I'll See You When I Fall Asleep

by Federer Rex

Adventure beckons once sleep claims Harry Potter, explanations are few apart from the possibility of a new prophecy and an unknown companion who didn't wait for him. What's a Gryffindor to do? Charge in and save the damsel? It turns out she's not so helpless.

6. Chapter Six

I do not own Harry Potter or any of the related characters. The Harry Potter series is created by JK Rowling and owned by Warner Bros. This fanfiction is intended for entertainment only. I am not making any profit from this story. All rights of the original Harry Potter story belong to Warner Bros. Any names used are a nod to the respective authors I admire so much.

Beta'd by Dorothea Greengrass, any and all errors in grammar, spelling and plot are mine.

Chapter Six: Bandits, Caravans and Kicking Ass

When Harry woke he was alone, no Daphne, no wolf cub, just the sloped attic roof and blissful silence. He lay toasty warm, content, and luxuriated for a few minutes until the needs of the day couldn't be ignored.

Harry found Daphne in a shaded corner of the inn courtyard, a book propped up by her knees and Raksha in the grass several metres away, sniffing the grass and mewling.

"She's opened her eyes." Daphne said by way of greeting.

"Morning. Thanks for letting me sleep."

Daphne nodded and closed the book and turned to prop her elbows on the table.

"We were in no rush today, plus I wanted time to read this. She was more active, so I put her in the grass to see what she would do."

Raksha struggled to her feet and unsteadily explored the tufts of grass around the table legs, it snuffled at the ground and ate something.

"What's that she's got?"

"It was gammon last night, probably that."

Harry turned his attention to Daphne's book while he kept an eye on their wandering charge.

"How is the primer on Staff Defence and Stick Projections?"

"It's not Stick Projections. You keep cracking the same dad joke. It wasn't funny the first time, and it isn't getting any better. This is the primer on Staff Defence and Unarmed Combat Protections."

Daphne glared at him over the top edge of the book.

Harry smirked. "Fine, be serious before breakfast."

"It's almost lunch, sleeping beauty."

Harry sniffed. "It's still my breakfast. Are we sparring?"

"Yes. I asked around and there's a monk who might give us some training. Better than guessing, I suppose. But until then I'll be happy to hit you with my staff."

"You will try."

Daphne smirked. "Go get your breakfast, Lizzie was here a few minutes ago, asking after you."

Harry groaned. "She weirds me out. She keeps staring at me without blinking."

Daphne's smirk grew into a grin. "Not to mention that she puffs out her chest whenever she sees you?"

"Yes, not to mention that." Harry growled.

"Hey, you saved her from an ogre. I bet Granger did the same thing."

"She didn't, it was a troll. She was eleven and she didn't have any boobs."

Daphne's burst of laughter startled Raksha, and Harry continued to grumble as he wandered into the taproom.

"Hi Lizzie, do you have any food ready?"

"Oh, hi Harry."

Lizzie's eyes grew twice the size, and she took a deep breath.

Harry swallowed.

"We've got chicken roasting and warmed bread or pork stew."

"Erm—I–erm—the stew, please, and some bread. Mead, too, if you don't mind."

"Of course. I'll bring it out."

"Thank you."

Harry walked back out to the table Daphne had occupied and scooped up Raksha on the way.

Daphne chortled at the look on his face.

"What did she do this time?"

"I'm sure she has magic eyes. They got three times bigger than the laws of nature say they should."

"Only her eyes?"

"Aren't we sparring?" he asked back, pointedly ignoring her question, while he fought the heat rising into his cheeks.

Daphne grinned at his discomfort, placed the book on the table and stood, staff in hand.

"I am. You need to read the book. I just got a quest and suddenly knew how to stand, hold the staff and the basic forms. Plus, my journal updated."

"So that's how it works. No writing then, the magic puts in what we need to know?"

Harry paused and watched her for a few seconds.

"What are you doing?"

Daphne had started thrust and parry movements against an invisible opponent. She twirled her staff twice and brought it up in an uppercut motion.

"Wow, that's hard work," she said between pants. "Katas. My journal said that while I have the knowledge, I need to practise it."

Harry returned to the bench, Raksha in his embrace and mewling. The book tilted itself up from the table to stand in front of him and flipped open to the first chapter.

"Welcome to the Noble art of staff weaponry combat…. This is going to take a while."

Daphne slowed her movements and turned to Harry.

"Er, Harry, do you feel like we should move on? I'm feeling, I dunno, antsy."

"I wasn't, but now that you mention it, yeah."

"Today then, we'll move on. Read your book and we can go see the monk."

—Scene Break—-

The farewell from the village was the most heartfelt and tear-jerking event that Harry had ever experienced. It was in complete contrast to the shunning he had gone through during the Chamber of Secrets event.

The word had clearly been passed that they were in preparation to leave, and everyone had gathered in the market square to see them off. Six villagers stood in the centre, each holding an item or a bag with nervous looks on their faces.

One of the villagers they had already met, Lyra, stepped forward and spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard across the square.

"Greetings Milord, Milady. We wish to offer you a token of our thanks for bringing our children home safe."

Daphne stepped forward and held her hands out to accept the bundles. She smiled her thanks and tried to pry at one end but it was too well wrapped.

"These are a pair of woollen blankets lined with leather and beeswax, we don't have much in the way of value or gold."

"Lyra, we will accept it in the spirit that it was offered but weren't looking for a reward. We were able to rescue your children and were in the right place."

Lyra nodded and stepped back to her place with the other parents. The big rough featured man didn't move quickly enough for his rotund wife and stepped forward at her nudge, something large wrapped in white wax paper in his arms.

"Highnesses, I'm Grandon the Butcher. You brought my Jenny back to me and I can never repay you enough. This is the best cured ham I currently have in my shop. I would gladly give it all, but you can only carry so much."

Harry almost fell over at the weight of the ham and looked beseechingly at Daphne who lightened, then shrank it. Harry stowed it in his pack to the awe of the gathered villagers, Grandon shook Harry's then after a pause shook Daphne's too.

Harry and Daphne knew the final couple that stepped forward. Adeline had her arm wrapped around Fletcher's and was clamped on like he was keeping her afloat. Fletcher had a small box in his hands which he presented to Daphne.

"A small token to show our thanks. That, and the promise to aid you in whatever way you need. We can never repay you for the service you have done for our family."

Daphne gently accepted the box and popped the latch on the delicately engraved lid. The top hinged open at her gentle touch and a tiny lifelike pixie rotated slowly to tinkling music. Daphne gasped as Adeline stepped closer and carefully stroked the pixie with her forefinger.

"This was mine when I was a little girl. My father got it from a wizard he helped once, life or death he said. Well, this was life or death too and as dear as this is to me, I willingly give it up to keep my family safe."

Daphne chewed her bottom lip, slightly opened her mouth to speak, then licked her lips nervously.

"This is far too precious for it not to pass to your daughters. I want it to pass to your daughters. My mother would never forgive me if it did not stay in your family. Thank you for the thought and the gesture, this is your daughters now. I will be back to visit, but I don't know when. Keep it for us?"

Adeline sniffed and accepted the box back with a sad smile then hugged the shorter girl. Fletcher extended a hand towards Harry, and they shook with a nod.

"I think it goes without saying, you're always welcome in our little corner of the Kingdom. Thank you."

Harry and Daphne exchanged a look, then turned for the cart track that would lead them toward the Kings Highway and Redfast. Maybe it would be an uneventful journey, but they would learn not to hope for that much.

—Scene Break—-

A few miles outside of Durendale lay a ramshackle monastery. The walls were covered in ivy and lichen, several windows were broken, and there were no obvious repairs underway. However, the road leading up to the massive wooden doors had recently been swept, and several merry smoke trains drifted in the still air high above the old building.

Raksha had mewled and wiggled just enough that she had been let down to see what she would do, as it happened, she didn't do much. She sniffled the road, walked in the general direction they had been going for a few minutes then rolled on the grass verge laid down and went to sleep. Harry and Daphne regarded her for a few seconds before Daphne picked her up and slid her back in the sling.

"So, this is what it's like to own a dog?" Harry asked.

"Dunno, never owned a dog."

"Me neither."

They turned their attention back to the monastery and Daphne nudged Harry with her elbow.

"Our first mysterious building. So exciting."

Harry snorted. "We live in a thousand-year-old castle with more secrets than even the headmaster knows."

"Yes, well." She shrugged. "Are you going to knock?"

"Hey, I knocked yesterday, and Sheba fell over. It's your turn."

Daphne rattled her staff against the door three times and listened to the echo die away.

Nobody answered.

They exchanged a look, then Harry tried the door. He pushed and pulled, but it didn't move. They waited for long enough that it got awkward, and just as Daphne turned to Harry, there was a rattle of wood on wood, and the big door creaked open.

A face peered out. It belonged to a man who was a foot taller than either of them. His skin was darker than coal and his head was completely bald.

"Can I help you?" His voice was so deep the vibration could be felt from two metres away.

"Hi, I am Daphne, and this is Harry, we're adventurers. We are looking for training in staff combat and you were recommended."

The large dark eyes regarded one, then the other. He opened the door wider but his hulking shoulders prevented entry, his sandaled feet were planted wide and bracing.

"I can offer you some pointers, but you should really read a skill book first."

"We did, earlier today. It was a weird feeling to have the knowledge in my head and only when I practised it did I know it."

He regarded them again, then nodded and grinned a wide white smile.

"That's how it feels. Please come in, my name is brother Lu-Tze." He stepped back and held the door wider.

They entered an enclosed courtyard. The building rose four floors high around them and had a square hole in it, about four metres across, which projected a shaft of light down to the flagstones below. It looked like a boxing ring with no rope.

