Disclaimer: Other then the parts I own, I don't own this.

:}

"Now then, what to do about you? How do we treat traitors?" Trina asked the two survivors of the attack. The members of the Vega clan who'd chosen to try and kill their liege lords heir just because she was a woman.

"I know." Ryder offered, pulling out his dagger. "We give them a chance to redeem their honor."

"We have no tradition of this." Tori told the knight, even as the others caught on with what the man was thinking.

"We don't just murder them." Trina told the man. "We try them, and if found guilty, then administer justice. We don't just kill prisoners."

"I wasn't going to kill anyone." Ryder said, putting his dagger away, only to draw the two knives the men had brought with them. "I was going to offer them a chance to atone, and in doing so, save their families the dishonor of having a traitor among them."

"This is wrong." Tori repeated.

"Tori, I'm with you, we don't need to kill them." Jade tried to comfort the girl. "I'll check, see what spells I have…"

Ryder handed the men the knives. "One stroke, and you can cleans the Vega family in your own blood." He told them.

"NO!" Beck insisted. "This isn't battle. They're prisoners, and deserve a fair trial before we pass judgment upon them…"

Both men had taken their knives. "Thank you, good knight." One of the men said, his hands shaking. "I couldn't live under a woman lord, and I don't think the family can handle a divide this big. You, at least, understand the burden of honor."

Trina was staring at the two men. "Fine." She sighed. "If this is your choice…"

The first man turned the knife, and in one quick stab, ended his own life. Ryder watched for a second, then ended the mans suffering. All eyes were on the second man, who was shaking, his grip on the knife faltering. "I.. I want to live…"

"Then give us a reason to let you." Ryder asked.

"I can put a spell on him." Jade told them. "Not mind control, because Aliester hated those, but a condition. He fights for us, and we let him. If he succeeds in fighting by our side, then we take that into account when the time comes to try him for his part in this rebellion. Otherwise, he at least gets an honorable end."

"Will you take my orders?" Trina asked.

"Yes." The man seemed to broken, defeated. "I'm less then nothing. I couldn't defeat a woman, even with help. I couldn't end my own life with the courage that my companion had. I am nothing."

"Not that my option matters," Robbie for the first time spoke on this mater, "But to my eyes your friend was the coward. Sure, he died, but in doing so, he failed to live up to who he could have been. You, now you can travel with Lady Trina, and Lady Tori, and see what kind of rulers they'd be. You can see whether or not they're good rulers. This way, you can tell if the fears that drove you to rebel were true, or if you have something to make up for as well." He offered the men a hand. "Trust me, dying for a cause, it's scary, but in the end far easier then living for one. Let's take this trip together…."

Jade watched the ranger speaking, and let out a sigh. "Okay, Cat, I see what you like about him. I guess, if he's willing, you can sleep with him."

"Didn't need your permission for that." Cat whispered in her thoughts. "Sam's coming back. Looks like she caught someone…"

The blond rogue walked a string of horses towards the camp, with a single man tied to one of them. "Okay, they have horse." Jade noted.

"We're an equestrian society." Tori pointed out. "We do what we can to encourage as many as possible to have access to horses. Our military is a mix of light cavalry and mounted infantry. Horses don't prove much, other then they're our people."

"And given that we're in Vega territory, it's hardly a surprise that we'd run into a patrol." Trina added.

"Um, a dale is a large valley, right?" Robbie asked. "This, it's more of a plain."

"Our lands expanded as time went on." Trina explained. "And no, we didn't conquer anyone. But, we got land, both by being able to take care of the peoples, and because the throne likes to give out extra's to those of us who can help protect the borders. So yea, we hold a touch more land then the Dale. But the clan, the heart of our people, that's all in our big valley."

"We've been told we have enough land to qualify as an Earl." Beck added. "Our lord just doesn't like the title. The title for the head of the Vega clan is Baron, and that's what our baron uses."

"Dad's modest like that." Tori added. "I'm told that a lot of the former freeholds that now owe us fealty, though we do give them a lot of autonomy, but some of them are barons."

"Okay, you have land and influence." Jade grumbled. "We need to deal with this…" She pointed to the man on the horse. "Why did he stay behind?"

"Because someone has to watch the horses." Ryder said as if it were obvious.

