To Cotswold

(by Issic)

Issic had opened his eyes from the portal magics and stepped away from the large stone pad in Castle Sauvage. He walked out and to the stable master to grab a horse towards Camelot. A few minutes later he slowed the horse down at Cotswold and jumped off. He walked around Cotswold for a bit, he knew this town very well. He looked around for any indication of where Caelynn's parent's house was. He saw a few guards walking uniformly off away from the town. He thought to himself that guards normally didn't go that route because the magics of Camelot had protected the residential areas of monsters and other fearsome critters. Issic followed the two guards a fair distance away until they finally came to a house with a fence and an iron gate around it. There were a few other guards hanging around outside. Apparently those in charge felt the need to keep the family watched over until they get to the bottom of all that is going on. He saw a face in the window that almost took him by surprise. It was Caelynn, but a bit older and dressed in fine prestige clothing. He couldn’t believe how much they looked alike. There's always some resemblance between mother/father and their children. But the resemblance between the two was uncanny.

The next few days Issic watched at house and the patrolling guards at a distance. He knew the patrol points, the routes they used, the change of the guards and began to see little quirks about each set. He also saw that if any of the family wished to go out of the house, they had to be escorted by the guards.

Late in the evening Issic decided to take a closer look into the house. Her parents had not come back from their dealing with the town yet. There was one guard still at the house that Issic stealthfully passed with ease. He saw a window slightly open on the second floor. The Shadows had taught their infiltrators to be able to scale walls that to any other ordinary person would be un-scalable. It wasn't long before he found himself inside the house and walking with gentle foot steps. While he had the time he familiarized himself with the layout of the house on both floors, and even the garden they had on the third floor. There were five separate rooms within the house. Three were bedrooms, one was an office, and the last looked to be used for storage. The first room he found was Caelynn's. It was very clean, the bed seemed to not have been stirred for many months. He looked around and saw a small doll off to one corner and smiled. He gently picked it up and placed it in his pack. The next room didn't have a girl 'feel' to it. He looked around, it had a few book shelves filled with different arcane books and some papers. He found a wooden sword in the closet. This had to have been Andreww's room he thought to himself.

He stepped out of the room after a few more minutes of not finding anything else and walked down the hallway. He was careful when he came to a window to crouch around and or under it so nobody would suspect him to be inside. He opened the door to the office and stepped inside. There was a family portrait up on the wall which showed the whole family together when the kids were younger. There were papers on the desk, none of them mattered to him as he scanned over each one. He scanned over the room thoroughly, checking different nooks and crannies. He gently pulled back the portrait to see if there was anything behind there but nothing. So far there wasn't anything here to give the impression that they were trying to hide something, or even part of a conspiracy against Albion. He went downstairs and found a doorway into a basement. He walked down the stairs noting to himself which ones creaked and which ones did not. He saw what looked like a study for the arcane. Different magic symbols, jars of magical components stacked on shelves. He sighed to himself and started to make his way back up the stairs when he hard some voices outside. It sounded like a female and a few male voices. Also the sound of armor wearing figures.

"Great... they're back..." he thought to himself as he heard the door opening. Instantly he vanished into thin air as he stealthed through the house keeping the distance between himself and the Caelynn's parents.

"I’m so sick of not being able to go anywhere or do anything without having to be escorted or being watched by everyone!"

"I know darling... they say they are looking into the matters, and all we can do is just wait. They'll catch the culprits. We just have to give it time is all."

The female voice began to cry with frustration. Issic stayed silent as he watched them walk up the stairs and to their room. He waited until he heard the door closed before he walked into the main room and grabbed a piece of parchment and began to write a note.

'I am a friend of Caelynn's. I pray that you know that she still longs to be within this family, even more so just to continue to be a part of your lives. I know that you're innocent and will do all in my power to prove it so. All that I ask is that you do not exile your daughter from your lives anymore. I feel that you know where she is, but during these times it'd be difficult to contact her with the constant flow of guards everywhere watching you all. She is safe and will remain that way. Once all of this blows over, I'd suggest spending a little time with the woman who used to be your little girl.

