Atonement

[Falcon Bertille]

“This is not a warrior’s task.” Thetta wrinkled her nose as they passed by a particularly fragrant pile of garbage. For those familiar with her unshakably cold expression, even that small movement indicated powerful emotional currents, like ice that shifts slightly to accommodate the waters rushing beneath it. And, indeed, Thetta was seething, although her voice remained chill. “This is the sort of task that a man gives to a woman when he thinks she’s capable of no better. If we were both men, Aorle would have asked us to prove ourselves by slaying a dangerous beast, or by bringing him the heads of his enemies. But no. We’re given the dangerous chore of finding and sheltering some sickly refugee. All because I’m a woman.”

Sigvard, who was accustomed to his sister’s sharp tongue, simply smiled. “I think you’re missing the point. The man isn’t testing our swords, he’s testing our hearts. With luck, we can complete our mission and be accepted before he realizes that you don’t have one.”

Thetta snorted. She wasn’t annoyed by her brother’s comment about lacking a heart -- quite the contrary; she took pride in having conquered the weaker emotions which ruled other women. But Sigvard had touched another sore spot. “What gives him the right to judge us? To call us glorified thieves and murders? He looked so smug, sitting there in his fine garden, behind his fine house. What does he know of such things? I’d like to see him try to eke a living from rock and snow.”

“Now, Thetta.” Sigvard’s voice took on a conciliatory tone. “He was right. The coastal raids we joined weren’t honorable battles. They were hardly battles at all. That’s why we left, remember?”

“That’s why you left.” A pair of small red eyes blinked at Thetta from beneath an overturned crate. Frustrated, she thrust her spear at them -- the rat was quick, but Thetta was quicker. Lifting her spear, she wrenched the dead animal off, and tossed it to an emaciated dog. “I was outlawed.”

“An unjust conviction. I never doubted your innocence. Because I’m sure that after a week of marriage, you husband had the good sense to kill himself.” Sigvard gave his sister a hearty pat on the shoulder. “Come on, it’s not all that bad. We’ve only been searching for a few hours, and we’ve already made progress, haven’t we?”

Thetta rolled her eyes. “Aside from following countless false leads, we’ve learned that a skinny woman wearing a tattered white dress was seen around here last night, in the company of warrior handing out bread. If we could travel back in time, then that would actually be a useful piece of information.”

“Patience, sister. Completing an easy task would prove nothing.” In truth, atonement was a new concept to Sigvard. He’d left behind his old life because killing peasants and monks seemed unlikely to impress his gods, not because he truly understood why it was wrong to prey on the weak. But if atonement was what Aorle wanted, then atonement was what he would get. Sigvard had always striven to out-run, out-drink, and out-wrestle as many of his companions as possible. So, by the gods, he’d out-atone them too.

At that moment, Sigvard noticed a group of four armored men in tight formation around a much smaller woman. It was the first time since entering the slum that they’d seen anyone who could remotely fit the description of being a warrior, and Sigvard took it as a good sign. “You see, Thetta? The gods are guiding our steps.”

Then, before Thetta had a chance to start venting her feelings about the gods, Sigvard strode over toward the group. “You there! Hello! Were any of you here last night, handing out bread?”

[Lylessa Uluki]

Uluki stared at him. If he had decided to approach them, it seemed he was looking for a warrior... and if it was a warrior who was handing out bread in the shanty town, it must be Julen. That must have been what Julen was doing to help.

She took a step closer to him to speak more easily, but did not move out of the circle of warriors. She didn't yet trust these new arrivals, particularly since they seemed to be showing interest in the missing man. Were they involved in his disappearance? Was it a trap?

If so, it seemed an odd trap. For one thing, they didn't seem to know Julen's name. For another, she could think of little reason for them to ask where he was if they actually knew. Wouldn't it make more sense-- if a trap was indeed their intention-- to imply they had information on his whereabouts, and could lead Uluki and her companions there?

It seemed too strange a coincidence, though, that they were asking for Julen on the day he disappeared. Surely that suggested a connection? If so, best to be cautious.

"My name is Uluki," she said, addressing both the man who spoke and the woman with him. "These men are Gaelm, Numidar, Triarius, and Darir." She indicated the warriors in turn. "We all seem to be looking for the same person. We were not handing out bread, but we too wish to speak to the one who was. What is your business with him?"