"Because it's night." Beck explained. "Dismounted infantry works better then charging your mounts across an unfamiliar field at night. Besides, while the speed might help, they needed surprise. We knew they were coming, and were able to counter. Being mounted wouldn't have changed anything."

"They're equipped like mounted infantry." Trina pointed out. "No mater. These were our men, men who had helped accompany both our parties. The fact that they chose to attempt to kill us shows how close to the heart of the Clan our enemy has reached."

"He's the one in charge." The prisoner said.

"I guessed as much." Sam told them. "I dispatched his guard. Guy acts like someone used to giving orders. I hate men like him, leading from the rear."

"A good general is about the big picture." Trina lectured the blond. "You can't lead a battle from the front. You need to keep you eyes on whats going on, shift your resources as needed. Personally, I like to lead the charge, but even when you avoid being killed, you can only control so many men at a time from the front. You need someone at the rear to watch the conflict, see the ebb and flow of the battle. Appropriate use of resources can have as big an effect on a battle as numbers. If you don't know when and how to use your reserves, you've already lost the battle."

"Twenty two men?" Sam noted. "No, this man was a coward, unable to do anything about this fight but watch. I'm thinking he justified his actions by saying he'd be there to report back, except I found him sitting in camp, not even bothering to have his man saddle his horse. He was waiting for a report, and maybe a chance to grab the glory when someone was captured. Hell, for all I know, he wanted a shot at one of the prisoners, as long as it wasn't the lady Tori."

"Why?" Jade looked skeptical. "Victoria gets raped, and then ransomed by her would be husband, who takes her as his bride anyways? Sells the idea that he wants this alliance to work, while rewarding his man for loyal service."

"I don't care." Trina spat. "We can speculate as to how evil our prisoner would have been, and it still means nothing. They lost, and he was taken before he could run. We have the advantage, cause they think we've been beaten." She smiled. "They won't know we're still coming until we're at their door. The advantage is ours."

"They've been scrying on us." Cat told everyone. "They know more about us then we'd like. However, even the best scrying has it's limits, and the air spirits Jade summoned, they're not just for scouting. They can muck with the magics used to watch us, so we can fudge the numbers a bit. We just, we need to figure out how to use this. We can convince them that maybe one or more of us died, and…"

"So they've been watching us?" Trina asked. "But they don't get everything?"

"No, they don't." Jade agreed.

"Then we keep with the original plan." The Lady of the Vega clan announced. "This fight, it featured our fighters, but hid our magics. I like that. Jade, you and Andre continue to act helpless, while Sam… They probably think you're just a scout. We use that. Once in the city, you'll be our eyes and ears. From what you've told me, a city is a whole new wilderness, and we need our rangers to guide us through."

"Spot dangers before then happen." Sam nodded. "And this guy?"

"Same offer we gave his man here." Trina said. "He can join with us, see what kinds of leaders Tori and I are, or he can face justice."

"I am a lord." The man insisted. "I am beyond the reach of the likes of your party…"

"I know all the lords of the Vega clan." Beck sneered. "My father made sure I would be the ambassador within the clan, and I know just about every face." He stepped closer. "But I don't know yours."

"That's because he's not a Vega." The prisoner told them. "He's not even a part of the County. He's from the City of Carson, and he joined us back at the city of the Holly Woods."

Elsewhere, in the Grand city of Ardun, a very different part of the plot was unfolding. Eikner, King of Ardun, sat in counsel, talking to his advisors, when a messenger arrived. "My king, from the City of the Holly Woods."

"What do they want now?" A member of court bemoaned. However, they all knew, when it came to the free cities, these messages had to be paid attention too. The merchants weren't prone to running to nobles for just any problem, and in fact, odds were if this was an emergency, it would require a more immediate response. Moreover, even Eikner couldn't allow himself to be ignorant of the Dragon rumored to be marauding across the Vega lands. He accepted the missive, reluctantly opening it.

"OH…" He dropped the small piece of paper sized for a carrier bird, even as the carefully inscripted rune activated. Something started to form, and immediately, the monarch felt frustrated, because he knew just what this moment meant. His own youthful curiosity was now coming back to haunt him. "Sikowitz, what brings you here?"

"The spirit realm." The seer said as she materialized. "Not the easiest form of transport, mind you, but I so hate not making an entrance. So, anyways, I've come to talk to you about this whole Dragon in the Dale situation that's been happening."