An Unknown Friend'

Issic stealthfully snuck up to the bedroom of the two parents and pinned the note to the outside of their door and quietly left the house. He needed to get back to Camelot and hire a messenger boy. Early that upcoming morning he was inside a shop handing a messenger a small box that held the doll, and some scented soap like that which he caught her buying that first day at the market, and a scroll with the seal of The Shadows upon it.

"Remember, the scroll goes to the man behind the bar at the pub, and the box goes to the lady serving the tables." He handed the boy five gold as he spoke.

"Y...yes Sir. I shall do as you ask. Thank you kindly!" The boy took the gold and the items and ran off.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he walked towards the Guild of Shadows in Camelot so he could get some rest.

The scroll read...

'First lead was a bust. Nothing of any resemblance that would lead to suspicion. Will contact you later.'

The Empty Chair

Soft, pastel-colored flowers greeted her as she opened her eyes. Though
she felt a great weight on her heart - on her soul - the flowers brought a soft smile to her lips. Realizing it must be late, she quickly rose to get dressed to begin her work. Tying her hair back with the light blue ribbon Issic had given her, she went over in her mind what she would say to him.
She had to apologize for how angry she'd gotten with him. Though it pained her to think it, she had to admit it that if Andreww was still alive there had to be some reason he had not returned home. Reaching for the door, she stopped as she saw the note pinned there.

Her hands trembled slightly as she read the note. The note... the
flowers... it all had such a final ring to it. Frowning slightly she
pulled open the door and walked down the hall to the main room. Silas was standing behind the counter, a few customers were already there for lunch.
Caelynn quickly scanned the room for Issic, her frown deepening as she saw his usual seat empty.

Trying to control her muddled thoughts, she walked back behind the counter and grabbed an apron. "I'm sorry, Silas, didn't mean to sleep so late."

"Don't worry about it Caety-girl. We had it covered." Silas lowered his voice as he added, "Issic is gone for a few days - wanted to go check something out. But he'll be back, Caety." He noted her look of relief at his last words and hoped that meant she'd forgiven the lad for what he'd said. Silas feared the future would just prove to be more difficult for the girl - for all of them - and the last thing he needed was animosity between Caety and Issic.

Thanking Silas, Caelynn ducked back to her room and put on the necklace with the eagle charm before returning to her work.

The Silent Goodbye

(by Issic)

Issic sat back down and looked at Silas. A very slight nod from Silas to Issic was all that there was. Issic began to wonder if Silas was beginning to trust him or not. Didn't matter yet, all that mattered was what Caelynn was thinking and feeling. She had defiantly been through a lot this night, perhaps one of the few nights that she probably wished to never have happen. He couldn't help but think that he caused a lot of tonight's grief. But on the same hand he thought that it would have been like this whether he was there or not.

"Caelynn, I don't know what to say to make you feel any better about what was just spoken to you, in fact I don't believe there is anything that can be said to do that. I do know that both Silas and I won't let anything harm you while we are still alive on this land. That goes for any traitor, any of them enemy hordes, or even Camelot itself. Now I know that you're bother means a lot to you, and that you love him dearly. I also know that you two had a close bond with each other. You said yourself that you knew without a doubt that he was alive. Now please don't take this the wrong way, but the possibility of him being alive and being a traitor is there. You said that when the reports came back, they couldn't identify the bodies. That they just presumed that his unit was all dead." He sighed softly.

Caelynn's face rose to meet Issic's. Her eyes narrow glaring at him angerly, her face and neck red with emotions. "MY brother is NOT a traitor and I will speak freely to whomever thinks such!" Her hand slamming upon the table very adamantly. Her tears began to fall again as she turned towards Silas who opened his arms to comfort her. Issic looked down and sighed again as all that could be heard was Caelynn crying. There were no other words spoke for awhile until finally Silas softly whispered to Caelynn.

