"We have a journey, ladies and gentlemen!" shouted Tito as he slammed open the door to the log cabin that had been both home and haven for a few short days. Of course if he had taken the time to look and see whom he was addressing he would have realised his grand announcement was to less than his expected audience.

" Oi! Wake up you great lazy time waster!" Was his next announcement, right in Vivek’s ear as he shook him awake.

" All right, all right, I’m awake, I’m up, where’s the fire?" was about the longest sentence Vivek could cope with just now.

" Where is everybody? Is this all you’ve been doing while I’ve been slaving away in town getting us a Journey that’ll put gold in your purse!" Tito emphasised his point by jabbing his finger at Vivek.

" Calm yourself Tito, they haven’t gone far, it won’t take long to gather everybody. You panic all too easily."

" What do you mean panic too easily?" Tito replied as he sat down on Vivek’s bunk. " I’m the one who has given assurances of safe travel to a Duke! You know what happened the last time I got back with a Journey and couldn’t find the rest of you to fulfil my promises."

"Yes, I remember old man, you remind us often enough. So what’s this talk of a Duke then?" asked Vivek as he dipped his hands in cold, fresh water and splashed his face. Clearing away the residues of sleep by shaking his head and long black hair, Tito couldn’t help but be reminded of a dog shaking excess water from its coat upon emerging from a river. Vivek was still dressed, as he had come in from his watch only shortly before Tito arrived and hadn’t meant to fall asleep. Such things can’t always be helped.

" Well, actually, "Duke" is a very slight exaggeration." The only reply to this statement was Vivek’s raised eyebrows as he waited for the explanation Tito was desperately trying not to give. He was going to have to wait for that explanation as before Tito had gathered his thoughts the air was filled with a piercing scream that could only have come from the throat of a woman.

Vivek threw a scolding glance at Tito and ran from the cabin towards the source of the scream, grabbing his sheathed sabre from the side of his bunk, followed closely by Tito himself. After the dim interior of the cabin the brightness of the morning sunlight impaired Vivek’s vision, but on instinct he draw his sword and crouched behind Tito’s wagon, which he’d drawn up just a few paces from the door. Tito joined him just as another scream broke the peace of their haven, but this was not the scream of a women.

As Vivek’s eyes grew accustomed to the sunlight and he was able to assess his position, he could see there was no mortal danger, well not to him anyway although he wasn’t so sure for Tito. "Here he comes. I suggest you make yourself scarce until he calms down, you know what his reaction will be to a Journey with two women." Vivek was looking at Tito but gesturing towards a man just coming into view around the corner of the cabin.

" Good plan." was all Vivek heard as Tito disappeared around the opposite corner to the new comer.

" I presume you must be Gregorey and that being the case you have some control over this beast? I’d appreciate it if you would exercise some of that control and remove it from our presence." This command was delivered by a very severe looking woman who must have seen fifty summers and was accustomed to people doing exactly what she required. She was standing in a horse drawn buggy, looking down into the big brown eyes of an enormous brown bear. Sat alongside her was another lady, who appeared to be holding a baby to her chest bundled in blankets, her face a play of shadows in the depths of her cloak hood, apparently quite happy for her companion to take things in hand.

" Tito!" Gregorey’s deep voice boomed so loudly in the clearing it seemed to echo back to the small group of people in front of the cabin. He followed this with an off hand click of his fingers and nod of his head at the brown bear which appeared to know exactly what it was being asked to do and wondered off in the direction of the woods.

"Thank You, Mr. Gregorey" the older women was trying to reinsert some calm into the situation. She had been scared enough when the bear had appeared by the buggy, and the last thing she wanted was to have the baby cry again, but she was having trouble taking in the man that stood before her. Gregorey of the Chakiri was how he was known but why he kept a bear she couldn’t understand. The man was a bear himself! He must have stood head and shoulders above most men, with a broad chest, and shoulders as wide as two small men stood side by side. He wore linen leggings tucked into leather boots and a leather jerkin all in forest browns and greens. His arms were thick, muscular and bare of both clothing and hair but they seemed to be painted with swirls of black ink from the backs of his hands to the tops of his arms. On his waist hung a sword belt with a long, thin, sheathed sabre-like blade. His appearance gave the impression of a man designed to deal death but his face was gentle, well worn, not a ladies man but handsome in his own way, with eyes of pale blue. He carried a full beard and short hair, which he must trim regularly to keep so neat.

