Day in the Court (Phrost)

[Nayeli]

”Leilani… You are my little sister… How do you think I’m going to react?”

[/color] My voice rose as I set there with her in the Castle Courtyard. She had been for a long time and yet, now my little sister, Leilani wanted to go to Teirm in order to do some important stuff. I feared for my little sister, but I knew she could take care of herself. She laughed at me slightly and I looked at her for a moment, unsure of why she was laughing. Leilani and myself were so much alike on the outside… We both had long black hair, though mind was straighter and pulled back into a beautiful braid and hers was like a waterfall cascading down her beautiful back.

”Nayeli, I will be fine… I am going to have a set of guard that Uncle is getting for me and then I will head there and stay in the castle there.”[/color] I was still unsure, but as I looked at my little sister, I saw how much she had grown. She had a body that men would die to touch, like my own, but she was quick to show it off. The dress she wore was tight on her body, straight and showed her curves. There was a V in the neck, showing some of her bosoms, though not enough to make her a whore. Her sleeves were long, but a slight ran up it, showing her full arm, but there was a loop that made it move when she waved her arms and it did not just lay at her side and a slit when up to just below her thigh. I thought about it for a quick moment and then realized just how grown up she was.

”What form of business is in Teirm anyway?”[/color] She smiled at me for a moment and then looked to the sky, as if thinking of something. I worried at this point, wondering if what she was doing was a hidden thing, but if it was then I could not let her go until she told me, but her voice came smoothly and very believable.

”A chance to watch their own Courts… I want to see what people I am going up against then those that I learned with.”[/color] She smiled, her eyes stayed on me as she spoke and I did not see a reason to disbelieve her. As I smiled at her, I heard something and stood quickly, my hand on the blade that was long. I had brought my beautiful sword with me this afternoon, while my sister brought her own dagger, though she barely used it.
[/blockquote]
[/blockquote][/size]

[phrostphyre]

Sean stood impassively near a door, eyes alert and scanning the Courtyard. He was clad in the ingle color kilt of Hibernia. It was saffron, the color of the Savage Faithful Gaels assigned to protect those the King deemed worth protecting. Green were Hibernian pipers, while brown were longbow men or skirmishers. The longbow men performed both duties, sometimes. Sean was part of the group of men that used stealth to flank an enemy formation, and then charge it. Usually he was, but protective details sucked, in his opinion. At least out East he had Urgals to fight, and in Ceunon he had elves to keep him wary.

He began patrolling, moving as quietly as his chain mail over his shirt would allow. The kilt swung in time to his steps, while the plaid over his left shoulder bumped against the mail. He paced to a rhythm ingrained in him by long hours marching on step with one thousand two hundred ninety-nine other men and several sets of bagpipes. The Broddring Kingdom had adopted the Great Northern Pipes from the Alban Highlands, due to their ability to carry over even the loudest battle, sound obnoxious to the enemy, and rouse the Gaels to a state of pitched battle frenzy. His booted foot stepped on a twig, crushing it beneath the amount of metal he wore. Sword, seax, throwing axes, and on his arm, the shield his father had given him. The swirls going around it were blue and white.

”Madames, I stepped on a twig, nothing more.[/color] Sean continued to move on his patrol, throwing axe slightly out of the loop on his belt for it. Why was he so jumpy? It must be the two noble ladies so close to him. He had to worry about double the trouble.

[Nayeli]

I felt like I was going to go crazy, the man could have told me he was patrolling, but he showed his own stupidity by not doing such a thing. He was proving to me that I could not be trusted, unlike my other guards, at least they reported they were there. He was the one I needed to watch more and why my Uncle hired him, I don’t know. ”Where did he come from?”

[/color] I looked at her for a moment and then rolled my eyes towards him, or where he was. He could barely be seen, but he could be seen and her eyes were on him for a moment. My little sister needed help and a guy that was actually worth it.

”Someone Uncle wanted on my protection detail…”[/color] I could hear her laughing and I wondered why she was laughing. She touched her lips with her fingers, hiding her open mouth from anyone, including myself. I looked at her like she was crazy and then I wanted to ask why. I thought about it for a moment and could not help but to laugh with her.

