The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.

~ Maya Angelou, All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes

Chapter 18: Perilous Journey

Gaius bent down as he looked through a magnifying glass at the stump where Sir Tate's hand had been severed at the wrist. Tate was before Gaius quite the transformed man. Tate's hair was a little unkempt and he had stopped shearing his beard and now stubble was growing on part of his chin and lower cheeks.

"Hmm…Tate, it would seem that you're in no danger at all. It would seem that when Balinor had severed your wrist it was cleanly cut. There's no danger of any damage or infection spreading."

"I don't suppose you could tell me that it means that my hand will be growing back any time soon?" he said almost in jest.

Gaius smiled sadly at him as he went to put back on his covering. "I'm afraid not. How are you handling the weight of your new replacement?"

Uther had paid for Tate to be given a prosthetic hand made of fine brass. Once he re-bandaged Tate's stump he had replaced it.

"Its fine," he shrugged. "Eating has become awkward though," he tried to joke.

Tate seemed a little ragged but his attitude didn't match. Talk was made that Sir Tate wouldn't be the same man that he was due to losing his sword hand and they were right but Gaius didn't think the change was necessarily going to be for the worst. Tate didn't seem resentful or angry, just calm and often quiet but when he did talk it was calm and collected.

"I'm still sorry you lost your hand to Balinor Tate," said Gaius as he finished locking the hand in place. Tate's lost hand was an indirect consequence to him freeing Balinor.

Tate held up his real hand. "Gaius…if I tell you something in confidence then will you not repeat it to anyone, not even the king?"

He nodded. This wasn't the first and he felt the last time that he didn't tell the king about something. "Of course."

"Balinor took my hand but it wasn't in combat like everyone seems to think. He chose to take my hand over my head for coming close to killing his wife."

Gaius' eyes narrowed in confusion. "Wife? He actually took one? I thought it was mere speculation."

"I think it was one he had taken recently. She was about to be cut down," He bowed his head. "By me, I regret to say when Balinor and his dragon arrived. I was captured and he verified that she was indeed his wife. He also said that she was pregnant."

Gaius had a suspicion for quite some time now but Tate could actually confirm it for himself here and now. "Did you learn her name by any chance?"

Tate wondered why Gaius would want to know that but he shrugged regar0dless. "I believe I heard one of the villagers call her…um…Hunith, yes that was the name." he answered still wondering what interest the dragonlord's wife was to Gaius. "The point is…he had at his mercy…and he showed it to me."

"By choosing to cut off your hand?"

"Many of the villagers were calling for my head. Balinor said that he didn't want me to forget that he chose to spare my life even though I was going to kill his wife in the name of my king." He held up his prosthetic limb. "I say that it's working because lately it's all I can think about."

Gaius was a little alarmed that Tate was close to killing Hunith but he could see that Tate didn't sound upset that he failed in that respect. He truly sounded regretful. He suppose that Balinor knew what he was doing when he chose to take his swordhand over his head. He also had the idea of he and Hunith were married and apparently she was carrying his child.

It was within two months that the first real fighting of the war started up. The armies and allies of Camelot and Essetir clashed in a battle within Camelot's borders to other spots along the margin of the other kingdoms. It was truly full scale war. The lords and lands now allied with Uther saw a dramatic absence of its known magic users. Any who used magic during the course of their work or any known druid camps became disappeared into any far off corner they could find. Preparations had been started as soon as the negotiations had begun so that by the time the alliances became official they were all in the wind.

Balinor's party, which now had a few druids from Gregory's camp that wished to stay with them, were off in a glen trying to decide where they should go. Kilgharrah was there as well to help in regards to their plans.

"We could try for a neutral land," suggested Abel. "There are a few lands to the north that haven't allied with Uther or Cenred."

"No," said Richard. "We would never make it. Winter is coming in one month and to get to those territories fast enough to avoid the coming frosts would mean crossing Lord Godwyn's land and he is one of Uther's strongest allies. If we go through his lands we're sure to get caught and brought to Camelot."

