they had with me. Furthermore, I don't wish to fight you or your family. I may have a way for you to garner the glory you want." Wesley remembered what Lorne had told him, Landok could be an ally, it would only take the right incentive.

While Landok would have enjoyed a test against this cow, he could still sense the power, and it was very possible that the cow was restraining it, that the power was much greater than it appeared. Going against his nature, Landok asked "In what way?"

"There are several dangerous beasts following me. I think they're hoping for an opportunity to gorge themselves on those I'll kill. I will continue towards the castle. You can stay here and intercept them. You will save the city from those beasts. That should rate a feast or two." Wesley was hoping Landok would take the offer, his magic was becoming harder to restrain.

Landokmar of the Deathwok Clan searched the cow yet again, he saw the female cow, the one who had brought this powerful warrior-cow down upon them. He saw the offer for what it was, a face saving gesture, and the cow was right. Destroying the drokken and other beasts would win his family much honor. "We will do this, I give you my thanks for the chance."

"Landokmar, I return your thanks in kind. If you and I should come through our coming battles, I have a favor to ask. I want you to accompany me back to my dwelling." Wesley was hedging his bets here, he thought for sure he would be injured during the coming fight. If there was a return trip, Wesley was certain he would be pursued.

Landok wondered at the request, of course the frequent readings he had done on the cow had shown his recent exploits against Narwek and the Groosalugg, that he managed that feat had Landok suitably impressed. "I shall await your return, but I have a request. I wish to meet the Groosalugg, the brave and undefeated."

"You have my word, should I survive, I will arrange that meeting as soon as we return to the place where I live." Wesley nodded at Landok and then moved around him and the rest of his family.

The next challenge Wesley encountered on his journey was the four scouts that were left in the city, they had gathered in order to teach this cow a lesson. They had seen the lightning and the charred remains of constable Narwek.

Wesley was not concerned with stealth, he was walking down the middle of a wide street that led to the center of the city and the castle. That was the place for challenges and sacrifices for various festivals. It was sacred ground and the scouts could not allow the cow-scum to defile it with his living presence. Cows were only permitted if they were to be killed in short order.

Wesley tried not to fight them, he could feel the magic wanting the battle. But he also knew that when he gave in to its dark desires, he would begin to lose himself. "Please stand aside, I've no quarrel with you, only your leaders."

"You will go no further cow-scum, we will take you to the holy priests in chains, after we have rid you of your disrespect." The scouts drew their weapons and advanced on Wesley.

'I gave them a chance, now to let my power loose.' Wesley let the magic fill and guide him, and his voice took on an eerie and whispered tone "right then, die." he thrust out his hand in front of him and splayed his fingers towards his enemies

The scouts halted, thinking he was about to attack. Wesley did nothing for a moment. Then he jerked his hand back as if he was pulling on something.

The scouts all pitched forward, as if there were ropes around their necks. By the time they hit the ground, they were already dead. Wesley had killed each one with a cracked neck.

Wesley stepped past the dead scouts and continued on to the castle. The priests were not stupid, the castle walls offered excellent firing positions for archers. Wesley knew and plainly saw this. The archers began trying to hit him.

The magic in Wesley was furious at being so threatened, and being unable to strike back. Wesley dodged a few arrows before beginning his attack on the castle. The first step involved getting to the walls without being skewered.

Wesley's power and will were equal to the task. The magic added speed to his attack. He was at the bottom of the wall in no time. Now he had to get to the top. It would be a simple matter to float up there. The problem was that floating would be too slow.

Wesley opted to climb the wall. Given that it was a defensive structure that was sheer vertical in nature meant that it was almost impossible to climb, never mind doing it quickly as part of a rescue mission.

Wesley gave the impossible a passing glance as he dug his hands and feet into the wall. The power he possessed couldn't wait for the killing that would surely occur when Wesley was inside the castle. He scaled the wall fast.

