Jack scoffed returning Grace's glare. "How can you believe her!?" he asked Virus, not giving anyone anytime to say anything more. "She's in love with that outlaw! I saw 'em walking together!" He took a breath, suddenly becoming excited. "And he assaulted one of your officers and she was right there, watched him do it, and took him back in her inn! She's lying! She knows where he went!" Jack cried.

Micah noticed a concerned look in Susanne's eyes when she looked up again. "Is something wrong?"

-------

Tristan sighed, a fake look of concern crossing his face. "Hm, not wise, not wise... You realize you're playing into her game, don't you?" He shrugs, "You seem smarter than that." He examines her features while he speaks, discerning her thoughts as best as he can. He sighed, and shrugged. "Well, I guess I can't help you out of your own mess. If you honestly think that stealing her little bauble is some sort of great act of final rebellion and revenge, then I suppose I can't convince you otherwise. I guess I'll just leave you to your own plans - if your focus really is that narrow, there's nothing I can do about it." He took a step back, as if planning to depart, but didn't turn away just yet.

Susanne shook her head, diverting her gaze away from his. "No, no, I'm alright." she said, hooking a strand of dirty brown hair behind her ear. She hurried to follow Telwyn, since the woman had gotten ahead of her. She glanced back at Micah, before concentrating on the path ahead.

Viris Listened to the young lady's response to being shown the poster, opened his mouth to speak, and was promptly cut off by Jack. He frowned, remaining quiet through the entire discussion until finally he held up a hand, "Be Quiet!" he ordered sternly.

"I'll make my own decisions on this matter, I don't want to hear anything else from you unless I ask, understood!?" he glared at Jack hard for a moment, then turned back to Grace, "Ma'am, it seems this fellow thinks you know more than you say you do...I'll come back to that later, may I see the room this man stayed in?" he asked, giving the poster a small shake for emphasis.

A faint smile touched Grace's lips at the rebuke given to Jack and she arched a dainty brow in his direction until the officer turned to her again.
In response to his question, she opened her mouth to say "yes", but slammed the lid on her immediate reply with some amount of annoyance at herself. If she were to say yes, then she would be admitting that she actually did remember that man and the room that he had stayed in. Very clever, this officer, she thought to herself. Aloud, she sighed, "I've already told you, I don't remember that man. And I most certainly can't remember which room he stayed in if I don't remember the man! However, I can show you to each of the rooms that have been recently occupied. I know which rooms I've had to clean recently. Would that be enough?"

Evewen scoffed. "No, Tristan, you're playing her game. I am no longer under her control and I never will be again. You, however, are stuck and you always will be."

~~~

Shyanne pulled the cloak closer around her, walking behind Micah. She was tired, but she was also eager to arrive at Dravon.

Viris saw the hesitation in the young woman's features before she offered to show him the recent rooms. Still, he had always given another party the benefit of the doubt in situations like these.

She was probably just nervous, the people in these small villages rarely saw guards of the king, and their presence could be surprising to people. "Very well, please show me to the rooms, I don't wish to inconvenience you any more than is necessary, but this must be done."

He motioned for her to show him the way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jarien had managed not to fall asleep after he started his shift, moving around the camp silently while he kept watch. At dawn, he wondered if he might not want to wake Telwyn, but she woke herself, and soon enough they were out on the trail again.

Adi walked beside him as they picked their way through the forest. Together they watched the woods on either side, and assisted any of the others that needed it.

It was Adi that first spoke, "So, What are your thoughts on Telwyn Jarien?"

He gazed forward for a moment, then looked at her, "I feel as Micah seems to, and as Brendlyn seems to also feel. There is something that doesn't seem right about her, yet she hasn't done anything to make me suspicious."

He scratched the stubble that was forming on his chin, stepped over a large tree root, and then continued, "I'm wary of her though, I think we should keep an eye on her."

Adi nodded, "Aye, we should..."

Tristan completely ignored Evewen's remark, giving it no more attention than a passing breeze. "I'll leave you to whatever fate you have chosen for yourself, then. Have a good life, Evewen," he said, and then shot Vincent a smug glance of mock friendliness. "And you... well, have fun swashbuckling and keelhauling and doing whatever it is you adventurous buccaneers generally like to do. Me, I'll just go back to my fiendish habits of lying and cheating and stealing - You know, pretty much the same thing as you, just here on the Mainland where the risk is a might higher. Cheerio!" With one swift movement he turned his back on Evewen and Vincent, ignoring any further statements the two might make, and motioned for Blink and Quill to come with him.

"This situation is more complicated than I thought," he said to the other bandits once they had left the vicinity of Evewen and her pirate protector. "Evewen's father's crew is too much for us to contend with. We'd be outnumbered gravely. The way I see it, we've got to choices, really. We could just go back to Sephora, tell her Evewen wasn't here, and bide whatever wrath she unleashes. Or, we could stay here..." His eyes turned a diabolical gaze toward Captain William's ship, "...and try to recover Sephora's trinket by more subtle means."

-------

Micah was a bit concerned by Susanne's abrupt reply, but he didn't want to press the matter. Watching her walk ahead for a few moments in silent contemplation, he finally remembered he was supposed to be following as well, and started moving. The water skin was still in his hand, the contents sloshing about inside as he walked. "Jarien, have a drink," Micah said, and lightly tossed the water skin over the short distance between him and the other man. "Pass it around," he said, and then hurried up to the front of the progression near Telwyn. "Do you really think we can make Dravon in five days?" he asked her, and then in a lower tone he voiced his real concern: "I mean, without them catching up?"

Jarien looked up just as Micah called his name and tossed him the waterskin. He caught it gently and nodded, "Thanks", then took only a sip. He passed it to Adi then, letting her drink also, though he insisted she take more than he.

When she handed it back, He came up to Shyanne and held it out, "Here, take a drink"

Shyanne flinched slightly when Jarien came up to her. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice him until he spoke. Reaching a hand out of the cloak, she took the waterskin and took a drink. The cool water soothed her parched throat and she was thankful to have at least a drink, if not any food. "Thank you, Jarien." Shyanne handed it back to him with a slight nod.

As she continued to walk, her foot caught on a root and she glanced down at her feet. Her shoes, which had been elegant and clean only a few days before, were muddy and scuffed up. With a sniff, she shook her head and focused on the path ahead of her.