"You have just arrived on Fyria."

Daphne looked up at him, askance.

"I— how did you know that?"

The monk offered her a charismatic smile and gestured for them to precede him into the light.

"Several reasons. You're young and have exceptionally made Staffs, but you're coming to me for basic training. I can tell you both have great skill in some areas, but none in others, so you'll need the training to balance out your skill sets. Also, my god told me of you and that you would come."

Harry rolled his eyes. "That figures. More powerful beings, messing with my life."

Brother Lu-Tze narrowed his eyes at Harry. "You have a purpose Harry, more than one, I think. Most people get lost before they have their breakfast, so I would not be so quick to dismiss the aid of the gods so quickly."

Harry offered the man a bitter smile. "It's not usually gods, messing up my life. Interfering old men, but not gods that I know of—at least until now"

Lu-Tze smiled. "It is always the old who commands the young, and the young being resentful for not understanding. Come, step into the light and show me what you know." Lu-Tze walked to a table at one side of the courtyard.

Harry and Daphne left their packs and Raksha in her basket with him and entered the square of light. Daphne held her staff in a two-handed grip and Harry twisted and turned as he flicked his staff around carelessly.

Daphne raised an eyebrow at him and he stilled. They paused for a few seconds then both struck at the same time. For the next few minutes the only sounds were the scraping of their boots, the rasp of their breath and the clack of wood.

"Hold!"

Brother Lu-Tze's voice boomed out and he melted from the dark. His beetle brow was furrowed so tight that his eyebrows met in the middle.

"The first lesson I must always teach is that you are holding a long stick in your hand. It's a bludgeon weapon, it's also a force extension and a multiple opponent controlling weapon. Hold your staff at the bottom, extend your arm, and relax."

He raised his hand to reveal the staff neither of them had noticed and held his arm out, the staff held at the butt.

"This is your attack range."

Daphne and Harry nodded in understanding.

"Now, if you restrict yourself to a two-handed hold, you are restricting the distance you can keep your opponent away from you. Jabs, swings, and feints are your friends." Brother Lu-Tze wielded the staff in a complicated series of motions that seemed to blur into one another. His movements were as graceful as a dancer's. He stopped and turned towards them again, not even breathing harder.

"The staff length makes for an effective way to parry and deflect edge weapons. Beyond striking, the quarterstaff can be used in grappling, allowing a fighter to trip, push, or pull an opponent, hook the end behind a trailing leg or behind the neck."

He raised his hand to present his own staff and adopted a textbook ready pose then continued.

"If you wish to become more than proficient, or even just proficient, you will have to practise the forms and spar several times a week, if not daily. Hold your arms out again."

Brother Lu-Tze held out his arms in front of him, his staff in both hands and looked at them expectantly until they mirrored his actions.

"Good. Do this every day to increase arm and shoulder strength, try and do longer each day. Above your head and out to the side also. Both arms individually in different positions and angles."

He demonstrated again and the three stood in silence for a few seconds as Harry and Daphne exchanged a glance. Brother Lu-Tze lowered his staff.

"Enough, you can do that in your own time. Now, follow me in the basic, intermediate and advanced forms."

He stamped forward and as he moved he slid the front hand back until he held it like a sword, holding the staff with both hands at one end, and smashed it down on an invisible opponent.

"One! The two-handed strike. The more aggression you put into your foot stamp the more power you can put into the strike."

He stepped back into his former stance.

"Two! Recover to the ready position."

The training continued in this vein for the rest of the day. Harry and Daphne soon found their limits and had to rely on enervate charms to keep up. At last, Brother Lu-Tze was satisfied and called it a day. He watched as Daphne fed Raksha without comment and led them down a flight of stone steps into a long dark kitchen lit only by sconces set in iron brackets in the wall. Their flames had charred the vaulted stone ceiling above and left a dark layer of soot evenly spaced to give the room a sinister aspect. Benches and tables lined the wall. At the far end, a cauldron suspended over an open fire bubbled away merrily.

Next to the fireplace, a rough-hewn wooden table sat two portly monks whose habits were made of the same rough fabric as Brother Lu-Tze's, but they both had full heads of hair. Lu-Tze, Harry and Daphne slid onto the benches opposite.

"Daphne, Harry, these are Brother Simon and Brother Marcus. My Brothers in God, these are Daphne and Harry, adventurers who have come to train with me."

They exchanged polite nods, but Harry's and Daphne's attention was half-hearted, at best. A whole roast chicken sat on a platter in the centre of the table, together with a plate of bread and a bowl of soup. Daphne looked down at the food, then glanced at Harry, and she licked her lips. Harry's mouth began to water at the intoxicating aroma.

"Tuck in," Brother Lu-Tze said.

Harry did not hesitate but despite her hunger, Daphne still minded her manners.

"Brother Lu-Tze, can we pay for the food and a room? We've been training all day, and we want to show our appreciation."

Lu-Tze smiled and gestured to the chicken.

"It is guest hospitality; your health and wellbeing are in the interest of my god. He has a purpose for you two, and I am required to assist in any way I may. You can pay me if you like, others have accepted my gifts, and some have offered a donation. It's your choice. The standard for room and board at an inn is three bronze draken."

He finished with another smile and ladled some vegetable broth into a wooden bowl. His brethren Brothers Simon and Marcus were silent as they followed the conversation and ate steadily.

Daphne looked at Harry who shrugged.

"Give the man a donation. You'll feel better about it tomorrow."

Daphne shrugged herself and smiled self-deprecatingly.

"How far is the King's Highway?"

"Our convent is an old castle which used to protect fifty miles or so of highway in either direction. We are only a few miles away and there is a well-travelled cart track to get to it. There are several villages around here, other than Durendale."

"Thank you. In Durendale we met Father Simon of the Order of Tevos, do you know him?"

"By reputation only. He treats everyone with kindness and patience, which is rare for one of his profession. He wouldn't do well in ecclesiastical politics."

Brother Marcus grunted. "Too nice."

"He was telling me about the suspicions that the gods are playing a great game. Do you think that's the case too?"

"Great game? No, they're far above any concepts such as fun or indulge in a pastime. It's more like they are shaping destiny and need certain events to occur for something in a thousand years to happen."

Harry dipped his spoon in his wooden bowl, then paused. A contemplative expression appeared on his face. He let go of the spoon and scratched his head.

"Many gods or one god with many aspects? Father Simon said that too."

Brother Lu-Tze smiled and nodded at Harry.

"Ah, you've just committed blasphemy to certain minor factions of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, you heretic. It's a fairly hot topic at universities and the like, but to most, including us, it makes no difference in the day to day. I still pray to my aspect, whether he answers or not, as is his whim."

Brother Lu-Tze grinned suddenly and leant forward.

"Enough of our boring dogma, I wasn't always a monk and I want to hear of your adventures. It is my only request for the food at my table and the roof over your head for the night."

Harry glanced at Daphne who nodded, and he took a sip of his mead.

"You were right that we're not from around here. Do you know Edward…"

—Scene Break—-

Brother Marcus woke Harry and Daphne at the crack of dawn, as it was the Monastery's tradition. Daphne grumbled through breakfast and snapped at Harry twice before her brain booted up enough and her wits returned.

The three monks saw them off at the monastery doors, and within an hour Harry and Daphne were on the leafy path which led to the Kings Highway.

Harry scratched his neck where Raksha's sling had a rough spot. "Did you feel that we were rushed out?"

"Erm, no? Maybe a little."

"What am I saying, you're not awake enough now to hold a sensible conversation."

Instead of an answer, she tried to push him off the track. Harry laughed and held his ground.

Ping.

They both stopped in their tracks and looked at each other for a moment, then started walking again at a much faster pace than before. It took five minutes to reach the Kings Highway. They stopped in the middle of a bare dirt track, with not a soul to be seen.

Harry glanced into the distance. "Lu-Tze said north?"

"Yes, but which way is the quest?"

Harry sighed and brandished his staff.

"Point me, quest."

Nothing happened.

"Oh, that was too much to hope for." He huffed out a sigh.

"Quest," Daphne said and stared into the middle distance.

"Quest." Harry echoed her.

"While heading north towards Redfast, you come across a carriage being held up by bandits. Mandatory: rescue the daughter. Mandatory: save the life of the baron and his wife. Optional: save the life of the coachman. Hurry, you are time limited."

Harry looked up and down the road again as Daphne conjured the basket, and Harry transferred the precious load so he could run unencumbered.

"Cool, point me, Redfast." The staff turned and showed the direction. "That way. Run or jog?"

"We are time limited…"

"Run, then."

The two broke into a run and kept their eyes peeled for trouble. The next few minutes were a study in maintaining a regular cadence and the sound of their steady breathing, Raksha snoozed between them with not a care in the world. A copse of trees was ahead and the only landmark for several miles ahead apart from distant mountains. As they came level with the small wood, a regular metallic clink could be made out.

A scream erupted and shattered the expectant silence. It carried so much fear and desperation that it shocked Harry's nerves so much that he didn't notice Daphne had broken into a sprint. She was a couple of metres ahead by the time he started to move.

Daphne left the road to cut the corner and as she rounded the last tree, she skidded to a halt then backpedalled as fast as she could. Harry dodged and managed to avoid her but bounced off a tree and grazed his arm for his troubles. She grabbed his shoulder and hissed into his ear.

"A coach and armed men. I didn't see much but it looks bad. Maybe four."

Daphne was cut off by another heart-rending scream followed by a deep rough bellow.

"Bitch, I already told you, pack that in or you'll be worth more dead."

The girl whimpered and Harry and Daphne shared a glance, and the basket settled to the grass. There was a twang and a deeper, hoarse scream, followed by men's laughter. Daphne's staff tip glowed orange faintly as her features tightened, they rose from their crouch together and rounded the corner.

