THE HINTERLANDS

By Troy R Clair

Chapter 1
Hawk

Hawk watched his youngest brother Justin leave the smithy with his newly forged
sword. He had prayed and sang with his parents at the final forging and setting of the
hilt. He was moved by his father's tears even now in memory of Justin's completion of
the final family rite in becoming a Warrior. His baby brother had grown into a young
man before his eyes, and he saw a devoted Warrior in him.
His father, Reed McClaron, was right about this son. Justin was plainly the son that
had the heart of a future McClaron clan leader. How could anyone not see that he was
most like his father.
All this did not bother Hawk. In fact, he accepted it. He felt he would even be proud
to serve under his leadership one day, but right now, he was still young.
"How does it feel?" asked Hawk matching stride with Justin.
"I know that I will go to the border. There is work to do in the Hinterlands. I sense
God calling me there," replied Justin.
"I'm glad you know for sure, Justin. I've not decided where I should go," said Hawk.
"Haven't you asked God to show you?"
"Justin," said Hawk intently, "all I know is God wants me to continue in music. I had
left as a minstrel and came back more a Warrior than I thought I'd ever be. I wait with
held breath for a direction from the Lord. I know His voice because I've heard from Him
before."
Justin said nothing as the brothers walked around the wall of the Keep.

Sweat ran profusely into Hawk's eyes causing him to repeatedly receive unparried
blows from his little brother's wooden practice sword. He definately wasn't so little
anymore, and each blow stung almost as much as his father's used to, when he was
Justin's age.
Taking a quick swipe at his eyes with his left sleeve, he managed to dodge under
Justin's now two handed swing to throw all weight at his legs to accomplish the tackle
that ended their overheated sparring match.
''That trick is not going to work on you much longer. You're getting too big!''
Justin just grinned a big toothy grin that was an obvious characteristic of all the
McClaron boys. He returned both practice swords to their rack and joined Hawk as he
headed into the Keep.

In the cool atmosphere within stone walls, unheated by the sun's direct rays, Hawk and
Justin sat refreshed after a repast of last night's leftover roast beef stuffed into small
loaves of bread. Justin was beginning to read a new book that Hawk didn't seem to be
interest in, as the elder brother softly played various combinations of notes on his fife for
a new musical composition.
 ''That fife can sure sound pretty,'' said Justin without looking up from the book.
''Yes,'' replied Hawk, ''I find that if I work at it, the fife can convey sadness and
longing. I'm trying to compose something new, but there is just no real spark of
inspiration just yet.''
Hawk put the fife down and looked out his window. ''Would you like to go into the
town with me this evening?''
''Are you performing tonight?''
''No, but there is a troupe of actors that is performing right on the main square. I
thought you might like to see them.''
''That would be fun,'' Justin affirmed, still not looking up from the book.
''I'm going to see if anyone else wants to come along. Mother may want to send
Crystal along with us.''
Hawk jotted a few notes on the margin of the sheet of music before he put his fife in
its case.
''Where was Robert going after breakfast this morning?'' asked Justin.
''He was going to town to see what books Hiram has in his shop after he browsed
through Father's library,'' replied Hawk.
Just then Annelynne came through the door. ''Boys, what are you doing?''
''Nothing urgent, Mother. Did Robert come back, yet?''
''He was in the library a long time. I don't know. It wasn't so long ago when he left
for town.''
''There's a troupe of actors performing this evening. I was wanting to take Justin with
Robert and me.''
''Oh, why don't we all go?'' suggested their mother.

The sun had not set, but was glorious in its display of colors as it seemed to nestle in
the distant treetops. The view from main square was perfect, and Hawk gazed with
faraway thoughts until the smell of the newly lit torch and its smoke brought his thought
back to the present.
There was a familiar face across the square that Hawk now recognized. It was Robert.
His bookish, large companion had not made his way back to the Keep before it was
pointless to leave the town only to turn right around to return for the performance in the
square. Plainly he had been very absorbed in his search for more books all day.
Stopping at one of the venders that had sprung up for the occasion, Hawk bought
several skewers of roast lamb and brought them over to divide with Robert. His grateful
thanks around a mouthful of the snack told Hawk that he must not have eaten since
breakfast.
Soon the square filled with people began to quiet down as a small man addressed the
crowd to announce the beginning of the performance.

It was dark when the play was finished. Hawk and Robert lagged behind the rest of
Hawk's family talking about the books Robert bought and laughing at how ridiculous
they were to try to examine them by the pale moonlight.
"What did you think of the play?" asked Hawk.
"It was entertaining, but a simplified plagiarism of one of the popular playwrights. I
guess there's one that now lives in the City of Light," commented Robert.
 "Well, yes, there are many writers, artists, and musicians that have come out of the
Hinterlands who have come to live their lives for Christ Jesus," explained Hawk. "They
have had to come to the Kingdom of Light to escape the raids and terrorism of the Dark
Empire."
"Is that what I've done?" asked Robert.
"Brimmerton is not in the Hinterlands, which is the territories that are unclaimed by
the Kingdom or the Dark Empire. It is well inside our borders." Hawk replied, not quite
understanding Robert's question.
"After discovering the Dark men and the plan to capture your God-given mounts, I felt
it was right to defend our friends and protect your family's interests. I wanted to be a part
of that fight for what's right."
"It sounds to me as if you have chosen the Kingdom of Light," declared Hawk.
"Some think that because they live in the Kingdom of Light, they are automatically living
for Christ Jesus, but everyone has to make the choice for themselves. Have you chosen
to live for Christ Jesus?"
"Yes, I want to have the friendship with Jesus that you have," said Robert.
"Having that friendship is like any other friendship, ours for example. It is cultivated
by interaction between the two who would be friends. The Lord is ever willing to reach
out to us."
The two walked the rest of the way back to the Keep in silent thought.

Chapter 2
Keenan

The young man found himself in the northern wing of the castle. As his thoughts
drifted toward her, he came to himself standing in the corridor and at her very door.
The elusive young baroness may even condescend to allow him to visit with her. To
have another conversation with Lady Delores would be worth the barbed comments and
antagonistic declarations of her outspoken lady's maid, Gertrude. Oh, if only she would
be gone and the lady present and wanting his company.
Keenan adjusted his tunic and cittern on his shoulder before he gently knocked on the
thick oak door. Nothing was stirring along the whole corridor and not a whisper could be
heard from behind the door to give any indication of anyone inside. Time almost stood
still in anticipation. Would she see him?
The door did open to reveal not much more than the chubby round head of Gertrude
already running her critical eye over him. "Well?"
"Is Lady Delores here?" asked Keenan timidly.
After her head disappeared and returned, she opened the door with only a few words
and not even relaxing her expression. "She says to come in."
The Lady Delores was seated in a rocking chair close to the fireplace with an
embroidering frame in her lap. She seemed mildly pleased to see him. "Keenan Reed,
what brings you to see me this afternoon?"
Thinking quickly, Keenan smiled with pleasure at the sight of the lady so at ease in his
company. "I thought to share some music with you as you had expressed a wish to hear
me play."
 Gertrude snorted thinly and made herself unobtrusive.
Glancing in her direction, the young minstrel adjusted his cittern and softly strummed
a minor chord.
"I've heard you are seen in the company of Jayne Rose, lately." said Lady Delores.
Keenan's brows knitted. "She's a harpist. We naturally have common musical topics
of
conversation, but nothing to remark about. She seems to have a knack of cornering me
and hounding me into musical consultations and recitals for various people. She even
badgered me during chapel last Sabbath."
Delores' musical laughter was a joy to hear after not seeing her smile for so long.
"She has designs on you, Keenan."
"But I have a song for you," countered Keenan, not believing his own nerve. His tone
had promised more.
"Play your song, then." she almost seemed to challenge.

Keenan began,

"Holding hands in the twilight...

Feel the breeze blow.
Whispering softly in my ear,
You don't want to go..."

As he looked up at Lady Delores, he saw her head turned away and in silent tears.
Immediately, Gertrude put herself between Keenan and the lady. "Get out, you fool!
She's not ready to hear such a song or to have someone to sing it to her so soon!"
All but forcibly thrown out, he found himself staring at a slammed door. There was
no choice now but to return to his own room.

He sat on his own window sill gazing down into the small bailey or looking out
beyond the wall to see the country side and the road that had brought him here to the
House of Randolph.
He had been given traveler's hospitality when he had presented himself as a minstrel
to the duke that resided here.

The lord of the manor, Duke Randolph was a widower who showed no noticeable
outward sign of mourning since his wife died more than five years ago. His daughter was
affectionately referred to as the duchess in light of Delores' father also showing no
indication of seeking a new wife.
The duchess did oversee to some extent the household daily routine. It was what kept
her busy and to Keenan's point of view, unavailable most of the time.
Keenan found himself thinking constantly of Lady Delores, but knew in his heart that
she was unattainable. He was a self-styled minstrel; more a common musician than a true
minstrel, because he knew many songs, but few of the classic stories that were often
requested.
And that was another thing that Jayne was always trying to coach him in. Constantly
reciting those long and overly flowery and prosy stories that caused Keenan to shudder.
Her natural pushiness kept Keenan avoiding her when he wasn't mooning in the general
area of the duchess' corridor.

A knock at Keenan's door came as a surprise.

"Enter," said the young minstrel.
A young boy in a page boy's uniform took one step inside the door.
"May I help you, lad?"
"Umm...my sister wants a story. She's tired of mine, and I still have to watch her for a
while. Could you tell us--her a story for me? She wanted me to ask you."
"Where is this sister of yours?" asked Keenan trying to catch a glimpse of anyone still
outside in the hallway.
The boy stepped back outside and brought in what Keenan thought as a little bit of a
girl by the arm. She had large sleepy eyes and mouse colored hair cut to just below her
jaw line framing a dirty face.
"It looks to me as if your brother were pelting you with dirt clods!" declared the young
minstrel with a smile. "Not a mark on your brother."
"She can't throw very good," said the page.
"Aha! Then I was right." said Keenan as he watched the little girl's thumb go into her
mouth. "Come to my basin over here, and we'll fix that face right up."
The girl allowed him to wash her face with a minimum of grimaces and gasps.
"There now, a beauty to behold!" said Keenan bring the first smile to the girl's face.
"How old are you, sweetling?"
The girl shyly held up four dirty fingers.
"All right, both of you come here and wash your hands, and your face could do with a
wash too, boy."
"My name is Thomas," replied the boy.
"Well, go on and wash, Thomas."
After the children had left his wash basin a muddy brown, he looked at them, musing,
"Dirt clods, hey? I remember my brother, Marcus stinging me with so many dirt clods
that I ran and latched myself in the privy. But his next dirt clod contained a large rock
and knocked a hole in the rotting wall. While he goggled, wondering if he had killed me
by mistake, I waved one of the cleaning rags with my arm sticking out of the hole he had
made, crying, 'I surrender!'"
This caused both children to giggle out loud. They stayed for a couple hours after that
getting to know the young minstrel and exploring everything in his room.
Keenan was very patient with them, and over the next several days they would bring
another friend or two among the castle children to hear a song and the privy story which
began to grow with each telling.

"Keenan Reed, there you are!" Jayne Rose had come around the corner to find the
object of her search staring blindly out of one of the hall's windows at the new morning's
sunshine. She could have thought he was deaf as he never moved or gave any hint at
having heard her.
 Her expression softened as she continued to gaze at him, then slid her arm through his.
"Would you play me another song that you wrote? Please? I especially liked the one in
which you sang about walking at dawn and seeing a smiling face."
Keenan almost turned and took her in his arms until he realized who was speaking to
him. Of course, Delores had only taken his arm on one occasion, and for what seemed
the briefest of moments. But then seeing Jayne Rose in the sunlight from the window
with the halo of her wispy blond hair framing her delicate features, did not lessen the
thrill that had been kindled within him. No, he had never noticed how lovely she could
be until now.
Then, Keenan rebelled at this new idea because he felt he was being untrue to Lady
Delores in some indescribable way. He disentangled himself and walked quickly down
the hall only to hear the rustle of her gown following him.
The musician needed to practice before he played during dinner tonight, and also
knew there was no escaping Jayne when she was very determined. "Who can fathom
women? And a pox on you and your sharp tongue, Gertrude!" he hissed under his breath.
He turned to Jayne and said, "Come with me to the music room then."
Jayne grinned broadly as she scurried to catch up to him. He rolled his eyes and
continued his pace.

Chapter 3
Hawk

The following morning found Hawk and Robert sitting at a table in the library with
Hawk's father, Reed McClaron.
The elder McClaron had returned from a riding tour of the lands of the Kingdom of
Light that were his responsibility assigned by the Council in the City of Light.
"Now that all the loose ends of the plot to steal the Mounts have been tied up as well
as can be, I would like to urge you, son, to go to one of your uncles on the edge of the
Hinterlands to learn more of the defense of the Kingdom and to find your specific calling
as a Warrior," Reed McClaron stated. "I don't know how this love for music will fit into
your calling, but the Lord will show you as you venture into the tradition of being
temporarily fostered by other relatives or friends to diversify the training I've given you
up to now."
"The Lord has shown me that I can't walk away from the Warrior discipline. It was
made plain to me in Brimmerton where I met Robert. Would any of my uncles welcome
Robert if he chose to come with me?" asked Hawk.
"I think he would be welcome," replied the father. "May I suggest that you go to your
Uncle Lawrance? His two boys, your cousins, are still a little young. It would be good
for you and the boys for you to lend a hand in their training," replied the elder McClaron.
"That sounds good. Robert could teach them to use a bow," returned the son looking
to Robert who modestly shrugged.
"Excellent. Draw whatever coin Robert deems adequate to purchase suitable bows for
my nephews as gifts and make your Uncle Lawrance's keep your destination." said the
senior Warrior.
 "When do we leave?" asked Hawk.
"As soon as you'd like," answered Reed.

Out in the Keep's bailey, Hawk's special mount was led in by Crystal. He was named
Prophet by Hawk for his tendency to appear suddenly from his wanderings to serve as
mount. It was uncanny how he was always there when needed and gone again when
faced with being housed in the Keep's stable.

Seeing the streets of Brimmerton brought back Hawk's memories of his wandering as
a minstrel. He wanted to see the university library again, but most of all he wanted to go
straight to see Mrs. Hill, the matronly owner of Traveler's Inn who practically adopted
him when he had made the inn his residence.
The minute Hawk and Robert entered the inn, they were greeted with hugs. Hawk
thought that Mrs. Hill had not changed in the months the pair had been away.
They were immediately seated in front of bowls of stew and mugs of caffe brought by
an unknown girl who seem to be newly employed there.
Mrs. Hill sat down with them as there was no one else in the common room to attend
to, and inquired into what they had done since leaving Brimmerton.
Later, Hawk went out to the stable to see how his mount was settling in, then went to
take a nap in the room he and Robert were sharing.
That evening in the common room, there was a man sitting at a corner table that Mrs.
Hill said had delivered a letter to her from Annelynne Mc Claron, Hawk's mother.
"Your mother sounds so wonderful, and she thanks me for all I've done for you. But I
will tell her how you saved us all from that Dark man," gushed Mrs. Hill. "Didn't you tell
her about all that?"
"My mother talks of coming for a visit to meet you," replied Hawk with his eyes on
the man in the corner. "Could you introduce me to this man?"
Mrs. Hill introduced Hawk and Robert to Howard Rose, a light-haired man that
looked to be in his fifties.
"I believe you must have met my parents to have delivered a letter from my mother,"
the young Warrior began as he shook hands with the man.
"Yes," Rose replied. "I know your father because he sponsored me at the Council to
be a new Warrior family head. Mine will be the first to be established and based in what
you call The Hinterlands. Lawrance Mc Claron is to be my Kingdom contact for the City
of Light. I am on my journey to him and was planning to stop in Brimmerton. When I
stopped at your father's Keep, your mother recommended this inn and asked me to deliver
a letter to Mrs. Hill."
"We leave for the border in the morning, and you're welcome to travel with us,"
offered Hawk.
"Thank you. I'll be ready."

The three of them arrived in the village that was formed outside of Lawrance
McClaron's keep. Every eye looked on them as they passed, but only the children
stopped to stare. Everyone knew that at least one of these new arrivals was a Warrior,
but wondered what it meant to have three strangers obviously head for the McClaron
keep at the other end of the village.
The strangers stopped at the well and drew water for their horses and continued, as the
villagers had guessed, to the McClaron keep.

Hawk's uncle Lawrance greeted him warmly and urged him to see his aunt and
cousins while he met with Howard Rose.
His aunt found him before he could step outside and after a hug of greeting, talked of
Hawk and Robert being a part of the household.
Robert had brought in the bows and the quivers of arrows he had personally picked
out for the cousins' gifts from their Uncle Reed.
At the sight of the gifts, Hawk's Aunt Leta urged them to go out to the small practice
yard where she claimed the boys played more than ever learned to swing a weapon to
find them and inspire them to buckle down to their lessons under their new teacher, their
older cousin.

He found the two brothers in the practice yard throwing rocks at a discolored stone in
the keep's wall. Hawk almost tripped over a practice sword lying in the grass. Picking it
up and finding another not too far away, he called to the boys.
Robert decided to stand in the background to watch this reunion. He had a feeling that
Hawk would have some fun at the boys' expense.
"Hawk!" cried Michael the elder of the two brothers. He ran up to his cousin, but
stopped short as Hawk offered him one of the practice swords.
"Let's see what you've learned from your father."
"I can defeat Reggie," declared Michael.
"Michael hits my sword so hard it stings my hands, and I always drop it," complained
Reggie.
"That means you have to get stronger like Father says," replied Michael.
"Take your weapon, Michael, and defend yourself!" challenged Hawk.
In the course of the first few seconds of sparring, Michael dropped his sword upon
trying to parry a hard blow from Hawk. He sank to his knees holding his stung hand,
gasping.
His cousin knelt beside him and took on the demeanor and speaking voice of a play
actor. Art thou dead? Art thou dying? Art thou wounded in the horrible conflict?"
"Yeees!" cried Michael, laughing in spite of his stinging hand.
Reggie stood by silent and wide eyed.
"Be glad you haven't sparred with Justin," said Hawk. "He makes my hands sting now
and then."
Hawk introduced the boys to Robert. He told them that they were to learn the bow
from him and showed them their gifts from Reed McClaron.
As any boy would, the brothers were very anxious to try the bows, but Hawk told
them that they would use them soon enough. "But first, I want to see how far along you
are in your book work with the Scriptures."
"We want to learn to be Warriors," said Reggie, speaking up for the first time.
"And so you shall. It all starts with the Scriptures," admonished Hawk.
Chapter 4
Quentin

It was dark and Quentin's turn on night watch was only half done. He climbed down
from the wall of the Preston Keep to slip out the front gate.
To the north was the Hinterlands and just beyond that was the Dark Empire, the
reason he needed to stay alert. His duty was to watch for any movement toward John
Preston's portion of the border of the Kingdom of Light.
It was dark and wet as a drizzle began, but Quentin walked through the gloom along
the outside of the keep's wall to see the treeline of the small patch of woods about a
hundred yards east. Nothing out there moved. He could barely make out the trees in the
darkness. He continued toward the trees.
Nervously, he glanced back at the keep. It was quiet and just a darker patch in the
gloom. Justin would relieve him soon, so he needed to hurry.
Quentin entered the woods cautiously and stood attempting to let his eyes adjust to the
gloom of the woods.
A gravelly voice broke the silence. "Don't move. I hope you are ready to leave your
Warriors tomorrow. What information do you bring?"
"Lord Garl?" began Quentin.
"Tell me. Where does the patrol go tomorrow?"
"We head straight north three miles into the Hinterlands and head west to the end of
our portion of the border," answered Quentin.
Quentin could almost make out the large and powerful figure that was Lord Garl, a
demon commander in the Dark Empire as he said, "You will slip away and head north
when we attack the patrol. We will catch up to you and take you back to Arcad. Be sure
you are not seen or your trollop will die."
"I will not fail," replied Quentin gritting his teeth. "Will she be coming with us?"
"No. We have another use for her before you see her. In the mean time, you will be
trained in one of our elite programs, the way of the Hound," came the guttural reply.
"You said you would pay me," Quentin declared.
A small bag was pressed into his hand. It clinked when Quentin shook it.
“Be gone. Be ready tomorrow," said Lord Garl.

