The entry to the keep. The gate, if one wanted to call it that, hangs haphazardly from one hinge and is covered in rust.

Grateful that her cloak was of dark color and blended into the darkness of the twilight, Sileas made her way to the gate. Her hood covered her bright red hair. So far she and Yehudit had been successful enough at stealth to not attract the attention of any of the knights who were unloading wagons or tending horses. She finally reached the gate and paused in the shadows, waiting for her cousin to catch up.

While Sileas was stealthy and graceful, Yehudit hobbled and her walking stick made a loud 'clock' sound with every step. She was panting slightly when she finally caught up with Sileas.

"This is working!" Yehudit whispered excitedly.

"So far, but we're not through the gate and away from the keep yet," Sileas whispered back. "We should have thought of something to cushion the end of your walking stick. I never noticed before how noisy it is."

"We got past Mama, what more do we need to worry about?" Yehudit asked.

"Any of the knights on patrol with the intentions of keeping civilians from danger. After all, we have no idea what's between here and the village or even what we'll find in the village," Sileas pointed out. She adjusted the strap of her quiver, her bow held beneath the folds of the cloak.

While dunking his head, Wulfsen had gotten his shirt soaked. So he pulled it off and hung it to dry as he walked around the outer walls of the keep, making sure they were secure. Except for the gate hanging off one hinge all looked well from the outside. He was nearing the gate when he heard female voices.

"Hello?" Wulfsen called as he entered the gate.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:35, Sun 16 Aug 2015.

Yehudit's jaw dropped and she stared.

Sileas blinked mutely for a moment or two. She froze in place, undecided whether to answer or to not answer and risk a physical altercation. Sileas's cheeks heated up and she was grateful for the dark and her hood, for she was sure her face was as red as her hair. A few curse words went through her mind, there was no way out now. "Hello," she said softly.

"Sileas?" Wulfsen blushed a little himself, he was out of uniform! He self-consciously crossed his arms over his chest. "What are you doing here?"

Whack! Questa hit Wulfsen in the back of the head with her weighted sock.

"Should we tie 'im up in 'ere or outside the gate?" Questa asked, already working off the unconscious man's belt to use as a rope.

"Questa!" Sileas shouted. "Do you have ANY idea what they will do to someone who knocks out a Lord? Much less a son of the King?" She glared daggers at Questa and hurried to Wulfsen's side. "Here, hold this," she said to Yehudit, handing her her bow. Sileas knelt down and pushed her hood back. "Wulfsen?" she called softly while lightly patting his cheek.

Wulfsen groaned and squeezed his eyes shut against the pain in his head.

"Yor only in trubble if yer get caught, right, he didn't spot me. Wotcher so angry about, isit? He were gonna ruin yor plans." Questa pulled off his belt and frowned when she heard him groan. "Stand back, right, I got ter hit 'im again."

Sileas rose to her feet. "You touch him one more time and I'll turn you in myself. Wulfsen is a friend. We'll never know now if he would have let us go because you had to go and knock him out. He may well have permitted Yehudit and I to to the village." She doubted it was likely but she wasn't about to give credence to Questa's words. "Give me your cloak and go get Difyr or Alyssa," Sileas demanded angrily.

"Me cloak? But it's cold! Struth! He were 'appy walkin' 'round wivout a shirt on and 'is chest 'air flappin' in the chuffin' breeze, right, he don't need me cloak." Questa drew her cloak around herself. "And I didn't 'it 'im that 'ard, just tapped 'im. He's already comin' 'round."

Sileas ground her teeth. She spotted a small group of knights only a few yards away. "Give. Me. Your. Cloak. Or I will call them over here."

"Give 'im yor own cloak if yer don't want Yehudit starin' at 'is boobs so badly." Questa said boldly.

"I want to pillow his head until he's ready to sit up. You're the one who injured him, you can damn well sacrifice your cloak."

Wulfsen's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Sileas. "Sileas? What happened?" Wulfsen sat up and gingerly touched his head. "Ouch. Did part of the wall fall off on me?"

"Aw damn, right, too late now." Questa hid the belt under her cloak. "I can keep me cloak now."

"No, the wall is innocent though it wouldn't surprise me if part fell off and hit someone. I apologize, Questa misguidedly thought she was helping and hit you," Sileas said softly. She held up three fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?" She glared at Questa over his head.

"Three." Wulfsen counted, confused. He stood up. "Why-" He barely caught his pants before they could fall down. His sword was left on the ground. "Uh?" Wulfsen was further confused and quite embarrassed.

Sileas sighed and stormed over to Questa. She held out her hand. "Give me Wulfsen's belt. NOW."

Questa gave Sileas the belt. "Nice ter know yer got me back- after I were tryin' ter help yer! Struth!"

Yehudit's eyes were like saucers. She was not overly helpful.

"I didn't need the help. I may have been able to enlist Wulfsen's help. Instead you have blown the whole plan from the water." Sileas walked over to Wulfsen and extended her hand. "Here, again, I apologize. Questa has a good heart but she's misguided."

