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

Rocking gently, the merchant vessel cut it's way southward towards the border between the mountainous kingdom of Basse-Sambre to the east and the gentle verdant hills of Thurgau to the west. Two months travel had finally brought the group along their first leg of the long journey home.

"Lisa," Adgertesse' called, waking the hibernating girl from the long slumber. Green eyes emerged from the grey woolen blanket as creaking wood reminded her why she had slept the trip away.

"Greetings," she replied, rubbing her eyes.

"We should be weighing anchor soon. I thought you might want to claim one of the goats before anyone realizes it was you," the deep blue eyes motioned towards the galley.

Lisa could feel the hunger pangs announce themselves and she knew that sleeping had only postponed the inevitable, a need which she quickly satisfied then returned as the others packed their things.

"She does live," Sceva smiled as the elder knights-marshal stood and shouldered his backpack. "Welcome back."

"We're still on the boat," Lisa replied dryly as she passed. "I'll claim a victory once my feet touch land."

"Not the morning type, I guess."

Cracking a smile underneath her forest green scarf, she grabbed her own pack as Alandria approached, floor swaying which emulated Lisa's stomach.

Boots pounded down the wooden stair as Alister entered the berthing area. "Looks like we're not putting into Brynmar after all," he motioned forward. "There's a fleet of Varangian ships blockading the port and it appears they're sieging the town."

"Perhaps they weren't informed the war is over," Sceva mentioned as the group filed up to the main deck to view the tall plumes of dark smoke rising into the morning sky. Below and on the horizon, a forest of masts bobbed lazily, their squared sails sporting various heraldries.

"Those are from Chatelet," the captain announced. "We should avoid this, I'm heading west and can land you in safer territory."

"We appreciate that," Lericanin stated and Lisa realized that her time onboard was going to last a bit longer.

Soon, the wooded shoreline neared and the group gathered their things, headed down the long plank and waded to shore, leading their horses inland and their hosts slowly vanished northward. Smells of pine and grass were welcome to all of them as the group mounted up and began riding southward. How she had missed nature as birds chirped in the distance, their loud, cheerful calls echoed through the tall trees.

"Anything interesting happen while I was out," she gazed over her shoulder to Tess.

"Not really. Selyria has a great voice though. I think she had most of the crew wanting to mate with her."

Lisa smiled. "That usually happens in tavern's also. We keep a close eye on her," she mentioned, glancing to the archmage riding nearby. "She keeps a journal on our travels and has written several songs about us over the years. Lericanin certainly likes her versions better than most of the bards we've heard."

"Everyone has their versions."

"No doubt."

As the journey progressed for two days, they soon approached farmland and noticed grey walls beyond that bridged the forest to either side.

"I and Tess should meet you on the far side of the town. On our way northward, most were engaged in witch hunts and I'd rather not be responsible for having the militia chasing us all the way to Carbost," Lisa informed.

Lericanin nodded. "We still have some daylight left," he glanced to the others around them. "Only a few things are needed, this shouldn't take long."

"I'll ride with Lisa and Tess," Sceva announced. "I don't need anything in particular right now anyway."

"Alright," their captain agreed. "Fodder for the horses and some vegetables should do it."

"I'd like to take a bath," Alister mentioned with several others in agreement.

Eyeing Caillin, Lisa noted her hair and eye color. "You might want to be careful also."

"I'll be alright," she stated, pulling her hood up over the partly shaved head and long braid as her husband, Duncan, spurred his horse closer to the moon mage.

"We'll find a place to set up camp," Sceva informed as he then led Lisa, Tess, Calista and Alandria through the woods and around the town to finally approach the southern road which cut through the comfortable hide that they all enjoyed. The air was noticeably cooler and announced the approach of winter as they dismounted, allowing their steeds to graze.

"Feels good to be back in Her embrace again," Sceva's wide smile revealed the son of druids' comfort with the surroundings, a sentiment that the four females agreed with.

"Just think, another boat ride across the Valga and you'll be back home," Tess grinned as she eyed Lisa whose enthusiasm quickly waned.

"Trying to ruin the moment?"

"No," Tess chuckled. "Just thought that you were excited about seeing your grandparents again."

Lisa nodded. "I am actually," glancing to Calista. "But, not as eager as some are to get back. Darrian is just as excited to see you again."

"I hope so," the islander stated. "It's been too long without him."

As she glanced back to the southern gate, she noticed the drawbridge rising as mounted individuals jumped to the road and spurred their horses towards the awaiting group. It didn't take long to recognize Lericanin and the others sprinting from the town as the quartet mounted and intercepted their friends.

"What happened," Sceva inquired as he rode up beside the large farmer's son.

"Trouble with the locals," Lericanin informed. "We need to make all haste from this place. Can you find us a path through the woods and keep them from following?"

"I'll try."

Lisa followed as Alandria fell back to the rear of the speeding column that now rode into the forest. As the sun dipped low in the evening sky, casting orange and deep purple shades into the clouds above, they finally stopped for a needed rest. Alandria rode into the mottled clearing and dismounted.

"What went wrong?" Sceva asked again as the younger half unstrapped saddles and tended to their horses.

"A local cleric decided he wanted to put Caillin into the dungeon. We disagreed," Lericanin informed as he sat and began forming a firepit. "Some people just won't listen," shaking his head in disgust as he filled the small pit with branches.

Sceva dropped his backpack on the ground and tiredly plopped down nearby. "Unfortunately, that's worldwide. I take it he didn't survive the encounter."

Lericanin shook his head quietly.