~~~

Evewen watched Tristan leave, her eyes narrowing as he got further away. "He'll be back..." she mumbled as she walked away from Vincent and towards her father's ship. She was exhausted and all she wanted was sleep.

Ignoring her father's complaints as she entered the cabin, Evewen collapsed into a chair and said, "Please, Father, just be quiet..."

A small smile came across Quill's features. "I say we try to retrieve the rings. If we did return to the clan, I'd hate to have Sephora find out someday we were lying about Evewen. Things would not bode well." she followed Tristan's gaze. The ship was rocking sleepily in the bay. "Plus I did not like that sailor who thought himself so arrogant to take on all of us." The look on her face darkened considerably. She wasn't a very outspoken woman, nor one to take bold chances if she didn't think the odds might turn out well for one of them. But she did think they had a chance to get the rings, if they used all their skills. She turned back to Blink and Tristan nodding slowly to reassure them she stuck by her opinion to try the ship.

She did not dare think what might happen if the pirates did catch them. But we pride ourselves on not getting caught...

*

"I do not doubt that." Vincent said, agreeing with Evewen when she stated the bandits would return. He followed her, somewhat slowly, back toward the ship. He snuck several glances back at the three thieves, but they soon disappeared from view. They were certainly after those rings...there is no question he looked then, intently, at the ship. I wonder what sort of importance they have. There must be something about them.... he shrugged it off for the time being and quickened his pace to reach the ship. He figured Evewen was in her Father's cabin, and since he still hadn't gotten to tell her what he wished to, he headed there. "Evewen..." he said, interrupting any talking that might have been going on. "What I did not get ask earlier, is whether or not you wish my cabin for your lodgings tonight? A hammock down in the hold can also be arranged by I figured you didn't wish sleeping with what few drunken members of our crew do come back tonight." he chuckled to himself. Or Semi-drunken...

*

Susanne kept on walking at the steady pace Telwyn had set for them. As the sun began to warm the day, she removed the blanket from around her shoulders and folded it over her arms, suspecting she would need it again tonight if they had no lodgings, which she was almost sure they wouldn't have. Sleeping on the ground had come to not really bother her. Though it was a might chilly, it was better than a dark ally or street, and though she did wish for a warm bed and a solid roof over her head, she was just glad she could rest. Though they were all still 'running' from the dark forms that could come at any moment, at least they had time to lay their heads down for sleep.

She glanced back at the others in their company. They all looked tired and slightly ragged. She wondered for a minute what her hair must look like, and her dress. But appearance was hardly a thing to think of now....

Evewen rolled her eyes as she heard Vincent's voice break the temporary silence. She opened her eyes, arched a brow and said, "What would my sister say to that, Vincent? If Isla is still as possessive as she was when we last saw her, I don't think it would be appreciated. I honestly don't feel like becoming the talk of the town when I'm trying to lay low. You now how sailors run their mouths, don't you? I am fine here, but I long for silence." She glanced at the door and dismissed him with a cold smile.

~~~

Isla finished the cup of tea and took it to the kitchen. Smiling at Tabitha, she said, "I am so grateful for your hospitality, but I fear it is time for Falcon and I to be on our way."

Tabitha smiled. "Oh, anytime, Isla. Let me pack you some food."

"Oh, it really isn't necessary..." Isla's words trailed off as Tabitha shook her head and began to gather a few items.

Tabitha handed the sack to Isla and said, "Safe travels, dear. I hope you find what you're looking for." She looked at Falcon, "As always, Falcon, it was good to see you."

Isla walked toward the door, opened it and stepped out.