" I am Mistress Eveshaw, maid and nanny to the Lady Dante. We would like to thank you for your…" before Mistress Eveshaw was able to complete her introductions, she was interrupted by a shrill whistle, then if you listened carefully, the gallop of horses. All Mistress Eveshaw’s attention was now on the approaching horses with any thoughts of introductions forgotten. As Gregorey made his way around the buggy to stand between the newcomers and the buggy he was certain it was fear he saw cross the maids face, before returning to what appeared to be her normal stern visage. Vivek, having sheathed and belted his sabre, walked across to join him.

There were four horses all together, you could see the uniforms of the riders quite clearly as they galloped along the forest track towards the cabin. The riders were the Dukes own guard. "What has that old man got us into now?" Gregorey said for Vivek’s ears only. Vivek just shook his head. The riders galloped their horses as far into the clearing as they could, reigning them to a halt no more than a half dozen paces from where Gregorey stood.

" Good morning gentleman." Gregorey greeted the riders, with a little cough and wave of his hand in a completely ineffectual, but very symbolic, attempt to clear some of the dust raised by the horses hooves.

" We’re not here for pleasantries Gregorey, we’ve been sent to escort the Duke's daughter-by-law home." The man was very young to be wearing an officer's uniform and Gregorey had experience of youths in positions of so called power before. He could see that this was going to be difficult. The two riders to the rear were just regulars and Gregorey didn’t recognise them, but the man beside the officer was a long serving sergeant in the Duke's guard and Gregorey knew him and his family.

" Hello Ulan. How is your lovely wife and daughters, any sign of that baby boy yet?"

" They are fine, thank you Greg. My wife is heavy with child now and if the Gods see fit I will have a son, if not I will love my third daughter none the less."

" Sergeant! We are not here to discuss your family matters either! Gregorey, you will turn the women over now and we will forget this ever occurred." The young officer did not seem concerned about losing his composure. Ulan shook his head and looked to the floor, he could also see this was not going to go well.

Gregorey held the officer's eyes before responding " I believe one of the "women" you are referring to is the Lady Dante, daughter-by-law to his Duke of Dante and I will expect you to show the proper respect to her ladyship."

" Never mind all this formality," The officer wasn’t mending any bridges; " Just move aside and let the ladies through."

Gregorey was able to ignore the mans inability to be civil, but only just. " I have no quarrel with your Duke and you can escort the Lady home…" this was met with a gasp from Mistress Eveshaw behind him, now sitting back in the buggy, "… as soon as we discover her reasons for flight."

"You are in no position to set conditions, Gregorey, I want that buggy, with it’s contents, on the road out of this forest now!" It was now obvious to Gregorey that this young man would not live to be an old man.

" I am in the perfect position to set any conditions I choose. You are but four inexperienced city soldiers, making demands in the face of my whole troop of seasoned companions, none of whom would think twice about dispatching you to your chosen paradise, if I so ordered it." Gregorey spoke this calmly and gently, the power of his words coming from the appearance of the rest of his troop around the riders, as if on cue.

There were five men, two women and one bear in Gregorey’s troop, his miniature Chakiri tribe. They were all dressed in the same forest colours as Gregorey himself- some with their own personalities showing through in the cut of their clothes. They also all wore, strapped to their backs, a pair of short stabbing swords with the pommels and grips rising over their shoulders. Aviva, Dane, Vivek and Gregorey himself also carried long slim blades at their waist. Eadoin and Ariza both carried long bows, with a quiver of arrows on their waists instead of long bladed sabres like the others. The exception was Tito, he carried no visible weapon, nor did he dress to blend into the forest. More importantly, he still wasn’t showing himself. The bear had appeared again but sat on its haunches some distance away from anyone else, apparently watching life unfold before it like some sort of play.

"What is your name young man?" asked Gregorey

"My mane is Blaise, Captain of the Duke’s personal guard." It appeared a small amount of the confidence had left Captain Blaise’s voice but the arrogance was still there.

"You have a wonderful talent Captain Blaise, I don’t how you do it, you seem to be able to make people dislike you by only opening your mouth." Vivek had to say something, he was having trouble believing this Captain was for real.

"I’m not here to speak to the likes of you, nor do I ask for, or respect, your opinions." Captain Blaise did not give Vivek a chance to respond, he carried right along, ignoring Ulan’s sighs and the shared glance between Gregorey and Vivek. " OK Gregorey, as the rest of your thugs have arrived, I will indulge you, let us find out this woman’s reason for stealing our future Duke and running away from her husband."