”Well, you know Uncle… But why he would think you need protection is beyond me… You have been in battles, that is why uncle picked you for the job… Have killed more people then Uncle and Turin combined because of your training and you know the… fun, I guess you could say… of battle.”[/color] She said to me. I just shrugged. Yes, I knew this stuff, so why did my uncle think I needed more protection. I mean, there was no reason to fear for my life, maybe for Leilani’s life. She did not have the training I had, she was young and she just enjoyed the thrill of speaking and discussing. I had a plan and I turned towards wear Sean had been.

”Sean, come forward Please.”[/color] I waited and once he was there I continued. ”You said that you are under my command, correct?”[/color] I waited for a reply for a moment and once I had it, I would continue.
[/blockquote]
[/blockquote][/size]

[phrostphyre]

"Yes, milady. The duration of my detachment to you and your household is however long you want to keep me around. Since I'm under your command, I can be re-detached to family members, friends, or lovers. However, my prime directive is your safety; if you're assured of it, then I will willingly go protect anyone else you deem protected, so long as my commanding officer is notified of my re-detachment.” Sean began moving again, his eyes never resting on one thing too long. Each and every item was as it should be, save for a potted plant; Sean paused and set it to rights after combing it thoroughly for hidden weapons, anything not dirt, and plant material. There was nothing there; a diligent body guard didn’t stop being a body guard. The foreign warrior didn’t pause in his movement. If the Lady was annoyed at him for doing his duty, she would just have to be annoyed at herself. She should have known the only place he wouldn’t follow her would be the bedchambers, privy, and wherever she ordered him not to enter.

[Nayeli]

He did not come to me, though annoyed, I said nothing about it, just glanced at my sister who shook her head slightly and smiled. She found this funny and I did not care much anymore. "Yes, Milady." I turned as he spoke. "The duration of my detachment to you and your household is however long you want to keep me around." I never wanted him, but I said nothing. "Since I'm under your command, I can be re-detached to family members, friends, or lovers. However, my prime directive is your safety..." Though I did not know why I needed protection.

"If you're assured of it, then I will willingly go protect anyone else you deem protected, so long as my commanding officer is notified of my re-detachment.” I nodded and motioned for my sister to join me at my side. "My sister is going to Teirm soon, in order to watch others... However, I know that she is not nearly as protected as myself or well trained in combat... She is a Diplomat and would rather fight with words instead of... Oh, what do you call it Leilani?"

[/color]

She chuckled at my knowledge on words that she used. "Greedy, unintelligent, and disturbed fighting."[/color] I laughed as she said the words and then I looked back towardss Sean who was checking... A flower pot?

"My brother is down south... I wish you to travel with my sister to Teirm soon, stay with her... She needs it more."[/color] I said to him, pushing back my black hair from my ice blue eyes.
[/blockquote]
[/blockquote][/size]

[phrostphyre]

”Milady, I shall do as you command. On my honor as a member of my clann and the Savage Faithful.”[/B] Sean stepped forward, smacked his right fist over his heart, and bowed. His blonde hair was bound by a blue ribbon into a ponytail, reaching down to the area between of his shoulders.

”Lady Leilani, your safety is currently the most important thing to me as of now. Since I’m now detached to you, I am yours to command as you will.”[/B] Sean straightened out as mirth danced in his eyes. Several years among the people of this land had almost killed his Hibernian accent, but there were traces of it, which broadened noticeably when angry, in pain, or in mirth. Such as now; Sean was having a hard time keeping a straight face. He had seen the look the Lady Nayeli had shot him as he combed the flower pot. She thought he was absolutely off his rocker; however, it had been displaced from the last time he was in this area of the Castle, and nothing would stop him from his duty.

Duty, honor, country, and family. The four things that dominated Gaelic culture. Duty was doing what you were morally, honor, and ethically bound to do. And even then, doing the right thing, no matter what. Honor was not ignoring any injustice done to yourself or family. Country was rising in arms to protect the sacred land of Hibernia, or for Sean, now Alagaesia. For he considered himself Hibernian-Alagaesian now. Family: the thing that was more important than any of the things previously mentioned. A clann was started when one man made himself a name, and his sons scattered to continue the line.

”What kind of threat should I expect?”[/B]

[Nayeli]

”Milady, I shall do as you command. On my honor as a member of my clann and the Savage Faithful.” I nodded to him, knowing that he would do a good job, but at lease someone who needed it would get the protection and I would be rid of him for the time being. ”Good… My sister needs it more then I do.”

[/color] Why my uncle had placed him on my protection detail I do not know, but it did not matter, Leilani would be protected.