~~~

Madam Sephora scowled as she waited. She barked out orders to certain bandits as she walked around and did things herself.

~~~

Despite the warmth of the day, Shyanne kept the cloak on because it shielded her bare arms from the scratching branches. She caught up to Susanne and asked, "May I walk with you?"

Grace dipped her head and smiled, "Right this way then, sir." Stepping lightly over the rough hewn floors, she began to give the officer a systematic review of every single room that had been occupied by a man within the last week. Her breath hitched with fear as she hoped desperately that Liam and Stendar had covered their tracks well enough...

---------------------------------

Suddenly Telwyn's arms whipped up and her bow twanged. There was a sharp rustle of leaves as something behind a bush leaped in the air and came down with a thud. The rustling continued for a moment as Telwyn swooped down on the creature, shoving through the leaves with the body language of a wild cat on the hunt. The creature's nerve-related twitching only lasted a bare few seconds before halting forever. Telwyn's shot had killed it before it hit the ground.

A few hours later, Telwyn was pulling roasted deer meat off a small but hot fire. Strips of meat were draped over sticks a little ways from the main heat of the fire and were drying.
"This isn't a real proper meal, but it'll have to do. I would like it if the meat could dry longer than we will take to eat this roasted part. But, anyways..." She laughed, pulled out her knife and began to slice portions of slightly rare meat off the bone. Then she began to hand the slices around. "Eat up. We have a lot of walking to do. But hurry! We must get on the move!"

Vincent's mouth snapped shut, and his jaw visibly flexed. Evewen was one of they most annoying, little, wenches he had ever had the displeasure of coming in contact with. He tolerated her for several reasons, some forced upon him, others set in by himself. She was the Captain's daughter first off, plus a lady, and his chivalrous side always guilted him into being nice. Plus she resembled Isla. And anything that reminded him of Isla brought back the time had had spent with her, and reminded him of what a remarkable woman she was. But thinking now, and looking at Evewen, slightly smug and not in the least bit grateful for anything he had done for her, made him disregard her resemblance to his one and still love, and fill him with a desire to tell her what he thought of her. He returned her cold glare, refusing to budge from his spot.

Instead he appeared to ignore her response to him completely. He painted his expression a calm on, and stepped toward William. "Captain, what our are plans for sailing?" he asked, placing one hand on the desk. "I know we've only been here a few days, but other things had come up."

"Yes, of course." William said, half distracted by his maps. "I'm undecided. The Telran ports had been very fertile lately, and, as you said, other things have been entered into our circumstances."

*

Susanne looked as Shyanne came up to walk beside her. "Yes....I don't mind." she said softly, looking back at the trail. There was something about Shyanne that seemed to made her feel uncomfortable. Maybe it's because she had seen the way the Lady's eyes followed Micah. Maybe it's because she recalled her own questions to her in the cave..... 'Do you love him?' 'Maybe but it seems to not be meant to be. My Father doesn't approve.'

Shyanne had given her a vague answer to a serious question. She sighed, and kept on walking. something about this day promised to be miserable.....

Some hours later Susanne found herself sitting around a small fire, eating venison from a deer freshly shot. The sight of the meat had almost made her mouth water, but as she ate it she became even more grateful for their guide, even if they didn't know her.

**

Jack growled to himself as the soldiers and Grace stomped upstairs. His hopes and plans of revenge were slowly slipping away. He knew Grace was lying.....he knew she was in love with that outlaw...he knew there had to be something he could do to make the King's Men see. I'll think of something. he thought as he walked around behind the counter. That fugitive had to have told Grace where he was going. If that Captain only knew I was telling the truth.... He rummaged around in the shelves found in the counter, searching for a bottle of ale. He didn't find a drink, but instead found a crumpled piece of parchment, stuffed hastily behind some dishes and things. He snatched it, and unfolded it, reading it in the light from the lanterns.

It was addressed to Grace, and said many things which made him livid with anger, but at the end, it was signed in a neat font, Sincerely, Liam. A smile slowly crept across Jack's face. This was it! All he needed! He grinned. "Sweet revenge...."

Evewen's eyes darkened as she glared at him. Vincent ignored her and turned to speak to her father.

Growling, she stood and marched toward the door, mumbling, "Insufferable man!"

Opening the door, she stepped through and was sure to slam it hard enough to make a point. A few items on her father's desk trembled and tipped.

~~~

Shyanne lifted her skirt as she stepped over a log and took a seat. As she watched Telwyn prepare the deer, her eyes grew larger and she appeared to be nauseated. However, once the meat was prepared and cooked, she didn't refuse a piece. Her empty stomach was stronger than her disgust at seeing the raw meat.

"My father never approved of venison. He says it's quite a barbaric meat...but I like it." Shyanne said, wiping her hands off. "It's different."