Chapter 1758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8CYkk06Lv
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jw7b7ElT2
Even as a babe in a crib I was aware... I might not have undestood everything but I was aware.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB97Rf2yNr
What I was the most aware about was the soft sweet smelling creature that held me and comfored be and fed me from the soft containers on her chest. Dangling from her neck was a gold chain with a medalion whose image was that of a gold greeneyed dragon758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xZEpIekWs
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyhf9DG7If
Two years later I came to know the soft creature that held and cared for me was my Mother. I still liked to play with the medalion around her neck.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbplraX8M0F
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYIyyU6iix
She often talked to me about it., “Your name is Rafter De Louis, your Father was the Crown Prince Duvalson of the Kingdom of Dulciana, Remember this medalion identifies you. Your uncle John Mare De Louis had your grandfather and your father killed. His minions are looking for you.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvWi4UMiql
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoda6Qgoxde
I listened to everything she said and I remembered, “The night your father was killed he hung the medalion around my neck to give to you when you are ready”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hl4CtiCBB
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cUZTihoVQ
In my young mind I remembered the soft beds and the tapestries that hung on the walls... but now we hid in a tent and lay upon old blankets and mother cooked over an open fire. She had to fetch and carry water and we only had her old maid servant, I did not understand.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j0xe5ja2S
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimsypXCpg3
One night my mother rushed into the tent pulled off the medalion and said to maid Ceil, “John Mare is searching every tent...Take Rafe and flee.” She leaned down and placed the Medalion around my neck. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdPNXpiNVX
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV88LvpANw2
Maid Ceil grabbed me up and ran out the back flap of the tent. This was the last I ever saw of my Mother.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukSvaUEWbD
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSPVbVrRF3
Maid or rather, Mama Ceil as I came to call her took me to a Wizard's Keep. No one in their right mind would ever try to search a Wizard's Keep. There we lived a peaceful life till... Mama Ceil caught the ague and died when I was eight.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFUIspnot9
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmVK4LRlFC
*****758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRwMRPV8g5
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZEHYddVuO
Wizard's Keep758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSJApBB1RE
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjZQMbKby1
Mama Ceil knocked on the door of the Wizard's Keep. After several knocks the door was opened by an elderly gent wearing an old grey Robe...758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fpX6JHXUm
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn9bSJE8I9
“Yes ...may I help you?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH02TuSdTl6
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFvbvw9FAS
Mama Ceil says, “ My mistress Rebecca said if the time came... I was to come to you...and here we are.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FE25L6uFj
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdvBAZxRft
“Yes you are … but who are you and time for what?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqJAhxOK4s
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj8qcKBm8a
Mama Ceil stammered and stuttered then her face lit up and she said , Oh, Oh I forgot, Rafe show him the medallion.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01BHPKQi6c
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT8BsoXYK3
I proudly displayed the medallion that my Mother had given to me.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaudnDVYH8v
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxlFtRFhJ0
The old man hardly able to speak said, “Put the medallion away oh my goodness inside quickly, quickly”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9EY2aklHH
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmEnHGvHlZ
That is how my new life began, I made friends with some of the children of the village especially the younger weaker ones. I stood up for them against the bigger and older boys even at three I hated bullies. I myself was as large as the bullies and they tried to get me to favor their side. It didn't work, the first time they started picking on a weaker child I jumped in and started swinging. I didn't know at that time but my blows were magically enhanced.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgZWS2JwtB
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZNsBKr3kD
My best friend was a kid we called “Sneaker” he could fit in the tiniest places. He was just small. Next was Bean he was a skinny kid and Lump, well he was fat and it wasn't from eating to much. Most street kids rarely had more than a meal a day and often not even that. Lastly was our tomboy Mira a red haired freckled face waif who wasn't afraid of any thing She tried her best to hide the point to her ears.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1JOEAW88u
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRwDQDvgK3
Although we were not supposed to tell about it, The thieves guild was three houses down from the Wizards Keep. I guess you can say I was being hid right under John Mare's nose in the capital city, Dulci. They called me Rapper be cause I busted heads of Bullies.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN4i3WODAD
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrX3gWUAbV
The thieves I guess you could say adopted us... it wasn't long till we were all quite adept at snitching purses as well as other things. Sneaker became a 'caser' He and Bean made a team. Bean would lift Sneaker up to a window, that I had checked for wards, I was able to read magic. I didn't yet know how to bypass the wards as yet but my wizard training would soon teach me that..758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC49N82P6S
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWZ5iqtkHj
Sneaker would case the place while Mira would watch the front and Lump and I would watch the sides. Afterwards Sneaker would give the info to a Housebreaker and after the job was done he would give us a share.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYntRAYRXGk
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOhjrenDs4
By the time I turned twelve I was learning how to fight hand to hand and with clubs and night sticks. I quickly learned that although the night stick was good … there seemed to be something missing. I bored a hole in the handle and threaded a leather strap through it and then placed the strap around my wrist. With a flick of the wrist I would add eighteen inches to my reach. Thugs were quite surprised when they were expecting the nightstick toward the head but instead it hit in the groin.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK8KIPOHBC
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5CocjPtUf
Sneaker had remained small, Bean had grown taller, Lump was no longer fat he had turned to muscle.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeXpo7AzgK
Mira was beginning to look like a girl, but you better not get caught starring at her charms. And me I was 5'10'' and about 180# it too was muscle.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZknSWHeu4t
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjZ1x7jVRX
Tommy the Rat was a guild master he had asked our group to join up but we said no and that we would help when needed but to us it was just fun.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZKM8JtSTR
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkTBw6xvJD
Since The Elder insisted I learn reading and writing as well as the spell books it was decided that my friends be taught as well. We were able to earn extra money as messengers.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkQqWmAVzP
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIRba9hhnR
One day while I was training at the Keep the elder sent me on an errand to the spice shop for cinnamon. It was an excuse to get me clear for awhile and I knew it. I hid out and watched, about an hour later four Horsemen stopped at the keep. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxThbqHgUQy
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEOYS2BovX
I had Sneaker hide out close so he could listen and report.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5xGI7W6sX
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySe2cI5XAk
“The elder opened the door and ask the Horsemen if he could be of any help.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH9gkr89ss
The leader of the four asked if there had been a maid die from the Ague recently... The Elder replied that was the truth. He asked if she had a boy with her. Elder said no and that the only boy at the keep was his apprentice. The Horseman demanded to see this apprentice and was told he was away on an errand and was not expected back for hours.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnImGjqmL99
For some reason this upset the horseman and he drew his sword. “The elder waved his fingers and chanted. The Horseman and his companions repeated after the Elder. The boy is not here and never has been,” they got on their horses and rode away.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVcbaQF91R
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFkLI05JM4
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80jN4MIerH
Sneaker asked, “Whats going on Rapper?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYnMLPDfY5
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymeSOlUWgU
I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbvbmTjiET
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt8BTExwRQ
*********758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVtgjrPV5F
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjfhyzMhui
Chapter 2758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPxUGYrncH
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzFpq47IqI
As I grew older my second sight or intuition seemed to be stronger. It seemed that I could fathom what people were thinking. Especially if it pertained to me.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq2GKIFlKS
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0eUtCYGAL
I liked to eat lunch at the Sleeping Lion. Momma Mavis was the cook, she called us ruffians but our bowls always seemed to be filled higher than the regular customers. Today I was dipping into the lamb stew, it needed a bit of salt. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl6CzZT3d6
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0DDvegvT5
I looked and the salt was at the other end of the table, I put out my hand thinking of my need for salt. I tried to get some ones attention but there was an argument in progress and everything else was being ignored. I was getting exasperated and thinking harder about my need for salt when...Whap! the salt bowl slapped the palm of my hand. My mouth fell open and I looked around but no one seemed to notice. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjidvRB0Mp
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPTTph0Jwp
