[IC] A Dream Beyond.

[Wick]

Sofia, Zach, Kendrick, and Niesha

Sofia came out of the store carrying the fabric for the new dress that her customer ordered. This one was going to be tough to get it done in the time frame that she wanted it done in. She dodged the puddles of mud in the street. She was also carrying two potatoes to add to their dinner. She smiled when her brother looked up and saw her.

Zach's forge was in town like most businesses and he had an order to make a special sword for a man he just met the other day. he didn't know much about him except that he was a warrior and his name was Kendrick.

Niesha rose from examine some herbs, satisfied with what she had found, she shifted the basket she carried onto her other arm, starting back towards the healer's building. She glanced around as she walked, keeping an eye out for anyone taking too much of an interest in her. There was of course different levels of interest-some she knew were the more...not so much passive as benign.

No, she was looking for anyone that she might have known, when she had lived in her fathers shadow. Yet, like always, there was no one like that. She thought back on what other supplies they needed, beside the herbs, and knew she would need to find some fabric for bandages. Pondering that, she continued walking.

Kendric walked along the side of the street, face covered by his hooded cloak. He was careful to make sure none of the guards or knights saw his face, even though it has been awhile since anyone has seen his face. Kendrick walked to the blacksmiths forge, eager for his new sword. He realized it took time to make weapons of the cailber he asked for, but he was excited. This was the first time in years he was this excited. His previous blade broke, being smashed and broken in half after his last little "Middle of the night Crusade on crime". This new sword he was hoping would last. He preffered wielding two blades rather than one.

Zach pulled the sword out and had it cooling for the patron when he arrived. He looked up to see his sister coming into the forge from the house. "What is it Sofia?" Zach asked her. "I just wanted to let you know that I put more material on the account at the store. I have a dress to make for the Baroness."

As the forger's door opened they looked up and he nodded at her. "Alright." She smiled at the new arrival and went into the house.

Kendrick walked inside the Blacksmith's place of business, but kept his hood on. He walked over to the man who was forger his weapon and spoke to him.

"Hello my good blacksmith. Is the weapon I paid for nearly complete yet, If I may ask?"

Zach turned and pulled it out of it's temporary home and said "Yes, and I believe you will find it most satisfactory." He showed him the perfect balance of the hilt and sword itself. It was a beautiful sword. He handed it to Kendrick and smiled and awaited his opinion on his craftsmanship.

Kendrick held the sword in his grasp and admired its beauty. It was exactly as he asked for. An obsidian metal, dual sided blade, with a medium size grip and small hilt. Kendrick swung the blade a few times, then returned it to its temporary sheathe.

"It is pretty amazing work in such a short time. The agreed amount."

Kendrick pulled out a pouch of silver coins and offered it to The blacksmith.

"In the future, would you be able to reproduce the works of this caliber."

Zach nodded, "Certainly, would you like a cup of ale before you go? Sofia!" When she appeared he said. "Can you bring us each a cup of ale please?" Sofia nodded and disappeared only to return a moment later with the requested items. She handed them the cups.

"Would you care for anything else dear brother?" Zach looked slightly irritated with her attitude. "Maybe a kinder lass for a sister." She laughed and with a smirk she said, "Keep dreaming dear brother." She locked eyes with the patron and smiled genuinely as she turned to go back inside. Zach laughed at her and sipped his ale.

Kendrick shook his head.

"I appreciate the offer, but I fear ale.....well quite honestly I am a poor drinker. I do not handle my alcohol well."

Kendrick equiped his sword and sheathe to his belt on his right side.

"But again, I thank you."

Zach nodded and he walked over to the house and took the second cup back inside. "I'll be back in a few minutes." Zach set his own cup down and went across the street and went into the healer's office.

Niesha had just returned, and she looked up at the sound of the door, putting her basket down on a table nearby, getting ready to see if anyone was in need of attention, before she saw Zach, "What have you done this time?"

Zach smiled and looked at her. "I just wanted to come by and see if you could get this metal shaving out of my hand?" He showed her his hand and it did have metal shavings gouged into it.

"Why weren't you wearing gloves?" Niesha asked, as she got some supplies out, seeming to know where everything was even though it appeared a little cluttered.

Zach smirked, "I need new ones so I was bare on one hand today. Besides, If I don't have any reason to visit you how can I ask you to go out with me?" He loved to come over to the office and see her nearly every day. She was shy and sweet and he was head over heels over her and most of the town knew it.

Niesha seemed a little taken aback at this, glancing away and nudging the chair nearby, so he would sit. Technically, there was no reason why she couldn't go out with him, as far as anyone was concerned, she was no one. She hadn't run away to not do what she wanted. And her father, and brother thought she was dead. Niesha in this life had no family. "You don't need to injure yourself to come round" She said softly, beginning to extract the metal shavings carefully, "Why would you want to go out with me?" She seemed to find some spark of bravery there, curious as to why.

Zach's eyes softened. "Why wouldn't I? You are sweet and beautiful and you make my heart flutter. Can you think of a better reason?" He smiled.

Niesha was more use to people wanted her for her fathers favor, than anything else. This...She couldn't say she hadn't thought about it..."No, i suppose I can't" She said softly, carefully checking to make sure there weren't any small shavings left. But what had she ever done, to catch his eye? "Well, I'd like nothing more" she reached for some anti-septic, to coat the small cuts, and make sure there wasn't a chance of infection.

Zach kept his eyes on her while she worked even when she poured alcohol into the cuts to kill bacteria and it burned like his forge. He gritted his teeth a little but never gave her an inkling that it hurt at all. "Did I hear you right? Was that a yes? You'll go out with me? Dinner tomorrow night then?" Zach grinned happily.

Niesha gave a theotrical sigh and said, teasingly "Honestly, all that hammering must have effected your hearing." She gave him a smile, putting the bottle back, and brushing the shavings into a pile, to deal with later. "Yes, that sounds perfect."

He paid her for the shaving removal and he smiled at her and said, "I'll see you tomorrow then, g'night m'lady."

Zach entered the house and Sofia was sewing. She had put his dinner plate on the table and had already eaten. "I'm gonna be sewing all night at this rate."

He looked at her and said, "Tomorrow night I won't be home for dinner. I'm taking Niesha out." Sofia looked up and smiled. "So you asked her did you? Finally...now you can stop cutting up your hands and going to see her every single day." He grinned at her. "If you tell her that I'll never let you marry." She chuckled at that.

"I'm sewing almost round the clock. I almost never meet anyone how would that even happen? Besides, she would think you were some kind of sadist f I told her that. Then I'd be stuck with you forever, no thanks." She smirked as she poked her hand and yelped. Sticking her finger in her mouth she got up so as not to bleed on the material.

[MarshiestMallow]

Niesha and Zach

@Wick@dabombjk

Niesha was sitting on her bed, in her small rooms. She was ready, but found herself torn. While she was excited about this, she was worried that somehow, someway, her past would come up and bite her. She didn't want that coming down on Zach. She knew it had been two years, and there hadn't been any sign of her father or brother, but she couldn't help it. 

A sudden flash of anger rose in her. Two years, and somehow her father was still controlling her. No more she thought, and she rose. She drew in a deep breath, letting it out. Grabbing her shawl, she wrapped it around her shoulders, brushing her hair back. And then she was nervous for a whole other reason. She was going on a date. That was reason enough to be nervous. But it was with Zach. 

She stood for a moment, pondering that, and hoping she didn't make a fool of herself, before heading out to meet with him. 

Zach finished in the forge miraculously with no injuries. Sofia laughed at him as he came into the house to clean up and change his clothes.

Sofia stood up and looked at her brother then she pulled out a bouquet of roses and handedd them to him. "I thought you might want to give her these, I sewed a few handkerchiefs for them."

Zach looked at the roses and smiled. He took them from her and hugged his sister. "Thank you and you had best stay inside after dark." 

"Aye aye captain." She saluted him and sat back down to her sewing. Sofia watched her brother trying not to laugh at his excitement. She got back up and straightened his collar and smoothed him out. "Ok you are all set. Go on and have fun." She laughed at him as he left all smiles.

Zach walked across the road with a sword strapped to his hip as was his custom. He was proficient in swordsmanship for defense as well as it was a bit of good advertising. He had gotten more than one job from doing it. He opened the door to the office and when he got inside he called out. "Niesha? Are you ready?"

Niesha slipped inside through the back door, which gave her clear access to her rooms, just as Zach called out. She smiled to herself, and came into the front room, nodding, "I'm ready" she said softly, nervously smoothing imaginary creases from her dress, before looking up at Zach, giving him a smile. 

Zach smiled when he saw her. He pulled the roses out and handed them to her. "I hope you like roses."

Niesha took the roses tentatively, bringing them to her nose, hoping they hid the blush as she sniffed them. He brought her flowers. She swallowed nervously, "They're beautiful" She said, color=f7941d]"Let me find a vase to put them in"[/color] She turned to a cupboard, crouching to retrieve a vase, pouring some water into it from the jug nearby, and carefully putting the roses in, she kept one back. 

She held it turning back to him, smiling shyly, "Thank you, I love them"

Zach smiled. "I'm glad of that but they pale in comparison to you. Are you ready?" He said taking her hand in his gently. He saw her blush and they walked outside. He waited while she locked up. 

He automatically put his hand on his sword. Men outside in the evening was dangerous enough but for an unaccompanied lady it could be extremely dangerous in the city. He took her hand and led her to the fair activities in the main center of the town. There were musicians and people dancing in the street and lots of vendors. It put a smile on his face to see all of the festivities.

Niesha looked about at everything, never really getting out, Niesha didn't truly know what the town had to offer. All the activites, the venders, there was dancing in the street, it blew her away slightly. In her fathers holds, the most they had had was singers, the occassional feast, there had never seem to be this...joy and freedom in it though. 

"It's...it's amazing" She said, awed. "Can...do you think we could dance, later on?"

Zach looked at her and smiled. "Certainly, would you like to get some food first?" He led her up to one of the street vendors and they got some chicken and veggies. After that he led her to a grassy area a little way off so they wouldn't get stepped on. He sat down and held her plate so she could sit down. Giving it to her he reached over and plucked a leaf out of her hair and grinned.

Niesha rearranged the skirt of her dress, like a proper little lady, without thinking, before taking the plate, and balancing it on her lap, looking up when Zach reached over. She smiled, thinking that no doubt there'd be more leaves in her hair before the night was done, not caring about it.

She shifted slightly, closer to Zach, letting her gaze wander over the festivities, before letting it fall back on Zach. She smiled again, wanting to talk, to ask him questions, but that might lead to dangerous questions of her own past. While she had a story, she didn't want to lie more than she had to. 

She decided to stick to safe questions. "So....no injuries, today then?" 

He chuckled and said, "I tried my best not to come over bleeding today. I thought it might ruin the mood." They finished eating and he got up and lifted her to her feet and then led her closer to the minstrels and musicians.

 He was on guard and stopped. He leaned over and whispered to her. "Make sure your money and key are safe. There are pick pockets here who will steel your purse." He waited while she adjusted things and hid her valuables on her person. Once she was finished he took her hand and swung her out onto the dance 'area'.

Niesha kept her hand in Zach's as they reached what seemed to be the designated dancing area. Which was, to say, everywhere. Or so it seemed to her. There just seemed so much freedom here...the atmosphere just felt...fun. She found herself enjoying it utterly, and she turned to look at Zach, thinking that maybe it wasn't just the festivities. She thought that they could have gone anywhere, and she would have been happy. 

"None of the dances I know are suitable for this music" As the daughter of a nobleman, she learned the songs and dances that proper little ladies did, and more often than not, she danced with her brother, or whatever suitor came along. This was completely different, and it both terrified her, and excited her. 

Zach couldn't help himself, he was having so much fun dancing and he got caught up in the moment and he was already holding her by the waist and her hand and he leaned in and kissed her on the lips gently and whisked her into a circle with others. He hoped she didn't box his ears for it and when they finished dancing they were in a darker part of the area.

He smiled at her and went to take them back into the more lit area when a man with a knife approached them, "Gimme yer money or I'll hurt your lady friend 'ere."

Zach pulled the hammer out of the loop on his pants and swung it . The crook jumped back but not fast enough to avoid being hit in the shoulder. He screamed and ran off in a hurry. Zach turned around and made sure there were no more of them. He turned to Niesha and put his arm around her and kept her close to him. "I hope he didn't scare you too much. I'm only violent when I need to be."

When Zach kissed her, Niesha thought her heart might explode, it was beating so fast. She didn't think it was from the dancing. She smiled shyly as they finished dancing, but that seemed to all disappear in an instant, as the knife-weilding thug appeared. At the threat to her, Niesha reached for the dagger she kept hidden on her, ready to use it if necessary, but she didn't need to. 

She watched Zach swing at the thief, wincing at the sound the hammer made as it hit flesh and bone. She slid the dagger back where it belong as the man ran off, letting herself lean into Zach when he pulled her close. "I'm okay. Thank you for protecting me, I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here" Which was true, she had no idea if she would have been able to do anything-the training she had begged for was one thing. Using it against someone was another. 

She shivered slightly, and said "Maybe we should go back to the lighter areas. There might be more" She knew that the darker areas of the town, of any town really, held a darker sort of people. Those that would hurt others for even a couple of coins. Who would take what they wanted, without any fear. And in the darker area's, rumors began, and sometimes ended. "And I don't want to see you hurt, if there's a lot of them"

Zach grinned, "They wouldn't hurt me. They don't have the skill. I would be more concerned tht one would hurt you while I was fighting. And I can't let that happen." 

He pulled her back into the dancing area and they danced. When the music became slower he pulled her into his embrace and looked into her eyes. He was truly happy. His eyes locked onto hers and he smiled and said, "I think we should head back now. It's getting late." He was smiling.

Niesha gave a nod, finding she didn't trust her voice right then. She knew there was more than simple liking here, and for a moment she felt a little overwhelmed, and she knew she couldn't keep her past a secret. So as they walked back, she began to pick up her courage, finally saying softly "I...I need to tell you something, Zach"

Zach felt her nervousness and he found it a little refreshing. When they got to her office door and she pulled out the key he took it from her and opened her door allowing her in first and stepping in behind her. He smiled and handed her key to her.

"What is it that you must tell me? Why do you appear so nervous? There is nothing you could say to me that would change the way I feel about you. Just say it." He was curious what was so obviously upsetting her.

