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

A light breeze wafted through the open windows as Kailee walked through the great hall to the library where she had been spending nearly all of her free time. High shelves full of volumes from all over the Astaran Empire graced the walls and reached the ceiling. She had only been able to read two or three and was amazed that William and Anita had read all of them at least three times through. She picked up a leather bound monster written by two clerics from Thurgau that involved lists on self healing that she had been given by her mother the night before. She sat down on the couch and opened the tome as the main door opened bordering the great hall and turned to see Father Cowen walk in, grinning.

"My lady, how fortuitous that I've found you. There are some things that I've been wishing to speak to you on, if you'll allow."

Kailee sighed in her mind and closed the book. "Certainly," she said half-heartedly.

His greying brown hair was neatly trimmed as was his van dyke, black robes clean and well treated. Sitting in the chair near her, he relaxed. "I've needed this opportunity to speak to you, on behalf of his lordship. We felt that you had been through a great deal moving to a new home and getting settled in, so I felt it prudent that I waited until now."

"What did you wish to know?" Walls thrown up and reinforced.

"I've noticed that you don't wear a pendant dedicated to anyone. Do you not have any dedication to our Father?"

"No."

His brows raised. "I see, is there any particular reason?"

"Several."

"Perhaps you hadn't been taught of his true nature, how he cares for us and protects us from those who would kill us on sight since we don't believe as they do. I know you've at least been affected by the ignorance of those dedicated to the other false gods."

She half nodded.

He sighed, hands crossed in front of him, elbows resting on the arms of the chair. "I know that your life hasn't been an easy one and I assure you, everyone in Warwick has been through many things to one degree or another. If you take the time to get to know them, you'll see that each of them came here for safety, otherwise they would've been executed for believing as they wished. Did you know that anyone wearing this pendant is imprisoned on sight and without trial, executed publicly without a hearing. Some have been hung when found by knights of Arhus and Elminoir. How is that justice?"

"What is your definition of evil?" she asked.

"Evil is not allowing anyone else the freedoms that we as intelligent humans should be allowed. Stereotyping all that don't believe as the majority does, using racial bigotry to fuel their reasons for crusade, Knights and priests of Arhus live by the sword and mete out justice according to their narrow views and prejudices instead of being objective."

"Murder? Rape? Things like that?"

"The world is full of it, unfortunately. Men are allowed their spoils of war to include the innocent women and children that they find, raping most and selling the rest to Sauqiran pirates and Macau slave traders. Our Father protects those in his charge in whatever way is necessary to preserve our lives and allow his will to endure. Those such as yourself will never be accepted by the churches who falsely profess tolerance. You know this to be true, don't you?"

Kailee tried her best to resist the logic for all of its flaws, but his last point hit home. Her green eyes drifted to the distant chairs and shelves beyond as the door opened again. They both turned to notice Captain Cesar stride in. His dark grey armor was highly polished and sported the red dragon rampant on the black field, the heraldry for Warwick.

"Forgive the intrusion, my lord and lady," the raspy, cold voice stated as the black paladin approached. "We have visitors."

* * *

Kailee remained within the protective walls as she ran up to the northeastern tower and arrived on the parapets to overlook the town and commotion of militia mustering to the northern side of town, drifting through the streets and out of sight. She watched as the sun fell below the distant peaks across the wide river opposite the main gate and behind her for any sign of activity. Soon, as darkness fell she felt her mother emerge beside her.

"Good evening, love," Bianka greeted as her arm wrapped around Kailee's waist.

"Hello, mother. What's going on?"

"Your friends have arrived. Gunnar and Tasha have been at The Onyx most of the evening as the others had been waiting in the forest."

Kailee eyed her mother. "Can I see them?"

"Allow your father to handle this right now. He'll let us know what's going on."

She nodded, then turned her attention back to the distant woodline. As time passed, she felt the approach of powerful energy as William morphed behind them, prompting them to turn.

"Kailee, I've allowed Lericanin to approach, if you wish."

"Of course."

"He'll meet you on the other side of the moat. I'll be watching over you." He disappeared again and she headed down the tower's staircase and eventually out into the bailey. Hurrying to the main gate as the guards opened it, she headed across the drawbridge as she noticed Lericanin sitting patiently astride his horse as William and Cesar stood nearby. A smile creased her face as she neared her friend who appeared nervous.

"Hello, Lericanin. How have you been?"

"Fine. How about you? We've been worried, no one knew what happened to you."

"I'm fine. I've been spending time with my family here. I've finally gotten a chance to know my mother and it's been great."

He nodded, still apprehensive. "We've come to take you back with us."

"Why?"

Adjusting his weight, he remained quiet for a moment.

"I'm fine. Tell the others that I'll see all of you in time but, you can't stay here. The Shadow Range is too dangerous."

He nodded as she approached to give him a hug. Wrapping their arms around one another, he spurred his horse and held onto her. Quickly, her body turned into the dark, wispy cloud and drifted back and away from him as Cesar charged forward to get between them and drew his sword. Lericanin reined in his horse who protested as William also stepped up.

"I think your visit is over now," the duke proclaimed. "You have my word that no one from Warwick will harrass you as you depart from the borders. As you return to your friends, Tasha will join you. Safe travels."

Lericanin, upset at the failed attempt eyed her desperately for a moment, turned and spurred his horse. She watched him until he rounded the distant homes and out of sight, Cesar in tow.
William strode over to her as Bianka appeared nearby.

"He loves you, my dear," her father stated as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "No one else would've braved these lands otherwise. I admire his devotion, but it will spell his doom if he doesn't learn to be more prudent."