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

Alexander sat bolt up in the small bed with a start. "My Lady!" he called out, frantic. His breath huffed in the darkness as he threw the blanket aside and spun to the left. Reaching down, he grabbed his clothes on the stool where he had left them as footsteps on the wooden floored hallway approached.

"Alexander," Abbott called as he knocked. "You alright?"

"I'll be fine," he returned as he pulled the thick, woolen shirt over his head and down as he then grabbed the backpack hanging on the post and his sword belt. Opening the door as he shouldered his gear, he noticed his host's smile.

"What's the rush, there are still some biscuits left," the smaller halfling asked as he backed, then followed the squire down the rounded corridor, then right towards the door. "Where are you going?"

"I have to leave," he spun, grinning. "Someone is in trouble and I can't ignore this call," he placed a hand on the older humanoid's shoulder. "You and your family have given me things that I've never known and I will never forget you. Thank you."

"If it was the honey mixed with the butter, I..."

"It wasn't anything that you've done that needs fixing. I have to go."

"You'll never make it through the passes, they're snowed in. You'll die out there, and for what? Stay here until spring opens up a safer route."

Alexander smiled. "I can't. Not this time." He felt his emotions well as he smiled again, then turned and pulled the circular door open, then walked out into the white surroundings. Pulling on his heavy coat, he reshouldered his backpack and strapped on his belt as he hopped the gate and began heading down the well known path towards the distant bridge. Candlelight shone through the white framed windows as he passed, white wisps glided lazily upward from chimneys and drifted along the soft breeze which carried flakes along with it.

"Alexander," Abbott yelled as his short legs ran through the heavy snow, prompting him to turn around and notice the large tan sack in the halfling's hand. Puffs of white fog pushed from his nose and mouth as he neared, then stopped as he handed Alex the sack. "Sonja and I would never forgive ourselves if we allowed you to leave without something to keep you, at least a day. I figured several, knowing how little you eat," he shrugged.

Alex took it, grinning. "You take care of yourselves. I'll see you again someday."

Nervously, Abbott motioned to the west. "You be careful."

"I don't travel alone anymore. I'll be fine."

"I should have a horse that I could give you," he looked back to his home buried within the white covered hill.

Anxious and eager to get on his way, "Abbott. I have to go, see you." He turned and hurried along the road as he stuffed the sack into his backpack, then pushed it around to his back and pressed on. hoping for no more heartfelt goodbyes to those who had taken care of him for over two months now. As he quickly walked through the marketplace, passed quiet buildings and neared the tavern, he glanced into the small windows and noticed Balan, Curry and several others as they enjoyed their ale and the music that tried to free itself from the confines and reach out to the hills themselves. He smiled as he pushed on.

"Hold on there," the heavy, gruff voice stated. He turned and noticed Artek and his three remaining companions. "Where you off to, boy?"

"I had a vision from my deity and I have to go help someone," he explained as he kept walking.

"Will it be dangerous?"

"Probably, she's very important."

"Sounds like fun," Artek didn't eye his companions for confirmation as they all followed him. "Certainly can't sit here while you're vanquishing evil. I couldn't sleep here peacefully anyway, their ale gives me gas."

"Almost as bad as that human swill," Gaban, his lieutenant added, then spat into the neighboring drift.

Alexander chuckled as they headed to the unknown. He quietly glanced upward, 'I pray we're not too late.'