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

Milling about in the marketplace, brown eyes noticed a quartet in surcoats decorated in the black over white fields separated by a jagged line as they headed east. Well armed, they initially caused no concern until Kailee noticed them stop and talk to the local priest of Arhus. Concentrating, she listened in.

"..is in town now. We've been commanded to take her family to the tower until he can find out where she and her friend are. We could use your help in this investigation, Father."

"Absolutely. Let me get my weapons and I'll be right with you."

They watched as the young cleric turned and headed towards his private apartment, disappearing into the crowd as the sergeant waited. She knew it was now or never, prompting her to quickly move through the crowd to the side street, disguised companion in tow. Once out of eyesight of the guards, they broke into a run until reaching the home's side door towards the stable. Pushing the door open, they startled the two women who shot glances to them.

"We have to go, now. Grab Sherry," he directed.

"What? What's going on?" Katarina asked, standing along with Elizabeth.

"They're coming for all of you, let's go," 'Stanley' informed as he moved to the front door and drew his sword and battle hammer, then crouched to look out through the front window.

Quickly, Katarina ran to the stairs. "Sherry, come to me. Hurry!"

Elizabeth walked over to him as Kailee impatiently waited. "Who's coming?"

"Guards from the magistrate's office," he informed. "Don't worry, we'll get grandpa out also."

Her blue eyes lit up. "I knew it," she smiled. "You can't fool these old eyes, young lady. Handsome though this disguise is, you've used it before."

Kailee, relieved that she didn't have to lie any more grinned as Katarina grabbed her daughter. "Tess, anything yet?"

"Yes, they're coming."

"To my grandparents then, we'll grab him and then find Uncle Jarvis."

"See you there."

Washing the air with her hands, she opened a small gate to the workshop which both women quickly moved through and Kailee followed, then allowed it to close behind her. She knew she wouldn't be able to do that too often but, they still had to find Jarvis in town. Turning in surprise, Kavayen straightened as Elizabeth moved to his side.

"What's going on?" he asked, eyeing the strange man standing near Katarina as another teleported into his shop behind them.

"We have to go, honey. Now. Men from the magistrate's office have been sent to arrest us."

"Why? What have we done?"

Kenneth eyed him. "You've done nothing, Grandpa. It's because of me and that's why I have to get you out."

His eyes widened as Kailee turned to her partner. "Find Jarvis and try to get him out of eyesight. He should be near the church. Be careful."

"I was born to this sort of thing," he smiled and vanished.

"Kailee, you go," Kavayen stated as he set his chisel onto his latest project. "I and your grandmother are too old to run."

"Whether you come voluntarily or I drag you, you're going," she stated then opened another gate to Stolberg. "Go on, we'll be along soon."

He eyed her sternly, then reluctantly followed the ladies onto the narrow precipice as she dropped her concentration. With a flash, the portal closed and she quickly moved back to the gate which opened to the main thoroughfare. Turning to the left, she hugged the frame and gazed farther down the street and noticed very few people, mostly women and children. Scanning right, the avenue was equally quiet. Easing her breaths, she concentrated on Adgertesse' who soon emerged in her mind with thoughts of conversation.

"..we've already gotten them out, come on." Tess informed as she led him away from the long pile of lumber. 'I've got him, where do you want me to meet you?'

'In the alleyway near Allen's blacksmith shop.'

'Okay.'

Moving towards a side street, she heard the familiar clopping of hooves on flagstone quickly approach. As he turned casually, he noted the heraldry of more guards as they approached the front of her grandparents home. Continuing to move, he turned as a commanding voice yelled.

"Hey! Stop!"

He turned to notice the sergeant pointing at him as the five accompanying men remained mounted and turned their reins to give chase. Quickly, Kailee moved into the alleyway, running halfway then turned and stopped. As they rounded the corner, she concentrated and lifted her hands. Within seconds a wall of flame filled the air between them, extending to either bordering wall and upwards. Obstacle in the way, she turned and resumed her retreat knowing that she would arrive at the blacksmith shop before they could catch up. Turning the corner, he nearly bumped into three soldiers who stopped, eyeing the armed man with suspicion, then continued on as he kept running. Soon, she saw her destination in sight as the trio apparently noticed the wall of flame in the alleyway, then gave chase.

"Halt! In the name of the Baron!" one yelled.

Once reaching the alley's entrance, he turned up to notice Stanley and Jarvis turn. Kailee stopped and created another wall of flame at the entrance, then joined the awaiting pair. "Ready to go," she asked, then concentrated on another gate and opened it.

"I was just starting to have fun," Tess commented as she led Jarvis onto the rocky ground beyond. Kailee quickly followed and released the gate as she sighed.

"Don't worry, this has only just begun," Kailee assured, relaxing her disguise as she pulled up the scarf over the lower part of her face.

Jarvis turned as they approached the door, eyes nervously gazing out across the vista. "What is going on, Kailee?"

"We'll talk inside. Aunt Katarina and my grandparents are waiting for us."

He nodded as they pushed open the thick banded door and entered. Soon, everyone gathered with the others now in the care of Breagan and his men, still being just after noon. Sitting down, she noticed her grandfather pacing, then turn to her.

"I'll not be talked to like that again, young lady. Do you understand me?"

Taken aback, she looked up like a young child being scolded. "This was for your own good," she replied quietly.

"We were fine," he sat on the thickly padded footstool in front of her. "I already told Allaster and your friends that we weren't going anywhere."

"The magistrate had sent men to arrest all of you and take you to the tower. We overheard them talking in the marketplace to a priest who was going to begin searching for us."

He sighed heavily, eyes boring holes into her own. "For what?"

"They didn't say. The matter seemed clear to me as was the outcome. You've already suffered enough because of me and I wasn't going to allow that to happen again."

"You're my granddaughter. I've ever looked after you and I'm not afraid of them. If they want a fight, then I'll give them one," his tanned brow furrowed.

"This isn't your place to fight for me anymore. It's my turn to fight for you," she felt her emotions well, swallowing hard. "Our enemy is using all sorts of weapons and individuals that wouldn't be slowed by your anger, sorry to say." She smiled, placing a hand on his arm until he pulled away, pain in his face. "Sorry," retreating, she eyed the smoldering shirt sleeve which he patted out. "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay. My family is being threatened and now I'm being told there's nothing I can do to help. How do you think I feel?" He rose and she was beginning to think they had made a mistake. Green eyes turned to the quiet group on the couch, looking for some support for her plan and finding little.

"Kailee," Jarvis began. "We appreciate that you've come for us. This isn't about you, trust me. Many have tried to grill me for information about Allaster and Lericanin for years. This fight is about all of us now."