She knew she should be reassured by Zach's words, but she was terrifed that what she told him would change the way he felt. She shifted, having to grab a hold of her courage again. "I don't want to keep anything from you. I ran away from home when I was 16. I didn't want to marry who my father wanted me to, and...I didn't want the life I'd grown up with, forever. My father is a noble" 

She found it easier to get out quickly, and without looking at Zach, terrified she'd see something bad there. 

Zach smirked and then he thought a moment and took his hands and held her arms so she was looking at him. He tipped her chin up so he could see her eyes. Niesha would have seen nothing but love as she stood there. 

"You are an adult now, even though technically your father has the right to do what he wants to I have to be happy that you ran away. If you hadn't, the woman I've been in love with for six months would be married to another." He looked for permission in her eyes and he leaned in to kiss her. He went slow in case she decided to whack him upside the head.


"I'll tell you a secret. Sofia keeps threatening to tell you because she thinks its funny." He grinned a little sheepishly. "I've been purposely allowing myself to get hurt so that I would have an excuse to come and see you nearly every day. May I kiss you again?"

What...what was this, this acceptance? Without hesitation? Most would be frightened at her fathers wrath, if she was ever found again. Zach wasn't. And she found that that meant more than anything to her. Something made her stop, rewind what he had said. He loved her? She stared at him, taken aback. He...there was no buffer, to reason for him to lie about that. He loved her, simply for her. 

For a moment, her thoughts seemed completely jumbled, as she tried to make sense of that. At the rest of his words, she closed the distance, and kissed him herself, before whispering "That's not really a secret"

Zach laughed and kissed her deeply until her legs felt weak. "So tell me something." He said breathing heavily. "Do you want me to ask your father or you? I have every intention of marrying you."

Marry her? That thought seemed to take longer to process then it should have, as if her brain had to reboot. A marriage, of her own choosing? And to Zach. For a minute, she thought she might hyperventilate. She gathered herself, letting her thoughts roam as she made sure she didn't pass out or something else that would be embarrassing. 

Niesha knew she wouldn't go back to her father, for any reason. She knew he would take one look at Zach, and imprison him, leaving her back in her fathers grasp, and this time she was certain she'd be confined to a room, until whatever man her father wanted to marry her to was in his halls. She knew that if that happened, she'd never see Zach again, and she didn't want that. "If we care about being proper, you could ask my teacher, because aside from the fact my father thinks I'm dead, he'd never let me go if I turned back up. But I don't care about being proper"

Zach grinned, he hadn't expected to do this tonight but he wasn't willing to wait if she wasn't already running for the hills. "Niesha? Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I know it seems sudden but it's been a long time to me." He blushed a little bit and looked into her eyes.

Niesha watched Zack curiously as he blushed, sure she had never seen him do so before. She smiled, and nodded, not trusting herself if she spoke. She wasn't a particularly emotional woman, but knew the way she was feeling, she might just break down into a puddle of feelings. But she knew there was something she hadn't said yet, and so she mastered herself, "I love you, and want to spend the rest of my life with you"

Zach pulled her in and kissed her deeply and said, "I love you and I'm pretty sure everyone already knows it. Sofia can help you with a dress. I've already made the rings." He admitted rather quickly and then he blushed. "I have to admit that I was worried that you might say no, but only for a minute. Someone that patient with six months of injuries couldn't be so cruel as to break my heart."

"Can we marry soon? It kills me a little more each time I have to leave you alone. I want you beside me every night until we are old and you kick me out of bed for snoring too loudly." He grinned teasing her.

"How could I ever reject you? You make me smile, and laugh, and feel...special" She said, wondering just how long he had thought to ask her, if he had made rings. Maybe he had just been waiting for some sign, or something. "I'd marry you tomorrow, if possible" she said, wrapping her arms around him, so she was just about as close to him as she could get, "And I'd never kick you out of bed"

She sighed softly, happily "I don't want you to go"

Zach looked at her and he didn't know what to say. So he kissed her and whispered into her ear. "Are you sure you want me to share your bed tonight?"

Niesha returned the kiss, sure she was blushing ferociously, "Yes, I'm sure. More than sure" She said softly. 

Zach reached around and locked the door to the outside and he followed her into her private rooms. When they reached her room he followed her in, he kicked off his shoes and put his arms around her and pulled her to him. "We don't have to do anything tonight. I'd be happy just having you in my arms tonight." He looked her in the eyes, he was smiling at her.

Niesha slid off her own shoes, and would have taken her shawl off, but then Zack pulled her into his arms. She thought on his words, and she realised something. She didn't need some words from a priest, to tell her what she already knew, felt. "You're already mine."

Zach kissed her and they began undressing each other.....

[dabombjk]

Kendrick

and

Sofia

Sofia was getting concerned. Zach was never out too late unless he was out drinking with his friends and that was very rare. Since she knew he was with Niesha she was more concerned than not. She peaked out and saw the light on in the doctor's office. When it went out a couple of moments later she didn't know what that meant. He had taken her home and gone back out? All she knew for certain was that she was tired of sewing and her hands hurt from it. She wrapped a cloak around herself slid her half sized sword home and walked out into the night. She could hear the music but she had to stay out of sight there were too many criminals on the streets at night.

Kendrick was hiding in the shadows. He wore his black leather armor, chest piece with shoulder guards, bracers with finger protecters, with boots that had knee guards/ He wore black pants and a sleeveless tunic underneath his chest piece with a black hood attached to it. Ever since he came back to his city after being exiled, he had decided that he could operate in broad daylight as often as he would like. He realized he would need to work in the shadows, and he had to do it discreetly. He had his new sword sheathed on his back, and he had found out from a reliable source that the Kings personal corrupt treasurer that was put in charge of his own personal finances, was being sent out tonight to one of the kings personal secret hideout homes in the city. This was where he would go to host secret gambling events, where they would not be found.

Kendrick knew that tonight would be the only night to get to him for another week, being that he had not found a way into the castle yet. If he caught the treasurer he would be able to wring out more information than he would be able to obtain in a year. Kendrick stuck to the shadows in alleys and against the walls of buildings, following the man.

Sofia kept her clothing and her face covered. If anyone realized she was a woman out at night she was likely to lose a lot more than her brother's whereabouts. She got to the center where the dancing was and it was wrapping up for the evening. She was leaving the area focussed on her own questions about Zach's whereabouts and hoping he wasn't hurt when her hood slipped a little and she was almost immediately surrounded. She looked up and pulled her short sword out. "You'd better leave me alone or I'll castrate ya." Sofia was not happy with her odds, 4 against 1 was not a good thing in this situation especially for a woman.

Kendrick tailed his target until he walked through the center of where people were dancing and were having a great time. Kendrick was able to still follow his target, but he had to stay focused. He nearly lost his concentration when he spotted a women a little ways away being surrounded by four unruly men who looked as if they had harmful intentions for the woman they had in their grasps. He was torn. On one hand he needed to stay on task, but on the other hand he was "The Vigilante" for a reason. One of them being was he wanted to still protect people. Kendrick knew if he helped the women he would lose his target. He sighed and walked over to the group.

He tapped one of the mens shoulder, and as soon as the man turned around Kendrick slammed his fist into the mans face. The other three men, startled but eager, reacted violently. They attacked Kendrick at once, but they could not beat Kendrick. He shielded himself from two of the men with his arms, and kicked one of the three men. Then he sent a barrage of fists barreling at the man to his left, swung and connected the man on his right, then leaped forward and kneed the man he kicked. Kendrick knocked him out, then knocked out the other two quickly with his fists.

Kendrick turned to look at the women and recognized her from the blacksmith shop. He was glad he was wearing his hood. He nodded at her, then began to walk past her.

"Hey! I know you." She kept up with him and put her hood back up. "I know that sword. My brother made it. You don't drink ale." A little irritated that her rescuer wouldn't stop she grabbed his arm. "Can't you stop for just a moment?"

Kendrick, without meaning to, quickly turned and spun his arm around. This made the women spin and he slipped out of her grasp, grabbing her arm and twisting it around her back which was facing him now. Kendrick realized his error and quickly let go. Knowing she knew him now, he motioned her to follow him. He walked into a nearby alley, which was deserted. He kept his hood up. When she followed him, he spoke softly.

"Why are you out alone? It is not safe at this hour."

Sofia knew he was right but she also was upset that he hurt her arm. "I'm a big girl. I've been out looking for my brother. He was out earlier with his ....girlfriend? And he never came home. I'm worried since I saw her lights go out. Have you seen him?" Sofia felt like she was exposed out there and she grabbed her cloak around herself tighter.

"Why are you out here?"

Kendrick chuckled softly as he realized where her brother was most likely. Kendrick thought to himself," She is truly innocent. Although she did threaten to castrate a man. And she is very beautiful", and he walked a bit closer to her. He realized where they were and more criminals could come out at any moment.

"Your brother is fine, I swear. Sounds as if....he is spending the night in the comfort of another. And I.....I..I am simply.......I am on my way home. Wearing dark clothes helps me not be spotted by criminals."

Sofia looked at him and shook her head. "No, he has been madly in love with her for months he wouldn't be with another.....unless...." She gasped loudly. "It's their first date!" She shouted in surprise. She caught herself by covering her mouth. She was getting more looks from the unsavory.

Kendrick nearly jumped when Sofia shouted, and quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He began walking, making Sofia walk with him, and spoke softly.

"Direct me to where you live, I will escort you. It is not safe here. I swear Once we are done, if you are still worried, I will find your brother."

She almost laughed at him. "You know where I live you were there yesterday. The blacksmith's house." Sofia liked his arm around her. He felt protective of her and it made her smile. "Will you come in and check the house out and make sure there is no one in there waiting for me?"

Kendrick nodded and walked with Sofia. They walked quickly and in step with each other until they arrived at Sofia's home. They had recieved no extra hardships while traveling back, Kendrick scaring off anyone that came too close. Kendrick opened the homes door, and let Sofia go in first, then he followed in suit.

While he looked around for attackers she took her cloak off andput her short sword on the table. "I'm Sofia, my brother said your name was....um...Kendrick." So since I already know what you look like why don't you stay and have some coffee with me. It'll warm us both up."

She looked out the window at Niesha's and asked him, "Are you sure he is with her staying the night? " I thought before marriage guys only did that with whores?And believe me she is not a whore."

Kendrick walked around the room, checking windows and access points for signs of intrusions and to familiarize himself with the room. As he did he spoke.

"Not at all. Having urges that your brother and his date is having is completley natural, and you are only a whore if you do it with anyone, anywhere, all the time for free. Whores give it away to anyone, prostitutes make you pay first, but the average person still has needs. From what little I know of your brother, I feel as if he would not have any need of a whore or prostitute. Plus in general you dont go on dates with whore and prostitutes."

Sofia got the coffee on and warmed her hands over the fire. When it was done she handed him a cup and she sat down with hers near the fire. "Come sit. So what were you really doing looking like a criminal out there? And although I thank you, why did you stop to help me? Most others wouldn't have."

Kendrick sat with Sofia next to the fire and held his cup in his hands. He eyed it wearily.

"I told you. Wearing black simply allows me to travel faster at night. And I helped you because I would help anyone in need. So long as people keep making the same mistake to break the law as they were going to do with you, I will continue to intervene. Also, It did assist me in seeing a beautiful maiden in distress, I am a sucker for that."

Kendrick lowered his hood and smiled jokingly at his last statement.

Sofia blushed at the compliment. "So what do you do for a living? I already know you fight, you don't drink often, and you are protective of pretty girls." she blushed again. "Thank you for that. I rarely have time to meet any men." She chuckled. " I'm usually too busy making wedding dresses or ballgowns for the titled. I spend much of my day in the castle."

Kendrick raised an eyebrow at Sofia.

"You work in the castle? And you......do not know of me? Sofia how much do you know about the affairs of the kings knights?"

She nodded. "Yes, most of the day. Why? Should I know your name from there? I know some, I'm usually so focussed on my sewing I don't listen too much to the old biddies in there. I used to but the gossip was so crazy. It's like a brothel in there. Everyone is....I started carrying my short sword when one of the knights tried to force me once. I realized my knee was going to be seriously bruised if I kept kneeing people in armor."

"Have you ever heard of the knight, Sir Kendrick?"

Kendrick watched Sofia for any acknowledgment of his name.

Dawning hit her like a lightning bolt. "You're him!" She laughed herself silly and spilled her coffee on her skirt. "Oops!" She calmed down a little and couldn't get the smile off of her face. "That is fabulous! Yes you are mentioned often. Usually by a very irate snobbish king, who by the way demands his underwear be made extra large so he can eat huge amounts of dessert." She couldn't stop giggling.

Kendrick was confused by Sofia's reaction. Normally when people heard his name, a slightly more rude reaction would be expected. Or at least they did not seriously laugh.

"Ummm...yes well he would. His greed has made him slightly heavyset. Why are you not......more intimidated? It is not as if our King told everyone I am a gentle and kind man. Most tend to......fear me more. Not that I dont welcome the change in reaction."

Kendrick set his mug down on the table next to them.

"I am suppose to be exiled as well. No questions there?"

Sofia smiled with the firelight showing her glee in her eyes. "I'm not intimidated by you because I know you aren't going to hurt me. And no, he tells people that you are vile and a giant pain in his ass. I love what you do. He and his treasurer have been stealing from the people for years, it's about time someone stood up for us." She thought about his last question.

She smiled and said, "I figure you are rebelling against that. Were you trying to get into the castle tonight? Is that why you were here?"

Kendrick shook his head.

"No I was following the kings treasurer. He was being sent tonight to set up one of the Kings secret rooms, one of his gambling rooms where he plays with pirates and thieves. He likes to perform his more illegal activities outside the castle. I was going to follow him, find the place, and interogate the treasurer. But then I got sidetracked."

Kendrick smiled softly at his last part.

Sofia smirked slightly. "And what would you give me for that information? See, I know where it is. People never pay attention to the dressmaker when they talk." She smiled softly at him.

Kendrick scooted ever so closer to Sofia, smiling softly.

"My dear, I would give virtually anything for that information. Although too be fair, you may want to give me what I seek for free. After all I did save your maiden hood."

Kendrick pondered his thoughts then looked back at Sofia.

"Or worse."

Sofia smiled, "I'll take you there."

Kendrick leaned in close to Sofia.

"Just so you know, while I am in exile I am a knight at my core. I plan on getting my status as a knight re instated. So....."

Kendrick gently pressed his lips against Sofia's. After a few moments he retracted.

"I do not just hand those out to anyone."

Sofia blushed and said, "That's good, I might get jealous if you did."