I was puzzled as well as surprised, I had a class with the Elder Wizard after lunch I would ask him. That decided I went back to eating and joking with Mira and put it right out of my mind.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3YHzZczf7
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz060mAS7FL
The Elder gave me a spell book and a book with blank pages and had me copy from one to the other. He kept telling me that because of who my parents were I was going to be a Mage. As usual I laughed. Then I reached for the inkwell and it landed in my hand.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo6cHrEBUD
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1oMs09AB2
Elder gasped and pointed at the inkwell, “Did you just call that inkwell with your mind?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGJ8doi87T
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VgEaa2P3E
I looked frightened but answered truthfully, “Yes.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PSOr0WvIV
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4uugn1vaw
“What else can you do that you haven't told me.” The Elder was glad that he had released my friends from this part of the class. This needed to be kept quiet for a while.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNsPxeDKyb
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hff8dtL9l
So I told him about the voices in my head but they were hard to understand because there were so many. Also guard Logan was picking on Mira. So I had used my mind to Pinch Momma Mavis's fat bottom. She turned around and dumped the Water pitcher she was holding on his head. He ran out of the Inn with Momma in Pursuit.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNbcvHzLqA
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI3rxBjTHM
Elder had a big laugh about that and said, “ Your training will change starting tomorrow I will try to teach you how to control the voices as well as other things. Be careful and not use your mind powers so someone might see. The King, he sneeringly replied is suspicious enough as it is, And for the Gods sake keep that Medallion hidden.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSnLYACkKY
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw81RSj7MBG
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlXmCjnx4Z
********758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxXN4qao6E
Chapter 3758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1bpC7fptH
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnU1Zl6Lm1
Acting King, or rather The Regent, John Mare De Louis, was pacing back and forth in the throne room. Speaking to his Chamberlain. “We have to find that kid without that medallion the Cardinal will not crown me King.I am a farce now. Even the peasants are laughing behind my back.” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPePvNz7eiQ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAa3idM1Bl
The third man in the throne room stood out of the shadows, Master Assassin Haver Was so non nondescript that he could blend in with any crowd. “I have told you give me a free hand and the guild will find him and retrieve the medallion, 100 Gold pieces. Just say the word.''758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36m4F4EqgY
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6eGjgTvHF
“I am not ready for the Chaos you would cause to the country. Besides the Elves of Bramble Wood is just looking for an excuse to start a war. Right now it is a war we could not possibility win. But if I have the Medallion that would be proof that Prince Rafter De Louis was dead. The Cardinal would have no choice but to crown me King. John Mare ended the meeting by saying he was hungry and pulled the bell cord to summoned a page.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpWLSARjpK
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYsJsQvcds
Haver was disgusted with the Regent not allowing him to put a deadly search together. He was sure he could get results and he probably only have to kill eight or nine people to get those results. He decided he would still keep his eyes open.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDh0wBjdZo
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoQzRSA3PD
The Chamberlain was opposed to the Regent but since he enjoyed living he chose not to speak of his opposition of the Regent. That didn't mean he had to help him either. He looked back before leaving the Throne room in time to see the Regent slap the page for some minor infraction. He hated cruelty.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzxAYEA3Jd
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOcdnH2Iiy
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tstej7mxh
*******758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXw9SfQQdr
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkXD9SnkRm
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNei3COLFd
Rapper was relaxing in the Market square. He leaned against a post on the fringe of the square he had spent a silver at the sausage stand. The rest of his friends had tasks to complete. Rapper was glad he didn't have any tasks today. He watched the Nobles and Merchants and tapped in to the workings of their minds. He was still struggling to separate the different thoughts it was like trying to understand a maelstrom.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTPHGy5VIM
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJD6rpcchz
Then he felt a clear thought blasting at him.”I will find him then I will charge the Regent a fortune... he has to be here some where. “758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlCtYWUHll
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDJz5mRi4p
Rapper was startled, he scanned the crowd but was unable to discern who the thinker might happen to be. No Luck, Rapper edged back and behind the vendors carts. He observed the square and tried to pick out the person with the errant thoughts but no luck. He hung out till almost dark before sticking to the shadows he made his way to the Keep. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbedkdqfruQ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBMMDZL747
The Elder was waiting for him...Rapper told him everything and how the voice had entered his mind with out him seeking. They talked and laid some guide lines for his attempts to hone his skills. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfxZ2s55ei
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6th9Nl1hN
They were up till the wee hours and the candle was almost gone.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsBrAS5CAn
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgz84IdHTX
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqJiopIN27
I was rudely awaken by the slamming of the door to my room. I raised my head expecting the Elder. Instead there was Apprentice Mage Arture. “Whats the matter Arture ? Are you crying? “758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfRvi7YeOR
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHmng9CbIZ
“It's Bean he's been taken by the City Guards.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TvdHMCxSx
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVsFSs6E2e
“Why?” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENPwaHcrq6
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oLRucuwsh
“He was standing outside a Nobleman's window. “758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP7SyNCham
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFXMCJ5ddM
I rushed out on the street and found Lump with tears in his eyes, “It was my fault I was on watch. Last night I ate sumpin' that messed up my tummy. It hit me hard and I had to run to an outhouse. By the time I got back... they had him.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajGU0S6COj
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHR3aEYNxG
“Which Nobleman.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPezn38BVJ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nxofn3L8W
“Nobleman Frane, you know next to Noble Pritcher.''758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1HLm7TKeF
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUGvi8GbFj
“Pritcher isn't that where Maggie works in the Kitchen...?” Maggie was one of our friends and she slips us goodies from the kitchen on occasion. Noble Pritcher knew about it but turned a blind eye. We classed him as a good Noble.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z8JXsY0E1
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI4Qd93VKL
We went around to Noble Pritcher's kitchen an called to Maggie. We told her what had happened and she just smiled and said she knew what to do. Maggie was 16 and what we called a looker. She spoke to the cook then filled a basket with rolls and bread. When she came outside she told me to go with her 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLqemBZQZt
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuHvE0z8RJ
She told me not to talk unless she nodded. She stopped at the Guardroom and knocked on the door. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hm6dwPwoS
A guard opened and said, “What'cha want?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UO6pDACZc
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI64Z9OESz
Maggie smiled, “I was told one of your Guards took my delivery boy Silas”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafobuvebwS
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEPityMa4u
The guard Captain stepped up and asked, “Well if he is your delivery boy why was he outside Noble Frane's house?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2p9REUv6L
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcCNNOW6PU
“First time he has been there he just got the houses mixed up.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY8ggYfHh0
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkxy28Ka1n
The guard Capt. Said, “Well just who was he delivering too.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lugdUZELc
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsqOfomAip
Maggie looked at me and nodded. I smiled and spoke up, “He was to deliver them to me for the Wizards Keep, I am an Apprentice there they call me RD and I am sure the Elder is getting upset waiting on his bread.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAtqdQoTd0
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO1KRQHRHo
The Capt. Told the jailer to release Bean. When they brought him in the Capt admonished him and reminded him to be more careful from now on.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARahd8JMMm
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzIVmE9gub
We all kept a straight face till we were well away from the guard room then we let out a sigh of relief. Maggie handed the basket to Bean and directed him to deliver it to the keep kitchen just in case the Guard Capt. Did a follow up.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d9geIirOA
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbEkwm5bxr
Off sped Bean with the bread and we thanked Maggie profusely then I went to check on Sneaker.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BQNopLPU2
Sneaker and Lump was standing with Mira on the street corner. I asked Sneaker, “Who were you doing the casing job for?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZJYo0Ns2J
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9MC81fliu
Sneaker replied, “ Gomer''758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hbkJBcLey
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVIwzYbMrG
“When you give him your report tell him that he should put off the job for at least two weeks. The guards are going to be watching the house just in case.” I pretended I over heard the Capt. Telling this to the guards. Really I had a moment of clarity and was able to pull this from his mind. He really wasn't sure we were telling the truth. The Cook, May, told me later the Guard had been around checking to see if the bread had been delivered.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWboKb6OOju
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB758TCBtn
May told him. “Yes are you hinting for a piece.” The guard stammered and thanked her when she cut him off a piece of bread and slathered a mess of cheese on it . 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmo2GSU3WM
Chapter 4758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUqEuGs8sk
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipAQJCYRxI
I was getting better at grasping one voice and clearing the rest of random chatter, The major problem was I still could not discern which mind was sending the thread. Then one day it was like a vision... I could see out of someone elses eyes and I had a clear path to his thoughts . I was still surprised when he grabbed a lady and drug her down an alley and began ripping her clothes off. When he pulled down her bodice and her white breast popped out I almost stumbled.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ40cfty3D
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXwGcNcwVU
I ran to the alley while slipping my hand through the leather strap attached to the night stick. I turned into the alley as he was lifting her skirts, I could see her milky white thighs. I flicked out the night stick and it flashed out and made contact to his shoulder. He grunted and turned toward me, I noticed his size, he was a good ten inches taller than I was and he held a large knife in his hand.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtVdXBKCHv
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW2r1C6eU6
I flicked the nightstick again the handle appeared to be headed for his face he put up his knife hand. The handle reached the length of the strap, the handle came to a stop. Inertia caused a pendulum effect and the end of the nightstick was on a collision course with his manhood which was in view. He was ready to take advantage of the lady. Then contact was made he screamed and went down. I rapped him across the back of the head and he went down and out.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSefFWt1n1D
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn0m1T3419
The lady hadn't seen any thing her dress was still over her head. Momentarily I admired her wares, the first I had ever seen, oh well. I helped her up and directed her back to the square and told her to scream for a guard. While she followed my direction I slipped into the crowd and vanished.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlcEVz0FeC
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4YBHL7WHw
The next day it was all over the square about the gallant rescuer of a Noble Lady that was almost raped.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7kzzgGXqd
The rapist had been captured but the gallant rescuer had disappeared. The Noble Lady's Father had offered a reward. Many attempts were made to collect it but none had the real story. I had kissed her inner thigh almost to the VEE before helping her up.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wztbAKGPC
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07wvUXWpwm
I often followed her when she came to the Market, but she never knew. I often thought of the musky smell I had been near and how I was drawn … I knew I had no chance with her not only was she of Noble birth but she was at least eight years my senior.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs95jIZ4Iis
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wfzmFZ2mE
I began watching Mira more often and noticed the small protrusions on her chest. One day our group was outside the gate and romping through the woods and I fell in to the river. It was in a small cove where the water ran slow as to be gentle. To be truthful it was our swimming hole and we would have ended up there sooner or later. The next thing I knew the rest of them were in the water also. We played for hours then crawled out to enjoy the afternoon sun. Without thinking we all stripped off our shirts and laid them out to dry.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcV47ARipr
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz7iu9y4oW
We were all laughing and joking till Mira raised back up from spreading her shirt as she set back she put her hands behind her and stretched with her eyes closed. Suddenly everyone went quite her breast with nipples the size of the 1st joint of a pinkie finger was standing proudly. None of us, except me, had ever seen a bare chested girl before.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAxbePW86T
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nc2iKUsBJ
Mira noticed the silence and opened her eyes and saw every one looking at her she said, “What?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N6y4o6yll
She looked at each one of us the others were to enraptured to say anything. She looked at me, I nodded my head and stared at her nipples again. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvcMs6pKy1
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAp54G9ty8
She looked down at her chest and her face turned Red and she put her arm across her chest and grabbed her shirt, turned her back and put her shirt back on. Sneaker couldn't leave it alone and asked, “Where did you get those, they sure are pretty.” We all nodded.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHafvivhkX
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd0JpkXJlm
Mira jumped up and ran back to the City gate. Before following I had to explain all I knew about the birds and the bees. By the time we reached the gate they knew as much as me... which was almost nothing.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXJ94WbBuq
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHfCj6xzAk
Chapter 5758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukVoobUfbJ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAIYWFqZRp
The years flew by and we grew up, Sneaker was still under 5' and could still get into small places. Bean was close to 6'5'' and still skinny but still quite strong. Lump was 6'2'' and weighed 220 all solid muscle. Mira was a vision her bosom was the size of small grapefruits. Her red hair appeared to be flames while her freckles were just enticing, this delectable package was on a 5'3'' frame. Her ears .had become more noticeable and cause many fights. I had grown a little as well I was 6' even and weighed 220 and no fat. I was 17.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNBBe0l2Km
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTwXmS8dOh
John Mare De Louis had become a fat slob and his rule was becoming heavy handed on the people of the realm.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqtCdXHjD8
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsxsC6sfRJ
One day the Elder called me to his office and said, “The time has come the people are repressed and have been taxed till they can hardly buy food. The City Guards favor the masses but the palace guards seems to lean toward brutality.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAV7zvcLJo
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq2P22LyIM
After listening to the Elder I began to plan. The first thing was a whisper campaign I had my core group start the rumors.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiZ4FofnGh
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCmZXN57cK
“Have you heard, the real king has come of age, and he is not pleased with his Uncle. He is raising an army to reclaim his throne.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoIOBlNomw
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVaa8syhF1
There were a large number of break-ins at Nobles and Merchants homes. It seemed odd that it was only the supporters of the Regent who were hit the hardest. A little Redheaded Elf paid a visit to the Bramble Wood elves. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ILWe40tNZ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2k4ZmX5kd
A caravan consisting of two wagons pulled by huge draft horses. Wagon one was occupied by the Red headed Elf. The second by the Wizard Elder. The rest of us walked it took us a week to reach the border between Dulciana and Bramble Wood. There we stopped and set up camp. We made no overt moves in fact other than a night stick (mine) and a Staff (Elders) we carried no weapons. We all were a little uncomfortable in the fancy clothes the Elder had supplied. That is all but Mira she reveled in the finery she was dressed in today. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGOpBBW0O1
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlNoClGJRZ
Each day as we made this trek that begun with six people. Each day others joined us, by the time we reached the border we were Two hundred fifty strong with more arriving daily. The Elder used his Magic only to provide food for the masses.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jBkbPor0p
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeERJ22fjQn
We waited at the border for four days. On the morning of the fifth day three Elves appeared in front of Mira's tent. Mira invited them into her tent and sent word to the Elder and I to join her. I entered the tent and stood behind Mira. While awaiting the Elder I observed the Elven party. Each was blond with hair to the shoulders, their noses were almost pointed. The stand out feature was their eyes, they seem to penetrate deeply into the soul of the person before them. All three of them were locked onto Mira not even acknowledging that I was even there.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErgtjFUva1
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSACsz2Pwt
They remained so until the Elder entered. He they acknowledged and slightly bowed. The Elder nodded and moved behind Mira next to me.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L3pG8RpZ8
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlfKljRrAF
Mira spoke, “The rightful King of Dulciana has come of age and seeks an alliance to over throw the Usurper John Mare De Louis. I am Admira cousin to king Felies ruler of Bramble Wood. I by my own choice have lived in Dulciana to keep the peace between the two lands.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9kvxWWmBx
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3edmsFPGZI
“ The time has come to declare your recognition of the True King of Dulciana and to bring out the treaty of Bayer Bridge which our two countries vowed to support each other.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaWo0cC2bP
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6x5CrIFYg
The Three Elves, none looking to be over twenty, huddled together. Then one stepped forward, “I am Admiran brother of Admira and Cousin to King Felis. To my right is Sir Slender Shoot in Command of the Palace Guards. To my left, Prince Felieson, Crown Prince of Bramble Wood. Heed my words we have reluctantly kept our side ot the treaty of Bayer Bridge. All though it has been trying, John Mare has continued to raise tariffs for the goods we have imported to Dulciana. It has been almost useless to trade with them.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X6RtLRDv3
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1el2KxRFWr
Mira looked at me. I nodded, She stated, This will be evaluated and an agreed on tariff will be set for each lands imports.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbZjr3ryAn
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlhU34c7Y9
Admiran continued, “How do we know the rightful King is prepared to agree and that he is ready.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdN3O3KHea