Best to let them explain first. That might give her some more information without tipping her own hand too much. Uluki hoped it would give her sufficient clues to sort out this strange mess and, with luck, locate Julen.

[Lightswords]

Ever watchful, the armsmen began to make ready. Both axemen carried shields, shifted in front of their bodies, hiding the hands sliding their axe-heads subtly clear of the frog loops, ready to draw them more swiftly without visibly reaching for them. Numidar, shield on back, instead stood at the rear of the square with hands on hips... pressing his wrist against the back of his sword-hilt, tilting it forwards for a faster draw. Triarius stood back slightly, continuously glancing left and right, assigning himself watch as his three comrades observed the strangers.

Disguising their preparations as ordinary shifts in posture, they remained silent, leaving the matter for Uluki to negotiate. Each man held position, making no changes in formation that would announce the wrong intent, however, the front rank narrowed the distance between them. Space existed for Uluki to speak through and hold a conversation unobstructed, but any seeking to reach her would be easily intercepted.

As Uluki stepped forward, so did the whole formation, insistant on keeping her sheltered between them. While her gestures of trust were so endearing, this was not the place for them. "My lady." reminded Numidar, saying nothing further, only a hinted prompt to suggest that she check her advance.

[Falcon Bertille]

A more observant man might have noticed the warriors’ shifts in position. But even at the best of times, Sigvard was not particularly keen-sighted. Unaware of the true situation, he had no reason to be especially cautious, and so made no preparations for drawing his own sword. Instead, he continued forward, until he stood a little over a spear’s length from the group -- experience had taught him that it was usually a good idea to keep new acquaintances beyond the reach of his sister’s weapon. If only he could also keep them beyond the reach of her tongue...

“Well met, Uluki.” Each of the warriors was also greeted in turn. “I hope this night brings you all victory and honor. My name is Sigvard Eskeson, and this is my sister, Thetta Eskedatter.”

Turning toward his sister as he performed the introduction, Sigvard was surprised to see a slight smile of approval curling the corners of her mouth. Then he realized why. Although Uluki was obviously not a fellow warrior, she seemed to be in charge of her comrades, and seeing a woman in such a position always pleased Thetta. Good. Maybe they could get through this conversation without it turning into a taunting contest.

“We’re on a quest for atonement.” Some men might sound ashamed to admit that they needed to atone for past deeds. But for Sigvard, a quest was a quest -- shame would only be an issue if he failed. “The man we hope to serve sent us here in search of a young woman. All he could tell us was that she was thin, wore a tattered white dress, and would be able to describe the person who had called her ‘little sister’.”

“Little sister.” Thetta spat the words. “How condescending is that? As if all women are mere children, unable to survive without a man’s protection.”

Well, her good mood had lasted nearly five minutes. That was almost a record. Sigvard admired Thetta for having the courage to speak her mind, but he wished she recognized the occasional usefulness of diplomacy. “Please forgive my sister. She believes that all social niceties are insults to her gender.”

“What you call ‘social niceties’ are really insidious codes of behavior intended reinforce outdated--”

“As I was saying,” Sigvard continued, triumphing over his sister by sheer volume. “We learned that a woman in a tattered white dress was seen last night, with a warrior who came here to hand out bread. We hoped that if we found him he might be able to help us find her.”

“Perhaps we could search together?” Sigvard suggested. At heart, he was a social man who enjoyed company -- although it was a pleasure that Thetta’s presence usually denied him.

[Lylessa Uluki]

Uluki was a bit puzzled by their description of who they sought. Julen had last been seen in the presence of a child, one too young to be described as "woman," and Uluki didn't think the little girl had been wearing a white dress, though her memories were a bit fuzzy since it hadn't seemed important at the time. The little girl Julen had left with seemed unlikely to be the one Thetta and Sigvard sought.

She also didn't entirely understand the quest for atonement.

She understood "quest." She'd been on one before-- and it was that journey that had ripped her from the Astral Plane. Uluki hadn't completely understood, at the time, what they were doing, and had she, she wouldn't have gone along... though in retrospect she was glad she had, since she would never have found her family otherwise. She'd always thought of a quest as something done for personal gain, however, seeking knowledge or riches or even adventure.

Uluki also understood "atonement." It was what you did to get rid of the guilt. It meant when you were sorry. Atonement was what she had been seeking when she gave herself the burn that scarred her collarbone, before she learned how to find peace.