She stood and grabbed her cloak while smiling. She put it on and looked at him. "I guess that is the perk of not having my brother home. Shall we?"

Kendrick stood up and pulled his hood up. He walked to the door, but held back at a thought he had. He turned his head.

"I dont suppose there is any chance of me convincing you to stay home and just telling me where it is?"

Sofia shook her head. "Nope." She walked out the door and pulled her cloak over her head.

Kendrick smiled, and followed behind Sofia. As they walked he tried to keep them in the shadows, but Sofia made it difficult. It was made very clear that she was not used to sneaking around. Kendrick had to partially draw his sword more than once at suspicous indivisuals.

Sofia took Kendrick's hand and when a couple of knights came out of the building right in front of them She quickly spun around raising her arm up to block his face and clothes and she kissed him. She had never done that before but she liked it and he tasted sweet. She kept him hidden for a moment and looked him in the eyes.

Kendrick was taken by suprise when Sofia pulled him in and locked lips with him, but recognized what she was doing quickly. When she pulled away, he held on to her and brought her back to him once again locking lips. After a few moments he pulled away.

"I am wearing a hood, they wouldnt have seen my face. But....I do appreciate what we did."

"Not your face. My cloak covered a lot of your armor which looks quite like theirs. And I liked kissing you too." She blushed.

Kendrick slightly blushed at her words. He looked ahead and saw they were clear for the moment. He looked back to Sofia, unsure.

"Well......I suppose we should probably keep moving forward. Probably."

Sofia turned the corner and pointed at what looked like a storage building. "That's it."

Kendrick nodded. He saw a light on and a shadow moving through the window. He started to walk forward then stopped and looked back. He very well could not leave Sofia alone now. He walked back to her and took her hand in his.

"Thank you for the assistance. You should head home, no doubt it is late and a lady such as yourself would be better off in bed at the moment. I will escort you home."

Sofia nodded and let him take her home. "Are you going to come back inside with me?" She was hopeful that he would but she figured now that he had the information that he wanted he was probably going to disappear on her.

Kendrick nodded.

"Of course, if you so wish it. I am paranoid and I want to make sure you are secure in doors in case anyone followed me. Lead the way."

She went inside and watched him check it all out again. "Do you have to leave?"

Kendrick looked unsure.

"Do you wish me to leave?"

Sofia shook her head. "This is going to sound odd, but, I've never been alone all night in the house before. I would like you to stay if you would."

Kendrick nodded and looked around. He could see her brothers room, and her room but nothing extra.

"I am open to that, but pray tell where I would sleep? It does not seem as if you had any extra beds. I can make the floor managable, I mean which room in particular?"

Sofia put down a blanket on the floor near the fireplace. "Usually in the winter I sleep in front of the fire so you can sleep here on the floor with me or in either room."

Kendrick smiled and raised an eyebrow. He took a step closer to Sofia.

"I would be most honored to......sleep with you. If that is acceptable?"

"Certainly, it is." She locked the door and went into her room to change into a nightgown. When she came back she avoided his eyes and lay on her side in front of the fireplace. She shivered a little as the house was cold. While he was removing his armor she covered herself up and made enough room for him to join her.

Kendrick removed his armor, and took off his shirt. All that he had on was his pants and under garments. He slowly slid into the space Sofia left him and laid there, close to Sofia. He could feel her shivering, and he wrapped his arms around her. Then he began softly kissing her neck, then nibbling on her ear lobe.

Sofia scooted back against him. He was really warm and she was freezing. She felt his kisses on her neck and she smiled when he nibbled on her ear lobes she giggled. "That tickles." She giggled softly. She started to feel something not so soft behind her. She looked up at him and smiled.

Kendrick smiled and gently placed a hand on her hip.

"Thats the point my dear. Tell me though.....does this tickle?"

Kendrick moved his hand upwards as he began to caress her chest.

Sofia felt a little shocked and yet her body was responding very differently. "Her breathing became more shallow and she whispered, "no." Her eyes never leaving his.

Kendrick leaned in and kissed Sofia, sliding his tongue into her mouth. He managed to raise himself and move on top of her. His hands began exploring every crevice of her body.

Sofia knew what they were doing was forbidden but her hormones were overruling her mind and she gasped for breath as he touched her.

Kendrick slid of fhis pants and lower garments with one hand, and the other he spread Sofia's legs. He stopped kissing her for a moment to ask a very important question.

"Do you give consent, mylady?"

Sofia looked at him still breathing hard and she pulled him into a deep kiss.

Kendrick returned her kiss, and slowly he inserted himself into Sofia.

Sofia suddenly realized what was happening and as her hymen tore she teared up at the unexpected pain. She clung to him as he moved inside her.

Kendrick could feel the pressure from Sofia, both from inside her and outside her. She clung to him, digging in her nails, but Kendrick did not mind. He predicted this would be the case when he agreed to stay the night. Her word choice made it clear her maiden hood was intact. He slowed himself, hoping to ease her pain somewhat. When he felt enough time pass he sped up, pushing himself harder and faster.

Sofia held onto him and kissed him back. After a little while she moved with him and started to feel things she had never experienced before.

Kendrick ended up finishing, pulling out almost too late, he was enjoying himself too much. After he finished and became even harder than before. He leaned in and kissed Sofia, laying on his side, lifting her leg up, and inserting himself again.

At this point she figured it would be a learning experience and she was enjoying all of the sensations she was receiving as well as the ones he was feeling from her.

Kendrick continued this for sometime, having not lain with a women for a while. He spent all night teaching Sofia the ways of indecency, and enjoyed himself completely. After making love to Sofia for hours on end, he ended up passing out with Sofia in his arms.

[Wick]

The Wedding

Zach awoke and he kissed Niesha softly. "I need to get to the house to check on Sofia. I'm guessing she was up all night worrying." Zach kissed her once more and said, "After that I'll find the preacher." Grinning he slid out of the bed and into his clothes. He looked back at her and thought she was just so beautiful. He turned to the door and hurried out worried that if he stayed any longer they would spend the day in bed. He locked her office on the way out and walked over to the forge.

Whistling happily he opened the door to the house. " Sof- You SON OF A BITCH!" Zach reached down and pulled a naked Kendrick out from under the covers on the floor disrupting his also naked sister's sleep. Sofia woke up and screamed grabbing the blankets to her. She jumped up and tried to get between Zach and Kendrick who by now was also very awake. Zach had his forging hammer out and was raising it to hit Kendrick when Sofia got in the way. Zach came inches from hitting her as he barely stopped it in time.

Kendrick moved quickly. As Sofia stood in between him and her brother, he quickly got dressed. He realized he was in his vigilante outfit, but he could not spend too much time dwelling on that. Kendrick pulled up his hood, and kissed Sofia on her neck.

"Until the next time my dear."

Kendrick turned around and ran, out the door and into the nearest alley. He parkoured himself up the side of the building and hid on top of the roof.

Sofia stared at Zach with tears running down her face. The look on his face was so furious she went into her room and got dressed then left in a hurry. She looked at Zach on her way out and he was bent over the forge and he was so mad it scared her and she took off out of the city. She went to the lake and in her heart she knew he wasn't going to forgive her. Then a horrifying thought occurred to her. What if she got pregnant? The thought stopped her in her tracks and she stripped down into her underclothes and went into the water and scrubbed herself as clean as the cold water would allow her. She was shivering as she redressed herself and wrapped her cloak around her. She didn't even know how to contact Kendrick. She was positive both men must think her a whore now. She got back to the road and she looked at it and she turned to go to the castle. Maybe she could rent a room there then again she didn't know what Zach would do if she didn't come home.

Niesha watched Zach leave the room, knowing she should get up as well, but finding herself reluctant to do so. She just felt so...happy. The thought of someone coming in with a serious injury got her moving-she certainly didn't want to be barged in on naked-but still, she didn't hurry. She let her thoughts drift, going over the previous night, smiling to herself.

She went into the office buildings, locking her rooms, thinking about what she should do, that day. Zach had said Sofia would help her with a dress...As she took the key out her rooms door, she looked up at the sound of a scream. Frowning, she got to the window in time to see someone running into an alley. She stared puzzled for a moment, and she hesitated, but when she saw Sofia hurrying off, Niesha quickly wrote a note, to inform anyone who came in she was out, before going over to the forge, and Zach. "What was all that?"

Zach looked up at her and his expression softened. He walked over to her and embraced her to him. He shoved his hand through his hair. He pulled her with him into the house and the picture started to become clear to Niesha what had happened. The blankets were on the floor there were a couple of mugs half full and Sofia's nightgown with the proof that her virginity was taken. He took a deep breath. "I found them asleep in each other's arms naked." He sighed with a troubled heart.

"How am I supposed to find her a husband, especially now? He left, then she dressed and ran out too. I don't know what I'm going to do. My instincts were to kill him and Sofia jumped in the way and I almost hit her instead." He was shaking slightly at the thought that he had almost killed his sister.

Niesha took in the scene Zach showed her, probably in a different light then he had. She listened as he talked, turning to give him a hug, before saying "You should trust her to know what she is doing. Perhaps she merely wants the freedom to choose her own husband, like I did. I wouldn't be here, if I'd done what my father wanted." She said, "Don't push her away. You're going to condem her, for something we did as well?"

Niesha knew that it was somewhat different, but it didn't negate the fact they'd done it before they were officially married. "She was probably terrified, when you didn't come back home. And now she's probably terrified you'll never let her back"

Zach shook his head, "We are getting married. Do you know who that was she was with? I do! He is a former knight who was exiled!" He picked up his hammer and threw it at the furthest wall.

"That's what the worst part is. I can't even make him marry her. I can't let him be with her. He is not fit to be with her!"

Zach wrapped his arms around Niesha and kissed her softly. "I don't mean to scare you or upset you. Let's go find the preacher." He smiled at her and took her by the hand and they left together.

Kendrick had leapt from rooftop to rooftop, sliding down walls, and hiding in obscure places when knights were around. He finally made it to his secret home, where he dressed in his day fashion. A normal, non special looking outfit with a brown cloak with a hood. Kendrick went out, hood up, and went to do his favorite past time. He went to his little hidy hole with a perfect view of the castle and castle entrance, and relived his favorite moments from when he was a knight.

As he sat there and day dreamed he spotted a familiar face. He looked harder and saw Sofia, walking towards the castle. Quick as the wind, he scurried out of his fond hidden place and skulked around until he was able to catch up to Sofia. Quickly, he walked up to her side and matched her stride. He could not risk getting too close to the castle, but they were a fair distance still.

Kendrick spoke softly. "Hello my dear. Good to see you."

Sofia stopped and looked at him. She wrapped her arms around him and didn't let go. "I'm sorry, I..I didn't mean for us to....he hates me now. He wouldn't even look at me. I don't even know if I can go back there." Sofia looked completely lost as to what to do.

Kendrick steered the opposite way of the castle and wrapped her in his arms.

"Fret not my dear. Your brother acted rationally. I cant say I wouldnt have done the same if I had a sister. He just needs time."

"If you knew that would be his reaction then why?" Sofia couldn't understand why he would do that to her when he knew what it would mean for her future and how it would mess up her life. "You were selfish and now I'm the one who is stuck paying for it." She looked away from him and wiped her eyes.

Kendrick raised an eyebrow, slightly confused.

"First off, its not as though its a secret. Its.......kinda a common reaction. Like very common. And second I asked you if you consented. You could have cooled everything down by saying no but you didnt."

Sofia turned and looked at him. "I remember you saying something but my head was so full of the feelings you had made appear that I didn't realize what you were asking me until you began." She looked at her feet thinking about how stupid she was. She knew they were attracted to one another but they just met so he couldn't love her so what was she supposed to do?

She looked up at him and put her hand on the side of his face and kissed him tenderly. "I want you to do well and be reinstated."

Kendrick smiled and picked up Sofia, carrying her bride style.

"You are the first person who has been this supportive of me in over two years. Why?"

Sofia held onto his neck as he carried her. "Where are we going? And, I told you, I believe you are doing the right thing."
Kendrick stopped walking and looked at Sofia.

"Lets get married!"

Sofia was speechless. "Ah-....but my brother....he isn't going to let me marry you! Are you sure he didn't hit you in the head this morning?" She clung to him wanting to stay with him but how could she?"

"Then dont ask for his permission. I will earn his favor some way, but you are your own woman Sofia."

Kendrick walked for a little bit, looking for a priest to wed them.

Sofia blushed and she just had no idea what to think. "You want to get married right now?" Sofia saw one of the clergy up ahead and asked him. "Kendrick? Are you positive this is what you want to do? You barely know me. Where would we live?" The list of questions was about a mile long. She looked back up in time to see her brother and Niesha with the preacher.

"Kendrick," she panicked.

As they walked Kendrick spoke.

"Listen this may seem crazy but I feel our connection. And......I believe wholeheartily that my honor will be reinstated, and when it does I only want people who are trustworthy by my side. And I only want a women who cares for me, and cares for me in my darkest hour. How can I trust someone who spit on my name one day, and bows before me the next day?"

When he finished speaking, he saw the problem.

"Stop a minute, who did that? Who spit on your name one day and bows before you the next? I'm not going to share my husband so if you are thinking that then you should put me down and walk away now." Her stomach was in knots and all it would take for all hell to break loose would be if her brother or Niesha looked up and saw her with him.

Kendrick did a double take.

"No no no I didnt mean that. I meant how could I trust someone who claims to hate me one day and the next pays me praise. As in right now I am one of the most hated men in the kingdom. Soon I wont be. So how can I trust anyone. Which is why when I felt for the first time a bond with some, a bond strong and perfect, I knew we should wed."

Kendrick walked over to the priest. He winked at Sofia's brother then looked at the priest.

"We wish to wed."

Zach was about to explode. "Put My sister down before I kill you outright." He was gritting his teeth trying not to scream at him in front of the priest. Sofia gave Niesha a look of irritation that said Help me.

"Niesha? Did you have a nice time last night? Did he give you the roses?" She decided to try the most insane thing she could think of, act normally. She did kind of wish that Kendrick would put her down. She wiggled in his arms as the priest looked from one couple to the other.

"Zach, we want to be married so just let us. It's my life."

Zach looked at Kendrick and said, "We are going to settle something right here and now. Put her down and come with me!" Zach handed Niesha his weapons.

Kendrick set Sofia down, and just to piss him off he leaned in and kissed Sofia passionatley. Then he winked at her and walked with Zach.

"Let us get to it."