Quentin was relieved by a sturdy young Warrior. Quentin had been back at his post
for some time before his relief had arrived. He reported that all was well and left the
young Warrior to his duty.
Walking along the hallway to his quarters, the young spy considered what had brought
him to this point. He had become involved with a pretty girl he had never seen in the
village until recently. She had warmed to him almost immediately and had encouraged
him in many ways to pursue the relationship they had found themselves in.
Then one day, from a back room of the little house where he had thought his lover
lived alone, came a man stern and pale of face. He threatened to expose the illicit affair
with the girl unless he supply information of the activities and people in Isaac Preston's
keep.
 Quentin reasoned that little harm could be done if he gave the ordinary sort of
information dealing with the mundane activities of daily life in the keep, he could do no
real harm so long as he didn't reveal any major battle plans or supply movements. But as
time went on, he was pressed for better information.
Finally, one day from the back room came not only the pale man, but a huge demon
that possessed huge black horns that curved like a ram's pair of horns after many years of
development. He was offered many temptations to work more closely with this
commander of the Dark Empire's troops, but Quentin did not weaken overnight.
He had tried to stop seeing the girl, but he could not stay away for long. His desire for
her and what they did together grew stronger to the point where it almost drove him mad
to be away from her for more than a day.
All this passed through his thoughts as he walked.
When he was back in his room, he climbed down from his window to enter the village
that was near the keep. He wanted to visit his lover one more time. He may not see her
for quite some time to come.

Early the next morning, Isaac Preston was in the bailey of his keep with his mount
saddled and his Warriors assembling even as Quentin came into the bailey.
His mount was not one of the special mounts as the other Warriors had. He had a
finely bred horse that did almost as well as his divinely blessed peers. Should the
opportunity arise, he was promised a chance to be chosen by one of the special mounts
that all Warriors were known to have.
Quentin had not been born into a Warrior family, but had been taken in by Isaac
Preston as a boy. He had been trained in the Warrior training and even received his
sword forged in the Preston smithy.
Something inside Quentin did not fully accept his lot to become a Warrior. He longed
for something more, but wasn't quite sure what it could be.
As he entered the bailey, Isaac smiled at him and called to another Warrior. "Justin,
take Quentin with you to the front of the patrol and have him take a turn riding point.
"Yes, sir," came Justin's hearty reply.
Quentin couldn't understand how Justin seemed to love every aspect of being a
Warrior. He seemed to do everything so largely and completely that no one could stand a
chance at matching him. Especially when Quentin would notice Justin at prayer, he
seemed to be willing to continue for hours. It was all Quentin could do to make himself
stay on his knees for five minutes.
Now, he wouldn't have to go on living this life, he would do something that would
give him the privileges and pleasures he desired. It had to be an easier and more
rewarding life than the one he was now leaving, but Quentin did not relish the idea that
maybe some of his companions would die in the upcoming attack. It would be his
treachery that killed them. How he hoped that the demons would be driven off and his
disappearance accomplished without the sacrifice of these good men.

Quentin was left to ride point, and Justin went back to Isaac Preston to report to him.
They were coming to the end of their portion of the border and would be turning back
soon.
 When he rode back to catch a glimpse of the main group, he heard the clashing of
steel weapons. The patrol was under attack.
He did not want to see anyone, so he turned north and began to ride hard. The sounds
of conflict faded as he put distance between himself and the people of his old life.
Suddenly, Quentin's mount reared, knocking him to the ground. He hit the ground
hard and the impact seemed to repeat itself until he realized he was being kicked by a
demon on foot.
Somehow, he pulled his sword free from his scabbard. He swung at the demon's ankle
and felt his sword make contact.
The ugly creature screamed and jumped on Quentin, enraged. Then his eyes widened
in shock, because Quentin had grounded the hilt of his sword against the road and pointed
the tip of the sword at the demon's chest. Now the ugly thing found himself impaled.
The young man scrambled to get out from the underneath the clawing, screaming,
dying demon. He never let go of his sword. When he was able, he jerked the weapon
around in the demon's wound, causing more internal injury. The demon soon expired.
Lord Garl and his troopers came running into view. "Retreat, you fool! We are
chased!"
Quentin was fortunate enough to catch his horse and mount. He was soon with the
front of the retreating attackers. He wondered what his life had come to, riding with such
twisted company.

It was not until they were in the denser part of the forest that the demons stopped to
rest. Before anyone could have the chance to start making camp, Lord Garl approached
Quentin.
"I noticed that you killed Pith when we found you. What do you mean by killing one
of my own?" the huge demon confronted him.
Quentin saw that one of the horns on his head had been chopped down to a pathetic
stump. There was the wet sheen of black demon blood on parts of his body. It looked as
though Lord Garl hadn't done much more than survive the encounter with the Warriors.
"That Pith attacked me. I killed him. I won't be trifled with, and let that be a message
to anyone else with murderous ideas!"
Lord Garl laughed a rumbling, thunderous laugh.
"You'll do, human! You'll do!" He gave Quentin a shove that sent him reeling twenty
feet to crash into a tree. A few leaves and branches fell around him. "Don't forget that I
am your better, and you will go far."
The young traitor to the Warriors, now promised himself that he would thrive among
these animals. He would be mean and ruthless when the situation called for it, and
outlive all of them. He would carve a place for himself in the Dark Empire, and he would
have his beloved Jyll as well.

Chapter 5
Justin
 These times at night on the wall were good for speaking with God while he kept
watch. When he wasn't speaking to God, he would reflect on his life and his goals for the
future.
Tonight thoughts of his family went through his mind as Justin stood on the wall
looking out into the darkness.
Thad, his brother, was with his Uncle Elwood along this very border he watched, but
farther east. He was the brother that looked the least like their father, but followed in his
footsteps in the expected manner. It had taken the hand of God to bring that about, but
God was always faithful.
Hawk, the oldest of his two brothers, was both easier and harder to understand
depending on certain issues and thoughts. He had usually offered to include Justin in
anything he had been involved with, and there were many happy memories of the fun
they had together. But Justin did not always know why Hawk would go his own way,
nor did he always understand his creative thought processes even when he enjoyed the
result, such as his music or even his humor at odd times.
For himself, he felt compelled to follow the path of the Warrior and sensed God's
continued calling to his own task or mission. He wanted to engage the enemy and bring
glory to God. He loved to help others understand the way to serve God and stand against
the Dark Empire. He was born to the life he was leading and embraced it fully.
Hawk had begun to share with him about their father from what he was told, but since
Hawk had first left home that first time, Reed McClaron had been sharing a lot more with
Justin about his past and his hopes for the future. His father was a lot of who Justin
wanted to be, and others told him how alike he and his father were.
He had chosen to come to Isaac Preston after his father had explained to him the
tradition of McClarons working under the leadership of another Warrior family.
The Prestons were a small family that took a post in the territory where the McClarons
were in charge, led by Reed McClaron's father, Archie McClaron.
Isaac Preston was well thought of by both the McClarons and the Council in the City
of Light. He had proven himself in one of the great battles to be an able commander.
Justin had been welcomed by the Prestons. The eldest son, John, became close friends
with the new arrival to the point of them being inseparable.
Nothing was moving outside of the wall. As if conjured by his thoughts, Justin turned
to see his friend John coming to relieve him at the end of his watch.

The day's patrol was routine. Justin left Quentin to ride point and rode back to Isaac
Preston to report. He also wanted to discuss an idea that had occurred to him.
It seemed like a good idea to him to go deeper into the Hinterlands to visit as many of
the farms and settlements as could be reached within a half day's ride to offer any
assistance or service that they may need. Though hardy, it could be that one day these
people that were trying to establish themselves, would need the Warriors if the enemy
were to appear.
As Justin approached the senior Warrior, a chorus of eerie screams sounded all around
them, The whole patrol was beset with attacking demons.
Swords appeared in all the Warriors' hands as the demons closed with them. Their
training became obvious with the ringing of steel against steel and the unmoving stance
of each man in the face of the onslaught.
 Justin was a whirlwind of action. He seemed to cut his way through several demons
to remain close to Isaac Preston.
The largest demon headed straight for the senior Warrior, hacking at all who got in his
way. In the moment of clearing more of the lesser Warriors out of his path, it found itself
under the blow of a young, but large Warrior who had rode his mount between him and
his leader. His blade risen to parry the overhand strike, only managed to deflect the blow
enough to save his head but not his right ram-like horn. Liquid sprayed into his eyes and
half blinded him.
Justin seemed to have been outside of his own body watching this, but now there was
a click in his head and he looked out from his own eyes once more.
The demon reeled on his retreating black horse and went into the woods.
As Justin turned to bring the fight to another, he saw that the demons had fled leaving
their dead behind.
Isaac Preston was still mounted, giving orders. ''I want to know of any and all
injuries. If there are any of our own are dead or seriously wounded, they get our attention
first. Then we need to bury these demon bodies before they smell any worse than they do
now."
A young Warrior approached the senior Warrior. "Father, Quentin Stillman is
missing."
"Get someone to go with you to take a look around." replied Preston beginning to look
pale.
"McClaron! Let's find Quentin!" yelled the young man.
"Let's go, John!" replied Justin.

It was an hour later, and no trace could be found of Quentin's location and any trail or
spoor, was covered by the obvious and unhidden retreat of the demons.
Back at the Preston keep, Isaac Preston was thoughtful. "Boys, it may be that Quentin
has deserted. He hasn't been very focused on his duties and he has spent a lot of time in
the town. It may be a good idea to ask around in a casual manner to find any hint of what
may have happened to him."
"I will go and ask around for him," said John.
"Thank you, son. I think Justin should go with you. You need to find a willing
informant to trust you. I don't want you to be looked upon as a police officers. I would
like you and Justin to take the part of concerned friends and not give the impression of an
official investigation." said the senior Warrior.
Justin McClaron was called to Isaac Preston's study after the evening meal. There, he
found John Preston and his father waiting for him.
They were encouraged to sit in two chairs that had been left for them.
"I want you to ask around the town tomorrow, about Quentin as concerned friends.
Make it appear as if you were looking out for his best interests or maybe to keep him
from getting into trouble. That may appeal to whomever knows Quentin. He may even
be hiding in the town himself, but I think if he wanted to be gone, he would not stay as
close as that."
"Sir," began John, "I think it might be a good idea to try to go into town tonight as
well as tomorrow. We could sit in an inn's common room and maybe hear and inquire
about Quentin when people are more apt to talk."
 Justin chuckled. "When they've had a few beers or something, I think you mean."
"That is a natural tendency in most people," commented John.
"I'm convinced," said Isaac. "If you go in as off duty friends of Quentin making
discreet inquiries, you wouldn't have to make up a story, it would likely be the assumed
that you are there to warn Quentin to cover his tracks or straighten up his act. You may
go as soon as you are ready."
Both the young Warriors stood. "We'll be going directly," said John. The two gave a
salute in the form of a hand over their hearts, the verbal accompaniment 'To the glory of
God!' left unsaid but indicated.

It was late, but it had been slightly profitable to come into the little town that night.
The pair had finally found someone to tell them that Quentin had been seen going into a
house on the edge of town on more than one occasion. Once they had managed to
convince their informant to guide them to the house, they had decided to return to the
keep and come back in the morning.
No one but the watch on the wall was awake, so the two Warriors went to their
quarters to go to bed.

It was evening once again, it had been another day with a little progress. The only
person at the house had been a girl that the young Warriors had found quite charming.
When asked about Quentin, the girl, Jyll, had told the two friends that he had dealings
with her father. She also told them that her father was frequently gone, and she didn't
expect him back that day, but they were welcome to check back from time to time to
catch him at home.
They wished the girl a pleasant day and moved on to find anyone else that might be
able to help them until then.

Chapter 6
Jyll

The young Warriors were gone, and her eyes went immediately to the door to the back
room.
Her father came out with a leering smile on his face. "Well done, daughter. I have
more of this for you."
She ran to him to snatch a small brown vial out of his hands, but he swung his arm out
of her reach. "Are we so desperate already? So eager to drown in forgetfulness for a
while."
He paused to study her look of desperation and knew she was under the power of the
serum provide by Lord Garl. She would do all that was required and much more.
He pondered what he might have for himself with this valuable hold over her. He
could take her himself. Afterall, she wasn't really his daughter, but Lord Garl had warned
him that the serum didn't even begin to touch the mental trauma that would be caused by
his abuse. It could only heal or mask bruises and wounds that were not fatal. She was
needed intact to accomplish the demon's dark purposes. Maybe later...
 He shook his head and leered. Holding out the vial, he lured her closer and grabbed
her arm. "I want you to finally see just what a wonder this liquid really is, my dear."
The knife was in his hand before she even knew what he would do. She watched in
horror as he cut the palm of her hand and saw the blood well up. She tried in vain to pull
away.
"Now drink," commanded her father, "and watch your hand."
She took all the serum into her mouth as he poured. Jyll began to feel the floating
sensation immediately as the pain in her hand seemed to lessen and become someone
else's pain.
She looked at her hand. It was healing right before her eyes. The pain was
disappearing from her senses. Now her hand was as if it were never cut.
"You will continue to do as you are told," rasped the man she knew as her father.
She felt a twinge where the cut had once been, but her hand remained unmarked.
Jyll hated this man, but the serum seemed to ease her and to give her an escape from
thinking for a while. She would kill him one day, but now she lost herself in the oblivion
of the serum.
Her last thought was of Quentin. He was sweet to her, and distracting him as his lover
hadn't been unpleasant, but she could find better. She saw herself attracting a rich and
powerful man to give her a life of ease and luxury.
"Hmm. This dosage seems extra good this time," she thought as she drifted.

Chapter 7
Keenan

Since Jayne had attached herself to him once again, Keenan had decided to really put
her to work. He began by writing cues and several staves of melody line that had
occurred to him as they rehearsed, for her to accompany his cittern. In spite of her many
questions and clarification of the new passages he had written, she seemed to
instinctively and almost effortlessly bring what Keenan thought of as a new magic to his
music. Forgetting his general irritation with her in the moment of his new found
enthusiasm, he came out and told her as much and immediately realized he might never
be rid of her persistent attention.
Jayne seemed thoughtful. Her pleased smile was not the gloating kind Keenan had
expected. She studied the notes on the page, plucked a number of chords, and remained
the quietest Keenan had ever seen her during a rehearsal.
That had been a couple of hours ago. Now they were about to begin.
Keenan had already eaten a light meal as is customary for musicians when performing
during a meal time. Jayne Rose, he noticed hadn't eaten anything at all.
The two began with a soft folk song that the two had played at several of the sorts of
events that Jayne had wheedled Keenan into joining her. After they had finished playing
the next song which was the one Jayne had begged him to play for her, and one of several
he had written her harp into, the diners including the duke himself, had stopped to
express their appreciation with heartfelt applause.
 The duke then took advantage in the lull of all the conversations to announce the
engagement of Duchess Delores to an official of some kind to the king in the capitol city.
Keenan was so shocked, he didn't even catch the suitor's name.

Late that evening, Keenan walked into the dark music room with his stump of a candle
beginning to gutter. There was Jayne's harp. Jayne had disappeared shortly after their
performance leaving Keenan to be congratulated for, and drawn into discussion about his
music by several young scholars that had just been granted a brief traveler's hospitality in
the manor house.
Now with the distracting thoughts of the Lady Delores being lost to him by distance
and marriage, as well as station, he had wanted to sink his thoughts into other things such
as his music. Jayne now represented a new direction for his compositions, and Keenan
was ready to go to work. He felt that any irritation while working with Jayne was well
worth the result he knew would come about in the music.
He decided to ask young Thomas the house message runner and scullion he had met
the day before, where her room was. As he arrived near the kitchen, he saw Thomas
running toward him, looking over his shoulder.
Keenan stepped into the lad's path and allowed him to hit his midsection, stopping his
forward motion. Grabbing his arms to catch him from falling, the young musician said,
"Slow down, Thomas, someday you may knock somebody down!"
The page straightened his livery and caught his breath.
"If you are trying to escape from someone, do so by leading me to Jayne Rose's
chamber. I need to speak to her." said Keenan softly in the youngster's ear.
Thomas grabbed Keenan's hand and ran down the hall and around a corner and
stopped. "Sir, the lady you speak of has a room here from time to time, but she doesn't
truly live in the castle. She lives with her father down in the town, and that is where she
is tonight," said Thomas.
''Who is her father?'' asked Keenan.
"He's the merchant who lives in the biggest house in the town below."
"Thank you, Thomas." replied Keenan thoughtfully. "I will do you a favor when you
need one some day."
The boy smiled and ran off down the hall, leaving the musician wondering what
mischief he had been up to before their sudden meeting near the kitchen.
The bailey was dark except for the dimmest glow from the occasional torch along the
top of the wall that surrounded the manor house. The gate to the road to town was
closed, but Keenan knew that if he talked to the gatekeeper, he would be let out a small
door in the wall.
After reaching the town, the young musician began to search for the large house
belonging to Jayne's merchant father. He had brought along a small torch that he had the
gatekeeper light for him to see his way.
There was the house, but not a light shown from the upper windows, only a single
light shown at the ground level.
Keenan just stared up at the house wondering about the girl who had until just recently
been an irritation. There was so much he didn't know about Jayne. Why did it matter to
him now?
 Just then, Keenan saw a couple of torches coming up the street. It could be a little
awkward explaining his business to the town constable, should it prove to be him.
He decided to knock on the front door of the house to make a polite inquiry of
whoever answered as to Jayne's coming home safely.
The door opened as the torches arrived to become the constable and his assistant on
patrol. As Keenan made his polite inquiry, the torches passed on by.
Jayne had made it home safely, he was told by an old man who seemed to Keenan as
some sort of servant. Keenan left his name and hurried back to the small castle of the
duke.

Once again, Keenan found himself at the duchess' door. Thinking of Jayne, he
somehow couldn't bring up the nerve to knock on the door, so he leaned against the wall
opposite and absently strummed some chords on his cittern.
The odd combination of chords caught his attention, and he repeated the new
progression several times with new inspiration. He forgot all about where he was in the
moment of a new composition forming.
The young man looked up much later to see the door open and the lady's maid,
Gertrude exiting at her mistress' insistence. "I will go, my lady, but I will hurry back,"
she said, glaring at Keenan.
The duchess motioned for Keenan to come in, and he complied with butterflies in his
stomach. He heard her bolt her door, and turned toward her to see a determined look on
her face.
"Why have you spent an hour outside my door? Why would you have come in the
first place? You know I am engaged and with more attention on me now, your silly
mooning about will cause talk about the house."
"I wasn't mooning," protested Keenan. "Well, not for an hour. I...I was surprised at
your engagement."
"Why would you be surprised? All ladies must be married. More importantly to the
family's advantage."
"True," breathed Keenan almost despairingly.
"I am beginning to think you must stay away from me, Keenan," she stated without a
smile. "You can't have very good intentions with me if you skulk outside my door."
"I think the world of you, lady! In fact, I wanted to tell you how I am in love with
you!" Keenan's stomach took a dive and his heart was in his mouth at the realization of
his own boldness.
Her expression softened. "You bare your heart?"
Keenan bowed his head, and before he could speak, found her arms around him.
"Kiss me, Keenan before Gertrude comes back."
The musician began to back away and found himself against her bedpost with her
pressing into him.
"Come to me tonight. I will send Gertrude away early."
Keenan felt his cittern behind him chaff against the bedpost and a string creaked on
it's tuning post in protest. He managed to bring the instrument between him and the lady
in front of him. "How can you promise to give yourself to me in such a manner when
such an important man as your fiancé would be furious?"
 "I have had a husband before. He died about a year and a half ago. The estate was
taken by his brother and with the influence of his wife, I was sent home. She feared her
husband would have replaced her with me. You see, I am not a maiden to be saved as a
prize. I am a burden to be unloaded on this prospective husband."
There was nothing Keenan could think to say. He let all she had told him sink in as
she watched him now, across the room at the fireplace on the edge of her chair.
"Please give me this small happiness of being with you. I have no hope in a marriage
of convenience with no advantage but being no longer a burden to my family."
"Do you care for me?" asked Keenan in a small voice, fearing to hear a lie or the harsh
truth.
"I have not had you play my sewing circles and small ladies' teas without having an
attraction and a growing affection for you. Can't you imagine what joy it is for me to
hear you say you love me?"
She was standing before him once again, and reached for him. "Kiss me, Keenan."
There was a loud knock at the door and a faint, "My lady, open the door. It's me,
Gertrude."
Keenan whirled around the duchess as quick as a hare and unbolted the door. "I must
be going, my lady," he cried, and brushed past Gertrude before she could protest.

