In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 210):

LIadan snapped out of it and punched on of the knights. "Quit dawdling- hurry up and get her to the healer!" Liadan snapped and ran alongside the stretcher. "Brie, what is it?"

"I don't know. It's just pain. Horrible pain." Blood began to stream from Brighid.

Liadan swore. "Move faster you lazy momzers!"

"If we go too fast, we'll jostle the lady and possibly cause more injury."

"If you don't get her to the healer faster she'll bleed out!" Liadan shouted.

Shawn silently and steadily made his way toward the gate. If any of the knights called after him, he ignored them. He would have vengeance for his family. He was tired of being the nice guy always kicked around and turning the other cheek.

Wulfsen unhappily approached the gate. The knights he passed told him that they had seen Shawn heading towards the gate.

"Please don't have been an idiot." Wulfsen muttered to himself and yawned.

Shawn was coming back up the path leading to the gate. He was still muttering under his breath. One third anger, one third fear and one third self-recrimination. When he was near the gate, he shifted the helm to his other arm. Pain shot through him since he didn't have his walking stick.

"Oh good, you're not being an idiot. I mean you're alive." Wulfsen blurted when he saw Shawn. "Uh, good to see you."

Shawn approached the gate and shrugged. "I left with the intentions of being an idiot. I was angry and upset and not thinking straight. I'm not too certain I am now. Good to see you too."

"At a time like this your wife really needs you." Wulfsen said.

"I didn't want her to feel my anger or my fear. Neither would help Brie in any way." Shawn looked toward the keep. "I'm calmer now but I'm...I'm not sure what to to do for her. Hold her? Sit near her? Sit a distance away but where she can see me?"

"I don't know, she'll let you know. It's important just to be there for her." Wulfsen said.

Shawn wished there had been a better answer. He didn't want to make any mistakes. He didn't want to be too close to Brie when she awoke, he didn't want to startle her.

Wulfsen wish he knew what to say. "Let's get you to your wife."

Shawn nodded. "Aye, it's past time."

Wulfsen walked Shawn to the healing room.

Shawn was more nervous than he had been when returning to the village to finally lay claim to Brie.

Lek was squeezed into a small corner of the wagon which was heavily loaded with supplies. His heart was down in his shoes. He felt like a coward coming back while the others went after his father to rescue him. He was not looking forward to telling his aunts and uncles why Sileas and Yehudit did not come back with him.

After the wagon rolled through the gate Lek jumped off and headed inside to find his family.

In an agony of anticipation he had rode the last mile half standing from the wagon's seat. Once they rolled through the gate he leaped from the wagon to the ground.

"Where is she?"

"Hold on. Remember what I told you, I was going to keep you separate until we could determine you are really Nelek. For now, we're going to the dungeon."

"But you have to let me see her first. I don't want our reunion to be in a dungeon." His eyes shone with tears.

"I have to figure out where to have the two of you meet privately, away from others. Until then, it's the dungeon."

He hung his head, looking dejected.

"I wish it didn't have to be this way. But, hopefully you can understand. They're dangerous and can look like anyone. I have to be sure. It's up to me to keep everyone safe."