”Lady Leilani, your safety is currently the most important thing to me as of now. Since I’m now detached to you, I am yours to command as you will.” I looked at my sister who smiled at the man and nodded, her emerald eyes always made me think of elves, but I knew she had not a single bit of elf in her body. She was possible one of the most beautiful women I had seen and she did not mind showing that off. I looked at her for a mere moment and then waited for her to speak again. ”Your protection will be well welcomed.”[/color] She said to him, a smile still on her face. I think she liked the blond headed man, but that was none of my business. I honestly doubted there was anyone out there for me, but hell, I could be wrong.

I did not know the reason for his need to protect anyone, knowing anyone, it would possible be money. Anyone knew he was not from Alagaesia, his voice proved it, but it would be nice to know where he came from. I looked around and watched as she walked over to the edge of the courtyard, smiling as she joined some common maidens beside the flowers. ”What kind of threat should I expect?” I looked to him for a moment. ”My sister is the youngest in our family… Also the one most vulnerable and loved… She is beautiful, that is for sure… Watch mostly for bandits and people following in order to gain her to be a leverage against the family… She has had a plan to try and fix the ties between our Kingdom and the elves, so watch for those who wish to make her fail. No matter what others believe, the Elves and Humans have already fought once and many were lost, I know it would be better to have a peaceful time and a Alliance.”[/color] I said to him, walking over slightly, though keeping my eyes on my sister before I looked up at him. ”Just don’t crowd her too much, especially when she is working.”[/color] I said to him for a moment, laughing slightly.
[/blockquote]
[/blockquote][/size]

[phrostphyre]

” So the generic rat, bandit, and fool? Let one of the fools try to attack a member of the Savage Faithful protecting a member of the King’s family… Death shall be slow. Soldiers such as me prefer peace; it gives us a chance to settle down with a family. A chance to have a pint, start farming the land, and getting our country back on her feet. If your sister stands even the slightest chance of doing that, and if protecting her means giving my body to the Night Mother, then I shall go with a battle cry upon my tongue, and a smile on my lips. Such is the life of a Hibernian Gael.”[/B] Sean smiled, and in his light blue eyes, the promise of death if anyone dared to think about touching Leilani, mirth, and lightheartedness dancing in them. The thought of his own death didn’t trouble Sean; he had faced it, he had dispensed it, and he had seen Her face enough times in the pitch of battle to know that death was something to celebrate; the passing of this life to the next one, the wheel of existence. Death was almost family, in the Gaelic islands. She was everywhere; one the battlefield, in the cottage, on the ocean, and in the fields and crags. A misstep upon a rock could prove fatal, and often did.

Sean resumed his patrol, however, the center of the circle was Lady Leilani this time, not Nayeli. The maidens fell under the scrutiny of a hungry eagle, searching for prey to dive upon with a killing blow. None of them seemed to be strong enough to lift anything more than a platter bearing food, but Sean still searched for bulges indicating any concealed weaponry. His gaze was far from lecherous. It was that of a knight, surveying the ladies in the box, only gallant courtesy. Gallant courtesy, would, however, go to a mask of thunder, communicating only Death.

[Nayeli]

”So the generic rat, bandit, and fool?” I gave a simple nod before glancing over at my sister. ”Let one of the fools try to attack a member of the Savage Faithful protecting a member of the King’s family…” I smiled… He would be out of my hair and that much was enough of a breather for me. I did not want him protecting me, I had enough people protecting me and I could protect myself. ”Death shall be slow. Soldiers such as me prefer peace; it gives us a chance to settle down with a family.” I looked at him for a moment and then to my sister. She had always wanted to settle down, but our uncle had pushed for her to be the person side the courts, lecturing and making sure all believed her. She was good at it, but I knew she was unhappy. ”A chance to have a pint, start farming the land, and getting our country back on her feet. If your sister stands even the slightest chance of doing that, and if protecting her means giving my body to the Night Mother, then I shall go with a battle cry upon my tongue, and a smile on my lips. Such is the life of a Hibernian Gael.” I looked to him and smiled.

”Good… My sister is a peace lover herself, she wants to settle down one day, that is why she does this.”

[/color] I said to him, looking at my sister.