What Uluki didn't understand was how these two concepts fit together. How could going on a quest say you were sorry? Maybe these two warriors had somehow wronged this woman in the white dress, and were going to apologize to her, but they seemed to know very little about her. If they felt they'd caused grief or trouble for her, why had someone else sent them to find her? It was all very puzzling.

And, she realized, none of her business. If they needed to do this to feel they had atoned, it didn't concern Uluki. As long as they weren't hurting anyone, she would do best to stay out of it.

They had no injuries, at least not visible ones, so it didn't seem to be that kind of atonement. Good. That kind solved nothing, it only left you more scarred.

As for the idea of all going together... Uluki had somewhat mixed feelings. Although Thetta and Sigvard didn't seem overtly threatening, she had no real reason to trust them, and she wasn't sure the woman would be very pleasant company. Uluki was a pretty liberated woman herself, always had been, but from what she had seen Thetta seemed to find insult everywhere, which Uluki considered rather unnecessary.

On the other hand, if they were looking for this woman, and if there was some possibility the woman was with Julen, there seemed little reason to go separately as they might all be arriving at the same destination anyway. Perhaps if they worked together, they would find their missing people faster. There was little reason to work parallel, or against each other.

"Yes, it seems it our paths lead in the same direction. We seek the warrior, not the woman in the white dress, but they may be found in the same place... or the one we find first may know the whereabouts of the other. I see no reason for us to split up."

She hoped that the warriors who accompanied her would hear the caution in her voice and remain alert. They were working with these strangers at the moment... not necessarily trusting them.

"Perhaps we can accomplish our errands more quickly if we work together." Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, "What will you do when you find the woman in the white dress? I assume there is some purpose in seeking her out, other than your own peace of mind?"

If it was indeed an atonement quest it seemed unlikely this woman would be hurt, but Uluki wanted to have some idea what she was getting herself into.

[Falcon Bertille]

Sigvard grinned when Uluki accepted his offer to join forces. This was good. They would work together, accomplish both tasks, and then perhaps they could find a tavern suitable for sharing a few drinks and tales of valor. In particular, Darir interested Sigvard. He’d never matched cups with a dwarf, but they were rumored to be inhumanly good at holding their alcohol, and Sigvard was eager to put that to the test.

Companionship was what Sigvard really missed about his old life. The fighting had been rather disappointing, and the looting never thrilled him like it had some of the others. But he liked what came after the raids. He liked the drinking, singing, telling tall tales, and wenching. None of those things were quite as fun by himself, or even with his sister. Especially wenching. Thetta was an incredible hindrance when it came to wenching.

“Excellent!” Now that they all seemed to be friends, Sigvard closed the distance between the two groups, although he made no effort to get between Uluki and her escort. “My countrymen always said that the more swords who join a quest, the more likely the gods are to notice and lend their favor to it. I’m sure we’ll soon find both warrior and woman.”

Caught in the throes of his enthusiasm, Sigvard nearly didn’t register that Uluki had asked him a question. However, when that fact penetrated, he was more than glad to answer. “Once we find her, we’ve been instructed to provide for her needs -- food, shelter, whatever care she requires. Then we’ll send word to Aorle and learn whether our penance has pleased him.” If not, Sigvard was quite prepared to keep on doing penances. He thought he was getting rather good at them.

[Lightswords]

By appearances so far, this was cause to relax. The warriors eased, if only slightly. Most of this appeared to make sense, although the four warriors with Uluki had met Aorle and had been accepted without need to atone for any misdeeds. "Why does Aorle send you to do penance?" Gaelm wondered, directing the question at Sigvard, expecting a more helpful and meaningful answer from him than his sister.

Seeing as they now would be working together, Numidar took some interest in organising them. "Take point." he said, "You know what you're looking for better than us." Truly the reason was to keep a rank of warriors between the two strangers and Uluki.

An insightful man would think that 'pleased him' was certainly the wrong way to go about penances, at the very least missing the point. Each man had a different understanding of penance, however, and so there were varying qualifications to judge the matter. For Triarius, the faith he was taught was simply a matter of pleasing the god, so this held no inisght to him. Numidar was merely fundamentally decent, and unschooled in moral matters. Darir and Gaelm, however, knew penance as an act for the community, one which required a link to the wrong that had been done.

