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

Lisa rested within her blanket on the cot, balled up as usual while she slept away the time at sea. Drifting through various scenes and memories, they soon slowed to show marbled halls of dark grey and red. Swirling black and hints of silver rested within the thick construction that supported high ceilings dimly lit by occasional tall windows which flanked grotesque effigies that rested on large, rectangular panels. Below each, mahogany tables supported trophies or gifts to the Malevolent One whose spirit soon emerged at the far end of the hallway, glaring at the intruder. Lisa wanted to run but, found her feet unable to move as dread filled her heart.

"Why are you here," his dark voice asked. "Did you think that pitiful effort would vanquish me forever?" He crept forward, smiling darkly as his deeply tanned face, black eyes and hair passed lines of light and she noticed that the shadow that he cast on the floor and wall to the right were of something else entirely. "I have a large group of faithful who are even now completing what you failed to stop." His eyes began to flare with deep hatred, intensifying with each step. "Did you honestly think that the Second Age would be cast aside so easily? Human pride and arrogance," he spat. "This is far from over." He neared to within feet of her and she could feel the heat emanating from his being as it burned her skin. "I AM A GOD!!!"

Waking with a start, she sat up just as Adgertesse's hand shot back from her shoulder, eyes wide.

"Sorry," Tess apologized as she backed. "We've docked in Nordkapp, I figured you'd want to know. I'm sure you wanted to beat the rest to the land greeting ceremony."

"Thanks," Lisa sighed, then rubbed her forehead of sweat. As she calmed herself, she could still smell the sulphurous stink and knew that they still had work to do.

"You alright," Alandria asked, placing a consoling hand on Lisa's shoulder.

Green eyes turned to her unofficial squire. "I'll be fine."

Raising both backpacks, the brunette grinned. "I've got your things when you're ready."

A wash of emotion welled up as Lisa's eyes glistened. "I love both of you."

Brows furrowed, Tess approached again. "I appreciate the sentiment, but what's going on?"

Lisa glanced to her friend. "This isn't over. Don't say anything to anyone else yet, let them rest and enjoy the break. Okay?"

Both girls nodded as Justyn passed nearby, gear over his broad shoulder. "Planning on leaving with us?" he smiled, then calmed as the trio glanced to him, neither unemotional or amused. He stopped, relaxing from his excitement. "Sorry. Anything I can do to help?"

"No, thanks Justyn," Lisa stated as she folded the blanket, then tied it underneath her backpack as Alandria kept it shouldered. "We're right behind you."

"Yes, ma'am," he stated, then followed the others as well as the crew to the distant ladder.

* * *

As they walked down the gangplank and headed to the city, Lisa's nerves calmed now that the sea wasn't below her feet and she could feel the sickness ebb with distance. As they neared the gatehouse, she noticed Prince Jilahd speaking with Lericanin and the captain of the ship they had just disembarked from.

"I'll repay you whatever the cost," Jilahd stated.

"Of course, Your Highness," Ingamar replied. "I'd be pleased to assist the throne but, are you to return home overland then? That could be dangerous, there are many leagues between Nordkapp and De Haan."

"I'll be traveling incognito so, there won't be much trouble. My hamingja will be with me and if not, I'll see you in the Halls of the Aesir," he smiled broadly.

"I really appreciate this, Your Highness. And as I said before, if ever you need my hammer all you need do is call on us," Lericanin promised.

Jilahd nodded in appreciation. "The throne will soon be more hospitable to you, my friend. To that I vow."

"Arhus bless your journey."

Politely grinning, the Varangian prince turned and they headed into the busy main street of the port city as Lisa and her friends followed to the inn that had been chosen for the night.
Once their things had been stowed in their room, she walked out into the hallway, glancing to the open doorway where she heard Sceva's voice. Walking to his room, she stepped in as he and Sir William settled in. Both turned as she emerged.

"There she is," Sceva grinned. "I guess they were able to rouse you from your rest. Hopefully they didn't have to pry too hard."

"No," she chuckled. "I was ready to get off that ship, though it sounds as if Prince Jilahd has commissioned the vessel to take us on as close to home as he can get."

"Avoids a long ride. That'll be nice," William stated as he lay his gear on his bedpost.

Lisa nodded, less than enthusiastically. "I wanted to thank you for looking after Alandria for me while I was away," she said, eyeing the knighf of Elminoir as the young girl listened from the doorway.

"She was no trouble. Actually, it was my honor to share a like faith and my experiences with her. You've done well, Lisa."

"I've tried, no doubt. But, she's needed someone more intimate with the goddess she follows. Knowledge that I can't give her and we all know, you've been at it for a while," she grinned and backed as he smiled.

"You've been hanging around Lericanin too long, young lady," his finger wagged at her.

"Grey is distinguishing," Lisa pointed out, trying to smooth things over. "The gods know Lericanin and Alister have needed a veteran to guide them in their new life."

He nodded. "I've seen a few things during my tenure, that's for sure. There's still a lot to do back home and hopefully I can help out soon."

"I don't know if they'd be as accomodating to me, but I'd offer my help also."

"I appreciate that," he grinned. "Lady's Trista and Vicana would be welcoming, but you're right, I don't know that the others would. As a matter of fact, I'd like to talk to you," his eyes glanced over her shoulder and she knew he was referring to Adgertesse'.

"Okay. Like to take a walk?"

"Sure."

As they left the inn and passed through the busy marketplace, the quartet eventually exited the northern gate and strolled along a wide stream.

"So, how have things been going since you all left," Lisa asked.

"Well. We've been doing more traveling than I ever thought I'd do in such a short time. Once helping the paladins, we sailed and marched north to Couronne and fought there. That night, they disappeared through a gate, according to Craban and we stayed within the walls until the following day. Alister and Lericanin were summoned to the palace and received a prophetic riddle from the elven queen of Kevelaer which we followed to De Haan. Soon after, we headed to the temple up north. If I wasn't in such good shape, I'd have told the group to write me on their success and stayed closer to home."

Lisa chuckled as she stopped and sat atop a large boulder, joined by the rest as the warm sun brightened the light greens and browns around them, still wet from the misty rain that seemed to constantly fall here. "You have a long way to go before you're too old for this sort of thing," she commended.

"You're too kind," he smiled, tanned creases showing more prominently after eating too little during the trek through the snow-covered land. "The Lady has ever looked after me so, I don't worry about the bumps and bruises as much." He glanced to Tess who studied the aged knight. "How did you come to meet Lisa?"

Adgertesse' hesitated momentarily as she formulated her answer. "I was created to hunt and kill her," she began, letting the revelation sink in as the two uninformed eyed her, shocked. "When she finally beat me in combat, she healed me and won my trust. I've vowed my life to her," she rubbed her hands, warming them against the cooler weather. "You should know that His node has been re-established and is protected far better than it was previously."

"I gathered that," he nodded, then glanced to Lisa. "If she trusts you, then so do I. But, I'll tell you the same thing I told her long ago." His eyes turned back to the assassin, eyeing her seriously. "Our group stands united in the belief that a person is known by their deeds, and my vows to Elminoir take precedence over any bond of friendship we may share. Evil acts that point to you will garner my attention - and my action."

Blue eyes remained fixed on Elminoir's Hand who had gained more respect as Lisa listened to the exchange. "No problem," Tess agreed.