Wulfsen was holding his pants up with one hand so he could pick up his sword and scabbard. When Sileas extended her hand, Wulfsen wound up dropping his pants. Mortified Wulfsen dropped the sword on his foot and tripped over it as he hastened to pull up his pants again.

"Do you need some assistance?" Sileas offered her friend. "Yehudit, you had better look away or Aunt Lia will know you've seen something you should not."

Wulfsen was more red than a boiled lobster. "No, thank you. I can dress myself. Uh..." Wufsen got back to his feet and pulled his pants up. He reached for his belt.

Yehudit blinked for the first time since Wulfsen appeared. "How would she find out?"

Sileas managed to keep an innocent expression on her face, not even a hint of a little naughty grin. Sileas handed him his belt. "You know Aunt Lia. She will take one look at you and just know. She might not know exactly what it was, but she'll know it happened."

"Then we gotta go back to Buckley Village so she never finds out about this!" Yehudit exclaimed in alarm.

Sileas winced. Now the plan really was botched up. "The plan is still in effect as soon as I make certain Wulfsen is all right."

Wulfsen was working his belt through the loops on his pants and nearly dropped them again.
"You're going back to Buckley Village? But you can't- there could still be raiders around."

"I have to go back, Wulfsen. I can't shake the feeling that Mama is still alive." Sileas clasped her hands in front of her. "I took a nap a short time ago, and I kept hearing her calling me to help her."

Wulfsen missed three loops and his scabbard was still on the ground, but he managed to cinch his belt so his pants wouldn't fall down anymore. Wulfsen looked at Sileas. They had not found Brighid SPenser's body, but there were many bodies that still had not been recovered. There was so much destruction it would be weeks before everyone was accounted for- if they ever were accounted for. Wulfsen did not have the heart to tell Sileas that her mother's body was probably burned up under some rubble.

"We're going to send groups back to see what can be salvaged in the village, we may start as soon as tomorrow." Wulfsen offered, hoping that would be enough.

Sileas shook her head. "That's not soon enough. She is calling to me for help, but she sounds weak and injured. Even tomorrow might be too late. Wouldn't you do everything you could if you thought you had one chance to save your mother?" Sileas eyed him, tears in her eyes.

Who could resist a plea like that? And tears too!

"I can't let you go without protection." Wulfsen said, weakening.

"I have my bow and a quiver filled with arrows," Sileas stated. "But...I would not be terribly upset by having some protection along. I'm not so foolish to not understand this could be a dangerous undertaking."

"Can you wait for me to get a shirt?" Wulfsen asked.

Sileas nodded. "Aye, I can wait that long. Yehudit and I will be right up here by the gate. Thank you," she added quietly.

"I'll return shortly." Wulfsen promised. But besides a fresh shirt he needed to tell Xavier where he was going, grab a few provisions, and his horse...

Sileas went over to stand next to Yehudit. She pried her bow from her cousin's hands. "That went well. It shows that being honest is always best."

Yehudit appreciatively watched Wulfsen walking away. "Shame he's getting a shirt- do you think he would have left with us as he is if you said you couldn't wait?" YEhudit half grinned. "Call after him, tell him we have to go now! Right now! Not a moment to lose."

"I have the feeling he would have said we couldn't go then or he'd have had some of his men come over to keep their eye on us."

Yehudit sighed and leaned against the wall. "It's a warm evening, maybe he'll decide he doesn't need a shirt."

"How can you even be caring about shirtless men right now?" All Sileas could think of was their lost family members and friends.

"They're nice to look at." Yehudit said, stung. She looked at her feet.

Questa curiously picked up Wulfsen's sword. "Cor, this is 'eavy. We'd travel faster wivout 'im."

"We do not know what's between here and the village," Sileas said. "While I was willing to strike out on my own, I would be grateful for the protection. It's only heavy because you're not accustomed to it."

Questa pulled the sword from the scabbard and took a few experimental swings with it. "This is stewpid, a knife is much better. Not so 'eavy and can stab a knife faster."

Questa put the sword back in the scabbard and set it back on the ground. She pulled out her shiv and used the edge of the stone wall to sharpen the blade.

"During battles and war, you don't want to get close enough to the enemy to use a knife. If you are that close they can just as easily injure you. Personally I think arrows are the best but not every one has an aim that will kill."

"Can't fight if yer can't even lift the heavy bloody fin'." Questa pointed out. She polished her shiv with the edge of her cloak and returned it to the sheath.

"That is why people commission their own to be special made. Swords can be made in different weights, I used to help Mama check the weights when she was still smithing," Sileas replied. "I am certain Wulfsen has no worries at all."

"Judgin' by the size of 'is chest and arms, prob'ly not." Questa allowed.

Wulfsen returned, leading his horse. "Ready to go."

Sileas nodded as she thanked him again. She tucked her bow under her cloak again, but it would be easily reached if needed. Her gaze went to Yehudit and Questa. "Are you ready to go?"

Yehudit was still stinging from Sileas criticizing her for thinking about men without shirts.

"Yes." She said quietly.

"I were ready before yer were." Questa said.

"Onward!" Sileas called out as she headed through the gate and back down the way they had come to the keep. There was a chill in the night air, and she was grateful for the warmth of her cloak. She was tempted to pull on the mittens Larrigan had given her the last Yuletide, but they would interfere with her bow if it was needed.