"No weapons just fists. If you want to marry my sister you have to prove to me that you can protect her. And because I just want to beat the hell out of you right now." Zach was taller and more muscular than Kendrick was but he was a little bit slower. Still he occassionally entered fighting bouts and won.

Kendrick was still a knight at heart, and he believed in honor in fights. Kendrick put a hand over his heart and bow his head slightly. The he raised his fists.

Zach looked at him and he watched his movements and he walked right up to him and punched him hard in the gut. Then he put all of his weight into his fist and he landed a punch that would have knocked almost every other guy out, but not this one. Zach went about going in for the third hit and before he connected it...

Kendrick took the hit in the gut, and recovered from it. He recieved another blow, but took it like a man. When Zach went in for his third hit, Kendrick struck. He closed any distance, grabbing his head and bringing it down, connecting it with his knee. This connected with Zachs nose. Blood splurted out from Zachs nose, but Kendrick did not stop. He threw one jab to Zachs side, then threw another punch to his other side, and for his third follow up attack he threw his palm at Zachs face.

Zach grabbed his arm and bent it backwards until he couldn't move it at all. Zach was pretty tough and there were people stopping to watch them in the street and he looked up and saw Niesha not looking very happy and his sister was biting her lip and looking worried. He picked Kendrick up still keeping his arm securely so it wouldn't move without breaking it. He stated in a low voice and said, "If you hurt my sister it will be the last thing you ever do."

Zach walked over to Niesha and pulled out a handkerchief and cleaned up his nose. He winced and put his nose back in place so that it was straight again.

Watching the fight, Niesha could both understand it, and dislike it. It seemed worse, because of the fact it was so public. Guards could come up at any moment, although she wasn't sure they'd interrupt this.

As it seemed to end as suddenly as they began, She sighed softly, watching Zach walk back over to her. "So, first you were angry because you couldn't do anything to get him to marry her, and now you're angry because he wants to?" She said, before saying "You have to stop the bleeding,or it'll just keep bleeding " She gave him a hug, glad he was okay.

Sofia looked at her brother and went to Kendrick. She embraced him and asked," Are you alright? And are you still sure you want to do this?"

Kendrick stretched and checked himself for any permanent damage. He did not feel anything permenant but it didnt hurt to check. Then he looked Sofia in the eye.

"Of course. I truly wish to do this. With you and only you."

Sofia embraced him and kissed him. They would figure the rest out she was sure. She walked over to Zach and bit her lip and hugged her brother. "I love you Zach but let me do this." He grabbed her and pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. "If he ever hurts you..." She smiled, "He won't. I promise you." When he let her go she turned to Niesha."Congratulations! and I'm sorry I know this is not what you would have wanted for your wedding."

Niesha smiled, "It's okay, really. All I need is Zach, and I'm happy" She said, more than truthfully, looking to him and her smile changed, becoming soft, loving. "More than happy"

The priest looked at the men with disapproval about the fighting but he appeared to like the excitement it brought. He cleared his throat. "Do we want to do the ceremony right here?"

"If we could move this to the lake side I think it would be nicer."

The priest nodded and they followed him to the lake.

Kendrick held Sofia's hand, and he walked with everyone down to the lake. He agreed it would be a much better place for the ceremony. He even took off his hood.

The priest asked "Who has the rights to these women?" Zach said "I have for my sister there and I give my permission." He then looked towards Niesha.

Niesha had forgotten that that would be a question, and for a second she panicked. Even orphan girls typically had some male figure to speak for them, but she didn't. What would the priest do, if she said she had her own rights? She had no idea what to do, and she looked to Zach, fearful they'd be denied. Or she'd be found out, for a runaway noble.

Kendrick understood the situation and immediatley spoke up.

"I have rights for my cousin, and I give them my permission."

After the priest pronounced them all married respectively and he left Zach came over to Kendrick and shook his hand. "Thank you. He could have made it very difficult for us had you not stepped up."
Sofia hugged Niesha and giggled. "If anyone had told me yesterday I would be married today I would have likely thought they were drunk."

As Kendrick spoke up for her, Niesha tried hard to hide her surprise, yet the Priest seemed to believe him. When Sofia hugged her, Niesha returned it, "It...it does seem like a dream, but it also feels like the most realistic thing ever"

She hugged Sofia tightly, and added "I have this suspiscion that you finally got him to ask me out, rather then hurting himself daily"Sofia chuckled.

Kendrick accepted Zachs hand and shook it firmly.

"Its nothing. Truly. I wish you and.......my cousin the best of luck in your marriage."

Zach smiled a little. "Where are you and my sister going to live?"
Kendrick smile turned into a sad frown.

"Here is the thing......I am still a knight in exile. I was hoping until I get my status back, living arrangements could not change."

Sofia looked at Kendrick. "No, we will figure it out but we are not living apart. I would be crazy not knowing if you were safe all the time." She turned to Zach and Niesha. "Could we please have the house temporarily? There is enough room for you both at Niesha's right?"

Zach looked at Niesha while taking in a deep breath. "Baby this is up to you."

"That's okay, by me. There will be enough room for us." Niesha said, without hesitation.

Sofia hugged her tightly for the umpteenth time that day. "Thank you!" She took Kendrick's hand and smiled at him. "See, probem solved."

Kendrick sighed in relief. That was one weight off his shoulders. He still had many other weights, and he had to tackle them one by one. But he was sure that this was going to work out. Kendrick smiled and kissed his new bride.

"Thank the Gods."

[Wick]

Pirates, Pirates everywhere

It had been a week, Niesha felt that nothing could subdue what she felt, each day waking up to Zach. It was...amazing. She had since ceased to fear that her father would find her alive, he hadn't so far, and now he couldn't do anything, truly, about it. So she let herself be happy, enjoying every moment. Living in her offices, she'd finally set about clearing the second level, which was full of supplies that she just hadn't gotten around to sorting.

She wanted to give them more room, and thought the second level would do that. Originally, the building had been a store, with the second level as the owners living quarters, but when Niesha had come to the offices, it had already been a healing space. So she had merely taken the empty rooms at the back of the building to live in, and hadn't done anything about the second level.

She stood, finally, in mid-morning to the now empty space, satisfied with what had been done. Downstairs, everything was organised, although it still seemed oddly cluttered and disorganized. She came down the stairs happily, intent on seeking out Zach.

Zach was across the road busy at his forge. He was whistling while he worked and Sofia was inside the house sewing. Zach had watched over his sister and Kendrick and he was pleased that they seemed to get along well enough. He had noticed that Niesha was going through the upstairs portion of the building when she wasn't busy with patients.

Zach had found that he had never been happier. He hadn't really figured out how he had survived so long without Niesha. She was the sparkle in his eye and the rise in his step. People who knew him were smiling at how happy he was.

Some of the townsfolk had begun to speak of the unsavory characters docking off of the ships recently. Some of which had the look and speech of pirates. Zach had started paying more attention now that he was married and Sofia was as well. Niesha rarely made house calls and he would take her if she was in need to make one. Sofia walked back and forth to the castle almost daily. Since the castle was parallel to the water that put her in a decent amount of danger. He had to remind himself a few times that Kendrick would have to keep a good eye on his wife. he also knew Kendrick couldn't go near the castle or he would be imprisoned so he kept his eyes on his sister too.

Sofia looked up as she entered the forge closing up the house. "Hi Niesha. How has your morning been? I have to run this up to the castle and sew it to the bottom of the dress now." She hugged her sister in law and brother. "Kendrick is out and about. So if he shows just tell him where I went." Zach nodded and smiled at his wife. Sofia grinned and left. Zach kissed his wife deeply, "Hello love, did you finish your organizing on the 2nd floor?"

Niesha hugged Sofia back, she was quite enjoying having a sister, even if by marriage. The only thing she truly missed from her old life, was her brother. She had followed his life somewhat the last two years, and knew that he's married the girl their father had wanted him to and seemed quite happy. She smiled at Zach, returning the kiss, thinking she might never get use to the way such contact made her feel. "yes, I truly didn't think it would take so long, but it's done now. Now all we need to do is move everything in there"

She knew that could be easily done, so she wasn't worried about how long it would take. They'd been okay so far on the back rooms. "I was worried about a lack of bandages, but I found a whole lot up there, which is good. The merchant that comes around is late. I hope something hasn't happened to him, with all the talk about pirates" Niesha had been thrilled to find the box of bandages, the last one she had carried down the stairs, but it had brought about worry. "I hope it's just talk" if there was to be any sort of war, the King would rally his banners, which meant her father.

While she wasn't afraid he could do anything, she didn't particularly want such a conflict, not when she was so happy, and felt so free for the first time. She knew she'd never allow herself to be taken back, not now that she had everything she wanted, but the conflict would reveal that she was a nobles daughter, and bring trouble for them.

Zach had hear such rumors as well and had seen a few of these miscreants and he made certain that they knew he wasn't one to fool with. Zach had a stash of beautiful swords and Sofia carried a beautiful and dangerous short sword that was fitted to her perfectly. She had only needed to pull it out once or twice but he had made her practice with him regularly for years.

"I'm going to make a short sword for you. One that will let you feel less a victim if you are put in a bad situation. I'll teach you to swordfight." Zach said this with a devilishness that made Niesha smile as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. Resting his forehead against hers he nuzzled her neck and kissed it. Hearing her chuckle he sighed happily.

Niesha debated whether to mention she knew how to use a sword, even though it had been two years since she has wielded the practice blades that were all that were allowed her. The prospect of an actual sword was both exciting, and terrifying. Perhaps it would be different, training with a real sword. Besides, the training she had begged for had been what any nobles son would learn as a child, she had tried to convince her brother to teach her more, but he hadn't wanted to risk their fathers anger if she got hurt, and by then she was being paraded about for prospective husbands. She didn't want to build herself up only to make a fool of herself.

"That would be geat" she said, although right then, she didn't want to go anywhere, happy right where she was in his arms. She leaned against him, wanting to be as close as possible. "I love you" Niesha took great joy in saying this, whenever she could.

Zach kissed his wife deeply and pulled the sword out of the fire and carried her across the street kicking the door shut and into their room. Where he then showed her how she made him feel. The townsfolk outside chuckled to themselves as Niesha blushed at her husbands public dispay of affection. After a couple of hours, Zach's voice deepened and he told her he loved her in no uncertain terms as he smoothed her hair back.

Sofia had wrapped the bodice of the dress she was working on and was in a hurry to get to the castle. The baronness was in a hurry to get the dress. It was basically finished except for some details arounf the edges and sewing the two pieces together. If all went well it could be finished today.

Sofia saw some extra foot traffic up ahead and she was fairly close to the castle. The gates were open and she heard screaming up ahead. Normally this wouldn't have worried her but there was a large tattered looking ship in the bay. She loved looking at the ships but this one looked, menacing. She heard male laughter and fighting. Someone ran into her and she dropped her package. Reaching down for it she was angrily bumped sideways and a disgustingly unkempt man grabbed her around the waist.

"Let go of me!" Sofia screamed angrily kicking at the man.

@dabombjk

[Wick]

Under siege

Kendrick jumped out over Sofia's and the man's head from seemingly out of nowhere, wearing his full vigilante suit, landing behind them. He turned to face them, he reached out, and grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt. He lifted him and threw him to the side. Kendrick reached out to embrace Sofia.

"Are you alright my dear?"

Sofia nodded and looked up. There were pirates and villagers fighting in the streets just inside the castle walls and on the outside too. There was a second ship in the harbor and it appeared to be full of more of the same. "What are we going to do? What do they want?"

Kendrick shook his head."No idea, more than likely just random chaos. Never met a pirate that could string together two logical sentences before. But what you need to do is get back to the castle. It will be the most fortified place in this entire city so you will be safe."

"I was just on the way there. Where are you going? Do you think Zach and Niesha are ok?" She clung to him a moment ducking from nearby flying objects. "I'm scared. It looks worse in there." She pulled her sword out and tied the package to her skirt.

"It is the safest place right now. I will find Zach and Niesha, but I also need to help fight off the pirates. Im an exile, but im also a loyal knight to this city. And knowing your safe will help me."

Kendrick quickly drew his sword and clashed steel against a pirate that came up behind him. They exchanged a few blows, sword against sword, until Kendrick got the better of the pirate and stabbed him. The pirate fell down, dead. Kendrick turned back to Sofia.

"You need to run. Now!"

Sofia kissed his cheek and ran towards the gates and once inside she had to dodge pirates and other men fighting them. Unfortunatley this also meant that the normal miscreants had more leeway to steal and attack as well since the guards were fighting the pirates already. Sofia recognized the one that Zach had fended off because of the shoulder. Her brother had really done a number on him with that hammer and she punched him in the throat when he put his hands on her and that sent him backwards into a wall.

Sofia dashed inside the castle. There wasn't much difference in the fighting there. The ladies were pretty much locked inside their chambers as soon as it started. She went to the sewing room and knocked and yelled until the baronness opened the door to let her in. One of the pirates followed Sofia before she could close the door. Sofia was face to face with him and he drew his sword on her.

Sofia hoped she couldhandle this on her own. She drew her sword and the fighting began. The ladies were in the back of the room cowering and watching with great interest most of them had never seen a woman weild a sword before. Several moments went by and Sofia finally caught him off guard and she stabbed him in the leg after sending his sword flying. She put the tip of her sword to his throat and asked the baronness what she should do. The baronness called for a guard to take him to the dungeons.

The ladies encircled Sofia and asked her about the sword fighting and she told them it was all thanks to her brother the forger. Sofia looked out of the window and saw that the fighting had gotten worse.

Kendrick had swiftly taken to the streets, slashing and hacking his way through the countless brigands and thieves and pirates. Kendrick saw this as an opportunity. Normally he would need to use stealth as his main weapon, but with the chaos ensuing around him he could do everything he needed to do and not worry about guards or knights. Kendrick fought his way to the entrance of the city, killing many pirates along the way.

At one point Kendrick thought to himself, "Why now? And this many pirates?". It was strange for so many pirates to work in tandem with each other, and to attack a single city like this with no clear objective was very strange. Kendrick pushed those thoughts aside though. He needed to keep moving forward.

Kendrick eventually arrived at the cities entrance, where a surly looking pirate was standing watch. He was a heavy set man but muscular, pirate who wielded a claymore. He was laughing and smoking a pipe when Kendrick showed up. They looked each other in the eyes and suddenly Kendrick there was no need for words. Somehow someway this was a pirate with seemingly normal intelligence. Kendrick readied himself, standing his fighting stance, and motioned for the pirate to come at him.