"Should we risk trying to hide in one of the lands that are allied with Cenred?" asked Gina. "We might raise a few questions but people might not look too into it. There are sure to be many magic users going into their lands to escape the war so we might easily blend in with everyone."

Many thought that Gina brought up a good point.

"I'm afraid I would find more difficult than the rest of you," Kilgharrah said in a little bit of a jest that had a few of them laughing to themselves. "Besides, there is always a chance that one of the magic users who escape there for refuge might see or even sense Balinor and I and report it. Cenred has offered a reward for information regarding us. He might feel the need to also take everyone else here as insurance for our service."

Kilgharrah had a good point too.

Balinor looked over at Hunith and her growing baby bump. They would more than enough for Balinor to submit and Cenred or Balinor would go through all these people to get to them. "We need a place that Uther and Cenred both have no hold that we can go," Balinor decided. "Better would be a place that they wouldn't go looking for us even if they knew we were there. We don't just need a safe place to go, we need a place where we could live."

"It's too bad that you can't use magic to create a place like that around here," one of the villagers said a little hopelessly.

Abel's elder just shook his head. "I'm sorry Balinor but I don't know if such a place exists in this land. We might have some luck in the Island kingdoms or to the Northern lands but we don't have the resources to make such a perilous journey."

"Perilous," Balinor mumbled.

Hunith heard him. "Balinor?" she asked concerned.

"I think I know of a place. One that we all can agree that Uther and Cenred don't have any ties nor any desire to set foot in. We could also get there in over a week. It's a place that has everything we could need to live full and safe lives…but it is more of a leap of faith."

"What place?" asked Abel a little skeptically.

His skepticism was shared by a good deal of the group. Even Kilgharrah looked down at Balinor with laughter in his eyes.

"The Perilous Lands."

Balinor's declaration made all the skepticism and mock drop out of everyone and they were now all shocked and a bit frightened.

The Valley of Fallen Kings had an infamous reputation throughout the Five Kingdoms. It was a den of thieves and murderers and such was considered taboo for most to even step foot in there. However, it was ironically the safest route to travel for Balinor and his people to a place considered taboo. Balinor started to wonder when he started to think of them all as such. It seemed so bizarre and sudden and yet it was undeniably true. These people respected and supported him and were prepared to go with him at this crazy venture to the Perilous Lands which made the valley's reputation seem light in comparison. The faith they had put on him had them follow him against a few silent judgments and as such made them Balinor's responsibility.

They had set up camp for the day when Richard brought up the Perilous Lands over lunch when they were roasting a few rabbits they had caught. "What is the story behind the Perilous Lands?"

"That they are perilous," said Gina. That brought some smiles to everyone even if the subject wasn't something to smile about. "I mean, we've all heard a few things about it crawling with monsters and it being put under a great curse that claims anyone who is lucky to escape from its borders. But what's the story behind it for those who actually have magic?"

Balinor laughed to himself. "Well, if you must know, the story starts where most start. It used to be a land of great abundance and beauty. There used to be a kingdom there that was ruled by a mystical lord known as the Fisher King."

"The Fisher King? I've heard stories about him as a little girl," said Hunith. "I heard that he ruled that land before the curse fell upon it. What happened to him?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure myself. My father told me the legends but so much has been changed or lost that no one can remember the whole real story. What I do know for sure is that he was a warlock that swore his very life to protecting the land that he ruled. He reigned for a great many years before an enemy tried to overthrow and take over his kingdom and killed him. However what anyone failed to realize was that the Fisher King's oath to give his life to the land had actually bonded the two. When the king was lost the land refused to acknowledge any usurper that tried to take it for their own and let itself become something no one would want to rule. Over the years beasts started being drawn to the land over people and it was decided that it was just too dangerous to live in those lands anymore by a great many people."

"Wait, are you saying that a land could think for itself?" asked Hunith.

"Of course," said Abel. "It's a basic lesson we learn in our druidic teachings. The sky, the sea and the land all have an energy or a lifeforce of their own. Respecting and working with it is one of our life's principles."