The guards at this section were surprised when Wesley was amongst them. In his haste and anger, he had neglected to bring his own weapons. But he soon had many weapons scattered around that he could pick up. It was a blur of a fight, Wesley suffered a few wounds, none that slowed him down though. He dispatched at least ten of the enemy by the time the wall was clear.

He was armed by the time he entered the interior of the castle. The Palace Guard were well aware of his power and how lethal it and he was, many of their comrades had met gruesome ends at his hands. Wesley's dark magic was satisfied.

While the priests were not stupid, they had underestimated their opponent. Most of the soldiers they had on hand were on the walls of the castle. With many near the gate, that being the weakest part of the wall. They expected Wesley to attack there. So it was that there were only a few guards near the priests.

When Wesley entered the inner sanctum for the Covenant of Trombli, he found four guards and six priests. The guards attacked him immediately. The dark magic swelled in joy. Wesley used his speed once more and the guards were cut down by the weapons he now carried in both hands. Wesley began to advance on the priests, but he was brought to a halt when one of the priest had his hand over the control panel for the slave collars.

"Take one more step, and your female dies." The priest was smirking as he said this, he knew he had Wesley. The cow wouldn't risk the life of the woman he was trying to protect.

The priest was right, Wesley stopped and dropped his weapons. He growled at the priest "move away from that thing." but the priest didn't move.

The priest was wrong, Wesley flicked his hand, and the priest found his hand dismembered at the wrist and summoned to Wesley's other outstretched hand. The priest fell to his knees screaming and trying to cover the bloody stump of his arm. Wesley turned to the others "Let's make one thing clear, no one touches that panel. Now, where is she?" The priests didn't answer and Wesley continued. "If you don't tell me, I'll kill you all and tear this place apart looking for her."

One of the elder priests was about to speak and would have defied Wesley, when the newest member of their order spoke up "She's down in the dungeons." The young priest shivered under Wesley's gaze. He had counseled against the move to provoke the cow. There really was no need to do it. But he was overruled. Now they had paid dearly for their mistake.

"Thank you, if you've lied to me or if you send your forces after me when I leave, both this room and after I have her in my possession, I swear that I will come back here, I will not stop until all of you are dead. I will become king of this place, and remake it as I see fit." Wesley surveyed the room, the priest he had hurt earlier he recovered somewhat and reaching his remaining hand up towards the control panel. Wesley had warned against that, he thrust his hand toward the priest.

The priest flew away from the panel and hit the wall hard. At best he was knocked unconscious. Wesley dropped the priest's hand, picked up his weapons, turned around, and left the room. Finding the dungeons wasn't hard, he remembered the castle from his previous visit, if that weren't enough, it was one of the foulest smelling areas. The stench of death was overlaid with those of waste and unwashed bodies. Keeping prisoners clean was never a priority.

Wesley found one cell with three guards outside the door. Their helmets were off, and their clothing was disheveled and bloodied.T hese guards were all that remained of the group that was sent to capture the female cow. When Wesley appeared, they all formed a line blocking his path. Wesley sighed, he was becoming tired "Stand down, I'm here to take the prisoner." He offered with a smirk as he advanced on them "I'll let you live if you let me take her."

The guard in the middle of the hall answered "Never, she is the spoils from battle, we were not allowed to kill her, it is our right to keep her, and use her in whatever ways we wish."

Wesley finally snapped, he threw both of his weapons at the middle guard, they both struck him in the chest. The guard gave a surprised grunt as he was impaled before falling to the floor. For the other two guards Wesley drew on his magic and immolated them both quickly with fireballs.

Wesley opened the door to Fred's cell. The magic that was so close to overtaking him at this point was halted by what he saw.

Fred was huddled in a corner. She wore a collar and little else. She had been stripped and left with barely rags for warmth. Wesley could see the major wound on her side, it had been patched up, blood-soaked as the bandages were.

She was hurt in other ways as well. The guards couldn't kill her, but they had punished her for killing so many of their comrades. She was facing the wall and seemed to lack the strength to sit up.