The tableau before them was a tactical nightmare, there were four swordsmen near the three hostages and two crossbowmen on the other side of the road. One was in the process of reloading, the clank of his crossbow loud in the still air. One of the swordsmen stepped forward aggressively and brandished his sword.

"What are you two supposed to be? More bandits? Well, piss off, this here is our loot."

A figure rolled out of his seat at the front of the carriage to flop into the floor, he managed to loop a hand onto a metal bracket for a split second and slowed his descent to barely controlled from free fall. He landed flat on his back and all eyes turned towards him as he groaned piteously a black quarrel standing proud from his stomach.

Daphne licked her lips and exchanged a worried glance with Harry.

"Harry, you take the swordsmen."

He hummed noncommittally as the second crossbowman brought his weapon up and aimed in his direction. Daphne fired a stunning spell at him and as he dropped unconscious to the ground the bolt zipped high and wide of its intended target and buried itself into a quivering tree.

The collective gasp of outrage of his fellow bandits sounded like an echo as their reaction was staggered and disjointed. A fifth swordsman appeared from behind the carriage and all but one advanced on the interlopers.

"All of them? Thanks," Harry huffed.

Harry took several steps forward as he flicked his gaze between the men and shot a pair of stunning spells at the two quickest then growled as only one twisted in an elliptical arc from the impact to his shoulder and clattered to the ground in an ungraceful heap. The second spell was dodged and splashed against the carriage just above the heads of the hostages. Their renewed cries added to the chaos of the moment and Harry fired again.

The swordsman's limp body flipped so hard from the impact of energy into his chest that he landed on his front and bounced. The sword became a deadly missile, and Harry watched it clatter and slide down the road towards him and slid into the long grass.

Daphne shot from the hip and caused the last crossbowman to dip behind the carriage then turned her attention briefly to the men threatening her and Harry. She fired a flash bang spell at the ground between the charging men which caused the fourth man to flinch away.

Harry twitched his head and smirked at a sudden thought. He concentrated and as the third reached him he suddenly screamed and dropped his sword. As smoke rose from the man's hand along with a truly horrendous smell Harry tagged him with a stunner and turned his focus to the last man who had recovered his momentum and was in the middle of a massive overhead swing.

The recent training that Harry and Daphne had undergone saved his life, Harry flicked his staff up enough to deflect the sword to the side and miss him by a fraction of an inch. A red spell impacted the side of the man's head and Harry glanced at Daphne as he collapsed bonelessly to the road. Harry stared at her wide eyed for the second it took for the last bandit to try and stab the father, after a scuffle Harry saw the man glance at him over the father's shoulder and with a grunt and look of desperation, he slammed his sword hilt across the father's head and dragged the girl down the road. The mother wailed and looked conflicted.

"Ah! No Annika! Mikael! Please help her!"

"Go, I'll secure this lot and help that man."

Harry nodded and set off after the fleeing pair. As he rounded the carriage he had to duck as a thrown dagger missed his head by too close a margin and shattered the carriage window.

"Fuck this."

Harry glanced around and checked his surroundings; the birds had gone silent and there was barely a fluttering of leaves in the breathy wind.

Wind. Air.

Harry glanced up at his staff then at the retreating figures in the middle distance. The bandit had proven deadly with a thrown dagger and Harry knew he had to get closer. He had already done this once, but to do it on purpose was another prospect. He didn't want to be too high if his magic decided that he couldn't do it again.

Harry broke into a run and instead of descending down the hill he went out onto thin air, he tried to control his ascent and experienced a modicum of success. His silent steps only slowed by air resistance soon saw him catch the running bandit and Harry realised he was going to soon overtake them.

Harry slowed at the thought and as he slowed his pace he dropped a metre and, in a panic, almost lost his concentration completely. He overcompensated and jumped a full ten metres up.

"Oh shit, oh piss, oh fuck, this is high."

Harry aimed his staff, sent a silent apology to the girl and fired a stunner at the back of the bandit's head. He realised it would miss high and send two more each slightly slower. The second hit the bandit and the third hit his falling body and caused the terrified girl to scream as he dragged her to the ground.

They bounced and she took three attempts to wrench her arm from his slack grip. The sword in his right hand had flailed as he fell, and she had been lucky it hadn't stabbed her. Harry slowly added weight to himself, so his descent was much more graceful than the previous thirty seconds had been.

The girl's face had him gulping again as she looked exactly like Lizzie had the other day. The awed look made her eyes appear four times bigger than Harry had thought possible. Harry smiled sheepishly at her and led the girl and the unconscious floating bandit back to the carriage.

Daphne looked relieved as they rounded the vehicle but only nodded for him to deposit the slumbering man on the pile of bandits, she had unceremoniously thrown against the carriage wheel. Harry nodded and dropped his unwelcome load, none too gently on top of the pile. He turned to the noble who was lying flat on the flint road and his wife who knelt over their footman.

"How are they?"

Daphne slid amused eyes from the girls mooning face to Harry's shifty eyes and smirked. The girl squeaked at the sight of her father flat on his back and ran over to huddle next to her mother.

"They'll live, I've hit them both with a couple of healing spells but the coach driver will need more help than I can provide. You have more experience than me, maybe you could do more."

Harry nodded sombrely then smirked.

"It's called skill Daph, I've got more skill than you do."

"Overpowering a spell doesn't mean better than finessing a problem."

"Sure, it does."

The females of the family paid the pair more attention and the matriarch rose and crossed the few metres to stand before them. She first looked at Daphne then at Harry, tried in vain to straighten her hair then nodded.

"I- thank you, that would have ended very badly for us if you had not arrived when you did. I am-"

"Father!"

They all turned at the cry and a groan and Mikael could be seen being propped in a sitting position by his daughter, his hand before his eyes covered in his crimson blood.

"This is Mikael, he is the Baron of Greenvale, our little part of paradise. I am Lady Kathryn, but you shall call me Kathryn, and this is our daughter Annika."

Kathryn glanced over her shoulder then pulled a white handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at the corner of each eye.

"I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. We were in trouble and you saved us."

Ping ping ping.

Harry nodded his head while studiously not looking at Annika and stepped past her to tend to the two injured men. His quiet murmurs and glowing staff distracted Kathryn, but Daphne continued the conversation.

"It is becoming a habit, but I don't think we will complain if we can continue the outcomes like this. It is still early in the day, but we cannot stay here. I am Daphne and Harry is our medic. How far is your castle?"

Kathryn took Daphne's free hand and squeezed her fingers gently. They both watched Harry's efforts for a few seconds before she replied.

"Another hour or two and we would have been within sight of the manor walls."

She sighed.

"We did have a few more guards with us, you know. Carl and Gus were made better offers, Mikael tried to reason with them, offered them a pay rise but they wanted adventure. Something about a trading post in the frozen north, I don't understand it. So, we had to come back with only Ralph. I don't suppose you know how to drive a carriage?"

Daphne smiled slightly and shook her head.

"Sorry, I can ride but we usually walk. I wouldn't know the first thing about driving a carriage."

Ping.

She saw Harry's head twitch and she smirked.

"Well Ralph can't drive. I could but am not fond of the motion up there. Annika would have us in the nearest ditch. Maybe your friend?"

A gruff pain filled voice interrupted her and groaned at the effort.

"Not Annika!"

The indignant girl perked up from the other side of Ralph and exclaimed. "Hey!"

"I will drive. Just give me a few minutes. My head is beginning to clear thanks to whatever this young man has done."

"It was one time! That old cantankerous pony you call a faithful steed doesn't do what you tell him father! What were you expecting me to do! I thought I did well not breaking an axle."

Mikael wheezed out a chuckle then groaned again.

"Don't make me laugh. I think I broke a rib. Do you wish to learn to drive Harry?"

"Yes please."

Ping.

"Accio basket."

Daphne rolled her eyes and turned to the pile of bandits. None were stirring so she bound them all hand and foot. Then levitated them onto the carriage roof and secured them in place with several lengths of conjured rope. She turned to find the Greenvale family staring at her slack jawed and a smirking Harry with the basket floating beside him. Daphne grinned at a wide-eyed Annika who muttered to herself as she was nudged toward the carriage by her mother.

"I have so many questions."

—Scene Break—-

As the carriage clattered over the wooden bridge several figures could be seen running either towards the carriage or back to the manor house in the distance. The thick forest ended suddenly to reveal a sprawling grassy meadow which ran up to stone walls as tall as a man on horseback which encircled a three floor Manor House withwhen dozens of windows set in even rows and several set into the high green roof. Turrets stood at each corner to provide sentries a place to oversee the meadow. The courtyard was enclosed by smaller brick buildings on two sides, one had arched doorways big enough for the horse and carriage to pass through and the other was a house of similar design to the main manor.

Birds flew overhead, branches and bushes rustled as a large animal was spooked and the silvery glint of a lake shone in the distance. It was idyllic.

Harry heard Daphne sigh at the sight as they bounced along the uneven cart track and sighed himself. He was truly enjoying this strangely familiar world with someone who he got on with so well and who also challenged him. Plus he got to do magic, learn combat and drive carriages. Well, a carriage.

The four horses had a mind of their own and had to be encouraged and guided. Constantly. Each time he took his mind off the instructions that Mikael had given him they slowed or meandered towards the verge to tasty patches of grass. Now the short journey had drawn to an end the paddock was in sight, the horses sped up and their ears pricked.

"Easy, gently apply pressure on the reins and bring them back down to a trot."

Harry complied and his smile grew to a grin as the horses slowed.

"Rein them in here."

On either side of the road men gathered with weapons or farming tools. Each wore serious expressions and were looking directly at Harry.