Of course, nearly anyone could claim to work for Aorle, he was widely known to be recruiting. So hopefully there would be a sign that they did, in fact, know him.

[Lylessa Uluki]

So that was Aorle's form of penance? Finding a missing woman and providing her food and shelter? That seemed so... reasonable. Sane. Compassionate. Not what she would expect from a paladin, but it was becoming more and more clear Aorle was not the sort of paladin who would conform to her expectations, and she was very glad of that.

It made her respect Aorle even more, and it gave her hope for her family's safety. Perhaps they could do something similar to prove they weren't evil. Not as repentance.... but as an indication of their good intentions. Her heart lifted a little, as though its burden had eased somewhat. She could go find people and help them. It was basically what she did anyway. The girls shouldn't leave the safety of the base, but she and Rollick would do whatever atonement quests Aorle deemed appropriate for the whole family, and then maybe everything would be alright. Aorle would see they were good. No one would have to die. It was a deeply reassuring thought.

"I'm sure he'll be pleased with your efforts," Uluki told Sigvard kindly. The world seemed a little brighter now that she had a plan for how to protect those she loved. Now, to focus on the task at hand.

"The people haven't been willing to tell us anything, but I think it may go better if we offer them protection from whoever they're scared of. We can provide them shelter back at the base." She paused a moment, as the next part was hard to say. "But we shouldn't offer that unless they seem reluctant because they're afraid. We can't help everyone." That thought saddened her, but it was the unfortunate reality.

A woman passed, probably around thirty but trying to look younger with thick, caked makeup. Her tight green dress revealed far more of her figure than was appropriate, and her dirty orange curls were pinned in a lopsided pile on her head.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Uluki called. "Could we speak to you a moment? I wondered if you could do us a favour?"

The woman looked doubtful, her eyes taking in the large and very mixed group, but Uluki clarified, "We're looking for some people, and we were wondering if you'd seen them. One of them is a warrior. He has dark hair and is wearing armour with blue underneath, and he has a blue feather on his helmet. He gave people bread here before. The other..."

She tried to catch the eye of either Thetta or Sigvard, indicating they should provide a more detailed description of the woman in the white dress than Uluki herself could manage.

[Falcon Bertille]

Sigvard was always pleased when someone showed an interest in his adventures, so Gaelm’s question won a prompt answer. “My sister and I are from the Northlands. There, in ships that raced across the waves like wooden horses, many raids were staged on coastal villages and monasteries by our countrymen.” A sharp jab from Thetta’s elbow spurred Sigvard to amend his statement. “And by our countrywomen too, of course. The snow and ice of my homeland has given birth to some extremely fierce female warriors. As I’m sure you can imagine.” The last sentence was said while casting a significant look at his sister.

“These raids were very important to my people. They were seen as a way to provide for your community, to test your manhood -- or womanhood -- and to win a suitable position in the afterlife. Thetta and I participated in them, as we were expected to do. But it soon became clear to me that they were not very glorious paths into legend.” A strong note of embarrassment entered Sigvard’s voice, along with a touch of genuine regret. “The foes I faced were unprepared and unskilled. There was no risk in battling them, no honor in killing them, no true test of either my heart or my sword. So Thetta and I left, journeying south in search of a truly worthy cause to fight for. When we met with Aorle, we were honest about our past, and he instructed us to perform a task of atonement.”

When he’d finished his tale, Sigvard eagerly complied with Numidar’s suggestion to take point, while Thetta obeyed more grudgingly. It felt good to be working as a group.

Anxious to be helpful, Sigvard nodded as he listened to Uluki describing her group’s past efforts and current plan. He, too, had noticed that most of the slum’s residents responded to his questions with outright fear -- although he mostly attributed that to Thetta. Sigvard had always suspected that his sister could put out a match just by glaring at it. “That makes sense. Might I ask why you’re seeking this warrior? You don’t look as if you’re in need of bread.”

Thetta had remained impassive while Sigvard ingratiated himself with their new companions. However, when the woman in the green dress approached, something very close to pity flickered in her blue eyes. Thetta knew how close she’d come to ending up like the figure who now stood before them. If Sigvard hadn’t helped her after she was outlawed, she would have been lucky to reach a city where she could start a new life, even if that new life involved selling her body. Deeply aware of that connection, Thetta once felt overwhelming compassion for every battered, exploited, oppressed member of her sex she encountered. But the wrongs done to them seemed so vastly beyond her ability to fix that sympathy eventually turned into frustration, and frustration turned into anger. Anger simply remained.