Sitting in the music room, the young musician was lost in thought. He had run from
the duchess out of guilt that he would've stayed to see his passionate thoughts come to
fruition. Gertrude's sudden knock on the door, had made him jump like a thief about to
be caught with his hands in a jewelry box or a boy with his fingers in a pie.
He wrote the chord progression out on a music sheet so he wouldn't forget it with all
the thoughts of possibly meeting the duchess in her room that night. He dare not forget
the chords, because he knew if he didn't forget the duchess, it could be his death. But the
desire kept rising stronger and stronger to be with her.
For the first time since he had left home, he remembered his father's words: "Don't
touch a woman that is not yours. You will never be able to make up for such a mistake."
He hadn't thought of his father since he was sixteen, when he had left his home in the
middle of the night to see more of the world than the small village he grew up in.
Keenan had quickly lost interest in the cooper's trade after meeting a traveling
minstrel at the local inn. He longed to take his musical skills as his trade when he found
that musicians easily received room and board in return for songs, stories, and any news
picked up in their travels.
Now, after several inns and long aimless treks between each one, he was in this great
house, or castle as some referred to it. The resident master of music was ill and gone
from the castle, leaving Jayne in charge of all music activities. How it came about that
she filled the position, Keenan didn't know.
No one seemed to think the young musician had overstayed his welcome. In fact,
Duke Randolph had extended his invitation to stay as long as he desired to be a resident
performer.
He thought it strange that there was no talk of finding a new master of music. There
was little talk about the present one, and Keenan hadn't been a guest long enough to hear
anything. But that had been more than two months ago!
 Looking up from his notation, the young man saw the shape of a woman in the
doorway. The candles had begun to gutter out causing the room to grow dim.
From the woman's figure came Jayne's voice. "You are very focused on your work. It
must be another of your beautiful compositions. You make so much from simple chord
progressions. My grandfather says you must have a great natural talent, and he would
like to meet you when he comes back to the castle tomorrow."
"Comes back?" muttered Keenan.
"Yes," replied Jayne, "he's the master of music of the castle."
Keenan closed his eyes and sat back down, not even realizing he had stood when
Jayne had addressed him. His question of her position was answered. She is the music
master's granddaughter. "You told him about me?"
She stepped closer and placed a hand on his arm. "I wanted him to meet you. He's
recovered quite a bit, and I'd hoped you would stay to meet him."
At her touch, Keenan's whole body tingled. He drew her to him before he could think
of what he was doing and kissed her. Nothing had felt more natural and at the same time
a realization came over him. He could choose to love her. It would be easy, because he
felt she already had fallen for him.
He knew he could hurt her by choosing someone else, but he would hurt her more if
he toyed with her. Did he love her? She could be unquestionably his with no danger of
another man's honor being offended. A decision had to be made now, and he found he
cared enough for her to not want to hurt her.
"Jayne," he whispered as she pressed closer, "I have very little to offer you, but I do
care for you and would protect you any way I could..."
"But you don't love me," she finished for him.
"I need to disentangle myself from another. I won't lie to you," he returned.
"You would leave this person for me?" she said as tears came to her eyes. "And who
would you leave me for?"
"You deserve someone fully committed to you. Can you allow me a little time to tell
this person that it is over between her and me?"
"I don't want to share you with another woman. Who is she?"
Keenan made a decision. "Jayne," he declared, "I chose to love you. I may not be
giddy or dreamy like most lads with a girl, but I will devote myself to you and no other."
With a pause, his eyes widened. "I guess I want to marry you!"
"Tell me who this woman is."
"Lady Delores."
There was dead silence.
"You are involved with her?"
"More like I've begun to make a fool of myself with her." Keenan replied ruefully.
Jayne turned her back on him, and he found it distressing.
"I will go tell her now. Please believe me."
Jayne turned back and said, "Be sure that you do." Then walk out of the music room
and was gone.

Chapter 8
Jayne
 Jayne was standing in her room in the castle. She glanced around at the furniture that
had come with the room when she was first offered it. It looked like she would be going
back to her house in the town below, now that her grandfather was feeling better. It had
been a long illness.
It had been good experience for her to take on the duties of Master of Music. It gave
her self-confidence a boost. She had met many people passing through the House of
Randolph.
That brought back the thought of the source of her frustration and anger: Keenan
Reed. Just when he seemed to take an interest in her, it turns out he was no better than a
courtesan or worse, maybe even a lecherous social climber! She had risked being
accused of being forward in trying to gain his attentions for herself. How humiliating!
But she still didn't want to give up on him.
How could she trust him? If he truly cared for her, he would give up the duchess.
She was so beautiful and must have so many men at her call. Now, she was to marry
someone in the royal family. Surely, she could give up some humble minstrel boy. She
had to be forty years old or so. She had to be just toying with Keenan to feed her own
ego.
Jayne looked around the room again and realized that she hadn't moved, but stood
before her bed with her fists clenched. At least, she had closed her door.

An hour or more later, Jayne was startled awake by a knock at her door. When she
opened it, there stood Thomas with a small folded piece of vellum held out in his hand.
"A letter from town, Miss," he chimed.
"Thank you, Thomas," she smiled and gave him two apples from a bowl in her room.
"Give one to your sister."
"I will, thank you!" Thomas was already running down the corridor before uttering
the last word.
The letter was from her grandfather. It read:

Dearest Jayne,

Come home tonight. Your father is due home from the City of Light
tomorrow morning.
He would love to see you at his homecoming. He has news of his heart's desire.

Your Grandfather,
Richard Ward
Music Master for House Randolph

Her father was coming home at last! He went away on a business trip and there had
been more to this trip than met the eye. Her father had left at night to avoid the routine
travel of the town and had been gone longer than Grandfather had been sick.
She chose to forget about Keenan for the moment to go back to her simpler life at
home. It would be a relief.
 Jayne was up early the next morning reviving the fire in the fireplace of her childhood
home. She threw herself into her old chores, but the morning still seemed to creep by
with no appearance of her father.
Her two brothers were outside bringing more firewood and helping her mother who
ran the small dry goods shop next door. By now there would be people about their
business to bring routine to another day in the life of a merchant family.
Jayne's mother had expressed her joy of having her eldest back home to help her with
running the household. She was glad to be home, but now her mind would whirl, first
about her father's return and then about Keenan. She didn't want to think about him, but
his image kept creeping back into her mind. She missed playing the harp with him.

That evening after the shop was closed and supper was on the fire, Howard Rose
arrived home and in time for the meal. Grandfather was with him after spending the
morning at the castle with the Duke to report his fitness for his duties.
Over supper, Howard Rose began to discuss his news.
"I've been to the Warrior Council in the City of Light. They are willing to help
me to be the first Warrior family head in this land. They call where we live the
Hinterlands. We are between their Kingdom of Light and the Dark Empire that has been
waging a strange war against them.
"Ever since I was raised by a Warrior family and brought up in their training I've
wanted to be a Warrior. I wanted to bear the name because I have accepted Christ as the
redeemer of my sins. I also see that the Dark Empire seeks to devour everything. It will
be the Dark Empire we serve and Satan also, if our king falls to their ploys and
promises." The prospective Warrior hardly ate while giving this sort of speech to his
family.
"Are you going away to fight?" asked Nolan, the younger of his two sons. He was
almost thirteen and his brother almost fifteen.
"No, but I am to train you boys into Warriors to carry on the new Warrior family
name." replied their father.
"But our business and the trade you do across the country! Won't you need to give
that up?" asked David, the elder brother.
"No, we still have to eat and live. There's no way a Warrior can live without some
sort of income. The Council can't pay us. Warriors have their own trades or businesses.
Some are even from wealthy families. The Council can only do so much, but there is
some support we can ask for on an emergency basis. My contact on the border of the
Kingdom tells me that all the Warriors are a brotherhood and we come to each other's aid
under many circumstances."
"We have a decent business and live modestly, but well. I don't know if we should
enter into this Warrior brotherhood. I think we should leave our lives as they are," spoke
up Jayne's mother, Edith Rose.
"Wife, " Howard softened his voice. "I feel it is God's call on our lives to do this
thing."
"I want to serve God, but does it have to disrupt our lives?" Edith asked anxiously.
 "It's not as disrupting as you may think. We carry on our business as before, and the
boys will start training to be Warriors. A young Warrior told me he is a musician as well
as a fighter of the Dark Empire. He's my contact's nephew. I might be able to send for
this young man to come and train the boys for a while. I'm sure I could use some
refresher training myself." smiled Howard, thinking of how many years it had been since
he actually did more than just carry a sword on his business trips.

Chapter 9
Keenan

The young muscian stood listening to Jayne's footsteps fade as she left him with her
unspoken ultimatum.
He knew he must see Lady Delores well before her indicated time to meet with him.
This would be one time when he wouldn't mind Gertrude being present. It was time to
make a clean break with the lady, because he realized he really did want a life with Jayne
Rose.
More of his father's words came back to him: His father had confessed to having an
affair with an older, influential woman before he had married. It had begun as an
intriguing, exciting, diversion that ended up making him feel more like property than a
man.
To be Lady Delores' lover would give his life more reason to be deceitful and to live a
lie than Keenan felt he could handle. He would be found out and disposed of in the end.
It wouldn't likely take long. Especially in a royal house where intrigue and betrayal
seemed to infest the lives behind those doors, Keenan knew he would be a fish out of
water.
No, it was time to end this before it went any further than words.
As he straighten a tabletop full of music sheets, the head of the House of Randolph
entered the music room making one of his rare appearances.
After bowing to the duke, Keenan saw that there was no escort of any kind to be seen.
The duke had come alone.
"Mr. Reed," began the Duke, "you may know that His Majesty King Alfred at the
advice of the ambassador from the neighboring Empire, has made his younger brother,
Prince Edward, his Hand. Such a position hasn't been filled as yet in our budding new
country. To make his position all the sweeter and to make him personally more
respectable in the eyes of all who watch the actions of the King, His Majesty has
arranged for Edward to take the hand of my daughter in marriage. This marriage may be
just the stepping stone I need to have my own personal dealings with the Empire. They
seek to widen their influence and in return fill the purses of those who pledge fealty. I
plan to have my share.
The reason why I tell you this, is because I heard a whisper of house gossip and called
my daughter's maid in to ask her if any of it were true. The woman immediately threw
herself at my feet in tears of fright and babbled quite a story of you and my daughter
behind locked doors."
 "I assure you, Your Grace, your daughter and I share only a small and platonic
friendship." Keenan barely spoke loud enough to be heard. He was sure he would be
thrown in a dungeon or face some other horrible fate.
"Platonic or not," continued the duke in a determined sounding voice, "You will
accompany her. Keep her happy, as her lover, friend, or whatever. I hear Prince Edward
isn't an easy man to bear. He is whispered to be, er... inconsiderate of those in his
intimate circle."
The young man was so crestfallen, his distress showed plainly on his face.
The duke's face seemed to soften. "Please speak what is on your mind. It is almost
written in words on your face that something seems amiss."
"Sir, I am in love with another and..." began Keenan.
"You will go with Lady Delores as I have instructed, or I will have Gertrude denounce
you to the King's Hand as being found in Lady Delores' bed before him!" Keenan's eyes
were locked with the duke's for several moments that lingered. "Consider youself a
bodyguard disguised as a favorite minstrel of my daughter and sooth your pride. Now,
go and attend to your packing and play your role well if you want to live a while longer."
At those words, the duke was walking out of the music room as silent as a cat.
Keenan went straight to Lady Delores' room. The door was opened by the lady
herself. Gertrude was not in sight.
"I cannot stay," said Keenan before he could meet her eyes.
"l've talked father into having you come with me as to keep my favorite musician by
my side as something familiar in a strange, new environment. I'll have to learn what
court life is, and I fear it will be such a trial to me. Your music will help encourage me to
not despair in my education," said Lady Delores ignoring what Keenan had said.
"Please listen to me," said Keenan. "I can't be what you want me to be. We would be
found out in a place like the King's Hand's castle in any case. In fact, your father already
knows, or thinks he knows all about us. He still insists I go with you for his own
reasons."
Lady Delores paused, and then said, "So Father is trying to get rid of me."
"His Grace made it plain that I am to go with you. I could buy a dagger to hide in my
boot or something and be somewhat of a secret bodyguard. He suggested as much," said
Keenan trying to grasp how he could gain control of his own life again.
"Come have some wine with me," suggested the lady, her eyes and voice softening
toward him.
"I really can't, my lady. There are some things I need to do. I need to tell you that I
love someone else and was ready to totally separate myself from your company until your
father changed all that." replied Keenan pointedly.
"You're in love with Jayne Rose? Did she come to your bed? No, don't answer that. I
am jealous. Forgive me." she said.
"I need to go," said Keenan and walked out of the room.

The young muscian entered the music room to find the Master of Music wiping down
Jayne's harp with a cloth.
"Come in, young man," said the elderly man without looking up. "I must say you've
been a welcome addition to this room these last few months. You've made my grand-
daughter's tasks lighter and gave her a new found joy in music."
 "I have to leave soon. I can't find a way to stay, although I wish I could," sighed
Keenan. "Could you give this letter to Jayne?"
Taking the letter from Keenan's hand, he said, "There is a rumor going around the
castle. I just want to say: Please don't hurt Jayne."
"I don't mind telling you, sir, that I love her," declared Keenan.
"I pray that you find God's way for you."
"Thank you, sir."
Keenan turned to go, but turned back to Richard Ward. "I know you may find this
hard to believe, but I am to be sort of a bodyguard in disguise for Lady Delores. Duke
Randolph seems to enjoy the sordid rumor that I know you referred to. I think he is
trying to gain more power through this marriage, and having me underfoot in a
questionable light may be a distraction he wants to plant in the King's Hand's house. I
have no way of avoiding this now, but I have explained as well as I could in the letter to
Jayne."
"I will leave any discerning of reasons and motives to Jayne's discretion," said Music
Master Rose.
"Thank you for listening to me," said Keenan as he left to pack his few possessions.

Chapter 10
Hawk

The sun was setting and Hawk was sitting in the practice yard after supper and the
day's lessons with the boys. The boys loved their new bows and were well focused on
learning to shoot once they found they needed to have strength to draw and skill to hit the
center of their target.
Now Hawk took the time to tune and play his cittern. He was always working on new
music. As the evening colors deepened, it added a magical quality to his music. At least,
Hawk thought so.
Robert was sitting with his back against a tree listening to Hawk and repairing a few
hunting arrows.
"I sort of miss playing in the inns as I used to in Brimmerton," sighed Hawk.
"There are no girls to swoon at the sound of your romantic ballads or for you to steal a
kiss from, here," drawled Robert meeting Hawk's eye without smiling.
"Nobody does that...I do not!" exclaimed Hawk.
The corners of Robert's mouth turned slightly up. "Ah, well young Reggie has come
to listen."
Hawk looked to his right to see Reggie sitting cross-legged with his face in his hands
watching Hawk's fingers on the cittern.

Many months of routine training and happy days of family events and holidays flew
by with little news of Hawk's home. The boys were progressing quite to Hawk's
satisfaction. The young Warrior teacher could see the day soon coming, when Michael
would be receiving his sword. Reggie would not be far behind his brother.
 A sense of something stirring in the City of Light was wordlessly communicated by
the closed mouth and mysterious comings and goings of Lawrance McClaron. It came to
light one evening as they all were sitting together at the dinner table.
"The Hinterlands are becoming more populated even as there are many coming into
the Kingdom of Light. Our buffer of unpopulated land between the Dark empire and the
Kingdom will no longer be a luxury. Now our war will possibly uproot and destroy more
bystanders than ever before, unless we can get these new people to align with us or form
Warrior families of their own.
"That means we need to tell these people of their need for Christ and to stand against
the Dark empire. With this idea we have sent Howard Rose to establish the first Warrior
family there.
"Tomorrow, I'd like Hawk, Robert, and my sons to come with me to the Hinterlands to
help. You can be a good example and teach, each in your own way. The Rose family
will need encouragement, because it won't be easy for them to introduce the way of the
Warrior once they present Christ to those who need to hear."
The young men and boys were speechless. It would be an exciting adventure to see
the Hinterlands that have been the site of most of the battles against the Dark empire.
"I want you all to be up with the dawn and ready to go, so get your rest tonight,"
advised the senior Warrior.

The next morning Hawk, Robert, and the two Warriors in training were mounted and
waiting for Lawrance McClaron to step outside and mount so they could be on their way
before the sun rose.
The boys on their new mounts were practically fidgeting in the saddle, they were so
excited to be along on what was their first adventure.
Lawrance came out to his mount and after getting in the saddle, said, "As I told you
last night, we are going to see our new Warrior family in the Hinterlands. We'll likely
stay for a few days to evaluate how to proceed setting that territory up with other locals
families to become Warriors. Let us pray."
After saying a pray for safety and wisdom, the McClaron party was on its way.

They had been riding beyond the Kingdom's border for more than an hour when Hawk
realized that this new territory had a different feel in the atmosphere. Maybe more
tension or just a little ominous feeling was in the air. "Could it just be my imagination?"
Hawk thought.
Another fifteen minutes later, Robert came back to the group from the party's left and
spoke to the senior McClaron. "You may want to see what I found not too far from
here."
"We'll all go. None of us should be exempt from what is part of our duty no matter
what it may be," declared Lawrance.
They came upon a small clearing with a large pile of ashes in the middle. The ashes
were circled by five crude poles with skulls on them. The skulls were newly set in place.
"I haven't seen something like this since the last great battle. If this was done in the
usual way, it means we have original demons lurking about," said the senior Warrior.
"Original demons?" queried Robert.
 The kind that are not encased in human flesh. They look like humanoid insects.
That's the only way I know to describe them. They have an armored exoskeleton that
protects them like our armor does for us, but we have the choice of taking ours off if we
wish," answered Hawk.
The boys sat their mounts with a silent look of horror on their faces.
"These were probably innocent people ambushed by demons. We should pull up
those pole and bury the skulls and ashes. We shouldn't allow the enemy's work to stand.
These become symbols to further infect the local people,"
After the task was finished, they were on their way again and came within sight of a
main road. There was a group of travelers on it. A man who was obviously some kind of
nobleman, two apparently young women, a young man and several guards were heading
east on the road.
"Perhaps we should warn these travelers of the danger of the marauding demons,"
Robert suggested.
Lawrance McClaron hailed the travelers and ask to speak to the man leading them.
Duke Randolph and a guard went aside to talk, leaving the remainder to possibly have
their own conversation. This is when Hawk noticed the young man had a cittern strapped
to his shoulder.
"I see you play the cittern also," said Hawk directing his statement to the young man.
"I wish there was time to hear you play."
"Perhaps if you were going to the capitol, you could find me in the King's Hand's
palace. What is your name?" asked the young man.
"I am Hawk McClaron of the Warrior clan McClaron. I would love to try my fife
along side of your cittern to hear the result. As you may know, it is hard to play both at
the same time," replied Hawk.
"I'm Keenan Reed. It is refreshing to meet a fellow musician."
"Reed!" exclaimed Hawk. "That name is in our lineage. Our grandfather married a
Reed. Amie Reed she was."
"Really?" interjected Michael. "You mean Grandmother?"
"That was her name before she married Grandfather," returned Hawk.
"I only knew her as Grandmother. I guess I didn't realize she had another name," said
Michael.
Reggie started to laugh only after he heard Hawk start laughing.
Lady Delores chose this moment to take control of the conversation. "What is a squad
of warriors doing in Almangast? Aren't you from that small country to the south?"
"Yes, we're on our way to visit the Rose family in your town if you are related to His
Grace," answered Hawk.
"A good family. Howard Rose has a beautiful daughter. Isn't that correct, Keenan?"
teased the lady.
Before anyone could say anything more, the duke came back and said, "I am sure any
danger on the road is past. We must continue to meet the King's Hand. There must be a
wedding, you know. Good-bye and safe journey."
After the two parties had separated and were out of hear shot, the senior Warrior said,
"The duke minimizes the danger. We need to convince them of the Dark Empire's true
intentions, which would help to support the establishing of Warrior families here of the
local people."
 "Dad, I think the people here call the Hinterlands Almangast," Michael chimed in.
"Yes, there is a nation struggling to establish itself, but it will never last, if the rulers
continue to deal with the Dark empire. We would also have another enemy to deal with
should they align themselves with our familiar enemy. That's another reason to establish
local families as Warriors instead of sending our own. It would not appear as an
invasion," said Lawrance.
"Wasn't the Hinterlands the place of the most destructive battles?" asked Hawk.
"Yes," replied Lawrance. "Another great battle could come at any time, and here is
where the two forces would naturally converge."
"This new nation is on dangerous ground," put in Robert.
For the rest of the trip, the Warriors were silent until they caught sight of Duke
Randolph's castle as the road brought them out of a small wooded area.

