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

Into the countryside Bernard led Galena for a continued lesson in herb lore, some knowledge she had been given already but, he wished her to prove her skills further, Amund and Dirk trailing as usual keeping a vigilant watch over their charges. Lower on the horizon, the suns warmth was becoming more elusive as Saflia approached and his mind still pondered the future course that Kailee and the group would take now, out of his careful watch. Diverting his thoughts, he reined in his mount near a small glade.

"This should be fine," he announced as he climbed down out of the saddle, prompting his student to follow suit. Both in riding pants and leather vest, Galena allowed her journal to remain in her pack on the saddle as she dropped the reins and allowed her horse to graze. "I want you to find as many herbs in this area as you can and tell me how to prepare them as well as their purpose."

Nodding, his young student strolled among the tall grass and surrounding birch. Butterflies flitted among bees tending to wildflowers of yellow and white as Bernard watched his protege' scan her surroundings, then find her first subject. Crouching, she cleared the grass around it and motioned to him to approach.

"What'd you find," Bernard asked as he walked to her and crouched.

"Quilmufur," her tanned hands bordered the rounded plant whose small, rounded leaves gave it the impression of a miniature tree. "It's root can be brewed and is an antidote for conversion poisons."

He smiled and nodded. "Very good. How many herbs reside within coniferous forests in this climate?"

Galena thought for a moment as she straightened, then finally shrugged and shook her head.

"Six. Herbalists in the kingdom and through the frontier have catalogued over thirty-seven herbs of various types, though I'm sure there's more." He stood. "Continue."

Nodding, the brunette rose and resumed her search as he took in the quiet of the forest. He didn't get to do this very often and purposely planned todays outing. Nothing would happen in the palace that he couldn't handle later anyway. After identifying two more, Bernard felt the mental pulse in the area which directed him back northeast. Concentrating, he recognized Adgertesse' as well as her nervous mind. "Galena, we should be back to the city now. I'm sure Priscilla has dinner prepared so, we shouldn't keep her waiting."

"Alright."

Together, they climbed into their saddles and led the silent duo back to the southern gate which as evening fell was becoming busy with traffic as workers headed home, farmers vacated the market with their carts and patrols returned from the outlying highways. Soon, the palace walls came into view and Bernard rode into the bailey and noticed the herald as Michael returned from the mill which commanded the southwestern corner of the inner walls. Nodding in recognition, he realized nothing new had arisen while he was out and was safe to continue on about his own business which would mean an opportunity to find out why Tess was in the area.

Stopping his mount, he eyed Galena as she turned in the saddle, headed to the stables. "I have something to take care of, I'll be back soon," he informed.

She nodded as he turned the reins to the right and headed back through the main gate and then east through the city until reaching the outlying farms. Scanning mentally, he soon found her eating not far from the shoreline and dismounted. "Remain here with the horses," he instructed Amund and Dirk who both nodded. As he made his way to the awaiting dark elf, he noted her alarm immediately as he approached.

Hands out, he eyed the defensive nightblade. "Tess, it's alright. It's Bernard, sorry it took so long to get to you. I had to make sure no one had followed you or me," he explained as he walked up to her then glanced around the wooded site. "Where's Kailee?"

"I was hoping you were more knowledgeable than I but, apparently you're not as well informed as I had hoped. She's been kidnapped by someone named Idanac. You know him?"

His eyes looked downward as his right hand went to his chin in thought, this turn of events was unfortunate and potentially dangerous. He would have to look into this. "Yes. He's a demon lord from the Shadow Range," he stated as his brown eyes rose to her again. "When did this occur?"

"Four days ago." He could sense her nervous adrenaline and softened knowing they both had become close over the years.

"Who else was taken?"

"Kristal and the remaining girls. Brittany is with me, her men and servants were killed in the attack." He watched as she sheathed her blade and slipped her hammer into the frog on the right side of her belt, then crouched to her backpack and produced another black handled blade. Turning she rose and handed it to him. "I was hoping you could find out what was used."

He received the weapon and sighed. "Alright." Studying the make, he could tell already it was created in an alchemist's lab which piqued his interest immediately. "This was the only one like it or were there others?"

"That was it," she confirmed as Brittany soon emerged through the underbrush and stopped, blue eyes studying him. He could definitely tell the vampire was sizing him up until she noticed Adgertesse's comfort in his presence.

Nodding politely, he lowered his arms. "I can get you near Inellan to help speed your trip if you wish."

"Alright," Adgertesse' relaxed as she shouldered her backpack. "That would be nice."

"I'll have to notify my men and we can leave as soon as you have your things," he informed, turned and headed back to Amund and Dirk who waited patiently, dark elf and vampire in tow. "I'm going to gate them west of here, I'll rejoin you at the west gate."

Amund eyed the two females, then nodded. "As you wish."

Bernard turned to his left then concentrated on the small town east of the Dovey, which he had ridden through on many occasions over the years. Widening his hands, the blue-lined tear in reality opened to another dark forest scene which they soon walked through as his men-at-arms led his horse back towards Davos. Following them into the woods, he allowed the gate to drop. "You're on your own from here, good luck."

Tess and Brittany both turned, eyes dimly glowing in the forest whose only illumination was from moonlight. "I can't take on a demon lord by myself."

"I understand," he stated apologetically. "Then don't."

Tension grew thick in the air between them. "How are we to rescue her then?"

He sighed, shifting his weight. "I can't help you with that is what I'm saying."

"I thought you were tasked with helping us attain whatever goal they had for her. Unless I've missed my guess, that's your whole purpose for being in this kingdom," he could feel her anger as mentally, her aura intensified in time with her orange eyes.

"It was and I have," he defended. "But, I've been informed that since she's declined her appointment that I'm not longer bound to that mission. It's up to you to do whatever you deem necessary from here on out." He hated this change in plan as they had all become a large part of his life over the years and having no family in the kingdom, leaving them out in the cold had bothered him since the new directive had been relayed.

She chuckled in disgust. "So that's it then. We couldn't be manipulated to fulfill whatever you wanted and now we're on our own to fight the evils of the world. Is that it?"

"Adgertesse', that was not my personal goal," he lied. "Whatever the fates have decided is beyond my control, everyone is charge of their own destiny. She chose hers now it's time for you to do the same. Return home if you wish." It pained him to have to abandon them like this but, he had his orders. He could feel her frustration build and knew she would lash out at him any moment if this argument continued.

Emotion in her voice," I have no home, you bastard. My home was with her and our friends, but it seems that you and your bosses figure that once they wished to fight this war by their own terms, you bail out. Then to hell with you! We made it this far without you, **** off," she screamed as Brittany approached from behind and placed her hands gently on the nightblade's shoulders.

"Tess," she softly called. "Come on."

"Get out of my sight," Tess yelled. "GO!!"

Backing as he sighed, Bernard relinguished his new position in her eyes as he turned and headed into the forest from them. Frustrated himself, he gripped the sword in his hand as he bit hard, fists balled. Everything she said was true, the moment that the status quo changed, the Ring abandoned them to their own devices which he thought was unfair. If the future depended on them, why not help? Vision clouding, he wiped his eyes and calmed himself and soon concentrated on his awaiting men as he opened a return gate to the outskirts of Davos. Stepping through, he quietly took the reins, mounted up and turned the horse to take him back to the palace.