She was beautiful, everyone knew it and it was a surprise she had yet to be married. Most her age were already married and held a child or they were with child. It was crazy she had not brought home a suitor, but it did not matter, it meant that Turin did not have to work at running the man off if he did not like them and I did not have to worry about her having a broken heart. As he returned to his walking, I went to my sister’s side and looked at her for a moment before giving her a small hug.

”I must be off, it is about time to be talking to some of the commoners and the head of the farmers are coming today.”[/color] I said, before turning and walking past the area Sean was coming too. A fellow guard took strides with me, it being Dave my friend and fellow fighter. ”Are you sure you did the right thing?” I looked at him for a moment and smiled. ”Of course… Leilani needs this protection much more then myself, now… Are the farmers here…”[/color]…

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Their voices were lost as I stood with the other maids who were laughing and cutting up, it was really the only time I had was in this very court, but I was growing tired as it was and after giving my sister a hug, I knew it was time I headed on back to my own home, a beautiful cottage not far from the castle in the royal part of the this city. It was not too large or small, but perfect for me. ”I will be off Ladies… I have my writing to attend to tonight and then begin perpetrations for my travels.”[/color] The ladies also said their own good byes and I turned, my Elf like eyes turning to my new protector.

Nayeli knew that I was vulnerable, but I hated to think I was so in need of the protection and worry. I motioned for him to come and I headed out of the Court Yard. The blond man was beyond cute, I had to say to myself, but I doubted he looked at me in the same fashion. I took my cloak from a guard who had been holding my stuff and I pulled the black cloak over my beautiful light green dress, clipping it to cover my chest, which I allowed skin to show. I loved my body, but I only flaunted it a little. ”Lady Leilani, you mare is back in the stables, do you wish me to…” I lifted my hand quickly and shock my head. ”No… I will go and get her, you stay here.”[/color] She pulled her cloak over her head and continued walking towards the stables.

(If you would like, you can cause a commotion or something.)
[/blockquote]
[/blockquote][/size]

[phrostphyre]

Sean hefted his shield and began keeping pace with Leilani, but on her left and behind her. She was headed for the stables. Sean generally liked horses, and they generally liked him. Alagaësian horses were larger than the small, hardy ponies used in Hibernia, but here the warhorses could carry more weight; important when they carried a heavily armored knight. In Sean’s opinion, nothing was better than working on a farm with a horse in the plow-yoke. He continued moving, chain mail rattling. A horse whinnied from the stable, bringing Sean’s attention to the building up ahead. Stone and wood, it was probably better built than that which the King’s peasants lived in. Such was the way things were, and Sean wasn’t able to change it, so he wouldn’t worry.

A stable hand glanced up and gave a whistle. Sean had dismissed him as a threat because the man was mucking out the stable, but this proved wrong when the man threw his pitchfork at Leilani. Sean managed to deflect it with his shield. He drew Brunhilde, a wild cry like the shriek of an eagle ripping from his throat. He beat the stable hand in the face with his shield once Sean had closed the distance. Three more men rose from the muck; they drew blades. One engaged Sean while the other two separated and went for Leilani in a pincer movement. Sean dropped his shield and drew his seax. He threw it and caught the one on Leilani’s left in the back, severing his spine. The one on the right sped up, moving at a run for Leilani. The one if front of Sean had a short sword; not much of a match against Sean’s long Scandian blade, but the man knew how to use it. He had managed to negate Sean’s reach advantage with one simple thing: a net. He kept trying to catch Sean in it and run him through with his blade, but Sean managed to dance out of the way time after time. Luck didn’t count for much in duels, but it was often the most inconspicuous of things that won them. In this case it was the pitchfork the first man had thrown; Sean accidentally stepped on the wooden end, sending the metal into his assailant’s stomach. He fell forward, driving it through his intestinal sac and out his back. Sean stabbed the first man, just now recovering from the blow to the head, and began running to Leilani. She had managed to hide from the last assassin, but Sean couldn’t see her. The assassin couldn’t either; his dagger was loosely held as he searched. Sean had no thought for sneaking up on him; all he had was a dagger. Sean’s armor rattled as he moved forward at a steady pace, nearly a run. A grin showed on the blood-spattered face of the Hibernian warrior. This was what he did best, after drinking. Sean was going to destroy this man, and quite probably enjoy it.