"Davis, we were waylaid by bandits but this man and the woman riding below came to our aid. I wish to thank them with our hospitality."

The men arrayed before the carriage all relaxed and dropped their wary stances. Harry released his breath and leant his staff back against his shoulder. He clicked his tongue and flapped the reins just as he had been shown.

The carriage passed by the group of men and as the rest returned to their tasks two mounted the footman rest at the back of the carriage and murmured between themselves. Probably about the pile of bodies securely fastened to the luggage compartment behind the driver's bench.

As they rattled down the long drive a gathering of people, most wearing black formed two lines on either side of the red double doors which stood open and inviting. Harry's focus was drawn to a pair of men midway down the left-hand side, they looked surly and annoyed for a second before a woman glanced over, muttered to them and their features smoothed.

Ping.

"Hmmmm."

"Sorry Harry? Did you say something?"

"Nothing Lord Mikael, just a thought."

"Sometimes those are the ones you should act on. And I'm not a Lord, I am a Knight Baron only. If you wish to address me with a title, then let it be Sir Mikael. You'll ever be in my good graces so like Kathryn I would insist on just Mikael."

"Something looked odd, and my friend gets into trouble all the time for acting on his first thoughts. Usually his mum telling him off."

"Well, we can discuss your thoughts later on over dinner. You will be staying with us for the night at least. I insist. I wish to know more about you so I can pay off my debt as best I can. My daughter is safe and with us, thanks to you."

Harry smiled at the man and pulled the reins to halt the carriage. Three men stepped up to the horses' heads and Harry let the reins drop. He looked around to see what Mikael was doing but found himself alone on the driver's bench. Mikael had already descended and an elderly man who made Harry think of every medical professional he had ever met fussed over him.

Harry climbed down the other side and almost bumped into Daphne as she was stood so close to him.

"Conspiracy to Kidnap?"

"Huh?" He asked.

"The quest we got pinged."

"Oh, I didn't get a chance to read it. I saw a couple of men and a woman acting suspicious and as I thought that's odd, the ping went off."

"So we have something to do here besides rescuing people."

Harry nodded.

"Everything we've done seems linked. This unknown purpose that Edward was talking about?"

A voice drifted from the other side of the carriage and their conversation ended abruptly.

"…where are they?"

Harry followed her around the rear of the carriage and found them at the centre of attention. The staff were still in their lines minus the stable boys who were standing by the horses' heads to keep them calm and still. Mikael stood in the middle with his family and two new men. The first introduced was the elderly man who was still treating his lord and a gaunt, tall figure who looked like an undertaker.

"Harry, Daphne I wish to introduce you to my personal Physician Bartholomew and my Steward Jackson. Barty, Jackson our saviours in more ways than one, Ralph is still inside the carriage but was shot by a crossbow. Harry has some skill at healing magic and Ralph is resting comfortably."

Bartholomew started at the state of his new patient then inclined his head and offered a long-fingered hand for Harry then Daphne to shake.

"Please accept our most sincere thanks, it does my old heart good to know in this time of strife to know there are people who will stand up to evil, I will attend Ralph now. Could I indulge a moment of your time after the evening meal to discuss your methods, Sir Harry?"

Harry smiled and chuckled slightly.

"I am not a Sir, just Harry please. I can meet with you."

"Splendid."

He nodded at Harry and Daphne then offered a deeper half bow to Mikael.

"Milord, please excuse me. I wish to see to Ralph."

Mikael nodded and Bartholomew climbed into the carriage. Harry shook Jackson's hand then and stepped back to just behind Daphne's shoulder. He turned his attention to the other people around them and the reactions to the conversation before him.

"I am Jackson the Steward of the manor and the warden for Sir Mikaels lands from the forest at the kings highway to the shores of Lake Silverbrook. I thank you for your efforts, the details are short but the result is clear for all to see."

Daphne inclined her head and took the lead in the conversation.

"You're welcome, I am just glad we were in time to stop something worse from happening."

"The gods forbid," Jackson said. "Barty and I were just discussing sending a rider along the road to see if he could find Sir Mikael. Er, what is that on the carriage roof?"

"Oh, the bandits. They were captured." Mikael said brightly.

"They were?"

As Jackson's attention returned to Harry and Daphne, Annika leant forward eagerly as Harry tapped his staff on the ground. The bindings that secured the men to the luggage rack flopped free and they floated down as one and thumped down on the dirt and straw of the courtyard.

The collective gasp caused Harry to smirk then gasp as Daphne elbowed him in his side. Harry had kept an eye on the suspicious characters he had noticed earlier. He had dropped them a little hard on purpose right in front of them.

Everyone gasped or reacted naturally as he had expected but one of the men went pale and the woman raised her hand to her face and moved behind the third man. The third man was more vocal in his surprise and dismay.

"You brought the bandits here! They will be robbing us as soon as they wake."

Harry and Daphne exchanged a quick glance and Daphne reassured the man.

"They won't wake. I have spelled them to sleep."

Mikael glared at the slumbering pile of criminals and turned to his Steward.

"Sent for the watch Jackson, Daphne has assured me that they will not awaken until they wish it."

Jackson nodded and cast an eye along the line of his people.

"Hugh, Garrett and Frank prepare your horses. I will write letters for you to take to the guard commander at Torrent. You are to leave as soon as you are ready."

The three men nodded as one and left for the rear of the house.

Bartholomew emerged from the carriage and attracted all attention to himself.

"That was fine work, the healing process is much more advanced than I have seen for a wound only a few hours old. Well done Harry."

Harry smiled and nodded. "I did what I could. I am still learning."

"Well you did very well."

He turned to the groomsmen holding the bridles and nodded.

"Take the carriage to the servants quarters, once we have transferred him to my quarters you may care for the horses."

As the carriage was led away Jackson dismissed his staff and at a nod from Mikael returned to his duties.

Harry turned to follow the Knight Baronet into the house but was brought up short with Kathryn stood right in front of him.

"What was that?"

Harry shrugged. "What was what?"

"You were dramatic and showing off there. It's the first time I've seen that behaviour from you. You did that for a specific purpose. What was it."

Harry sighed and looked at Daphne over Kathryn's shoulder who shrugged. Harry glanced around and only saw Mikael and Annika within earshot.

"On the drive over I was thinking about your story, how your guards took other jobs and you were left with Ralph and then there were just enough bandits to manage the four of you. It's why Daphne and I were on the other side of the carriage, talking about it. As you explained what had happened I noticed three of your staff were looking worried so I dropped the bandits in front of them in a show of magic. They reacted. The man who spoke out was one of them."

The Baron and his family were a study in reactions. The women showed shock and dismay but the Baron was angry. He grated out a name.

"Peter."

He spun on his heel but stopped at Daphne's call.

"Wait. Don't let on that we know yet. There is more to this than three bad apples."

"We've seen things recently that look bigger than just your people."

Mikael frowned and growled again.

"Yes, my people."

"What does Peter do?"

Mikael snarled but Kathryn laid a hand on his arm and he calmed and exchanged a glance with her.

"I want to be uncharitable and say not a lot but that isn't fair. He's been with us for years, generations actually. His grandfather and father served my father. Alex died and just after there was a scandal with his son, Gil and a- milkmaid?"

He broke off and looked at Kathryn again.

"She was a shepherd. Her father didn't approve of their child born out of wedlock especially as he already had Peter with Sally. I think Gerald was his name, he came from Upperton sloshed out of his gills and started a fight with - er Gil. Sir Roger banished him. Poor Sally and Peter had to live with it over their heads all Peter's life. Oh, Sally died a few months ago and Peter changed."

Everyone in their circle looked grim.

"We'll have to ask Jackson but I think that's right. Oh I don't suppose…"

Mikael let his voice fade and he gestured toward the house in lieu of continuing his thought as Jackson emerged from the dim interior and descended down the stone steps at a brisk pace, letters in hand.

He met them in the middle of the courtyard.

"Jackson, just the man," Mikael said, the frown on his expressive face looked out of place.

Jackson slowed and glanced at the others, uncertainty written across his face.

"My Lord?"

Mikael sighed and Kathryn took his hand.

"The new staff we took on a few months ago. Do you know much about them?"

Jackson crossed his arms and tapped the letters against his chin thoughtfully.

"Some yes, just what I heard discussed at the servants dinner table. Why do you ask my Lord."

Mikael's lips thinned and he frowned deeper.

"We were discussing today's events with Harry and Daphne and a question came up. Peter spoke out about the dangers of having the bandits here. We were just explaining that we had noticed a change in his behaviour and demeanour in recent weeks and a thought occurred to me."

Jackson narrowed his eyes, and the tapping stopped.

"You think he might have caused this?"

Mikael shrugged.

"Or involved, it's worth discussing. Is he friendly with two of the new people?"

Jackson looked down and tapped the letter to his forehead.

"No I d- yes I think he is actually. I am not privy to their conversations but I have seen them huddled around a table at the back of the tap room in Ralston a time or two. In fact that might be the only time I've seen them together. Thinking about it, they usually are going their separate ways every time I see them. Every time."

He looked up at his Lord then glanced around at everyone else.

"What does that mean?"

Daphne tapped her staff on the ground twice in thought.

"On its own, nothing. After an attempt on Sir Mikaels life and abduction of his daughter…"

Mikael ground his teeth. "But you don't want us to even question them?"

Daphne wrinkled her nose and glanced at Harry then back at Mikael. She looked down for a few seconds and rubbed her hand under Raksha as she shifted in her sleep.

"Let me talk through my thought process, I was speaking to Kathryn on the drive back, she said that the bandits knew this was your carriage and they used your name."

Mikael nodded. "Yes that's right."

