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

As he quietly strolled back towards his study Bernard wondered who he had encountered last night in his dream, or what he decided must have been. Nothing like that had ever been encountered before, at least not to him. He had heard about people seeing a bright light when on the verge of death which had always been given up to some mental trauma or the mind finally seeing the soul. Bernard had always been in good health other than the little aches now and again but, that was normal.

"..don't you think so," Galena interrupted.

Turning to his student, "I'm sorry. What was that?"

"I said, the prince seems rather distracted this week."

"Oh," he nodded. "Yes. He has a lot on his mind lately. Trying to get into the Order of the Queen's Garter isn't easy, what with the war going on and their higher standards. But, he should be able to pass their tests soon, he's an able young man." He walked into the cleaned study as Priscilla finished wiping down the window sill, turned and bowed. "We can take up where you left off yesterday morning with chapter five."

"I already finished that one, remember?"

Still distracted himself, he stopped and eyed her. "Oh, right. Six then."

She nodded, smiled and claimed her normal chair near the center of the room and picked up the tome resting on the mahogany table between them as Bernard sat also. As she read, Priscilla finally left and quietly closed the door. Galena stopped, glanced to the door and then turned to him.

"What's wrong?"

Hand on his chin, brown eyes rose. "Nothing, why?"

"White hair? You didn't seem to know it had turned on you, just seems odd to me. I seriously doubt someone would wish to play a prank on you."

Bernard grinned as his hands went uncomfortably to his lap. "I'm not sure I can explain what happened...because I honestly don't know."

Blue eyes studied him as morning light poured in through the high window behind them. "I've seen many odd things in my life, especially the past four years while traveling with Selyria and my friends. I know she has a list that can turn hair and eye color as well as skin tone." She shrugged. "I'm sure you know that list, don't you?"

He nodded. "I would know if I did this though."

Brow furrowed in confusion, she grinned. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine. Actually, better than ever." He motioned to her book. "Finish, then we can hit the market before dinner."

* * *

In the heat of the day, they walked through the busy marketplace as farmers and tradesmen plied their wares amidst patrols and nobles as commoners were already home cooking. He stopped at a cart full of fruit which apples were his favorite and this season seemed to grow healthier than last. Motioning for two, he pulled out his coin purse and produced several bronze pieces and exchanged with the elder man, hands weathered from years of toil. Turning, he handed one to Galena and began to bite when he noticed a beautiful black, light warhorse walk through the crowd being led by an unseen owner as the quartet of elegantly dressed ladies blocked his view. The steeds ghostly white mane shimmered in the sun as he felt the unique power from the beast prompting him to make an intercept course as it walked through the gawking crowd. Galena led him passed a pair of guards and stopped.

"Alandria," she exclaimed as the pair hugged one another tightly. Bernard halted as he realized that not everyone had been captured in that cave and was relieved that at least one more escaped capture.

"I was just coming to see you," the ranger backed and her relief beamed in her hazel-green eyes. "Somethings happened," she stated and glanced to Bernard who nodded to her.

"Perhaps we should go inside," he suggested and led them towards the palace.

"Where've you been," Galena inquired.

Bernard turned, "We'll talk about this in private", he cut off as Alandria's mouth fell open to answer, then closed abruptly.

Once inside his study, he motioned for Alandria to take his chair. Her sweat and dirt covered clothes told of a long and hard journey and his heart leapt that she had survived at least. Both eyed him as he pulled a short foot stool over and sat on it. "How did you escape?"

"I was out hunting when Soulfire came to me. She wouldn't allow me to return to the cave and that's when I knew something was wrong so, I climbed on and she brought me southward instead," she explained as Galena handed her a goblet of water which she drank from, nearly emptying it. "I remembered you," she glanced to her longtime friend. "had been brought here and thought I'd stop in and see if you had heard anything."

Galena shook her head then turned to Bernard who had been hoping to avoid this moment, especially with Kailee's understudy. How to proceed. Sighing, he nervously wrung his hands, then eyed Alandria. "Kailee and most of the vampires that were with you have been captured. Adgertesse' and Brittany passed through here yesterday and I gated them west towards Inellan. They're more than likely on their way to Carbost to rejoin the others."

Alandria's eyes fell to the floor as Galena leaned forward.

"So, that was your business last night then," his student queried.

Bernard nodded as Alandria finished the water and set the goblet on the table, then rose as Bernard straightened.

"I must be off then, thank you, sir."

"Actually, remain here with us for a night. Rest and allow your horse to rest also."

"I can't do that," she stated as the teenager headed to the door as Bernard and Galena both stood. "She's in trouble and I'm going to help."

"Alandria," he began as he walked towards her, hoping he could dissuade her. "She's in a place you can't go. I'm sorry. I would be hard pressed to survive there and I've been an archmage for longer than your parents have been around."

"I can't stay here while she suffers and my friends could die," she opened the door and walked out into the hallway.

Bernard sighed as he followed, Galena in tow. "Adgertesse' and Brittany are the only two in his territory right now, the group didn't follow. Neither should you."

She slowed, glaring at him. "I thought you said they went to Carbost."

Caught, his lips rolled up as he looked away. "She wouldn't want you to go there and risk your life," brown eyes turned back to the young hunter. "You know this. The Shadow Range is full of evil, don't go in there. You have no idea where she's being kept and you would only hinder Tess in her search. Her skills in stealth are beyond yours and the horse wouldn't survive either. Trust me. Allow those two to find her and bring them home."

"Sater hates us all which means that Tess and Brittany are in as much danger as the rest of us. No matter where we are."

"Alandria," Galena interrupted. "He's right. You can't go into the Shadow Range alone, that's why I'm going with you," she turned and headed to her own room prompting Bernard and Alandria to stop.

"Galena. You can't leave here."

"Yes, I can," she stated boldly, opening the door and disappearing into her room. Sighing as the moments were deteriorating all he had striven to build were crashing down around him, he walked to her doorway.

"Your training is more important right now, you're not ready to face the dangers in there any sooner than Alandria. Don't throw your life away."

She turned, still stuffing clothes into her backpack. "We all make our own choices, you said so. I agree."

Hands on hips, he eyed her desperately. "Please, don't do this."

"My friends need me right now," she began as she shouldered her backpack and grabbed her staff. "I can't sit here while they suffer. I need to go and when this is over and everyone's safe, then I'll return to finish training." Approaching him she hesitated as he watched her, wondering if that day would come. Hoping it would, as a father wished to protect a daughter from danger. Relenting, he backed and allowed her to join the awaiting hardened traveler and watched them as they both headed down the long hallway then descended the stair. Bowing his head, he knew there was no way he could keep Galena here, she wasn't his prisoner. How had things gotten so out of hand so fast?