Topic: Trouble on the Mainland

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-14 13:53 EST
From time to time Teeja, the head of all Smuggler's Halls, would send a visitor to Provo for Carolynne's keeping. At times it was for the brother or sister's own good since they had garnered trouble with the law on the mainland. Other times it was an exile of sorts. Carolynne knew to put these to hard labor. All the visitors eventually went home. Only the first, Jake, ever stayed in Provo and made it his home. There was always a letter that would arrive with the visitor. The seal was Teeja's and it carried magic that made it only breakable by Carolynne's hand.

So it was that she knew something was wrong when the first one arrived without a note and insisted he'd be sent by Teeja. Carolynne sent the first and second back to the mainland on the first returning ship. The third one brought a note. She handed it off to Jake who broke the seal. It was not Teeja's. She kept this one; telling him that according to the note, Teeja was displeased and sent him up to the public stables to pitch hay and clean stalls and to keep him from knowing her business.

"Something is wrong on the mainland, Jake. Go find out what has happened."

Jake was already packed. Iffn" Carolynne didn't ask him to go, well, he would have gone on his own'taken a holiday of sorts. This would help. There was a note to Teeja from Carolynne carrying a seal that only Teeja could open. It gave him a reason for being there although he could have thought of a thousand excuses to go calling.

In response to Jake's question about the visitor, Carolynne smiled a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Leave him to me, Jake. You may think that I have grown soft here in Provo but I still remember how to deal with trouble.?

He had no doubt about that. No, siree. He and spoken to Sienna about this and they were both ready. With arrangements made with Emile to see to the ranch, they were ready to go. They'd hitch a ride on the Grand Serpent although they wouldn't be docking in Taigenaeth Bay; but down the coast a bit. They would walk from there or maybe steal a horse and ride!

(this story is a cross-post from our storylines at Smuggler's Hall, with thanks for Jake-Mun's collaboration once again)

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-14 13:53 EST
Jake Molesen wrote: ...He had no doubt about that. No, siree. He and spoken to Sienna about this and they were both ready. With arrangements made with Emile to see to the ranch, they were ready to go...

Yes, she was ready. Sienna went where Jake went, no exceptions and no arguments. Well, there *had* been arguments in the past on the subject, but not so much since Jake finally learned it was to no avail to argue with the stubborn little thief.

It was difficult enough for Si to leave their beloved horses for someone else to care for, even Emile, but she was especially heartsick at leaving Duncan and Quinn behind, even for a little while. Just over three years old now, the red hound and golden retriever were Sienna's loyal companions and fast friends, on her heel every step of her day. Sienna argued that it would be good for "her boys" to have a jaunt, but Jakes' logic finally won her over though he did not relish his rare victory....he would miss them too.

Poor Emile must have been very happy indeed when the couple finally set out, for he had endured endless instructions on the care and feeding, and of course snuggling, of her beloved animals before Jake had taken Si by the hand and pulled her toward the docks.

"C'mon woman! The tide won't wait f'ye tongue t'quit waggin' at the poor boy!"

Jake gave Emile one of those dodgey winks of his and they were off, Si still shouting last minute instructions until they were out of earshot.

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-14 13:54 EST
The trip was uneventful..well, as uneventful as a trip with Yago aboard the Grand Serpent coud be. They'd made the trip many times when they ran their stable in the races so they fell into the usual on the sea routine easily.

When they docked down the coast of Taigenaeth Bay, Jake had turned Sienna to him and grinned as he always did when he looked at his lovely mate. He gently slid a long finger around her ear to loose the hair anchored there. He covered the glistening gold ring that she sported in the top of her ear and then kissed her softly as he pulled the cowl of her cloak up on her head.

"No lettin' on who we are, right yet, Si. First, watch 'em. Watchin'll tell us alot of what?s goin' on here."

He pulled the wide brimmed hat that Si had given him onto his head, nestling it in so that his own gold earring didn't show. Then wagged a long finger at her . " 'member, no gettin' involved or doin' anythin' that they might take notice about."

They'd borrowed horses from a friendly stable that used to share racing stock with them and ambled off at a lazy pace towards Taigenaeth Bay.