" Why thank you, Captain." Gregorey’s gratitude dripped sarcasm as he turned to the buggy with its passengers. " Lady Dante, would you be so kind as to share with us your reasons for leaving such a wealthy and powerful husband as your own? -Who also happens to be the son of a Duke who employs his own army."

Mistress Eveshaw was all too eager to explain, " That awful man is a drunk and a bully who enjoys the pain and humiliation of all those people he considers below him, which in his eyes is just about everybody, including his own wife!"

"Calm down Missy, here hold the baby." It was the first time the young Lady had spoken since she arrived, her voice was quiet but firm and completely in control. She did not appear ill at ease in the presence of the Duke's guard, even though their orders were to detain her and her new child. She handed the baby to her maid and stepped lightly out of the buggy. Although not as tall as the long legged girls in Gregorey’s troop, the Lady Dante was not short, she carried her self in a straight and upright way which also gave the impression of height. As she stepped away from the buggy and towards the group of men she undid the clasp at her neck that held her cloak, allowing it to fall to the ground, giving Gregorey his first view of his potential employer. He was not surprised to see she was quite lovely. The Lady had a reputation in the area for her beauty and Gregorey was not going to be the one to disagree with her reputation. Every pair of eyes was watching her as she walked across the clearing in her plain, long dress swishing between her legs as she took long strides, as if she was rushing to something only she new about. Her dress, a natural off white colour, was drawn at the neck and waist by a simple cord and knotted bow. When she was no more than five paces from where Gregorey stood she loosened the cord at her neck and allowed the top half of her dress to fall to her waist. This drew another gasp from Mistress Eveshaw but this time it was joined by a number of other ones from the group of onlookers, as the Lady Dante turned a full circle allowing everyone to see the full extent and condition of her exposed torso.

" I wish to be referred to as Kathleen of Tethalon please Gregorey Chakiri, I no longer wish to be associated with the Dukedom of Dante."

Gregorey couldn’t quite believe his eyes, for though he would never show his surprise at anything, this act had certainly caught him off guard. He now found himself looking at a very beautiful woman, who also happened to be the daughter of a Duke, married to a future Duke and mother to a future Duke, half-naked in the middle of a forest. Gregorey could only spare a moment of surprise by this lady's actions, as her reasons for them was as obvious as the fact that she was stood before a group of strangers only half dressed.

As lovely as the Duke's daughter was, everyone’s eyes and mind were drawn away from her sexuality and nakedness by the enormous number of bruises covering every part of her now exposed skin. Her arms, shoulders, stomach, back and breasts were all covered. The bruising was all at different stages, leaving the normally beautiful young lady with a mottled effect in varying shades of purples, blues and greens. Before covering herself she met every pair of eyes with her own to ensure they had seen and understood exactly what she was trying to tell them. Most could not hold her gaze for a moment, not unexpectedly, but some reactions were not as easily understandable. The sword wielding Aviva seemed to have a smouldering fire of hatred in her eyes as she held Kathleen’s gaze, leaving the young mother unsure of where that hatred was aimed. Her gaze fell last on Gregorey, he did not drop his gaze, but he could have been a sculpted from stone for all the emotion he showed towards her. She held his eyes as long as she could, until finally, surrendering to her own embarrassment, she turned her back on the silent and motionless group to adjust her clothing and cover her bare skin.

Kathleen quickly retied her dress as best she could with shaking hands and turned to face those she knew were her aggressors and those she hoped to be her saviours. As she looked up she was faced with Aviva striding towards her with what appeared to be great purpose, still emanating that same fiery look of anger. Kathleen couldn’t help but admire the women. Aviva walked and held herself with a confidence she thought she could never have, however much of a show she put on. Aviva’s long legs were bare where she had cut short her leggings very high on her thighs and as she moved her hard muscles were clearly visible beneath the bare skin of her legs. Her shirt had also been cut to suit the hot weather and no longer had any sleeves. She had also gathered the shirttails to a knot under her small breasts leaving her firm stomach visible. All of Aviva’s exposed skin was the bronze adopted by all who love to be out in the open air and shone with a fine sheen of sweat from the hot sun. The strong lines of her face gave her a handsome look a lot of men find attractive, but not many would class as beautiful, her hair, long, but tied in a tail, reflected the sun in its own golden colours. On her waist she had a dark leather belt for her scabbard, the belt was secured with a very intricate buckle depicting a mating couple of dragons. The scabbard it self was made of hardened dark leather with a line of light suede diamond shapes inset into the leather, running down both sides. She had soon covered the distance between them and suddenly Kathleen felt very threatened by this handsome, tall sword mistress. Kathleen stubbornly held her ground, preparing herself for whatever was on its way. Aviva reached Kathleen and looked her in the eye until, saying nothing, she turned her back on her and looked towards the Duke’s guards. With the grace and fluidity of a trained sword master she draw her long gently curved blade, knelt on one knee and held her sword before her in both hands, the point just touching the ground.