"If you two had died and Annika had disappeared what would have happened to Greenvale?"

Mikael looked at Jackson who scrunched his face up.

"Archibald?"

Jackson shook his head.

"No, I don't think so. He would have a claim being your nephew, but he left the royal court under a scandal. Probably would go back to the king to assign to someone else. Maybe a deserving soldier?"

"Anyway, carry on Daphne."

"So, Harry and I disrupted their plot, and brought you and the bandits here. There seems to be a more sinister plot than just three people with a grudge. I would suggest watching and waiting. I'm guessing the bandits will be held in a secure place before the guard comes?"

Jackson nodded and glanced in the direction the carriage left in.

"We have a lockable storeroom which I have had emptied. Can you keep them asleep?"

Both Harry and Daphne nodded.

"Yes, either Harry or I can do that. My thinking is someone will try to get to the bandits to either free them and continue their plans or silence them permanently to protect themselves."

The group fell to silence and considered the ground inside their circle as the wind swirled around the courtyard.

"So we place a guard?"

Ping.

Harry nodded at Mikaels question as Daphne cocked her head to one side.

"It would look suspicious if you didn't. But Daphne and I have a way to monitor the situation. We can set up a present for whoever visits in the night."

Annika had observed silently and finally voiced a question.

"Do you think someone will try?"

"You don't?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

Daphne nodded slowly. "I think they must. There was some contact between the manor and the bandits. Unless Ralph is in on it, the distance between here and Redfast is too great. It's unlikely to be the two guards who left for gold. They would have been at the ambush. No, one or all of Peter's friends will come. It will have to be tonight in the risk that the guard will arrive tomorrow, would be too great."

Harry turned to Jackson. "What are the duties of Peter and his friends?"

"They work in the house, Peter is a gardener."

Harry nodded. "Will they be serving dinner?"

"It can happen. It's not unusual when we have extra guests."

"Do you know their names?"

"Talon and Gwyneth."

Daphne nodded. "Alright. Let's get the bandits into the storeroom and start the hard part. Waiting and not letting on we know."

Harry gave her a suspicious look.

"Have you done something like this before?"

"You haven't?"

"No I haven't. I didn't even think of something like this before. Quidditch, gobstones and chess."

"Well you are only a Gryffindor. This is like breathing for a Slytherin."

Annika fell into step next to Harry. "What are those? Some kind of animals?"

Daphne smirked at Harry and levitated the bandits.

"Can you show me the storeroom please Jackson?"

Harry stared after her then looked at Annika. She blinked her baby blues.

"Er."

—Scene Break—-

Daphne had been offered a choice of dresses and she unashamedly selected an off-the-shoulder hunter green number which caused Harry to gulp when he saw her and couldn't take his eyes off her as she twirled for him.

The gleam in her eye matched her smirk and he rolled his eyes after he recovered. Then his eyes widened as she walked slowly up to him and slipped by as she made for the door.

As darkness dimmed the light shining through the dining room windows, the room flickered with shades of orange and red from the dozens of candles and the fireplace surrounded by half a dozen wingback chairs and a few book-strewn tables.

"Harry, Daphne, welcome to my table. This isn't the fair of the kings table but it is the best we can do. Please be seated."

Harry glanced around as everyone else paused for a beat until Mikael sat, the men drew chairs out for each woman to their left he glanced at Daphne then pulled her chair as carefully as he could. She smiled at him and sat. Harry sat himself and scooted his chair forward, then looked down at a dizzying number of knives, forks, spoons and a weird spatula looking thing. He picked it up and Daphne smirked.

"That's a fish knife. Start at the outside and work your way in with each course."

Harry looked at her with mild panic in his eye.

"Just follow my lead."

The twelve seater table was not in the centre of the room, but further away from the fire. Mikael and Jackson were on either end of the table with the family, several guests and Harry and Daphne seated along its length.

Mikael paused as each person sat then cleared his throat.

"Gratitude, I am filled with gratitude tonight. Gratitude that my family is alive, alive and uninjured. Gratitude that we have new friends who have excellent timing and gratitude that my stomach will soon stop growling."

Everyone smiled and Daphne tucked her chin while Harry nodded acceptance of the compliment.

Mikael looked at Jackson. "Are our guests secure?"

Jackson nodded. "I have all the keys for the stable storeroom in my office and the men left to fetch the guard an hour ago."

"That is fine, enough now. Bring the food and let us talk of more pleasant things."

As the conversation broke up into four or five tangents the servants who lined the walls and stood by the door stirred into motion and carried plates for each dinner guest. None of them gave any indication that they thought the watching eyes had ulterior motives.

Kathryn leant forward to speak across Harry.

"Daphne, what do you intend tomorrow? You mentioned Redfast?"

Daphne nodded as she chewed. "We know someone there if we can find her. I'm guessing it's a big place."

"We were going to walk back to the highway and go north." Harry said.

Harry glanced up into Peter's eyes as he carried a tureen on the other side of the table, but the servant averted his gaze guiltily away so fast it made Harry frown.

Kathryn turned to look at her husband and he paused his conversation with his neighbour at her gesture.

"Mikael, isn't there a caravan due soon?"

The lord nodded. "Yes, there is, inside three days unless they are delayed."

"Do they usually travel to Redfast?"

"They pass through on the way to the Eastern Reaches. Why do you ask?"

"Harry and Daphne are to travel to Redfast, I was just wondering if they would be better travelling with a convoy. Safety in numbers if nothing else."

Mikael nodded thoughtfully as he chewed and looked past her to Harry.

"Would you be willing to stay here until the caravan arrives? They always stay the night with us to rest in comfort and change any horses that have become lame."

Harry and Daphne exchanged a look.

"We do have an appointment to keep Mikael, I'm not sure if we have the time." Daphne told him.

"They are usually looking to hire more guards by now, illness, or other reasons. I can speak with the caravan master and ask him to hire you on."

Harry shrugged. "We may as well be paid for the journey. Plus, she said to find her, it might take us ages."

Mikael flicked his gaze from Harry to Daphne and made an expectant face. Daphne still looked uncertain.

"Guard duty can be boring, many offer training as a side business. There is safety in numbers, the Kingdom is a much more dangerous place than even when I was a child."

Harry and Daphne exchanged a frown and Daphne nodded slowly.

"We have less local knowledge than we'd like. Yes, if you would Mikael."

The dining room door opened and Bartolomew slipped inside. He knelt beside Mikael, and they had a short whispered conversation then he rose and took the empty seat beside Daphne. He plucked his napkin from his plate where it had rested as an elegant swan and flicked it out of shape then draped it across his lap. The general hubbub dropped as all attention turned to him and he nodded an apology.

"Apologies for my lateness, all is well, but Deidre is suffering and needed a tonic to help her sleep."

A woman whom Harry and Daphne did not know spoke up from the opposite side of the table.

"Barty, how is the poor dear? She must be due any day now."

Bartholemew nodded as Gwyneth placed a bowl of beef stew on the plate before him and placed a bread roll on the side plate to his left.

"Her other children are both ill and that has added to her stress, but she is bearing up well. I think we will have a new addition by next week."

The woman made a sympathetic face, and she exchanged a glance with Kathryn, who nodded.

"We will visit her tomorrow, Jennifer, maybe take her children down to the stream for the day."

Jennifer nodded and her reply was lost to Harry as Bartholomew greeted Daphne who smiled at him before he ignored her completely to address Harry.

"Hello Daphne, it's a pleasure to see you again. Harry from our brief meeting earlier today, do I understand that you have an interest in the healing arts?"

Harry glanced nervously at Daphne then offered the man a tentative smile.

"I do but more through experience and self-repair than any formal education."

Bartholomew nodded and took a moment to chew.

"That is fine, I started my career in similar circumstances."

His face darkened slightly before he brightened.

"I am willing to give you a place to start and many books that have gathered dust on my bookshelves for years."

"I- yes please."

Ping.

"I also have a childbirth to attend to in the next few days if you're interested."

Daphne snorted into her wine glass and tried her hardest to stifle the coughing fit which drew the room's attention to her and Harry's reddening face.

—Scene Break—-

The stables and storeroom where the bandits had been secured had a boarded space in the rafters for additional storage, the boards were strewn with straw and two empty hessian sacks which caused Harry to sneeze twice before Daphne hit him with a blast of air to the face. Harry scowled at her but didn't sneeze anymore.

They were sat on a crate in the shadows at the back and discussed the events of the past few days as they shared a jug of watered down mead and listened to attempts to pick the lock.

"I'm really worried that we can't sense the other one. How far can you reach?"

"At the moment just the courtyard. The manor is a black hole in my head. I've got the feeling that something bad is meant to happen before we know about it."

"Is this a staged quest?" Daphne asked.

"Guess so. Bloody annoying." Harry groused.

The poor burglar gave up his attempt at lock picking and proceeded to kick the door until the wooden frame gave way and the door flew open. Harry flinched at the sudden noise and Daphne smirked at him.

The two men below ran into the room and exclaimed at the sight of the seven bandits chained to the wall. A manacle around one wrist connected each man to a bolt driven deep into the stone of the wall.

Talon rushed forward and slapped one of the bandits and slapped his face twice. Hard.

"Max! Max? Wake up man. I need to know what she told you. Where should we go?!"

Max the newly identified bandit chief remained motionless and Talon became frustrated and shook the man, the chain rattled and clinked in time with his rhythmical chant.

Harry nudged Daphne and pointed at himself then down at Talon. She nodded.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up!"

"There's nothing for it. Before the guard comes and interrogates them we're going to have to silence them."

"What? Why?"

Talon huffed a sad laugh. "Standing orders, no witnesses. Get your knife out."

"Me? Why me?"