They'd find plenty had changed there. It wouldn't take long for them to see that their brothers and sisters were broken into castes..something that Teeja would have never allowed. Time and again, they saw one group with gold rings bully another. It was hard not to come to the aid of some they knew but they watched from the shadows of cowl and hat and did nothing.

"Teeja's not here anymore, Si." Jake told her the third night as she lay in his arms in their hotel room. Someone else might not but Sienna would be able to hear the grief in his voice. "Teeja's hand no longer rules this group. Someone's taken over an' don't want us in Provo t'know. Tomorra, I go inta th' Hall an' make sure I'm right an' then we go home. That cully that's back in th' harbor was sent with ill intent. We need to make sure whatever he plans don't be happenin'."

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-14 14:02 EST
Jake Molesen wrote:

"Teeja's not here anymore, Si." Jake told her the third night as she lay in his arms in their hotel room. Someone else might not but Sienna would be able to hear the grief in his voice. "Teeja's hand no longer rules this group. Someone's taken over an' don't want us in Provo t'know. Tomorra, I go inta th' Hall an' make sure I'm right an' then we go home. That cully that's back in th' harbor was sent with ill intent. We need to make sure whatever he plans don't be happenin'."

Sienna did hear the grief in Jake's voice....and she had seen the sadness in him when they watched the changes around them, and her heart broke. Not only for Jake, but also for the 'brotherhood' that was being chipped away here. This...these vicious, awful, petty people....were not what The Hall was about. They were no angels, mind you....she and Jake and Carolynne and the others in Provo....but they adhered to the old ways; honour among theives if you will, but honour just the same. Not this.

She did not like the idea of Jake going to the Hall alone tomorrow. They didn't know what had happened to Teeja, and she was not at all sure Jake would be safe. She was, she informed him, "goin' along. Ah'll nae sit here worried t'death....'sides, who'll cover y'back if'n ah'm nae there wi'ye' Hmm?" She wrapped him fiercely in her arms as she spoke, determined to protect him....whether he thought he needed it, and/or liked it, or not.

There was no way he wanted to take Sienna with him. From what they'd seen in the last few days, the hand directing the Hall now was cruel and not holding to the code of conduct. There'd be danger dancing inside the doors of the warehouse that was "the Hall" and what made it worse is the not knowing. But if he told Sienna not to come, she would come on her own. And having her sneaking around on her lonesome was not even an option.

They had breakfast in their room that morning and Jake went over the plan. "We're goin' t'go in and say we're deliverin' the message from Carolynne t'Teeja. Y'match m'stride, Si, never lag ahind or step afront. Iffn' there's trouble, y'put y'back t'mine an'head slowly towards th'door. I'll be walkin' backwards. Make y'stride t'alway's feel m'back against yours."

He helped strap the belt of throwing knives around her waist although she was more than capable of doing it herself. "Don't start t'use these unless I say so. Between th' two of us, we have enough of 'em t'take out a small army; but it might be hard t'know who is friend and foe."

He was tucking a few more into his boots and slipped a pair of kukri into straps that rode under his arms. There were few times that Sienna would have seen him looking this serious about anything. "We'll stay relaxed an' make out as if we just got int' town. Greet them that you would always greet and give them y'don't know a casual glance like y'normally would. I'm gonna push th' ticket that we need t'see Teeja which may cause us some problems."

He took her face into his hands and kissed her soundly. He spoke softly against her lips. "I love y', Sienna. You're m'heart and m'soul. I have no life without y'" He pulled back so he could look into her beautiful eyes, "so y'need to look out for y'self first a'fore anythin' else, y'understand me" Iffn' we get separated for some reason, I'll meet y'at that warehouse where we pulled our first job. Warehouse is empty since we cleaned it out." This made him grin. "Y'find y'way inside and wait f'me. I'm not lookin' t'lose you, Sienna, but just in case, that's our meetin' place."

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-14 14:05 EST
She could only nod mutely in reply, her eyes locked on his. They'd been in tight spots before, she and Jake, but they'd always known what they were heading into. The fight didn't scare her, she'd been fighting one battle or another all her life, it was the uncertainty of what or whom awaited them in the Hall.