" I place myself before the Lady Kathleen as her protector and challenge all those who threaten her." Aviva’s voice broke both the silence and the tension that had formed after Kathleen’s little show, the scene suddenly returning to life.

Gregorey turned to Vivek and shook his head." Drama! Where did we find this girl? She belongs on a village stage not in a troop of companions."

Vivek’s response was interrupted by a loud bark of laughter from Captain Blaise, who obviously found the whole scenario very amusing. "If I challenge and kill you, the Lady comes back to Dante with me, yes?" His question was addressed to Aviva but Gregorey responded for her.

"There will be no killing here Captain!" The look he flashed Captain Blaise as he said this left Blaise under no illusion this point was not going to be debated. "Aviva has chosen to adopt tradition in her choice of words, subsequently tradition will be observed. Do you take up the challenge Captain Blaise?" Gregorey announced formally to the whole clearing.

Blaise made a point of making everyone wait as well as looking incredibly bored by the rigidness of tradition "Yes, I do."

"Hold on Gregorey," interrupted Ulan, with some urgency in his voice, maybe a little fear, "Excuse me Captain, you know nothing of this woman, have you seen her in a sword fight?"

"No Sergeant, please do not concern yourself, no women can match a man with a sword" Gregorey glanced at Ulan to see if he wished to continue his argument. Ulan gently shook his head and Gregorey released a gentle sigh and continued.

"Lady Kathleen, Aviva has appointed her self as your protector in a highly traditional way which can’t be ignored or overruled. It would appear, in her roll as your protector, our Captain here wishes to fight her for you. Do you understand what is going on here?"

"No. Not really." Kathleen responded to Gregorey’s question but her eyes never left the back of Aviva’s head where she still knelt in front of her. She appeared more nervous now than she had when stood in the clearing half undressed.

"Good!" Gregorey had expected her to understand, but as she didn’t he certainly wasn’t going to explain it all now. " As you are the person these two will be fighting over, the point at which a winner is declared is to be decided by you. If you so request they could fight to the death, to first wound, to first blood - or they could fight with wooden sticks and beat each other into exhaustion. Which do you choose?"

Kathleen looked up at Gregorey suddenly shocked into understanding what was going on before her at the mention of death. " How can you even speak of death, sir. I wish no part in this, I will return with Captain Blaise before someone dies at my request."

The captain of course saw his moment. "Ah ha, you see Gregorey, our problem is solved, the lady will return with me!" His smile clearly showed his teeth were not as white as they could be, Gregorey couldn't help thinking his breath is most likely none too sweet either.

"Be silent, Blaise, such things are never so simple." Gregorey waved the Captain into silence as he walked over to the still kneeling Aviva. "You weren’t designed to be on your knees Aviva, get up!" Aviva stood as Gregorey walked by her to talk to Kathleen. Gregorey towered over Kathleen and forced her to look him in the eye by lifting her face with a finger under her chin. As she looked up at him his eyes captured her and everyone else in the clearing drifted out of sight and out of mind. The almost clear blueness of his irises resembled diamonds set in white mounts, never before had she seen eyes such has this. When he spoke the deepness of his voice at such a close distance to her caused her stomach to vibrate with his words, even at such a discreet level.

"I know your father well and will not let him down by allowing you to return to a husband that beats you for a pass time. Time to be the Duke's daughter I know you can be Kathleen, time to make some hard choices."

"But…." Gregorey placed a large sun browned finger on Kathleen’s lips before she could say more.

"You remember Aviva don’t you Kathleen?" He removed his finger to allow her to reply.

"Yes, I presented her with her award at the last tourney." Kathleen’s voice had also taken on a quiet tone as she replied to Gregorey’s questions.

"Good, what was that award for?"

"Sword Master." Gregorey allowed the corners of his mouth to turn up as she answered, she thought it was in an effort to make her feel better, but it wasn’t working. "That was different, sir. It was play, it was a competition, and nobody gets hurt. Well, not seriously."

