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

After their business in Inellan, the group returned to the estate as a gentle rain began to fall, creating more vivid greens and browns in the surrounding woods. Lericanin was able to sell the hafts he had made which apparently had kept the group in what little money they needed as they traveled. As the pine boundary broke, they saw the fields and homes that bordered the estate as the horses plodded on in the thickening muddy road.

"I'm planning on enclosing this wagon as soon as we can," Lericanin announced as they neared the barn.

"That'll be nice," Tia stated from beneath her hooded cloak which vainly kept out the moisture.

Avion steered the large steads into the dry building and pulled on the reins which prompted the group to hop out onto the dirt and hay covered floor. Two younger stableboys moved to begin unhitching the wagon as Alister did the same while Kailee followed Tia towards the keep.

"I hope my mother is back," Tia stated as they neared the bridge.

"Where did she go," Avion asked, arms holding the bag of herbs and other items they had bought.

"No telling. Charles told me this morning that she had an appointment and that she was expected back this evening."

Kailee noticed the apprehension in her voice and wondered if the visit yesterday by the town's elders had anything to do with her mother's absence. Across the stone bridge and into the home, they headed quickly upstairs to see to Tia's patient. Kailee wished that she had the magic's to help, she had felt so helpless lately. Each of them had their expertise and she was still trying to find a way to fit in.

Elsea lay in her sweat soaked bed and looked pale making Kailee wonder if they would be able to save her at all.

"What's wrong with her," she asked as Avion unloaded the contents of the large sack onto a small end table near the bed.

"Hopefully just an allergic reaction to something she ate. I don't know right now," Tia informed as she produced a mortar and pistle to begin concocting the medication.

"She's not human, is she," Kailee mused which gained the attention of both girls.

"No," Tia began. "She's a half-elf from the elven kingdom of Tywyn, far to the northwest. Her parents were murdered in a coup and she and her brother were sped to safety by a cleric. She's trying to find a necklace that belonged to her father and proves her brother's rights to the throne."

"She's a princess?"

"Yes," Tia informed as she began mixing leaves and berries.

Kailee watched as Tia worked her natural magic and fed their sick compatriot the newly formed juice. Now, only time would tell but the prognosis looked good as Charles gently knocked on the door and pushed it open.

"My lady, dinner is served."

"Thank you, Charles. Is my mother home yet?"

"No, ma'am. But we expect her at any moment."

Tia nodded as she wiped her hands and headed for the door. "Avion, let her rest. We'll come back up in a bit to check on her."

"I'd rather stay, if that's alright. Can Charles bring me up something?"

"Okay."

As they headed downstairs, Kailee turned to Tia. "You were telling me about combining your meditation with prayers. How do you do that?"

"I"ll show you in the morning. We'll leave before everyone else wakes to ensure our privacy. My mother had a small shrine built in the woods west of here which is where we also make our offerings during the festivals."

Early that next morning, Kailee walked with Tia through the morning mist now dimly colored a light grey as the sky began to lighten to a blue. Their quiet footfalls echoed softly in the covered pathway as they headed south while birdsong in the distance welcomed them. The cool dampness was soon interrupted by the odors of someone laying in the grass off of the narrow road which made Kailee slow and concentrate on the familiar individual.

"Tia, Lericanin is near," she whispered and turned her face to the southeast.

"What?"

Kailee pointed. "Over there, in the grass." She also noted a strong scent that she had never encountered before on him as he rested.

Crashing through the tall grass and fallen branches, they neared the carpenter as he stared into the boughs, half dressed.

"Lericanin," Tia knelt nearby. "What are you doing out here?"

"Can't be. There's no way she'd be this far north, couldn't have been."

"What are you talking about, who?"

Lericanin pulled up his pants and sat up, grass matted to his hair and back as he shook his head. "There's no way."

"Lericanin," Tia called louder. "Who are you talking about?"

He turned to her as Kailee looked on. "Nyrellia. She was here with me last night." Emotion began to well in his voice as Kailee was a bit confused.

"There was no one else here with you," Kailee informed as they both turned to her.

"What?" Lericanin asked, confused. "No, that's not possible. I was with her last night, she was right here."

"Trust me, you were alone."

Tia stood and faced the keep. "Unless... Lericanin, come back to the barn. I have something to take care of."

He rose and pulled on his shirt. "Wait a second. How can you tell I was alone?"

"I only smell you here. You weren't with anyone last night."

Lericanin stared blankly for a moment as a large hand wiped his dark hair back. Tia began to head home in a hurry with the others in tow. Kailee could feel the anger well in her sister and she wondered what was coming.

The victim headed to the barn where he had been sleeping during their visit as Kailee followed Tia inside the keep. She could see Lady Alysia at the dinner table eating breakfast as Tia stormed up to her.

"Mother, why?!"

"Why what?"

"Why did you do that to my friend?"

Mature hazel green eyes looked up as Alysia sat back and glanced to Kailee. "His nose was somewhere it didn't belong. You know what we've had to endure to survive over the years."

"What did you do?"

The baroness leaned forward, her words bit the air like venom. "I kept his mind on things that he understands instead of spying on us. You realize that if word gets out about our true nature that we'd both be dragged out of here in chains. You included. You just do your part and I'll do mine, understand?"

Tia spun on her heel and stormed out of the dining area. Kailee watched the Lady's face that went from anger to anguish as she watched her daughter leave. They both went upstairs and gathered their things as Tia then led to Elsea's room. She and Avion were just waking up.

"Elsea, how are you feeling?" Tia asked as they entered the room.

"I'm fine, thank you for your help."

Tia nodded. "Pack up, we're leaving," she instructed, still irritated.

"Okay," Avion said, confusion in her eyes. "What's happened?"

"Nothing. We'll talk about it later."

They helped get Elsea prepared to leave and assisted her down the stairs to see Lady Alysia at the bottom, waiting patiently. She handed Tia a small pouch. "Take this, it will help her condition and there's others in there for the future."

Tia took the gift quietly and led the others to the door as Charles opened it for the quartet.

"Thank you for your hospitality, milady," Elsea's tired voice stated as they left.

"You're welcome."

Kailee followed to the barn as Alister and Lericanin were heading to a clearing for their morning workout.

"Morning, ladies," Alister greeted.

"Get the wagon ready," Tia directed. "We're leaving."

Nodding, the husbandman turned and headed quickly back to the barn as Lericanin intercepted them. "What happened last night?"

"You were under the affects of a spell, I'm sorry."

He eyed her for a moment, then glared towards the stone tower, gripping his warhammer tightly.

"Let's just go," Tia pleaded.

Lericanin nodded reluctantly and they were soon on the road.