"Well said Abel," said his elder proudly. "Balinor, are you suggesting that you try and form some kind of alliance with the land so that we could live there safely?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I'm hoping that there might be some patches of the area that are still habitable. Kilgharrah should also help in keeping any real beasts away from us. So far, it's our best hope."

Gorlois had something to report that might turn the tide of the whole war when it was still in its start. Gorlois was at one of Camelot's outposts near the border between Camelot and Essetir when it fell under surprise attack that held a surprise of its own. It wasn't too extensive an attack as it looked like a little over a hundred men were behind the attack. The surprise of the surprise attack was the involvement of a pair of sorcerers who brought down the barricades from afar for the soldiers to storm into with minimal resistance. Thankfully Gorlois had managed to hold their position and prevented the outpost to fall to the enemy though he reported that both those sorcerers managed to get away back into enemy borders. Uther wasn't happy that Gorlois hadn't gotten them but he said that he felt he would've lost too many men to chase after them. It was clear that Cenred had forged alliances with magic users to help him oppose Uther. Needless to say it was clear that it wouldn't be the last time that they faced magic in this war. Uther feared that it would frighten off some of his allies considering that more sorcerers would go over to Cenred's side and strike against them. Seeing as how he had negotiated the ban of magic as part of any alliance with himself many lords feared hostility in their own lands now from the magic users that had lived in their lands prior to it.

The stress made Uther seek solace on one of the castle's terraces that were facing the woods behind the citadel. It was a calm clear night which is what he wished his troubles were too.

"Uther?"

Uther looked behind him quickly but relaxed when she caught his eye. It was Vivienne and she seemed to be covered in a cloak.

"My lady," he said with a bow.

"I'm sorry sire. I didn't mean to disturb you."

Uther held up a hand to stop her. "No, no it's alright my lady. It is no trouble at all. Tell me, what brings you here?"

She went over to look over the railing. "I had trouble sleeping. I kept trying to fall asleep so I thought a bit of scenery would help calm me."

"That's quite the coincidence," Uther slightly smiled. "I came up here to calm myself as well. With the war my mind is filled with so much frustration that it's been hard for me to settle down lately."

"Yes, this war has had an effect on a great deal of us sire. Gorlois hasn't been able to properly be with Morgause or I since it's started. He writes when he can but it's not really the same. I'm afraid he will miss his daughter's entire time as a baby. I've also missed how happy and safe he would make me feel as well. There are just some nights where I feel completely alone despite Morgause."

Despite any frustration that Gorlois may have generated within Uther he couldn't help but feel for him and his wife. "I'm sorry my lady. I know that your husband is missing you just as greatly. I…I have been missing my wife greatly ever since she was taken from me so I know his pain is great."

"Oh forgive me. I didn't mean to bring up something like that with my worries."

"No," he smiled to himself. "It's quite alright."

The two of them ended up staying there for quite some time exchanging small talk. The time seemed to escape from them and Vivienne let out a small yawn.

"Oh, forgive me," she said as she put a hand over her mouth to quell her yawn.

"It seems as though you are ready to try sleeping now," he said with a small chuckle.

"I would say so too," she politely laughed. "I hope that you will be too."

"I appreciate the concern Vivienne, and thank you. Your company has helped me settle down tonight."

"I'm happy that I was able to help."

Uther didn't know if it was conscious or not but he leaned his head down and gave Vivienne a small kiss dangerously close to her lips. When he leaned back he saw that Vivienne seemed a little stunned.

"Oh, forgive me my lady."

Vivienne seemed to snap to her senses. "It's fine my lord. Good night."

She then walked off and left Uther there to stare at the distance until the light of dawn started to hit the castle. He may not have slept but he felt oddly at ease for the first time in a while.

End of Chapter 18

A/N: Uther doesn't seem to have any restraints when it comes to limits, does he? Whether it's with people in other kingdoms or with other people's wives. The next chapter will have Balinor and everyone reaching the Perilous Lands and he meets a certain magical figure after he comes against the wyvern who roam the land.