<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> They stopped some five miles from Kelewair. The order taught to judge a person by their deeds and not their looks. But many people, especially nobles never went beyond a person’s appearance. So the small Protector group stopped. Their old clothing, dirty and worn from the trip were exchanged for clean more expensive looking ones. This was done so they could enter the city looking their best.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Their reception at the gate was certainly more quiet than expected.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> A dozen guards in armor stood at the open gate. Some were wielding spears and others had swords on their belts. All were wearing chainmail armor. Standing at the front was a man wearing plate mail armor with the crest of the Verdane family on it. This was obviously an officer. They eyed the new arrivals suspiciously.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Greetings. I am Godric Neville Kenward. Knightmaster of the Order of Protectors,” the Knightmaster announced. “We are here for a meeting with Bishop Verdane.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Greetings,” the officer said. “My name is Jarad Verdane. Duke Verdane welcomes you to Kelewair,”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The knightmaster returned the bow. “Thank you. We are headed to the abbey where we will be staying for our short visit.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The riders dismounted and they slowly made their way through the city. It was a courtesy to the people in the city and it gave their horses a rest. It also allowed the Knights to get closer to the inhabitants and bring them down the level of the common person. They looked less frightening and more like people.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Kelewair possessed a modest grace all it’s own. It’s buildings were mostly wood and plaster but some of the more important were of brick. Still the cobblestone streets were clean and at night were illuminated by lamps.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Some of the city’s people moved out of the way as the heavily armed group moved along the street. Others moved slowly, reluctant to give way before these strangers and others moved quickly, wanting to be clear of them. All stopped and gazed at the new arrivals. Kenward noted some angry scowls but many seemed genuinely curious and friendly. But most just seemed to be indifferent. Giving the group only a moment’s notice.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Newstead abbey was, like the city it was in, of modest proportions. Mostly of wood but with a fine chapel of imported stone. Abbot Fulchrid greeted them at the gate with a full complement of brothers.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Greetings and welcome to our humble abbey,” the abbot said in a dignified manner and bowed. “You honor us with your presence.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Thank you,” Kenward responded. “We have heard good things about this place and I’ve wanted to visit for a while.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The abbot smiled. “Thank you. We have prepared for your arrival. It will be a bit tight, but we have room enough for all. <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “We don’t want to be burden on you and your people. We do not mind close accommodations and our brothers will help in the kitchens,” Kenward said calmly.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The abbot seemed to relax and he nodded. “Thank you. That will help us greatly.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Kenward could understand the man’s relief. With all of Protectors staying within it’s walls the population of the monastery had almost doubled. It made for close quarters for everyone.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “The bishop has sent word,” the abbot said. “He requests your presence tomorrow after Terce.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The Knightmaster bowed in response. “Thank you. I will send my regards to the Bishop today and see him tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>*************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> The messenger arrived just before Sext – Midday as everyone was getting ready to sit down to lunch. The young man was dressed in fine clothing cut in the latest fashion. A long, thin rapier hung from his belt. He bowed deeply to the Knightmaster. “Duke Verdane sends his regards.” And with that he handed Kenward an envelope.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Kenward opened the letter and read it. “Duke Titiane Verdane requests the honor of your presence for dinner tomorrow at 7 pm.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The knightmaster bowed to the messenger. “Send the duke my regards. It will be my honor to see him for dinner.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> With that the messenger bowed in response and then left. <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Who was that?" Harrick asked.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "Sir, Philip Verdane. One of the Duke’s kin,” the abbot answered.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Isn’t the Bishop also kin?” The knightmaster asked. Already knowing the answer.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Yes,” came the answer. “His son.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> A bel rang announcing the start of the midday meal. A line people, both monks and knightbrothers slowly filed past them.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “And the gentleman who greeted us at the city gate?” Kenward asked. “Jarad Verdane.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “A cousin as well,” the abbot answered.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "How big is that family?" Kenward asked.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> "You can never really be sure until something important is up for inheritance. Then they'll crawl out of the woodwork. Including the bastards,” the abbot commented. “I’ve seen it ruin many a family.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “The order has seen countless family feuds over inheritance,” Kenward commented.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>************************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> They put several miles behind them before Edmund even considered stopping for the night. The group was especially quiet as they set up camp. They set up several fires and those were larger than usual. To keep at bay the fears of what might be in the dark.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The sentry posts had been set and the animals had been checked one last time. The fires had been stoked (again) and would burn throughout the night. Edmund and Terrant spent a long time moving among the soldiers, talking, joking, putting worries to rest and soothing rattled nerves. Edmund made sure to take a prominent place where all could see him. He then clearly relaxed and tried to look at ease by the fire. Even if mentally he had much to worry and think about.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Edmund was quietly eating his meal when Stealth arrived and sat down next to him. “My people are set for the night. I’m keeping inside the group for tonight.