Si stuck to Jake like glue as they made their way through town. As he had instructed, she lifted her chin in greeting to those she recognized; those she didn't got a sidelong glance as they passed. She was keenly aware of everything as they walked down the muddy streets....the weight of the knife belt concealed at her waist....the warmth of Jake's shoulder touching her own as they walked....the chill of the morning air against her face.

Jake, as usual, appeared as cool as if they were out for a morning stroll or to check their own racing stables. That slidey sort of swagger of his was; however, dangerously deceptive as he lead them toward the Hall, and whatever awaited beyond those double doors.

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-14 16:28 EST
Jake raised his hand in greeting and shouted a friendly comment here and there on their way to the Hall. News travels fast in Taigenaeth Bay and he was sure those inside knew they were coming. He would throw a casual arm around Si's shoulder from time to time and draw her closer. Not that she didn't keep step but more as a reassurance to him. He pretended to make a joke when they neared the door to the hall so that he could laugh and kiss her lightly.

He wasn't ready for what greeted them when he swung open the door and stepped inside. There was a beating going on. Now beatings happened often in the Hall; but never in public. Teeja had a room ...what he called his teachin' room. It's where wayward brothers and sisters were taken to learn their lessons so to speak.

What was even more surprising was the person being beat. It was old Claire. She was one of Teeja's closest..on the concil, she was. She hadn't done a job in close to 5 years and was part of the small group of retired folk who advised the Master.

Jake almost lost his composure seeing that those administering the beating were unknown to him. His hands balled into fists before he relaxed them and ambled over to where all this was happening. He and Sienna watched for a minute or two before Jake piped up. "So it takes..what..one, two, three, four of you t'beat an old lady' Old Teeja must be pretty damn mad at Claire. Never seen a lesson taught in th'open."

One of the burly men who was enjoying this way too much stopped and walked over to Jake and Sienna. His eyes shifted to their ears making sure they belonged before he spoke. "You want to step in for her, cully' We're starting to lose interest in this one." He jabbed his thumb in the direction of Claire, who had slumped to the ground as the other three men turned their attention to the couple.

Jake would gladly step in for Claire. She'd often act as a surrogate mom while he was growing up and needed a mother's touch; but that would have put too much suspicion on them. Besides, the beating had stopped and attention was now on them.

One of the other men got up close to Sienna. "Never seen you around, little woman. Never seen neither of you before. Him, I might have missed but you..YOU, I would remember."

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-14 16:31 EST
"Never seen you around, little woman. Never seen neither of you before. Him, I might have missed but you..YOU, I would remember." His words washed over her in a putrid breath, and as much as she wanted to take a step back" away from the foulness of the man, Sienna stood her ground. "Aye, cully?" Her gaze was green fire as she looked him up and down. ?"an' ah'd remember you as well. Ah'd nae be forgettin" th' kind"o virile, tower ov"a man wha' raises his hand t' a woman old enou" t"be his own mother." Sienna punctuated her remark by spitting on the floor at the man's feet. She willed her hands into fists at her side, resisting the urge to reach for one of the knives at her waist and gut this vile creature like a fish.

The burly man looked down at his feet, then met Sienna's defiant gaze. Abruptly, he began to laugh. It wasn't a pleasant sound. "Oy then!" He called out to the others who were now moving away from Claire and toward Sienna and Jake. "This"n be a little spit-fire I reckon." His laughter ceased as suddenly as it started, and he lifted a grimy hand as if to touch her face. "Well, you don't be my mother now do ye' I'll put that fire out soon enough." His face split in a lecherous, yellow toothed grin.

"Ah'd nae do tha' if"n ye want t"keep tha' bloody paw o"yours." Sienna's icy whisper stopped him. She was suddenly aware of Jake's hand as it brushed against her wrist in calculated nonchalance, again keeping her from the unbidden movement toward her knife belt. Sienna could feel the tenseness in his touch, though the others present were still duped by his carefully projected cool.

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-19 19:16 EST
"Shaddup, woman. Don't be flapping y'jaws here at Teeja's men. It's disr'pectful." He gave Sienna a shake and in the doing put himself between her and the men as if behind him was a woman's rightful place. Another time, it would have resulted in a well placed knock on the noggin from Sienna but she would know what he was doing.