"The Vega clan claims to have the means to protect their lands." One of the advisors said. "We aim to let them. If they need help, they're welcome to ask."

"Right, still advised by idiots." The aging mystic noted. "Come on, I know you're not that dumb. This is a threat to everything, it just starts with the dale."

"If you're trying to say the dragon might strike at other targets…" Eikner asked.

"Oh, it will, once it's done winning the Vega lands for the Carsons." Sikowitz insisted.

"He knows…?" An advisor looked around, hoping he wasn't saying something the others weren't thinking.

"Of course you're little followers would already know." The seer scoffed. "You're abandoning a loyal follower in favor of an ambitious one, and for what? So a male can sit on the throne of the Dale? We both know, ambitious men, they don't get satisfied with just what you surrender to them. They've sewn distrusts across the dale, made the people question if lady Trina can rule, and now, you're waiting to grant Steven Carson the Barony of Vordnar?"

"It's not that simple." An advisor tried.

"I can't stop them." Eikner admitted. "This throne pretends to be strong, but we've relied upon the clans because we don't have the support of enough of the other nobles. I want to help, but what can I do against a Drolum?"

"Lucky for you, you probably won't have too." Sikowitz was now watching the gathered advisors. "They have Aliester's apprentice. Girls young, but has so much potential. Of course, the beast is resistant to magic, so she may have to show flexibility, but the fact that she's even there shows they're ready to throw down."

"And what difference will it make?" The most vocal advisor asked.

"Say they manage to slay the beast, and win the Lady Trina her right to rule the Dale?" Sikowitz asked. "Think about the apprentice. The very potent forces this woman brings to bear, many of them will be allies won from the outer planes. What reward are we allowing them to offer her?"

"What reward should they offer her?" Eikner asked.

"She was Aliesters apprentice, so how about letting the Lady Tori Marry her." Sikowitz suggested. "We both know Steven of the Carsons is unfit to rule the Dale of Vordnar, and he wouldn't be able to tame the lady Victoria. Let her marry for love."

"You're actually suggesting we punish the Carsons for breaking the kings law?" Eikener laughed. "And will the Vega's win?"

"My visions say it's possible." Sikowitz informed his old friend. His eyes, however, were locked on the man he now knew was reporting everything to the Carsons. "But there are far too many variables up in the air."

"Then we don't concern ourselves with fairy tales about punishing one of our strongest allies." The king declared, and for those in court, it might have sounded like he'd made a decision. However, to those who knew him, it was just him playing politics, staying on top by pretending to control events so far outside his power that the best he could do was sit back and watch. "So, old friend, I take it you're staying for a bit. I'll have a room made up. Meanwhile, I do have the affairs of state to get back too…."

"Of course." Sikowitz bowed. 'I have a lot to do now, and it starts with letting the Vegas know that this plot, it's covering a lot of ground. No, find out if I can mitigate the stakes, just a bit, first. THEN, we go in a rout I doubt any of the Carson's people would risk going, through the Queen on the Petrified Throne. Yea, cause that won't cause red winged nightmares…'

Back in the fields, Trina was left dealing with the new obvious. "So, you're a noble from the City of Carson, huh?" She measured the man carefully. "Very well. We're heading there now. You can come with, if you like, but try anything and you'll find our reflexes are battle trained. We may not remember you're a neutral before we take your head. Just a fair warning."

"Wait, that's it?" Sam asked quietly, knowing somehow not to challenge the lady's authority in front of the others. "You're just letting him go?"

"I can't do much right now." The Vega noble said. "This is proof that the Carsons are part of the plot against me. However, we'd need someone at court to lay suit, and bring proof, and the Carsons can claim this guy acted alone. No, we gather evidence, and when the time is right, we strike. Until then, that man is a guest, because I suspect we'll get more millage out of him that way. Also, and this IS important, with Jade's wind spirit, we have the advantage now, and will be feeding the Carsons false information. Only way to do that is to have some method for them to believe we've been fooled. This man is that opportunity. His lies will be the lies we seem to believe. So, lets get some rest. There won't be another attack before we reach the city of Carson."