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The paladin passed a large plate filled with food to his friend. “Good. Everyone is on edge.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Stealth looked at the offered food. It was beef stew, piping hot mixed with potatoes and an assortment of vegetables. “How did you know that ghost was named Kaeso Ferentia?” He asked between bites.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “I don’t know,” Edmund said with a shrug. “I think we knew him back in 150. In our previous lives.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “That makes sense,” Stealth responded. “It fits with everything else that has been happening.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Nest and I had a long discussion with Misha and Rikkter after that last incident in the forest,” Edmund explained. “Where we relived the fall of the city.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Stealth leaned closer. “Oh?”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Remember when we were in the city and we saw Ka-Staru? It happened right before we were reunited,” Edmund said.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Stealth thought back for a moment. “You mean the black sword? The match for Misha’s axe and Rickkter’s dagger?”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Edmund nodded his head. “Yes. Three of the Five Sisters. Whatever befell the city – the three were involved. Somehow.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Terrant walked up and sat down next to Stealth. “I made a complete circuit of the perimeter. Everything is quiet.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Good,” Edmund responded. He took a clean plate and filled it with food from the cooking pot. “I’ll walk around later.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Terry took the plate and started to eat. The group was silent for a while as they ate. Each enjoying the food and pondering the day’s events.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “It is clear to me that WE are triggering all these spectral events,” Edmund said breaking the silence. “The key to why this is happening is the two of us.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “The three of us,” Stealth corrected. “Nest is involved too.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “How are the three runic weapons involved?” Terrant asked.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The paladin shrugged. “I don’t know. They were in the valley in 150 and they are all back in the valley now.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “I think I understand why this is happening to us,” Stealth said softly.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Oh?” Edmund answered and leaned closer.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “I think we were in Camulodunum back in 150,” Stealth explained. “We tried to stop what happened back then and failed. We’re here now to fix what happened.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “There is a certain logic to that,” Edmund nodded in agreement. “I cannot deny that we were here in 150. But why now? Why not before now?”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “What if,” Stealth commented. “What if what happened back in 150 is going to happen again?”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> Edmund shivered. “That,” he said slowly. “Is something I have been trying not to ponder but it is a distinct possibility.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “How do we stop it?” Stealth asked in a voice filled with nervousness. He tossed a small piece of wood on the fire. “If we tried back in 150 and failed how do we stop it this time?”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “First we find out what happened in 150. Then discover what we did to try and stop it,” Edmund responded. “And we don’t do that again.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Dear Lord!” Terrant said. “The three.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “What?” Edmund cocked his head to one side.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Nestorius, Edmund, Stealth,” she explained slowly. “Black axe. Black sword, Black dagger. “They are the key. All of this started happening when the axe and dagger returned to the valley. But the activity really increased when you arrived in the valley,” Terrant pointed to Edmund. “It’s not just the three of you or the Three Sisters. It’s ALL of them combined. The six of you.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “That makes sense,” the paladin answered. “Events are starting to happen and we need to stay ahead of them. These incidents with the ghosts has been increasing and will continue to do so. Brother Crosley was most adamant on that.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “So we need to find out what happened back in 150 before things get out of control now,” Stealth said. “What about the axe and the dagger? Has anyone asked them?”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Misha has told me that the axe will not explain anything that happened then,” Edmund responded. “And Rikkter and the dagger it seems are not on speaking terms yet.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “The axe and the dagger are found. We need to find the sword,” Stealth commented. “The sword is the next key. Kaeso gave us the clue. He saluted us with his sword.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Excellent point,” Edmund responded.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Now we just need to locate it,” Terrant added.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “Just?” Edmund countered. “We don’t know where it is.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “It should be still in the city,” Stealth said. “Last time we saw it was in Camulodunum. It’s probably still there.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “The ruins are very large,” Terrant commented. “Even with your recent experiences as a guide it’s still a large area to search.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “I would suggest checking the Metamor library for more information,” Edmund said. “But I’m sure Nest is already doing that.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “I can ask George,” Stealth responded. “His scouts have been going there for a long time.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> “An excellent idea,” the paladin responded. “He must have a map of the ruins. We can compare that to the map of the city in 150.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> They started out a little earlier than usual. Everything was packed away, the fires were put out and a final count was taken to be sure everyone was there. Quickly but orderly the group moved away from the old battlefield.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> The path grew slightly better but was still mostly gravel in most places. As they moved Edmund’s group passed farms with fields of growing crops and or cattle quietly grazing.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p> It was early afternoon when Stealth came running up to the column. The scout moving with the speed and grace of the cheetah he was. He slowed and came to a stop in front of Edmund. “We have a problem.”<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>***************<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p></div></body></html>