“The other is a skinny woman wearing a white dress,” Thetta informed, when Uluki caught her eye. “We were told that she was seen with the warrior last night, and that she spoke in his defense.”

[Lylessa Uluki]

Uluki smiled in answer to Sigvard. "No, we aren't seeking bread, but rather Julen himself. He is our friend and comrade." Her face and tone became serious. "He's been gone all day and we've received no word from him, and we're concerned he may be... having difficulties."

The red haired woman seemed frightened by Thetta's question, though she'd had little reaction to Uluki's. The skin that wasn't covered by her makeup seemed to go a shade or two paler, and her hand made a jerking motion as though she would have put it to her heart, but stopped herself. "I ain't seen nothing. Didn't see that man, ain't seen Kaydee in days."

Uluki raised an eyebrow. "Kaydee? Is that the woman in white?"

"'Course. Your friend said that already." The woman didn't meet Uluki's eye.

"No, ma'am, I'm sure she didn't, as we didn't know the name before you mentioned it."

"Must be a different girl, then. You wouldn't be wanting Kaydee. It's some other one you're wanting."

"I think that's unlikely, given our description made you think of her immediately. Why don't you just help us find Kaydee, and if she turns out to be the wrong person, we'll keep looking. It won't be your fault." This got no answer, so Uluki said more gently, "Please, we don't want to harm Kaydee. We want to help her. We're worried about her."

Uluki actually hadn't been, particularly. She'd been worried about Julen, but she'd had no reason to think the woman in the white dress was in any danger. This woman's reaction, however, suggested there was great reason indeed to be concerned for her.

"If it's just a whore you're wanting, there's plenty of us around, even if your taste runs toward ones younger than me. Plenty besides Kaydee."

Uluki began to get a bit frustrated. "We already told you, we're looking for Kaydee specifically, and it's so we can help her, not so we can use her. Now please, if you can give us any information, we'll see you are protected. We'll bring you back with us, and no harm will come to you. I promise that."

For an instant, the woman looked almost convinced. There was something on her face that almost looked like hope... then it was gone. "Sorry, luv. I've heard better promises than that, and, hoping you'll not take offence, from grander folks than you, with your dress that don't look no better than people from here."

Uluki showed no reaction to the comment about her dress, but merely repeated, "Anything at all you can tell us? Please?"

The red haired woman nodded. "Sure, piece of advice. Free, me to you. Forget Kaydee. A whore gets uppity, she gets taught a lesson. Whatever Kaydee got, she had coming." The woman looked uncomfortable, as though trying to convince herself of something she couldn't quite believe. "Look after your own, missus. Ain't nothing anyone can do for Kaydee." She turned to leave.

[Falcon Bertille]

Sigvard, always the optimist, thought the conversation with the prostitute had gone rather well. Now they knew that the woman they sought was called Kaydee. Like a kid with a new toy, he felt eager to go use this fresh information on someone else. If the prostitute no longer wished to speak with them, she’d already given them plenty, and he didn’t see any point in forcing her to remain.

Thetta, however, did.

Reaching out, Thetta seized the woman’s wrist in a grip that discouraged any idea of struggling. She didn’t yank her back. But she also didn’t let her go. “A woman who gets ‘uppity’ doesn’t deserve to be punished. She deserves to be helped.”

“Hey!” The prostitute made a half-hearted attempt to struggle, but she was obviously more afraid of causing a scene than she was of Thetta. “I didn’t ask for any speeches from some bleedin’ heart--”

Impassively, Thetta caught the woman’s other wrist, turning her so that they were now directly facing each other. The action wasn’t rough, just firm and smooth. “Look at me. Look very carefully. And tell me, do I look like my heart is bleeding?”

Staring into those blue eyes, cold and vast as fields of ice, it was hard to believe that Thetta had any blood at all. Slowly, the prostitute shook her head. “No.”

Thetta understood the circumstances which brought women to this point. She understood the desperation that forced them to turn on each other, to participate in their own oppression as eagerly as if they were men. But understanding did not banish frustration. And, in any case, Thetta was not inclined to coddle people, not even people who had earned her sympathy. “You have a choice. You can live your life alone, scurrying from shadow to shadow like a frightened mouse. Or you can take a stand beside your sisters and strike a blow against those who would exploit you.”