"Speaking o'Teeja, me and m'missus brung a message f'him from th' isle. Have orders from th'Mistress there t'put it into th'Master's hands only. So y'see, that's why y'don't know us. Was a time I knew everyone here though. Was born and raised in this here Hall." He took a minute to look around the warehouse as if reminiscing but he was looking for friends and seeing only people he knew who turned their eyes away from him. 'Scared rabbits', he thought.

"The old man ain't taking visitors. So you just hand over that missive and I'll give it to him." Finally the spokesman had emerged from the trio. He was the smallest of the group but Jake knew by the look in his eyes that he was the smartest and more than likely the most dangerous.

"Y'know how bosses are, don't ya" Iffn' she says only Teeja and I do less..." His voice trailed off and his hand went up to the ring in his ear. "Y'don't know me an' I don't know you but we both work f'th'same group here. Iffn' Teeja ain't seein' folk t'day, well, I'd be happy t'make an appointment with him. When d'y' suppose he'd see me?"

The ring leader thought this over while the other two stood listening to echoes inside the hollowness between their ears. Jake could figure out the thought process. The small guy was weighing risks and consequences. It was something Jake would do himself.

Option 1-If they rushed the pair and took the message, likely someone would get hurt or killed, whoever they reported to might not like that and if this pair didn't return to the isle, the jig would be up. The one over there named Carolynne would know something was happening.

Option 2-If they let the pair go to wait it out for an appointment, the Boss could be consulted and the decision would be his. This pair would still be around for round two in this confrontation.

"Fair enough." Said the ring leader. "Where you staying?"

Jake had the small guy pegged now. He wouldn't make a decision on his own so Jake pushed the ticket. "We're over at the inn on the wharf." Jake nodded and then added. "You done with this one here" Don't look like there's much left t'beat out of her. I'll take her offn' y'hands an' get her back t'her room. Iffn' Teeja doesn't like it, I'll answer t'him directly." His gaze was steady and unwavering on the ringleader. The set of his jaw made it clear there would be no compromise on this. They'd not be leaving without Claire.

"Sure, we're done." The small one grinned at Jake as if to say 'you won this one but this is not over.'

"Come on, Si. Get the old girl's other side."

He pushed around the leering lug who had still not taken his eyes off of Sienna. Between the two of them, they got Claire's arms over their shoulders and were supporting her weight. Her feet were moving although he doubted she could stand alone.

"So, y'come and get us at then when Teeja is ready t'see us?" He said this so he'd have a reason to look over his shoulder at the three while they walked to the door. Claire was mumbling something which they couldn't understand.

He opened the door and they stepped out into the light of day. "Si, this ain't over. I saw them moving. Be ready, love, iffn' I say "move", ya let go of Claire here and dodge left."

"He dead." It was Claire managing to find her lips to make words. "Teej dead. They won't let me get far. Drop me here ...run."

It was something Jake didn't want to hear but in the back of his mind, he already knew. The Master is dead. He'd always imagined the world would stop before he'd see that day. "We're not leavin' no one and runnin', Claire, y'know me bettern' that."

He pulled the burden of Claire's weight to himself to free Sienna up to tumble away if it came to that. He'd picked up the pace as well. He kept his eyes on the end of the alley. They would be safe in the square where there would be too many normal folk to get away with an attack. "When y'in place, hit 'em, Si. Iffn' they come, go after the small one first. The big guys might hit harder but the little one is trouble."

The alley seemed to be miles long this day. Jake trained his listening to the sound of the warehouse door. He hadn't heard it yet so he knew they weren't behind them yet.

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-19 19:18 EST
It was as if he saw the door open with the eyes in the back of his head. Even if that wasn't so, he heard the creak of the hinges on the warehouse door as surely as he knew Sienna heard them to. He didn't have a plan other than to get them out of the line of fire. He'd seen the daggers tucked into the belt of the smaller thug and knew in a few short seconds one of them would be headed for Claire's back.

He could feel Sienna letting go and preparing to dive to the side and he shifted his weight while they continued to walk preparing to pull Claire in the opposite direction. The end of the alley was so close. The thugs would have to move closer or risk accuracy.

And she was there...just appeared out of no where with those infernal jumping things...a damn bloody mess, she was...with tears streaming down her face. At first he thought she was hurt but he quickly realized it must be the blood of the 'plant' back in Provo.