Chapter 11
Jayne

Jayne had offered to work in the dry goods shop with her mother today. Her mother,
Edith Rose, after tending to a few tasks in the shop, went off to run the few errands she
had left, leaving the young woman with two potential customers.
Her thoughts drifted back to the contents of Keenan's letter delivered by her
grandfather late last night.
Keenan had written that he had been commanded to accompany Lady Delores to the
capitol to be a bodyguard disguised as a minstrel. He had said that he loved her, but he
couldn't refuse the duke and ever hope to be welcome anywhere near his house or land
again. He hoped to be able to convince someone that he was unnecessary by the wedding
day.
Jayne couldn't help but feel doubt about Keenan ever wanting to be free from such a
woman. If he didn't come back to her after the wedding, she would know for sure.
The shop customers stepped outside of the shop together without buying anything.
They stood just outside the door and stared down the road in the direction the duke's
traveling party had gone.
Jayne watched them walk out closer to the street as if they wished to see someone
coming closer. Her curiosity caused her to step out to see who was coming up the road.
There was a mounted party of five. Two young boys laughing with a young man of
about her age. Another man not much older, but certainly larger in stature seemed to
enjoy the banter of the younger three. There was also an older man who carried himself
as if he were in charge, but easily, as if he had been leading his entire life and had no
need to exert his authority.
The travelers dismounted in front of the house as Jayne's father came out to greet
them. He greeted them warmly and the leader with the respect one gave to a superior.
Edith Rose walked up behind her and told Jayne to close the shop and help her make
preparations for overnight guests. "I think these are the Warriors we belong to now," she
added.
 That evening, everyone was seated in the main room on the ground floor of the Rose
home discussing plans for how the new Warrior family should proceed. The possibility
of demons raiding in the area was brought up.
"I will send my messenger bird in the morning to alert the Kingdom of these sights of
activity and to send for a few more Warriors to possibly flush out and dispose of what
there are, if there are not too many. If we handle this wrong, we may just drive the
people of Almangast into the arms of the Dark Empire. We would no longer have a
buffer zone of many miles, but have a battle front at our front door. This will use up our
reserve of Warriors to man such a hot border. That is why it would be better to have
Almangast Warriors to give this little piece of the Hinterlands a chance of becoming
autonomous as well as a valuable ally."
"Would the Kingdom really allow us to be our own country? If so, would we truly be
autonomous or its tributary nation?" asked Howard Rose.
"I'm sure it will take many years to establish such a thing with the enemy obviously
active here in your wilderness as well as seducing officials of your country to become
loyal to the Dark empire." replied Lawrance.
Jayne had been listening to all that was being said with interest. She had not realized
such things were happening in her homeland. Surely her family needed to find more to
become Warriors to help protect what could become a violent and chaotic country.
Then her father brought up a new subject. "Would you allow your nephew, Hawk to
stay to train my boys, Nolan and David in some Warrior training for a time?"
It occurred to Jayne that this was something she could possibly do, and spoke up
before the chance was gone. "Father, could I be trained to fight, also?"
"Jayne!" interjected her mother.
"Pardon me," interrupted Hawk. "But my baby sister, Crystal, has entered the
training, and my own mother is more than capable in a battle. Women are not exempt
from the Training."
"All who can, should be trained. There is no doubt of our need for many souls to
stand and fight. Everyone will either stand or fall, because a confrontation is bound to
happen."
"I really want to learn, Father," insisted Jayne.
"So will you allow Hawk to stay for a while?" asked Howard looking to the senior
McClaron.
"I will consent if Hawk wishes to teach your boys," said Lawrance. "Ask him."
At Robert's nod, Hawk said, "If Robert is welcome as well we'll teach your boys.
Robert's expertise is with the bow although he does spar with me quite well. He could
teach your family hunting skills and to shoot a bow accurately.
"Another thing, I need to be the last word in the training of those you entrust to me. I
can't have someone undermining the way I teach by nay saying my orders in these
things."
"Then it is agreed," answered Howard Rose.
"Very well," said Lawrance. "Hawk, when more Warriors arrive, I want you to go
with them to find these demons or whoever they may be."
"Yes, sir," replied Hawk.
 As everyone starting getting ready for bed, Jayne wanted a chance to speak to Hawk.
She caught him outside on his way to bed down in the hayloft of the barn with his
nephews to be near his mount.
"Hawk," she called. When he turned to her, he smiled, and she tried not to smile
herself when she asked, "Will you really teach me in the same way you teach my
brothers?"
"Yes," he said seriously. "I would not be doing you a favor by being lenient or
watering down your training. The enemy is real and nearby seeking to steal, kill, and
destroy. You will one day have to stand against them with all the strength, knowledge
and faith in God that you possess."
The young man was very sincere, and his intensity was almost overwhelming. Jayne
didn't know what to think of him. He was surely as human as anyone she knew, but she
found it hard to think of him with any flaws that most people had, or as a leader that was
as young as he was. Surely, the more she came to know this Warrior that looked about
her age, the more she would see him for who and what he really was.
"Thank you," said Jayne turning to let him go to his bed.

The next morning, Jayne found that Hawk was already awake and sitting in the main
room of the ground floor in the house drinking the tea her mother had offered him while
he read from an old leather bound book. He looked up at her and told her to get her
brothers and line up outside with his nephews, Michael and Reggie.
She had to literally pull her brothers from their beds. They were cranky and looked it.
Jayne pushed them out the door and followed to see the young McClarons standing side
by side in front of Hawk and Robert.
"Come and stand in line next to my nephews here," called Hawk.
He began to instruct them in some basic military formation; to stand at attention and
learn to follow a few drill commands. "This is to learn basic discipline and how to stay
focused. When you are under a superior officer or Warrior, this is how you will conduct
yourself and contribute to keeping order. You need to obey your officers, because they
have responsibility for you. Any experienced officer knows how to take care of his
troops in battle. To stay alive in that situation, you need to obey him unquestioningly
unless he is abusive or orders you to do something unlawful."
Robert remained at attention while Hawk slowly paced as he lectured and instructed
about these things to reflect the proper example. He now wore Warrior armor that
resembled Hawk's and was ready to spar with any of the boys or Jayne when the time
came.
Wooden practice swords were produced and weapons instruction began.
At the noon meal, all the trainees had bruises, especially the newest in training. Jayne
was surprised at how Michael and Reggie hardly seemed to notice their own bruises. It
was likely they didn't have as many as she and her brothers.
Despite being sore, she felt as if she was taking on the most important task of her life.
She felt better about herself now and saw pride in the eyes of her father when he watched
her and her brothers grasp the lessons.
Once, when watching her father and Lawrance McClaron spar, Jayne marveled at his
relative ease when he took up the form and stance of sparring. He really did have
training as a Warrior when he was younger! This brought her a sense of pride in her
father and in the fact that she was following in his footsteps.

That evening, Jayne was playing the smaller harp that was in her father's house when
she saw Hawk walk in with his cittern and fife. He sat near her and listened to the music
she played.
Remembering the music she had played with Keenan, she began one of his composed
chord progressions hoping Hawk would take it upon himself to join in with his cittern,
but he simply continued to listen.
"Please join in," she finally urged.
"Oh, I was expecting you to sing. It sounded like there was another part about to
come in," explained Hawk.
"I was hoping you would improvise something with your cittern," replied Jayne.
"Would you permit me to play my fife instead?" asked Hawk.
"Oh," Jayne lightly interjected, sounding a little surprised. "This was a friend's piece.
I half hoped to hear a cittern like the one he plays."
"Then I wouldn't meet your unspoken expectation. Could you sing what you can of
the melody so I at least have the mood of it?" he asked.
"I know the melody exactly. Keenan's music hauntingly stays with a person," Jayne
said and began to sing in a clear tone.
To her consternation, Hawk put his fife to his lips instead of bringing out his cittern,
but the music that resulted was lovely and magical. Jayne could conjure in her mind
what Keenan's cittern would sound like if he had been present to play with them.
"Oh!" exclaimed Jayne. "If only Keenan could hear you! And your fife is not as shrill
as a fife would otherwise be."
"That's something I found out in an inn when I heard other fifes," said Hawk. "I
believe it is the unique character of this instrument and my old teacher showed me how to
play a half octave below the average fife. He believes this to be a custom made fife that
can approach the sound of the pipe."
"I think it's a little longer than a normal fife," continued Jayne becoming fascinated
with the mellow tone she had heard.
"A little bit longer," returned Hawk. "You said your friend Keenan wrote the tune?"
"Yes," said Jayne. "Keenan Reed."
"I've met him. It was on the road the day we arrived here," stated Hawk.
"Yes," said Jayne flatly.
"I want to play some more of his music. I wish he were here, too," said Hawk
warmly.
"He's gone to the capitol. He says he loves me, but he's gone off with that woman, the
Lady Delores." Jayne couldn't believe she had told him this. Now he'll think that she's
carrying a torch for Keenan, when she could easily fall for this boy that seemed so
grounded and dependable before her.
When Hawk seemed only to watch her with an empathetic expression, she decided to
change the subject. "Do you have a girl back home?"
"Not really," began the young Warrior. "I have corresponded with a girl who's family
has been associated with ours for a long time, but I wouldn't say we were romantic or
anything."
 "Do you compose music?" asked Jayne, seeking to change subject again.
Robert appeared by Hawk's side. "Play the one I helped you put words to. I like your
melody for it."
Hawk brought his cittern out and began:

"We sing to you

The King who was
We sing to you
The King who is
We sing to you
The King who will be

We thank you
For Your justice and peace
We thank you
For your mercy and love...

Come, oh King
And save us
Come, oh King
And deliver us

"That's all there is so far. I need to finish it. It's about our hope for the King of
Heaven, Jesus, to come back and set up his Kingdom here on earth where evil will be
defeated and all will know the endless joy of the Lord."
"It's a lovely tune," said Jayne.
"I've done a lot better," said Hawk standing. "I think I should go to bed now, so good
night, Jayne."
"Good night, Hawk," smiled Jayne.

Chapter 12
Keenan

Keenan was given his own small room in the palace of the King's Hand. He took
advantage of the bed and fell into an exhausted sleep.
That evening, in the Lady Delores' sitting room Keenan had been requested to play his
cittern for several ladies that had come to welcome her to the palace.
He was gratified to be so well received by these noble ladies. It took some of the sting
out of being away from Jayne. If only things were more settled between them. She
probably didn't think well of him for not refusing to accompany Lady Delores.

It had been several days since arriving at the Hand's palace. Those days began to
bring requests for the new young musician to play at various teas, dinners and other small
social gatherings and for each one he accepted, he was well paid. On top of this pleasant
development, Lady Delores began to give him a small payment that she claimed came
from Duke Randolph for services he had arranged for Keenan to provide.
At Keenan's first reception of the few coins from her, Lady Delores had asked him
what services he was supposed to provide for her or the Duke. "Are you to be his spy in
the palace?" she asked.
Wanting to be truthful, Keenan said, "His grace mentioned being a sort of body guard
in disguise and to be your friend in strange new surroundings. He wants you to be as
happy as you can be with the King's Hand."
"But you won't come to me at night because of little Jayne Rose back in Randolph
Manor," bit out the lady.
"I think well enough of you to protect you and not sully your good name," replied
Keenan. "Take these coins back."
"No, Keenan, you've helped me to be accepted by the other ladies here with your
musicianship and good manners." she softened. "You deserve to be compensated for
that."

The next day, Keenan was free to wander the capitol and spend his time at any
recreation he could afford. He chose to have lunch at a quaint little inn and sat outside at
a table by himself.
While watching the people come and go in the street in front of the inn, he saw four
familiar mounted men ride up to the inn. One man met his eyes with recognition.
"Keenan Reed!" he greeted. It was the Warrior he had spoken to on the road, and the
others with him were the adults in the group that had been with him. "Remember me?
I'm Hawk McClaron. We met on the road from Randolph Manor as they call it in your
town."
"I remember well," said Keenan. "What brings you to the capitol?"
"My uncle wishes to speak to your king or his Hand about some Dark men in the less
occupied parts of Almangast. They are attacking and killing innocents that are traveling
alone or are too lightly guarded."
"Dark men?" inquired Keenan.
"Dark men are men from the Dark empire. Sometimes they are demons encased in
human flesh, but we suspect these are demons of the regular variety, not in human flesh,
but exposed. They have humanoid bodies that are armored like insects. They would
have to remain hidden so as not to frighten the people of Almangast, but they are used by
the Dark empire for open battle."
"Why are they out there?" asked Keenan.
"We don't know, but they are evil. They are practicing human sacrifice. We found
one of their grisly sites. We want to get the king's approval to establish Almangast
Warrior families sponsored by him to keep such marauders from raiding and destroying
your country."
"Well good luck to you," said Keenan.
"We'll be staying here tonight and possibly longer. I was wanting to hear your music
and perhaps play some of it myself," said Hawk.
"Well tonight I am to play for the evening meal. I was put in charge of the music, but
if you could come to the Hand's palace, we could do just that. Do you compose also?"
asked Keenan.
 "I do," said Hawk. "Robert and I would gladly spend that time with you before you
perform."
"That would be fine," said Keenan. "You would have to come within the hour to have
the time to do so."
"We planned to have dinner with your uncle very soon," reminded Robert.
"I could have bread, cheese and some fruit brought to us while we explore our musical
knowledge," offered Keenan. "Then you could come with me now."
"Hawk," began Robert. "I appreciate you keeping me always by your side, but there
are a few books I wanted to look over while there was still some daylight to easily read
them."
"And my uncle will feed you better!" teased Hawk.
"It's not that," replied Robert. "I am tired, and I will go to bed early."
"Very well, Robert, I will tell Uncle Lawrance where I'm going and then be off with
Keenan," declared Hawk.

Just as Keenan promised, there was bread, cheese and fruit for them to eat. They sat
in the music room of the Hand's palace eating before they began to play their instruments.
"Jayne Rose from Duke Randolph's Manor has played one of your pieces for me,"
stated Hawk.
"Really, she must have memorized the piece because I have the only copy in ink,"
replied Keenan. "She's a talented harpist."
"I'm sure she did memorize it. She had no copy to play from. She seemed to like the
fife part I made up for it as well," said Hawk.
Keenan smiled. "She's become special to me. I don't know how it happened, but I am
always missing her."
"Play something," said Hawk.
The afternoon seemed to fly by with the two musicians taking turns playing their own
compositions and then the other joining him. Keenan enjoyed Hawk's fife with his own
music and avidly appreciated Hawk's compositions as well.
Keenan stopped playing for a moment. "Would you join me and some of other house
musicians as part of the dinner music? I would like you to accompany me where I would
have played solo. It would add so much to my music."
"I suppose I could do that. I've already missed supper with my friends, so another
couple of hours shouldn't matter," said Hawk looking pleased.
"Good," said Keenan. "That will make it a lot easier on me."

Later, Keenan had Hawk and himself settled into the musician's loft of the main
dining hall. All the musicians were tuning their instruments or gossiping among
themselves.
Hawk peered down into the dining hall in time to see two richly robed men in what
seemed a pleasant conversation surrounded by several guards. Keenan told him that they
were the king and his brother the Hand who handled the king's enforcement and was to
marry Duke Randolph's daughter, the Lady Delores.
Then they saw the Duke come in with a pleasant looking brown haired man.
Keenan was about to identify the duke and the ambassador from the Empire when he
noticed Hawk turn a little pale. "What is it?" he asked.
 "That man is from the Dark empire," stated Hawk.
"How did you know he was Empirion?" asked Keenan.
"I've felt this before," said Hawk to himself. He looked at Keenan. "Is that what they
call themselves now?"
"For as long as I've known," said Keenan. "That is the Empirion ambassador."
Hawk stiffened when the brown haired man met his eyes and noted him and Keenan
standing at the rail of the loft.
The signal for the music to start was given, and Keenan began the music for the
evening meal. Hawk turned his attention to the task at hand.

After the meal, Lady Delores sent a message of appreciation through her maid,
Gertrude. "She would like you to meet her in the south garden and play for her and some
new friends."
"You could play your fife if you come along," said Keenan looking to Hawk.
"I'll need to get my sword from the music room," said Hawk. "I won't be able to stay
very much longer. I need to get back to my uncle."
After stopping in the music room the two musicians went to the south garden to find it
dark and uninhabited.
They circled the pond to the hedges that were clipped into the shapes of animals. Just
as Hawk turned to speak to Keenan, an insectoid figure jumped from behind a bush and
struck Keenan to the ground.
Keenan felt his face as he lay on the ground. There was a numb feeling where he had
been struck and blood on his hands from his nose and split lips.
From his prone position, he saw his Warrior friend with sword in hand fighting the
humanoid insect. It took many blows before Hawk seemed to damage the monstrosity.
Then the creature was down without its head.
The young Warrior helped him up, but he was winded and still breathing a little
heavily.
"What was that thing?" asked Keenan.
"That was another of your Empirions," said Hawk who had just finished cleaning his
sword and putting back in its scabbard. "Lock your door tonight. Someone around here
knows about these demons. I'll see you tomorrow."
Keenan shook Hawk's hand and watched him head in the direction of the inn where
his family was staying before taking himself directly to his room. With the door locked,
he laid down on his bed, but sleep was a long time in coming.

Chapter 13
Hawk

After seeing that Keenan was inside the palace, Hawk began to look around. First he
looked to see if anyone else was nearby. Seeing no one, he began to look for some trail
or other evidence of where the demon could have come from.
The ground was unmarked except where he had battled the demon. The only thing
was to search the clothing of the decapitated creature, but again, there was nothing to
point to where the demon had come from or who he was associated with.
 Hawk had a good idea the Empirion ambassador had set a trap for Keenan. He wasn't
sure why. He needed to talk to Keenan again soon, but now he needed to tell his uncle
what had transpired.

Hawk found his uncle Lawrance in the common room reading by a lantern. He looked
up and saw the intent look in his nephew's eyes. "What is it?"
"I've had to fight one of the demons. He was exposed."
"Tell me everything," prompted Lawrance.
Hawk told of his time in the palace including the glare from the ambassador and his
suspicions of the encounter being a trap for Keenan. "But why would the Empirion want
to kill Keenan?"
"The Dark man knows you are a Warrior. Once you encounter the agents of the Dark
Empire, they always seem to know you after that. It seems as if they have some sort of
collective memory. The ambassador may think Keenan is spying for us. He may still be
considered a threat."
"Can we help him?" asked Hawk.
"He should be safe as long as he is not alone. Were you able to find any tracks or
anything?" asked the Warrior.
"Nothing I could make out. Would you want to look?" replied Hawk.
"If they follow true to form, there won't even be a corpse in the morning. You've done
all that could be done. As soon as we get some more experienced Warriors from the
Kingdom, we're going to have a hunting expedition," declared Lawrance McClaron.
Hawk asked for a drink of water from the tavern keeper and sat back down with his
uncle.
"You should get some rest. When I'm talking with the King or his Hand tomorrow,
you may want to talk to Keenan some more. Go to bed," urged Lawrance.

