(because I realized that I hadn't done this in the previous chapters: I do not own sailor moon. This story is the intellectual property of me, and I reserve the right to remove it at any time I see fit for any reason. Do not steal my story, it's not nice. And last but not least, please review.)

Chapter Four

"I did say I was," Serena said as she stepped back from Darien's nearness reaching behind her for a chair and settling herself carefully into it. "As I was saying, we cannot forgo the entertainment at dunewald. We will be able to make much coin, and we are not so well off that we can go without."

Darien looked exasperated to where Artemis stood, "Surely you can find another engagement once Nathaniel is well enough to travel?"

Artemis pursed his lips and glanced toward where Nathaniel had struggled up on an elbow in the bed, then back to Darien and shook his head. "Sadly we do need this arrangement."

Darien ran a hand through his hair making the ebony locks stand on end then looked at each of the troubadours, then glanced at Andrew who lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "Dunewald castle is my uncle's home. The least Andrew and I can do is provide you an escort in the morning, since you insist upon going."

Nathaniel smiled his thanks settling back into the pillows, "We thank you Darien de Varray. More than you could begin to guess, however I find that I am fatigued." he said closing his eyes.

Darien blinked at the obvious dismissal and glanced once more around the room, "Does Serena have a room of her own?"

Artemis moved to a pile of baggage and pulled out two sleeping rolls glancing over his shoulder,"She will stay in the room with Nathaniel and I." he said being to lay out the bedding on the floor by the bed.

Darien drew in his breath," 'tis improper for her to stay with the two of you."

" She stays in our room Darien de Varray, we thank you for your concern and help. However we would like to rest before we set out tomorrow." Nathaniel said from the bed and Darien looked toward him surprised. He had thought the other man had fallen into a slumber already.

Serena stood shaking out the skirt of her gown and directed her gaze pointedly toward Darien. Darien stared into her azure eyes finding it hard to believe that the woman was blind, she had an uncanny presence that gave the impression of sight. With a stiff nod to Artemis he turned and exited the room Andrew following silently behind him.

As the door closed lightly behind the departing men Serena moved to Nathaniel's bed and leaned down resting a hand lightly on his cheek her concerned eyes moving over his face. Nathaniel patted her hand lifting it and putting a chaste kiss on her palm, Serena smiled then moved to the corner of the room reaching behind her to pull the laces of her gown free. The heavy garment slid down her body pooling at her feet, she stepped from it in only her chemise and stockings and then unerringly found the bedding closest to Nathaniel's bed. She lowered herself to the soft worn covers and snuggled into them turning onto her back.

Artemis removed the belt holding his dagger and folded the soft leather setting it next to his own bedding. He slid his rust colored hose from his legs and draped them over the back of a chair before putting out the stand of candles on the table and them moving in the darkness lit only by the light of the half moon through the window to his bed. He leaned over Serena pressing a brotherly kiss to her brow before settling onto his back and closing his eyes slowing his breathing until he fell into a light slumber.

Serena lay awake on her pallet listening to the even breathing of bother Nate and Artemis her own eyes wide and unseeing into the darkness. She knew without Nate telling her or having to see his face why he was attacked. Her stepmothers men were catching up to them, time was running out. And, she had no more of an idea what to do than she had, had four years ago when she had run from her home.

She was sure that the men that had attacked Nate would not be able to report back to her stepmother. She frowned into the darkness, Nate had more than likely killed the men. As much as Serena knew it was necessary she could not condone Nate or Artemis killing. Which is another reason Nate had not informed her of the seriousness of his injury. Shaking her head back and forth on her pillow in an attempt to dislodge the unpleasant thoughts, Serena slowed her own breathing to a slow even pace. At the last minute she remembered to close her eyes, smiling to her self. Artemis had informed her once a few years ago that it was 'disturbing' when she slept with her eyes open.

****

The next morning Darien paced back and forth in the inn yard waiting for the group of troubadours to emerge. He still thought that it was faulty thinking on their part to be traveling with Nathaniel as injured as he was. He squinted up at the sun his frown deepening as it moved through the sky, it was another six hours by horse and with the cart that they owned it would take another two hours. He paused pulling his heavy woolen cloak closer about his shoulders, before he continued pacing. It was spring, but the days still held the bite of winter. The sound of the door to the inn opening had him turning on his heel and glaring toward it.