The surly pirate grinned. He spat out his pipe and charged forward, yelling. He swung his claymore, with Kendrick dodging and take a stab at the pirates knees. The pirate jumped, suprising Kendrick, and brought his strength and weapon down on Kendrick. Kendrick rolled away, just barely managing to dodge. The pirate did not let up though, as he ran at Kendrick, swinging his giant two handed sword as if it weighed as much as a piece of paper. Kendrick realized he was not going to win playing on the defensive. Kendrick dodged another attack, rolling back, then jumped forward. He feined a stab, which fooled the pirate, then Kendrick reach up and tried to bring his sword down on the Pirates head. The pirate grinned as he used his other hand to grab Kendricks wrist. Kendrick smiled as he brought out a hidden dagger from his boots and stabbed the pirate in his sword hand. the pirate screamed in pain and dropped his sword. Then Kendrick freed himself from the pirates grasp and brought his sword down on the pirates neck. The pirates head landed on the ground with a thump and rolled away. Kendrick took a second to catch his breath.

Zach heard the kid who came screaming into the small town and Zach grabbed his hammer and his own swords. He ran over to the office and told Niesha to lock herself inside and not to open it unless it was him or family. He kissed her and ran towards the castle. He scanned the area looking for his sister, thankful he didn't see her anywhere, he kept running and he was quickly confronted by a sturdy looking pirate and he fought him with both his hammer and his sword.

When there were lives at stake Zach didn't fool around. It only took a few minutes to make quick work of him as Zach's strength was superior to the pirate's. He took out his second sword as he was rushed by two more. This gave him a bit more work to do. His ability to swordfight was put to the test as one of these men would have been plenty to keep a normal swordfighter busy.

Kendrick walked out of the city, and towards what looked like a base of operations. The pirates had set up shop outside the city, making what looked like a very large camp. Many pirates were still there, sharpening weapons, outfitting armor, and some were even going over tactics and maps. Kendrick rushed forward and hid behind a tent, hiding himself. Kendrick creeped along, avoiding detection and listening to what pirates were saying. He got the general gist of what everything was about. Apparently the King had invited many pirate leaders to one of his gambling games and lost a lot of money he did not have to them. This was them simply collecting what they thought they were owed. Kendrick grew furious,

Zach stabbed one of the men and the other lost his sword and ran off. Zach saw Sofia in a window about 40 feet up and he wasn't sure if this was the best place for her to be or not. He looked around the castle as he was rushed by another and he glanced at her as some of the others were dumping things out of the windows trying to burn the pirates below.

Sofia heard screaming from the guard outside the door and suddenly the door burst open. She automatically jumped out in front of the other women and drew her sword. The man laughed until she jumped forwards and cut him on the face. Then he got mad and struck back trying to kill her. She was deft and fast in her movements and in just a couple of moments she had defeated him. With the door broken they couldn't stay there so she went first and told the ladies to follow her. Around every corner was another group of pirates. Sofia was the only one who could use a sword. She finally had no choice but to lead them outside. She handed them spears or flag posts to try and block if they could. She finally hurried them outside and along the wall.

Zach saw her bringing out the ladies and thought she has lost her mind. He worked his way towards his sister's group in a hurry and took down those between them and him fighting furiously to keep the women safe.

Kendrick thought he had a chance to end this once and for all in a sneaking fashion. He was wrong. He crouched and snuck into the what looked like the main tent of the pirate camp, only to be immediatley seen. The four pirate leaders, all dressed in leather and gems, detected him and set upon him. Kendrick did not stand a chance. They beat him severely and tied him up. They shoved him out of the tent for all of their pirate lackeys to see. They had plans with him, and things were beginning to be set in motion.

Sofia got the ladies out of the castle property and she saw the encampment off to the left in the distance in the trees. No wonder there had been so many of them. They were right there. She pointed and Zach looked and he told her to take the ladies back to the town and hide them. She nodded and took them to the church in town and locked them inside with the clergy. Sofia ran to the office and checked on Niesha.

Meanwhile Zach headed towards the encampment to see what they were up to. When he saw Kendrick tied up in there he became irritated that the pirates had outnumbered him. A pirate rushed at him from the outside of the building and he was suddenly fighting off a few of them at once.

Kendrick opened his eyes to see his situation. He was tied up, on the ground, and surrounded by pirates. He could see the four Pirate leaders standing around him, and a slight scuffle nearby. Kendricks hands were tied behinf his back, but he was able to reach a small knife in his belt. He freed himself, got up, and stuck the small knife in the eye of one of the four pirate leaders. As leader #4 howled in pain, the other three prepared to fight. Kendrick stayed on the defensive, seeing as how he had no weapons on him. Kendrick quickly snagged a sword that was laying on the ground, and started attacking back.

Kendrick, while attacking, tried to parry and counter as much a spossible. While it was clear the pirate leaders had skill, Kendrick was faster and nimbler. He was able to counter #3 and disarm him, while knocking out #2 with the hilt of his sword. He stabbed #3 in the chest, but was unable to return his sword to his grasp as #1 started to really lay into him. Now it was 1 on 1 and Kendrick had no weapon.

Zach finally finished his enemies outside and opened the door. Seeing Kendrick he smiled and slid a sword to him on the floor and stood back and made sure that he watched from the doorway.

Sofia banged on the door and yelled to Niesha that she was going back to help. Sofia saw her through the window and she said "Zach's fine don't worry!" Sofia got halfway back to the castle when she was cornered by six of the pirates. Fear set in as she realized she couldn't get out of this on her own. One took her sword and another picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. He held her onto her legs and the more she screamed the further UP her legs he threatened to go. After a minute she stopped screaming for fear of his hands.

Kendrick scooped up the sword that was slid towards, he would have to remember to look for the person who silid him the sword. Kendrick launched his offense, not wanting give #1 the advantage. Kendrick fought valiantly, as did the last pirate leader, but after a minute of fighting Kendrick was able to gain the advantage and disarmed the pirate leader. Literally. Kendrick was able to cut off the pirate leaders arm. Kendrick then looked around and saw the rest of the pirates who were fighting and causing havoc. Kendrick launched himself and started to fight the rest of the pirate henchmen.

Sofia waited til she could see what was going to happen next. As soon as they were preoccupied with fighting she bit the man who was holding her in the back and he screamed and as she kicked her legs she ended up falling headfirst to the ground. She grabbed his hair and put his sword to his neck.

Niesha paced the front room of the offices, restless, and knowing that she hated hiding away like that. When Sofia came knocking on the door, only to run off again, Niesha just about screamed in frustration. Knowing she wouldn't be able to take much longer not knowing what was happening to Zach and the others, she dashed to the bedroom. Where she promptly began to throw clothes about as she sought her traveling cloak. She knew the chances were quite slim that she'd run into her father, or brother, but why take the chance? Finding her cloak, she swung it around her shoulders, bringing the hood up.

Without a sword, the next best thing she had was the dagger she always carried. It would do, and Niesha darted out the offices, taking a moment to lock them up although she knew it wouldn't stop any determined thieves who would take advantage of the recent chaos to loot.

Not sure which way to go, Niesha went in the direction of the castle, constantly glancing about her. She could hear sounds of fighting, faint, but she knew it had to be close. Why were pirates, if the rumors were true, be invading? She had to wonder if there was something else going on here.

Dashing down the streets, she stopped dead as she came across Sofia, with a sword to a mans nexk. Closing the distance, she said "What happened?" It didn't seem the time to be squeamish about the situation, not when she figured the pirates would kill, and perhaps do other things without hesitation

Sofia smirked at her. "This pirate thought he was gonna ....nevermind." Instead of cutting his neck she stabbed him with his own sword in the thigh and left the sword in it. She grabbed her short sword off of his other thigh and she grabbed Niesha and they ran off.

Kendrick finished with the pirates at the base of operations. Most pirates were still in the city though, but at least there was going to be no back up for the pirates now. Kendrick tossed his sword aside, and retrieved his actual gear. Then he walked back into the city. There was much to be done in so little time. The rest of the pirates, any thieves, and making sure he dissapeared before the knights and guards rallied up. Kendrick walked through the city, without realizing why. When he realized where he was walking to, he pondered to himself. If the city was under seige, the castle, while safe, would be hectic. Not everything would be guarded.

Niesha ran with Sofia, holding her dagger, wishing she had something a little bigger then it, but what was was. She constantly looked about them, not wanting to be jumped. She let Sofia lead, figuring she knew where she was going. She also looked about, hoping to catch sight of Zach.

Zach had just finished clearing most of the pirates that had come out of the castle and the bodies were stacked into a pile when he looked up and saw his sister and his wife. He was not happy to see Niesha in danger and looked at Sofia as if it were her idea.

"What are you doing out here? I told you to stay inside where it was safe and further from the fighting. For the most part they are done. Most of the pirates are dead or locked up."

Sofia let go of Niesha's hand and went to get a guard. "I have to tell him where I put the ladies."

Zach pulled his wife to him and held her tightly. "Niesha, I want you to go home. Sofia will go with you. It's too dangerous out here."

Feeling a little chastised, Niesha shook her head hugging Zach back, "I was going crazy, not knowing if you were okay" She said, not wanting to go back to the offices, but she would. Just not happily. "It was horrible waiting for any information. I didn't like it, wondering if the next pounding on the door would be someone trying to break it down...I didn't...didn't like pacing there, waiting, when i could be of use"

Zach sighed and hugged her tightly. "I know but I can't fight out here if I'm constantly looking over my shoulder to see if you are out here and okay or not. I know what you are going to say next but Sofia has been trained to fight with a sword since she was about 8. I'm not as worried if she is running around out here. Please love," Zach looked around and as he did he saw the knight bringing back the ladies that Sofia had hidden. Sofia was highly praised over by the ladies and Zach grinned at her and shook his head grinning. "Sofia, come on let's go home." Sofia looked around for her husband as soon as they got out of the castle walls. Not seeing him she was hoping that he was at home already. She nodded and followed Niesha and Zach looking behind them every few minutes. The funeral pyres set for the dead were beginning to stink like crazy and she wanted to see Kendrick. She hurried home.

She burst through the door and found it empty. She turned around and Zach grabbed her. "Whatever he is doing....you stay here. If he is not back by morning I'll go find him." Sofia looked to start arguing and he gave her a look that said do not disobey me. She nodded and started to make dinner instead.

After some time Kendrick snuck out of the castle, sliding down a makeshift rope and landing on the ground. He hid himself in some bushes as a group of knights ran outside looking for him. They ran past him and Kendrick sighed. He had snuck inside, and almost found something he could use against the king when a lucky knight had managed to find him. This forced him to flee, and that is what he was doing. When the coast was clear Kendrick was able to sneak to one of the empty buildings around the city, which was one of his many safe places.

[Wick]

Kendrick opened his eyes and looked around the room he was in. He remembered where he was. He had stopped the four pirate leaders that had invaded the city, and had tried to invade the castle as well to look for something incriminating against the king. He had failed in the second part and was now in one of his safe houses. Kendrick stood up and stretched, looking at himself. He realized he was still in his vigilante outfit. Kendrick changed into his everyday outfit, with his hooded cloak.

Kendrick walked out of his safe house, towards his wife's home.

Niesha found herself a little busy. Some civilians had been injured in both the attempt to get to safety, and by the pirates themselves. She was suddenly even more glad that she had bandages, and she did her best, sending them on their way once she had helped them.

Finally, there didn't seem to be anymore, and she gave a weary sigh, glancing about at the mess, wondering if she could just leave it for later. She ran a hand through her hair, and sighed again. She hadn't minded the many patients, at least it was something she could do to help. Shaking her head, she began to clean up the mess.

Zach had gone back to the forge. He had armor he was working on for a customer and he needed to get it done soon. The fighting had put a bit of a dent in his time frame. It also allowed him to watch and make sure nothing happened to both of the women in his life. He knew Niesha was doctoring and Sofia was walking the floor with worry. He knew she was cooking too. He could smell it and he was getting hungry.

Sofia knew that she need not worry that Kendrick would be home soon. That didn't stop her though. She kept peaking out into the forge and saw her brother. He knew as well as she did that the first time he left the forge she would go look for her husband. Sitting around worrying was really not her thing.

Kendrick quickly became in eye sight of the forge. Kendrick stood, hiding behind a corner, making sure he wasnt followed. He snuck a quick glance at the forge and smiled. Sofia, quickly bopping her head in and out the window, more than likely hoping to see him. He saw her brother too. Kendrick quickly walked out from the corner and to the home. He walked past Zach, and walked inside to see a surprised Sofia. He smiled and embraced her.

"My dear wife, I have returned."

Sofia kissed him tenderly then made a big fuss looking for injuries. "Where were you? Zach said he saw you but then you guys got split up." Sofia carefully left out that she had actually gotten herself captured at one point. She was always taking chances that she shouldn't for the good of others. "Dinner's almost done. Go ahead and wash up." She went to the door and told Zach. "Dinner's done go get Niesha." He smiled and nodded. A few moments later he returned with Niesha.

Niesha locked up the office, slipping the key in a pocket, before following Zach across to the house, but stopped, and turned back, hurriedly writing a note, she stuck it on the door, before hurrying back across, "Just in case someone is hurt" She said, although she hoped there wasn't anyone else.

Kendrick washed himself. He made sure he scrubbed every inch clean, going over every scrape and bruise he had. Luckily nothing had been fatal. He changed into a simple tunic and pants, seemingly belonging to Zach. It seems he had not moved all his stuff out yet. Lucky me, Kendrick thought.

When he finished he walked out and joined everyone. He walked up behind Sofia, hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"Sorry for taking so long my dear."

"It's alright," She put dinner on the table and sat with the others. "Did anyone find anything out about the pirates we fought today? They were everywhere and there were more than a few of them. Three ships worth is a lot." She looked at Niesha and nodded. "I fear you are going to be busy for a while and so will the gravediggers." Sofia looked at her brother. "Zach, Niesha needs to be taught how to fight and you need to make her a sword."

Zach nodded. He had been thinking about that himself. "I'll have it for you love by week's end." He smiled at his wife tenderly. "I don't like you walking about unprotected."

Niesha decided she had to say something now, so she shifted, nervously "I know how to fight with a sword. I trained with my brother, a bit" She said, "As much as my father would allow me, that is" She added, giving a shrug, "Although its been two years..."

Kendrick held his hands together and tapped his thumbs against his own hands.

"Should not be an issue. If you really need training fast, I can help. I can train you in the ways of knighthood." Kendrick laughed softly. "Wouldnt that be something. The first women knight."

Kendrick then broadened his talking to everyone at the table.