"Kathleen, you are the person whom this bout is to be over. In such a situation you decide how the winner is decided. You can put the same rules on this fight as are used in the tourney. Only in this fight the award is your future, not a few gold pieces! Will you allow Aviva to free you from your husband?" Kathleen looked up at Gregorey and every bone in her body said to her this was a man she could trust, but still she found it difficult to allow people to fight for her, or was it she found it hard to allow a women fight for her? "Trust me." Gregorey said to her indecision and finally she nodded, but dropped her eyes to the ground.

"Good!" This Gregorey announced to the clearing as he turned away from Kathleen to face Aviva and Captain Blaise. "Blaise get down from that horse and attend to me." Gregorey’s huge voice bellowed and the Captain was off his horse and walking before his brain had time to question the wiseness of this course. "You too Aviva." This was said rather than bellowed but she was no less prompt in her reply to his request.

They were soon stood before him with both his own troop and the Captain's men looking on but some how apart from what was happening. Gregorey took on a very formal tone as if he was reciting something from memory. "Captain Blaise, you have come hither seeking that which is under the protection of this Sword Master, Aviva, and have challenged for the right to fight for what you seek. Is this so?"

"Yes, I challenge." Even Blaise had taken to the formality of Gregorey’s recital.

"Aviva, do you accept this challenge as worthy"

"Yes, I accept." Aviva’s voice was strong in her acceptance of the fight.

" The Lady Kathleen, as the protected, has used her right to declare the winner at first blood, sword play only. She will stand by the decision made by the sword. Are all parties agreed?"

"Agreed." Replied both Blaise and Aviva in unison, followed a moment later by Kathleen in a rather subdued voice.

"Excellent!" Again Gregorey’s voice boomed through the forest " Blaise, are you sure you understand 'sword play only'?"

"No fists, no feet, no knees, sword play only, yes?" the Captains arrogance appeared to be returning as the formality wore off the proceedings

"Good" Gregorey said quietly as he turned his back on the pair and walked back towards Kathleen. "Lets get this over with Aviva." Gregorey stopped by Kathleen and turned to face the combatants.

Aviva sheathed her sword and started a complex series of stretching exercises, which in her short cut leggings and tied top quickly drew the attention of all the male onlookers.

Blaise returned to his horse where he undressed to his waist revealing a well muscled, if very pale, torso. From his saddle he drew a heavy, broad bladed sword. He proceeded to swing this around in great arcs, slicing through the air with a whispered whistle.

As he returned to the virtual ring created by the onlookers, Aviva was still stretching. She greeted him with her most insolent smile. "Why captain, if only we didn’t have this little disagreement. I’m sure we could have found all sorts of other ways to break a sweat."

"It’s nice of you to say so Aviva, but flattery has no effect on me I’m afraid."

" I don’t mean to be flattering Captain, I just speak my mind. It’s a terrible affliction some times." As Aviva replied to Blaise she drew her sword and faced off to the Captain. " Are you planning on bludgeoning me into submission with that club you're swinging around Blaise, or are you going to get your sword?"

"Hah!" Blaise barked "Very amusing I’m sure! The best blacksmith in the region forged this sword, it cost me a small fortune in gold. Presently you will find out its worth." Blaise didn’t appreciate the slight to his weapon and Aviva noticed.

"Did you order a sword from this blacksmith or a meat cleaver?"

At this point Blaise decided he was not going not be goaded into losing his temper. He replied to her comment with a simple smile and raised his sword to indicate his readiness to begin. Aviva returned his salute, also with a smile, and the joust began.

Blaise charged Aviva with a long heavy swing of his sword. She easily sidestepped his swing and his sword, following quickly with a attack of her own. Aviva was faster than Blaise ever expected. He quickly backed away from Aviva's onslaught, desperately defending against her flashing blade. The surrounding forest reverberated with the sound of metal striking metal as the two exchanged blows over and over. It wasn't long before Blaise's sword swing appeared to slow. Suddenly, Aviva stopped and took some steps backward to be out of reach of Blaise's sword reach.

Breathing deeply, causing her chest to rise and fall under her tight top, Aviva met Blaise's eyes and held them. "How long have you been in Dante, Captain?"

Blaise was also recovering his breath. He already looked defeated, his sword point rested on the ground, sweat already matting his hair and rolling off his brow down his face. "About two weeks, why?" He forced out between gasps.

"You've no idea what you're up against, Blaise. You have guts, Captain, I'll give you that, but I could have killed you at your first attack. Give it up, Blaise. Get back on your horse and return to the city, tell the Duke you never saw us. Before you get really hurt." Aviva tried to sound considerate and understanding but her total disdain for Blaise (and most men to be fair to the Captain) came through clearly to all. Blaise didn't take it very well at all.