"Caety girl, it's been a long night, and even a longer morning. Come, I'll take you to your room so you can try and get some rest." He gently helped her up and escorted her to her room where he tucked her in and came back out into the main room where Issic still sat. He placed a hand upon Issic's shoulder as he walked past him to his chair, Silas's eye always watched the Caelynn's door.

Issic looked up at Silas and sighed again and slowly whispered to him. "Perhaps I should take my leave from here and do what I can on my own so I don't upset her anymore then she already is. I have a few leads that I can check out, but it'd take me a few days to get there and then back. Perhaps two weeks tops I'd say. I think it would also be a good idea if you watched her a little closer so she doesn't run off or do anything stupid out of reacting on emotions rather then thinking things through."

Silas nodded his agreement about Caelynn reacting on emotions right now. "I'm not sure if you leaving will be the best thing right now. But if you feel it best, then I shall not stop you. But I expect reports of how things are doing. I also expect you to come back alive Issic." Silas took a swig of his ale and looked at him. "It's tough for someone like us to say things, especially that we were wrong. But I was in the wrong and for that I'm sorry. I am grateful that you are here and helping to protect Caety."

Issic nodded slightly at him understandingly. "I'll wait for the morning, don't worry about the prep work, I'll go to the market and gather everything needed for the next few nights, and do Caelynn's work in the kitchen. I can't sleep right now so I may as well get things done. But after that is all done, I'll be gone for a few weeks."

Silas nodded slightly understandingly and then went to his room. Issic took the early morning to gather all the supplies they'd need for the next few days. The merchants a bit surprised to see him so early and greeted him none the less. He returned quietly and put everything away. He began to start the stew and even get some breakfast ready for the two that had been sleeping. After all the chores were done he stealthed down the hall and listened to Caelynn's door, she didn't seem awake yet. He quietly opened the door and saw her sleeping in her bed. He pinned a small note to the inside of her door so she'd find it when she woke up. Upon her nightstand he placed a mug half full of water, with various flowers inside. He took one more look at her and softly whispered to her that he'd be back as he closed the door behind him quietly.

The note read "I'm sorry, please find it in your heart to forgive me."

As Issic was about to walk out he heard Silas behind him. "Remember to check in once in awhile. And I expect you to be back in no longer then two weeks."

Issic nodded slightly not turning around to look at him. "Make sure Caelynn knows that I'm just trying to get information and find out who has brought this down upon her family. And I didn't mean to accuse her brother of any wrong doings." Issic stepped out of the Pub and made his way to the portal where seconds later he vanished.

A Change of Heart

Caelynn waved her hands over the mugs and murmured a few words, coating the mugs in frost. A look of relief washed over her face as Silas and Issic took their seats. She knew they wouldn't hurt her, but she didn't know if they would sit and talk with her or if they would storm off.


Silas reach over and took her hands in his, his eyes filled with shame and sorrow. "Caety-girl, I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. You know I care about you and that I want to look out for you. But I never meant it to go so far that you would feel I was tryin' to control you. I'm sorry and I hope you can forgive me."

Caelynn leaned over and hugged him. "I know you are just looking out for me, Silas. And I really do appreciate it. But I'm not a little girl. I know something is going on and I know it involves me in some way. Please... tell me what is happening."

Silas glanced to Issic, a look warning the lad to be prepared for anything. Looking back to Caelynn, he spoke softly, gently. "I know you haven't had contact with your family since you returned to Gothwaite, Caety. I know it's been painful for you, but it's probably the one thing keeping you safe here now." He paused, studying her somber expression before continuing. "There have been reports, Caelynn, of a traitor. They say an Avalonian wizard is helping the Midgardian Horde. Those who have claimed to have seen him describe a young man looking very much like you. Some of the lords in Camelot think it's Andreww. You're entire family is under suspicion now, Caety." He stopped to let his words sink in.