Nathaniel emerged first his arm held in a makeshift sling, he was wearing a forest green long sleeved tunic with a burnished gold colored over tunic the laces hung open at the next showing more of the green under tunic. At his waist was a pounded silver belt from which a large sword hung. He nodded to Darien then turned and leaned down whispering something into Serena's ear.

Serena nodded and laughed up at Nathaniel securing a heavy cloak of tightly woven gray wool lined with white rabbit fur around his shoulders. Nathaniel lifted a hand ruffling Serena's curls and moved to Darien holding his free hand out to the other man.

Darien stared at the pair a peculiar feeling twisting in his chest, he shook his head looking away from the scene. Artemis and Andrew came around the corner chating and leading the horses and cart from the stables. He turned back to find Nathaniel offering him a hand and reached out clasping the other mans wrist in a warriors greeting.

"I had worried that your injury had laid you up longer," he said releasing Nathaniel's arm.

Nathaniel grinned a baring of even white teeth, "No at all. Just dastardly hard to dress with one arm. I had to have Serena assist me."

Darien's chest twisted again and he pulled his lips into a tight line nodding at the other man. He glanced to Serena who was pulling a silvery blue cloak over her shoulders, her hair was pleated into two braids and secured behind her ears in someway. She was wearing a high waisted gown of pale blue that had silver stitching along the sleeves in a intricate knot pattern. Her narrow waist was encircled by a slender chain of silver the ends of which hung down past one of her rounded hips. Darien frowned for a moment thinking that for a group of poor troubadours, they dressed rather finely. He glanced back toward Andrew and Artemis noticing the horses that Artemis led were of fine quality. The destrier pranced nervously tossing its head and pulling at the reins, it was of excellent stock probably better than even Andrews own mount.

Nathaniel walked to the destrier pulling himself into the saddle with his good arm and accepted the reins from his brother. Artemis said something that made the older man toss his head back in laughter, then walked to the cart pulled by another fine piece of horseflesh and hopped into the drivers seat taking the reins from Andrew with an easy smile. Darien was still frowning as Serena moved to the white mare that stood placidly next to the cart and watched in shock as she pulled herself easily into the saddle.

Andrew led Darien's mount as well as his own to Darien handing his friend the reins then turned and swung easily onto his destrier's back. The large chestnut colored horse sidestepped pawing at the dry dirt of the ground. Andrew just laughed and calmed the horse with gentle pressure from his thighs. Darien turned to pull himself into his own saddle when movement in the corner of his eye stopped him. He turned toward the barn and his eyes widened in shock as the largest wolf he had ever seen came bounding around the corner and straight for Serena.

He was already moving toward her his dagger pulled from his belt without thinking about it. He watched even more shocked at the wolf reared up on its hind legs and placed its two large front paws on the side of Serena's horse. Serena leaned down laughing and ruffled the animals ears then pointed toward the front of her horse. The wolf moved to the right shoulder of the animal its tongue lolling out of its mouth. It gave Darien a bored look then plopped down on its hindquarters.

"That is Sach," Artemis said drawing the cart along side Darien. "He is rather loyal to Serena."

Darien glanced at the blonde man, "'tis a wolf."

Artemis nodded grinning widely, " that he is. The inn keeper would allow him in the inn. Otherwise he would have been in the room with us last night."

Darien just shook his head in bemusement, this had to be the oddest group of people he had met in his life. He moved to where Andrew still sat on his horse holding the reins to Darien's mount. He pulled himself into his saddle and moved to the front of their procession taking the spot next to Nathaniel. The other man glanced at Darien, a smile playing around his stern mouth then held up his good hand signaling to Artemis and nudge his mount forward.

Darien followed his lead and glanced over his shoulder to see the wolf move forward with Serena's mount. He was amazed that she was riding a horse instead of reclining in the cart driven by Artemis. He noticed that Andrew had taking up a position next to the cart and was chatting with Andrew as they rode out of the inn yard and onto the road that would take them to dunewald. He turned back to Nathaniel studying the man, if he had to guess his companions age he would put him a few years older than Darien's own twenty four years.

"I do thank you for your assistance, Darien de Varray. I fear my ability to properly protect Serena while injured." Nathaniel said glancing at Darien from the corner of his eye.