"Not a chance lady, you don't get away that easily. Besides, I haven't even warmed up." Aviva's few words had angered an already poorly composed Captain Blaise -as she had expected and possible wanted.

Blaise straightened his shoulders and lifted his blade up to salute again, indicating his wish to continue. Aviva immediately mirrored his pose, ready to finish what she had began.

The second Aviva's sword was vertical Blaise was attacking her with strong thrusts and strokes, pushing her back into the centre of the clearing. Even with Aviva giving ground to her opponent's sword strokes, she still appeared to be the combatant in control. Blaise's strokes, though strong, were wild and relatively uncontrolled. Aviva was quick to demonstrate why she was the champion Sword Master in all the Duchies.

The pair reached the starting place of their dual and Aviva stopped retreating. With what seemed very little effort she disarmed Blaise and drew first blood.

Blaise stood still in the clearing, breathing heavily, with his sweat, tinged pink from the blood running from the cut on his right cheek, dripping off his face onto his naked torso. A heavy silence filled the forest. He stared at Aviva with a sort of incomprehension in his eyes. His lack of understanding soon turned to anger, a particularly insane looking anger.

In a quick and practised movement Blaise brought it all back to life. By lifting his right knee and lowering his right hand he instantly had in his hand a thin evil looking dagger he had strapped to his ankle. In his momentary insanity he saw an opportunity to strike back at Aviva for his defeat.

As Aviva was getting her own breath back, believing all had been decided with her final sword stroke, she had lowered her sword and her guard. Watching Blaise's movements she quickly worked out what he was planning to do, but Blaise was quick. As Blaise's knife thrust came at her she tried to side step but knew she couldn't get fully out of the way. As she spun away from him she felt the hot searing pain of the knife cut on the left side of her torso.

Clasping the cut with her left hand she turned back to meet Blaise, her sword raised ready, but, quick as she was, it wasn't quick enough. The Captain was already dead.

Blaise had over balanced after his lunge as the knife had only made a glancing contact with its intended victim making him step past Aviva to stay standing. As he turned back to face her, the last thing he saw was Ariza's bow in her extended hand. The arrow she had loosed struck home through Blaise's right eye and buried itself a full hand length into his head. Captain Blaise was dead before he hit the ground.

The first person to react was one of the two regulars from behind Ulan, who, locating where the arrow had come from, spurred his horse in that direction. As he approached Ariza he tried to draw his sword. He did not get it fully clear of its sheath before he was thrown from his horse. An arrow loosed by Eadoin struck the guard in the left shoulder and the power of it pulled him from his mount, to land heavily on his back, knocking the wind from his lungs. As the sound of swords being drawn all around the clearing filled the forest, Gregorey stepped in.

"Enough!" his voice carried to all over any other sound. "There will be no more fighting here today, put your swords away." Gregorey's troop responded to his command quickly, the soldiers not so quick to sheath their blades. "Don't be a fool Ulan, you are on the wrong side in this fight and you know it. Not only did your Captain get exactly what he deserved, you are also out numbered. Put your blades away, return home, alive." Gregorey's voice was the calm monotone of someone who was only pointing out the obvious.

"Even you can't get away with killing a Captain of the Duke's guard with out justifying your actions before the Duke, Gregorey. You will have to return to Dante now." Ulan sounded worried over the situation as he returned his sword to its sheath.

"Don't worry yourself about me Ulan, I can look after myself. Collect your men and get out of here before anything else turns sour."

"The situation is worse than it first appears, Gregorey." Kathleen spoke quietly, her eyes not moving from the body of the dead Captain.

"Tell me Kathleen." Gregorey spoke to Kathleen but continued to hold the eyes of Sergeant Ulan, still waiting for his acquiescence to his demands.

"Surely you have wondered how such a young, arrogant man could be a Captain in the guard?"

"Yes, and…?"

"The Duke was very fond of him. Showed him many special favours. Even paid for his upkeep and education as a child."

Gregorey turned away from Ulan to look at Kathleen "Why would he do such things for this young man in particular? What made him so special?" His mind was desperately trying not to jump to the conclusion he knew was coming.

"Blaise was the Duke's son, his illegitimate son. You said there would be no killing!" There was an edge to her voice Gregorey hadn't heard before, an edge of anger he thought, or just as easily fear.