"You're in this up to your neck now. You're the one who betrayed your Lord."

"No! Oh gods. We've got to get out of here."

"These were my friends. I've known them for years and now it's all over. Those fucking wizards. Couldn't have kept their meddling noses out of it."

Peter looked clueless and hopeless as he stood behind Talon as the man advanced on his former comrades. Peter was pale and it took Harry a few moments to realise his twitchy motions was him looking for a way out. Then he glanced up right into Harry's eyes.

Time froze for a second until Peter made a choking sound which caused Talon to turn. He followed Peter's line of sight and gawked up at the two figures who stepped forward into the light.

Talon leapt forward his knife aimed for Max's throat as Harry smashed his staff down and a great weight forced Talon to the floor. He wheezed and twitched but made no further movement.

Peter had not moved from his position but was still treated in a similar fashion by Daphne. He flew backward to the whitewash wall and stuck there like a fly to flypaper. He had a greater freedom of movement and cried and babbled. His trousers darkened as his panic took over his senses.

Harry and Daphne dropped to the floor and transferred Talon from the ground to the wall. He was on a slight angle so his right arm was at where his head should be and he glared at the two magic users.

"Where's the other one?" Harry asked.

"What other one?" Talon snapped.

"Gwyneth."

Talon blanched and Peter groaned.

"Harry, the map." Daphne muttered.

Harry paused then frowned.

"Well, we now know where Gwyneth is."

Talon and Peter exchanged looks as best they could from their restricted positions.

"We know why we couldn't see the castle, a phased quest?"

Harry sighed, "guess so."

Daphne tugged on Harry's sleeve and stepped backwards toward the door.

"Come on, these two aren't going anywhere."

Harry turned then pivoted back and shot stunners at the two men.

"Yeah okay, they're definitely going nowhere."

They burst from the stable building at a dead sprint and Daphne carried on their conversation without breaking stride.

"What's all the kidnapping about? Mostly girls and young women. I don't like it."

Harry huffed a breath as he leapt over a bucket.

"Something hinky definitely."

Daphne glanced at him.

"Hinky? Where have I heard that before?"

Harry smirked.

"Kiddies cartoon, one of the characters is called Daphne. She gets into lots of trouble too."

She turned her head to glare at him then squeaked as she had a close call with a wall. Harry huffed a chuckle as they vaulted the broad stone steps and burst through the massive doors of the main house. A startled shriek from the staircase directly before them showed a flustered and dishevelled Jennifer, her nightgown torn and spotted with blood and her nightcap askew.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"That little bitch! I was with Kathryn and Annika readying for bed when two servants burst in. They were wrestling with a sword. Bill was hit on the head, oh so much blood. She came for Annika, I tried to fight but Annika pulled me away and ripped my gown. When I got up they were gone. Please! Please! Help them!"

"Which way?" Harry said tersely.

"They went down the servants stairs. I don't know after that."

With a nod Harry and Daphne left the forlorn lady-in-waiting on the stairs and moved through the back of the house, through the kitchen and out onto the balcony overlooking the gardens and lake.

"Quest."

"Quest."

Harry scowled and paraphrased their next couple of action filled minutes.

"Bugger. Why couldn't it be a simple rescue?"

"Well it is a rescue. Mandatory: rescue Annika. Mandatory: Save Kathryn. Mandatory: Capture Gwyneth. Optional: capture Gwyneth's shadowy ally. Optional: capture the riderless horses."

Harry growled.

"But we can't just Accio her sword because we've got to get close to this shadowy ally."

"Can you sense anyone else?"

"There's a black spot in the forest but that could just be no one is there. This could be a phase of the quest and we are meant to be patient."

Daphne smirked.

"Gryffindors charge?"

"Piss off."

Harry pointed off to one side where a row of bushes provided a path shrouded in shadows. They trotted along for a few tense minutes until Daphne made a realisation.

"We need to catch up to them but stay out of sight. Which includes Annika."

"Where did Kathryn go? Can you sense her in the house?"

Daphne slowed to a walk and held both hands to her cheeks in horror.

"Oh no, I hope she's not."

Harry cut her off with relief in his voice.

"There she is. By the lake."

They changed direction and slowed to a sneak as they crossed lighter patches of moonlit garden. They soon saw a figure swaying slightly in the surf, head and shoulders on the sand. Harry slowed as he stepped onto the beach and looked down at what he almost tripped on. It was a rock, it looked like it had been thrown given the skid marks which stretched out towards Kathryn.

"Oh god."

"So much blood."

Daphne held her find to her face, completely obscuring her mouth. Kathryn looked dead, her nightdress was torn and blood soaked which exposed her breasts, stomach and a gash which stretched from left shoulder to right hip. The wound must have been shallow enough to not damage her lungs or heart.

Harry approached slowly and knelt, he spent the next couple of minutes trying not to panic as he used the recently accessed knowledge to save Kathryn's life. He finally turned to Daphne who had sat on a flat rock nearby and looked pale and sick in the moonlight. She had been hugging her legs tightly and sat up and leant forward as Harry turned.

"She's stable, I think. Well at least she's not going to die."

Daphne licked her lips.

"You'll have to stay with Kathryn and catch me up."

Harry looked desperate as he looked down at his patient, up at the distant house then back at Daphne.

"I think we need to work on a long-distance communication method."

Daphne huffed as she stood and offered a hand to help him from his kneeling position and pulled him into a hug as he rose. She sighed into his neck and sniffed.

"Not a simple quest, will you bloody hurry please?"

Harry pulled back and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

"You stay safe, this won't be as fun if you're not here to annoy me. I'll be as quick as I can."

Daphne hesitated a second and they just stared at each other then she turned, plucked her staff from the sand and sprinted into the night.

Harry gulped and looked down at an unconscious Kathryn then back at the house.

"Right then, how am I going to move you? Erm, what did madam Pomfrey use on Fred when he fell off his broom? Stasis? Traction? Traction. What's traction? Stretcher, I need a stretcher. Accio branch."

A log soared out of the gloom and Harry directed it to glide into position next to Kathryn and he stood unmoving for a few seconds until the branch morphed to a moulded plastic orange pallet with a metal frame and blue straps.

"That'll do. Erm, let's try Stasis."

A white flash zipped from his staff to impact and Kathryn's shallow breathing stopped, her hair, which had been drifting in the light breeze ceased all movement and Harry sighed in relief. He transferred her to the stretcher and after walking a few meters while he kept a careful eye on her, he broke into a run then a flat-out sprint. The floating stretcher maintained a smooth path through the air and Harry made quick time through the orchard and gardens and was mounting the stairs to the rear door when it slammed open, and a dozen men stormed out and saw Harry. Half of the men drew swords until Mikael, who had been behind a hulking soldier thatHarry hadn't seen before, appeared and took command of his men.

"Hold! Harry, we were just looking for you."

He then noticed the precious cargo floating behind Harry who had stepped to one side. The muttering and general hubbub ceased completely, and Harry watched Mikaels face dropped.

"She's not dead Mikael, I have her under a spell to maintain her life until I could get her to Bartholomew."

Mikael had stepped forward and glanced repeatedly between his wife and Harry with mounting awe.

"She is alive with that wound?"

"She is."

He twisted towards the house, bellowed then turned a haunted gaze back on Harry.

"SEND FOR BARTY! Now where is Annika?"

Harry took a breath and looked back the way he had come. Every head followed his gaze and Mikael groaned.

"Daphne has carried on, I had to help Kathryn and as soon as I can hand her off to Barty then I will follow her."

"I will send men with you."

"You can but I will be moving fast, I really don't want her on her own for longer than necessary."

Mikael hummed and nodded reluctantly then looked down at Kathryn's frozen face.

"As you say. Tell me what happened to my lady?"

"We found her down by the lake. She was unconscious and bleeding heavily. Marks in the sand looked like they had a fight and there was no sign of Annika. We know the direction and Daphne is trailing them until I can catch up or it gets serious."

Bartholomew had arrived as Harry was explaining the situation and nodded as he stared down at his new patient.

"I cannot believe she is alive with this wound. You have done well Harry. We will speak more when you return."

He reached out and offered his hand for Harry to shake with a nod.

"Now release her and be on your way."

"Can two of you hold the stretcher please."

He waited until four soldiers took hold of the metal handles and he tapped his staff. The white flash blinded all who watched and the men grunted at the transfer of weight. Mikael took Kathryn's hand as her chest rose and fell gently. Harry cast a diagnostic spell on her and nodded.

"She is stable, her wounds will need cleaning and binding and I would get her off that stretcher as soon as you can, I'm not sure how long the magic will last when I have left."

Harry glanced around at the gathered men, nodded once at Mikael then sprinted into the night on silent feet.

—Scene Break—-

Daphne was nervous, she had engaged the camouflage spell, silenced her feet, her staff and slowed her rasping breath as best she could as she raced after the red dots in her mind's eye. The terrain was uneven, debris strewn and with tree roots, loose stones and fallen twigs. The footing was downright treacherous, and the darkness only made it more hazardous. She had twisted her ankle twice and hobbled along cursing silently. Nervously she kept alternating between watching the red dots ahead of her, which she was gaining on and Harry behind who was moving the other way.

She slowed as she drew within fifty meters of Gwyneth and Annika and breathed a sigh of relief as Harry finally moved in her direction. The area was giving her ambush vibes, and her instincts were screaming louder the closer she crept.

"That's far enough missy."

Daphne jumped out of her skin and suddenly a red dot that definitely hadn't been there before appeared on her map. She froze then closed her eyes as something cold and pointed touched the back of her neck.

"You're good, I'll give you that. I wasn't sure I'd even noticed anything until you sighed. Noise discipline is the most important thing while stalking."