"Carolynne! Take Claire, they're after her!" He and Sienna both picked up their steps and moved towards Carolynne hoping she wouldn't give them an argument. To her credit, she held out her hands. Those jumping stones were palm up. There'd be no stopping to make it so that all three could go. "Hold out Claire's hand, Si, so Carolnne can take it."

He needn't say that. Si knew what to do. Carolynne reached forward and grasped the older woman's hands in hers. Her violet eyes were wild with fury and grief. She knew about Teeja. "Be safe. Get back to the boat when you can."

And then she was gone with Claire in tow. What a ride the old girl would have!

Jake was freed of his burden and grasped Sienna's hand in his. "Run, sweet woman. Run!"

He could hear the sound of a dagger whipping by his ear..too high to catch him. They were out of the alley and mixed themselves into the mid-day crowd at the pier. Both of them knew how to not be found when they set their mind to it. They stayed together and didn't say a word.

The coast was too rocky to follow back to the ship. The roads too dangerous. Not knowing who your friends were made it hard to hitch a ride with a willing driver but it wasn't hard to stash themselves away inside a wagonload of casks headed out to one of the manors that lined the coast.

He pulled Sienna close to him and kissed her face when they were safely hid behind the barrels of scotch and ale. He daren't speak too loud lest the driver hear them; but he put his lips next to her ear and spoke softly. "That was close, Si. We ain't outta danger yet, neither."

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-19 19:19 EST
Si could scarcely breathe, and pressed her hand to the stitch in her side as she and Jake were jostled about in the back of the wagon. She hadn't been able to take a free breath, in fact, since they had flung Claire into Carolynne's arms as if she were a ragdoll and fled the alley, the daggers of their pursuers whizzing around them and burst breathless, into the streets of Rhydin.

He pulled Sienna close to him and kissed her face when they were safely hid behind the barrels of scotch and ale. He daren't speak too loud lest the driver hear them; but he put his lips next to her ear and spoke softly. "That was close, Si. We ain't outta danger yet, neither."

Closing her eyes, Sienna put a hand to Jake's cheek as he whispered to her. She nodded wearily in response, dragging her eyes open.

"Jake! Y'hurt?" Her voice was shrill with alarm as she looked at his blood streaked cheek and then to her hand, which was covered as well. Shushing her quickly, for fear of the driver hearing them, Jake rubbed a hand over his face and then through his hair, finding no wounds. "Shhhh' I don't think so, darlin.." He then turned his attention to Si more closely, and whispered his own exclamation. "Mask! Y'side's bleedin" Si!"

Sienna, who had been busy checking the rest of him for wounds, cast a puzzled look first at Jake, then down to her side. The tunic she wore was soaked through from just above her waist and nearly down to her thigh. Her gaze lifted again to Jake, brows arched in surprise. "Ah thought ah had a stitch' from runnin??" She grasped the bottom of the sticky, drenched tunic and pulled it up to see. A jagged gash along her side was steadily bleeding. One of the daggers had nearly found its mark. On it's own it was far from a mortal wound, but they needed to do something about the blood loss before all her much needed strength seeped out along with her blood.

"Oy there! Hold the wagon!" A rough voice took their attention from her wound and snapped their heads around, craning to see without being discovered. Sienna grabbed Jake's hand, her voice a hoarse whisper...."Jason's Ghost, we're dead f'sure."

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-19 19:20 EST
It was his worst nightmare. The one thing in life he held precious was hurt. Normally blood didn't bother him but this was beloved blood. His hands shook with anger and fear as he inspected the wound. He was busy rooting in his pack when the rough voice called a halt to the wagon. He only stopped working to put a finger to Sienna's lips to indicate she should be quiet.

He kept his listening on the outside exchange as the wagon slowed down; but he kept his eyes on the task of tending Sienna's wound. They would get no where if she kept bleeding that way. Ointment from a jar that Havinlish gave him was applied with the stick left in the jar just for this purpose. Then cotton swaddling which he turned inside out so the protected fold was placed against her wound. He tied it in place with strips of rags as he listened to the conversation between the driver and the stranger. He was happy that the driver hadn't stopped the wagon.