"I could not have prevented what has transpired here Kathleen, if I could have I would." Gregorey sounded sympathetic to Kathleen but the iron in his voice was still there, he wasn't sorry that Blaise had met his end today. In Gregorey's eyes Blaise had been dealt the hand he deserved and a quick death was an easy escape compared to what he wanted to do to him after the attempt on Aviva's life. What he did wish for were that Blaise hadn't drawn the dagger in the first place and had accepted his defeat graciously.

"Time to move Kathleen." Gregorey spoke quietly, directly to the young mother, but he could see his words were not getting through to her. "Kathleen! Listen to me!" Gregorey almost shouted, clicking his fingers together before her to draw her attention. He watched her change before him; her eyes focused on him and she once again stood straight and proud.

"Will you see my son, myself and Missy to my fathers home safely, Gregorey? I will of course pay the rate agreed with Tito." Kathleen's voice had quickly regained its strength and composure, but in her eyes, Gregorey could see she was still haunted by the ease in which Captain Blaise had lost his life.

"I will take you home, Kathleen. Collect your party together. We will take the buggy, so get everything you need in there, but be quick. Don't be worried, all will be well." Gregorey tried to reassure her with his softly spoken words and a smile.

Gregorey turned to look at Ulan then dismissed the guards from his mind and turned to Aviva. She was sat on the ground, a little away from the dead body of Blaise. Tito had already gone to her and was dressing the wound with a field bandage made of some material he keeps stored for just such a purpose. It appeared to be someone's old shirt?

"That had better not be one of my shirts you have ripped up for that little scratch, Tito." There may have been a note of concern in Gregorey's voice but you would have had to know him very well to notice it. Moving to the rest of his troop, Gregorey ran his eyes over everyone. Ariza had adopted her emotionless "nothing can effect me" state that she still runs to sometimes, probably as a result of considering she may have lost her sister rather than the death of Blaise. Eadoin and Dane had become the professionals he new they were and their eyes were sharp in their surveillance of the dukes troops. Gregorey turned to look at Vivek who was still stood close and in a whisper he didn't appear capable of said "Vivek, I want to be on the road with our Lady Kathleen before Ulan is out of the forest."

"No problem, Greg." Vivek replied just as quietly and walked away to talk to Dane. As Vivek organised the troop, Tito finished the bandage on Aviva’s side. Ulan quickly saw to his injured man and returned him to his horse. The arrow was still firmly embedded but hopefully a good surgeon would be able to remove it and the wound would heal. Meanwhile the other soldier unceremoniously threw the soulless shell that was Blaise over the saddle of his horse and secured the body with a length of rope. No one had removed the long arrow from his head and it was now causing a problem with the stability of the body on the horse. Aviva, now back on her feet, assisted the young soldier by drawing the shaft from the dead man’s body with a strong swift jerk. "You can’t possibly expect the horse to carry him with this digging in to its side?" Was her comment, as she past the arrow to the rather pale faced man. Unfortunately for the very unseasoned soldier, the arrow still held onto the eye and some other less recognisable parts of the Captain. The soldier’s reaction was natural enough; he ran to the edge of the clearing and violently released the contents of his stomach. Aviva dropped the arrow and walked - a touch drunkenly- to the cabin. Over the noisy retching of the soldier Kathleen could hear Aviva chuckling to herself as she went by. She couldn’t help but think Aviva sounded particularly bitter and more than a little evil in her own amusement at the expense of another.

Gregorey still stood in the middle of the clearing, simply watching all that was transpiring around him. Ensuring Ulan got his men away quickly and safely and Vivek got the troop packed and organised. Looking around him Gregorey couldn't help but feel proud of his troop. As individuals they couldn't be more different. Some from wealthy well to do families others dragged from the gutter of the poorest streets of Remakal. Their history now behind them they have become Gregorey's troop. The most famous group of journey guards on the continent, for good reason. Having not lost a single guard or paying customer to bandits, they could now charge what they wanted and work only when they chose to. Most of their clients were very rich and willing to pay almost anything to ensure their safety and Tito was happy to take their money.

The troop was ready to move before Ulan was even out of site of the small log cabin. Tito and Aviva were riding his wagon, with Aviva's horse tethered to the tailgate. Aviva's wound was well bandaged by Tito, but she was still weak and a little shocked from the wound that came so unexpectedly at the end of the energetic bout, too weak to be riding a horse when she didn't need to. Kathleen was in her two-wheeled buggy, led by two horses, with her baby and nanny. The remainder of the troop all rode their horses. Except, of course, the bear, which was quite happy to follow at his own pace, on his own legs. But that wouldn’t last, he would eventually climb up onto the wagon and ride a ways.

