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

Moonlight spilled through the tangled darkness above and Lisa noted the hearthlight from the windows in the distance from the homes that dotted the open fields and walled town beyond. She knew that they would be left alone here for the night; fears of orcs still held the community from venturing far from help - at least for now. She quietly rose.

"I'm going to bathe," Lisa mentioned quietly.

"Sounds good," her sleepy companion stood also and grabbed her pack. Picking their way through the fern and root covered ground, Lisa soon found the kidney-shaped pool whose still surface shimmered, reflecting the star-filled sky above. She disrobed and dipped into the coolness as her friend followed suit.
Once she explored the small pond, she rose and rested near the bank, laying her head back and listened to the night.

"So," her friend's silky voice interrupted as she neared, pushing waves over Lisa's neck and shoulders. "Where to from here? You surely know the area better than I do."

"I was just wondering the same thing myself," she thought aloud, keeping her eyes closed as she allowed the water to carress her. Soon, her thoughts coalesced into the images of the group. "We have to find my friends and help them."

"Why?"

"Security in numbers. It won't be long before He sends more agents to try and kill us both and I'm not that excited about running for the rest of my life."

"You know, if he was smart he'd just let the locals know we were out here. Let them do his dirty work, that's what I would do. Kill two birds with one stone, literally and figuratively."

Green eyes opened and she realized that was a viable option. Hopefully, she didn't have to kill innocent locals though. "I guess we can't enjoy this bath long then," Lisa's voice echoed off of the rippling, dark water.
Soon, they dried off and dressed, both using their prosaics which enabled quick drying and cleaning their clothes with a momentary touch of the finger. Back into the disguise, she thought as she pulled up the veil, then noticed her friend's features for the first time since they had met. Unnerving, she was gazing at her dark twin whose lighter complexion, hair and eye color were the only differences. Apparently, he couldn't do without her.

Blue eyes turned to her as the assassin pulled up her black veil and tied it behind her head. "My name's Adgertesse', by the way," the half-elf revealed quietly. "I know I said I didn't know initially but, it's customary for elves not to reveal their names to just anyone. But, we've been through a few things together and you're the first one outside of my own people that I've been able to trust."

Lisa smiled. "I thank you."

* * *

After two weeks of travel, they finally reached the open sloping fields of Carbost now also being cleaned and resettled by a select few, from what Lisa could tell. Some of the homes within the ruined city still remained vacant but, the gatehouses were apparently the first things the baroness had repaired. Few workcrews kept busy within the marketplace as the chamberlain supervised the logistics from his commanding view from the rubble clouded area where she remembered the church of Yaeby once stood.

"You sure it's smart to be walking through here like this," Adgertesse' wondered aloud, hands on the hilts of her warhammer and bastardsword.

"Just keep your eyes open, we should be fine," Lisa stated as they passed a queue of wagons loaded with cut timbers and reclaimed stone as several masons hammered away at ruined blocks. Horses backed nervously but, didn't gain the attention of anyone important as she led her friend towards her grandparent's home which still stood, albeit without a roof.

Her heart began to race in anticipation of seeing them again and she hoped that they were both here, or at least nearby. Walking into the quiet home through the main door, she looked around the modest sitting room whose blackened hearth stood silent and cold facing solid furniture that her grandfather had made himself. "Grandma," she called, her voice echoing up the staircase to their left. "Grandpa."

"Back here," his voice returned from the yard. She led Tess passed the dining table, stacked wood in wooden bin, curtained window and through the back door. Beside the stone well that stood central to the backyard, she noticed him washing his hands, hovered over the smaller bucket that rested on the ledge, as he turned and smiled.

"Hello, there," Lisa greeted happily, her heart nearly overflowing with emotion at the sight of the aging carpenter as she walked up and hugged him tightly. Tears flowed as he held her, resting his head on her shoulder.

After several long moments, he looked up. "Hello, welcome to Carbost."

"Hi," Adgertesse' returned tentatively as Lisa backed and half-turned.

"Grandpa, this is..."

Tess nodded.

"Adgertesse', my friend," Lisa finished.

"Pleasure, Adgertesse'," Kavayen greeted, smiling. "Any friend of Kailee's is welcome here at our home."

Tess nodded quietly. "Thanks."

"Where's grandma?" Lisa asked.

"She's been helping the Stormfrost's sew some blankets at his uncle's for the past few days. She should be home soon."

"What are you working on?"

His blue eyes rose to the roof. "I"ve been wrestling with that for a week. I'm tired of sleeping out in the elements."

"Let us help you then," Lisa volunteered.

"That's a man's job, thanks anyway. Why don't you girls go help your grandmother and Alister's family."

Backing farther, Lisa knew this was going to take a little work. "Then perhaps I should revert to another tactic. Where's the thatch?"

He grinned as his arms dropped to his sides and she gazed beyond him to see the material laying in the barn. Green eyes glanced back at him, "Thanks".