"I do have news though. Turns out the pirates attacked because of our king. He amassed quite a large debt to certain pirate leaders, and they decided they would take what they felt was owed to them. They combined strength and attacked, for plunder and riches."

At that moment there was a knock on the door and Zach motioned for Kendrick to go into the bedroom. Sofia looked at Niesha and they both looked at Zach as he opened the door. One of the royal guard was there. "I have orders to bring in a Miss Sofia." Sofia looked stumped and Zach demanded, "Why? My sister is not leaving unless I know why." Zach was sounding angry and she looked at the guard and asked, "Sir knight, who commands my presence and do you know the reason? It has been a harrowing day already. Is it not possible that I handle this business at the castle on the morrow?"

He answered, "I believe that the Baroness and the other titled ladies have requested your presence imediately. You are to go before the king for a gift of some sort M'lady."

Sofia's expression showed shock. "I'd have to bathe and dress to see the king this is not enough time! How can I be expected to be ready to meet the king in just moments?"

"Miss Sofia. I was asked not to dawdle and I was also informed that you would be marrying shortly after your arrival." Sofia choked and started coughing hard. She excused herself for a moment and went into her room and shut the door supposedly to compose herself. She looked her husband in the eye. Whispering she told him, "The Baroness wants to reward me with a match. They have me getting married tonight!" She hugged him and asked, "What do I do?"

Kendrick hugged Sofia back, very confused by this unforseen turn of events. He had no how to react at something like, it was so sudden and random that any normal person experiencing this same turn of events would have no idea how to respond either. Kendrick stood there and hugged Sofia.

"I guess.....do whatever you need to do. If you go you will be married. If not......you will become an exile like me."

Sofia looked at him and was more heartbroken than anything. The hurt in her eyes was apparent. She walked out of the room and grabbed her cloak. She walked out of the forge and into the night air with the knight. He kept her safe as they walked to the castle. "Do you think they would allow me to accept another type of gift?"

"I have no idea Miss." When Sofia entered the castle she walked to the Baroness' room and knocked on the door. "Baroness? I need to speak with you. It's Sofia and it's urgent."

The door was opened and she was pulled inside by a woman and praised. "Oh Sofia I have wonderful news for you!"

Sofia felt empty inside. He told her to do whatever she needed to do. What the hell did that mean? Obviously he didn't care about the fact that she was his wife. If she told the she ws already married they would demand to know who and then he would be killed if she gave him up and if she didn't she could be locked in the jails until she did.

"Please Baroness. I can't have a match. I'm already betrothed to another. Is there another way to show your grattitude?"

"Oh, that is a problem. I already spoke to the king and the Count is already here." Sofia stepped back. "It was my father's dying wish that I make this match. I can not in good conscious marry another." Sofia brought the tears that were in her heart and used them to her advantage.

"Please ma'am." The Baroness gave in and went to see the king. Sofia waited.

Niesha watched the scene, wanting to say something, or do anything, but she couldn't figure out what. She watched Sofia walk out, with the knight, frowning. They couldn't let this happen, could that? "What can we do?" She said, feeling helpless because there really wasn't anything that could be done. She looked to Zach, then to Sofia's bedroom, wondering what Kendrick was going to do.

She knew what it was to be faced with a match you didn't want, but this was different. Sofia was already married....but she couldn't say anything about that, could she? Niesha threw uo her arms in frustration "We have to do something!" She said, starting to the door, not sure what she was going to do, but intent on doing something.

Kendrick was unsure of what to do. He did not want to subjugate Sofia to the life of an exile, but at the same he knew the King would punish her if she did not go through with what he wanted. He was just that selfish. Kendrick knew that from experience. Kendrick dressed himself in full vigilante gear, then stepped out of the room. He looked at Zach and Niesha.

"I'm going to the castle. I......if they try to force Sofia against her will, I will intervene, but only if they try it. I do not want Sofia to live as I do. It is not the proper life for anyone."

Kendrick gave them a two finger salute, then walked out the door. He quickly hid, almost immediately spotted by, passing guards. Then Kendrick moved swiftly, headed towards the castle.

[MarshiestMallow]

Sofia  waited nervously for the baroness who reappeared with the verdict that the king wanted to make a big deal out of it and said that "your father would understand."  Sofia looked at her dumbfounded. She really had no idea what to do about this. She could watch her husband hang or she could marry some old geezer.  She decided that she couldn't let him hang that she would rather be miserable.  She stared right through them as they brought her bridal gown and accessories in. 

Kendrick arrived at the castle, in the highest room in the highest part of it. He had planned to enter the opposite way, but when he arrived too many knights were walking around. He had no choice but to go up to avoid detection. Kendrick made sure he had all of his bearings in order, then proceeded downwards through the castle. As he was still a knight at heart, he remembered his way around the castle.

Kendrick stopped when he found the throne room. He peeked inside and saw the king sitting on his throne, yelling and generally make life miserable. He grasped the sword on his back, tempted to end the king right there and then.

Niesha watched kendrick go, wanting to follow, she looked back to Zach, "We can't not do anything" Yet whatever she thought of, she didn't think would work. She glanced back outside, and she figured they weren't doing anything by staying there. There were troubles going to the castle, she knew, but that didn't matter. 

"Lets go, there has to be something we can do"

Zach looked at Niesha a moment . "We can't just go and interrupt a wedding being thrown by the king." He smiled and stood up grabbing her shawl and handing it to her. "However, we can take the priest who married us to the wedding and have him interrupt. It would be his duty to. Come on let's go get him."  A few minutes later they were on their way with the book they had all signed when they got married.

The baroness  made a fuss over Sofia. She had made this dress was all she could think of. It fit perfectly but oddly enough she never would have expected to have made a wedding dress for herself that she would really wish she wasn't wearing. "Are you sure there is not any other gift I could accept?" The baroness nodded. "That's enough! You should be grateful that you are marrying above your station."  Sofia would have been thrilled if she weren't already married to someone else. She sighed hopelessly and trudged out like the showpony they were making her be.

Kendrick released his grasp on his sword. He knew he couldnt kill the King, because the only way to regain his honor was to expose the Kings wrongdoings publicly. An assassination would only cement his situation.

Kendrick moved passed the throne room, but hid behind furniture that lavished the halls as more people started to appear. He dared to sneak a peak, and saw Sofia in her wedding dress. She looked miserable, and he wished there was something he could without making her an exile as well.

Niesha didn't know if the priests word would mean much to the king. Yet it was worth a try, so she nodded. She glanced about them as they walked, frowning slightly in thought. "How will we do this, so that we don't reveal who Kendrick is?" She glanced up at the castle as they drew nearer, wondering how they would get in.

Zach spoke to the guards and they were allowed in. "I told them my sister was being wed  shortly to the "Count" according to the guard." He pulled her along with him to the appropriate hall. It was huge and as he was getting his bearings he swallowed hard as his sister was being walked down the aisle. 

Sofia was looking around trying to find her escape. She was quickly becoming frantic in her need to leave. Sofia jerked her hand back from the squire who was walking her down the aisle. He stopped and she stopped and bent forewards trying to find it. She was quite a sight standing in the middle of the aisle lifting her dress up trying to find her short sword. She finally found it and she pulled it on the surprised squire. "I'll be leaving now." She looked around as guards started to walk towards her. Zach saw her and his jaw hit the floor. He tried to get her attention. 

She drew on the guard and she went to kick him but her gown was so huge that she could barely move appropriately. The Count turned and looked at his unwilling bride and for the first time Niesha had the chance to see who it was.

Niesha felt like her heart was in her throat as she saw Sofia draw her sword, and she very nearly went out, but as the man whom she figured was meant to be the man the King was marrying to Sofia, her breath caught. 

She froze, unable to believe what she saw. "Zach..." Despite everything, her voice was full of panic and fear. She couldn't look away from her father, wondering what the chances were of this. And why? Her father had a heir. 

Swallowing, she reached out to Zach, wanting to comfort herself, "...Its...its my f-father" She couldn't let this happen, not to Sofia, and she seemed to find some strength, taking a step forward.

Sofia pulled on the thread that she had loosened earlier and the entire bottom of the gown came off except for the slip she wore underneath and she pushed the knight down and he fell into the other knight next to him. Zach grabbed Niesha's hand and mumbled, "Let's get out of here."

Sofia told the baroness. "I tried to tell you I can not get married, I already am married." She quickly bowed to the King and ran off back down the aisle. The king was furious that the baroness would set a match with a married woman for his Count. Most of the crowd was trying not to laugh out loud but there were so many giggles that the room erupted in laughter. 

Sofia wearing a slip and atop half of a wedding dress jumped onto the first horse she came upon and swore to return it. With her hair bollowing out behind her she was quite the sight.

A few moments later Zach and Niesha came upon her. The horse had thrown her. Apparently he didn't like being kicked so hard and she had gone flying. She was literally laughing and rubbing her backside." He sword was not far away and she grabbed it.

"Well dear sister I think you can safely say that you no longer have a job at the castle and they might hang you if they catch you."  Sofia spit the hay out of her mouth. "What does it matter at this point?" 

 

Niesha knew that there would be trouble, perhaps more so with Sofia's announcement that she was already married. So getting out there, especially with her father there, was fine by her. She just hoped that they weren't seen, but the fact that her father was here, put her ill at ease. Out in the cool air, Niesha felt better. Coming across Sofia, she didn't know what to say. 

She glanced back behind them, to see if anyone had followed Sofia's mad charge out there, "It matters because that was my father and he doesn't take kindly to slights to his honor" 

Sofia stood and took off the top of the dress and tossed it on the ground now only in the slip and carrying her sword and barefoot. She had lost the shoes in the castle. Zach turned to his wife and pulled her shawl up over her hair. "Your father? Seriously? We need to get you out of here and back home." Zach said quite concerned that her father was almost his brother in law.

Sofia ran past them and she got back to the house and put on some travelling clothes, packed and pulled out her money that she had been saving up."I'm thinking it might be a good time to see the other parts of the world. At least for a while...If Kendrick comes back tell him I didn't give him up." Sofia went around to the back of the house where her horse was tied up and grabbed her and brought her forward. She hugged her brother and Niesha. "Be safe. I love you guys." She climbed up on her horse and left the town headed west.

@Wick@dabombjk

[MarshiestMallow]

 Kendrick was able to escape the castle, unnoticed and undisturbed. He witnessed every act that was carried out with his wife and her brother, and he was glad Sofia was unharmed. He left the castle, and scurried on his way back to Sofia's home. He was almost there when he realized.....he never called it his home. Always Sofia's home. And by always he means that since they had been married not too long ago. He had thought he would be able to start building his life while in exile, and through his exile he would meet the people he could trust, the people he could depend on, the person he could love. 

He was wrong and this proved it. Kendrick thought how foolish he had been, to open himself like that in such a way. He watched, from the shadows, as Sofia packed up and left. He heard where she was going and he was tempted to follow. But the mission came first. He had to save his city.....and himself. After Sofia had left, and Zach and Niesha left. He sat down in the house and thought on what to do next.

Time had passed, and as of the current time he was ever so closer to achieving his goal. He had been able to disrupt the Kings personal games and found a way to cut off his secret way of siphoning off the castles treasury. But he needed more.

Niesha watched Sofia leave, and sighed to herself. She was silent for a few moments, knowing they couldn't stop her going off. She turned to Zach, sickened by the evenings events. They had been about to have dinner, now...She shook her head, and said "We can't stay here, either. The first place my father will look to fix the slight to his honor for Sofia would be here, and I have no wish to run into him quite yet'

She knew they'd probably be safe back in the offices, but what if someone said they had seen Zach coming and going from there? The thought of the place she had built being found by her father, of it being destroyed simply because it was hers was too much for her. "Why does this have to happen?"

Zach looked at her and said  "It doesn't have to. We don't have to leave. We are legally married. Let him come. You stay at the offices and stay out of sight. I'll stay at the house and the forge. He won't find either of you if he comes looking. I'm not letting fear of your father stop us and make us up end our lives." He took her in his arms, kissed her and held onto her tightly.

Sofia had ridden two towns away and stopped at her friend Anna's house. She had done a lot of work for her in the past and she had told her if she ever needed a place to stay.... As Sofia knocked on her door she hoped she would remember her offer. When the door opened Anna hugged her and Sofia went inside and they talked for a while. Anna gave her the small house out back of her own. Usually it was for servants but Anna didn't have any. She preferred to save her money and do her own cooking and cleaning.

Sofia unpacked and sat on her bed. She was wondering where her husband was and if he was safe. She was still upset with him but she had already grown to love him even if he didn't know it or reciprocate those feelings. She asked that a message be delivered to Zach for her.

Kendrick was in full vigilante gear, inside his home. He had decided to make it his new base of operations. On the table he had maps and plans laid out, he had decided to hit big. He was going to make it so the King was caught in the act of stealing from the treasury, a sure way to get the king dethroned. If he did, he could come back and he could be properly married to Sofia. 

Niesha knew what Zach said was true. and yet....What if there were questions asked about their marraige? Neither one of them would give up Kendrick, she knew-yet the priest knew he had stood for her as her "cousin". She hesitated, wondering if she was thinking this through too much. Unless something had changed in the last two years, her father wouldn't care who Zach was married to. So, why was she worried?

Because I fear him Niesha sighed to herself. Maybe...maybe it was time to stop running from the idea of her father, even if it was a very real one. "You're right, I know. I...I guess I'm just scared of losing you" She said softtly, letting herself be comforted by his contact, hugging him. 

"I don't want to hide. How would that look, if someone said they saw you going in and out of there constantly, and suddenly I'm not there when they go looking for Sofia? I don't know what to do, though"

Zach kissed Niesha tenderly. "I probably should have insisted Sofia take you with her til the coast is clear but honestly I don't want you away from me even one night. I don't want you to be scared either. We won't hide then. If he comes looking for you we'll handle whatever happens together. I dare say your father wouldn't want to try and take you from me though. It might be the last thing he ever tries to do." Zach pulled her back for a tight hug.

Zach walked with her into the forge and to the door of the house. He opened it and found Kendrick at the table with some maps. 

[Wick]

Kendrick looked over his plans once more, trying to find every fault in them and fix them. His plan was not very simple and to do it alone was going to be even more difficult. He wished Sofia was here, but reminded himself to stay on task. He was no longer doing this for himself.

Kendrick paused when he heard Zach scuffle inside. He did not look up but spoke up.

"Hello, good to see you."