[Nayeli]

I glanced back as we walked, seeing Sean walking close behind, happy that he was not keeping to the shadows. I hated those knights who kept to the shadows, especially when they were as handsome and strong as him. I continued on towards the stables, knowing my mare would be happy to be in the small stables at my home and knowing I would enjoy a nice book before heading to sleep for the evening. I loved horses and I took pride in my own, even though it was my brother who trained the mighty beast, she was beyond the best in the stables, except that of my uncle and Nayeli’s, both which were large war horses that were ready for the battle field.

As we came into the sight of the stables, I could feel a unease in the air, the door was open, which was a very odd thing in itself. I knew that the main stable hand always kept the door closed, meaning he was there and then when he left, he locked the stables, only to have them accessed by another door that was guarded. As I entered, Sean right beside me, a whistle caught my ears and I turned to see a hand I did not know and then Sean’s powerful body was there before me, blocking the pitchfork that was thrown at me.

I heard Sean yell out as he drew a long sword, I had brought out my barely used dagger, but I knew how to use it, even though I hated the idea of taking a life. I was a diplomat, that was why I had guards so I would not have to take a life. That was not me, that was my sister and my brother, they could take a life without even a second thought, but me, I was someone you cringed at the thought of it. I saw three other men rise from the muck, my heart racing. I looked around for a moment, seeing my mare only five feet in her stable. None of these were the stable hands I knew, which made me wonder where Paul was. They came at me and I moved quickly towards the mare, one falling with a ax in his back, but they other was advancing, though he had been caught off guard by his friend falling and I had had a chance to get into the stall.

”Easy girl.”

[/color] The mare was getting excited and I knew that I had to help. I unhooked the roped that held her in stall and she rushed out towards the same man Sean was heading for. She hit the man, her body lifting into the air, her black hooves racking at the air, slicing the air like she was slicing paper with dagger. Her eyes showed of determination to protect me and they showed of anger. I had been lucky to gain such a friend, that being my mare. Her gray dappled body landed and she rose again in the air, this time she was right over the man. Sean would either get the man or my mare, but it was Sean.

He seemed to enjoy the fact that he was beating the man to knowing, he was killing him and I had to look away. I closed my eyes, my back relaxing into the wooden wall of the stall and the hair behind my back proving to be comfortable. I could hear the beating and then I felt something against cheek, a warm breath beating harmlessly before I looked to see the dappled mare. ”What was that sound!” “It is coming from the stables!” I heard people talking and I stood and in came three guards and the stable hand. ”Malady!” The stable hand rushed towards me and I took his hand. ”We heard there was a fire at your uncle stables, I’m sorry I was not here, forgive me Malady.” I touched his cheek and smiled at him. ”It is okay… It is not your fault… No one could have known that these men were assassins, even I took them for new stable hands.”[/color]
[/blockquote]
[/blockquote][/size]

[phrostphyre]

Sean pushed his sword through the last assailant that he literally pushed him down, falling on top of him. He let go of the sword and began doing his best to demolish the man’s face with his bare knuckles. He was swearing in Gaelic, doing his best to not restrain himself. The man had done his very best to kill a niece of Sean’s King; Sean would do his best to hurt the man as much as possible. It was a good minute after the man breathed his last that Sean stopped, his knuckles bruised and bloody. The man’s face, however, wouldn’t have been able to be identified by his own mother. Sean rose and yanked his bloody sword from the man’s body. He was sprayed in a spurt of blood and swore. Sean went and collected his seax and shield before removing the chain mail armor. Underneath he wore a tight-fitting white shirt. Instead of replacing the plaid over the shoulder, Sean let it hang loose. His face was lightly coated in gore, and the stuff had gotten into his hair. He rubbed as much of it off onto the dirt chain mail.

Sean wrapped it around his shield, until he could clean and repair it, if needed. He cleaned both blades upon a dead body, and then sheathed them. He grimaced; he was probably soaked in blood. His musical brogue added a contrast to the air around Leilani as she was fussed over by servants and Paul, the not-assassin stable hand. ”Milady, retire to your room so I might wash the stains of battle from myself and maintain my equipment. I will see to your mare.”[/color]

[Nayeli]

Sean was covered in the blood of those men and I wanted to grow sick, but I was careful and kept myself from doing do. The Stable Hand, Paul, was looking me over and the guards could not believe one man had done all this. They picked the men up and I knew what they would do with them, burn their bodies so they would never be known, giving them a grave of ash and dirt. It was sickening, but I did not mind, they had tried to kill me. I looked to the mare who was running her head along my side and I looked at her. ”It’s okay girl, I am fine.”

