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

After a sleepless night, Alexander listened to the cheerful chirping of the birds outside the tall window that towered over him and tried vainly to drown out Sir Fraser's incessant snoring. Even Arhus needed a break he thought, which brought a grin to his face. As he lay on his side, his hands clasped in front of him and under his chin, they touched the pendants under his long shirt. Reminders of those who had come closest to his heart, he wished that his path would lead them back to him or visa versa. Somehow.
Leather and boots near his head filled his nose as the sudden break by scented candles alerted him to the clerics as they prepared for a new day, stepping over gear belonging to templar and paladin alike as they lit every other candle on columns at the feet of their makeshift beds. He moved his head to eye the plump priest who lowered the long metallic pole and moved to the next. Their eyes met and the kind face smiled as Alex nodded in recognition.

"He never tries us above that we are able," the priest stated, then moved on.

Alex recognized the passage, then brows furrowed at the response. He suddenly moved to see the priest continue on with his chore and wondered how the man knew what he was thinking. Odd.

"Another beautiful day, "Stephen interrupted from his right.

Alex turned to his lord. "Yes, sir. Will we be off home today?"

The grey haired paladin nodded as he stretched. "I think so. Why, did you have more pressing matters to tend to?"

Alex could think of several, one included finding that fighter and drilling him with more questions. With his hesitation, Stephen eyed him again. "Of course not, sir. My duty is to you and the church."

"That doesn't mean that you're to neglect anything that's important."

Taken aback at the statement, Alex lay there confused.

"Kenneth mentioned your distraction yesterday. Is everything alright?"

He sighed. "I was visited as I brushed down the horses by a man who stated that he knew Sir Lericanin and told me some things about how he met my mother and such."

"What man?"

"He didn't give me his name. But, many things that he did reveal were true."

Stephen studied him for a moment. "This issue about your past isn't going to rest, is it?"

"As I said, sir. my duty to..."

"I'm not finished. You have no need to rededicate yourself to the cause with me. I know you well and have seen the man you're becoming and am proud to serve with you. If you need to resolve this issue, we'll do it together."

With that news, his heart leapt at the chance to finally settle things until he realized that rerouting the unit to Bakony to see the Lady Nyrellia was out of the question. "Perhaps after we return to Kecel, sir. There are many here that don't wish to be following my problems."

"These men here are under my command and we are all a family. Brother's in arms as well as within the family of Arhus. If any of them had an issue to tend to, we would all ride with them without hesitation."

"But, they're all knights, sir. I'm but a squire."

"Are you not a servant of justice like we?"

He nodded instantly. "Yes, sir."

Stephen closed his eyes and lay back on the pack. "Settled then."

* * *

After tending to the morning chores, he saddled their horses and led them to the front door whose simply carved stone humbly honored their patron deity. As he waited, his blue eyes scanned beyond the tall oak whose dark green boughs overhung soft green grass and a lone figure crouched at the base. The strong form and leather armor quickly became familiar as his eyes widened. As the man turned to him, Alex motioned for him to approach. Standing, the mysterious informant walked up to stand opposite the flagstoned walkway.

"Good morning, Alex. I take it you're leaving."

"Yes. I was wondering, where is my mother now?"

"She's returned home, to Zariva where she and her husband are planning the rebuilding of the city with her father-in-law. I know she'd love to see you." He nodded, then turned and walked away as the front door opened to reveal the first of the templar and Sir Brendan as they claimed their horses. He watched the fighter walk away and soon blend into the crowd as the clanging of metal and bouncing, heavy cargo in the nearby wagon announced the merchant heading to the marketplace.

"Are you ready," Stephen interrupted from his right.

"Yes, sir. We can proceed to Zariva," he stated as he handed the reins to the veteran knight who eyed him for a moment.

"I thought you wished to find that man before we decided where we were headed."

"He was nearby earlier and informed me that she's in Zariva, which is perfect since we were headed that way anyway." He was relieved that their plans weren't changed because of him. Many wished to return home as much as he did.

"Alright, then. To Zariva it is."

* * *

As they entered the gates two days later, Alexander's heart threatened to burst from his chest. He hoped to keep his emotions controlled as horse's hooves clacked on the flagstone once entering the tall gatehouse and passing into the city. People of every size and shape along with children cleaned out homes, repaired rooves, nailed shutters and sawed frames for various items of furniture as they passed. Bowing to the emblem and men that eyed and nodded in return, the populace suddenly lightened at the sight of more representatives of the church.
Entering the marketplace whose rounded space was full of wagons full of stone and beams waiting for their opportunity to be unloaded while drivers slowly guided them down southern streets. Riding behind the tavern, Stephen turned to Alex.

"Go to the palace, she's likely to be there," he directed.

"But, sir, I have to..."

"You have to do what I instructed. Now go."

Nodding, Alex couldn't contain his excitement as he yanked the reins to the right and spurred his mount to the palace gates. Riding through narrow streets, he narrowly missed several guards walking out of another tavern as they leaped backwards.

"Slow down," one yelled as he passed.

Approaching the gate guards whose yellow surcoats sported black stag's heads on their breast, he pulled the reins back as the horse nieghed in protest.

Arm raised, the sergeant approached, "What's the hurry, son?" His tone softened upon sight of the black surcoat with the symbol of the Order of the Golden Scepter.

"I need an audience with Lady Nyrellia," Alex couldn't believe he was doing this but, it was too late to turn back now.

"On whose authority?"

"My lord, Sir Stephen of Kecel."

The guard hesitated, then turned and nodded to the trio of younger guards standing within the shadow of the gatehouse as one turned and headed into the main keep. Squared and large, the palace stood as a strong testament to the family who had survived many wars the past several years. High in the blue sky, the large banner waved slowly with the light breeze and he waited until the guard returned. Alex was sweating more now than he had been all day and eagerly awaited the clearance to ride on.

"My lord stated that she's busy at the moment, but you can wait in the hall."

"Thank you," he spurred his horse on as they stepped out of the way and rode up to the stairway that rose to the large, banded door flanked by two more guards armed with halberds. He dismounted and led the steed to the trough, then headed up to the door and pushed it open as the guards looked on. Inside, the darker interior shielded him from the afternoon sun as he walked through the entrance whose stone walls were decorated with swords surrounding a breastplate hung underneath a full helmet. Once through the foyer, footsteps approached and he soon recognized the lady's knight whose eyes widened upon recognition.

"Sir," Alex greeted the older veteran who grinned.

"Alexander. I hadn't thought to see you here."

Nodding, he knew the intrusion was uninvited. "I'm sorry to bother her ladyship, but..;"

"No. She'll be glad to see you. Follow me." John stated, then led the squire towards the distant staircase and beyond attendants carrying linens, boxes of candles and trays of grooming utensils, mirrors, and goblets. After passing several doors on the left, broken up by the long shafts of light streaming from the narrow slits in the right wall, the fighter stopped and pushed open a door to reveal a small room filled with several chairs, then led Alex inside. Closing the door behind them, John motioned to a chair. "Wait here, I'll tell her you've arrived."

Nervously, Alex moved to stand before the wooden seat graced by deep blue velvet and smelling of lilacs, then he noticed the flower arrangement on the opposite side of the small room resting within a beautifully painted vase which sat atop a small table. Beyond the doorway, he could hear a baby softly whimper and soon approaching footsteps.

As the redheaded baroness emerged, his heart melted and he knelt before her. "Mother," he greeted, holding back his tears.