"Dane!" Gregorey shouted across to the dark skinned warrior. "You’ve got the nose young man. We’ll be taking the south road through the forest. I want to be on the Dante to Tethalon road not long after midday."

"So it will be, my Lord!" Dane replied as he spurred his horse into the forest, following the track in the opposite direction to Ulan and his men

"Eadoin, your on our tail." Gregorey called out over his shoulder as he followed Dane into the cover of the trees.

"So it will it be, my Lord!" Eadoin replied, mocking Dane’s usual response to anything Gregorey says. He then reined in his horse and gestured elegantly for the buggy and the wagon to lead on with a wave of his arm and gentle bow of his head.

As Aviva rolled by, sat on the driver's board with Tito, she wagged her finger at Eadoin and, with a smile, admonished him for the mockery. "You leave Dane alone you horrible man. He at least knows who deserves respect around here." As Aviva idealised and loved Gregorey and would as soon surrender her life for him as blink, it was fairly obvious where she thought respect was "deserved".

"That is cruel, Aviva. You know how much I respect our great leader. I just do not believe he could possibly stand any more adoration, not after having you around him all day." Eadoin gently teased the injured victim while she was unable to chase him in an effort do him some injury.

"Pig!" Aviva replied returning Eadoin’s smile. As she looked at him sporting his white toothed grin she tried to imagine what he would look like if he stopped shaving his head and allowed his hair to grow. She thought he would probably be quite handsome, in a boyish way. His chin and jaw line is quite soft and round, his nose small and his full lips are quite dark and stand out on his otherwise pale skin. His eyes are quite deep set but shine out from the sockets with a beautiful green hue. Although no where near as big as Gregorey he is tall and strong- no one else in the troop can fully draw his bow and still be steady enough to aim it with any accuracy.

Eadoin in turn admired Aviva. He was pleased to see she was in good humour after the incident earlier. He held a fondness for Aviva that he was sure she knew nothing about, nor was he doing anything about letting her know. He could see how she felt for Gregorey and was not about to interfere with that relationship, he loved them both too much. Eadoin moved his eyes away from Aviva to regard the trees ahead, bending his neck as far back as it would go he could see the uppermost branches backdroped by the light blue of the clear spring sky. At the base the trunks were so huge it wood take ten men joined hand in hand to circle the whole tree. The bark of the trees was smooth and shined in the sun with a glorious rusty red colour. The branches, sparse in quantity, were covered in the same bark as the trunk and hung with thin needle like leaves and small red and yellow flowers. As he looked through the trees down the chosen path he noticed for the first time the total lack of any other plants. The forest floor was completely clear of green life, the trees presence and size appeared to prevent the growth of all other plants.

The troop entered the forest with Dane a good five minutes in front of the main group, but checking back every so often like a faithful dog out for his woodland exercise. Gregorey, who rode beside Ariza slightly in front of the buggy containing Kathleen and her party, led the rest. Vivek separated the buggy from the wagon and Eadoin followed a few minutes behind. Unfortunately for those in the vehicles the track was not in good condition. It was not often used, thus never maintained, so it was uneven and littered with ruts, pot holes and loose stones big enough to break a wheel if hit at speed. The effect this had was to slow the whole troop down and this did not please Gregorey. They had been making slow progress for an hour when Dane rode back to the main group with news that was certainly not going to improve Gregorey’s mood.

"My lord, you will not believe what is ahead!" Dane said breathlessly, after reining his horse to a halt before Gregorey.

"What is it, Dane?" Gregorey’s mood did not allow for guessing games and his tone made everyone aware of it.

"I can not describe it - you must come and see for yourself!" Dane was still breathless, which wasn’t like him. As Gregorey looked more closely at him he saw he wasn’t suffering from any kind of physical tiredness, the panting breath was from some sort of anxiety.

"Vivek!" Gregorey called over his shoulder " Get Eadoin up here and everyone keep your eyes up. We’ll be back before a two hundred count. If not, you know what to do. "

" OK Greg" Vivek called to Gregorey as he rode on ahead beside Dane. " You counting Tito?" Vivek enquired of the old man, although he knew he didn’t need to and the only reply he got was Tito’s nodding head anyway. At the same time Aviva let out a shrill whistle which had the desired effect, for Eadoin soon caught up his rear guard distance and, once brought up to date, waited with the others for Gregorey to return.