Daphne licked her lips. "Can I turn around?"

"Best not. Just keep walking the way you're going."

Her staff was pulled from her hand, and she bit her lip as she heard it bounce off a rock somewhere to her left. She was still camouflaged, could she take the risk to move suddenly and hide in the dark?

"Now I know where to start, I'll be able to find you no matter where you go. I wouldn't chance it. Now move."

Daphne walked as slowly as she could, arms held out to her side and desperately watched Harry get closer. He was making fantastic time, but she hoped that he didn't blunder into the same mess that she did. Daphne cleared her throat and turned her head slightly.

"Where are we going?"

"For now, to meet up with that bandit girl and her new friend. It was a shame that the mother couldn't be taken too but you're a good consolation prize."

"Me!?"

The voice let out a gruff huff of laughter and prodded her upper back.

"What did you think was going to happen?"

Daphne swallowed a sudden urge to be sick and took a deep breath.

Ping.

"Quest." She breathed.

"What was that?"

"Just swearing."

Daphne said as she read the update to their quest, it faded as she shook her head, and a tear gathered at the corner of her eye then trailed a solitary path down one cheek.

"Fuck."

As the entered the clearing where two figures could be seen standing in the centre, one was kneeling with their hands behind them and the other was pacing with a sword in hand before four tethered horses.

The voice growled from behind her.

"Fucking amateur hour."

As they drew close neither Gwyneth or Annika had noticed their approach and the mans voice made both jump.

"What the fuck is this? You're not on guard, you're not trying to conceal your position or your number and you're swinging a dangerous edge weapon like a child would swing a stick."

Gwyneth swung around then turned again and then spun in a circle.

"What?! Who said that!" She screamed.

Something collided with the back of Daphne's knee, and she lost balance and found herself on her hands and knees with her hair over her eyes all she could see was a pair of muddy boots move into her line of vision. A hand slammed onto her back which winded her then slid up to her neck before she was forced to lie flat on the ground. The hand disappeared but was soon replaced by a boot which ground her face into the grass. She could only see through one eye and that was of limited use. Her hand automatically gripped the boot, but a sword point drifted down into her vision as he spoke, she ceased all movement, all sound, she even stopped breathing.

"Good, your magic has finally faded, you'll definitely be coming with us, I can get a good price for you. Now, you girl, what's your name again?"

"G- Gwyneth, that's, that's the wizard. A good price for what?"

Daphne saw little but could hear the quiver in her voice, the metallic thunk as she dropped her sword.

"She's to be a slave, girl, Gwyneth, what did you think we were doing here? You're involved up to your neck. That one is the prize though she's exactly what She wants. Young, nobility, innocent and pretty."

Gwyneth stammered and finally got the question out that was reverberating around Daphne's head.

"Slave? Who is She? Max wouldn't tell us."

The man let out a sinister laugh and shifted his weight on Daphne's back. She was wheezing enough air to stay conscious, but it was close, her world was beginning to blacken at the edges.

She had a bad feeling.

"That's because he didn't know, not many have that knowledge. Come here girl, bring that one with you. Also get that bag on my horse."

"Move bitch."

Daphne's instincts were screaming at her now, more than before the ambush. She heard Gwyneth snarl at Annika who whimpered and struggled to her feet. Two pairs of feet came into view, the one in stockings was clearly reluctant and the clink of metal objects as she saw the bottom of a sack cross her vision.

"Ah fuck it." He said then leant down and grunted in Daphne's ear, "Don't move."

The weight on her back lessened then a pair of quick meaty slaps made her flinch and both women fell like sacks of potatoes. Shocked looks on their faces and a mud-stained hand grabbed Gwyneth's flailing leg and dragged her towards him. His other hand appeared with a black iron collar, and he deftly clipped it around her throat with a loud snap.

Gwyneth screamed like she had been burned and tried to pull the offending device away.

"Stop." He commanded.

Gwyneth all ceased all movement and her hands fell to her sides.

"What have you done to me, why can't I move?"

Daphne could hear the evil smirk in his voice as she listened to more metal clinking.

"Good luck getting that off girlie, it'll need a special key. I'm the only one who can use it. Well maybe this one could."

He kicked Daphne in the side none too gently and he felt him lean over her.

"No." she said softly as she tried to rise then the blast happened.

One second, she was panicking at the smell of his foul breath and the closeness of something evil and the next there was a shock of blue light, a thunderous blast and the heavy weight pinning her down vanished. A wet thud bounced away from her and the horses neighed and whinnied in the middle of the clearing. Two pulled their stakes up and bolted off into the forest.

Ping.

"Daph?"

Daphne rolled over and scrambled to her feet, she brushed her wild hair out of her eyes and looked around at the scene before her. Harry appeared out of nowhere just outside the treeline, the horses were pulling at their pickets and trying to flee, Gwyneth was on her feet and running in the opposite direction to where Harry was, and Annika was sobbing uncontrollably.

"Stop!" she commanded.

Gwyneth stopped and stood stock still, she was still breathing heavily and babbling but she was no longer running. Annika caught her breath at the command and her emotional outburst calmed to hiccups as she rolled to a sitting position with difficulty with her hands still restrained.

"Come here!"

Gwyneth turned around and walked at a steady pace back the way she came.

Harry approached with a staff in each and a wary look on his face. Daphne raised a shaking hand to her face and touched a rough patch and her hand came away muddy. She ran her hands over hair three times to try and tame it then gave up all pretence, burst into tears and flung herself at Harry. Her arms were so tight around his neck that he had to roll his head and lift his nose over her hair as she shook and sobbed. He gently dropped both staffs to the ground and wrapped her up in a hug.

They stood there for perhaps a minute as she brought her emotions down to a manageable level and released her grip, she wiped her palms across her cheeks and used her sleeves to dry her eyes. She met his eyes and compressed her lips to a thin white line.

"That was bloody close."

"You'er telling me, when he was standing on your back I didn't know what to do. Then the collar? I just knew I couldn't allow that to be put on you."

"It was evil, I could feel it even before she brought the bag over."

She turned and looked at Gwyneth who was still standing where she had left her and sighed. They both looked at the remains of the slaver for the first time. His head and shoulders were gone.

Completely vapourised.

His arms were metres away, one still clutching the black slave collar. Daphne shivered.

"Wow. You got him."

"I was terrified that I'd left it too late. I thought you'd seen me. I'd got round to here when the girls came over and they were between me and him. I was about to move again when he hit them and you were all on the floor. Didn't want to risk it so I might have overpowered it slightly."

She raised an eyebrow at him and smirked. "Slightly? Are you drained?"

"I'm alright now, I felt like I was going to pass out over there. Annika?"

The young noble woman was trying to stand without her hands but gave up and flopped back again. Harry walked over and pulled his knife, once her hands were free she launched herself at Harry just as Daphne had and babbled at him for a long half a minute.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Oh that was horrible. I really thought we were done for."

Harry patted her back as Daphne approached the corpse and gingerly until the tie on his pouch. Annika pulled and latched onto Harry's hand and dragged him over to the dead man.

"What an evil man. I've been told my entire life that evil exists in the world as well as good and kindness. Small petty evil and massive dragon sized evil. It's another thing to see it."

She shivered as they watched Daphne touch a bulge in the leather of his belt. She found two more before she unbuckled it and slid it from around his girth. Daphne sat back on her haunches and wretched slightly.

"I've not seen his face. He was behind the entire time and now he has no head. All those women and girls who have disappeared. Oh god."

Harry moved closer so he could lay a hand on her shoulder, she squeezed his fingers before she stood.

"Anything else we need?"

"Not that I could see."

She slipped a couple of fingers into the pouch and withdrew a key, and a couple of coins. She emptied the pouch into her palm and gasped at the amount of gold that poured out.

Ping.

"Wow. A magic pouch. Oh yeah, Quest." Daphne said.

"Quest."

"Quest?" Annika echoed.

Harry and Daphne spent a minute reading the quest updates. Harry looked at

"Where are you going?" Annika asked.

"Get the horses. They're about a mile that way." Harry said over his shoulder.

"How does he know?"

Daphne smiled. "Magic."

—Scene Break—-

Harry and Daphne walked into their suite of rooms and collapsed into a pair of chairs by the fireplace. Harry looked around to see a curious pair of amber eyes regard him from the pen they had set up around Raksha's basket and sighed.

"After all that messing about, we get back and she's shit in the room."

Daphne snorted from her slouched position, "You're a wizard Harry, you don't need to clean it up by hand, just vanish it."

Harry pulled a face at her and vanished the pen and bodily deposits.

"Meh meh meh, yer a wizard Harry, evansco, evansco. Bad wolf, you should be shitting in the toilet by now."

He picked up Raksha and gently tossed her on to Daphne's bed so he could rearrange her bedding as Daphne conjured her bottle then attempted to get up, gave up and looked beseechingly at Harry.

"Pass her here?"

"Try calling her. I'm further away than you are."

"Raksha come."

Daphne huffed then glared at the wolf who was now sitting attentively on the edge of the bed not moving.

—Scene Break—-

The next three days were much calmer for Harry and Daphne, they were back in Hogwarts on a night now that the quest had finished, it was a time for recovery and training. He spent long hours with Bartholomew, deep in discussion, visiting his patients and experiencing the birth of a child. Once Daphne had confirmed that both mother and child were healthy and doing well, she laughed herself sick at his traumatised expression then squawked as he pushed her off their bench.

Annika was ever present at their training sessions, she even joined in where she could. she was ever present when they were awake. Playing with Raksha, holding Raksha while she slept, asking questions and yet more questions. She had a burgeoning crush on Harry but she hero worshiped Daphne.

