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

The night's coolness was welcome in the crowded square as Alister and Sceva had returned after running the horses and allowing them to graze along with the many other steads as their owners tried to find a place to relax from the apprehension that plagued Iszak. Kailee approached Lericanin as he lay on the roof of the wagon, staring up into the night sky and sat nearby.

"I'm thinking that I need to make a trip to Anderslough," he mentioned. "I'll meet the group in Bakony when you all arrive."

"There's an enemy army ravaging that area."

"Most of the fighting now is north of Annan, three days north of my home. This is something that has been a long time in coming."

"Then I'll go with you."

"I'm not expecting a joyous party when I get there," he glanced to her. "We may be riding out of Anderslough for our lives."

"I can run faster than your horse," she grinned.

He chuckled. "I hate you," he said playfully.

"You can't lie to a mentalist."

"I was kidding."

Kailee glanced around to the sleeping city. "If you'd rather go alone, that's fine."

"No, actually it would be good to have some company. We'll leave at first light."

* * *

Kailee convinced the reluctant horse that had belonged to Tia to calm as she climbed into the saddle while Lericanin briefed Sceva and Alister. "We'll probably get to Bakony the same time you do, I'm not planning on being there long."

"Unless the baron's dungeon has missed you," Alister smiled.

"If that's the case, I'll send Kailee back with the news and your precious horses."

"You better. I've spent too much time with them to just give them to some noble."

"Arhus go with you, be careful.'

"You too."

Kailee directed her stead as they waved and departed the city, making their way southeast and staying off of the roads. She didn't complain about not having fires at night as she could see just fine without them, but knew that Lericanin had to trust his ears moreso than usual.
As she dried herself after a swim in the lake and got dressed, she noticed that he had moved south of their campsite and she headed over to investigate. Standing in a small meadow, she noticed him crouch and study something on the ground.

"What is it," she asked as she approached.

"I think someone has marked these stones for a gate," he pointed out the unique, round rocks carved with a symbol and Kailee could sense the latent magical power within. He rose and spied another not far from the first.

"I think you're right. I don't know much about gates and such, but these are definitely markers for something." She rose as he pulled the second up out of the ground and walked over to the first. "What are you doing?"

"We're going to save the town of Brian which is not far east of here," he informed as he pulled up the remaining stone and headed for the lake. She followed him, curiousity piqued as they reached the shoreline and he threw them as hard as he could. Arcing high in the air, they plunged near the center of the still body. "Let's see you gate your army in here now. I hope they can breathe underwater."

Kailee smiled and they headed back to their campsite.

* * *

After skirting a large battle to their west that engulfed the rolling valley north of Annan, they arrived in the quiet farming hamlet of Anderslough. Burned homes and crops greeted them to the darkened landscape as Lericanin quietly rode into the small town as many helped one another rebuild. Her eyes scanned to the baron's keep standing high and commanding the town from a low hill on the eastern side of the community and revealed little of the battle that she expected had taken place here. As green eyes viewed the shattered faces that stared at them, Lericanin reined in his horse and stopped in front of a modest home and she noticed a younger couple sitting on the porch with a young girl. Lericanin dismounted as the male rose and eyed them quietly. His dark hair, steel-blue eyes and stature made her realize that they had arrived at Lericanin's home or at one of a relative.

"Lericanin," the stranger greeted with quiet contempt.

"Elmin." Lericanin approached cautiously as the blonde woman stared uncomfortably as she held the young girl close. Their eyes told volumes as the veteran walked into the house.

"I'm Kailee," she introduced.

He nodded, as hands went to his leather coat and straightened it. "Elmin, I'm his brother." He turned to the attractive blonde, "This is my wife, Sarah and our daughter, Lina."

Smiling, she dismounted and held the reins of the horse that tried to back away from her. "I was afraid there would be nothing left here. We've been hearing all sorts of rumors, very few being true."

"We'll have to rebuild the estate and replant our groves. But, Elminoir has blessed us, certainly. I guess they didn't feel like spending too much time here, once the militia was finished, they moved on."

"You weren't involved?"

He nodded. "I and my brother were there."

Suddenly arguing from inside spilled out through the front door as Lericanin stormed out, another on his heel that leaped and shoved Lericanin off of the steps as Sarah and Lina jumped up and backed.

"Don't worry, we're taking good care of your daughter," his attacker spat.