Wulfsen stuck his foot in the stirrup and was about to mount when he noticed Yehudit hobbling with her stick.

"Yehudit, why don't you ride?" Wulfsen offered.

Yehudit stared at the big warhorse.

"Really?" Yehudit looked to Sileas for guidance. Yehudit's mother didn't like her riding horses because she would fall off... Yehudit fell off just about everything she got on top of.

Sileas eyed the horse and then Yehudit. It probably wasn't a good idea but if she managed to stay mounted it would be better than testing her ankle. "It would probably be best if you rode. Less time on your ankle. If Wulfsen would like to lead, I can walk alongside to make certain you do not topple off."

"Sure." Wulfsen agreed, already adjusting the stirrups. "This will be a lot faster."

Yehudit looked doubtful but she climbed onto the horse's back. She wanted to hug its neck. The ground looked so far away. Yehudit squeezed her eyes shut.

Sileas handed Yehudit the reins. "Here hold on to these, but loosely." She slipped her free hand around one of the straps. "Feel secure? We can always tie you on," Sileas teased lightly.

Yehudit gripped the reins in sweaty hands.

"If I fall off I'll break my neck." Yehudit whispered.

Questa looked at the horse, very tempted to slap the animal's rump and send it running.

In reply to Yehudit Buckley (msg # 68):

Silea whispered back, "I won't let you fall." Then she glanced at Wulfsen. "Perhaps it might be better if I ride behind her?"

"Star can carry you both." Wulfsen agreed.

"Thanks." Sileas climbed up behind Yehudit and took the reins with one hand and wrapped her free arm around her cousin's waist. "Better?"

"You'll break my fall?" Yehudit asked anxiously.

"Haven't I always watched over you and taken care of you?" Sileas reminded her. "I've always been here for you and I always will."

"Unless yer nick some lad's belt, right, ffen yor on yor own." Questa muttered, still sore at being betrayed.

Sileas sighed. She didn't know how to deal with Questa any longer.

Wulfsen blushed and self-consciously hitched up his trousers. He still did not know why Questa had taken his belt while he was unconscious.

In reply to Questa Cort (msg # 75):

Sileas finally looked at Questa. "It had nothing to do with nicking his belt. It had everything to do with you resorting to violence as your first response. There was no sign of danger or threat, there was no reason for you to do that."

Yehudit made a nervous squeaking sound.

"He were gonna put the mockers on yer and ruin yor plans. That wee tap on the bloody head softened 'im up for yer." Questa insisted.

"Violence is not the answer unless there is no other option. I wish you would choose a trade to apprentice in. Maybe helping to rebuild will help straighten you out."

"I don't need ter apprentice in anyfink. I know 'ow ter live." Questa said.

"Sure until you finally get hung for violence or theft." Sileas shook her head. "It's time to grow up Questa. Time to change." Sileas made a movement with her feet and started toward the village.

"So... Why did she take my belt?" Wulfsen asked Sileas delicately.

"Do you promise to not throw her in the dungeon for it? Though a few days in a cell might be good for her."

Wulfsen's eyes widened. "What was she going to do to me?"

"I...she was going to tie your hands and probably drag you into the bushes. It wasn't enough that she had knocked you out."

Wulfsen touched his head, it was still sore. "She's a rough one."

"She was a member of the street gang that I spent time with when I was growing up. While I had dreams of wanting to be more and having a family, Questa never had that and she never got off the streets," Sileas explained quietly. "It's all she knows and I fear it's all that she wants to know. She doesn't...no...she refuses to understand why I wanted a family and insists on saying that Mama and Papa aren't my parents." She glanced toward Questa. "I think she's made it her personal goal to drag me back in to that life instead of seeing there is something more out there."

"You're too much of a lady to go back on the streets." Wulfsen said. "Too smart too."

Sileas blushed. "I like your description of me better. Questa says I have gone soft. The last time I tried picking a pocket I got caught. It just made it clear to me that it's not the life for me." She stared ahead for a few moments. "My dreams haven't changed. They feel unattainable right now and they may change in the future, but for now, they're the same."

"Your dreams are still possible." Wulfsen realized he had taken Sileas's hand. He blushed too and let it go.

"I would like to cling to the hope that they are, but I at some point will have to be realistic," Sileas replied. After all that had happened during the attack, Sileas desired contact and found she was disappointed when Wulfsen pulled his hand away. He was a good friend after all and she needed comfort. But she said nothing about the loss of his touch. "So many things have happened over the past two years."

"I know." Wulfsen said, awkwardly fidgeting with his sword. "If there's ever anything I can do to help, just ask."

Yehudit burst into tears and started sobbing into the horse's mane.

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 94):

"Just being here, being a friend..." Sileas said softly. She wasn't certain exactly how he knew all that had happened. Sileas doubted her father would have revealed more than the kidnapping. Still, the King and Wulfsen were not so blind that they didn't know what usually happened to women who had been kidnapped. But she didn't get the chance to ask because Yehudit burst into tears. "Yehudit? What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Yehudit sniffled and got control of herself. She was still crying and sobbing softly.

