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

Kailee scanned the scene within the bailey, now full of men, women and children seeking her face for some reassurance that the fight was over and the dark elves who were now filing in through the gatehouse weren't the enemy. Fear, sorrow, anger and uncertainty filled the air between them and she knew exactly how they felt.
Approaching, Sir William quietly eyed the entourage of darkly armored men in two neat rows behind her, and the noble, grey skinned elf now removing his helmet to reveal long white hair, matted to and framing his young looking face.

"Close the gate," Lericanin's authoritative voice shouted once her army was now within the grassy yard who eyed their hosts apprehensively also. Selyria and Allandria soon joined them, both weary from the taxing night. "We'll see to your men," he stated.

"We're not staying long," she informed. "Just perhaps some food and water would be fine."

He nodded as William grinned, dirt and dried blood caked to his cheeks and forehead. "Good to see you, Kailee."

"I should have been here sooner, I'm sorry."

Selyria chuckled. "He's been looking for a reason to attack this town, we've done fine considering. Annaleah warned us earlier and we all came here. I'm just glad as many survived that have. Houses can be rebuilt."

Kailee nodded, "I know," she sighed. "I'm just getting really tired of having to do that." Changing the subject, she motioned to her general, "This is Duke Otnel," then to her friends in dark elven. "Selyria, Sir William, Allandria and Sir Lericanin, Duke of Zariva."

"It's a pleasure to meet Her Highness' family finally," he stated in Astaran, gaining the attention of all as he grinned. "We've been studying our neighbors for some centuries now."

Caught offguard, she chuckled and turned back to her old squire whose confused face squared to her. "Did he just say, 'Her Highness'?"

She grinned at Allandria sheepishly as Tess cleared her throat. "Yes, she was crowned some weeks ago when our king died. Believe that?"

"Absolutely not," the elder ranger chuckled in disbelief.

"Your Highness," Otnel interrupted in dark elven and gained her attention. "I realize they're your friends but, is it proper for them to call you familiar?"

"These are my family," she nodded. "Yes."

He backed and nodded, then bowed as she watched him move to tend to his men. Fiery eyes moved back to the center of the group of remaining friends. "We'll be leaving here in the morning, I know you'll be safer now. If you need anything at all, let me know now."

"Where are you going," Selyria queried.

She felt her resolve quiet her mood. "Enestius, Tia and her mother have a date with Death and I would hate for them to miss it."

Lericanin nodded and moved towards the main door of the keep and she could feel the familiar determination in his mind. "Excuse me," she said, then moved to follow the large captain with her unit of personal guard on her heels. Through the Great Hall and up the stairs she followed, passed many faces of relieved neighbors who smiled as she walked by, nodding in recognition to each until he arrived to his apartment door and went inside. She turned to the sergeant, "Wait out here for me."

"Yes ma'am," he nodded respectfully as she went into the lavishly appointed room and closed the door.

Watching as the white haired knight moved to the armoire and open it, reached up for his old backpack and pulled it out, then tossed it on the bed, Kailee knew this would be a hard sell. Once the door was closed to the cherry wood cabinet, he stepped over to the footlocker and stiffly knelt down and rummaged through Nyrellia's neatly folded clothing.

"I need you to stay here and keep a watch over what's left of our home," she pleaded.

"A battle that has long been in the planning is about to unfold and I'm not going to miss it," he stated firmly, then pushed himself up, grimacing as he turned and tossed two sets of pants onto the backpack, then eyed her. "Selyria and William are more than able, so is Nyrellia."

She sighed. "Please don't make this harder than it is."

"Arhus has kept adding more lengths to the wick of this candle that has burned at both ends for far too long already. I'll not stay behind when you're going into the lion's den, not this time."

Frustration rose with each moment as her vision clouded. "I'm not taking you with me," she tried to put as delicately as possible. Soon, golden tears streamed down her bronze cheeks, reflecting the room around her. "I love you and I want you to be here, with her when he calls you," she choked as hands went to her lips. In a swift motion, he moved to her and wrapped his arms around her, disregarding the dangers of her hair, and pulled up the thick, green hood. She rested her head against the breastplate and sobbed.

After a few long moments, he cleared his throat. "It goes against my better judgment but, I know you're only trying to protect this...old man," he chuckled. "I have ever loved you too, and I thank you for that."

She sniffed and backed from him, noticing for the first time since Alexander's death, his misty blue eyes. "Your grandfather would be proud of the man you've become. I don't have your access to that world but, I do know that much," she grinned back emotion which had come too easily for most of her life. She watched his head bow as he nodded uncomfortably. Gently, she reached up with a gloved hand to his chin and raised it slightly so that their eyes met. "I promise you that this evil that we've been fighting for so long will soon be at an end. You and Nyrellia are going to enjoy your great-grandchildren for many more years yet. I vow it."

Softly, he smiled as he took her hand and kissed it. A moment of peace that would not soon be forgotten.