"I ain't stopping for ya. Been robbed on this road too many times and it always starts out the same, "oy there! hold the wagon"." The driver mimicked the strangers call and then spat at the road. "I see that there ring in your ear and I knowed what that means. I was pra'tected by Teeja; but now I'm fair game for you thugs."

"I said stop, old man, I ain't going to rob you." The gruff voice was accompanied by the sound of hoofs trotting to keep up with the wagon.

"I'm delivering to the Tear brothers. Yeah, I thought that would get ya. They ain't going to take kindly to their libations coming in late much more being robbed by the likes of you. So you just get that mangey beast you're riding way from my wagon." There was a crack of a driver's whip. "Go on! I don't have any use for you ring earred bastards!"

The sound of the wagon riding over the bumpy road and the clop clop of the horse stayed synched up for awhile. The rider was going through the same thought process as Jake. The Tear brothers were bad news. Whether making the delivery late or hitching an uninvited ride, chances were good that the Tear brothers wouldn't be very forgiving.

They'd have to slip off the wagon before it turned into the Tear estate. He'd heard tell of fierce dogs and wild animals guarding the property. But first he needed to make sure the bandage was secure. With Sienna leaned forward a bit, he wrapped the length of cloth strip around and around her tiny torso.

Soon the sound of the horse faded and Jake let out a breath. He leaned out between the barrels to get a glimpse of the landscape. Soon they'd be within a mile's walking distance of the ship then the road curved away from the coast and headed inland.

The cart wasn't moving that quickly; but Sienna was hurt and lost a lot of blood. As well as he knew he'd bandaged her up, he didn't want to risk making it worse. So he did the only thing he could think of to do.

"Sir?" He said quietly as he stood up. The old driver right nearly had a heart attack seeing Jake rising from between the crates. He got his wits about him fast and turned that driver's whip on Jake. Jake threw up his arms to protect his head and shouted. "Ya saved our lives back there, Sir. We came lookin' f'Teeja and th' scoundrels came after us. M'woman..she's hurt bad, Sir; but we need t'get off th' wagon and go towards th' coast."

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-21 14:12 EST
"Sir?" He said quietly as he stood up. The old driver right nearly had a heart attack seeing Jake rising from between the crates. He got his wits about him fast and turned that driver's whip on Jake. Jake threw up his arms to protect his head and shouted. "Ya saved our lives back there, Sir. We came lookin' f'Teeja and th' scoundrels came after us. M'woman..she's hurt bad, Sir; but we need t'get off th' wagon and go towards th' coast."

Sienna's heart stopped as Jake stood up and announced their presence. Blood and ashes, but this trip had taken a bad turn! She was angry at herself for getting wounded, as if it was her fault, and making a difficult journey even worse on Jake. He hadn't wanted her to come and she had insisted. Since all this trouble was her fault, she was damned if Jake was gonna catch all the hell for it. She steeled herself against the soreness in her side and, one hand on a nearby cask and the other holding to Jake's arm, she stood as well.

"Don't hurt'm!" Her outburst stayed the driver's whip hand and turned his attention first to her face, then down to the bandage that swaddled her....blood was already seeping through, staining the cloth strips that bound it.

"Hell's Bells girl!" The rough voice of the crusty driver softened for a moment as he looked at her wound. Just as abruptly, wariness overtook him again, his skeptical glance darting between Sienna and Jake as he pointed the whip at them defensively. "How do I know ye two be telling the truth' How do I know ye ain't one o'them cutthroats what?s taken over the Hall now that ol' Teeja is dead" F'all I know, ye be butterin' me up so's them other rats kin skin me." He spat onto the floorboards at his feet before looking at her again.

Sienna tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing the cuff that marked her. He'd already seen the cuff on Jake's ear, surely. She then gingerly put a hand on her wounded side. "I din't get this at a Hall Social. If'n we was in with them....vermin..." she nearly spat the word...."would we be hidin' from th' very ones o'them what tried t'stop y'wagon' Who d'ye be thinkin' they was'a lookin' for" It sure weren't th' casks y'be a carryin'."

She gave the old coot a few seconds, as much to catch her breath as for him to digest what she had told him. Also, she pondered a moment before she continued; unsure of whether to say too much....that was a funny thought, they were done for either way. In for a Penny - in for a pound, Katherine used to say....and they were in for much, much more that that now.