Sileas scowled. "Don't tell me nothing. I know better. You don't cry that easily," Sileas pointed out. "Talk to us."

"Just you've been through so much and, and-" Yehudit wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "It's not fair."

Sileas took the reins into her other hand and gently hugged her. "No one ever promised life would be fair. If I get all the bad out of the way now, perhaps I'll be...content...in my future."

Yehudit tried to turn to hug Sileas back. Instead she hit Sileas with her walking stick, lost her balance and grabbed at her cousin to keep from falling.

Sileas had suffered through far worse over her life than being hit with a walking stick. She tightened her hold on Yehudit to keep her astride the horse. "Calm down and don't flail."

"I'm going to break my neck!" Yehudit wailed. "Mama's gonna kill me!"

Wulfsen reached up to steady the two girls.

"You will be fine," Sileas said. "Just pretend you are riding Lightning and stay calm. Remember no sudden movements."

"Lightning?" Being reminded of Sileas's horse made Yehudit begin crying anew. She got herself sorted out so she was no longer falling off the horse, but she was grieving all over again.

Sileas hoped fervently she might find her horse during their trek to the village but she wasn't holding out much hope. "Yehudit, they probably claimed him, I doubt they harmed Lightning. He is much too good of a horse."

"Those momzers don't deserve Lightning!" Yehudit swore.

"No, they don't. But we are outnumbered and cannot hunt the down to take him back."

Yehudit sniffled. She was overtired and very upset.

"Just relax. Maybe you should have stayed at the keep," Sileas offered, knowing her cousin was overly tired.

"No!" Yehudit sniffed. "I'm going where you're going!"

"I'm just worried about you and thinking you could have used more rest," Sileas pointed out softly. "Try to relax."

"I AM RELAXED!" Yehudit shouted.

Sileas sighed and fell silent. She was tired too. And she was sick and tired of being the strong one. She was tired of everyone thinking they could talk to her any way they wanted and she would just continue to take it. The village was coming in to sight and Sileas found herself wondering if she could simply just disappear while searching. Unless of course she found her mother.

Yehudit closed her eyes and began to doze off.

Quiet tears streaked down Sileas's cheeks. Her one hand still free, she brushed at them but they refused to stop.

Quietly, Wulfsen offered Sileas a handkerchief.

"Thank you," Sileas said as she accepted the handkerchief. She dabbed at the tears but they kept flowing. Sileas had apparently reached her breaking point.

"It'll be all right." Wulfsen said, knowing he sounded lame, especially since they were going to find her mother's body. He patted Sileas's arm.

"Nothing is all right. It will never be all right again,"  Sileas whispered. "Everything has changed. Everything."

"You still have... your father, and your cousin when she's awake and... happier." Wulfsen offered. "And you always have me."

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 122):

"I know and I'm grateful for that. Olivia too. But it's still...different, and going to be different. Even if we find Mama, Papa has to deal with having lost three of his children. He waited so long for us. So many cousins lost. My..." she let her voice trail off. Then finally, "My future."

Wulfsen took Sileas's hand and gently squeezed it. "I wish this didn't happen."

"I wish it hadn't either," Sileas whispered. "So many children seem to be lost. Once they were in my class I loved them like they were my own. I would have done anything for them. I should have protected them instead of running like a coward." She was silent for a moment. "I should have protected Mama and my sisters instead of running like a coward."

"There were too many." Wulfsen said firmly. "If you had not run you would have been killed."

Sileas sighed. "I know but the knowledge doesn't make me feel any less like I failed them. It doesn't make me feel any less a coward."

"Those you have left need you." Wulfsen said. "If you hadn't survived the attack on the village, well I'd have..."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:47, Tue 18 Aug 2015.

"I know. I just can't help how I feel. If I'd have been more alert, I'd have had the chance to get my sisters and the children to safety. Larrigan and I built a safe place out in the forest for just such an event." Sileas eyed him curiously. "You'd have what?"

"I would have... Been very upset." It was an understatement, but Wulfsen couldn't tell her he would be heartbroken while she was still heartbroken over losing Larrigan.

"Thankfully we both escaped the fate of me not having survived," Sileas said. "I am glad you are here."

"Yes." Wulfsen impulsively kissed her hand. Realizing he had just overstepped his bounds he blushed. "My lady." Wulfsen stammered and looked about. "We're almost to the village. We did not find your mother at your home, though looking there seems the logical place to begin... Where do you want to look first?"

"We should start there and then spread out toward the inn. Though if she had been heading there, the babes would have been with her. She always took the girls with her," Sileas said. Then she frowned. "Unless Larrigan had been watching them. From time to time she left them with him because the girls adored him."

Wulfsen was worried about how Sileas would react to the fresh graves, but he agreed to start with the Spenser's home.

Truthfully, Sileas was beginning to feel nervous and frightened but what she might see or find. She fell silent as they headed for the forge, or what was left of it. Her eyes teared up just at the sight of the destruction, the homes and businesses that were destroyed. When Sileas thought she spotted the body of a child near an overturned market stall, she closed her eyes and pressed her head against Yehudit's back.

