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

After running for the past three weeks through small hamlets and large towns, Lisa and her friend finally arrived at their destination within the walls of Karlovo. Rich from the merchant caravans that started and ended their journeys to turn over or pick up goods from barges that coursed the long, busy river, the town of several thousand boasted two large marketplaces as well as docks and warehouses that fronted the Vijose'. Lisa walked through the morning traffic after getting a room at the Wooden Sword on the northern part of town the night before. Still veiled behind her scarf and hood, she watched the crowd that traded and strolled amongst vendors carts and stalls.

"They will be coming through here soon," her friend's voice informed mentally. "You'll know them when you see them," she mentioned, intercepting the question before it was asked.

Lisa smiled as her eyes watched people go on about their daily lives, totally oblivious to the evil that was headed this way hellbent on destruction. Deep blue eyes of a little girl, not more than a year old watched her curiously from her mother's arm and Lisa could sense the wonder in the little girl's mind as she smiled and her tiny, pudgy hand reached out to her. Smiling, she hoped that she could find her friends soon and keep this young one from danger.

"It gladdens me that you've found this moment, Lisa. I find hope in our future together."

Lowering, her green eyes readjusted to the sea of heads and hats who coursed to the right and left from beyond her corner behind the wooden stall until soon, she noticed a large man quickly making his way through the crowd. Long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail and the tattoo on his forehead sparked a memory. Several others that followed, guiding their horses towards the Wooden Sword and stopped as they left their steeds with the trailing fighter. She slowly approached as she studied his tanned face, thin, brown beard and brown eyes as he watched his friends disappear into the inn. He turned to scan the crowd around her as she stopped and tried to remember his name.

"That's Alister," the angelic voice stated.

Vague flashes of scenes and moments raced through her mind, little of any immediate value.

"Kailee," he mouthed as his face lit up. Handing the reins to another female that she didn't recognize, he slowly walked forward as Lisa watched her jog into the inn. "How have you been?"

She nodded. "Fine, you?"

He grinned and sighed, arms outstretched as he approached which prompted her to back from him.
"Sorry, I guess this is going to take you a while, he said it would."

"He who?"

"Bernard, a jura that met us in the tavern while we ate breakfast. He told us that you're in danger and we need to get you away from here as fast as possible."

Nodding, "My name is Lisa. We've determined that my old name isn't safe any longer," she informed as the others emerged from the main door, excited. She also soon recognized Gunnar as the aged veteran approached and also tried to hug her, then was disappointed. "We should get going," she stated flatly.

Lericanin nodded, "Mount up".

"I'm Selyria, you can ride with me," the stranger who had retrieved the others stated as she climbed into the saddle and reached down her hand. Lisa noticed that the horse didn't agree as it side-stepped from her until she overtook it and hopped up behind the only other female in the group. Placing her hands on her host's waist, they spurred their mounts and sped through the busy streets and eventually out of the northern gate. She noticed as a half-elf rode ahead with Gunnar to their flank while Lericanin and Sceva kept close to them in the center and Alister trailed behind.

Lisa tried her best to remember who was with the group when last she saw them and couldn't narrow down when that actually was. The amnesia was becoming frustrating as they passed farms surrounded by horse drawn plows in large fields and soon the distant forest while passing carvans of loaded wagons headed the opposite direction. Eventually, they settled on a place to camp for the night and Lisa sat on a flanking tree that bordered the southeastern corner of the clearing. Lericanin started a fire within a rounded border of stones that someone else had left long ago, and began mixing ingredients in a large, iron pot while Sceva and Selyria situated their gear on the ground nearby.

"How long have I been gone," she finally asked.

"Over a year," Lericanin informed quietly, intent on his concoction.

She chuckled in amazement. "I've forgotten so much. It's been frustrating today trying to remember things that I should know."

"It will come back in time," Sceva informed as the older knight unstrapped his armor and began cleaning the various pieces. "Just be patient."

"My friend keeps telling me the same thing. She also told me that we needed to meet in Karlovo almost a month ago. Where are we headed?"

"We're going north to help Faer take care of a personal matter," Lericanin informed as he crouched nearby. "What friend?"

"What?" Lisa asked, distracted.

"You said that your friend told you to meet us in Karlovo. Where is she?"

"Oh. She's unseen and has been keeping me informed of trouble for some time now. Who knows what I would've encountered without her guidance. Or if I would even be here now."

Selyria leaned forward, curious. "What does this friend look like?"

"Beautiful."

She nodded as Sceva and Lericanin eyed Lisa for a moment. "So, he's answered you then," Sceva inquired, smiling.

"Who?"

"Yaeby. I remember when you and Tia used to visit his churches after we left Baden and you were always frustrated, saying that you never got anything in return. Your patience has paid off finally. I'm happy for you."

Lisa stared blankly. "She told me that she represented many, not one."

His smile faded. "Curious."

"As long as she is a help and not a hindrance, I assume it's a blessing nonetheless," Lericanin mused. She could tell that they were a bit confused and she was beginning to question things herself.

'What is it you wished to know,' her friend asked mentally as the others went back to their tasks at hand.

'Just trying to understand their curiousity, that's all.'

'They care about you.'

'I meant about you.'

'I've told you where I've come from and who I represent.'

'It's not that important as long as it's not Him, I guess.'

'I would never represent anyone as devious as that one. All he serves is himself and destroys lives for a living, I don't need to tell you that.'

'Sorry. There's just so much going on right now.'

'It's alright, I understand.'

She watched as Faer returned with several rabbits, cleaned and handed the muscled forms to the cook, then sat down to Lericanin's right and set his bow against his backpack. "Smells good," Lisa mentioned.

"Just too bad that you never enjoyed it."

"Never?"

"You feed in a different manner." Blue eyes turned to her. "Where did you go that you had to travel for so long from the southeast?"

"I woke up in a river canyon in the lands of the Macau, northeast of the Arguvan Sultanate and within the past five months or so, made my way here. Running most of the way. I don't remember how I got there or why. I was kind of hoping that one of you could shed some light on that for me."

He shrugged, "Sorry. All my champion told me was that you were far to the southeast and in need of our help. We've been traveling almost as long as you have to get to Karlovo."

"I'm glad you did."

He smiled and nodded, then continued on with dinner.