Zach smirked slightly. "You are so lucky it was me and not the king's guard looking for your wife." Zach chuckled to himself as he and Niesha came in and shut the door. "Well one thing is for certain, you need to get your honor back and soon or I'll have to go 2 towns over to see my sister from now on. She did not betray you, at great cost to herself. As a matter of fact if she is seen in town she might be hung. Embarassing the king does that." Zach tried not to smile at the memory. "In case you want to see her she is 2 towns west of here on a farm run by Anna Popplewell."

Niesha went to the window, looking out, watching for any sign that there were kings guards coming down the road, or her father and his men. She knew that that was only a matter of time. She looked to Zach and Kendrick,

"Well, either the kings men will be here, or my fathers. You should find a safer place, Kendrick. Unless whatever you're planning is something you want to put into action before they show up"

Kendrick still did not look up, but continued his work and spoke at the same time.

"Actually yes, I am planning something. But it is very dangerous. I do not want to put more lives at risk, especially when I am planning something.....else as well. Something that could improve everything."

Kendrick looked up and looked them both in the eyes.

"I plan on becoming King."

Zach was positive he heard him wrong. "Did you say you are planning on becoming king? How the hell do you intend to do that? You can't just wake up and decide to be the king one day you know!" Zach was fairly certain that Kendrick had lost his mind. "Do you have any idea what my sister did for you?"

"Your kind of a broken record Zach."

Kendrick folded up his plans and maps, and made them into a neat pile. Then he picked them up and tossed them into the burning fireplace, destroying all evidence.

"I must go now, there is very little time to spare. Just make sure you two stay away from the castle for the rest of the day. There will be much commotion and it would suit you both to be away from it."

"While you're probably right its better to stay away, everyone will be a suspect if you try and kill the king, Kendrick. Its not that easy to do it" Niesha said. She agreed, there did need to be a lot changed in the way the kingdom was handled, but she didn't want to lose people she cared about. "What are you going to do, walk in there, kill him and crown yourself?"

Kendrick sighed and nearly grunted as his responce but thought better.

"I never said I was going to kill the King. In fact I have never once said I was going to. I have always said I would prove I was innocent, and I would prove how guilty the King is. Killing him would do no such thing."

Kyle walked over and looked out the window.

"I will tell you my plan, but only if you assist me with it. If not, I understand."

"What do you need us to do?" Zach asked curiously. "I'll help if it will get you and Sofia home and safe but I won't risk Niesha's safety. So what is your plan?"

Kendrick turned back around and walked over to the table where his recently destroyed plans had been.

"Simple. I will need one of you to cause a distraction at the front gates of the castle. Specifically, I will need you to rally the lower class people together in mob type formation and cause a ruckus at the front gates. If one of you does that, that will cause the distraction I need. I need the other one of you to be inside the castle for the next part of my plan. I need the other one of you to be my ghost, basically meaning someone in the crowd of people no one really notices but entices the crowd by sharing your opinion out loud. If you do that it will encourage the crowd inside the castle and sway opinion."

Niesha listened as Kendrick spoke, debating about what she could do. She wasn't sure how they could rally the small folk, unless ti was something about the pirate invasion. Even that wasn't a sure thing. Yet she had ideas for a distraction. "The guards will be careful about letting anyone in. But numbers would enable us to. How would we sway the lower class?" She asked

"Everyone is upset with the leadership here because the pirate attack, the taxes, so many things. Just use all of that to your advantage. Go down to the slums of the city, shout out about being tired of this crap and maybe say something about their children starving or something."

Kendrick scratched his head.

"The ghost in my plan would need to get inside the castle either before the mob begins or sneak in with me."

Zach listened to his plan and he sighed. "Niesha can not go inside the castle. Her father is likely to still be there. She could help at the gates. You do realize that if this doesn't work we will be executed right?" Zach sat down at the table and put his hands on the back of his neck and rocked in his chair a moment. "Ok, I'll ghost you. But so help me if we die and leave the girls at the mercy of that king....I'll fong you!"

Kendrick for a moment, then raised an eyebrow at Zach before sighing loudly. He walked over and opened the door.

"It will work, I promise. And when it does Sofia will be able to come home, Niesha will be a free woman from her father, and we will all be better off."

Kendrick walked out, motioning for Zach to follow and Niesha to play her part.

Niesha knew that either way, her father would be aware that she was there. He'd either see her, or her voice would be a dead giveaway. But in the crowd, it was probably slightly safer. She didn't agree with what Kendrick said about being free from her father---the only way she would would be with her fathers death, but she wasn't going to say that.

She followed Kendrick out, thinking. She just had to fire people up, and wouldn't that be fun? She went to pull up her hood, but stopped herself. She thought back on the people she had helped, and knew if she was going to do this, then she shouldn't hide her face.

"I guess I'll see you guys at the castle"

Zach turned around and picked his wife up and kissed her solidly. "Be safe and don't take any chances. Wish us luck." Zach put her down and followed Kendrick and they went another way making sure not to draw too much attention to themselves. Zach was hoping Kendrick knew what he was doing. There were a lot of people still outside of the castle because of the pirate fight and the dead bodies were still burning and there were still wedding guests running around the castle too.

Kendrick eyed the castle grounds, then looked at Zach and held a finger to his lips. They would not speak at all. Keeping the noise down was essential. Kendrick walked down the road, right from the castle entrance, until he was out of the main guards and knights view. Then, with Zach right behind him, he walked quickly to the side wall of the castle. He walked along the wall until he found the rope hanging out of one of the windows of a higher up room. He had left the rope there in case he needed to return quickly. Luckily the room the rope was hanging from was a storage room. Kyle grasped the rope firmly with both hands, tugging slightly testing its durability. The rope was still knotted tight, which was a good sign. Kendrick wrapped his legs around the rope and climbed up in to the room, through the window.

Niesha stood, watching them go, before sighing to herself and going towards the lower class areas. She began to try and rally them, doing whatever she thought could help fire up the citizens of the city, rallying them towards the castle. From there, she kept on firing them up, trying to cause as much commotion as she could.

Zach shimmied up the rope and into the window almost as quickly as Kendrick. Once inside he realized it was a storage room. He looked around and stayed close to Kendrick. Keeping out of sight was a tad harder in the castle. The hallways weren't as crowded as you would have thought considering all of the activity that day. Zach was wondering where they all were at.

Kendrick had hoped that the castle would be busier, so sneaking around was going to be diffucult. He had hoped that castle would be busier, what with the approaching mob now at the castle gates and with so many nobles with claims for the king from the pirate attack. Kendrick decided enough was enough, he had snuck around for two years and this was it. Kendrick pulled down his hood, took off the bag around his shoulders and held it by its sleeves in his hand, and walked out of the corner He and Zach were hiding in. Luckily on their way to the throne room the only ones who spotted them were nobles. Not guards or knights.

When they arrived Kendrick was immediatley identified by everyone in the room but he did not care. He knew he would be which is what would let Zach slip in unoticed. The king was on his throne, with his council of 4 around him. Nobles were originally in line to speak to the king parted when Kendrick approached.

Before the King could speak, Kendrick walked up and turned his back on the King, making eye contact with everyone in the room, and at times turning around to look at the council.

"Good people of this city, I have important information that must be seen! Our King is a liar, a thief, and is unworthy to sit on his throne! He has been stealing from the treasury and upping taxes to be able to afford his gambling games! I have papers and records showing as much!"

Kendrick opened his bag and and pulled out a very thick binders worth of papers, all evidence. He nodded in Zachs general direction.

Zach started heckling the king and inciting violence against the king and the reigning family. He could hear guards running into the room and he tripped a couple and elbowed one in the neck sending him sprawling backwards. He needed Kendrick to have some time to do what he was set on.

Sofia was at Anna's and something just seemed off. There was a lot of noise coming from the castle's direction. "I have to go back. Something is going on and I just have a feeling." "Sofia NO!" Anna yelled as she ranher horse hard towards the castle. She kept her hood up and when she got to the outside of the castle she spotted Niesha. Still on her horse Sofia's horse reared up and kicked a guard. She spurred it on and she rode the horse into the castle.

As Sofia came riding through the crowd, Niesha didn't hesitate to follow the path through the crowd left by her, wanting to get closer, wanting to make sure things were going okay. Sofia's reappearance was sure to stir up even more of a commotion, and things were bound to get confusing. She had a moment or two to decide whether or not to stop Sofia, or join her.

"Wait, Sofia!"

Sofia recognized Niesha's voice and stopped, turning her horse she lowered her hand to help her up onto the horse. Sofia handed her a shield she grabbed off of the wall. "put this on your back, just in case." She turned the horse and headed for the throne room where a lot of noise was coming from.

Things were not going perfectly, but Kendrick still had hope. And it seemed as if everyone was at least giving him a moment, or at least no one was going to arrest him at the moment. The king managed to stutter out a few words and commands but no one was paying attention. Kendrick told everyone to line up, and all the nobles formed a line in front of him, all being able to see his proof. It took a bit of time but eventually every noble in the room began calling for the Kings head. Part of his evidence was the tax documents, and private correspondance to his banker where the king states his real intentions with the money from the raised taxes.

Soon even the council was asking to see the evidence. Kendrick gladly walked forward and showed it to all four council members. After reviewing it, the council ordered for the King to be taken away and thrown in a cell until the time was right for a decision to be made. As knights apprehended the King, his crown fell to the floor. The council applauded Kendrick, and announced that he was no longer an exile and could come back to the Knights order if he wished. Kendrick smiled, walked over, and picked up the crown and held in his hands. He turned and faced the council.

"I am Kendrick, Son of Henry, Knight to the King. He had noble blood in his veins, as do I. I have accomplished a great feat, I am married to a fertile woman, and I am at a young but healthy age. By Founders Rights I contest to become the new head of our Monarchy."

The council was shocked, as well as every noble in the room, and as the council began to argue Kendrick silenced them by clapping his hands.

"I have done my research. According to the cities founders, when our current head monarch is dethroned and there is no heir or replacement at the ready, any man or woman of noble lineage, of good health, who is married and or is fertile enough to produce an offspring, and has proper family may be allowed to step forward and put his credentials down to become the next King or Queen."

Kendrick looked around and smiled.

"Hmm does not seem like anyone else is volunteering, and it seems as if right now I am the most qualifed seeing as how I have spent more time with the common people of our city and I have proven my love for them by revealing our King to be a traitor."

Kendrick walked forward to one of the councilors and held out the crown.

"But of course, I am sure you have another candidate ready and primed right now. Am I correct?"

The council hesitated, and after a quick discussion between themselves, they announced that since there was no one else who could fill the position and since Kendrick has proven himself he shall be given the chance to rule, making his blood the new royal blood.

Sofia's horse could be heard coming down the hall at a run. The guards nearest the door swung it open and she and Niesha rode into the throne room. Sofia slid down the side of her horse and ran to Kendrick. "Are you alright?I heard the commotion and I had to come back." She started to notice that no one was trying to kill or capture them. Looking around she practically fell over when one of the guards bowed to them and said "Long Live the King and Queen." "What happened and why....what?" Zach reached up to take Niesha into his arms.

Niesha realised that perhaps she should have given Sofia warning, but that didn't matter now. She glanced about them, unsurprised to see her father looking displeased. The King was gone, she assumed that Kendrick had already made his argument, even as the guard spoke. Sliding down into Zach's arms when he reached for her, she gave him a smile, "Looks like the fun is over" she said, "But riding in on a horse probably wasn't the safe thing, huh?"

Knedrick smiled and put the crown on his head. When he spotted Sofia practically jumping off her horse and rushing to him he laughed and embraced her.

"My love you have nothing to fear. I have more than regained my honor back.......I have become King. You are able to return now, and we shall live in the castle. You shall be my queen."

Sofia couldn't have been more surprised if he had told her he was a martian. It was all so much to take in. The baroness looked like she might die of embarrassment. Realizing who she was married to she now understood why Sofia couldn't tell her. She came forward and got down on a knee and begged for Sofia's forgiveness which embarrassed Sofia immensely.

Sofia caught sight of it and she lunged towards the man, drawing her sword, as Lord Stiles went to stab his daughter in the back. Zach turned in the nic of time and saved Niesha but in doing so he was stabbed in the left side, just as Sofia's sword slashed the older man's throat. "ZACH!" She yelled leaping over the gurgling body of Niesha's father.

For a second it was as if time had stopped. Niesha cried out, immediately she grabbed at Zach, guiding him to the ground so he wouldn't fall and hurt himself anymore. She hadn't thought to bring her medical kit, so she had nothing. She tore her cloak off, pressing it to the wound. "Get me some help here!" she yelled out, sure there had to be some sort of medical staff in the castle.

Kendrick reacted as fast as he could. Kendrick ran over to Zachs side and knelt next to him. When he spoke he spoke outloud.

"I want every doctor we have in the castle in here NOW!"

All around, nobles began scurrying and people began moving. Suddenly the room was filled with people in white cloaks. Doctors gently pushed aside Kendrick, Sofia, and Niesha and began working on Zach.

Sofia was pushed gently aside and she let the doctors in and she was afraid. There was a lot of blood and she felt Kendrick's arms around her and she turned in his arms. "That's a lot of blood." Just then she saw one of the doctors pull something out of the fire and she heard the sizzle of Zach's skin as they cauterized the back of the wound where it entered. They worked on the front to determine that there were no injuried to any organs that they could tell. The smell of his burned skin had some running from the room. After a few moments they carried Zach off.

"Where are they going? Kendrick?"

Niesha reluctantly let herself be pushed aside, although it was the last thing she wanted. She was angry, and worried and if she could have, she would have killed her father herself. Why couldn't he have just let her be happy? As they started to take Zach away, she followed, refusing to be left in the dark.

Kendrick held Sofia close, and he watch as Niesha and the doctors with Zach walked off.

"I am sure that they are taking him somehwere private, where he can rest and they can double check their work."

Kendrick spoke up again.

"Guards! Take away the dead body! And everyone I will not permit any harm come to myself, my wife, and her family! This is my only warning!"

Sofia turned and looked at the guard nearest her and said, "Go with them and I need updates on my brother regularly. Once an hour or when something changes." She wanted to go with Zach but she also knew that Kendrick needed her too.The doctors were already going to have trouble keeping Niesha out of their way.

Sofia looked at the baroness and asked her to have the royal chambers readied for the new royal family. She held Kendrick's hand still in awe of everything that had happened. She leaned in and told him, "I'm so proud of you. I knew you could do it. I had no idea how you were going to do it but I knew you would find a way."