“I can’t tell you anything!” the woman protested. “If he finds out, he’ll--”

“No. He will not. If you accept our protection, and he still comes after you, I will kill him.” The tone of her voice conveyed that Thetta would not only do it, she would enjoy doing it. “If you wish it, I will teach you how to kill him yourself. And how to kill others like him.” Thetta’s tools for conflict resolution were somewhat limited. But they tended to be effective.

Having made her point, Thetta released the woman’s wrists. “You told us to look after our own. You are my own, as is Kaydee, and as are all women. Either we stand together, or we allow men to break us apart.”

[Lylessa Uluki]

The red haired woman looked at her feet. Thetta's words seemed to have moved her almost to tears. "I would help you, really I would. That Kaydee, she's a nice girl, and I want to help my fellow women and all, like you said. Only I got a kid, you know? I wouldn't mind so much for myself, only he'd kill my Bethany, too, if he found out I'd told you anything."

"He won't kill Bethany." Uluki said this with certainty. "We'll protect her too. You can bring her back, along with any of the rest of your family."

"It's just me and Bethany, missus. But are you sure? I don't want no harm to come to her."

"I promise you that it won't. What's your name?"

"Jenny," she said quietly.

"Jenny, I'm Uluki. This is Thetta, and those men are Sigvard, Gaelm, Darir, Triarius, and Numidar. All of us, and the rest of our companions back home, will work to protect you and your daughter, giving our lives if necessary."

Jenny stared at Uluki, who met her gaze. Uluki realized she was being judged, that they all were, but she was unafraid. "Do you believe that thing she said?" Jenny finally asked Uluki, meaning Thetta's words. Uluki sensed it was an important question.

"Yes. I do."

"His-name-is-Snyde," Jenny said in a rush. Then, a bit slower, "His name is Dominic Snyde. He's the one that's got Kaydee." Jenny seemed quite certain about this. "He's the one said he'd teach a lesson to any whore that got uppity, and that's what he's doing to Kaydee."

"Then we need to find her quickly, if she's still alive."

"She is." Jenny seemed equally certain about that, though she seemed sympathetic about this fact rather than encouraging. "He wouldn't let her die this fast. I seen what he done to the other girls. He'll still be doing it to Kaydee."

"Do you know where he is?"

Jenny hesitated a moment, then shook her head.

"Jenny, I have three children," Uluki said quietly. "I have two daughters and a son. I know what it means to be afraid for your child. I know your every instinct is to protect them. I know the place we can take you will be safe for Bethany, because my children live there too."

"I can't. Please, I can't..."

"Yes you can. You can do it for Bethany, even if you're too frightened to do it for yourself. Say you don't tell us anything. You know what will happen to Kaydee. You've seen it. Maybe you can live with that, but what about Bethany? What kind of life will she have? If you tell us nothing, do you think he'll just let her alone? Or do you think in a few years time, she might be in the same position as Kaydee?"

"I don't know where he is."

Uluki sighed. "Jenny, please."

Jenny shook her head; Uluki had missed the point. "I don't know where he is. I mean, I don't know exactly. But I got some places you could look, places he might've taken her..."

[Falcon Bertille]

“There’s a place, a bit of a ways from here. I know he uses it, ‘cause if he’s meeting with someone big, he’ll send for a few of us girls to provide a bit of fun. You know?” Jenny herself had not been summoned to such a meeting for some time, as she was considered to be past her prime. But the prostitutes gossiped among themselves. Really, who else were they going to talk to?

“I’ll take you there. Only...only, couldn’t we go get my Bethany first? I left her with some of the girls, but I’d feel so much better knowing she was safe. If Snyde finds out that I said so much as five words to you...” Jenny wrung her hands together and trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Thetta nodded her approval. “I think it’s a fine idea to bring the child with us. Let her see the wrongs that men commit against her sex. And, if she’s fortunate, she will also see us take our vengeance for those acts. Such lessons will make her young mind strong.”

Again, the color drained from Jenny’s face. “I don’t...that is, I didn’t mean...”