Wesley rushed to her side. He turned her towards him. She screamed at his touch but didn't struggle. When she was facing him Wesley saw why. She had been beaten. One eye was swollen shut, the other fluttered open and saw Wesley. She wasn't expecting this. She thought it was one of the guards, they had taken turns with her.

Wesley looked at the rest of her, she was covered in bruises, and Wesley didn't want to consider what else the guards had done to her. If he did, it would give the magic an opening, and Wesley wouldn't stop until the castle was little more than rubble. No, he had to get Fred out of here. He grabbed the collar and tore it off of her. He threw it against the far wall of the cell.

He picked her up after draping his jacket around her. He had one arm cradling her back and the other under her knees. She whimpered and her head hung limply. Wesley placed her back down, as much he wanted to carry her like that, she would be comfortable, and he could handle her weight easily. He realized she was in a great deal of pain. "Forgive me, Fred."

He allowed the magic a last task, a pulse of energy that knocked Fred out. Wesley threw her over his shoulder. It would be safer to travel this way, he had one hand free, so he could deal with threats if need be, also Fred was unconscious. If the Groosalugg had secured the services of a healer, then Fred wouldn't be aware during the journey back to the cave and she wouldn't have to experience pain during that time, or for several hours afterward.


The priests had taken him seriously, Wesley was not approached by any of the remaining guards in the castle. They even opened the gates for him. He met up with Landok on his way out of the city. The demon looked over his new companion and the precious cargo he carried.

Landok and his family had fought and defeated the drokken with some trouble, many were wounded in the fight. Those wounds were minor when compared to Wesley's, but he did not notice or care how badly he was hurt. "You are injured, warrior-cow. Let me carry the female cow. You can lead the way back to where you live."

"I appreciate the offer, Landokmar, but I will carry her. Just follow me and keep an eye out. Warn me if you see anyone you don't know following us." Wesley moved past Landok, who nodded and followed along. The rumors of the battle within the castle were already making their way out into the city. If the stories were true this lone cow had fought most of the guards in the castle, and had killed at least fifty. While not exactly true, Landok knew enough not to cross this cow.

The walk back to the cave seemed to be both longer and shorter than the previous journey. On the one hand Wesley knew that every moment Fred was not in the hands of a healer, meant that she would suffer more. On the other hand, Wesley moved as fast as he was able. He sighed in relief when the cave came into view.

The Groosalugg raced out to meet him and confront the demon that was with him. "Wesley, who is this with you, friend or foe?"

"Neither, he didn't fight me, and he wanted to meet you. Landokmar of the Deathwok Clan I present the champion Groosalugg." Wesley felt a draining begin to start, and he felt the pain from his many wounds, the magic had masked their presence.

Landok approached the champion, everyone in the kingdom knew of his feats. "It is honor to be in your presence."

"As it is mine to be in yours, for not hindering this warrior cow and for helping return my master you shall be rewarded, but for now there are more important matters that require our attention. Wesley, give me Winifred, she needs to be cared for, and you are fading." Groo wasn't kidding around, the blackish color was slowly receding from Wesley and his clothes. The jacket was turning to it's normal brown color. As well, Groo could smell the blood and defilement from Winifred. The guards that took her were not content with just capturing her.

To Landok's surprise Wesley handed over Fred without objection. As the magic finally faded, Wesley fell to his knees "I believe I need some medical attention as well, will she be okay?" Wesley needed an answer before he would succumb to his wounds.

"You have my word, she will be looked after as well as I am able?" Groo assured him, with that Wesley gave in to his pain and exhaustion, after that he passed out and ended up fully on the ground. Groo turned to Landok "Landokmar, if you would, grab him and bring him to the cave, and if you know of any healers amongst your kin, their presence would be most welcome."

Landok wondered what surreal situation he now found himself in, here he was, helping cows who by all rights deserved to be dead. A champion of the Covenant was doing the same, in opposition to them as it now seemed. Then there was the warrior cow, that he would risk so much for a mere female cow. And she wasn't much to look at, she was slight and small, unsuitable for most tasks. Landok continued to ponder these things as he was led into the cave.