A careful breath and she plunged in again. "Jake and me, we got sent here to find out what happened to Teeja. When we found out he was dead, and that they were beating old Claire...well, we tried to stop it and here we are." As she spoke, the driver had lowered the whip. He was sizing them up, she could tell it, and she rushed ahead. "Like Jake said, " squeezing her man's hand as she spoke, "you saved us once already and din't even know't. All'd you have t'do now is just stop this old wagon, just for a minute, and we'll be outta y'hair an' no harm done, hmm' What say ya?"

Holding Jake's hand, she took a deep breath as she watched the old man closely for his reaction; for this old driver held their fate in his hands as surely as he held the whip he brandished at them now.

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-04-21 14:16 EST
The old man sat there chewing on the edge of his moustache and looking at the pair. "Who sent you here, son?"

"Carolynne. Was Carolynne Yola sent us, Sir." Jake answered respectfully and gave Sienna's hand a squeeze. He was right proud of her right now.

Jake thought he saw a corner of the old man's mouth twitch as if to swallow a smile. "Sit you both back down. I'll take you to a place you'll be safe until you can mend up that side."

He didn't give them much time to argue about it. He just turned back and gave the reins a jiggle and the wagon lurched to life. Jake caught Sienna in his arms as they sat back down to keep from falling.

"Now it ain't like I don't trust y', Sire; but we've had a rough day. Mind tellin' me where th'safe place is we're goin'?"

Jake could tell the wagon was turning around and he was panicking a bit.

"There's a manor house back not afar, where your friend, Mistress Yola, used to live. The lady of the house ain't been seen in a long time but her niece keeps things nice there. She'll know about Carolynne's business and take care of you."

Zaleta..Zaleta Al'Muirnan. Jake remembered and whispered to Sienna. "Th'woman that sold us th'horses. Her place. She's Carolynne's partner..legit business partner. I don't know her niece but maybe..."

The wagon came to a halt and they listened to the conversation between guard and driver. It was a neighborly conversation that ended with the sound of boots on gravel and a big red faced man looking over the edge of the wagon side.

"So you're part of Mistress Yola's crew, eh?" The big face bobbed a nod before them. "All right, I'll vouch for you." A large finger waggled at the pair hunched down behind the barrels. "Any trouble and it'll be my head on the block and I won't be alone." He stepped back and they could hear the sound of a gate creaking open. The wagon lurched forward one more time. The rhythmic bump of cobblestones accompanied the shadows cast by rows of large trees on either side of the lane. The wagon came to a halt at the bottom of the stairs leading up to a grand old manor house.

Jake was on his feet stepping backwards so he could guide Sienna between the barrels. His face was lined with worry as he jumped down and held out his arms.

"Let me help you, lad." The big man was standing next to him.

"I'll take care of her; but thanks." Jake slipped his arm under Sienna and swooped her up in his arms. He stopped to nod to the driver. "I'm in y'debt, Sir."

The driver waved a hand. "Tell Carolynne to get the bastard who done this to Teeja, eh?"

The guard had gone ahead and spoken to a tall young woman with pale eyes and dark hair. There was movement inside the hall as the woman opened the door wide.

Jake carried Sienna up the stairs. "We're safe f'now, darlin'." He kissed the top of her head and hurried up the stairs making apologies for the intrusion and introductions in his best King's english.

The name of their hostess was Kordesia. She was about the same age as the couple although she'd lived a much different life. She spoke to the servants quietly and respectfully; keeping her gaze from staring at the pair of adventurers.

The housekeeper, Gloriana, bustled the couple down a hallway, barking orders to a younger servant to get hot water and bandages. She grabbed a passing boy by the shoulder and told him to wake up Omar to get some food cooking and then showed Jake and Sienna to a suite on the first floor...,a small sitting room with a bedroom attached.

The fire was started and it seemed to Jake as if the steady stream of people would never leave; but they did when he growled that he'd care for Sienna's wound (iffn' y'don't mind).

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2007-07-22 13:05 EST
Sienna was only half aware of the bustle around her. She had been steadily losing blood, and her strength was seeping away. Stubborn as she was, she couldn't keep her eyes open long enough at a time to really take in their surroundings.