Yehudit woke to see what Sileas saw. She resumed weeping.

Sileas wrapped her other arm around her cousin, her tears still flowing. Her home, the only true home she had ever known was devastated. Sileas felt like a knife had been stabbed into her heart.

Questa had been quiet for most of the journey, though she had a lot of things to say bout Yehudit's crying and crankiness and the way Wulfsen was acting towards Sileas. But Sileas was so cranky she kept her mouth shut, up till now. She had spent a much longer time on the streets in Portside living wit hthe poorest of the poor, thieves and beggars. She had seen a lot of dead people, including children, so she was not so emotional seeing a kid lying by the market stall. She went over to him and put a hand in front of his face.

"He's still breaffin'" Questa announced, setting on her heels. "Probably die soon fough. Wotcher want ter do wiv 'im?"

Sileas lifted her head to look in Questa's direction. "How badly is he injured?" she asked, her voice shaking. She let go of Yehudit and dismounted to make her way over to the body. "James," she breathed. One of her best students, his parents ran a cheese stall. She knelt next to him. "James?"

Thud! Yehudit fell off the horse. She sat up and dusted herself off.

"He's 'urt bad." Questa said and stepped back for Sileas to look at the boy. She went over to the fallen stall and began pulling the canvas awning off of it.

Above all else, Questa was fairly good at judging injuries. Indeed James was badly injured but the injuries didn't appear life-threatening. The worst was his leg, Sileas could see bone sticking out. "I need some rags, including something long enough to wrap around his leg. And some sticks or wood for splints."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Wed 19 Aug 2015.

"'ere." Questa said, holding out the canvas. She went back to the knocked over stand and began tearing it apart for splints. A round of cheese rolled out of the stand, Questa absently picked it up and stashed it under her vest.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Wed 19 Aug 2015.

Wulfsen put a hand on Sileas's shoulder and gently squeezed it.

Sileas pulled her dagger and cut the canvas into what she needed. She wished it was cleaner but she couldn't be choosy.  She bandaged the more minor injuries and waited for the splints. "Questa, do you see his parents anywhere?" she asked. "Wulfsen, when the splints are ready, I'll need you to hold James so I can set his leg."

"No, right, I don't spot ffem." Questa came back with long, straight boards from the stand.

Wulfsen let go of Sileas's shoulder. He knelt next to the boy and gently held him down.

Sileas feared they may have been among those buried. It was unlikely they had fled and left their injured son behind. "Right." She arranged the strips of fabric beneath his leg and took the pieces of wood. "Questa, when I say, I need you to tie the strips tightly around his leg and the board."

Then she reached up and gently touched James' cheek. "This is going to hurt something horrible, darling. I wish I knew a way to do this painlessly for you. But I know you're a strong brave boy and can handle it. Right?"

James gave a tear eyed nod and set the piece of wood on either side of his leg. Sileas said a silent prayer and straightened his leg then held the wood tightly against it. "Now, Questa."

"Put the mockers on tryin' ter squirm or yer'll wind up crippled forever like 'er soft mate." Questa scolded as she tied the strips of cloth tightly around his leg and the boards.

Sileas bit her tongue at the snipe against Yehudit. Right now she needed Questa, they all id, if they were going to survive this outing and have any hope of finding Sileas' mother.

James cried out but managed to not squirm, thanks in no small part to Wulfsen's hold and Sileas holding his leg still. Once all the  strips were tied and Sileas was satisfied that they were tight enough, Sileas let go. She reached up to wipe James' tears away. "You were a very brave boy, just like I knew you were."

Wulfsen gently picked the boy up. They would have to make a litter or find a cart for him.

((to the village ruins))

The horses lumbered into the keep. A couple knights ran over to help with the horses.

"We need stretchers." Wulfsen ordered. "Three of them."

"Four. Yehudit is still out of it," Sileas said as she hopped off the wagon. "We also brought some supplies that Questa could salvage," Sileas told a few of the other knights who hadn't gone for stretchers.

"I'm in the wagon." Yehudit objected drowsily.

"Every one in need of a stretcher is still in the wagon," Sileas corrected. She forced herself to stand straight and strong when all she really wanted to do was find a quiet corner and crumple in tears.

Wulfsen hopped out of the wagon and slipped an arm around Sileas to support her.

"You need rest." Wulfsen commented.

"I don't need a stretcher, I'm in the wagon." Yehudit argued.

"Don't worry Brie, Difyr'll take good care of you." Liadan fussed over her friend.

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 157):

"I need a lot of things," Sileas said quietly. "But I need to take care of Mama and Papa right now." She heard Yehudit's denial. "Pay no attention to her denial. Any on the wagon need stretchers."

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 159):


"I know," Brie said weakly. "Did Shawn survive?"

In reply to Sileas (msg # 160):

"Try to get some rest as soon as your mother gets settled in to the healing room." Wulfsen said. Sileas looked so tired he wanted to pick her up and carry her.

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 161):

"Aye, Shawn did, and did Olivia." Liadan said. "So did Ais and the twins."

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 162):


"She'll need me," Sileas protested. "I have to be with her."

