laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The city of Alfatar sat at the foot of the Valis Mountains, a line of dark protrusions that had repelled weather from the Oka Straits and helped protect it's citizens during the wars with their western neighbor, the Astaran Empire. Over twenty years had passed since the treaty had been signed in the capitol city of Namur, not three weeks north west of the kingdom that the group now visited. Kailee eyed the narrow streets of tall homes, whitewashed in the noonday sun with deep brown boards criss-crossing and framing each. Colorful flowers graced windowboxes high above the street reaching for what little daylight they could garner from the walls of this long canyon.

"If anyone needs me to translate for you, just ask," Avion stated as she drove the wagon towards the bustling marketplace and voices yelled out in Kuzin to friends or potential customers.

"Just as long as we can leave here as soon as possible," Rupert spat as he and Thurgen sat across from Kailee in the narrow confines, gripping their respective weapons tightly.

"I take it you don't like to be away from home?" She asked.

"These people have gained a page in the Book of Grudges," Thurgen informed. "But, since we've been dumb enough to come along on this journey, we'll allow that these people survive our visit without incident."

"Unless they start something, of course," Rupert informed as he took another long draught from his tankard.

Kailee studied the rounded, bearded faces and wasn't sure if she actually wanted to know what had happened between them and the locals. They had mentioned several things during the long trip and she knew that their past was full of sore spots.

Turning to the right, the wagon picked its way through the crowd as Avion followed Lericanin and Alister who rode ahead to an inn. Grabbing her backpack, Kailee crouched as she walked to the back door and opened it to allow the fresh air in, cooling her face as she dropped down and left it open for the dwarven pair behind her. She watched as passers by noted the stubby brothers and kept a wide berth as they walked.

"What," Rupert's cantankerous visage bit as he slammed the door behind him and dropped onto the flagstone, glaring at the humans who nervously stared.

"Brother," Thurgen laid a thick arm on the fighter's shoulder. "Calm. We won't be here long."

"What's amiss," Sceva asked as he approached, retrieving his own gear.

"Rupert gets cranky when he's hungry," Thurgen informed, pulling his twin towards the entrance to the inn.

"I think this is going to be an interesting visit," Kailee watched them go into the establishment as Sceva shouldered his backpack.

"I sure hope not."

* * *

Being the seat of the duchy, Alfatar's high walls protected nearly five thousand inhabitants who enjoyed the best that the hub for the nearby mining camps brought to them. As Kailee walked with Avion and Sceva through the town, she noted a group of colorfully dressed street performers entertaining the crowd in a small park. Following Avion, they approached an elderly woman in baggy maroon dress bordered with flowery patterns matching the small round hat on her head. Long black locks cascaded down her back and narrowly covered the large, hoop earrings as she turned to smile at the trio. She listened as Avion spoke to her in their native tongue which seemed to differ from the Kuzin she heard around them.

Avion turned to them, "She says that my clan has already headed to their winter quarters. It'll be easy to find them there but, I was hoping that we could've caught them before they arrived."

"Why," Sceva asked.

"There are many more that live with them and can help in a fight. It's entrance is well hidden, this isn't going to be easy."

"Why is that a concern," Kailee queried.

"I want to kill my father for what he's done and I'd prefer not to have to fight the clan to do it."

"Maybe we could employ the help of the local magistrate or church," Sceva suggested.

Avion shrugged, "Perhaps, but I want him myself."

"I didn't travel all this way to support an assassination," the knight of Elminoir sternly proposed. "If he's a criminal, we need to let the local authority handle it."

Avion nodded, but Kailee knew that the young gypsy had her mind made up.

They eventually met the rest of the group at the tavern for dinner and Kailee sat as they discussed the problem.

"I talked to the local bishop," Lericanin began. "He said the gypsies have been a problem for some time, especially Balor, your father. They do provide entertainment during festivals but, their back alley dealings and other things they're involved in has attracted a lot of attention."

"Are they going to help us," Sceva asked.

Lericanin nodded, then eyed Avion. "They need you to lead them to the winter camp. I'm to meet a captain in the morning at the cathedral and let them know."

All eyes gravitated to the petite, auburn haired girl as she stared at her empty plate, then nodded. "Alright."

The following morning, the group rode to the large, grey stoned cathedral built in appreciation to their patron deity, Arhus. As they entered the stone courtyard, Kailee grew nervous.

"I don't think I should be here," she stated, gripping the reins.

"You'll be fine, don't worry. The bishop here already knows about you and stated that no one is to harm you," he comforted as he dismounted and strode to her side. "I also found out that Kuzin women can become paladins and templar, which I was amazed to see," he eyed Sceva who also dismounted.

"You're kidding."

"No," Alister supported. "We noticed three female knights yesterday after we were done praying."

Kailee finally climbed out of the saddle and followed them into the large, high ceilinged church. Tall, fluted columns rose into the air, towering over the parishioners and clergy and supported the arched roof, colorfully painted with scenes from their holy book. The amazement in the architecture gave her pause as she also noted the interested dwarves who walked with her. Soon, they approached a knight, armored in shiny plate and studded leather. His business-like gaze, short hair and cleanly shaven face demanded respect as she looked into his light green eyes.

"Good morning, brothers," he greeted in accented Astaran as Lericanin and Alister bowed. "Are we to be to this bandit's camp?"

"Yes, sir," Lericanin informed. "How soon should we be ready to leave?"

"Within the hour. My men and I will finish gathering our things and we'll meet you in the courtyard." As they bowed again, he turned and headed back, passing beautifully carved epitaths to fallen knights and noteworthy clergymen that lined the long wall.

Kailee watched as both of their fighters moved towards the front of the sanctuary, passing long rows of laquered benches, to the raised platform carpeted with a vibrant red cloth which sported the traditional shield over golden spears. Kailee followed nervously behind until they kneeled facing the carved mahogany wall that separated the choir from the congregation. Her green eyes scanned upward following carved statues of men and women facing each other from their respective sides. She stood there and debated whether or not to try and petition his attention again in nervous anticipation and doubt until finally her friends rose and turned to leave. Perhaps later.