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2GjtMZpdL
“Take our delegation before the King and all will be made clear.” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXYSm5ZIgB
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIdw1zO0bv
The Elves again huddled together, Admiran stepped forward, “ You will have our answer before the third Sun sets.” They turned and left the tent an the camp.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVoQsBk3Sm
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdBj8ThtZY
“Well what do you think, I said as I paced inside the tent.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExHQgzx687
The Elder as usual played his cards close to his chest and Mira said “I guess we will have to wait and see.” *******758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B976MXxbU
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT7RA1rmHz
The Elf delegation wasted no time before they were in the presence of King Felies. They bowed to the King but he waved it way … “Yes, Yes, what did they say ?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCUrRjuwGo
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQBRqM4Efm
Prince Felieson acted as their spokesman, “Father they said that if they were brought before you, all would be made clear. I think the young man is the rightful King. Our cousin Admira is to confidant for that not to be the case.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3EsyIVvlc
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbtGfb8zQ5
King Felies asked them if they were aware of why Admira was raised in Dulciana. They all nodded “NO.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0ceR4cN8X
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8mq8jzX1U
Chapter 6758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaB098GdM7
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwHxLvwCvj
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3hyaqWALC
The “Treaty of Bayer Bridge”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6VMynJLtU
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJRCeGSZHu
King Felies leaned back from the table and looked steadily at King Duval De Louis the ruler of Dulciana. They had been discussing the terms of the treaty which would make their friendship official. The final codicil of the treaty would be the eventual joining of the two family's. King Duval had a new born Grandson. King Felies had a female cousin In the direct line the two were bound to each other. She and her Mother would live in Dulciana and be raised with the Crown Prince's son. When he came of age they would be married.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SRhoqc1dE
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt71Lq9reG
Two years later King Duval and his son were dead...and the grandson was missing. King Felies did the best he could with the Treaty. He was still hoping the rightful ruler was still alive. And Now....758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9U7VshGQH
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxFO3NQ7ZP
King Felies told his son, “Yes bring them before me.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhYSDQhp7y
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOJ3TtwbDC
*****758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflkTwFwlCZ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr3r45jW4G
Mira had been aware of Rafe's identity for years. Once when they were swimming in the river she had seen the Medallion and recognized the Dragon of gold with green eyes. She kept her silence, she was aware of the Treaty and that she was promised to Rafe. She had always known …758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkjcqpvG1e
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYkdzvXiI1
She looked toward Rafe and smiled ….758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYmWfjFctT
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW92PWBFiUs
There was a loud noise out side of the tent and people yelling a head was shoved into the tent and an Elf yelled, “Quickly you have to get across the Bridge. Dulciana's Army is on the march.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2M4Iy0iAS
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxd4d1cfAJ
We all rushed across the bridge only to be swallowed up by the Elven Army. A squad of them took down the tents and hitched the wagons and brought it all across the bridge. Then the Elven Army lined their side of the border. At the Bridge itself was a group of Elven Mages Led by the wizard Elder.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrPHL9sSEx
An Elf walked to the center of the Bridge with a paint brush and bucket of paint, He drew a line three inches wide and wrote Dulciana on their side of the line and Bramble Wood on the other.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDaSY0unvk
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xkErJvish
In less than an hour the Dulciana Army came into view. Nearer and nearer they came till they were at the bridge. The Baron who was leading the Army walked to the center of the bridge and was close to stepping over the line when the elves on the bridge lowered there Lances toward the Baron's chest. He stopped and backed up. Only then did he notice the freshly painted border. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwdUxNIDhr
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc8P3nyZws
The Elven Commander asked the Baron, “What business do you have in Bramble Wood.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBZk31i9I0
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NcQSySxIf
The Baron stated, “I have been dispatched to arrest a traitor.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Tlm0zRJ5U
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbRJUCH9Xt
“And just who is this traitor and what did he do?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRM2O8eCz1
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQyKU7QYmf
“ I am not sure of his actual ID but he is one of four street kids, and as to what he actually did I don't know. What I do know is he is wanted by the King John Mare De Louis.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV96dwyMdO
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD7Lh6aKxW
The Commander smiled, “As you can see we have near 300 refugees and at least 50 of them fits that category. But first King Felies has informed me he does not Recognize anyone named John Mare De Louis as any thing... except as a criminal.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRqTDfoSLA
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrfeZSkLl3
“I advise you to turn this ragtag bunch around before My archers lose their strength and loose the 100 arrows that are aimed at you and yours.” “ On the Count of ten My Lancers are going to clear this Bridge.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigoUN692XC
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUWv6HXLP2
The Baron began to back away from the bridge and set up camp. He set up a bridge watch at the Dulciana bridge end. The Elves did the same at their end. Traffic was not stopped on the Bridge but was closely scrutinized.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiJjJPH7B5
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOWrlzuYuB
A messenger was received at Mira's tent and she was informed that King Felies was ready to receive them.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl3h7Np7Hp
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFs1f3qoAZ
A few hours later they were ushered in to King Felies's presence. King Felies asked for introductions.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNkWVMAOco
Mira stated, “I you know but I am Admira Cousin to you King Felies and promised to Rafter De Louis.” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6VSD3zVn8
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwiJjaB9Ut
Rafe's mouth dropped wide open not in disappointment, just surprise.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9eLQHBpNB
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGskpWYEsl
Mira continued, “You also know the Wizard Elder, The rather small gent is Lonnie Better known as Sneaker. Next to hin is Silas Better known as Bean, Next to him is Tom also known as Lump. Last but not least is Rafter De Louis, known as The Rapper or Rafe or just RD. The rightful King of Dulciana.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJypw2iGlsi
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqVgn59QP6
All of his friends were mouth agape never suspecting their friend was a Royal. King Felies says, Lets see proof.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiDvdrBQKG
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXlZr6jSj1
Rafe stepped forward and reached inside his Tunic and removed the medallion...The green eyes of the gold dragon transfixed all who saw it. All of Rafe's friends dropped to their knees and bowed before him. He told them to stop bowing it made him uncomfortable.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDkSwBsNPT
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexfLiUxPKG
“ I was raised by The Elder and by Mamma Ceil, My mother was Rebecca and my Father was Crown Prince Duvalson, Son of King Duval De Louis. Both were killed by Assassin Haver by order of John Mare De Louis.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m13Qf27Xl
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pEhdXZMsf
Word has been sent to the Cardinal that I have come of age.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1wmzLuwgF
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1yemwupRC
“I accept the betrothal of Admira, I looked at Mira and she was blushing and smiling, Wedding to take place after I am crowned.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQwgAJGg2q
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsy6ro4KY8
I turned back to King Felies and asked, “Sire what say yee?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRJis7ViiT
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIpYssZudR
He looked to the Elder, “Elder what is your story?” ********758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d2prp8zBA
Chapter 7758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtj3DnJ4n9
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntp2RkZaoW
Elder's Story758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12usmyTNEY
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TxGfA30au
“ I will first tell Mama Ceil”s story. I was folding clothes in a tent out side the village of Collie while my charge Rafter De Louis played on the floor. My mistress Princess Rebecca rushed in and told me John Mare's men were searching every tent. She said I was to take Rafter to the elder. She removed the medallion from her neck and placed it on Rafter's neck and told him never ever lose it ..He was three.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3EPxCjt17
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xrM1mAl3H
“He and I crawled through a tear in the rear of the tent. We slid out and down to the river which was near. I waded out in the river and holding Rafter I turned on my back with Rafter between my breast we floated down the river.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNYuPxc9Zz
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoXgMhwZo3
“We neared the Bayer Bridge, I directed us to the Dulciana bank. We followed the roadway although we stayed in the forest. There were merchants traveling along the road which allowed me to snitch enough food to keep us going. It took us almost two weeks to make our way to the Elder's Keep. We arrived near the hour of noon but waited till almost dusk before knocking and asking for the Elder.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz0yU7AzII
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmMkE8g1go