Brie closed her eyes. Three of her girls then. Two of her babes and her Sarah. "That's good," she said half-heartedly.

In reply to Sileas (msg # 164):

"You should be able to find some space for you to sleep in the healing room." Wulfsen said. "If you don't get some sleep you'll make yourself sick."

"When I was with Papa, the healing room was getting rather full. I'll get some rest once Mama's comfortable and resting." But Sileas was well aware of how long that could take.

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 165):

"I'm sorry." Liadan said, knowing that Brighid was thinking of who she had lost. "Try to think about who is left and needs you." Liadan wondered if she would be so positive if she had lost any children in the raid, she did not think she would and refused to think about it further. "Olivia and Sileas need you."

Brie felt too broken and useless to be of any assistance to her daughters, but Brie nodded ever so slightly. "I know."

In reply to Sileas (msg # 167):

"Maybe Mrs Spenser and your father can be set up in another room." Wulfsen said. "Captain Spenser looked well enough to be moved."

"I suppose it's up to Difyr. And if there are beds available," Sileas said. "I just want them well."

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 169):

"I know it's really bad." Liadan admitted as stretcher bearers arrived. "But you can get through this, Brie."

In reply to Sileas (msg # 171):

"And I want you well." Wulfsen said, then blushed slightly.

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 172):

Brie nodded, but she wasn't at all certain she had the fight in her that was necessary.

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 173):

"All I want is to in a corner and cry, fall apart and break down. And then I want to sleep for a week.  But I can't. I can't do any of that," Sileas said. "Until Papa and Mama are better, I'm the head of the family. I have to be strong and hold everything together. I can't let Mama give up or try to hide, I can't let Papa start blaming himself. Olivia needs to be mothered. There's too much to be done."

In reply to Sileas (msg # 175):

"All I want is to help you." Wulfsen said, rubbing her shoulder. "If there's anything I can do..."

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 174):

They were taking the boy and Pinja first. "Be careful!" Liadan scolded the knights distractedly as she continued fussing over Brighid. "I got your back, Brie."

"I wish there was," Sileas said. "I wish there was, but I have no idea what. Unless you can make all of this magically go away? You wouldn't have arrived at the village in the middle of a disaster, Larrigan and I would have been with Mama and Papa, and my sisters having dinner. Aunt Aislyn would have had her brood surrounding her. James would have been with his parents. Pinja would have been doing what ever Pinja did after shop hours."

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 177):


"Where is Sileas? Is she all right?" Brie whispered. "Was she injured at all?"
This message was last updated by the player at 02:22, Sat 19 Sept 2015.

In reply to Sileas (msg # 178):

"I wish I got there sooner, stopped it from happening." Wulfsen said. "Or at least saved your mother some pain by rescuing her earlier, and the boy, and that girl." Wulfsen sighed deeply. "You know if it wasn't for you all three of them probably would have died."

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 179):

"She's right over there. She's all right." Liadan assured Brighid. "Sileas wasn't hurt."

"I'm grateful I listened to my instincts," Sileas admitted, refusing to admit to having her mother's voice in her head. Not with any emphasis anyway. "I'm glad we found Pinja and James as well." Sileas' face fell. "Pinja may not be so grateful though."

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 181):

"Good. She's been through too much. But I think she saw too much tonight, it's going to take a toll on her."

In reply to Sileas (msg # 182):

"Pinja deserves better than to die alone like she would have if you had not gone to her." Wulfsen said. "She may be scarred but now she has a chance to live."

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 183):

"I'll keep an eye on her." Liadan promised. "And I guess Questa found some of that tea Difyr makes."

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 184):

"You're right. I suppose I was putting myself in her place and putting my own feelings there," Sileas admitted. "I may not know exactly what she may be feeling as she heals and tries to go forward but I do know what it's like to believe in your heart that your life is over."

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 185):

"I saw Larrigan go down when he tried to protect me and the girls. Sileas will need looking over. I know all of her hopes and dreams for the future were with him."

In reply to Sileas (msg # 186):

"It's never really over." Wulfsen said. He looked at those being put on stretchers. "Can I carry you?" Wulfsen blurted.

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 187):

"I know." Liadan said. "She really loved him."

"It seems like it when your dreams are destroyed and your heart is shattered. Your soulsis shattered." Repeatedly. Without Larrigan, her dreams were buried by his side.

When she heard his question, Sileas gave him a startled look. She should say no, it was on the tip of her tongue to say no, but she wasn't certain she could put one foot in front of the other any longer. "If you want."

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 189):

"And he loved her. It was they were one another's hearts. He would have been a wonderful son-in-law, husband and father," Brie whispered. "I'm so tired. I'm tired of being a jinx to my family. And I'm just tired. And I hurt."

"Don't worry, I won't take you anywhere you don't want to go." Wulfsen promised at her hesitation. He picked her up, careful about where his hands went. "Here, we'll follow your mother."

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 191):

"What happened wasn't your fault, Brie." Liadan said. "Try to rest- watch it metal face." Liadan snarled at the knight who was trying to put Brighid on a stretcher and fumbled.