Through her increasingly foggy vision she could tell they'd entered a house, and a grand one at that from the looks of it. She felt Jake carrying her up a set of stairs, all the while weakly protesting that...."ah kin walk, y' dinna have't treat me like a babe..." and promptly passed out.

Sienna floated in and out of conscious thought as Jake deftly undressed her and tended to her wound. She would awake now and then to protest that they should be going and that she was just fine thank you, and then drift off again just as quickly.

Finally giving in to exhaustion and weakness, she let herself sink into the downy softness of sleep....holding tight to Jake's hand Sienna slept, and there she dreamt of Duncan and Quinn and the horses, and home...

Sienna drifted in and out....faces faded in and out of focus....hushed voices spoke in muffled tones, the words never clear, but always....always, there was Jake. Only his face and voice clear to her as she rose and fell, just under the surface of wakefulness.

When she did awaken fully the first person she saw was, of course, Jake. Lying next to her on the bed, Jake had positioned himself so as not to disturb her injuries, or jostle her in any way. Even in the exhausted sleep to which he had succumbed, his regard was, as always, for Sienna.

A weak smile as she reached to smooth the hair from his eyes and place a gentle kiss on that worry lined brow.

"Sleep m'love, sleep well".

Jake

Date: 2009-05-13 01:21 EST
Morning brought sunlight and a spring breeze through the bedroom window. This was a place known for its gardens and the scent of lilacs and mock orange mingle with the scent that you can only find in the morning. He propped his head up to watch Sienna sleep. She was pale from the loss of blood and dark half moons rested beneath her eyes.

He could go back and kill the thugs with his bare hands he was so angry; but then he realized his anger was pretty much at himself for not taking better care of the only thing that mattered to him. He shoulda dropped Claire and protected Sienna. He shoulda made Carolynne take both women. He shoulda'....He shook his head and said aloud "What's done is done..no makin' it differn't now."

He eased himself off the bed and wandered out to the sitting room. There was fresh bread and cheese and fruit on the table there and a pot that coffee that made his mouth water. He poured a cup and went back into the room sinking into a chair to watch Sienna sleep. They were safe here; but he'd need to get word to Carolynne as to where they were. Someone would have to go out to the the boat and send word back to the isle.

He tried to wrap his brain around the idea of Teeja being dead. He just couldn't come to grips with it. He would have expected to feel..different. The whole world should be different.

Sienna Dawn

Date: 2009-05-21 23:13 EST
Surfacing slowly into wakefulness, the aroma of coffee makes Sienna's nostrils twitch. A slender hand moves heavily to scrub her hair from her face.

Stretching, her eyes flutter open and she can just see Jake in a chair near the bed, studying the contents of a coffee cup as if looking for answers. That face she loved so, lined with worry, turned toward her at the sound of her movement.

"Oy there, you with the coffee."

Sienna managed a wan smile and a whisper at him...

"Gonna drink it all y'self are ya?"

Jake

Date: 2009-05-24 12:23 EST
The worry leaves his face when he smiles at her. Jake gets up and sits at the edge of the bed handing her his mug.

"Now iffn' I was a lazy galoot, I'd be thinkin' this here is the lap of luxury. Coffee..an' good coffee too, fresh bread an' cheeses." He waves a hand towards the tray in the other room.

Lap of luxury indeed! Jake and Si have been known to set things on fire when they try to cook; so mostly, they find their way into other people's kitchen.

He brushes a wisp of hair from her cheek and his face softens. "Y'scared m'there, Si. How's y'side feeling? Y'should let me take a look at it."

He fusses and props her up on pillows so she can drink the coffee. His long graceful fingers gently pull back the bandages and he studies the wound which has stopped bleeding and shows no sign of infection. He gives a satisfied nod. The salve was working well.

He puts more ointment on it as he speaks his mind. "We've got t'get word t'Yago so's he gets hi'self back to Provo. It ain't safe here for him or th'ship and Carolynne needs t'know we're okay."

He wraps her up in fresh bandages and his pale eyes meet hers. "I can't ask these folks t'do more, Si. So I'm gonna make the trip t'night. Yago will let Carolynne know t'come get us here. By t'morra night, we should be in our own bed."