Elder 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nZtqBuoAb
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUoTLsOHhI
“ I was enjoying a glass of ale when I heard a pounding on the door of the keep I was alone my compatriots were all on errands. There was not many of us to begin with. I am Mage Sabron but called Elder. Also abiding in the Keep was Mage Aquinas, Mage Arture, Arture's apprentice Jody and their cook/maid, May.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoKIX1ikO9
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5QpiXlgP9
I went to the door and opened it to find a woman and a babe, they both were filthy. “Yes can I help you.” The woman spoke.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qqA1fcsLE
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4MywOM2rn
“My Mistress Rebecca said that the time would come and we was to come to the Keep and here we are.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgGI17pOgu
I said , “Well yes you are but who are you and time for what.” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3csgjhYeI
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6aSrmYtZ6
The Woman's face turned red and she stammered and stuttered and then said, “Oh I forgot Rafe show him the medallion”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTCMd9XFCN
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwWrnqUNUi
The boy pulled out the medallion, I got flustered and told him to put it away and pushed them into the keep. I made him a leather bag to put the medallion in it had a drawstring so it kept the medallion covered. Mama Ceil helped May in the kitchen until she came down with the Ague and died I think the boy was about eight. By that time he was already the protector of the weak. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjbDv0HRwT
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z32hSkTxx
“I knew he had a magic background so I began to train him. To insure he learned everything I also recruited all his friends so they also have been schooled except in magic. I did not try to influence them but allowed them to view the world and to make up their on minds. I am proud to say the weak and downtrodden have always been taken care of by these few. They also learned from the street and learned to bypass the cruel. “758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyJAtpo9Ky
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYCsxCD1Bv
“One other thing Look at him closely. Now the picture that was painted at the signing of the Bayer Bridge. Look close at his Grandfather.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOGk1xoeld
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKtE4LaGp8
Every one turned to the picture hanging on the wall. It looked like an older Rafe. The elder said, That is all I have to say.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY47k9rDXOh
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUmVVvhjHU
King Felies thought about all that he had been told and all he had seen. He remembered his friends voice and was surprised to hear that voice coming out of this young man. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4Ns31kPXI
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32D2PXdnsJ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dfoHjXMM7
The King rang for a page and told him make ready rooms for my party. I stopped him and told him that we have over 250 followers at the River I will stay with them, my friends nodded that they agreed.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQzgUt0hSl
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFEM7gqHJ2
We departed for the camp. As soon as we arrived the Baron was asking to speak with me. I met him at the center of the bridge.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0AvOMY2oH
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfmXZnmC2z
“Might I see the Medallion.” I removed it from my tunic. He stared at it. “I must do some thinking I was sure you were dead and with that thought in mind to try and protect my people. He asked and I gave my oath. Now I know not what to do.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbNm5cP2GQ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PexlSwnvx
I looked deep into his heart and said, “I am sure the right decision will be made. In fact I would bet there will be a lot of soul searching going on.” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6FTOxTmgy
I heard a noise and looked over my shoulder to see a contingent of the Elven Army began lining the River. Their Commander walked onto the bridge and Handed the Baron a scroll. He opened it and read aloud. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeCwTazo2H
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHglNJEofS
To John Mare De Louis, “We the kingdom of Bramble Wood do here by recognize the rightful King of Dulciana ' Rafter De Louis'.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHQovXX3id
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoygN1ugr3L
In so doing I King Felies place the Army of Bramble Wood as his to Command.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslWTIzmY2D
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGbJIJTUpV
The is a formal Declaration of War, Not with Dulciana but with the armies of the Usurper John Mare De Louis. You are here by given Five Days to answer .758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY42Mrtzhi4
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlIbLMr565
Signed: King Felies 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv625L9Ztaw
Ruler of the Kingdom of Elves Known as Bramble Wood 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewPiZ8imEM
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wgBKSD4H5
*******758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw9VGKkhqy
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvSdKduxQF
The Baron ordered his men to fall in... and departed at once... The Baron called his fastest runner and gave him the scroll to deliver to the Regent.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC03VDTZ0h
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstpoQO3Fse
Upon reaching the crossroad, straight was to Dulci, right was to his Land Holdings. Baron Phelps hesitated then called a halt. He called all his Officers to a meeting.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO8v9Mvlkj
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWmLnMxv0V
He looked to each one, some had been with him for years and some just a short time. “Our long lost King Rafter De Louis has come of age and is demanding his rightful place, to the dismay of the regent. A few years ago I gave an oath to the Regent.” He noticed some shuffling and whispering among them. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3NoYBvxl6
“Twenty years ago I also gave my Oath to defend the Crown. Since the Crown belongs with Rafter De Louis and not the Regent that is the oath I must honor.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMHDKnd7bw
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ8PnVuRRU
“Any of you who wish to be absolved from your oath to me and wish to follow the Regent is free to do so. But first I wish you to speak these words to your men. I leave for my home in one hour. All who wish to honor their oaths can follow. All who wish to follow the Regent may depart with honor.” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW6p4153sf
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15hoo5n37G
The Baron's Page lay a cloak in the shade of a mighty Oak. The Baron sat and leaned back and closed his eyes. From the noises he was hearing there must be quite a discussion going on. After a few minutes … nothing but silence. He nodded off to sleep.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6pYp7CoAq
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgtekT52pr
Until his page gently shook him, “Baron the hour has past.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue1FfdzSgp
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamQnNVZAM1
The Baron opened his eyes to see all his troops lined up and prepared to move out on the path to the right. He stood walked to his horse and said, “Very Well Mount UP.” He tried to hide his emotion as he brushed a wayward tear from his eye.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHZU2d5WOy
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD3jcDSFcw
“Messenger, take this Message to King in Waiting Rafter De Louis. We the men of Baron Phelps Stand to your right.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U5S8QN4rY
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuwp5eUev5
Even before the Baron could reach his estate the power of gossip had raised its ugly head. It had been shouted throughout the lands that Baron Phelps Favored the King in Waiting. As he rode into the grounds of the Estate there were messengers from his fellow Nobles wishing to confirm his decision. Some were condemning him but most were aligning with him and offering their help.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1zAxjQaDx
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkpZC0UFFe
******758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJBs28wTeH
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegvYOu0aMy
I stepped out of the tent to a blast of noise . I was almost stunned, overnight the supporters had increased to over a thousand men and women. There was also a line of messengers awaiting his attention. One by one he read the messages. The list of support by the Nobles was staggering. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Baron Phelps had been the first to issue his support. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8vSVgGTCw
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwi3L0bSSQ
I sent message to them all accepting their support and asking them to Join me for a meeting and to bring their second in command as well. The Elves set up tents and supplied food stuffs. We searched through our people and was soon able to fill the tents with cooks and kitchen help.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tmiw7bA4v
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5USDMm83tr
Bean and Sneaker began interviewing our masses. It took over two weeks to establish what each was good at. The first and most important was Scouts and Runners. It was a welcome to know we had a core group to train others. They consisted of twelve lancers and eight archers all thanks to the City Guard. They were led by the Captain of the Guard I smiled when I learned they had brought the entire armory of the City Guards. I had the Captain set up companies and squads and begin training. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnmw1qo3ZE
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Cjc0SHtUb
It wasn't long till the ladies were making vests with a Green Eyed Gold Dragon in the center on a field of blue. I was even more surprised when a spar was erected and a silk flag of Blue with the same Dragon represented. I never knew where the material came from.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLDMAbFYWI
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsS4pSu9QM
I was most surprised by the lack of response from John Mare. I had sent scouts into Dulci and awaited their return. Days later I had my answer. There was desention in the ranks and mass desertions. It was said he was hanging his own men. I guess you could say there was a trust issue.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XTGPhOnVk
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBw8ElQ1Tw
According to the Scouts What was left were mercenary s and men who were just there for the money with no real desire for the sake of the Kingdom.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacbShZ1uOE
