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

Lumbering on, the completed wagon - enclosed and keeping the group's equipment and extra clothing dry - creaked and heaved with the terrain as Kailee looked over Avion's shoulder in the drivers bench. They had left Bakony nearly a week ago and were heading back west to Carbost, but first they would have to stop in the weighstation of Borge'.Their search for the missing necklace had come to a dead end, but they had found that the thief sold it in the western kingdom of Baden.
The ground had risen for the whole day and Kailee was excited to see the land west of the temple that she had been kept in. Soon, grey walls came into view and rose as they neared. She noted the difference in architecture immediately. Tall statues of warriors flanked the wide doors open to traffic as the walled compound straddled the only highway west of the border from Inellan.

"Who lives here," she asked as the echo of horses hooves and heavy wheels bounced off of the flagstone within the gateway.

"Mechant families and a few dwarves," Avion informed. "If you wanted any armor or weapons, this would be the place to get it."

Kailee trusted in her abilities and the longsword that she had been given. Armor would just slow her down, she thought as they neared the central street bordered by a smithy on their left across from a large, four-square building that appeared like a keep. She followed Elsea and Tia out of the back door as her ears were suddenly inundated with the clanging in the smithy as it drowned out most of the immediate sounds. Curious, she walked over to the opening that fronted the main workroom. Bellows labored to keep the forges hot as she finally noticed the squat, bearded men hammering out their creations. They were a curious lot as she had never seen a dwarf before, their sweat was pungent and full of alcohol. She listened as their heartbeats sounded out a melody in time with the pounding of the hammer.

"What do you want, lass," a gruff voice called from the shadows to the right. She turned and noticed the bulky muscles lifting a flagon to a carbon smeared face that approached as Lericanin also stepped up.

"Nothing, thank you. I was just watching."

He nodded as the pewter tankard lowered and alcohol dribbled down his long beard.

"You sure, I've got the money," Lericanin offered.

"I'm fine. Metal armor would only slow me down."

The proprietor chuckled as he eyed the man nearly two feet taller than he. Kailee knew a confrontation would be interesting, albeit short as she headed into the keep where Elsea and Tia had gone to secure lodging. Up four broad stairs and into a great hall, she noticed that the owner had turned the keep into a large tavern and inn. The central hearth burned brightly as two older women tended to the remains of a cow suspended over the fire. Others sat spread around the large room in pairs and small groups as she moved to a long table and bench and waited for Tia and the princess.

Kavayen shouldered his backpack and carried his wife's inside to see Elizabeth paying for their lodging. They had gone to Bakony to seek out Alisandro after they had heard about the attack on Laksay, but couldn't find out what had happened his granddaughter, Kailee. That day still haunted him as he dropped the brown leather pack on the stone floor and sat down as he waited. Assaulting his nose, the beef smelled just right and after their long ride, he was ready. He glanced across the narrow alley to a table and noticed the beautiful sandy haired girl who watched quietly. Her green eyes, the nose and browline reminded him so much of his daughter. He smiled and looked back as Elizabeth brought two plates of food to their table and sat across from him.

"Sure looks good," he stated drawing his dagger and began eating.

"The girl is bringing us some bread." Kavayen eyed her as he chewed and noticed her glance to the young girl also, then back to him.

"Looks just like her, doesn't she?"

Elizabeth's eyes sank as she nodded, burying her attention to her meal. That night, seventeen years ago haunted them both, apparently. Neither had spoken about it at length since then and Kavayen wasn't that eager to bring it up right now either.

Tia and Elsea approached with their packs and set them on the bench beside them as they sat down.

"All set," Elsea began. "Looks like we pick out a place on the floor around the room and make ourselves comfortable."

"No rooms?" Kailee asked.

"No. Only for nobility it seems."

She didn't mind, Kailee had gotten used to sleeping on the ground most of her life. One more night wouldn't make any difference, but she knew that most of the group enjoyed a soft bed when the opportunity arose.

As the night wore on, they enjoyed the hospitality of the dwarves who laughed and partied that night along with a crew of a merchant caravan who had arrived not long after they had. Kailee lay down finally alongside Tia and Avion as the boisterous revelry began to die down. She looked beyond Alister on the fringe of the groups bedrolls and noticed an older couple readying for bed. The grey haired husband glanced to her and smiled and she could sense his emotion well as he sat within his blanket. She didn't want to intrude on his thoughts but, the the idea was tempting. Soon, he lay down and went to sleep.

Movement in the great hall awoke Kailee to the staff preparing for breakfast near the center of the room as three younger boys hauled in wood for the hearth. She stretched and sighed, then sat up as Tia's eyes opened.

"Morning," Kailee greeted quietly.

"No," she stated, pulling the blanket over her head.

Kailee chuckled as she rose and headed to the wash closet to notice the older man's wife coming out. Her lightening blond hair was pulled up into a bun and back from the tanned face. Hazel green eyes glanced up to her as they approached one another and Kailee could sense the mix of emotions as she stopped.

"Where are you from, child," the older woman asked.

Kailee wasn't sure how to answer that. "Originally? I'm not sure. Why?"

She nodded as wrinkled, strong hands figeted. "It's just...you remind me of someone, that's all."

"Who?"

The pain in the face told volumes. "Someone very dear to me was lost many years ago and you have some of her features. Where did you grow up?"

"I was found in a room in a ruin not far from here. I have no idea who put me there or why. What is your name?"

"Elizabeth. My husband, Kavayen and I are actually heading home to Carbost. What's your name?"

"Kailee."

Kavayen tried to get some much needed rest before they continued on as he closed his eyes. Suddenly, from across the great room he immediately recongized his wife's voice.

"Kavayen!!"

He sat up as sleepy eyes scanned to see Elizabeth grappled with the sandy haired girl. What in the world? he thought as he jumped up and headed to them and noticed that her scream had woken everyone else also. Confused, he neared to notice tears streaming down his wife's face.

"Woman, are you mad? Let go of her before they throw us out."

"It's her," Elizabeth cried. "Praise to Yaeby, it's her," she pushed out between sobs.

Kavayen took a moment to process what he was hearing, then realized that his hunch was right as his heart began to ache. He wrapped both arms around the two and hugged them tightly.