"NO!" Caelynn bolted from her chair and paced the room, seething with confusion and anger. "Andreww would never turn traitor! He'd die before aiding the enemy!" Tears started to course down her cheeks. "My parents have been loyal to Albion and Camelot! How could those fools think they would stoop so low?!" She stopped her pacing and stood, face buried in her hands, sobbing in the middle of the floor.

Silas stood to go to her, but in a flash Issic was at her side, wrapping her in a gentle embrace, comforting her while he escorted her back to her seat. "We will help you, Caelynn," his words were a soft murmur, but Silas could hear them. Letting go of his jealousy, he could clearly see now the regard Issic held for Caelynn. For the first time since his arrival, Silas was truly grateful to have Issic here to help.

A Long Night

(by Issic)

Issic had definitely not expected to have Caelynn use her magical skills against him, even if it be for his own good. His fire fueled as he stood there unable to move. He absolutely hated not being able to move. It wasn't until she started to speak that his fire ceased. She was right he had been baiting Silas and perhaps he was a bit jealous of what he had in regards to Caelynn. They were so close and without wishing to at first, Issic had started to show his feelings towards her. He sighed under his breath as he was forced to listen to her.

His fingers began to tingle, he tried to move his finger as that was normally a sign that the spell was wearing off. His finger moved slightly. Within seconds he could raise his arm and even shift and turn his neck. A few seconds longer and he was able to fully move, but his movement still slowed. His hands reached up and grasp both handles of his blades which stuck into the door jams on each side. He glanced behind him and saw Caelynn had turned her back to them both as she sat at a table. He knew that nobody else would ever have turned their backs to skilled infiltrators. You never ever did that, you always wanted to keep them in eye sight if you could else you were just easy pickings. But she knew, she knew she was safe with them both no matter what was happening. Sooner or later Issic knew that he would have to work with and more then likely depend on Silas. He never needed to depend on anyone, he had gotten used to being self sufficient, being alone.

He pulled the blades out and sighed deeply. With a swift twirl through his fingers the blades were back in their sheaths behind his back. He looked at Silas who had also been frozen in one place, his finger just now starting to move. He walked behind the bar and grabbed three mugs and poured ale into each of them.

"Well, since none of us are getting any sleep this night or day whatever you want to call it, we'll need some drinks." He said as he placed them on the table that Caelynn was sitting at. He looked into Caelynn's eyes and mouthed 'I'm sorry' towards her. Silas had now thawed out and began to slow movement towards the table as well. As he sat down Issic looked at Caelynn and spoke softly. "Think you can use those skills for something other then freezing Silas and myself?" His finger pointed towards the mugs of ale with a slight smirk.

A Cold Reception

Caelynn stood in the door to the hallway, her face a mask of incredulous horror as she watched Silas and Issic fight.

"Ask her yourself!" she heard Issic growl at Silas and saw him turn to leave. Things had gone way too far and it was time to put a stop to this.
Her hand shot out just as Issic stepped outside. A cold blast issued from her outstretched fingers, freezing him in mid-step. In a flash her other hand shot out towards Silas, freezing him as well.

"What in the blazes are you two doing?!" She stalked into the room, standing between the two frozen forms. "Am I to be the cause of you two killing each other?!"
She knew she had to talk quickly - she had no clue how either would react once they'd thawed and could both very likely leave at first chance.

"Silas, I've noticed the way you watch Issic and I together. It's been clear that you aren't comfortable with it. And if I've noticed it, surely you've noticed it too, Issic. I don't presume you have any intentions other than kindness and friendship. But surely you would have realized that the more attention you've shown me, the harder it would be on Silas. In that way, you've been baiting him." She looked down, blushing softly. "I suppose in a sense I have been as well. I should have said something earlier, but I didn't want to assume there was anything more than kindness being expressed."