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 192):

"I know you wouldn't," Sileas replied as he picked her up. She was glad she hadn't eaten a lot this day. "I'm just trying to stay to my resolve of being strong so I can take care of everyone. If I don't, I might break into a million pieces."

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 193):

"Jeremy's curse just continues to give," Brie said before trying to relax. It was nearly impossible unless she managed to pass out again. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw and heard Jack and his friends.

In reply to Sileas (msg # 194):

"For a little while you can let someone else take care of everyone- you can take a few minutes for yourself." Wulfsen liked the feel of Sileas in his arms, though he thought she could stand to gain a few pounds. "You're safe now, and so if your family."

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 196):

"We have you and Xavier to thank for making us safe." Sileas leaned her head against his shoulder. "So, my lord, is that an order to take a few minutes for myself? I don't know who else can take care of Mama and Papa. Every one has someone injured or worse."

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 195):

Liadan bristled. "Don't let that momzer take anything from this. Jeremy is dead- very dead now. But there are other momzers in the world."

"I know," brie whispered weakly.

In reply to Sileas (msg # 197):

Wulfsen flinched at 'my lord', he did not want Sileas calling him that, or thinking of him that way.

"I'm your friend... please don't think of me as a lord." Wulfsen pleaded. "For now my men, Difyr, and Aalyssa will take care of your family. You can take this short amount of time for yourself."

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 199):

Liadan squeezed Brighid's hand. "You'll feel better after Difyr has seen to your injuries, and given you some tea."

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 200):

"My apologies, I was trying to make a joke when I'm not feeling very light-hearted. Can we go back down to the garden and look at the stars?"

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 201):

"Perhaps," Brie murmured, though she certainly wasn't certain anything would be the same again. She hadn't realized the scope of the horror her daughter must have felt.

In reply to Sileas (msg # 202):

"If that's where you want to go." Wulfsen said, hugging her to himself. "Right now?"

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 203):

"You'll feel better than I did." Liadan said, following Brighid as she was carried on the stretcher. "Stupidly ran off on my own to hide, not getting my wounds get taken care of so they festered for months..."

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 204):

"As long as you don't mind if I break down and cry on your shoulder. I find looking at the stars peaceful, Papa taught me to love looking at them. And I feel the need to do some praying as well. What better place than under the stars?"

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 205):

"It's my heart and mind that I worry about," Brie whispered. "I don't know how you or Sileas got through this. I can't imagine coming out on the other side."

In reply to Sileas (msg # 206):

"That's not a problem at all." Wulfsen said, he could smell her hair again. He began carrying her towards the garden, resisting the urge to kiss her.

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 207):

"Some days it's still..." Liadan closed her eyes and shook her head. She looked around her for Aron.

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 209):

Brie clutched her abdomen and cried out in pain.

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 208):

Sileas allowed herself to relax and rely on her friend. She lightly wrapped her arms around his neck.

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."

"She's the other half of my heart." He said sadly, turning towards the keep.

"I'll find Mama and tell her where to find you." Lek was feeling upset, he didn't only wanted to find his mother, but his twin too. He felt like he was feeling more upset than he should be feeling, which could mean Millie was upset about something. Lek hated being separated from his twin, the past weeks had been really hard. If it wasn't for finding his Papa it would have been unbearable.

"I'll catch up with you later, Lek," Shawn said, falling into step beside Nelek as they entered the keep.

Lek took off like a shot for the kitchen.

To the kitchen>

Wulfsen galloped through the gate, an arm around Sileas's waist. "It's good to be back."

"It is. I'm anxious to set up my rooms and see what Xavier found for me at the mansion, if anything."

"And to properly announce our engagement to your family." Wulfsen kissed below her ear.

Juniper stretched her arms above her head, wincing slightly at her wound. The memories of the strange doctor who healed her still sat in the back of her mind.

"Does this place have a healer? And not the kind who live in the woods?"

Sileas nodded to Wulfsen. "Yes, that too," she smiled. "We have two healers who are from the villager and Wulfsen has a medic for his men."

Yehudit nodded. She was a frequent visitor to the healer. "Difyr, and Aalyssa is helping her. The live off the Main Hall."

Juniper heaved herself to her feet and retrieved her sword before hopping off the cart and walking towards the largest building

"Find me if you need me!"

She shouted back as she walked away from her friends.

> To Main Hall

Wulfsen dismounted and offered Sileas a hand down.

Sileas placed her hand in his and dismounted.  She smiled up at him before heading to the wagon to collect the boys.

Oscar was establishing his place in the pecking order. He grabbed the other two boys by their ears."Listen up. I'm bloody well the bloomin' top boy 'ere- I'm bloody well the boss. I got picked first, yer two just begged yor way in. I'm bigger than yer and I'm stronger than boff of yer put togeffer!"

Sileas stood at the back of the wagon, hands on her hips. "Here now, Oscar, there will be none of that. Everyone is equal around here. Now then, we'll go in and find Mama."

"I'm bigger and I were first so I'm bloody well more equal than eever of them." Oscar gave each ear a twist before releasing the other boys. He jumped from the wagon. "Yor Mum didn't take up wiv some bloke like Mike and ditch yer?"