[/color] The mare, though knew it was true, seemed to barely believe me.

”Milady…” I turned my eyes onto Sean, my emerald eyes showed of my own inside horror, the sickness that wanted to come forth from my body, but I kept myself from such a scene. I did not needed them to see me like this. ”Retire to you room, so I might wash the stains of battle from myself and maintain my equipment… I will see to your mare.” I looked at my mare and entangled my fingers into her mane, looking at her for a moment and then back at him. ”My room is across the noble part of this city, on foot a hour and a half of walking… There is a covered ring just past the second set of doors, I will saddle my mare and at least take a few laps to warm her up… Paul, gain a horse for Sean…”[/color] The man nodded to me and went to find a horse for the man who was here with me. He grabbed the saddle with little ease and after grabbing a blanket and reins, walked past him with the horse right behind me.

As I entered the ring, I put the saddle down, along with the blanket and reins, grabbing a brush from a bucket and began the long task of brushing her coat. I kissed the neck of the gray dapple and began untangling her mane and tail before I put the saddle on her back and the reins in her mouth. I was sure that Paul had gained a horse for Sean, possible the large war horse with a brown coat, it was the new one that had just lost it’s rider in a raid of another city. It was sad really, the constant fighting. I lifted my dress and mounted the dappled beauty, placing two legs on the left side of the saddle and allowing my cloak to lay upon the rump of the mare.

She moved slightly and I smiled before putting her into a canter with a kick of my foot. My hood flew back some, my long hair flowing in the air as we went into a firm circle. I could see into the stables, but I did not pay attention to them inside, just went around the indoors arena with ease and relaxed.
[/blockquote]
[/blockquote][/size]

[phrostphyre]

Once Leilani looked at Sean, he knew she wouldn’t be able to stomach the fact that Death was a close companion of his.He would do his best to keep Death from reaching out for her, but Sean was but a man. He took the large dun horse from Paul and led the stallion to the tether pole closest to his room. He tied him off, and then entered the Spartan accommodations. A bed, a mannequin for his armor, a ewer, and a pole running from end to end held his two spare kilts, three shirts, and a coat for any social functions he had to attend. Sean took off his shirt and placed it on the bed. There was nothing he could do about his armor in ten minutes, save put oil on it to protect against rust. This he did, and then washed his face clean.

A few moments later, Sean emerged in a clean plaid and shirt. He swung himself onto the back of the dun horse and set off at a canter to find Leilani. Eventually he found her riding sidesaddle around a track. He spurred his stallion to catch up to her, and then let the stallion set his own pace. Sean had washed the stains of battle from himself, and though he still had his weapons, he had left his shield in his room. ”Milady, I advise that ye retire for now. Ye have had a shock, and as such it would be best if ye rested. I suggest ye postpone leaving for Teirm until a week from now.”[/color]

[Nayeli]

I had to learn to make myself stomach death, though it was a sick thing and the killing part was worse then ever, I had to learn. It would take a while, but I just ignored it. I was surprised that Sean was staying here in the stables, the royal stables housed the horses for my sister, brother, uncle, and many other royal people. I had taken my place going around the arena carefully sitting side saddle. When we went for Teirm, I would be sure to wear a different dress to allow me to ride normal. I hated side saddle, but I knew how to ride side saddle.

Paul had come out to watch me ride, which I knew he admired because he told me so many times. He said if I was not a Royal, I should have been a horse owner and sold and bought horses. I was perfect with them, that much was for sure. I looked and saw him emerge on a dun horse and I slowed slightly. He was clean and that much I was glad for. ”Milady, I advise that ye retire for now. Ye have had a shock, and as such it would be best if ye rested. I suggest ye postpone leaving for Teirm until a week from now.” I looked at him and then brought my horse to a stop.

"I will retire once I get home and we have at least a thirty minute ride."

[/color] I said to him, looking him dead in the eyes. "And we will leave in three days as I had planned. We will arrive in Teirm a week from today when we do that."[/color] I told him, my voice was level and my face was blank. "If I retire for a week and rest, they have won and I will not allow that... My plans were to leave in three days and that is what I plan on doing... Now, lets go home."[/color] I spurred my horses into the barn, paid Paul and thanked him before going out the barn, pulling my hood over my face and waiting for Sean.
[/blockquote]
[/blockquote][/size]