After the King's Hand agreed to see Lawrance McClaron, Hawk found Keenan in the
music room working on some sheet music.
"How did you sleep?" asked Hawk.
"Not very well," replied Keenan. Then he changed the subject. "I thought I'd write
down a fife part for this piece I'd written." The disheveled musician showed the Warrior
the notated sheet.
The musician in Hawk couldn't ignore the music in front of him, so he took a long
look. "Looks good. I'd like to try it, but right now, we have to talk."
"What about?"
"Have you talked to Gertrude or the Lady Delores?
“No. Do you think she tried to have us killed?"
"No," said Hawk. "It would be a good idea to keep your eyes open. I'd like to talk to
Gertrude."
"I haven't seen her lately."
“Do you have a sword?"
"No."
"So you probably don't know how to use one. Is that correct?"
"You're right, I don't."
"You would do well to learn. I could teach you," offered Hawk.
 "But I don't have a sword," countered Keenan.
"How much money do you have? Would you be willing to purchase one?"
"I'm supposed to be a sort of bodyguard for Lady Delores, but I'm obviously not much
of a fighter. I would be more of a help to protect her if I had those lessons and a sword."
"Let's see how much money you have and I'll see what I can do for you," said Hawk.
The two went back to Keenan's room where he had hidden what money he had earned
while in the palace.
Keenan had what Hawk thought would be enough to purchase a good, but used sword
from one of the shops in one of the big cities or towns nearby.
"I would sure feel better spending this money toward the Lady's protection since I've
hardly been a real bodyguard to her," said Keenan.
"Let's look in the city for a sword for you. I can teach you some things when we have
time." said Hawk.
"Let's go now. I've nothing to stay in the palace for."

Later that afternoon, the two musicians returned. Hawk had chosen a sword that had
good balance and wasn't too fancy in design. He had contributed money that Keenan had
paid him for playing at the dinner to purchase it, but he had insisted that this sword was
the best one available.
"It's a bit dingy, but it will clean up and not attract too much attention from people,"
he stated.
"How are you going to teach me anything without killing me?" asked Keenan.
"That's what these are for," replied Hawk producing two wooden sticks he had picked
up in their wanderings. They used to be handles for some kind of tools. "We should find
an out of the way place to do this. We don't want anyone mentioning anything around
any Empirions."
"You're sure the Empirion ambassador is the one who tried to have me killed?" asked
Keenan.
"My uncle and I can't think of anyone else, unless you've made some enemies you
haven't told me about," said Hawk.
"I hardly talk to anyone outside of the parties I play music for," returned Keenan.
Hawk began his instruction of Keenan in his room before they needed the open space
for actual sparring. Keenan seemed to comprehend his lessons quickly.
There was a knock at Keenan's door, and Hawk took Keenan's practice sword to allow
him to answer it. It was Gertrude.
"Lady Delores has wondered where you have been the last couple of days. She
requests you come to see her and dine with her this evening," Gertrude recited.
"Tell her I will be there," said Keenan politely.
Hawk cleared his throat to get the attention of the two at the door. "Gertrude would
you please
come in for a moment?"
The maid looked at Hawk wide eyed and came in quietly.
"Shut the door, Keenan. Miss Gertrude? Last night you brought a message that the
Lady Delores wanted Keenan to play in one of the gardens for her and some friends. Did
she tell you this herself?"
 "No. Duke Randolph relayed the message to me for her as she was powdering her
nose." replied Gertrude.
"Weren't you with her the whole evening?" asked Hawk.
"As a matter of fact, no. I was given leave to visit with some friends in the palace
during the evening. I fail to see why my actions are being questioned." said Gertrude
tartly.
"That will be all, miss," said Hawk dismissing her.
When the lady's maid had gone, Keenan said, "I was wondering when the Lady
Delores would call me. These last couple of days I haven't been to see her, but I've sure
enjoyed your company. Now I have to play the cosmetic bodyguard again."
"I could come in the morning and spar with you, but I don't think I'll be in the capitol
much longer. I might even be gone tonight,'' said Hawk.
"Come if you can," said Keenan. "I think I need all the sword training I can get."
"My uncle says that as long as you aren't caught out alone, you should be safe," said
Hawk trying to think of something helpful to say to his new friend.
"I can't stay here forever. I'll need to move on eventually, just to keep my sanity. It's
not easy living at a royal court," retorted Keenan.
"I would like to see if my uncle is finished seeing the King's Hand, now. He'll want
me to go back to the Rose family with him," said Hawk changing the subject.
"I have a letter for Jayne I'd like you to take to her," said Keenan taking a packet from
the desk and handing it to Hawk.
"I will give it to her as soon as I see her," promised the young Warrior.
The two left the room to enter the main thoroughfare to find out if the King's Hand
was finished speaking to Lawrance McClaron.
Hawk found his uncle with the mounts and the rest of the party ready to leave. "What
is the word, Uncle?"
"We'll need to send a Warrior negotiator to work out some sort of agreement with the
King. Almangast wants trade in war supplies to built its own army, but it sounds like the
Dark Empire has been making attractive promises that are only being tactfully refused by
the King to try and see how much the Dark Empire is really willing to offer him," replied
Lawrance McClaron.
"But what about the immediate threat of the demons?" countered Hawk.
"He has given us permission to drive the "outlaws" as he calls them, out of the forest.
He doesn't seem too keen on putting any of his men into the task," said Lawrance.
"The Warriors would prove their own need by ridding the forest of the demons," said
Hawk.
"Possibly, but it is going to be more complicated than you think. I haven't had time to
think of all the ramifications or possibilities. We will need the Council to send some of
their people here to oversee this," bit out Lawrance irritably scratching his head. "It's
time to go. Let's be gone from here."
Everyone rode out of the palace grounds and headed back to Duke Randolph's town.

When the Warrior party arrived at the Rose household, they found new arrivals from
the Kingdom of Light: Barry McClaron, an older cousin of Hawk's, and several of his
Warriors that were assigned to him.
 There was a warm greeting between the cousins as the McClarons acted as though
cousins were just another name for brothers and all the cousins that shared Archie
McClaron as a grandfather, were close as brothers indeed.
Barry smiled and handed Hawk a small packet. "Here's a letter from your parents. I'll
let you read this before we talk of the latest family news. I'm sure your father will want
to be the first to tell you of your brothers."
"Thanks, Barry. That reminds me I have a letter to deliver myself," smiled Hawk.
"It's so good to see you after such a long time, but please excuse me for a few moments
while I take care of this task of mine."
"We'll talk in the loft. It will probably be crowded tonight with all these friends
gathered," replied Barry. "I'll see you later."
Hawk found Jayne in the dry goods shop. "Jayne, have you kept up your sword
training?"
Jayne looked up and smiled. "I've had to drag my brothers out every morning since
you've been gone."
"Here's a letter from Keenan," said Hawk. "I'm sure you'll want to be alone to read it.
I have a letter myself. Then I want to catch up with my cousin, Barry McClaron."
"He's your cousin? He doesn't look like you," said Jayne. "There seems to be more
and more of the McClarons as time goes on."
"There's not that many of us, really. If there's nothing else I can do for you, I'll just go
now," said Hawk.
"Thank you, Hawk." Jayne smiled once again as Hawk looked back on his way out of
the shop.
Turning around to the back of the shop, Hawk stopped and opened the letter from
home. It read:

My son!

Your uncle tells me you are doing well with your cousins Michael and Reggie. I
am very pleased.
Your brothers have left the nest almost as soon as you have.
Thaddus has made a 180 degree turnaround and has gone to be under your Uncle
Elwood. I didn't know what to expect from him, but it seems God has done a work in
him.
Justin was insistant upon going to the Preston family along the border, and he is
there now. He is doing well. He has already seen action.
I am proud of all my sons.
I would like to hear all that is happening with you.
The Council is very interested in the Hinterlands just now and that can only mean
that things are heating up toward a more open conflict with the enemy. I'm sure I'll be
receiving a command pretty soon.
Remember all I've taught you when you were living at home and you will succeed
with God's help.

Godspeed my son.
 Your father,
Reed McClaron

Behind this first sheet was another and it had the handwriting of Hawk's mother,
Annelynne:

Dear Hawk,
Stay strong with the Lord. Your father and I will be praying for you. We want
you to come home safe and sound.
Since Thaddus is at your cousin Barry's house, you may see him. Tell him to
write home.
We love you and are proud of you!
Love,
Mother

Hawk had a smile on his face thinking of home and his brothers when Robert found
him.
"Your Uncle Lawrance wants you to come to the meeting at the bonfire behind the
Rose house. He says we will have supper and decide how best to attack the demons in
the wood." said Robert.
Hawk folded the letters and stuffed them into his pocket. He joined Robert at a trot to
see his uncle.

Chapter 14
Keenan

The day of Lady Delores' wedding had been set at last. Keenan had little to do with
the preparations until he found he was to perform the music for the ceremony and the
great dinner that would be given to all the guests.
This had actually cheered him to have a project to work on. He decided right away
that this would be the perfect opportunity to see Jayne again, so he arranged to have her
play the harp for all the music he was putting together. He sent her an official letter with
the terms of employment and enclosed a short personal letter telling her of how he missed
her. He hoped she wouldn't refuse to come.
His thoughts turned to the night the demon had attacked him. He was actually
unmarked in his appearance, leaving no evidence of the encounter. There was no clue
that anyone else knew of it. No one treated him any differently, but everyone was
pleased to see him and welcomed him to join them in their various jaunts and activities.
On the other hand, the Empirion ambassador hadn't been seen publicly, but was
rumored to be gone from the palace. No one knew what it could mean, but guessed the
King was holding out from joining with the Empire. Why else would the ambassador
seem to be pursuing the King so persistently?
 The young musician had seen Duke Randolph attempt to insinuate himself into many
of the conversations and activities wherever the ambassador had been seen, and he
seemed to make a point of ignoring the young musician completely.
Whatever happened, Keenan expected more talk as time went on. It was very obvious
something would happen, and the longer it took to come out into the open, the bigger the
impact would be on everybody. Any real attention that could be attracted to this, seemed
to be distracted by the talk and preparation of the Hand's marriage to Lady Delores.
When Keenan thought about it, he realized that the Hand and Lady Delores were
beginning to be seen together more often in public. If the impression the Duke had given
Keenan of Prince Edward, the King's Hand, was true, the attention to his future wife was
rather recent and exhibited a devotion that Keenan had never witnessed before.
There was a knock at Keenan's door. When he opened it, Duke Randolph was looking
up and down the hall as if he didn't want to be seen. "Allow me to enter and speak to
you. Quickly, please."
When the door was closed with the two inside Keenan's room, the duke went right to
the reason for his appearance. "How long have you known these Warriors?"
"Sir, you were there when we met them for the first time," replied Keenan.
"You are friendly with one of them, and he was seen with you on several occasions
and especially the past couple of days," stated Duke Randolph. "What do they want
here?"
"I think they want to attack some bandits or something in the forest south of here,"
hedged Keenan, not really sure if he knew the correct information and not caring if he
didn't.
"Hmm." murmured the duke. "Do you trust this young Warrior? Have you become
friends?"
The young musician realized he was on the verge of being permanently linked with
the duke and his schemes or associated with the Warriors that were almost totally
unknown. Unless he took a solid stand for himself, his own destiny would be determined
by someone else. "I would say we have become pretty good friends in a surprisingly
short time." He squared his shoulders and waited for the duke's response.
Duke Randolph looked at him for a moment, and then said imperiously, "Thank you,
Keenan." He left abruptly and without a sound leaving the door ajar.
The young man let out a breath once he closed the door. He had stood up for his new
friend Hawk. He had possibly put himself in more immediate danger from the powers
that be. But what could he expect? He wasn't at all knowledgeable of court intrigue
which is what all these unexplained activities had to be.
He decided to act as though he didn't care, to be as nonpolitical as possible. Whatever
happened would happen, but he did not want to die. He wished he could talk to Hawk or
his uncle right about now.

It was several days later, when Keenan received a letter from

Jayne with her acceptance of the employment in the wedding festivities. She had
enclosed a personal letter:

Dear Keenan,
 The Warriors have driven out the demons that were in the forest. Our new
friend, Hawk, was with the men who fought them.
He has told me that you wish to be gone from the capitol as soon as you
can, but I can see circumstances keep cropping up to prevent you from leaving.
Hawk has told me of how he began to teach you to use a sword. I have
also begun Warrior training. My family is to be one of the first Warrior families in
Almangast Hawk has shown me some things he would have me teach you when I
stay at the palace.
Hawk McClaron won't be coming to the royal wedding after all. He will
be going to his home in the south he calls the Kingdom of Light.
I will be glad to see you again.
All best wishes,
Jayne Rose of the
Warrior clan Rose

"All best wishes?" thought Keenan. "What does that mean?"

He wouldn't see Hawk again he realized. This Warrior had come and changed many
things in his life. Now he wouldn't be around to answer the questions he had about all
that had happened. He was surprised that he felt a sense of loyalty to his new friend.
He had helped turn Jayne into a Warrior. A girl who was a soldier. That was never
his idea of a future wife! Did she want to make some kind of soldier of him as well?
Keenan decided to engross himself in the preparation of the music for Lady Delores'
upcoming wedding. He did not want think about all these things for a while.

Chapter 15
Hawk

There was a bonfire half way between the Rose residence and their barn. The house
blocked a direct view of the fire from the main road into the town.
Barry McClaron and his four men were seated around the blaze with Lawrance
McClaron and the Rose family. Hawk took a place next to Robert just as his uncle was
ready to speak.
"There is no intricate plan, really. I 'd like to start early in the morning as that is most
likely to catch the enemy when he is the least prepared for an attack. Barry, if you and
your men begin the rotation of taking point on our patrol, then I'll have Hawk and Robert
followed by me and Howard Rose."
Barry McClaron nodded and glanced at his men.
"I want to make it clear that our young trainees will stay behind. Our newest still
require their sword ritual, and it only makes sense to me that they be excluded from the
patrol. Any questions?"
There was not even a murmur from the gathering.
Hawk looked across the fire at Jayne. Her blond hair was tied back to reveal her full
expression in the firelight. She seemed attentive and unconcerned by being left out of
tomorrow's patrol. Hawk decided to speak to her before retiring to the hayloft that night.
 Jayne greeted Hawk with a smile when he came up to her after his uncle had told them
what was to be expected.
"Keenan says he missed you. He wants to be done in the capitol and come back to
you. I think he misses the time you spent together in Duke Randolph's house." offered
Hawk to open a conversation.
"I think of him all too often," sighed Jayne.
She looked into Hawk's eyes, and he saw her searching for something. What was it?
"What kind of girl do you want for a possible wife?" Jayne asked seriously.
Hawk raised his eyebrows. "An immediate answer would be that she would have to
love God more than she loved me. That is the ideal, because Jesus Christ is our first love
according to the scriptures and becomes fact as we pursue a relationship with the Holy
Trinity, or God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are three in one
or three manifestations of God. That is something that can be hard to fully grasp.
"Many Warriors say 'having a relationship with the Lord' which is the same thing. As
you seek a deeper more intimate relationship with God, the more you find you love Him.
"Any future wife I could desire must have a relationship with God or it would be
pointless for us to live together as man and wife. In that instance, we would be living at
cross purposes or for different things.
"To answer your question a little more directly, I asked the Lord several years ago at
my Dad's suggestion to show me in the right time and place the wife He would have for
me. Until the Lord tells me, I have to focus on what He would have me to do, instead of
actively looking for a wife."
"I see. He hasn't shown her to you yet?" asked Jayne.
"I can't say as He has. No," replied Hawk.
"Should I pray for a husband as you did for your future wife?"
"It never hurts to get God's best for your life," smiled Hawk. "Not only should you do
so, but have a daily time where you read the scriptures and have a quiet time to listen to
what God will say to you. He can and will speak to you every day."
"Keenan is no Warrior. Would I need to marry a Warrior?" asked Jayne.
"As a Warrior yourself," answered Hawk, "you would want a husband who serves
God with his whole heart and life. Keenan I feel is close to realizing his need for God.
You will be seeing him again. You could show him God by how you live your life.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior and asked Him to be the ruler and guide of your
life?"
"I've haven't actually talked to Him and said those words," said Jayne looking at her
feet.
"If that is your desire, then do it. I can help you now or you can do it on your own.
The scriptures say that now is the time and today is the day of your salvation."
Jayne got on her knees right there behind her house, and Hawk kneeled with her. She
asked God to show her what to do with her life and that she would obey and promised to
live for God first and foremost.
When she was done, she was frowning.
Hawk said, "Now you need to tell people your decision and you will then know the
difference that God has already made in your life."
"I would like to tell my father," decided Jayne.
 "Good choice," said Hawk.
Jayne smiled and hurried into the house as Hawk turned to join his cousin and Robert
in the hayloft.

Robert was asleep when Hawk found him, but his cousin had been waiting for him to
come in.
"Hawk," whispered Barry calling to him.
The young Warrior found his cousin in the gloom and sat near him.
"My mother says that Thaddus is now with your father," said Hawk hoping for news
of his brother.
"Yes, my dad wants to send him out here as soon as more Warriors are needed from
the Kingdom. The Council seems to think that the war will start to heat up soon,"
responded Barry McClaron.
"My dad sounds like he's starting to itch for a command himself," said Hawk keeping
his voice low.
"Sure, the old timers can sense the battles coming. My dad acted as if he would have
come with me to help rid the forest of these demons." replied Barry in the same manner.
"I can't see what could happen to cause the war to flare hot again," wondered Hawk.
"I don't know, but we should get some sleep, now" yawned Barry.
"Good night, Barry. It's good to see you again," said Hawk heading for his blanket.
"Good night," whispered Barry.