"Mama and Papa were together when they adopted me. I grew up on the streets until I was seven. The woman who had me didn't want me at all, it didn't matter if she had a man or not. Mama and Papa had all girls, so I'm thinking they would like to have two sons," she said, looking at Liam and Felix. And everyone is equal in this family. Everyone, regardless of size, how long they've been here or how strong."

"But I'm bloody well the bloody boss of them." Oscar stated. He had spent most of his life being picked on by boys bigger than himself- he was making sure no boys would be picking on him here.

"No, Oscar. Their parents will be the boss of them. Or if they instead to go into service of Lord Thornblade, they will be under the guidance of whoever is in charge where they are working.  Your only  job is to be a little boy."

"I'm not wee! Blimey!" Oscar exclaimed angrily.

"I didn't say you were wee. I meant you should take the time to enjoy still being a child. Being an adult, that's...that's not all people say it is."

"Bein' a wee kid ain't fun." Oscar said, drawing himself to his full height.

"You don't know that because you've never been allowed to be child before. Being able to play and not have to worry about stealing. It's going to be an adjustment, I will tell you that."

Oscar still was not entirely sure that Wulfsen would not hit him for stealing from him earlier when given the chance. Oscar shrugged. "Yer said there's food?"

"There will be food, time for play, laughter." She saw Felix and Liam run over to Wulfsen to follow him.

Wulfsen tousled the boys' hair. He hoped Shawn and Brighid were willing to take these boys in. He wanted children, but just taking in Oscar was making him anxious.

Felix half-heartedly tried to duck, but there was denying the smile on his face. Until a few years ago, the eight year old had had a happy family. He wanted one again.

In reply to Sileas (msg # 261):

"I just want food!" Oscar said.

Sileas sighed. "Then let's go inside and see what we can find."

Oscar's stomach rumbled.

---to the keep

The wagon sped as fast as it could, laden down with everything it could carry, including various farm animals. Tucked between the animals and within the hay, a young girl hid, fearing for her life. Hopefully the family friends taking her to Buckley Villalge would arrive without incident, but every once in a while, she peered out on the road behind them, searching for any sign of someone following them.

But then the wagon stopped, and she dared to stand up to see if there was trouble. She noticed they were at a gate, hopefully this was the village. And safety.

"Who goes there?" A slightly nasal voice demanded from the gate tower.

"James and Olivia Spenser, parents to Shawn Spenser," James replied. "We come seeking refuge and news from the Capitol."

"Wait there." The squire turned to the two knights who were playing dice. "Can someone bring Shawn Spenser here to verify who they are?"
"Why don't you get him?" One of the knights sneered.
Ualan's eyes glared at him from below his visor. "Because I don't want to make the guests throw up and curse the marriage."
"Fine Ugly, I'll go." The knight clambered down the ladder and headed for the hall.

Shawn reached the gate in good time, albeit out of breath. He peered out the gate. "Yes, that's my parents," he told Ualan.

Ualan nodded and cranked the gate open, receiving no help from the knight also on guard or the other knight who still had not returned from the hall.

James waited until Shawn had stepped back out of the way then urged the horses to pull the wagon in. Shawn's expression grew more puzzled when he noticed the farm animals in tow.

Ualan was confused by the farm animals, he had not heard of any new shipments of livestock, but all seemed in order.

James couldn't help but notice his son's confusion. I know this looks odd, but we're also seeking refuge, son. I'll explain, but I need to speak with Wulfsen as well. He glanced around. Probably the entire family."

Shawn nodded. "I just asked for a portion of the land here for a farm, you can park there." He showed his father where the farm was, and then he spotted someone in the back. "Xyla?"

The girl lowered her hood and smiled at the man she thought of as an uncle. The smile didn't reach her eyes though.

"I'll meet you all at the farm and walk back with you to the keep. Everyone is there."

Ualan waited in the open gate, ready to shout to the lazy knight to close it if he saw anyone besides Shawn's relatives coming.

Lek thought he spotted Millie'new apprentice, Tria, sheltering in the shadow of the keep as he headed to the gate. Hopefully he could find Xavier swiftly to make up for his horrendous mistake.

Ualan was feeling antsy. For weeks they had been preparing for attack, yet still no attack had happened. Other men on gate duty were irritable, but not as anxious as Ualan was feeling. They resented the extra shifts on guard duty with nothing happening. They wanted to either be off duty or fighting. Instead they grumbled and rolled dice.

A loud, drawn out crashing sound could be heard from the gate. An army of horses rounded the corner, racing toward the gate.

Ualan cursed. "Everyone to arms! Someone fetch Xavier!"

"Open up in the name of King Alexander," the leader bellowed from his war horse.

Ualan wished that someone higher up was at the gate. He knew better than to open it for the army though.

Xavier stopped running when he neared the gate. "What...Get everyone armed and ready to fight. Find Wulfsen!" he ordered the men. Then he looked at the army. "You're not coming in here, so you may as well turn back."

One of the other leaders began  sorting the men into units, sending them out to find any breachable areas in wall.

Ualan was one of the few men at the gate who had not been slacking off. He kicked the dice off the wall and into the bailey.