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRpijXS31n
Chapter 8758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFy3nVw9xx
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53bRYiKB48
So this is war.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVRvKSUkK8
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHOuHU5pIq
With the support of the Nobles and the peoples of the land we had an Army of about 10,000 strong. We knew we would be facing about 30,000 all better armed.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb1C44Shn3
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTVe1HmyA0
Lump surprised us all, he had a real gift of strategy. He told me we were missing and important item... Supply lines. Which were open to Dulci from the South. I assigned him a troop of fifty mounted men and named them Tom's Raiders. They traversed the miles to Dulcianas Southern border. They carried few supplies, which meant either make successful raids, live off the land or starve.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzWMHAr5ie
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoZdVnCG6b
******758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuNR5rUwBU
Tom's Raiders758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i1912X3ed
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWtSUClLgu
Lump, Tom, Lead his Raiders south never coming in sight of any road except when it was necessary to cross one. They scouted the roads entering Dulciana from Langdom to the south and to Arrington to the East. Their fourth day they heard the squeaking of the axles of a heavily loaded wagon. As the wagon with five outriders entered the clearing which was ringed by the raiders. When they were completely inside the clearing, including the 4 outriders at the rear..758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsOoHkxCZK
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EjYfRkOW4
The archers stepped out of the bushes with their Bows fully drawn. Lump spoke, “ Well gentlemen please lay down your weapons and step away from them. You two on the wagon get down. Please lay face down on the ground with arms and legs spread.” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5elUno1TEj
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOuH9Q7tKL
Each were checked over and knives and night sticks removed from their person. Their hands and feet were bound. Lump placed two men in the wagon and started it onto Bramble Wood Border.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1djFePVI4b
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqObqu5J4n
“I am sure it will not take you long to free your self. I suggest you turn back to Langdom and not return. If you had put up a fight all of you would now be dead and we would have all regretted it. But none more than you.” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9cvDQKaj9
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXpdV4o5ZO
Lump had given orders for the wagon to move as fast as it comfortably could toward the rest of the army. They were also prepared to ride like the dickens at the crossroads to Dulci. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4MPlKcC7Z
He was not aware that there was a squad on watch near the cross road Which escorted them the rest of the way.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgYsH8Gaqi
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfOm0Mo3yC
Each day they would watch an incoming road and were averaging at least I shipment a week.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlHYHcWSCd
Dulciana sent out troops to try to protect the incoming supplies. The raiders ambushed them and wiped them out to a man.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj5mX5AgJ2
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRD0O73TMd
After a month the Dulciana Army began to move. We nipped at their heels and ran away. When they chased us we would ambush them. Their losses was about 10 to 1 of ours. Theirs was an Army while ours was a bunch of skirmishers or back alley fighters... We didn't fight fair.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU13QYXsUo
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OfgXqf0CI
John Mare brought in Mages from Drummond which was to the North west We wondered what he was promising them. The Elder had warded our raiders against magic. We attacked their rear with arrows then rode away. The Mages were frustrated when their spells returned toward them and they had to go on defense against their own spells. We found out later that John Mare had not told them anything about the Elder supporting us and he knew nothing about me, and that I too knew magic.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJFkBJyfLS
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKjr4FC3dB
*****758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMmJqtxGm2
With out informing most of my officers or King Felies I left camp with four scouts and Mage Arture. Our plan was to sneak as close as we could to Baron Ronin's HQ tent. Baron Ronin had designated himself as General Ronin.His only thing that qualifed him to be a General was... he was the richest Noble in the Kingdom. Also the most arrogant and the least knowledgeable of how to run an army.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6517e1iZ2T
His officers were getting very frustrated.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgdGQugWsb
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLyo5hHIYO
I cast my mind into the tent. As usual there was an argument going on. Captain Cross of the Palace guards and Major Nells of the Dulciana Army were already at their wits end. It was impossible to get through to General Ronin that you could not attack some one who was already gone. The General decided they would leave a squad of Calvary behind. Then when the Raiders slipped in behind they could attack and wipe them out.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqEeq0PUAJ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC1B6tAyYa
When we arrived back at the Camp, we made our own plans. Rather than attacking the rear we honed in on the right flank. We held back a reserve and when his trailing Calvary came around to attack our raiders they were met with our reserves and a hail of arrows. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLD9zY2g1K
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNb2Bl9qUl
To embarrass them more Sneaker slipped in and stole the Dulciana Flag. We hoisted it up the spar where our Dragon flag flew. It was flown second to our Dragon.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVcTXg4x9L
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvSf16iKJL
It would have been simple to take out General Ronin. But he was their worst enemy so we left him alone.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWmzWXirAi
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP0oyUYhiV
*****758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmEcc7C9RF
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EkIgYhS6f
King Felies was very incensed when he discovered my scouting foray. “What in the world did you mean by leading that scouting party? Kings don't lead raids they direct from the back ground.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1hSH5QHd6
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudchvlaXXP
I looked at him and smiled, “ As yet I am not a King, and I do not follow...I lead... by example.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6OIqvl0Y4
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiUfcjfY7N
I talked with Mira and Sneaker, Mira had an idea to scare the hell out of Dulciana troops. For three days one tent was a beehive of activity and only a certain few were allowed in. Late on the third day Mira walked out of the tent and nodded to me. Three of the smaller scouts who were experts in stealth and Sneaker all entered that tent... nothing else happened. Soon it was forgotten. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhApiwLd1WD
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56oizY02tc
*****758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HSW8XnFm3
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDei88uGcv
The camp of Baron Ronin began to stir....Then it turned into a male storm... Each was holding and looking at a small piece of parchment. Baron walked out of his tent also holding a piece of parchment , demanding to know who was responsible for the parchment.... 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOZCewHsli
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx8KaLfpys
He looked back down at his which was on a piece of rawhide and was around his neck. The parchment had a drawing of a dagger and the words you could be dead ...next time for real. He started screaming where are the guards... they were found with their throats cut and a piece of parchment held to their chest by a dagger.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ956HeHxnhF
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1m4bJjXaQ
For the next week there were desertions and some worn out soldiers that appeared to have not slept for awhile. Every night someone was killed in their sleep and Baron Ronin collected another piece of parchment.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnJ4PWPaBo
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65LU3cHDCs
Before the last part of the plan could be put into play Assassin Haver had his try. I began getting reports of a black clad figure fliting in and out of tents around camp... In some cases there was a body to go along with the report. Elder immediately said an assassin I added Haver.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1ceGBQRJn
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbX9I60Iu0
I begin to browse with my mind...near evening time I started to pick up traces of Haver. I turned in about 11 pm. At about 2 am I said, “ NOW ! “758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEKw1MGfTg
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRjrnod7b5
Sneaker removed the cover from a lamp and light blazed into the unsuspecting eyes of Haver. Elder stepped into the tent and enwraped Haver in magical restraints. Haver tried to turn his head towards me and spit. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAI0PHGqWU
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nLOZWOvJy
I was expecting something of the sort and sent a magical force into his face which cause him to swallow what he tried to spit at me. He began to gasp and his face began to have a bluish tint and he crumpled. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1vr8XHcTR
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDboJgkB8is
Elder checked him over and said he was dead. He and I using our magic and not touching the body carried the body to a cairn outside of camp which we had prepared earlier in the day. We placed the body on the cairn and set the pyre alight. First we warned everyone in camp to stay away and especially not to breathe the smoke.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ss5BO0Us
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sU0qzTrE0
Chapter Nine758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gqVjvryD2
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5SvGAdhKQ
The two army's had been camped close for weeks each trying to be an irritant to the other. It was almost a war of attrition. But we had plans, and I assume they did too. We just had to be first.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6c2H0GkXC
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMyJGsWLNw
On the first day of Winters Chill... Baron Ronin awoke to silence, he dressed and threw back the tent flaps To find himself facing Sil Slender Shoot and Silas Bean. It was almost amazing when the soft spoken Bean unleashed his true vocalizations of his stately rich baritone voice.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLih2etMib