She turned back to Silas. "Issic spoke true. He was only in my room to offer comfort when I was distressed - a distress caused by finding out you'd lied to me. That lie had me questioning my own worth and had me doubting the sincerity of your kindness. But even had he been there for other reasons, is it your business? You have been generous in giving me a place to stay, but if it means you will control to whom I may speak or befriend, I will move out."

She saw Issic's finger start to move and knew her time was just about up.
"Now... if you are both cooled down enough... I would appreciate if SOMEONE would tell me what the hell is going on and how it involves me." She turned and walked to a table, sitting down with her back to both of them, waiting to see how they would react.

Truth Arising

(by Issic)

As Issic turned from the door he couldn’t help but think that Silas would probably flip if he knew that he had spent almost all night talking to Caelynn and perhaps think that something more came of it. Just as he ended the thought he turned and saw Silas sitting on the stairs watching both him and the door.

Great…this should be interesting… Issic thought to himself as Silas watched him.

“What were you doing in there, and why are you just now leaving the room?” Silas demanded in a very silent voice. His voice and actions seemed to be fairly angered but trying to hold himself back from over-reacting. Issic could see the grip of his hands tighten and release every few seconds. His eyes were very cold and intimidating. Luckily for Issic, he didn’t intimidate easily.

“Perhaps we should talk about this when you cool off Silas. I’d hate to have you over-react over nothing.” Issic responded as he began to walk by him.

“Nothing?” Silas grabbed Issic’s arm stopping him. “I hardly think this is nothing. And I know when I am ready to speak of something and when I am not. We speak of this now.”

Issic’s eyes narrowed a bit at the hand holding on his arm. “Silas…” Issic took a breath to try and remain relaxed himself. “I respect you for who you are, and what you’ve done both in and out of the Shadows. However if you don’t release your grip on me, we’re going to have a serious problem.” He looked directly into Silas’s eyes almost challengingly.

“Perhaps we should speak of this in the main room then…” Silas got up and walked down the hallway. Issic followed him watching his every move waiting for the unexpected. “Now again. Tell me why you were in there at such an hour.” Silas turned and glared at Issic as he placed two stilettos upon a table, his hand fingering over the hilt of one.

“Fine weapons you have there…most people, especially infiltrators do not show their weapons unless they are to be used.” Issic’s hand slowly disappeared behind his cloak and remained against his own weapons that were strapped to his back.

“Think of them as an opportunity that I don’t give to many people…in fact, you are the first and more then likely the last. Think of them as the opportunity that you may need to tell me what the HELL you were doing in there with Caelynn before I introduce them to you much much closer.”

“Well well well. Does Silas feel a bit threatened that I’m here? Perhaps spending too much time with the self proclaimed girl of his? Or is it the fact that you think you’re going to lose her to someone without you actually telling her how you truly feel. Think about it Silas. I’m just doing my job.” Issic’s tone was rather cold as he responded back.

Silas grabbed a dagger and hurled it towards Issic with lightning reflexes. Issic spun out of the way, his own stilettos in hand knocking the flying dagger out of mid-air. They both glared at each other coldly as they held their weapons awaiting the others next move. “I fear nothing, especially not some newly graduated infiltrator who thinks he can walk into my home and steal the very thing that I cherish the most.” Silas lunged at him with both blades.

Issic began his defensive style of fighting, parrying, evading and offering a strike back every once in awhile. “You don’t even know what the Hell you’re fighting you over protective wish you had enough balls to confront your own fears pain in the ass!”

Silas growled as he quickened the pace of his attacks. Swing after swing, style after style, spinning and moving to different sides of his opponent who countered with his own evades and spins in the other direction keeping the distance between the two. “You know nothing of what’s going on boy!”

“I know that you’re getting yourself worked up over nothing. Is it a shame to have a friend, to meet someone new? I don’t think so. Now open your damn eyes old man!!” Issic lunged hard towards Silas who evaded and came back with a strike which nearly missed Issic’s chest. Issic spun around and hit the base of Silas’s blade trying to knock it out of his hand. The clang of the metal blades were loud and rang through the pub. “And if you must know, I was comforting Caelynn from the hurt that YOU caused her!! YOU were the one that about broke her heart this night! YOU were the one that made her feel like a damn child by keeping your secrets! YOU were the one that you are fighting right now!”