Angry punches flew, some connecting as the brothers hatred nearly seared the ground beneath them. Dodges, blocks and more pummeling ended suddenly as Lericanin connected with his older brother's chin, knocking him to the ground in a heap. Kailee swore that she heard a sickening pop from deep within his neck.

"Petronin," an older woman ran to the fallen's side and cradled the limp head in her arms. "Elmin, go get the priest, hurry."

Lericanin stood, sweating and panting as he watched the scene around him as Kailee listened to the his brother's heartbeat fade and stop. She quickly became nervous as the crying woman was joined by an older man who knelt beside her, then looked up to Lericanin accusingly.

"I didn't want to fight him." Lericanin defended. "He wouldn't back down."

Silence filled the scene as neighbors looked on until Elmin returned with an older, plump man in blue vestment that sported the symbol of Yaeby. He knelt down and tried to treat the victim. Soon, he looked up to the parents and shook his head, then stood as the tears resumed.

Quietly, Lericanin walked over to his horse, mounted and rode off as Kailee followed suit. He remained silent about the incident for the following days as they moved northwest until nearing the city of Bakony.

Pickets stopped them in the forest. "You'll have to camp here or return east, friend," the guard informed. "Bakony is under siege."

"Alright," Lericanin stated as they directed their mounts to the shadow of the bordering treeline.

Kailee dismounted and removed the saddle and gear from her horse and set them on the ground near her backpack, allowing the horse to graze. Other small camps dotted the area of those who had also decided to wait the battle out, trusting that the defenders would prevail. Lericanin gathered wood and made a fire as he began to cook dinner as she sat nearby.

"How are you doing," she finally asked.

"Fine. I defended myself," he eyed her. "I'm not happy about the outcome, but I guess if they wanted me arrested, we never would've made it this far."

She noted little remorse and wondered what fueled it. Perhaps another time. Her eyes drifted and noticed a haggard veteran ride up, speak to the guards and move to the treeline opposite of them across the road. His armor, clothing and demeanor told of someone who had been through as much as they had been, and it showed. She also noticed that his horse disliked its owner as much as their steads wished to be free of her. He dropped his gear on the ground and sat down. Browned, strong hands produced thin sheets of paper and a pouch that he commenced to pouring tobacco into and rolled, then licked the seam and began smoking as he leaned back and relaxed. Short greying brown hair jutted out of his scalp and was neatly trimmed and her eyes soon caught sight of the damaged and battered breastplate and chain shirt full of tears and holes.

"He's been through the mill," she mentioned as Lericanin followed her eyes and noted the veteran laying nearby.

Lericanin chuckled. "That's how I'll look in about twenty years."

Kailee glanced to him, "I seriously doubt that."

He smiled then looked to the loner, "You hungry, friend?"

Turning, the soldier perked up, "It certainly smells good," the mature, gravely voice stated.

"Tastes better, if I don't say so myself."

Rising, the stranger approached and sat down. "Far be it from me to decline hospitality. Name's Gunnar."

"Lericanin, this is Kailee," the cook motioned to her.

"Pleasure."

"Where you from," Lericanin asked as he spooned some of the stew into a bowl and handed it to Gunnar.

"Kalmar," he replied quietly, then commenced to eating.

"Long way from home," Lericanin mentioned as he filled another bowl and began eating also.

"Home's the road right now," his eyes glanced Kailee's empty hands. "You not eating?"

"I'm not hungry right now."

He nodded and continued. "More for us, I guess."

She smiled.

That evening, the wagon and their friends arrived and unloaded into the woods. Kailee loaded her pack inside and noticed that Spike had grown some as he came down the steps to explore the surroundings.
Later, as they sat and visited with one another and Gunnar, Kailee felt a surge in the distance. She turned towards the city and sensed the ending of an evil presence whose spirit evanesced back to the void. Perhaps they would now be able to enter the city and move on.

As morning arrived, Kailee awoke to the sound of people packing up, saddling horses and dousing fires. She rose and looked out of the vertical cut in the wall to see their neighbors forming up and moving towards the city. Spike on her heel, she went outside as Lericanin watched the long caravan begin to grow, Gunnar at his side.

"You can stay with us if you want," Lericanin mentioned.

The aged traveler stood, hands on hips as he watched the slow traffic. "Where are you headed?"

"Carbost right now. No telling where we'll end up afterwards."

Gunnar nodded. "Sure."