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVcDPF1oY6
“General Ronin You are surrounded by the forces of free Dulci and the army of Bramble Woods.. For your treasonous acts you are hereby stripped of all land and titles and exiled with only the clothes on your back. Or you will be put to death by hanging...I almost forgot if you accept option one...and ever decide to return. Option two is automatically enforced. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDQFPasYnR
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePUuZYBgV7
Ex Baron Ronin was escorted by Tom's raiders to the border of Langdom. He was pushed across the border begging for at least a horse... which he did not get.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUdmTxGiII
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ofPtnyvWA
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarrjvqGZx3
With the addition of Baron Phellps army, our Volunteers and the Army of Bramble Wood we decided it was time to take the war to John Mare758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIwcim1hDU
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWgFu6VlLe
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yDRdNvEKE
King Filies called a meeting and after much discussion we came to a decision... We wished to make them worry as well as to pay. We decided to make it seem as if we were on parade. We put up a facade of joyous playing around. As if we had not a care in the world. The truth was we had thousands of mouths to feed.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhSvak2J5g
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L2HY03WUt
In each camp the Elder assigned an apprentice who fed the troops by magic with platters of piping hot food. Our daily marches were short not starting till near 10 am and stopping nigh 4 pm.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIL24i3hfh
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2GOHERhqD
On the third day John Mare's army took the bait. They moved up to attack as we would be making camp for the evening. What they didn't expect was before they could get the word to attack...Arrows came flying out of the trees all around them.. They lost over a hundred and sixty men that day and the surrender of fifty more758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNgSme8t8o
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8Tl7jynTZ
They thought they had laid the perfect ambush of an unwary group. When in essence they had been missing one detail. First a number of scouts would search out the next nights camp ground. Only one would return to act as guide.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiWqMDoX9b
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud3ZVxlcjD
Second as dusk began to fall a troop of about fifty men would peel off into the night. They would go to the next nights camping area and prepare an ambush. When John Mare's soldiers moved through they did not realized they were passing with in inches of our men. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXh5BbGIXC
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLIXoJ74uY
There was a watch kept on their Officers and the attack came before he could give his orders to attack the camp. From our positions we were driving them toward the camp where they were met by... Number three, a well placed group of lancers.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8W3OZMWoS
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUK3nXhNT0
We lost three injured and two dead..... We heard their Army was disgruntled and saying things like we don't fight fair.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQPWGxC480
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwFQt3zRFT
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvBtU8uNNY
*****758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoslxJpwQlf
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLucFDw2Dfh
The days turned into a week before the walls of Dulciana loomed into sight The buildings outside the walls were empty758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehEOVAovRo
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r5ImaggRq
I rode up to the Gate “John Mare come out and face me... You have been trying to kill me for over 17 years.... “ I heard a swishing noise and a soldier's body hit the ground in front of me. I glanced to the side . Admiran was notching another arrow... he smiled. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MsQzMhC57
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXVDhrKA89
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQvaXvlvDE
We had scouts in trees, not close enough to make an attack of any sort but they were not there for that purpose. They were there to observe and report. Each scout had a long glass and watched and re ported the gathering of John Mare's mercenary Army. Soon we would engage.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS533sMn9h
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunU6vGCagb
Again we used subterfuge … we grew up in that town and all of us knew how to enter and leave without being seen. Again the Wizards Keep played an important part. In the basement of the Keep was a secret passageway that opened into the tack room of the barn in the Smithy. The Smithy and corral was just inside the wall of the town. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjklzXjl9W
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p353NL4jV
Once inside we could scatter throughout the town. Our first night, Lump, Bean and Sneaker went in checking the access. The second night each of them led a group of fifteen men each, our stealth fighters. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzYaJr8qSX
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbvMzRy8Z0
They hit the barracks and the guard shack near the North and south gate. They set fire to the barracks then attacked the soldiers as they tried to escape. They never knew what hit them nor how to respond. This was our manner of harassment for two weeks. John Mare's troops were tired but afraid to sleep. They were making mistakes, just what we were waiting for. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS3EdP77fu
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKue2uiMnW3
The next thing was to take out the guards on the west wall, open the gate and to fill the square with our troops all before John Mare's Army awakens.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkhhLvUbG8
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUwUYNlZoL
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxvHx1FAZv
****758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpQfWQBOYj
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLY8lO8OeZ
John Mare De Louis awoken to men shouting and the clatter of weapons falling to the ground. He rolled out of bed and looked at his empty table and was instantly angry. That lazy Perdon was late with his Breakfast again. He pulled his bell chime cord angrily three times.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILbjXHX4Ok
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqzkd790Al
On the third pull his door opened...He was all set to rail against Perdon when he saw that the two men entering his chambers were armed and their Sashes were the colors of Green and Gold. Not his Red and Black he rushed to his weapons. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJz8RxRdFW
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs4K69Lkqi
They smiled and one of them said, “ By all means arm thy self Just as Crown Prince Rafter desires you.We are here to escort you to the battle yard. “758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrXyMxqdDr
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ClzkYLrSZ
John Mare grabbed a lance, his Sword and a brace of throwing knives. Thinking to himself, “This kid has never had any training with weapons...What chance does he have against me, a sword master.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80S6BSDTVY
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE6GNyrQmM
** Truth be known John Mare was not near as good as he thought...I mean seriously if you are practicing with an unstable King just how hard are you going to try to win.**758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekoMSlWCtV
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKOnVidFax
Bean and Lump escorted John Mare to the Battle yard. He entered and found himself alone he looked above at the viewing area... it was full of Men, Women and Elves. The 1st face he recognized was the Chancellor the second the Cardinal.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNoudffNGd
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0XGz4Zy93
Chapter Ten.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoiTvTzLSb
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauYNwBmGVs
The door began to open, John Mare drew his sword, he was ready.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRQfGkYWTm
He almost burst out laughing...The young man who entered, he assumed was his nephew, was only armed with a nightstick dangling from a rawhide cord.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0GtotvjLM
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FcCAK70Y1
“Good Morning Uncle... I was told I had to give you a chance, Thus I chose to face you with a nightstick. Since I don't wish to kill you, only beat you senseless I thought it only fitting.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRgJTN95Ue
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkUL18ncd2
John Mare smirked and said, “Quit crying and lets get on with it so I can eat breakfast.” All the time he had been talking he was moving towards Rafe. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi3SqjcLyC
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMld61GsPg
As he drew near and was ready to swing his sword. Rafe's nightstick struck like a snake hitting the knuckles of the hand holding the sword which clattered to the ground. The audience roared. John Mare was stunned not seeming to understand what had happened.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrbX9BbPec
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PxL3Uojcd
Rafe backed off to allow him to pick up his sword. Never taking his eyes off Rafe, John Mare reached for his sword. Thinking Rafe a fool he again started forward. He had taken two steps when the nightstick flicked out again and caressed his elbow... His arm went numb and his sword again fell to the floor.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObsTkF60L1
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK4Z6U0b4p
John Mare realized the sword was useless. He lowered the lance he had been holding in his left hand. Rafe was watching his every move. When John Mare made his thrust, at the last instant Rafe stepped to the side and flicked out the nightstick it met John Mare's chin with a cracking sound.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qtPM3w6Jk
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQan55ZKx75
John Mare was so keyed up he didn't seem to realize his jaw was broken. He swept the lance to ward Rafe who stepped back and loosed his nightstick. John Mare thought he was prepared and whipped his head back. Again the fulcrum effect took over and the nightstick took the lower path. The only thing that saved his manhood is that he had turned his body. The nightstick struck his left thigh bruising it deeply.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21HRJaoI2f
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19zSna3ajR