There was a long line of people wanting to greet the new king and bestow favors on him. Sofia asked to know where the royal chambers were. She was exhausted but she didn't want Kendrick to be in there alone. What if they revolted again? What if one of them killed Kendrick while she was napping? "My love please come and take a nap with me. Without Zach by your side I just dont trust the nobles yet." As the kings chambers were being given a complete and thorough scrubbing they were taken to the queen's chambers which were in perfect order. Sofia crawled up into the bed and sighed in comfort.

Kendrick ordered the council to get the affairs of the castle in order, alert the people to the changes, and the following day he would start his kingly duties. Kendrick followed Sofia and snuggled close to Sofia.

"Sofia, I told you I would make things better. I love you."

Sofia snuggled as close as she could get in her husband's arms. "I love you too." She yawned and then she kissed him. "If there are any changes in Zach's condition wake me," she said to the maid as she was leaving. The woman nodded and once the door was shut she got up and locked both the outter door and the door into the king's chambers. "There now we can sleep." She kicked off her shoes and her clothes leaving only her under clothing on. She climbed back in and threw his shoes on the floor and pulled the covers up as she lay in his arms.

Kendrick wrapped his arms around Sofia, and kissed the top of her head. He quickly drifted off to slumber.

Niesha followed the doctors to the room they took Zach, refusing to be pushed out the room, wanting to be there if something happened. She watched as they checked for any serious damage, as they closed up the wound, her heart in her throat with worry, and fear. She didn't know what she would do if it turned bad, and when they had finished, she went to Zach's side.

Zach slept for some time. When he drifted in and out of sleep he kept seeing Niesha and turning and seeing a sword just before it entered him from the back. He'd been stabbed before but that one had been by a drunken idiot. This had been by Niesha's father. He also remembered seeing Sofia with a sword too. He wondered what had happened to Niesha's father. About that time he would drift back to sleep.

After several hours he awoke to find Niesha laying next to him but on the right side so she wouldn't be touching the injured side. Zach wrapped his right arm around her and pulled her up to him slightly. Zach reached down and kissed her lightly. "Niesha....baby I know you are scared but I'll be okay." Zach thought a second and asked..."What happened to the horse?"

Niesha shifted as Zach held her, having not been asleep but rather listening to every breath he took, she returned his kiss, relieved. "I'm allowed to worry" She said softlly, frowning over his question about the horse. "I guess someone took the horse to the stables, why?" She sat up slightly so she could study him, wanting to make sure he was okay.

Zach chuckled a little, "I don't know it just popped into my head so I asked. He is an expensive horse. I got him for Sofia's birthday a couple of years ago." Looking at his wife he could see the worry in her eyes. "I am going to be fine. I promise you." He kicked off his shoes and pulled the covers he could reach up and covered them both. Holding her in his arms he smiled and said "I love you baby." He fell asleep smiling.

[dabombjk]

Kendrick was awoken suddenly when a man next to him snapped his fingers in front of his face. "My liege, please do try to stay awake during important meetings," Kendricks royal advisor told him in a hushed voice. Kendrick shook his head slightly and tried to pay attention. In the past month since he took over, Kendrick spent more time trying to fix the huge amount of mess the previous king made. Kendrick was able to solidify his rule with the people in the city, which was not that diffucult considering his contributions to ending the previous rulers reign. Kendrick spent day after day in meetings with many colorful characters, ranging from unlawful gents who felt they were owed money still and other debt collectors, dignitaries from the other cities who wanted many things from him including but not limited to his cooperation, attention on certain matters, and they even tried to renegotiate trading agreements to work out more in their favor. Other meetings involved ordinary city folk who wished for audiences with the new king.

Today however they were discussing the new tax system. Now the old king has over moderate taxes set in place to help him afford his gambling habits, and one of the first things Kendrick had done was lower taxes. Today they were reviewing his decison and reflecting how it would affect the kingdom as a whole. Kendrick, while a capable warrior and leader, had come to the realization that he would rather be an exile again than have to stay in and listen to one more boring meeting. Kendrick had not expected this.

Kendricks mind started to wander again, this time to Zach. He had been hurt pretty badly the day he took back the throne, and in the month that has passed Kendrick was relieved to see Zach almost back to full strength. He still had positions to be filled and he wanted Zach, Niesha, and Sofia to fill them. Niesha had been a tremendous help to him when she wasnt by Zachs side. Since his coronation he had to be inserted into the royal leger, or at least start a new one since his bloodline was newly royal. He made the decision to make Niesha his cousin, officially, since thats what was said on their wedding day. He had not told her this yet though, as he had been very busy the last few days. As his cousin Niesha would be practically even more royalty than before.

And speaking of Sofia, Kendrick was lucky enough to stop day dreaming at the moment he caught Sofia's eyes as she peeked through the courtroom doors. Kendrick smiled, then stood up.

"Yes yes execellent work today everyone. But as it happens-,"Kendrick said as he pretended to be in pain,"I feel as if I have the stomach pain. I must dash off for now. No need to follow me." Kendrick looked his royal advisor, then his gaurds."Stay.....stay."

Kendrick laughed internally as his gaurds chuckled and his advisor frowned. Kendrick walked out of the courtroom, then turned his head to look for Sofia. She couldnt have gotten far.

Sofia had gotten bored with her meetings about designer dresses and charity work and she had gotten irritated with her maids continually fussing with her hair and makeup. Finally, she had told them all to leave her and she had gone into her room undressed and put on a comfortable walking dress like she used to wear. It was still warm out so she wore one that barely came to her knees which was apparently shocking for a queen. She chuckled and then she had begun taking her hair down and scrubbed her face. When she had looked into the mirror she hadn't even recognized herself. Now that she looked like her true self she had gone to see if she could find Kendrick. She wanted to be footloose and free for the day and they both needed that desperately.

She was watching him in his boring meeting. She caught his eyes once and he started ending the meeting. She could see his need for normalcy and when she saw him heading toward the door she bolted down the hall and slid just out of his sight around the corner. She peeked to see where he was and he almost scared her to death and she laughed as her arms encircled his waist. "My love, we have got to take a day away. If we don't I fear my hair will all fall out." She kissed his neck softly and felt his warmth against her. "Let's go to the lake. We don't have to tell anyone. No guards, just us? Maybe a picnic with Niesha and Zach later today?"

Niesha was reading a letter from her brother. Since, due to their fathers death, he had gone from a minor lord to a great Lord, he had come to court to pay homage to the new king. Niesha hadn't been able to stay away from Miquel, they had been communicating by letters. It seemed that even after a few correspondants it wasn't enough to cover two years worth of life. Her brother hadn't seemed surprised to find her alive, which had puzzled her, but she didn't ask, not wanting to bring up the fact that she had faked it. His latest letter made her smile, but she wasn't sure what to say to the offer to visit. She had a Nephew and Niece that she hadn't met, and that unnerved her slightly.

She sighed, putting the letter aside to respond to later, when she could think on it. Despite the fact that she hadn't particularly liked her father, and that he had tried to kill her, nearly kill Zack, Niesha had done what she could for her brother to deal with the arrangements of his burial. It wasn't for her father, but her brother that she did so.

With things changing, after the events of overthrowing the old king, Niesha found that she hadn't had much time for her clinic, but she had been thinking of adapting it for what she had first dreamed of when making the clinic hers. Making it larger, having others working there, making it a place where those that couldn't afford care could come, without fear of having any bill to pay, was something she wanted to do, and with how things were, she thought it might be possible.

She glanced to the letter, tempted to read it again.

Kendrick embraced Sofia tightly and kissed the top of her head,

"Sounds perfect. And I have some big news, so having Zach and Niesha there with us is very important."

Kendrick held Sofia's hand in his and walked with her down to the kitchen. As they entered the kitchen, the staff gasped and bowed.

Kendrick laughed."Guys, guys calm down. Raise your heads there is no need to bow ive told you again and again. But if you guys dont mind I need a picnic basket filled enough for four."

The cooks all smiled and quickly put together a picnic basket. They offered the basket to him.

Kendrick took the picnic basket."Thanks guys!"

Kendrick walked out of the castle with sofia in one hand and picnic basket in another.

"Lets go back to your old house, prepare there and then look for Zach and Niesha in a bit."

Sofia smiled wide and kissed him on the cheek. As they walked outside one of the guards was caught offguard and started to choke on an apple and Sofia whacked him on the back and made sure he was breathing before they walked to the village. "I can't seem to get used to all of the fluff of being a queen. I never had any idea that her job was basically just to change dresses and hair and makeup all day and listen to politics but not to say anything unless she was asked directly unless of course the king is not there."

As they made their way into the village people had to do a double take. One of their neighbors came up to Sofia and the King and bowed. Sofia sighed. "My queen? Are you in disguise? Is there trouble at the castle? Should I round up the men for a revolt to storm the castle and take it back?"

Sofia looked at Kendrick with a mixture of laughter and frustration. "No thank you, all is well. We are just playing hooky for the day." This answer got her both a smile and a nod. "Have a wonderful time m'lady, sire."

Zach looked up as his sister and brother in law arrived on foot and alone. He grinned. "I'm surprised that you managed to escape the confines of the nobility."

Sofia hugged her brother tightly. "I've missed you. You have no idea how tiring it is to change clothes for every damned thing. It's truly exhausting." Automatically slipping her arm back around Kendrick she asked, "So can we tempt you and Niesha into a picnic by the lake this afternoon? We need to get away and thought this was perfect."

"Niesha, can you come out here please. Look who has come to visit."

Niesha was already coming out at the sound of voices, recognising Sofia's voice, she smiled, "A pleasant surprise." She said brightly, "I'm hoping nothing has happened" Neither of them looked worried or panicked, so she assumed that was a good sign. "And yes, I do know how tiring it is to change clothes for everything. There were some days when I think I spent more time changing the doing anything else "

Kendrick smiled and held up the basket.

"By royal decree your king declares it is picnic time. Hope you guys can take a break for a small bit of time. Well more than hope. I have some news I need to share with you guys. All three of you."

Sofia grinned and went into the house to get a couple of blankets to use by the lake. Zach pulled everything out of the fire and soon the four were on their way to the lake and it wasn't long before they could see the water. For some reason it always soothed Sofia to be by the water. She was so happy to be out of the castle that she looked like a child on Christmas morning. Once they picked out the area the ladies spread the blankets and set up the food. "Shall we swim first or eat and talk?"

"Lets talk."

Kendrick patted Zach on the shoulder then took a seat on the blankets. He faced everyone as he spoke.

"So.....as everyone is aware when we all got married to our significant other, that there was a slight complication. I had to vouch for Niesha and made some statements that werent true."

Kendrick pulled and held out a rolled up document.

"So I rectified that. As of now Niesha is first cousin to current king, related by blood before marriage to her husband, whose sister is the queen. Lady Niesha has nobility status equivalent to the royal family, titles, wealth, and land. All the informaiton is in this document."

Bemused by Kendrick's announcement, and touched that he would go to such lengths to cover their butts, had Niesha fall silent for a moment. She stared at the document for a moment, before saying "You'd make me a lady again? The first time round didn't stick" She smiled, amused, "Thank you, for then, and now."

The thought of being back to nobility status wasn't shocking to her, not now really. There wasn't anything to fear, now that she didn't have to be afraid of her father. She didn't care what status she held, what she did. She was happier then she'd ever been.

Zach smiled. "Thank you Kendrick. That was very kind of you to ensure that the loose ends were all properly tied up. I know that it might not be likely to have happened but it could have happened had her brother wished to push it." He looked at Niesha and pulled her to him like a child does his favorite teddy bear and teased her. "Hear that? You are all mine....forever and ever, even if you get sick of me." He kissed her and grinned mischevously. "I'm starving, what's in the basket?"

Sofia giggled and watched as Zach opened the basket and started pulling things out. Sofia just lay in Kendrick's arms in the fresh air and inhaled it deeply. "Mmm, I smell fried chicken." She mumbled hungrily.

Kendrick sniffed the air and smiled.

"Thank the Gods someone had the genius to slaughter a chicken and fry it. The best dish I have ever eaten."

Kendrick stroked Sofia's hair as he spoke. He was happy to have this little retreat away from responsibility. He missed the late night vigilantism, and being able to have privacy, but at the same time he finally felt empowered to make the changes he always wanted, for the better of the people.

"By the way I should mention two things. One, if Me and Sofia die before we produce an heir you guys are the quick replacement for King and Queen. But in the mean time I need I need more people I trust in the castle. What will it take to get you guys to come work inside the castle?"

Zach nearly choked on his chicken. "What?" Wiping his mouth he said "Well then you'd better not die because I'd make a terrible King. He looked at Kendrick and lifted his glass. "Here's to you both living to a ripe old age!" After he drank deeply he glanced at Niesha and back at Kendrick who was absentmndedly stroking Sofia's hair. Zach chuckled.

"You want me to move my forge to the castle? Do you realize how long the forge would be down in order to move it? It would be weeks and weeks just to cool it down properly. Niesha could move her practice into the castle much easier than I could move my forge."

Niesha listened to what Kendrick was saying, letting her mind wrap around it, there were a couple of things she suspected. "I agree, I can handle being nobility again, but there's no way I want to be Queen, Don't die. Apart from that, I'd rather not lose anyone else" She said.

"I...I can't leave my clinic, it does so much good. I want it expanded, and at least having two healers on staff. You...what are the jobs you want us to fill?" She didn't think that Kendrick just wanted them in the castle, not when he had said that he wanted people he could trust.

Kendrick shook his head.

"Its ok Niesha. Essentially I was hoping you could continue your line of work in the safety of the castle, but I understand. But what you guys do is essential. So any funding you need to expand or hire more help or gain more resources is yours. Without question."

Kendrick reached over and grabbed one of the bottles, taking a big drink then offering some to Sofia.

"I may be paranoid, but I feel uneasy right now. The old King had many people he owed and I feel like they would be willing to do harm to anyone I am close to just to get their money."

Sofia looked at Zach and said quietly, "I was hoping that I might be able to talk you into taking the head of security for the castle. When I worked there there was always something that needed to be stopped. Someone angry with the king looking to get back at him for some trivial matter and since we are trying to have a baby I thought it might be enough to ask you to take the position. We need you brother, please?"

Zach looked at his little sister and slowly nodded and looked at Niesha. "We are too, and yes, I'll just work from the forge when I'm home." Sofia slid over to her brother and hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much. You'll never know how much this means to us."

Zach hugged his sister and looked at Kendrick over her shoulder. He could tell that like it or not Kendrick had fallen for his sister completely and he just wanted to keep her safe.