Smiling, Sigvard gave the woman a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Ignore Thetta. My sister possesses all the maternal instinct of a snow rat, which in times of famine will devour its own young. But the rest of us won’t allow your child to be placed in harm’s way. Still, if it would put your mind at rest, perhaps we could fetch her and one of us could take her somewhere safe.”

Sigvard turned to face the group’s leader. “What do you say, Uluki?” Privately, he hoped that Uluki would assign one of her own men to the task of protecting the child. Not that he wasn’t willing. But he could tell by the look on Thetta’s face that finding Kaydee had become secondary to killing the man who had harmed her, and Sigvard still wanted to complete his atonement quest. As for Thetta being asked to take Bethany somewhere safe -- well, Sigvard hoped the gods would have mercy on whoever suggested that his sister should be stuck babysitting.

[Lylessa Uluki]

"I agree with Jenny that we should find Bethany right away. She will be in danger the moment Jenny is seen talking to us. I do not, however, wish to put a child into the middle of a combat, should that occur tonight. Darir, Triarius, please take Jenny and go find Bethany. Help them gather up any belongings they wish to take with them-- if you have any blankets, Jenny, please bring them-- and then see them safely back to the base."

Those two men had been protecting Zee when Uluki first arrived that morning, and Uluki assumed she could trust them to defend another daughter, as well as the woman who had helped them.

"I know that you will offer Jenny and her child the same protection and concern you would to me. I will be perfectly safe in your absence, and I will still have four warriors with me."

She hoped the two she was sending off would understand her decision indicated trust, not dismissal.

Then, as an afterthought, she added, "Make the same offer to those who are tending Bethany. If Snyde finds out they were involved, even in a small way, they may also be at risk of retribution."

"Jenny, before you go, we'll need detailed directions to the place you've told us about, but you need not go along with us to confront Snyde. I would not wish to see you hurt, and there is the very real chance that this man would try to harm you or would threaten you, so as to try to sway us from our course. It's best if you are safely elsewhere. Once you are back at the base, my husband and daughters can help you settle in. Jenny... I am grateful for your help. You've been very brave. You have very likely saved both Kaydee and your daughter tonight."

She gave Jenny a quick hug and then, once the directions had been given, sent them back to find Bethany.

She turned to the others. "I think the plan for what we do when we get to Snyde's place is obvious. Remember that he may have other civilians as prisoners, so be careful not to harm them. Against Snyde himself and those who work for him, use any force necessary. Anyone who is injured, I will tend to, so concentrate on combat."

The warriors she'd come with knew she was a healer, but Thetta and Sigvard did not. Best to make everyone's roles clear: healer heals, fighters fight.

"Now," she said, "We find Snyde."

[Falcon Bertille]

The directions provided by Jenny were somewhat convoluted -- in part because the shanty town had few stationary landmarks, and in part because terms like “abandoned building” described nearly every building they passed. Nevertheless, Sigvard felt certain they were making good progress towards their goal. And so, assured that atonement would soon be his, he turned his thoughts to his new companions.

Overall, he was quite pleased with them. The warriors seemed like sturdy fellows, although perhaps a bit too quiet for Sigvard’s taste. But presumably they would be a bit chattier once their mission had been successfully completed. At least none of them had insulted Thetta yet. That, in itself, spoke well of them. As for Uluki, the small woman appeared to possess all of Thetta’s spirit, wrapped in a considerably more pleasant manner. Also, she’d said something about tending the injured. Having a medicine woman around was always a good thing. Really, it would be a shame to part ways with such worthy allies.

“Uluki? Do these fine warriors serve you? Or do you all serve another chieftain?” The feudal system, with its titles of Lord and Lady, was quite foreign to Sigvard.

Perhaps they served a chieftain even greater than Aorle. Sigvard had promised to complete this quest, and complete it he would, but beyond that he’d taken no oath. He was still free to shop around. On the other hand, if his new companions served no one, or owed their loyalty to a lesser chieftain, perhaps he could convince them to answer Aorle’s call for followers. Surely the man would be pleased if, in addition to Kaydee, Sigvard brought him such a fine bunch of recruits.

“The chieftain I hope to serve is a great man. While in a village near here, he defeated twenty mercenaries who wished to harm him and his companions.” Tales tended to improve with the telling. Especially when the telling involved numerous mugs of ale. “They say that he struck one man hard enough to cleave him in two, and the cut was so swift and sharp that the man’s legs kept running after his torso had already fallen.”