These words hit Silas like a ton of bricks. He never wanted to hurt Caelynn, his heart broke at the thought of her crying because of him. Silas stopped his assault and dropped his arms to his sides. His voice much quieter now, sounding more hurt then anything. His face looked like his whole world came down upon him. “What do you mean I did this…”

Issic still fueled with anger spun around and let his weapons fly through the air. They struck the two sides of the door on the far wall and hung there. “If you don’t know already. Ask her yourself! She right behind you!” Issic spat out and turned around leaving the Pub.

Suspicions

Tears ran silently down her cheeks as she considered Issic's words. Finally, she sat up straight, wiping the tears.

"When Silas first hired me, I was grateful for the place to stay... the extra coin to help with my studies and training. When I found out that he used to be an infiltrator... I worried that his kindness was funded by my parents. " Caelynn smirked ruefully. "Or perhaps since they've disowned me, I should say it was wishful thinking that they would still bother with me." She shook her head to banish the thoughts and continued. "I know he is glad to have me here. I sometimes suspect that he would welcome more than friendship from me."

"And would you welcome that as well?" Issic asked softly.

Caelynn smiled softly. "He is a good man. He treats me well. We have spoken about things which I will not reveal because of my regard for him and his privacy. But I know that I remind him of another - one who was lost to him long, long ago. Anything more than friendship would be impossible."

She smiled, a bit sadly, and returned to the topic. "When I learned that Silas lied to me about you, it brought back those fears that he was being paid to look after me - that his kindness was all an act to protect me for the sake of my father's money."

She leaned over to the small window over the bed and pushed aside the curtain. "The sky lightens already... and neither of us have had any sleep yet. We should both try and get some rest before work starts again. Thank you, Issic, for your kindness and your assurance."

Issic rose from the bed and bid her a good night. Stepping out of the room, he gently closed the door behind him. Turning to head to the main room and his usual spot in the corner, he found Silas before him, sitting on the stairs, watching Caelynn's door.

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This part missing.

Hurt and Confused

Closing the door behind her, Caelynn changed into a simple cotton nightgown and crawled under the covers. Unable to sleep, she sat in her bed, hugging her legs to her chest, her head resting on her knees as she tried to sort through all that had happened.

It wasn't the first time she had seen violence. Gothwaite always had some rougher elements lurking around and more than once they'd found their way to the pub. What shocked her was the ruthless precision with which Issic slew the two ruffians. And it was this skill and precision that made her realize Silas had lied to her.

She knew Silas would never do anything to harm her... but why did he lie about Issic? And if Issic was not the bumbling incompetent that Silas made him out to be, why was he here?

The soft knock on her door brought her from her reverie. "Come in," she called softly, not bothering to move from her seat under the covers. She sat in silence as Issic entered and took a seat on the end of her bed. She listened as he assured her that he'd never meant to hurt her - that he didn't even know what Silas had told her about him until this evening. He promised her he would never do anything to hurt her, nor would he allow anyone else to hurt her. He told her that for whatever reason Silas had lied to her, he was surely motivated by concern for her.

When he finished speaking she spoke - her words barely more than a whisper - her voice shaky with emotion and fatigue. "I know Silas would never mean to hurt me." She looked to him, her eyes locking with his, her fear and confusion and hurt clear. "I know now you wouldn't, either." She looked back down to her blankets. "But I know something is being kept from me. Even if Silas' motivation is to protect me... it almost feels like the way my parent's treated me.... trying to keep me safe... deciding what I should and should not know... what I should and should not do. I came back to Gothwaite to prove myself - as a wizard and as a woman." She took a deep breath and lay her head on her knees again. "And what I find is I am still just a silly little girl."