The caravan arrived with little fanfare, Greenvale was a popular waypoint for most traffic and many people of name had stopped on their way past on the Kings Highway. Harry and Daphne joined Mikael and Jackson once the two men had pitched joining the caravan to the caravan master.

"Ray this is Harry and Daphne."

Harry had just walked into Mikaels study with two medical textbooks under his arm and Raksha was wrestling with the lead that Daphne had hold of the other end.

"Pleased to meet you both."

The caravan master rose from his armchair and shook both of their hands, he regarded the wolf cub cautiously as he regained his chair, and the adventurers took the last two seats.

"Is there a mother wolf here abouts?"

Daphne smiled warmly down at Raksha who had wormed her way underneath Harry's chair and was still pulling on the lead.

"No, we were attacked by a pack of wolves in the forest, this little one was the only survivor, it didn't feel right to leave her."

Ray nodded his head from side to side. "Wolves aren't exactly popular where we're going. A familiar?"

"No, we don't know much about that. Someone mentioned it the other day, but we haven't done any research on it yet."

"Well tell anyone who asks that she is. Easier that way."

Ray cleared his throat and crossed his legs.

"Sir Mikael tells me that you will be travelling to Redfast, and it was his thought that you could sign on with my guard."

Daphne nodded. "Yes, he did suggest that to us."

Ray looked down. "You're both awfully young."

Both Harry and Daphne opened their mouths to protest but Ray held up a hand.

"If even half of what he has told me is true I think we will benefit from your presents. I have some men who may give you a hard time, especially you Daphne. We don't tend to have women in service, not that it doesn't happen, but this life can be hard."

Daphne nodded and exchanged a look with Harry.

"We are going to Redfast anyway."

"I pay five draken a day."

Mikaels smile dropped off his face and he sat up but after a sharp glance from Daphne he settled back, and she smiled a sharp shark-like grin.

"Two silver."

Ray raised an eyebrow then narrowed his eyes.

"This isn't a negotiation girl, that is the going rate for apprentices."

"If we were unskilled farm children fresh from the pigpen then maybe, but we're not and we know our worth. You said you've heard about our recent adventures, could one of your experienced guardsmen or a scout do as well?"

Ray made a sour face and sucked his teeth and trilled a bird call in thought.

"What you say has merit, the going rate for new guardsmen is eight draken."

"A silver and five draken."

"Straight silver."

"One silver and you give us some training."

"One silver and I can offer a discount on training, which is two draken for an hour swordplay, three for merchant craft, negotiation and animal husbandry."

Harry perked up at this but leant back at a subtle gesture from Daphne.

"That is one silver each and a discount on training?"

Ray smiled like he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar and Daphne smiled.

"Yes, each."

Mikael exchanged a glance with Harry and whistled quietly. "I missed that one."

Ray smirked at his old friend and nodded at Daphne. "She's a smart one. We leave at sunrise."

The round of goodbyes that night were just as heartfelt as they had been when they left Durendale but more intimate for the close setting of the dining room, the limited numbers gave chance for longer conversations. Suggestions on where to visit in a new land, cities, famous people, religious artifacts and temples. Apart from the feast on their first night in Greenvale every meal had been simple affairs, hearty but low key, this was a house wide affair, everyone was invited including the chambermaids and the nightshift baker although they kept their celebrations to the kitchen.

The final word was left to Mikael who stood beneath the portrait of his ancestor and raised his glass to the gathered room.

"Attention please, a toast! To our King!"

"The King!"

"For the second time in a week danger and peril has fallen upon Greenvale but fortune has smiled down upon us. Fortune in the form of Harry and Daphne, strangers in the right place at the right time, strangers who have become allies and friends through their deeds. Harry and Daphne!"

"Harry and Daphne!"

—Scene Break—-

"Why the fuck do we have children here Ray?"

Several guardsmen had been quite vocal in the three days since Harry and Daphne had joined the caravan. Most had been accepting and two had been friendly, they were older and had seen more of the world, but Fredrick and his two mates kept moaning.

This most recent session of complaint, annoyance, whinge, irritation, arguing then finally an angry outburst from Ray. Harry and Daphne were on the other side of the last wagon talking quietly when the argument started again. It was finished just as quickly.

"For fuck sake you whinging old bastard I've got better service from them for the last two days. They're up before me, always watching, never complaining, and I have faith that they will notice those horsemen before you do!"

As Ray finished speaking a cry came from further up the ten wagon caravan as Harry murmured.

"Someone's coming."

"Bandits!"

"Form up! Pikes to the front, keep your melee weapons loose! Crossbows, fire when they're in range!"

Ray called the guard into the formation he had had them practice each morning and night for the last three days. The dozen swordsmen lined up with just enough of a gap between their shoulders not to impede the movement of the man next to them with the three crossbowmen just behind and to one side. Harry and Daphne had been given the opposite flank to defend but Harry was looking the other way.

"Harry? We've got to get in position."

Harry nodded distractedly.

"Yeah I know. Something doesn't feel right."

Daphne snorted as they rounded the rear of the nearest caravan and into position. Harry was facing the wrong way and Ray noticed.

"Harry! Face the enemy!"

Harry glanced back at him and back to the east.

"There are more up on that hill."

Ray and half the men turned on reflex, and he had to order them back into formation.

"Face front! You worry about the horsemen we can see."

He stepped back out of formation and the soldiers either side of him closed ranks.

"Tell me what you see."

Harry shook his head.

"Not see. They're up on that hill. I can sense them, I think that they are in that cut near the bottom."

Harry pointed at a gash in the hillside which was cast in shadow and much closer than the approaching horsemen.

"Sense? How many? Horsemen? Do they have crossbows?"

Harry shrugged. "I can't tell from here. Five or six of them. No, five."

Ray looked over his shoulder then back up at the mountain and winced.

"They're getting clever. Bastards. Harry can you…?"

Harry nodded thoughtfully and looked at Daphne.

"Fire ball?" She asked.

Harry bounced on the balls of his feet slightly then regarded Ray.

"Am I just keeping them busy?"

"Well we're going to kill all of these. You think you can deal with them?"

Harry's smile was sharp. "Ice shards."

As he returned to his original position there was movement in the cut he had Identified and the twang of crossbows sounded behind him. The whump of plasma spell fire reverberated around the area. Harry shook his head, swept his cloak aside and positioned himself in the most direct path between the wagon behind him and whoever was in front of him.

Several helmeted heads appeared, not one the same design, matched the mismatched armour the bandits wore. A crossbow was aimed in Harry's general direction, and that was his first target. Harry conjured ice blocks, shattered them with a thought then banished the razor sharp chunks over a wide area. The Clatter and thunk as the area was pebbledashed was loud and chaotic as was the screams of fright and pain from the men before him, on was on the ground writhing in pain and several others had paused their charge but the two extreme protagonists were gathering momentum. The left hand one was a massive barbarian with a long bushy beard and an even bigger axe, the other was a weasel of a man with black armour that was difficult to define in the gloom and a long spear that was held in a couched position.

Harry shot a fireball at the giant and as his beard was engulfed he turned towards the spearman and flinched as a crossbow bolt ricocheted off the road next to him and thudded into the wagon. A gust of wind into the face gave Harry a second to follow up with a fireball then the barbarian was on him, beard aflame and a rage in his eye. The overpowered swing of the battle axe missed Harry's shoulder by an inch and gave him an opening a mile wide as the unbalanced man spun in a circle. Harry lashed out with the butt of his staff and mashed the man's nose, the axe flew from his grip and a follow up thrust threw him backwards to land on his neck.

The weasel-man was curled up in a fetal position and was hurdled by a swordsman who was showing little regard for his comrade or himself as he trod on the man as he passed. Harry barely managed to bring his staff up in time to deflect the strike and twisted and the man carried on his trajectory and faced the last bandit who had slowed and smirked at Harry.

The glint in his eye flicked over Harry's shoulder briefly and he stepped to the side, brought both hands to the butt of his staff and swung widely over his head in a two seventy degree arc. The abruptly cut off cry and heavy vibration in his hands indicated that the blow had been critical.

The swing had left Harry off balance and even though he saw the swing from the last bandit he was unable to recover his staff in time to block effectively.

Harry dropped his staff and managed to get his hands to the hilt and wrist in time to catch the overhead blow and direct the energy to one side. The motion became a wrestle as they fought for possession of the sword, he took a knee to the ribs and a glancing headbutt before Harry tried a knee to the groin which brought a groan and he was dragged to the floor and found himself on top.

The stinking breath and sweat made the man's grimacing presence was all too real as they continued to try and overpower each other. Harry was taken by surprise when the man took one hand off the hilt and pulled a dagger. Harry managed to get enough room between their bodies to grasp that hand too and now they held two weapons one above their heads the other pointing at the space between their chins.

The stalemate was broken when a crossbow bolt slammed into the man's side and all the power drained from his arm. The sudden lack of resistance found Harry's hand pushing the knife up into the man's brainpan.

Hot spurting blood pumped out and covered both their torsos and Harry slithered off in an attempt to reach his staff. As his hands scrabbled for it he could see the crossbowman had covered half the distance between them with sword in hand and a snarl on his lips. Harry's firebolt caught him square in the chest and Harry forced himself to his feet and spun a quick three sixty to see all his opponents down for the count. He slowly sank to his knees and tried to catch his breath.

Daphne hurried around the caravan to find Harry sat on his haunches, leant forward, both hands on his staff and breathing hard and he was pale white. The bodies and detritus of combat surrounded him in a semicircle and it was clear they had gotten close.

Ray followed her around and slowed at the sight before him.

"Alright Harry?"

Harry gave the man a thumbs up gesture with a bloody hand then collapsed back into his backside.

"Oh, that one was close."

T.B.C