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

The cool, grey murk slowly dissipated as they rode on from Elias's Weighstation and gave the impression of drifting through a dark dream. Kailee watched from the narrow doorway behind Avion's seat while the fog muffled the soft hoof beats. Tia had insisted on riding point with Kasar that morning and Kailee had been on edge the whole time.

Avion turned, "Why don't you get some sleep, you look tired".

She shook her head. "No, thanks. I hate this swamp and I may not rest until we're free of it."

Chuckling, the driver turned and scanned their surroundings as the sunlight was breaking through, turning tall grey lines into brown trunks. "I think we all would agree with that. I haven't slept much either."

"What was your home like?" Kailee asked, trying to distract her mind from the apprehension.

"Nice. We lived in the Valis Mountains during the winter and traveled the Kingdom of Ganshoren the rest of the year, plying our wares and putting on shows for the people. I juggled for the children, usually knives and whatever else I had close at hand. The nights were spent trying to keep my brothers out of trouble which was a task in itself, believe me. I couldn't wait to be free of them, my father in particular."

"I can understand that." Suddenly, Kailee began to feel her heart race, sweat beaded on her forehead as she straightened.

"What is it," Avion asked nervously.

Between the horses pulling their wagon, Kailee saw him. The black knight drifted out of the swamp like a wraith, his horse's eyes glared blood red as it huffed a blast of fume and stamped the ground in anticipation. He spurred the stead on and charged Tia and Kasar, lowering his lance and Kailee could feel each hoof beat that pounded the earth, angrily spewing dirt behind it as if tearing the soul out of this already tortured landscape.
Avion pulled the reins to the right as Kailee hopped up onto the bench, standing to see over the rumps of their steads as both scouts at the head of their column froze to accept the charging demon bearing down on them. The impact sent Tia's body backwards and up, nearly doubling over in the saddle and Kailee could feel her own heart burst as the knight lifted his target upwards with the lance, then cast her limp body behind him.

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!" she screamed, then charged. Unsheathing her sword as she ran across the back of the rightmost horse, her vision narrowed and ignored the ten undead soldiers that attacked the flanks of the wagon. Greens and browns turned quickly to maroon as she sprinted, the beautiful young face grimaced as green eyes went fiery orange. Fangs grew as the knight lowered his lance for the next target. Within seconds, she approached, reared the bastardsword for the mighty swing and leaped into the air, over the rearing neck of the nightmare. The impact echoed through the boughs like thunder knocking the black paladin backwards and out of the saddle.
She hit the ground running, dropped the sword as clanking metal armor and the body in it slammed the ground while Kasar turned his horse and charged the downed opponent. All she saw was her friend, lying in a pool of blood and not moving. She slid up next to her, scooped up her sister and pulled her close, weeping.

"Give her back!! Now!!" she cried.

'I'll do as you ask, but you have to do something for me,' the familiar voice from the dark recesses of her mind stated.

Kailee cradled the lifeless head and pulled it to her tear soaked cheek. "Just give her back."

'As you wish... my wife.'

Kailee clutched Tia as she wept, blood still flowing from the hole through the small frame. Soon, the flow stopped and she noticed the cold body in her arms warm as the wound closed. Her focused symbiotic relationship right now allowed her to feel the heart beat and give life back to her friend. Kailee's head rose and she saw the lids flicker as soft breath cooled her own cheek. Tears of joy flowed as she kissed Tia on the forehead and hugged her again.
Soon, Lericanin and Avion ran up to them, panting from the battle that they had just won. Or so they thought.

"Kailee, come on. We have to go," Lericanin stated, reaching for Tia's body.

She glared at him, "Don't touch her," she warned hotly.

He backed and stood. "Get her into the wagon, we have to go."

Kailee lifted Tia and carried her to the back of the wagon to see the undead warriors reforming and rising for another fight. Rusted armor and ragged cloth hung loosely on the bleached frames as they reclaimed weapons. Quickly, she maneuvered her gift back into the wagon and sat on the benchseat across from Elsea as Alister slammed the door. Avion snapped the reins and they sped away from the enemy.

She looked down to the tanned, rounded face and noticed that Tia's hair and eyebrows were now jet black. The wound, now dimly picked out in the rumbling, wooden container, was completely healed. Slender fingers ran over the embossed tattoo and she immediately noticed the flaming eye symbol. He had marked her forever now. But, it didn't matter, Tia was alive and Kailee had kept her promise.