He was shaken awake by Robert just before the first light of dawn.
Edith Rose and her daughter, Jayne, had put together a breakfast for those going out
after the demons in the forest.
Nolan and David, Howard Rose's sons still in Warrior training along with Jayne, and
Lawrance McClaron's sons Michael and Reggie were to stay at the Rose home and
continue their training under the watchful eye of Jayne.
Hawk reminded her of the things he wanted to see them practice, and then
remembered the other things he needed to speak to her about. "Jayne, since you will be
seeing Keenan before I probably will, I would like you to show him all I have taught you
in sword training and unarmed fighting."
"He wants to learn the Warrior training?" asked Jayne.
"I think he wants to be a legitimate bodyguard and be able to defend himself while he
is still obligated to stay in the capitol. He was almost killed once, you know," replied
Hawk.
"Yes," said Jayne. Then changing the subject, she said, "I told my father about asking
Christ to be my Savior, and he was very glad to hear it. I feel so much better about things
now, because I feel as if God were holding me in his arms."
"He is," smiled Hawk. He pulled out a leather bound book from his pocket. "Here is
a scripture book. Borrow this from me until you are able to get your own. I can easily
get another if I leave before seeing you again, so please take it."
Jayne beamed at him. "I will read it and talk to God every day as you told me I
should."
"Good-bye Jayne. May you find all that God has for you," said Hawk as he turned to
saddle Prophet, his mount.
 The band of Warriors rode in a surprisingly quiet manner. All of the mounts
understood the need, because they were also Warriors in their way.
It could take days or hours to find the blight in the forest. It had taken too long to get
to actually hunting the demons down. Politics had possibly cost more innocent lives, but
this was not the Kingdom of Light, and the Warriors were not free to wage war without
the leave of the government of the new country trying to take hold in this previously
unsettled land between two forces that had been at war for many years.
Barry McClaron was somewhere up ahead scouting the way and ready to sound a
special bird call that would warn the Warriors and hopefully not the enemy he or one of
his men had sighted.
Hawk's nerves were becoming a little on edge, because this was not a possible
encounter, but a sure eventuality. Blood was sure to be spilled. He prayed that it would
only be the enemy's blackish blood.
Uncannily the birdcall came just at that moment. None even seemed surprised to hear
it. Swords were quietly and quickly drawn, and the mounts seemed to put all the
Warriors in their proper positions before a reign could be used to guide them.
Barry and his men appeared and after he consulted his Uncle Lawrance, the word was
quietly passed that the enemy was encamped ahead and five hundred yards to the left of
the road they traveled.
When the band came to the place where Barry indicated they needed to leave the road,
everyone dismounted. The mounts would find it harder to slip through the brush without
making a sound to alert the demons; so they were left on the road to wait for another
signal to come to the Warriors aid.
Swords at the ready, the band spread out to approach the enemy encampment. They
expected to find about a half dozen demons there.
Hawk prepared his mind to the fact that no other thought could interfere while this
engagement commenced. Nothing else existed but the need to rid the forest of these
demons at any cost, even his own life. To die was to be with the loving Heavenly Father.
To live was to serve Him. Nothing but the successful neutralization of this band of
demons was acceptable. He was committed.
Hawk slithered through the brush and saw and heard nothing of his fellow Warriors.
This was good. Surprise could still be on their side.
The young Warrior stopped suddenly. He did not want to step in the clearing he could
now see in front of him. Now he could just make out his Uncle Lawrance to his right and
Robert to his left.
Lawrance McClaron's hand was up and Hawk put his up as well. He saw Robert put
his hand in the air. All would do this to silently pass the signal to those barely within
sight when to fall on the enemy that was lounging around a puny campfire.
There were six of them. They appeared somewhat lethargic as the morning was
comparable to a very late night for a human.
The eldest McClaron's hand went down and the clearing was wild with flashing
swords. The demons no longer seemed very lethargic, but one was down already.
Hawk closed with a fierce and ugly demon. He found him as hard to kill as the demon
that had surprised him and Keenan in the capitol.
 Robert cried out to his left, and Hawk knew he had to come to his aid somehow.
When an opening finally presented itself, Hawk swung his sword hard at the demon's
knee, taking his leg off below that joint.
Hawk swung in Robert's direction and brought his sword down on the back of a large
demon's neck. There was the sound that resembled the breaking of a rotten stick, and the
demon's head was on the ground at Robert's feet.
Robert clutched at a wound in his stomach. Hawk carefully pried part of his hand
from the wound and lifted the mail shirt to see how serious the damage was. He was
having a little trouble seeing all of a sudden, but as far a he could tell, Robert's entrails
sack had not been cut, and the gash was not very deep. He had taken a straight thrust
from the enemy's sword.
In that time, the fight was finished. The demons were all dead, but there was red
blood on several of the Warriors.
Barry was kneeling with Hawk. "Let me see your wounds, Hawk."
"It's Robert, I don't think he will die, but he needs sewing," replied Hawk distractedly.
"This is your blood," said Barry gripping Hawk's leg causing pain to well up there.
"You have a nice nick under your eyebrow, too. I can't imagine how you've managed to
wipe enough of the blood out of your eye to see Robert's wound."
"Then please look at it for me," urged Hawk pointing to Robert's blood stained hands.
After looking at Robert's wound, Barry confirmed that no entrails protruded, but
sewing was definitely required.
One of Barry's men came up and handed Barry a flask, and he immediately poured
some of its contents over Robert's wound.
Robert reacted with a huge wince and yell indicating that the liquid burned him.
Hawk's wounds were ministered to with the same substance, causing Hawk to react as
his friend did.
"Who knows what poison was on the demon blades? This should neutralize its
effects," assured Hawk's cousin.
"Let's get Robert sewed up here," said Lawrance McClaron over Hawk's shoulder.
One of Barry's men had dipped a needle and thread into some of the solution from the
flask and began to sew Robert's wound closed. "This is so you can make it back with
Howard Rose without splitting yourself wider," he said calmly.
After Hawk's leg was sewn and his eye left to heal on its own, he helped Robert back
to the mounts. There he gave him his water flask and drank from his own.

Howard Rose led Hawk and Robert and one of Barry's men back to his home while
Lawrance supervised the disposal of the demon bodies and the taking of evidence to
present to the king and his hand.
At the Rose house, Robert and Hawk were given an herb medicine that made them
gag.
"Mother says to drink the whole cup. It should help with the pain and any
inflammation," said Jayne handing another cup to the third wounded man.
Later, when the rest of the Warriors had returned, Lawrance told Hawk and Robert
that they would be going back to Reed McClaron's keep to recover.
Hawk tried to object, but his uncle was insistent. "You have seen enough action
without a break for now. You'll be back here soon enough. If we can't make Warrior
families from some of these Almangast people, then we may have more of a mess than
we'll know what to do with. We need to win these people over to Christ, especially the
king."
"I'm still concerned about Keenan in the capitol," Hawk reminded his uncle and
commander.
"It occurred to me," said Lawrance, "that you may have been the target of the
Empirion ambassador instead of Keenan. He would have killed Keenan on the spot if the
demon had really been after him. You said he just received a bloody nose and nothing
more."
"So what happens now?" asked Hawk.
"I'm sending you and Robert home to your father for a little while. I'll send for you
again after that. You'll be back here before you know it," stated the senior Warrior.
"Rest today, and if you are ready, you leave with Robert in the morning."

Chapter 16
Jayne

The Warriors from the Kingdom of Light were leaving. Hawk and his friend Robert,
had left the day before, leaving Lawrance McClaron to arrange the final details of the
eventual meeting between the King of Almangast and the officials from the Kingdom of
Light. It has been interesting to see the message bird being sent to the City of Light that
day.
Now it was Lawrance with his sons accompanied by the Barry McClaron and his men
mounted and ready to go. The senior Warrior had finished a departing prayer and the
final good-byes were said.
All Jayne had to look forward to now, was the journey to the capitol to join Keenan
Reed in performing the music for Lady Delores' wedding. She decided to leave the next
day. She wanted to know if Keenan would choose to serve God or not.
She sincerely hoped and prayed that he was God's choice for her. Hawk had given her
a lot to think about with his talk of a spouse that should love God more than his partner in
life. She did want God's best for her life, but it wasn't easy to see what that could be right
now.

Her father and brothers had gone with her on the short journey to the capitol. When
they had seen her settled in the palace, they began to say their good-byes to each other.
"This week has been full of good-byes," thought Jayne.
A messenger appeared as they were about to leave Jayne in her temporary new home,
with a summons for Howard Rose to appear before the King in residence at his brother's
palace. Jayne was allowed to accompany her father.
After the royal protocol, Jayne listened closely to what passed between the King and
her father.
"Did you see these bandits or creatures in the forest that our foreign neighbors insisted
were in the forest?" inquired the king.
"Yes, your Majesty," replied Howard Rose. "They have all been dispatched."
 "Tell me," the king continued. "What is your opinion of the Warriors from the small
kingdom to the south?"
"Your Majesty, as I was raised by one of these Warrior families, I know they have
fought the Empirions to the north for over one hundred years. In my lifetime they taught
me of their enemy though I've never had to face them before. When I was part of the
ambush, their descriptions and actions were just as I had been taught. Their training has
given me the ability to survive a battle with the demons the Empirions employ. We
would do well to have Warrior families as they do."
"Would it be beneficial to simply develop similar training for our armies? I am
considering what the Empirions have promised me and what your Warriors have warned
me about the Empirions. I want to know who to trust," said the king.
"I know that if we serve God as the Warriors do, we can stand against all enemies,"
declared Howard.
"Even if the Warriors become our enemies?" countered the king.
"Your Majesty, if we stand right in God's eyes, we will be victorious against all
enemies, but it is important we serve God. The Dark Empire is opposed to God and the
Warriors, serving God would be our allies. They are already encouraging me to form the
first Warrior family of Almangast. They wish for you, your Majesty, to know God and
sponsor Warrior families in our nation to teach the entire inhabitants to serve God and
stand against evil," said the new Warrior.
"Thank you, Howard Rose. I will not forbid you to serve God or form this Warrior
family of yours, but I will not tolerate treason under any guise. Your contribution to my
information is appreciated, and you are dismissed.
"I am sure my brother would wish to welcome Miss Jayne to his house. May you find
your stay and employment here pleasant. You may go."
"Thank you, your Majesty," replied Jayne.
The audience with the king was over and all bowed to the king as they left.

Jayne was guided to the music room of the palace that afternoon to find Keenan with a
pair of pipers playing through a piece of newly scribed music.
Keenan greeted her warmly and introduced her to the other musicians present. She
was given a stack of sheet music to examine and shown to the harp at the other side of the
room.
Keenan whispered, "I'm so glad you're here! We will talk later, if you will wait until
I am finished with the pipers." He gently laid his hand on hers for a moment before
turning his attention back to the other musicians.
While she waited, Jayne began to read through the music she was given. Here was all
new music written by Keenan and scribed in his hand. She silently ran her fingers over
the strings as she read through each piece. What would Keenan's music sound like being
played by a whole orchestra?
In a little while, Keenan returned to her, and the other musicians were gone. He took
her hands. "I've missed you so much! Let's walk in the garden. You'll enjoy the animal
shaped shrubbery and the elegant fountain of my favorite refuge."
"Keenan, did you receive my letter?" asked Jayne.
"Why, yes," replied Keenan.
 "You know that Hawk wanted me to teach you some of the sword training he had
meant to show you. There much to do. If we could take the mornings and train, we can
make a better bodyguard of you for Lady Delores," said Jayne.
"Ah," laughed Keenan, "how I'd forgotten that you like to plan my whole day for me!"
"It's important. I need the training, too," rejoined Jayne. "Will you help me that
much?"
"But mornings are difficult for me after staying up late," complained Keenan.
"Hawk says a Warrior needs to develop discipline. Even if you aren't a Warrior, I will
be," said Jayne evenly.
"Hawk knows a lot about being a Warrior, but if he wasn't such a good musician or
such a good friend, I wouldn't like to hear you quote him so much," retorted Keenan.
"You don't need to be jealous of Hawk. I gave him every chance to reveal any interest
he might have in me, but all he ever talked about was God and Warrior training," said
Jayne.
"He seems to be best friends with God. Doesn't he? You like him," said Keenan.
"He's our friend that's all," assured Jayne. "He's helped me to become closer to God,
too."
"I don't doubt it," said Keenan.
They spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden. Jayne found that she was grateful
to be with him after so long a time apart. It was easy to fall into old familiar ways of
holding hands. Keenan even kissed her.
In the back of Jayne's mind, she knew she had to be sure Keenan was God's choice for
her. She found she truly wanted to please God even in who she married, but her
emotions insisted it should be Keenan. She dare not lose herself in these times alone with
him.
They ate supper together and afterward, they went back to the music room to look at
her harp music.

The next morning, Jayne knocked at Keenan's door. She laughed when she saw the
rumpled figure of Keenan open the door. "Take this," she said, handing him a wooden
practice sword. "Follow me."
After a couple hours' sparring, both were tired and sat on a large rock to rest. The
Warrior girl knew she had given Keenan many bruises to brood over. "I have bruises
from my brothers, my father and even Hawk. I'm sure glad they are quite faded now,"
mused Jayne.
"Is this what you are going to do to me when we are married?" asked Keenan.
After several moments of silence, Jayne asked, "Keenan, do you ever talk to God?"
Keenan looked at Jayne. "Maybe to wish you were here. That is an answered
prayer!"
"I've tried to think if I loved God more than you..." began the girl, "I mean, could you
say that God was as important to you as your music or me?"
"What do you mean?" Keenan asked carefully.
"I have a relationship with God now that is important to me. To maintain that
relationship and to be the best Warrior I can be, I can't let anything or anybody, even you,
become more important."
"Do you still love me?" asked Keenan.
 "I do love you, but I realize that the best husband is one that serves God as I do,"
explained Jayne. "I want that husband to be you."
"If I don't serve God, you don't want me." stated Keenan flatly.
"I can't live at cross purposes with my future husband. We wouldn't last for long,"
replied Jayne.
"I have some things I have to do,'' said Keenan abruptly. ''I'll see you later in the
music room.''
Before Jayne could say anything else, Keenan was gone. All she could do was pick
up the practice swords and return to her room.

Jayne wasn't in her room for more than a quarter hour when there was a knock at her
door. She looked up, hopeful that it was Keenan.
Duke Randolph was beautifully dressed out in what Jayne thought would be the suit of
clothes he would wear for his daughter's wedding.
"Your Grace," her surprise and disappointment barely showed through the level tone
she used.
"So good to see you again, my dear," began the duke. "How are things at home?"
"Very well, sir," returned Jayne. "Your house is in the capable hands of my
grandfather as you desired. The towns people are as prosperous as ever."
"Is your father still entertaining these Warriors in his house?" The duke absently
looked out of Jayne's window into the clouds within view.
"They have gone home now," replied the girl.
"I see," said the duke. "If they should return, I would gladly welcome them into my
house. In fact, mention this to your father at your earliest convenience."
"I shall," said Jayne.
As had been his manner since Jayne had known him, the duke was gone with minimal
ceremony.

Chapter 17
Thad

Thaddus McClaron had just returned to his room from his Uncle Elwood's practice
yard where he had thrashed a fellow in a sparring match with wooden practice swords.
He knew he was more focused on God's calling for his life than he had ever been
before. He was through with running wild, living a life of reckless danger and
frequenting every low tavern. He had enough of the feral, treacherous friendships, and
the stupidity of his antics when he had too much to drink. God had spoken to him, and he
was a changed man.
After his sword ceremony, he went to his Uncle Elwood to learn under him as was the
McClaron tradition. He was glad to take his place patrolling the border and knew well
the importance of vigilance.
His uncle was grooming him for his own small command. Thaddus was on the fast
track to be the leader he was destined to be according to Uncle Elwood.
 Now was the time he chose for his studying of the scripture and communing with
God.
He began to feel a sense of urgency as he began to pray. Justin. He needed to be
praying for Justin. That was the impression as Thad prayed and began to talk to God of
his younger brother.

Barry McClaron had just left the presence of his father, Elwood McClaron. He had
arrived home this morning from the Hinterlands and had reported the resulting victory
over the demons that had been far from the Dark empire.
He now knocked on his cousin's door.
When Thad opened the door, Barry said, "Thad, your brother Hawk was sent home
with his friend, Robert. Robert was wounded in the fight we had with the demons."
"Was Hawk wounded?" asked Thaddus.
"Not seriously, but Uncle Lawrance thought that now would be a good time for Hawk
to be home for a little while," replied Barry. "We're considering bringing more of our
men to hunt for any others that might be hiding in the Hinterlands, but now that there are
these people that are calling the place Almangast, we need to have their approval to enter
their new country."
"Couldn't we go around them somehow? Surely, they don't claim all of the
Hinterlands as their own?" said Thad scratching his head.
"We'll have to hear what the Council decides," shrugged Barry.

A week later, Elwood McClaron called Thad into his study.

"The council is sending three representatives to the capitol of Almangast and I'm
sending you as lieutenant of a squad that will be personal security for these men."
"You are putting me in charge?" asked Thad.
"Yes, the ones I assign to you will be looking to you for general orders, daily work
schedules, and for survival in crisis or combat," said the senior Warrior. "I'll send
messenger birds with you to keep me informed of any major decisions, such as sending
home casualties or significant information of the enemy."
"I'll do my best," said Thaddus.
"I'm counting on it," replied the senior Warrior.

The three from the City of Light arrived the next day, and were given rooms and warm
hospitality to rest before going into the Hinterlands with their newly assigned security
detail.
Thaddus McClaron was introduced to the representatives to give everyone a chance to
get acquainted with each other. They would have to work together for an undetermined
amount of time, and the safety of these three important men would be in Thad's hands.

The following morning the negotiation party was sent off with a prayer and provisions
to the capitol of Almangast.
It was Thad's understanding that these men held the Kingdom of Light's authority to
bargain with Almangast an agreement to allow Warriors to pass through Almangast to
engage the Dark empire should that become necessary, and there was also the matter of
forming Warrior families in this new country. All of this would have to be decided if
Almangast chose to align with the Kingdom instead of the Dark empire.

The journey to Almangast's capitol city was uneventful. Thaddus was anxious to
develop a routine for his men and himself. He desired to hear as much of the negotiations
as possible, so he planned to assign himself to be as close as he could be during those
meetings.
When all quarters were assigned and the first meeting between the king and the
Kingdom's representatives was slated, Thaddus arranged the work and rest schedule for
his men and himself and met with his Warriors to put all his plans into action. He then
took a nap once he was satisfied because he planned to be alert during the first meeting
the next morning.

It had been a long day in the meeting with the king of Almangast. It had been
attended by the king's brother, Edward who was appointed the king's Hand or enforcer.
He commanded the king's guards and a growing army that wasn't quite big enough yet for
the new country's needs.
After the Kingdom's representatives explained their country's offer to send advisors to
help from Warrior families to help protect their nation and to teach the need to serve God
and to properly stand against the Dark empire, the king did not seem surprised.
"We want to have your advisors come and show us this Warrior way, but we need to
know for sure that you will not send a large force into our country as you have done in
the past. Although we may ask for your aid one day, we wish that you would respect our
land enough to wait for our request."
"We are willing to agree to this," said the leader of the Kingdom's negotiators. "I
would like to reiterate that the hostile force our Warriors removed from your land is an
example of the Dark empire's dealings with everyone they come in contact with.''
The agreement was for the Kingdom of Light to send advisors to form and train new
Warrior families from the local people that were approved by the king and to keep large
forces of Warriors from entering Almangast unless invited by the king.

Now that Thaddus was relieved by one of his men, he was hungry and went to find
something to eat.
It looked as if they would be leaving sooner than anyone had thought. Coming to an
agreement had seemed very easy.

After getting a generous trencher from the cook, Thad sat on a bench in the hall near
the kitchen door and began to eat.
A blond woman about Thad's age was coming toward the kitchen and stopped near
him. "Hawk! You're back!"
"Pardon me?" said Thad.
"Oh, you are not him," replied Jayne. "For a moment, you looked like someone I
knew."
"Hawk McClaron, maybe?" smiled Thad.
"Yes, but how...?"
"He's my brother. I know he's been here. My cousin told me."
 "Another McClaron?" gasped Jayne.
"There aren't that many, but I think you've seen more than your share," laughed
Thaddus. "I'm Thaddus McClaron." He nodded his head in place of a bow.
"Pleased to meet you," returned Jayne. "I am Jayne Rose from Duke Randolph's
fiefdom.
"Rose! Of course your father must be Howard Rose, one the first Warrior families
being established in, uh, Almangast as you call this country."
"Yes, I am in training," said Jayne.
"Oh yes," said Thad, "Of course. What brings you to the capitol?"
"I am here to play the harp in the Hand's wedding in a few days. The man in charge of
the music, Keenan Reed, arranged for me to stay here during the preparations."
"So how goes your training?"
"We train in the mornings. I mean Keenan Reed and I have sparred as many mornings
as I can get him out of bed," said Jayne. "Do you think you could meet us and give us
advice. You're brother used to."
"That would be fine. How about tomorrow morning? I don't know if we'll be here
much longer than that." suggested Thaddus.
"I see. Do come to the music room this evening and meet Keenan. He needs all the
training he can get!" laughed Jayne. "Good day, Thaddus McClaron."
Thad watched her hurry on her way. "They say it's a small world," he thought.

That evening, Thad did go to meet Keenan Reed in the music room. He entered while
the small orchestra was playing.
It wasn't long before Jayne called Thad to Keenan's attention.
"Hello," said Keenan to Thad warmly. "So you are Hawk's brother!"
"Yes," replied Thad. "I came to meet you and to tell you that this young lady has
asked me to help her and you also, to a little more training in regard to sparring with the
sword."
"Well, she's probably told you I'm a lost cause, but since you are Hawk's brother, I'm
sure you would be a great help. Hawk had barely begun to show me anything before he
was gone," said Keenan.
After a short period of pleasant conversation, Thaddus felt he should get back to his
duties. "If you will excuse me, there are a few things I would like to do before dark. See
you in the morning," said Thad taking his leave.

