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

As a gentle rain fell the next morning, Kailee lay beside Tia underneath the wagon and absently watched the flowing river beyond their encampment. Who had put her in that room and why? She had been living in a world that was totally fabricated in someone else's imagination which had to have drawn from the ability of someone more powerful than she had met. Unless...

'Hello, my love. I told you I'd get you out of that prison. Am I not one of my word?'

'Yes," she thought in return, sensing his dark presence more fully now than she had recently. Even the strong scent of the candles in his chamber permeated the air around her as she could almost see their smoke evanesce into the morning mist.

'This young girl at your side will help you expand your magical ability and become your sister. Keep close to her. She and her family are of the true faith and will answer many of your questions. Keep your distance from Lericanin, he's been misled by a bloodthirsty deity who seeks our destruction. You will learn this in time when you see how the priests of that hypocritical church react to you. Trust in me.'

The last thing Kailee wanted was to be caught up in some religious tug of war.

'I've trusted in my own ability all these years, what do I need you for?'

'Who do you think fed you when you were a baby?! Who kept you alive when men and clerics of Arhus wanted you dead?! You will see how these people you travel with treat you with mistrust and you will come to worship me as your own. I am the only one that cares for you, Kailee.'

She pushed him out of her mind as she rolled over and viewed the brunette beside her as she gently slept, totally oblivious of the presence that had just inhabited the narrow dry space with them. A chill coursed through her body as she admired the soft, round face and long brown hair. With everything that she had been hit with these past few hours, could she trust this seemingly innocent girl whose company she had come to find solace in? Time would tell.

After a day-and-a-half of riding on a reluctant horse behind Tia, they finally reached her companion's home in Inellan. The tall, round tower was protected by a four square moat with the only joining to the farm houses and barns being a narrow stone bridge. Along with the serfs who tended the small fields around the clearing, they also noticed a small group of men-at-arms standing around their mounts at the head of the bridge. Kailee noticed the yellow surcoat with a simple black line across the shoulders and neck of the well armed and armored fighters who eyed them as the newly arrived group dismounted near the closest barn.

"I have to go inside and announce us," Tia mentioned. Kailee could tell her friend was a bit nervous as she headed towards the armed group.

"You want me to come with you?" Kailee asked.

Tia turned and eyed her for a moment. "Sure," she nodded and led to the main door that topped a protected staircase whose contour followed the base of the four story tower.

Kailee stole a glance at the men-at-arms who stared and smiled at the two teenagers as they headed inside. There was something about their attention that made Kailee's skin crawl.

"My lady," an older gentleman greeted as they walked inside the well appointed great room. "It is good to see you again."

"Thank you, Charles. Would you see to our baggage and lodging for my friends?"

"Right away," the obedient reply as he began preparations upstairs.

As Kailee's eyes met the trio of older men near the elegantly dressed woman that Tia approached, a tingle raced up her spine as she began to feel nauseated. She stopped short of them and watched.

"Mother," Tia greeted.

"Tiaonna," her mother returned with a quick hug. "Gentlemen, you know my daughter," she quickly presented to the well dressed man to her right. "My lord, Sir Philip, Baron of Inellan," she motioned and Kailee noticed the long, brown leather riding coat that nearly covered the black sheath hanging from his belt.

Tia curtsied as she offered her hand to him. He took and kissed it. "Alysia, I didn't think anyone as radiant as you existed. It's an honor to finally meet you, Tia. Your mother's told us so much about you."

"Milord."

"And Milord's Chamberlain, Sir Gavril," she motioned to the knight whose short, greying black hair and clean shaven face befitted the polished armor and thick gold chain that hung around his shoulders.

All attention then turned to the overweight, beautifully adorned man whose pasty jowls and fat fingers made Kailee realize where her fear was coming from. "Tia, this is Vicar Dzeron Bakur, representing our beloved patron deity and graces our home this day with his blessings."

Tia bowed to the priest as he smiled politely, then quickly reclaimed his seat and silver goblet. She then turned to her mother as Kailee swallowed hard, trying to push away the sickness.

"Mother, I need to talk to you."

"Soon," the older baroness stated flatly as she also sat down. "See to your friends."

"My Lady Alysia, who is this beautiful young lady," the priest asked as his eyes undressed Kailee.

"This is my friend, Kailee," Tia introduced as she retreated from the high browed affair and rejoined the uncomfortable guest. She followed Tia quickly back out of the great room and up the rounded staircase as Kailee breathed a sigh of relief to be away from those men. Her nausea also faded as they finally reached Tia's bedroom.

"Are you alright?" Kailee asked as she shut the door behind her.

"I'm not sure. My mother's appetite for potential suitors has grown with her ambition."

"What do you mean?"

Tia sat on the foot of the large, flowery quilt of maroon, gold and white and eyed her. "How do you think we could afford to live like this? My previous stepfather used to own this estate until he had a hunting accident . Don't tell anyone else about this, okay?"

Kailee nodded. "You can trust me."

"I also don't like the fact that the priest is here. We're going to have to be careful. Some of my mother's friends in the area aren't very popular with the church and if word got out of our beliefs, my mother and I would be executed."

"Why?"

"We also follow Sater. He's the enemy of Arhus, Yaeby, Elminoir and Archantael. Their followers hunt anyone not affiliated with them to either convert or cleanse the world of us. The temple that we found you in was attacked and razed a few months ago. It used to be a training compound for priests and templar of Arhus and everyone thinks that the attack was by goblins and orcs and that's what the kingdom needs to believe."

Kailee moved around the large chest at the foot of the bed to sit beside her hostess. "I take it that's not what actually happened."

Tia shook her head.

"Why would your mother have them here?"

"Keep your friends close, your enemies closer."