Darien focused his midnight eyes on the other man, "It is the least I can do. Besides Andrew and I were heading to dunewald for my cousins wedding anyway." Darien replied staring between his mounts ears. "Though I must admit that I am curious, as to why Serena would need to be protected."

Nathaniel's eyes scanned the forested areas on the side of the road warily then glanced at Darien, "For the same reason any pretty young woman would have to be protected." he said simply.

Darien mulled over that statement for a while. Feeling as though it was what the other man wasn't saying, more than what he had. "She is a beauty, I would not think her blind to see her move about."

Nathaniel smiled sadly, " 'tis true. She has always had an uncanny ability to locate a person or object in a room. Though she has not always been without sight."

Darien relaxed into the gentle swaying of his destrier's gate, as they rode along in companionable silence. Every now and then he would turn in his saddle to see the others following in a sedate line behind him and Nathaniel. He had many questions about his companions, but figured he would have time to ask them over the next few days at dunewald. He was contemplating ominous clouds to the west when Serena's musical laughter had him turning in his saddle again. He saw that she had steered her mount back to ride along the other side of the cart, and was laughing at something Andrew had said.

Serena was laughing at Andrew, who was trying to convince her to let him to teach her a bawdy song to sing at the castle. She shook her head her eyes closed the golden lashes fanning her cheeks as she waved a hand in his direction.

"In sooth I cannot sing something like that, the lord of the keep would toss me out on my ear." She said chuckling under her breath.

Artemis pressed an considering thumb and forefinger to his jaw, "I do not know. We may earn more if you were to try it Serena."

Serena leaned precariously from her saddle and thumped Artemis on the shoulder, "Shush you. You just want to see me blush at a mortifying attempt at those lyrics!"

Artemis caught Serena's hand and brought it to his mouth kissing her knuckles and bit one playfully. "Serena my sweet, anything you sing would sound like heavenly voices. No matter how wicked the words."

Andrew observed the behavior between the two grinning from ear to ear, "I must agree with Artemis and I have not heard you sing yet."

Serena shook her head at the both of them, "Mayhap. But I do not wish to listen to the lecture from Nate that I would receive for such a foolish idea." Her lips twitched in mirth. "No matter how entertaining."

Artemis laughed aloud throwing his head back the strong cords of his neck moving with his humor at the thought. "In sooth she is right. Nate would burn her ears. Then smash me into the bailey of dunewald."

"But imagine if you will, the Lady Luna's sweet blush at such a spectacle." Andrew said playing the part of the imp in their conscience's.

Serena just shook her head and nudged her mount back to the middle of the procession with the help of Sach.

Andrew still chuckling watched her go, then glanced speculatively at Artemis who had unearthed the most unusual hat from the cart and pulled the wide brim low over his forehead. He settled in his saddle forming his words in his mind before speaking them aloud.

"Serena is quite special," he said watching the younger man.

Artemis's green eyes rested on the back of Serena's head and nodded producing a long piece of hay from somewhere and plucking it between his teeth. "The most special woman I know, I would lay down and die for her."

Andrew stored the information before continuing, "The three of you seem very close. In sooth I thought that she might be Nathaniel's or your wife."

Artemis rolled the stiff stock of the hay between his teeth with is tongue, then sent an amused glance at Andrew. "Hardly, I feel it would be more like incest should I try anything in that direction." His green eyes settled passed Serena on the back of his brothers head, "And Nate... He has given up on his feelings. And I think he now feels as I do, Serena is a very special wonderful younger sister."

Andrew adjusted his seat in the saddle before following Artemis's gaze, "I believe I pity any man that seeks her attentions." He said softly.

Artemis's green eyes darkened under the shadow of the hat, and his hand dropped to the sword resting at his hip. An ominous growl echoed in the silence of Andrew's words, and it took a moment for Andrew to realize that it was coming from Artemis and not the wolf trotting alongside Serena's mount.

Andrew glanced at the man that was quickly becoming a friend, "You cannot protect her forever."

Artemis relaxed his posture pushing the hat back on his head, "I can die trying." He said grimly.

Andrew fell silent as they continued along the road, they were mounting a rise when a whirling sound followed by a thunk distracted him. He glanced toward the source of the sound and saw the shaft of an arrow vibrating with the force of impact in the wood of the seat scant inches from Artemis's thigh. The two men raised there heads looking at each other before calling out the alarm to the rest of the group.