The young McClaron had just had time to meet the two in training the next morning
before preparing to leave with the Kingdom officials. He thought they were beginning to
show promise and had encouraged them to keep training the best they could until
someone could continue their training that had experience.

Chapter 18
Hawk
 Hawk sat with Mrs. Hill and Robert at a table in the elderly lady's tavern over mugs of
caffe.
Mrs. Hill had insisted on looking at Robert's injury the moment she had discovered it
after their arrival. Seeing that no infection was apparent, she changed his bandage and
offered the two food.
Robert had to stop for the night if his injury became too painful to stand riding back to
Reed McClaron's keep. Lawrance McClaron had wanted the two to have their rest and
recovery in a peaceful and comfortable environment where they wouldn't have to think
about their duties for a little while. Hawk's family home was thought to be the best for
the both of them.
Now they were almost home except for the obligatory visit to Mrs. Hill in
Brimmerton. It was obvious to Hawk that it be an overnight visit.
Mrs. Hill continued the conversation they had been enjoying by changing to another
pleasant topic. "Thanks to your parents, Hawk, my tavern has become a regular way
station for Warriors on the road to the border. They seem to be telling every Warrior that
this is the only tavern to stay at in Brimmerton.
"I even have to keep a mail drop because messages are left for me to pass on to other
Warriors. They always insist on giving me some coin of money or doing chores in
return, too. I think I have enough firewood now for all of the coming winter!"
"I am so glad," smiled Hawk.
"Well, it's a wonder to know that I see more Warriors now almost than when my dear
husband was alive," she insisted.
"Maybe you should consider adding to your inn," suggested Robert.
"I don't seem to need rooms added on, but I'm more likely to be full now. Only once,
did I have some Warriors in the stable and even a tent in back. That made less privacy
for bathing though." replied the matronly innkeeper.
"Then you should consider building a bath house for your guests to have a little
privacy. I'm sure your business won't stop in the winter now," returned Robert.
"That would be especially true if our war with the Dark empire heats up. The senior
Warriors seem to think we could be facing a great battle any day now. That would bring
many Warriors through Brimmerton to the border," added Hawk.
"Could it be the Final Battle?" Mrs. Hill's eyebrows shot up toward her hairline. "The
very battle when Christ himself will return?"
"I sense some barely concealed excitement in the senior Warriors. My father seems to
think he will be offered his own command sometime soon," said Hawk. "I don't know
what that amounts to, but I want to be ready for anything."
"What days we are in now," stated Mrs. Hill. "We have the Hinterlands being
populated as fast as we receive refugees into the Kingdom of Light."
"Yes, and the enemy is not idle either," said Hawk.

It was evening when Hawk and Robert arrived at the family keep. But not only was
his family there to welcome them, but a new person.
Her name was Tamara Roe. She had arrived only a week ago. Her family had known
Hawk's family for two generations. Now she was here to round out her training under
Reed and Annelynne McClaron.
 Hawk was glad to see Tamara. He remembered their playing together as children and
recently they had been corresponding at the urging of Hawk's maternal grandmother who
lived near the Roe family.
It was a warm homecoming and after a pleasant time of celebration, they all sat down
to hear the news from the border and the Hinterlands.
Then Hawk received some unexpected news. Justin McClaron had turned up missing
within the last month. He was off duty and rode his mount, Mace, into the Hinterlands
and never came back. No one knew why he had gone off on his own, and the Preston
family feared he had come into the hands of the enemy since they could find no news of
him anywhere they went.
"That's the second time someone turned up missing under Isaac Preston. It doesn't
look good for his reputation, but he is doing all he can to find his two missing charges,"
said Reed McClaron.
"I wish I knew why Justin would go off like that," cried Annelynne McClaron. "He
never ran away as a boy."
"I wish I could go hunt for him. At least, be a part of whatever search team there is,"
said Hawk.
"I know," said Reed. "But you need rest for now. Then you have to stand with
Michael McClaron when he receives his sword. Lawrance has plans for you to continue
with training the young Warriors in the Hinterlands as well."
This reminded Hawk of Jayne Rose and Keenan Reed. He told his family of their
rocky romance and Jayne's salvation.
At their praise of him, Hawk merely expressed his concern for Keenan. "If he would
come to Christ, he would have a lot to offer both the Warriors and all who follow Christ.
He writes such incredible music, that if he wrote about the Lord, he would turn church
music on it's ear with such quality, that no serious musician would ever write another
bawdy song again."
"I now see God is using your passion for music to take you places others do not go. It
blesses me to have my eyes opened from time to time,'' said the senior Warrior in such a
way that Hawk could clearly hear the approval in his voice.

During the week that followed, Hawk noticed that Tamara took every chance to spend
time with him. He hadn't noticed right away, but by the end of the week, he realized
what she was doing.
Not wanting to offend her, Hawk went off by himself to talk to God about it. He
expressed his impression of her seeming to have romantic feelings for him.
Then he felt as if the Lord spoke inside of him a thought that never would have come
from his own head. This is the one you've been praying for all these years. "This is the
one I have chosen to be your wife!" Hawk was sure the Lord had spoken.
Now he chose to accept the idea, He did not want to hurry things along, but he knew
he would marry Tamara.

The next day, a messenger bird came from Lawrance McClaron. It requested Hawk's
presence for the final forging of Michael McClaron's sword. It also stated that Michael
wished to go to the Prestons for continued training. The news of Justin's disappearance
had reached Lawrance and Michael hoped to be a part of the search for him. He had
many good memories of Justin when they were younger and played together at different
family gatherings.
Hawk knew that he would soon go back to the Hinterlands to finish the training of the
sons and daughter of Howard Rose. Apparently, his Uncle Lawrance wanted him to take
on more students and possibly even form a training camp that would eventually become a
school with more teachers on staff.
Hawk had heard that the negotiators with the Almangast king had outlined just such a
proposal in their talks. It gratified him to know that his brother Thaddus had commanded
the security squad that had accompanied the Kingdom Representatives.
Hawk had moments when he had thought himself the odd son with no real position or
command of his own, but after seeing the possibility of all that had happened and all that
could be in the future, he cast those thoughts aside.
Knowing he would leave in the morning, he found a moment to be with Tamara to do
the one thing left undone: He would ask her to marry him.
With a look of shock and then relief, Tamara responded to Hawk's proposal. "I
thought you wouldn't ask me, though I hoped you would. Yes!"
The pair announced the news that night at supper. No one was totally surprised, but
all were jubilant.
As for Robert, he decided to stay until his stitches could be removed and then visit
Brimmerton for a while and maybe help out Mrs. Hill in her inn. He was not sorry to
have been fighting the Dark creatures, as he called them, but felt he needed a holiday
before joining Hawk once again in his wild life abroad. Again these were his words.
In the morning Hawk rode Prophet to Brimmerton carrying letters and messages for
Mrs. Hill's mail drop and a couple messenger birds for his uncle on the border.

A month after Michael's final sword forging, Hawk found himself in the Hinterlands
at the house of Howard Rose bringing Jayne and her brothers to the day of their own final
sword forging.
Howard Rose had arranged with the widow of a farmer to use her land for a training
camp for the young Warriors for a reasonable rent. The widow finding a chance to be of
use, wanted to be a sort of house mother for any and all female Warriors in training and
to keep everything proper and above board according to her opinion.
With this agreed upon, Hawk became the counselor of the boys and the only teacher
until more could be found. It was no heavy task because there were not many students as
yet in the Warrior way, but Howard Rose was hopeful.
Jayne had been glad to see Hawk when he had arrived at the Rose house. She told
Hawk of the Lady Delores' wedding to the King's Hand and all the details of the music
and ceremony, but her greatest joy was that Keenan would be coming back with Duke
Randolph in the near future.
"I would like things to be as they used to be," sighed Jayne, "but now that Keenan has
a bit of fame and money, I don't know if he will want to come back to this quiet little
place. His music will be in demand in many places. How could he resist the travel and
additional chances for money and fame?"
"If he really loves you as he claims, he will want to be with you or take you with him,"
replied Hawk.
"How can I go with him and be a Warrior at the same time?"
 "I've found recently, that God uses all circumstances and people to accomplish his
purposes," said Hawk. "You trust Him and listen for His direction."

After a couple of days, Howard Rose allowed Hawk and Jayne to have a few days
break for the training camp and go to bring a message to the duke and to see if they could
fetch Keenan home.
On the road Jayne questioned Hawk about his fiancee. Hawk told of her gentle ways
and sincere faith. When asked how they met, he explained the relationship between their
families that spanned two generations to her amazement and delight.
"So the Lord showed you that Tamara was the right one to be your wife?" she asked.
"Yes, very plainly," replied Hawk with a smile.

The two found Keenan still living in the King's Hand's castle. He was spending his
time writing out copies of all his music to leave one set safely in the hands of the new
music master of the castle to keep for him, while he took the other set with him when he
left.
Keenan said that the news around the castle was that Duke Randolph had somehow
brought the Empirion ambassador back to Almangast and seemed to be on friendly terms
with him.
All day that very day, the Duke and the ambassador had been trying to get an audience
with the King while he was visiting his brother.
That afternoon, as the trio were walking in the castle, a page came hurrying out of a
room leaving the door ajar.
Keenan putting his hand on the door to close it, heard raised voices inside.
"We thank you for your generous offer on behalf of your Empire, but we wish to
remain independent of all other countries," the king was saying.
"Independent," sneered the Empirion ambassador. "The Empire knows you have
Warrior forces that you allow to occupy your poor excuse for a country. We also know
that since you don't have much of an army in your own right, you won't be able to stop us
when we arrive in force at the location given to us by your fine duke here.''
"What do you mean arrive in force? There are not that many Warriors in my little
town. Too many troops will sack all of my lands! I wanted you to take out those
Warriors!" screamed the duke.
"You have been well paid," grated the Empirion. "I suggest you relocate to this
capitol and we'll reimburse your losses. It is too late. Our forces are on their way!"
"But my people! They will all be killed or worse!" cried the duke. "Your Majesty, if
you would send for the Warriors from the south, we could stop this invasion!"
The Empirion didn't wait another moment. He drew his sword and killed Duke
Randolph before the King.
"How dare you?" gasped the king. "Guards! Seize this man!"
For every guard that moved forward there was a man to oppose him. These seem to
have appeared from nowhere, although Keenan and Hawk had seen them come from
behind the tapestries.
Hawk spoke to his friends. "Follow me, and we'll try to get the king out of harm's
way."
 The young Warrior had his sword out in front of him and Jayne grabbed Keenan's
sword from his scabbard before he thought of it himself.
"I've had more training," she said.
The trio managed to weave past the fighters to the king and began to lead him out of
the room.
The Empirion ambassador himself appeared in front of Hawk and immediately they
were engaged in deadly combat. With a cut from Hawk's blade, the Empirion's face
seemed to peel back and a demon's face was revealed with each flap of the skin.
The king was surprised enough at the sight to let out a shout.
By this time, Jayne had her own share of the conflict and was holding her own.
Suddenly, it was finished. Hawk had dispatched the ambassador, and the other Dark
men were dead on the floor. There was only one king's man dead, but two more were
wounded. The doctor was sent for.
''Jayne, your skill surprises me,'' said the king. ''I thank you and your friends, Keenan
and...''
''Your Majesty, this is Hawk McClaron of the Warrior clan McClaron,'' introduced
Jayne. ''He is my teacher.''
"I commend you," replied the king. "I shall not forget this service you have rendered."
"Excuse us, your Majesty, but we need to get back to Randolph Manor and her town
to defend our families," said Hawk trying not to be too abrupt. "We need to fly as fast as
our mounts will take us."
"I will send what soldiers I can immediately," promised the king as he set about
putting his word into action.

It was late at night when the trio arrived at the house of Howard Rose. Hawk told
Jayne to alert her father immediately while he cared for the exhausted horses. Keenan
helped him as best as he could.
Later, Howard Rose talked with each one about the events at the capitol. At Hawk's
suggestion, he send a messenger bird to Lawrance McClaron to alert him of their need for
the defense of the castle and town.
Hawk finally had a chance to think while he was bedded down in the Roses' barn. He
was convince that a great battle was coming. If not here, then shortly thereafter at some
point where the Warriors would run into the Dark forces. It was inevitable that the
Hinterlands would know the devastation of the battlefield once more.

Chapter 19
Justin

The figure sat on the log wrapped in his cloak and thoughts. This peaceful place
where the man had made his camp, was a small patch of woods with a clearing in the
middle. He had constructed a lean-to and a bough bed at the edge of the clearing. He
made a fire in the clearing near his camp.
Though the peace of the wood was all around him, it did not reach him. His gaze
never wavered from flames that slowly consumed the logs of the fire. The night was
spent, and now the dawn was coming. But all that did not really register to him. His
recent past was filled with captivity and torture. The brightening of the morning and the
singing of the birds did not spark any reaction from the solitary figure.
His horse made the only movement in the camp. The horse, a tall, powerful animal
moved about with caution. Lifting its head every so often to check the scent on the wind
or the sounds echoing through the woods. Though the man did not care, the horse stood
ready to defend his life-long companion.

The morning dragged on and still the man did not move. Now as the horse checked
the perimeter, a glance was also spared for the despairing man. As the time past, the
horse grew more restless. Finally, the man lifted his head. They would now be on the
move.
As the man walked toward the horse in preparation for the day's travel, the horse's
head jerked suddenly to the south end of the clearing.
The man shaken from his black study pulled his sword from its scabbard.
Meticulously the man studied the woods to the south. Then to the west, east and finally
the north. Placing one foot at a time, the man slowly pulled his mount into the cover at
the edge of the campsite. Now, that he had finally come fully from his brooding, he
could tell the difference in the sounds made in the near woods.
The man whispered into the horse's ear. The horse looked at him and nodded. With
this silent agreement, the mount moved quietly into the deeper woods.
While the horse moved to another position to the north, the man readied himself for
combat. The enemy had caught up to him.
Suddenly, the wild shrieking of the enemy shattered the quiet of the woods. Thirty
troopers raced into the clearing. Their noise pierced the air as they waved their weapons.
Their sole purpose was to kill the fleeing man. The demons flattened the lean-to with
their feet, and with wild abandon, they hacked at the pine bough bed.
The man stepped into the clearing and into view. Somewhere in the back of his mind,
the number of the enemy troopers had been logged and a message sent to inform him that
the odds were too long. Flight would be better.
The man ignored the message and stood in the open for a couple of minutes as the
enemy hacked and chopped his empty shelter. As the momentum slowed, the man
cleared his throat.
At this sound, only one of the demons looked up, and then started to shake.
The man cleared his throat louder. More of them looked up.
The Dark troopers looked at one another and instantly counted the odds. They studied
the man waiting for them and counted again. The leader, having tightened down his
courage, charged the lone figure.
With the point of his sword in the ground and a hand resting casually on the hilt, the
man waited patiently, expressionless. At this display of what they perceived as
arrogance, the rest of the troopers followed their leader.
Twenty feet separated the demons from the quiet man. After ten feet were covered by
the rushing band, the sword remained pointed at the ground. Encouraged by this show of
stupidity, the troopers quickened their feet and screamed for blood.
 As though the scream had triggered the sword, it leaped up and the man charged into
the on rushing troop. The blade danced and carved a path through the thirty. Now there
were five less.
When the rest of the troop adjusted their courses to intercept the man, the lone figure
continued to move, for he knew to stop was to die. He had fought to live so often lately,
it was a response of his body, but not his heart or much of his thought processes.
The blade continued to dance and demons fell. The man never stayed long in one
place. Now there were only twenty-two of them.
At the edge of the battle, the mighty horse raced through the troopers on the perimeter
of the battle. These troopers were crushed by the flying hooves or slammed to the ground
by the shoulders of the lone man's mount. Now there were only seventeen.
The man, seeing what the horse had done, frowned. He looked around and gauged his
chances. The next few moments would either see him dead, recaptured, or flying free in
escape.
The momentary distraction allowed two demons to coordinate their next attack. Now
the man was hard pressed, and it looked as though the man had lost.
Again, the horse raced through the group sowing chaos. The man took advantage of
the new situation, dispatched the two before him and moved to a new position. For the
first time in quite some time, the man wore a small smile.
With only fourteen of their number left, the troopers fled into the trees and raced
away. The man looked around. No enemy remained in the clearing.
He started to walk to his horse, when he fell to the ground. He had picked up more
wounds in the battle than he had thought. He faintly whistled for his horse.
Immediately, the horse came to him and allowed him to pull himself up with the
stirrup. With his strength quickly dwindling, the man pulled himself into the saddle and
told the mount to get them out of harm's way.
Before the strength in his hands had completely vanished, the man tied himself to the
saddle. When his task was finished, he passed out.

Dreams of his recent captivity would hold him for a time. At other times, he felt the
motion of being in the saddle, but could not bring himself to even look where the faithful
mount was taking him.
Another dream had him in its grasp, and he was being sloshed with buckets of water
by his demon captors.
He had refused to fight on the gaming fields when he saw the poor innocent souls
pitted against him by the cruel ringmasters who used captured victims and worn out
slaves to be the gladiators of the gaming field. But when they found demons to volunteer
to participate and provide bloody entertainment for their peers and overlords, the
ringmasters began to pit this continuously surviving man against them.
He had taken so many demon lives, that now he was the unspoken and unwitting
executioner for overlords such as Lord Garl and several others. No one cared that this
was an enemy given a sort of license to take vengeance for himself, just as long as the
blood continued to be spilled for the sake of the sport.
After each encounter was quickly concluded by this man in unending dispair, he
would simply drop to the ground and refuse to move. That was the reason for the
buckets of cold and rank water being splashed over him. Unfortunately, it was his only
means of a bath, because he lived in such a squalid little cell.
Shocked by the cold and nauseated by the stench of the water, Justin, a promising
Warrior of the McClaron clan would be roused enough to be more easily thrown back
into the dark and filthy cell where he would lay exactly where he landed and seek
oblivion in tortured sleep or he hoped in unconsciousness from any new wounds he had
received.
Death had a very tantalizing appeal when he could not repress the worst of his
memories that had brought him to this hellish condition. The most heart rending and
painful sorrow would come back to him from time to time and drive him deeper into
himself and the search for oblivion.

Chapter 20
Quentin

"I don't care what it takes, I want him found!"

"My Lord Garl, we are doing..."
A slap rang off of the head of the guard captain.
"Are you making excuses? You know what happens to those who make excuses!"
"No, my lord! I am only trying to explain what is happening to keep you informed of
the search."
"I want less explaining and more searching!"
"Yes, my lord!"
The guard captain raced from the tent barely dodging the next man trying to enter the
tent.
With a smile on his face, this new man entered Lord Garl's tent. He had come to the
call of the huge being that was in charge of the search for the fugitive.
"You called for me, my lord?"
"What kept you? I called you fifteen minutes ago!"
The man faced the huge lord and shrugged. The demon lord shook his head.
"The only reason I keep you alive is because you are just too good at what you do.
But don't think that you are indispensable."
The man bowed, "I would never think that, my lord." His smile revealed the
statement as a lie. "I have come to hunt the fugitive as you have commanded mighty
Lord Garl."
"Quentin, you will lie to me one too many times," the demon lord pulled up a map and
laced it on a table next to him. "The fugitive was last seen heading south. We lost contact
with a patrol here in this grid. I believe that Justin McClaron will be found heading away
from there."
Realizing the importance of what was relayed to him, Quentin looked at the map.
"My lord, have me taken to the last known place that this McClaron was. I mean a
definitely confirmed place, not a best guess."
Lord Garl looked at his Hunter, and with a finger pointed at a spot on the map, "Here
was the last place that we know for sure."
 The place he pointed to was five miles outside of the city of Chiga, one of the great
dark cities within the Dark Empire. It was 120 miles away.
With shock in his voice, "How did he get that far undetected?"
The overlord looked at the Hunter. "I was going to ask you that. Well, if you want
the last confirmed place that Justin McClaron stopped, you will have to go to Chiga."
Quentin nodded his head in agreement. "I'm on my way."
"Oh, and Quentin..." drawled the overlord.
"Yes?"
"Don't fail me."
Quentin nodded again. He knew what failure meant.