Trina turned out to be right, as they next several days brought them through a part of the Vega holdings even Beck admitted wasn't really well received. The corridor was created by the king to help the city of Carson be more self sufficient, only for the Vega clan to be asked to take over when his nobles turned out to be poor administrators. The result was a block of land that led to Carson lands, was populated by those who had no chance to move to better lives, and farmed to support a city that didn't care about the serfs at all. Worse, the nobles who were responsible for law and order were seen as far away, with little to no real connection to the people. "Funny, the only real effects of having us rule this bit of land was to make it look like the Carson's were good administrators. We do what we can, but family magistrates don't make up for greedy nobles who live in the city, behind walls, and only visit their lands during tax time." Beck explained. "I've been petitioning the baron to let me replace so many of those lords. Only Lord Vega said we can't. Not until after the treaty with the Carson's is renewed."

"I get married." Tori sighed. "Look at this place. I've never seen a village without ovens. They should at least have a few basic ovens, to bake bread and chiz. How the hell are they expected to feed themselves if they don't have ovens."

"For started, different grains." Rob tossed out. "This is Rice country. Need someone to help them, but they would do better with rice. Course, then they'd have to learn how to cook rice…"

"It's deeper then that." Ryder observed. "See, what the people here need is for the Vega clan to run all the food production for Carson City. Planned deliveries from throughout the Vega holdings. Only way to feed a city that big. That, and ovens, and rice, and who knows what else, cause yea, this has the bleak look of a people who haven't had a unified vision of their lives set out before them. The Vega's, they do this all the time, shift food from one part of the Dale to another, so as to feed everyone. Sir Gary used to tell me, before he left, a good part of his job was to make sure of future food productions. Guessing at who'd have extra, so they could shift stuff around and feed everyone."

Andre nodded. "Clan Azure had a few rough years back when we started. The Vega's, they took good care of us. Since then, we've made sure to always have a surplus, to pay them back for making sure we didn't starve. I get how that kind of planning is so important. So, why is it the Carsons aren't doing the same thing?"

"Because the Carsons are merchants." Ryder explained. "The goal isn't running the whole well, it's making sure as many parts as possible make a profit, and they don't understand how a short term loss can lead to better long term profits."

"NO." Trina's voice was iron. "They just don't value the people. Remember, in the clans, everyone is family. We, the Vega's, we tend to do more poorly when running area's that our outside the family territory, because we expect everyone to react like family." Her eye glanced at the extra men who were riding with them. The clan member looked down, while the other just scoffed. 'Betting he thinks it's weak to admit any form of weakness. Fool, how else can you grow stronger if you don't acknowledge where you have room to grow?' She smiled, and continued. "We rely upon the local lords to know how best to run their territory, assuming family will look after family. Outside the area's where that's true, we tend to be slow in replacing a bad administrator, partially because we just assume, if there is one, we'd hear about it from dozens of sources. However, it's also because we're not used to anyone thinking about the serfs as chattel, and from what I can so clearly see, that's what the local lords feel about their people."

"So what do we do?" Beck wondered.

"We deal with our Steven problem, and with luck, he'll be able to help deal with this mess." Trina joked. 'Or, we find out what we're allowed to do once the treaty is off. I swear, this is getting messy, and I hate messy.'

"The local lords will continue to be a problem until the whole Dragon problem is dealt with." Jade informed them. "Once that's done, then the non-Vega, or non-clan lords will fall in line. Those that don't will be replaced. Lady Trina here needs to end that dragon, so she can strengthen her claim to rulership. Once that's done, she should have all the authority she needs to make a few dozen changes."

"Plus, they may not need nearly as much food if we have to erase large parts of that city." Cat added, but only to Jade. "Not saying I'd do that again, cause some people can be so grouchy when you do. Just saying, we need to keep our options open, right?"

"Jade?" Tori asked.

"Just getting easier to let Cat's side comments slide." The witch noted. "No, I'm more concerned with how much collateral damage our impending fight will cause. May not like the people of Carson, but most of them will be innocent bystanders."

"By midday tomorrow, we'll be in the city, so I'm thinking we just wait and see." Sam said. "Rob, once we get there, we have work to do. The rest of you…"

"They know their jobs." Trina instructed. "Lets just stay alert. We've been safe so far, but I don't trust this part of our lands."

:}

So, getting closer to the end. Still have a few chapters to go, but until then, we have the prisoners, and I'm left wondering what dark fate awaits them both.