John Mare was finding it difficult to stand. He retained the lance but was now using it as a cane. Rafe flicked out the nightstick again in the direction of John Mare's left wrist. He retaliated by swinging the lance butt striking Rafe in the rib cage, cracking a couple of ribs. Rafe missed with his attack. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAL7rQoBBI
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a5ttC2sEq
John Mare tried to follow up on his good fortune, pull his dagger and lunged forward. The night stick was already on the way headed for his manhood. John Mare's lunge put his head in the way and the night stick caught him square in the forehead and down he went.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3K7EuzDdB
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfv5rdc8ri
Rafe waited but there was no movement from John Mare, Sir Slender Shoot and his medical man Fever entered the Yard,. Fever felt for a pulse and nodded, yes there was a pulse he was just unconscious. Slender Shoot called for three men. They trussed John Mare up like a Christmas Turkey.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DyjTc7Uyi
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5isbwQLe7h
*****758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGrNpclFPL
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqwoLWek97
I looked up to the Audience and announced. “He will have a fair trial, “758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuE4TpYTZj
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNq44daqyD
I Looked around as they drug John Mare to the dungeon. “Runners take a message to Langdom, Drummond and Chelsea And any other near by Country we have dealings with, speak to the Chancellor, asking them to send a representative. To sit at this trial they must also have authority to negotiate Import export Tariffs. Also Must Represent their Country. In my Coronation and wedding to take place, I turned to the Chancellor and motioned...”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCDGQHfoG6
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknZLp2agEK
The Chancellor spoke quickly, “ Six Weeks for the trial and in two months for the festivities.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUFCyI7dHu
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUFnMYsNGk
“Also I wish a runner be sent to Mountain Home for a Dwarf representative to be here as well.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIsrLHUcDZ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCrnoS5pkM
Time seemed to drag even with all that had to be done, The household staff had the Palace to clean up and prepare for all the guests. It had been decided that the Coronation and the wedding would be held in the Court Yard so that all who wished could attend...after all I did grow up on the streets.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYTbLrJIsV
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrmN8Iw3Fs
I made a few appointments, Lonnie/Sneaker to head the Intelligence corp. Silas/Bean Secretary and Treasurer, Tom/Lump Head of the Palace Guards and Baron Phelps Commander General of the Army of Dulci.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas1JuN2BxX
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOGz3T8GeP
Six very active weeks went by and the Dwarfen Representative, Smash Stumpf Foot, had arrived. The trial began... “John Mare De Louis You are charged with High Treason and Regicide How do you plead.” 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHyoQkN75I
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CCJQoO4gD
John Mare stared around the Court room, “ How dare you . You have no right to try me I am a King...!”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjzoqi5dR4
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuDVY4QnZi
There was chuckles and noise from the spectators. King Felies shouted “S I L E N C E” As acting Judge and a King the silence was instanious. “We will take that as a not guilty plea.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhN498wtVx
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr3M4fzyio
The first witness was Mama Ciel's younger sister. “My name is Myra”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaNvZsPzFc
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tXJq7jDX7
The Chancellor, acting as Prosecutor asked her what she had to offer at this trial.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndWQzRcJUo
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxsDNekkcH
Myra's Story:758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5hlFxws0g
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwppiRGw5G
My Mother had been a Ladies Maid and my older sister was as well. My Mother died in child birth and my sister Ciel raised me. Ciel was Ladies maid to Princess Rebecca she spoiled me. I was always hiding and eavesdropping. She would laugh at the things I told her, she thought I was making them up. One day when I was seven and Prince Rafter was a Babe I overheard John Mare and a man he called Haver Talking.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHOZ37bVdf
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HsNYLV5xS
John Mare said “Haver I will give you 100 Gold to assassinate The King and his family.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmXhzJuRhh
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGQSXrsDFu
“How do you want it done?”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d9QAD8VPJ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhbB3LeBm6
“I don't care Make them pay but make sure you get the Medallion from around Duvalson's neck.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5PE1qhTGM
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QUVscqyoz
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZmIv14Mw0
I didn't understand what assassinate meant and I got sidetracked and went to play with my friends. Later I asked my sister what assassinate meant. She asked me why and I told her. She told Princess Rebecca and I had to tell the story again. Princess asked me if they said when.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycQFaV7iP9
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zWgU2qork
I said, “They said something about a boar hunt.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATifMVdeo6
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GQ6b750zO
Princess Rebecca got all excited and said “That is today.” She had Ciel grab a few things and they left the Palace. I never saw them again. “Later that evening a messenger brought John Mare a note saying the King and his Son was dead.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8gbnVVwnI
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcihgWhqRx
After that John Mare tried to get Crowned King But the Cardinal refused unless he had the Medallion proving he was the last of the family line.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9rpAsMlCM
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXws015YUx
“John Mare was ruthless he had servants beaten for no reason and he raped the castle ladies including me.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zh0AJBj0r
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLsovBeVCb
John Mare Leaped up and yelled it was his right to rape the women he was the king.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLqnZrxRDQ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Idpd18rQ
The Chancellor answered,” It was not your right and you are not and never have been King.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6dZITXpKq
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMdt5FD7Kb
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XZHBjAm5A
Many were called but none spoke for John Mare. It was really a farce as Trials goes. The verdict was known by everybody.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw43pS5AEJ
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqWhNgqkig
King Felis stood and told John Mare to rise. “John Mare De Louis you have been tried and convicted by a court of your Countrymen. You have been found guilty of High Treason, Regicide as well as later added Rape charge. I argued vehemently for the Death Penalty but soon to be King Rafter De Louis argued for a more lenient sentence of life in the mines. Smash Stumpf Foot Take him away he is all yours.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZqfAlBniv
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E4kyvaAev
John Mare De louis screamed NO NO as Stumpf Foot placed him in chains.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioYKIrrAce
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNCVlfNg4M
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39rulWREBU
Chapter 11758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYT2z7CEdF
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe9bGN06UK
I was glad for that part to be over and it seems like everyone was in agreement. The moment John Mare was pulled through the door and it shut behind him. I stepped forward and...758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rq53b0YY0
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPPkmRNFYf
“Ladies and Gentlemen The Wedding will take place in Two Weeks from today. One week Later the Coronation will take place.”758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycIyp2rmE4
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwNYTNdYxn
The Wedding was a frantic rush between beating out Trade Concessions and agreements and trying on Wedding Clothes. Finally the day arrived. The wedding was held in the City Square. This was necessary since I had Promised no one would be turned away. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzaYkI2ZXC
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PnUidNZXn
I had never seen such finery in this city and then Mira stepped out escorted by her Father, The Elder agreed to stand with me.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjcKdz4lqH
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVohopJVnd
We turned and Knelt in front of the Cardinal. “We are gathered here together to join these two. Crown Prince Rafter De Louis and Princess Admira Felies....That is the last I remember till I heard the Cardinal said I now pronounce you Husband and Wife... You may kiss your Bride. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9JGrr0KAz
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCMCUnSsrn
I hesitated, Mira said, “ Go ahead I won't Hit you... “758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzku4kWcSE9
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDNccIAiwu
I smiled and gathered her in my arms and we shared our first Kiss... then we disappeared to our Chamber which was kept personal.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPFLGFAbON
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG5pUjr26g
The reception lasted two full days and the Chancellor stated well there goes the treasury just to feed the crowd.758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3mHz3QVEf
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZxVaWCihp
The next few days we finished hammering out the trade agreements. And then it was time. 758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKBhw989x9
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0P1jvvrCT
The Cardinal read the rites of the Coronation as Mira and I again knelt before him and then...” I crown you King Rafter De Louis King Of The land of Dulci. He took the Crown from The Elder and placed it upon my head. Then he completed the ritual for Mira. Admira Felies I crown you Queen of The land of Dulci thus Joining the Two lands of Dulci and Bramble Wood. May God Bless and Guide you both in your Rule. “758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qzfp3Oc4v
758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBRhFWoAqe
...And thus began our rule....758Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsugF2baDF

SUBMIT A COMMENT