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

“I’m going to wash up while you guys eat, see you in a little while.” Lisa rose and turned to walk to the river nearby. She hesitated a second, turned back to face him as he looked up at her. He watched as she knelt towards him and placed a gentle kiss upon the top of his head cradling it gently between her hands. It was a new experience for the both of them as she walked away quickly leaving him to sit upon the log almost in a state of disbelief.

Gunnar approached the fire after tending to his horse. He was rubbing his leg where the animal had kicked him during the process. Luckily the injury wasn’t severe and the veteran warrior was used to the treatment. “ Damn animal. One of these days I’m going to…” He watched Lericanin staring off into the woods towards the river. Knowing the younger fighter the way he did he knew he must be alerted to something approaching the camp. Gunnar placed his hand on his sword as he stepped around the fire towards the river. “You see something?”

“Huh?” Lericanin snapped back to the here and now. “No, nothing. I was just thinking. Let everyone know dinner is ready.” Lericanin stood while Gunnar switched from watching the woods to his traveling companion then back again. Lericanin clapped the elder on the shoulder. “Really its nothing.”

Everyone enjoyed the meal which seemed to taste better than the last. They were a lucky band to have someone who could actually cook along. It made the miles seem a little shorter somehow though nothing beat a meal by Mrs. Stormfrost. Lericanin could come close sometimes.

Selyria approached Lericanin as he knelt near the waters edge cleaning out his special pot. “You cook and you clean? What would your enemies think?”

Lericanin eyed her obviously not amused by her jest “It keeps me humble. I am no better than any other man. He helps me keep things in perspective.”

“My apologies. I meant no disrespect.” She sat down on a nearby rock watching him as he meticulously rinsed and re-checked the pot. When all seemed in order he set it on the ground and began on his own mess kit with the same determination. It was a quiet several minutes before he finished and replaced everything in his pack making sure the equipment was placed in its proper place before closing the flap and tying it shut. Once that was done he removed a finely crafted drinking horn and carefully removed the top offering the horn to her first. The wine was bitter with a hint of various fruits which tantalized the palate, very fine indeed.

As she handed the horn back to him he took a seat across from her on another nearby rock looking out across the water. “So you want my story eh?” He glanced sideways at her as he spoke and watched as she nodded. “I don’t think there is much to tell but here it goes. I was born in the small town of Anderslough in the duchy of Kecel. It’s quite lovely in the springtime. The trees glow a brilliant green with fresh leaves. The flowers blown across all the meadows as far as the eye can see. Hawks soar high above for what seems like days in a clear blue sky. Rolling hills and hidden ponds are tiny sanctuaries away from the noise of more civilized places. It looks like it had been touched by Elminoir herself, graced by her presence personally.”

“Anyway, my parents manage an orchard…

* * *

The priest raised the child above his head as though it were an offering. Blood and mucous form its very recent birth still coated the child as it squirmed and began wailing in the priest’s hands. With the prayer finished Father Perkayin gently wrapped the newborn in a fresh blanket and walked to the edge of the bed lowering the child to his mother. Immediately a hand shot up holding the priests arm away from her and shook her head. Her breathing was slowly returning to normal as she forced out the word “No.”

Confused, Father Perkayin looked to the father for an answer. He stood motionless, staring at the child while trying to comfort his wife. When he didn’t move an older woman in the room stepped forward, gently taking the child from the priest. “Thank you father, I think we can manage from here.” Her smile reassured him as he nodded and cleaned his hands on a towel.