Lord Unka listened to Blakwolf's news with a smug

look of satisfaction.   Not only had he captured Grouche, the

Wanderer, but here was information that gave him the lady, and

possibly the Brat as well.  They sat in a high garret, a small

private room that Unka used for covert meetings and often as

not just thinking.  A fire burned cheerily in the fireplace, making

the room cozy, and the Magistrate was relaxed. All in all, it had

been a good day. He refused to dwell on the near insurrection near

the henge. As frightening as it had been, he still had the power to

smash any who would defy him. And of course, he had a plan, one

which the man sitting with him was an integral part.  Blakwolf had

been a useful informant on many occasions. He moved with ease

among many factions in the town, and now, Lord Unka planned to

use him against the pagans. Even though Blakwolf himself was pagan,

his loyalty was to gold, not to his gods.
 

       Blakwolf finished his report, and leaned forward expectantly.

Lord Unka swirled wine in his goblet, watching the reflections. After

a moment he looked up at Blakwolf and spoke.  "Hmm……....aye,

my friend, thee hast done well.  I shall see Brian of Blunt soon and

the Brat shall soon make a mistake, methinks." The Magistrate

again was lost in thought, staring at the fire.
 

             "Blakwolf, I wish thee to go to Cirrus, and watch him

closely.  He is grown too popular with the people.  He is inciting

rebellion, and thee are to gain his trust and discover  who plots with

him. I wish to crush him and all who follow him."  Blakwolf felt

a chill down his spine.  He knew more of Cirrus' doings than the

Magistrate could possibly imagine, and had kept his knowledge

close.  The druid was incredibly  dangerous, because the people

believed in his cause. Blakwolf was aware that even among Lord

Unka's men, there were followers of Cirrus. The risk of himself

being found out was terrifying, for he knew the outcome of that

discovery. A death most terrible would be his reward.  Lord

Unka watched Blakwolf closely, reading his thoughts.  "Blakwolf,

thee hast been faithful to me, I think I shall reward thee.  The

usual payment for thy efforts tonight.....but for  thy future labor

I asked of thee, 100 gold pieces. If  thee provides that which I

need, that is."
 

        Blakwolf's eyes blazed at the thought of so much gold. With

that, and  the rest he had put aside over time, he could escape this

place with his head.  He knew that this must be his final mission

here.  His involvement in whatever plan the Magistrate would use

would surely become known. And with that knowledge his life would

be forfeit. He would never be safe anywhere near this place.  "I

thank thee, M'Lord, I am ever thy servant"
 

        Lord Unka merely gazed at the fire. Blakwolf's manner and

voice had betrayed him. The Magistrate knew the man was soon to

be useless, a tool to be cast aside. But he also knew the gold would

buy him for a time, perhaps long enough for his plans to be effected.

If not, Blakwolf would suffer his fate, and the Magistrate would

still have his gold.  Blakwolf, sensing he had been dismissed, rose

and bowed to the Magistrate. Without waiting for reply, he turned

and left the room.
 

        Lord Unka was left alone.........with bloody thoughts.
 

        Lass  turned and watched Brian of Blunt as she waited for her

knock to be answered. The poor man looks terrified, she thought. She

briefly felt some guilt over her treatment of him, but it was short lived.

Her mistress bore Brian no ill will, so let him sweat.  Brian’s

thoughts skittered like a flushed hare.  He had expected Lord Unka

to summon him, but this was an unpleasant surprise. He had delivered

the Lady safely to the Inn, what could Brat want of him?  He stared

blankly ahead, waiting for the axe to fall.
 

        Lass heard a muffled "enter" from inside the room. She gave

Brian a quick kiss on the cheek, and bade him go inside.  Brian was

sweating profusely as he entered the room. He stumbled to an abrupt

halt as he saw both Brat and the troublesome Lady awaiting him. He

once again cursed himself for allowing a pretty face to guide his fate.

He was acutely aware of his stained and soiled apparel and felt totally

trapped in this nightmare.
 

        Brat  was amused at Brian's obvious panic. She could smell

the fear radiating from him. Well and good, she thought, that makes

him easier to control.  She  motioned him forward and gestured toward

a chair.  Brian took the chair gratefully, as he was quite weak in the

knees and feared falling at any moment. He took a lace embroidered

handkerchief from his  sleeve and mopped his brow. Seeing nothing to

lose, he spoke first, breaking the nerve-wracking silence.
 

         "Thee are most kind, Madame, Good eve to thee"  "Good eve

to thee, Brian", replied T'Jae.  "I believe thou knowest my friend,

the Lady Sweet?"  Brian glanced at the Lady and barely repressed

a shudder. "Aye, I do, Good eve to thee, Lady Sweet"
 

 `        Lady Sweet was greatly amused at the change from amorous

chivalry to abject terror.  "Thy must of had urgent business, Brian of

Blunt. Thee didst not even allow me to thank thee for thy kind help."

Brat pounced.  "Aye, Brian, it is said thee were in a great hurry. I trust

thy business did not involve Lord Unka. Business with the Lord has

a way of becoming unhealthy, dost thou agree?"   Brian of Blunt swallowed

hard.  "Nae, T'Jae, nae...I had no business with Lord Unka nor anyone

else. I have told no one of the Lady."
 

          "That is well , Brian, for thee will be telling the Magistrate,

to be sure. Thee were seen by too many eyes for him not to know. He

is sure to find thee and know what passed between you and the Lady"

Brian paled, he didn’t wish to have his worst fears affirmed. He knew

that these two had something in mind for him, and he felt the icy hand of

death clutching for him.
 

        "I fear he will come for me, Madame, but what am I to do?"

Brian replied, an edge of hysteria to his voice.  Lady Sweet spoke up,

"thee will tell him the truth, Brian, all of it" She paused and allowed

Brian to digest this information. "thee will tell  the truth....except"
 

        "Except," continued Brat, "thee will tell him the Lady came to

me for escape. Tell him she fears for her life, and sees no hope for the

Wanderer and wishes to return to her people."  Brian was relieved.

This was not a thing that could add to his problems.  He could easily

convince himself that this was entirely the truth.  "Aye, Madame, that

is easily done."  T'Jae fixed him with a hard stare, "remember, Brian

of Blunt, we are depending on thee. Thee are aware of the fate of those

who have betrayed my trust?'"  Brian paled yet again. "Aye, Madame,

I am aware. I shall not fail thee."  "Good, Brian, good, ........now

begone, His Lordship will not be long in finding thee."  T'Jae waved

her hand in dismissal.  With no further ado, Brian leapt up and left

the room.
 

        As Brian left the room, Lass entered. She came to the two

women and said, "the  children have returned, mistress, they ask to

speak to thee." Lass glanced at the Lady Sweet. "They say they

have news of the Wanderer.............."
 

        Lady Sweet felt fear grip her, and she awaited the news.........

Chronicles, the Quest...
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 

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