Having arrived at Chiga, Quentin went immediately to the garrison to report in. So
intent on reaching the garrison, and starting this great challenge set before him, he didn't
really see the city at all. All that was important was to begin. The honor promised at the
end of the chase was such that no man would turn aside, but he also had a personal
agenda.
The people of the city recognized Quentin and got out of his way; not because they
knew him, but because they knew his type. For a city garrisoned by the Dark Empire
quickly came to know all those who would serve the brutal war machine. They all knew
that Quentin was a Hunter. Quentin reached the garrison swiftly, for the crowds seem to
roll away from him like waves. Stopping in front, he quickly tied his horse's reins to the
hitching rail and walk into the garrison.
The place was set up in a large square. Upon entering he walked into a large waiting
area where he was confronted by a desk that was occupied by a soldier, who was acting
as orderly for the day. In the wall behind the desk was the office of the captain of the
garrison. To the right and left of the waiting room were rooms full of guards whose sole
purpose was to protect the garrison from frontal assault. Quentin knew the set up well,
for this was not the first garrison he had ever visited.
Boldly, Quentin walked up to the desk and requested a meeting with the Captain of
the Garrison. The meeting was quickly arranged. The people were not the only ones
who knew who and what Quentin was.
The captain was nervous. He had heard of the Hunters, but he had never been in the
presence of one. "Sir, I am at your complete disposal."

Chapter 21
Jayne

It wasn't but a couple hours after she had laid down on her bed that Jayne was dressed
and downstairs to see what she could do to help now that her father had alerted the people
of the town to the impending attack by Dark forces.
The town had brought their livestock to the castle to be protected and expected to
camp out in the bailey or use any floor space for their bedrolls for as long as the demonic
forces were a threat.
 The out lying farms were advised by messenger to leave their livestock, as it would
take too long to bring them into the castle. They were to bring themselves and a few
provisions and flee to the castle.
Jayne found her mother gathering cold foodstuffs, medicine, bedding and clean rags
for bandages. She knew that a battle would find these things valuable.
She saw Hawk and Keenan enter the house with her father. They hadn't slept long
either, since she had brought her father the message of the coming attack.
Hawk was speaking. "We should send out a few scouts, or people to act as scouts to
find out where the Dark forces are coming from. Then take all those that can fight,
including the older students from our school, to take the battle to them before they cross
much of our own land. I don't relish sitting in a castle under siege."
"We've got what able bodied men we can ready to ride under my command. Will you
be my second in command?" asked Howard Rose.
"Yes," Hawk replied. "Do you have a sword for Jayne? She's ready, and I have seen
her in the face of a fight. She is ready for her ceremony as well."
Jayne met Hawk's eyes as a sense of prided began to fill her. She knew now, she was
a Warrior in his eyes.
"I have a spare sword, but it is not the one I had planned to give to Jayne for her
ceremony," said Howard Rose.
"Let her use it for now, she should join our small force." Hawk was in earnest, and
Howard went to bring his daughter the sword.
Jayne turned to Hawk. "Is Keenan going to join us?"
Hawk saw Keenan approaching them. "Keenan, do you plan to fight with us?"
"Yes, though I am no warrior," answered the musician.
"You could be!" urged Jayne. "You could train with us and pursue your music as
Hawk has done."
"I don't even know God. You Warriors seem to be best friends with God. I've left my
family to run off and be a minstrel. If I were to die, I don't know if I would even see
Him. My family would never know what happened to me. That is the only thing about
dying I am afraid of." Keenan seemed ashamed of all he revealed about himself.
Hawk put a hand on Keenan's shoulder. "You can be close to God and be in his favor
right now, if you want to. Just ask Him to come into your life and be your guide. Accept
that he paid for all the things you did wrong and ask his forgiveness. Then if you die,
you will be with Him. If you live, He will live in you."
"My father must be heart sick that he doesn't know where I am or if I am alive or
dead," said Keenan.
"Accept the Lord, and if and when you are able, you can go back to your father and
tell him all that has happened to you and make things right with him." smiled Hawk.
"That's what I want," said Keenan.
''Then let's pray,'' said Hawk. ''Just talk to God as if you were talking to me.''
Jayne drew closer as Keenan began to pray. She heard him ask for forgiveness of his
sins, ask that Jesus be his guide in life, and then he asked to be made as good a Warrior as
Hawk and Jayne. This surprised her.
When he was finished, Hawk told him to tell someone of his salvation.
Jayne chimed in. "When I told my father that I asked Jesus into my heart, not only
was he pleased, but I felt it become more real."
 "I'd like to tell my father," said Keenan.
"We'll pray that you get the chance," promised Jayne.

It wasn't long when one of the young men that Howard Rose sent out as a scout, came
back with news that a troop of riders was coming directly from the north.
"How many are there?" asked Howard the new senior Warrior.
"About twenty, sir," replied the young man.
"That may not be a lot, but it's more than the dozen we have,'' said Howard.
"They may have only been sent to kill your family and any other Kingdom Warriors
that might be around," suggested Hawk.
"They could sure cause a lot of damage to the town, though," stated Howard.
"That's why we have to take the fight to them before they are any farther into our
lands," said Hawk. "Let's mount and meet them head on!"
"Let's not wait any longer," said Howard. "Mount up, men!"
Jayne saw Hawk loosen his sword in his scabbard, and then saw Keenan do the same.
Her new sword wasn't much to look at, but it felt balanced and almost as if it would
become an extension of her arm.
She mounted her horse that was next to Prophet, Hawk's special mount. Keenan rode
up next to her.
"I don't want to lose you, Jayne," he said. "I'd rather go with you. Even to Heaven."
Jayne couldn't bring herself to respond at first, but gripped his arm on impulse as best
as she could from her horse. Their eyes met, and she knew she could do what she had to
with him by her side.

It wasn't long before the enemy was spotted ahead of them. Howard's small band had
barely gotten beyond the nearest farmland.
Howard Rose turned to the riders behind him and shouted, "Charge!"
Hawk shouted, "To the glory of God!" It sounded like a battle cry.
Suddenly Howard's band seemed more motivated than before and everyone yelled a
battle cry of their own and rode into the Dark riders.
Jayne saw Hawk briefly hacking into the Dark men before she herself was engaged in
battle with a horned helmeted enemy that tried to use his mount to push Jayne's over.
She frantically hacked at the man until she was able to strike an opening that caused the
enemy rider to sag and then fall from his mount.
There was a glimpse of Keenan's back, but he was gone and there was another enemy
trying to strike her down. She heard Hawk's voice from a distance piercing the noise of
battle.
"In the name of Jesus!" he cried.
"In the name of Jesus," she rasped in imitation of her teacher.
The foe in front of her seemed to collapse with her next blow and was down. She
turned to engage another.
The enemy riders had shifted and looked as if they were trying to retreat, but suddenly
there were other soldiers cutting off their escape. It was the King's Hand!
He had brought Almangast troops to come to the aid of Duke Randolph's people,
though the Duke himself had betrayed them. There weren't many of them, but now the
Dark forces were outnumbered.
 It was suddenly over. Her father, Hawk and a handful of Almangast troops including
the King's Hand were all that were standing or mounted.
As soon as the buzz in her head cleared, she heard the moans and cries of the
wounded. Where was Keenan?
She began to look among the wounded. Some grasped for her to be helped. She had
to find Keenan before she could think of what to do about anyone else.
He seemed to be the farthest from her, but she found him covered in black and red
blood. His right shoulder was creased from some weapon's powerful blow. He was
gasping, but then stopped.
In a panic that he had just died, she ran to him. "Keenan!"
He met her eyes as he lay at her feet, and she kneeled down to put her face close to
his.
Tears began to fall from his eyes to her horror, but he laughed. That scared her even
worse.
"I'm going to live," he gasped between small bursts of laughter. "Jesus told me
Himself!"
Jayne began to sob uncontrollably. She didn't know whether to believe him or think
that he was beyond saving.
She heard Keenan say to Hawk as he came to him, "I'm going to live, Hawk! Jesus
told me Himself! He said He loved me!"
Through her tears, she saw Hawk begin to smile and laugh as the tears came to his
eyes as well.
"We've all gone mad!" declared Jayne.
"No, Jayne. God is with us! Give Him praise! Praise the Lord!" Hawk ended with a
shout and began to sing something about God being mighty.
Then Hawk with the help of an Almangast soldier helped to take Keenan's mail shirt
off and treat his shoulder wound. Hawk produced a vial of something he poured into
Keenan's wound.
Keenan practically screamed, but Hawk assured him the burning would faded shortly.
"He has a broken collar-bone. He'll need to be very careful to allow it to heal after I
set it," said the soldier with them.
Immediately, he aligned Keenan's collar-bone the best he could. He then gave the
wounded musician a generous drink from a flask on his belt.
Keenan seemed to relax after that.
All the wounded from Howard's band of fighters were treated and a wagon finally
came to start bringing them back to the castle.
Jayne rode along side of Keenan when his turn came for transportation.
When they arrived at the castle, Jayne told her grandfather to give Keenan her old
room from when she stayed there as house musician. She was determined to stay with
him and nurse him.
It wasn't long before she found herself waking from sleep in a chair as her grandfather
came to check on her and Keenan.
Keenan was sleeping in the bed.

Chapter 22
Hawk

A week had passed with all of Duke Randolph's people no longer residing inside the
castle walls.
Duke Randolph's remains were buried in a small garden on the castle grounds. His
funeral was attended by the King's Hand, his wife the Lady Delores, the servants, Hawk
McClaron, the Rose family, and the townspeople.
Then with her new husband's approval, Lady Delores announced that the castle would
be used for the school of Warriors. "I know that the house and grounds would be put to
good use and be maintained well by the students and teachers of the Warriors.''

It wasn't long after, when Lawrance McClaron arrived with another Warrior to help
teach the students in the new school.
New students began to trickle in since the news of the battle against the demon force
began to spread farther. Now there were a dozen to teach and three were young women.
Hawk's uncle also brought a letter from Hawk's father:

Dear son,

Your brother, Justin, has rejoined Isaac Preston on the border. He gave no
explanation for his absence and seems indifferent to being given extra duties for
being absent without permission.
Later, he briefly explained that he had been captured by the enemy and
spent most of his absence in captivity. He claims a miracle of God allowed him
to escape.
He is reported to have times of silence and brooding, but then seems to go
into a period of long prayer and is almost his old self again. When I invited him
to come home, he declined.
I sense he has been wounded in his spirit somehow. All we seem to be
able to do is pray for him.

Your father,
Reed McClaron

The news was both comforting that Justin was no longer missing and heavy on his
heart of the pain he was likely bearing.
After another week of working with the new teacher for the Warrior training, Hawk
decided to take some time and visit his brother at the keep of Isaac Preston.

When Hawk turned up at the Preston keep, Isaac allowed Justin to have the time to
spend with his brother.
They spent the first night in the dining area over cups of caffe from Mrs. Hills inn.
Hawk told of his new friends and the fighting he had gone through against the Empirion
ambassador and the demons in the forest.
 Justin listened very attentively to all that Hawk told him and seemed especially
interested in the attack on the Rose family and the school.
The brothers began to fall into their old familiar patterns of laughter and banter.
Hawk joined in the sparring in the yard with Justin and met John Preston who was his
brother's closest friend.
On the evening of the second day of Hawk's visit, when the two of them were sitting
out in the bailey in the near darkness, Justin began to talk about what had happened to
him when he had disappeared.
"There was a girl in the village that John and I met. He and I both were interested in
her. Her name was Jyll.
"John decided to stand aside after some tension built up between us.
"I was willing to marry her after a while. I wanted to be with her all the time."
''So where is she now?'' asked Hawk.
"One day when I went to her cottage, her father was home for once. He said she left
the night before and was traveling north. He laughed, but I was already thinking of going
after her and it never occurred to me to ask why.
"I began tracking her and found her trail easy to read.
''I bought some trail food and filled my canteen and rode out on Mace leaving all my
obligations behind.
"I saw that she was joined by others as she got further from home. I began to worry,
because it couldn't have been any of our Warriors.
"When I caught up to them, she was with Dark men, and they used her to threaten and
hold me back until they had captured me and took us both with them north beyond the
Hinterlands.
"Once they had me they beat me while I was bound and kept me uncomfortable as
possible the whole trip. I passed out a few times from the pain they caused me at
different times.
When we came to some sort of headquarters, they threw me in a cell and took Jyll
somewhere else."
Justin became silent, and gazed out into the darkness in the bailey.
Hawk looked at his brother and saw that he was far away.
"Let's go up on the wall," suggested Justin after a few minutes.
To the north, the darkness was thick. There was hardly anything left of the sunset, so
the light was almost gone.
Hawk looked out as far as he could into the north. "Is she still there?" he asked.
"No," replied Justin.
Justin's shape was all Hawk could see as he looked at his face. He waited.
"I was taken to a great hall not long after being thrown into the cell. I met a demon
that had one of his horns hacked off. I knew him, because I had taken his horn the day he
attacked our patrol when Quentin disappeared.
"Jyll was there and dressed in a fancy dress with her hair up and looking the best I'd
ever seen her. I knew something was not right.
"The demon's name was Garl. He was addressed as Lord Garl. He was an ugly
original demon with ram horns--one anyway.
"He told me I was just in time for a great ceremony. The sacrifice of a tiny infant.
Then he told Jyll to tell me about the baby.
 "With a smile on her face, she told me that the baby was hers and mine," Justin's voice
cracked, and he began to breath more laboriously as he relived the feelings of that
moment.
"What?" interject Hawk in a gasp.
Justin's face was directed right at Hawk when he said, "I had every reason to believe
her."
Then Hawk understood.
"A boy. She said she would have great power by offering a child of Warrior blood.
She allowed them to remove the child surgically for this ceremony. She had some kind
of drug that seemed to heal her instantly and she stood there smiling without any pain
from the recent operation.
"I went crazy. I fought my way to the altar, knocking countless bodies aside to stop a
black knife from coming down upon my ... son! I was too late!"
Justin turned and climbed down from the wall and returned to their former spot in the
yard while Hawk silently followed.
Hawk thought of never knowing a baby nephew and not even having a name before he
was lost.
"The child?" prompted Hawk gently.
"The glimpse I had was of a small head and body with perfect little hands and feet
covered in blood. Then I was dragged away to a dark and damp cell where I didn't see
the light of day for days. That last vision was all I could think of, and I didn't want to
think of it anymore.
"I have sinned and abandoned my duty to bring a child into the world to be killed. I
couldn't bare to look at myself or to face God."
Hawk found himself visualizing a dark cell and some of the sorrow Justin must have
felt. A lump formed in his throat, and there were no words spoken for some moments.
"How did you get away?" asked Hawk.
"First they gave me back my sword and tried to get me to fight other prisoners in their
gladiator rings, but I kept seeing my son on the innocent faces of captives and could not
bring myself to shed innocent blood.
"After I had killed a demon who had goaded me too much to fight, Lord Garl began
sending demons that were disfavored into the ring with me. I would kill several a day if
they could continue to hose me down and provoke me enough to fight. Otherwise I'd just
shut down after fighting.
"The crowds of demons loved to watch me kill one of their own. They don't seem to
hold much love for anyone or anything.
"One night in my cell when I couldn't stop myself from thinking and then from crying,
I heard an audible voice inside my cell.
"The voice was Jesus! He said he loved me. Just to hear his voice was so wonderful,
tears of joy came to my eyes instead of sorrow.
"I blubbered how sorry I was that I had failed. He said he forgave me and was to
bring me out of the prison.
"An invisible hand took mine and the cell door opened at my touch. He led me out
and down a way I never had been.
"The next thing I knew, I was outside the perimeter without ever running into any
resistance. Mace was waiting for me.
 "I mounted and rode as if in a dream for a long time. Then when I stopped for rest, I
was attacked by a search party. I fought until I was alone.
"Then I rode some more and arrived only by Mace's care back at Isaac Preston's
keep."
"You're back, and Jesus still has a plan for you. He has forgiven you," said Hawk.
"Yes," smiled Justin. "I know that and also I understand even better what he died to
free us from."
"He still speaks to me. Maybe not always in an audible voice, but in my spirit and
mind in such a way I know it could only be his voice," declared Justin.
"I know what you mean about tears of joy at hearing His voice. I felt the same way
when I realized Jesus was speaking to me, telling me that he loved me, had a plan for me,
and desired for me to stay close to Him," replied Hawk with the tears standing in his
eyes.
After a moment more of silence, Hawk put his arm around his brother and said,
"Thank you, Justin, for trusting me with this."
"I love you, my brother," said Justin.
"I love you, Justin," said Hawk feeling almost a fatherly feeling for his younger but
larger sibling.

There was a hard knocking at the gate of Preston's keep in the dead of night. A
frenzied howling and then yelling, almost distinguishable words.
"Justin!" came the voice. "Justin McClaron!"
The Warrior on watch woke up Isaac Preston.
The senior Warrior came to the gate, and in the torch light, recognized a changed
Quenton Stillman.
Quenton was dressed all in black leather and no longer carried his Warrior's sword,
but a black blade common to Dark men.
"Let me see Justin McClaron!" he barked almost literally.
"I am here," said Justin before Isaac Preston could say anything. "What do you
want?"
"Do you know what they did to her?" Quenton demanded.
"Who?" asked Justin.
"Jyll!" Quenton shouted.
"What did they do?" asked Justin.
"When they ripped your bastard from her belly, they gave her a serum to heal her
instantly, but when you escaped, Lord Garl waved his arm in front of her. All the
wounds she had ever received opened back up, including her abdomen. She bled to death
before my very eyes while Lord Garl laughed and told me how you got her with child!"
"She sacrificed our child," said Hawk evenly, "to gain power and position."
Quenton was growling like the hound he was trained to be. With almost the sound of
a roar, he charged Justin with sword drawn.
Justin had his sword free from the scabbard and hit Quenton with the flat of the blade
on the side of his head knocking him to the ground.
"Hold him!" commanded Isaac Preston. "Tie him and take him to an empty room and
lock him in."
 John Preston came to Justin's side. "You didn't kill him. I don't know if I could have
spared him."
"He was one of us. He could come back to God if he chose. I wanted him to have
another chance," said Justin.
Hawk looked at his brother thoughtfully. He had just arrived in time to see Justin
knock Quenton to the ground.
"I want everyone to go to bed now," said Isaac with authority.

The next morning, a messenger arrived with a letter for Justin.

After reading it, Justin said, "Dad has a new command. He's wants me to be his
second in command. I'm going home."
"I'm sure you are now coming into God's perfect plan for you, Justin," affirmed Hawk.

Chapter 23
Epilog

As one may look ahead several years, he will see a memorial erected in honor of the
McClaron patriarchs, Archie and Amie McClaron.
The times have grown more perilous, and only God knows whose name will be added
to the memorial next.
The memory of those who have fought and died will not be forgotten, but will stand as
an example of what it means to give all for the glory of God.

As we look farther afield, one may see a battle line of Warriors looking down into a
valley of fog that is slowly being burnt off by the morning sun.
Hawk McClaron sees the enemy lines taking shape, and begins to play a peaceful tune
on his fife as he is astride his mount, Prophet.
To his left is his wife, Tamara, and further down the line there is Keenan and Jayne
Reed. To his right, with the new generation that is coming into their time of life, there is
a pair of young McClaron's watching the face of their Uncle Justin.
Hawk's fife tune has faded to drift along the hills and Justin lets out a hardy laugh and
begins to sing a song of God's glory and might.
The fog is almost gone now, and the enemy can be seen.
Justin meets his brother Hawk's eyes and raises his sword into the air and shouts, "To
the glory of God!"
The line of Warriors begins charging down the hill taking up the cry: "To the glory of
God!"