Cinderfella

Story: Cinderfella 2: A New Life

Chapter: 30 Preparing for Battle

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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Our group prepares for the upcoming battle

Preparing for Battle

Then Dakotah arrived with two other Natives we had seen yesterday, with Wahkooha. All wore thick skins, much darker than ours. I knew they used goats for food and clothes. Bear skins when it was very cold. I was concerned that the connection to Wahkooha was too strong. Were they so loyal they still thought Wahkooha was a god?

Dakotah smiled and waved at the man on his right. "This is Karey." He waved at the man on his left. "And this is Tala."

Karey had hair cut short, which was odd for Native men. It wasn't common. Chitto had short hair, but he spent more time with European and British people. Maybe? Karey was a nice looking Native with alert eyes. He looked about Seth's height and age in his mid-thirties. Tala was shorter. About my height, so he wasn't a dwarf. His legs reached the same floor as mine and everybody else. He was a few years younger than me. In his mid-twenties and one man who I saw was affable. Yes, I hope people saw me as approachable and friendly. This man was the embodiment of the word. At first, I thought his hair was short, but when he turned to Dakotah I saw it cut short over his ears and over his forehead, I saw the long thin braid going down his back. He was good looking, too. He said something to Dakotah who laughed, but said to Tala. "We should speak English with our honored guests. Tell them what you said."

"My English is..." he thought, "Not good like Dakotah's. I think you need to know...I am glad you brought Wahkooha...down?"

Karey laughed, "I had more action with other pale faces."

Dakotah smiled, "He means interaction."

Karey bowed his head a little, "Yes, I have...interacted with your people," He smiled at us again. "It was not a choice to serve Wahkooha."

"No," Dakotah said and indicted Karey, "He is of the Yakama Tribe and Tala is of the Colville Tribe. They are both the strongest and the best Braves. Karey is the best archer, Tala is deadly with a knife and tomahawk. He never misses."

Tala even looked a little embarrassed at Dakotah's praise, "We had no choice. We served him or died." He shrugged. "We've seen a few examples of his power, lightning struck you," he pointed to Max subtly, "was second I see."

Okay, Tala previously said he didn't speak a lot of English, both he and Karey had accents, but I understood him. I held my injured hand up. The little warriors were working and it was healing quickly. I no longer had the napkin tied around my hand. It clearly had bled. "Do I have to prove myself again? I'm just the same as you. So are they."

"Please don't need to be shown I am again." Demetrius said holding his healing hand.

Karey chuckled, "No, we were told about you. The power is yours, but you like us."

"Yes," Seth nodded, "we are the same as you," he looked at me, "but some of us use the magic better than the others."

"Such as your use of the tomahawk," I said carefully. "For some that's magic."

Dakotah nodded, "I told them what you did and you don't have to worry. They are glad to be free of Wahkooha."

"We pray for day," Tala said.

"We prayed for THE day," Dakotah instructed.

Tala smiled and nodded, "Yes, we prayed for the day. You don't worry about that."

"Well," Seth looked at Ceto, "You got sugar maple syrup. Is there coffee? I never start a day without some."

"I was told about you," Ceto smiled. "Strong with a little sugar." She pointed to a tall mug that hadn't been there a few seconds ago. "You should have asked when we previously camped."

Seth gave a light chuckle, "Well, that was so nice and I didn't want to be an imposition. Then you spoke of the syrup and butter. We'll be moving around a lot today. I thought I'd ask." He picked up the mug and sipped. His eyes widened, "Wow, this will get me started. Thank you."

Ceto nodded, "Good. Does anyone else like some? I'll make more."

There were a few that would like some. Me included. Karey and Tala, too. They marveled at the mugs that were there, but knew they had not been there seconds ago. I sipped her coffee. Mine had a creamy, rich smoothness. Ceto later told us mine was brewed with milk, not water. I loved it! She would have to show me how to do it. She didn't ask if it was strong enough or hot enough. She knew it was.

As enjoyable as being together was, we needed to plan. Both Karey and Tala were from two of the largest tribes in a few hundred miles. A map was brought in and Martha only looked at it for a few seconds and pointed at a mountain area the Natives called Rainer. There was a passage they had to take. Or go way south or way north and find another. There were two tribes still there for protection. We came up on the western coast that had enormous trees and was hilly, but no mountains. Well, we did travel down a big hill to get to See-ahisih. Wahkooha feared invasion? Who would attack him and the magic he used openly? No one would dare.

Karey and Tala both had about twenty-five Braves that were trained warriors. Tala's Colville Tribe was just above the route these Witch-Hunting Puritans had to take. Karey's was just below the route they had to take, he also said he had about twenty-five trained Braves we could use. I also found out not all of the tribes moved here to See-ahlsih. There were some tribe members still there and Wahkooha used them to see advancing armies. The Yakama was below the route and had tribe members there for the same reason. The Yakama was closer to See-ahisih. It was about seventy miles away. Colville was little over a hundred miles from See-ahlsih. I knew that name would change. Europeans and Britons would. It took time to learn to say it. It would change. They didn't have the time to learn to say it One at a time, maybe, but not all of them as a whole.

Anyway, there were other smaller tribes like the Tacoma and Shoalwater that had a few warriors they could send. We were assured we would have a man for man. All of them were trained.

Max wanted to be sure they could be united and work as one and take commands.

Dakotah was pointing at the map, "They have to take this path. It's really the only one for a hundred miles for a group coming from an eastern location this size. They are coming west from a higher starting northern location." He smiled at us, "You came two from the south."

"There was a forest of big trees on the way here," Beau said. He stretched out his arms wide, "Really big," he kept his arms stretched up and down, "And really tall!"

I smiled at Beau and so did Ceto.

Max nodded, "They sure were." He grinned. "I'd like to have everyone here to see them fight. I'd like to see the ones that are here now."

"No problem," Dakotah said. He looked at Karey and Tala. "Starting with you."

"As you say," Tala smiled. "No problem." Yeah, he was open and a happy man. I liked them both.

We were escorted to another room in the palace. I saw many weapons here. The room was long with targets far away. It was a training room for warriors. It was better in here than out there. It was cold out there! Those Braves could fight out there. Those paladins had got to be crazier than we thought. They couldn't know what the area or terrain was like? They sure as Hell didn't know the weather. Or whoever was leading this group of Puritan Witch-Hunters was obsessed with destroying witches and magic, because it was evil. I wasn't evil! Was I? Nah. Demetrius was a little crazy, but not evil. He enjoyed life and I meant crazy in a lovable, good way. Starting when he hurt his shin walking in the dark when he came into my room in A'Dore that first night we met. Now I couldn't imagine life without any of them. Not Len Na, but the ones here I liked and loved.

Tala went to the wall of weapons. Looking at the weapons, I saw some I didn't even know. I turned to Dakotah, "Some of these look Asian! I recognize the Blowgun. The Throwing Stars, and those things they prickly things Japan uses to slow advancing armies with. It had four things that stuck out. No matter where or how they landed, one of those sticky things stuck up to make horses and people step on them and they were very sharp. You or your horse would be seriously hurt. Those sharp points would go in deep too.

"We've welcomed many from other lands," Dakota said smiling. "Japan and China have visited the tribes for many centuries."

They did! Chitto told us there were a few tribes where the Native features also had some Asian features.

Toby smiled, "It's called...I can't say it, but..." he began signing, "Caltrops."

"It's Japanese!" I said, loud, "Of course, you can't say it. And the others?"

"The throwing stars are," his fingers moved, "Shuriken," he went on, "The blowgun is," He was signing again. "Fukiya," "The darts are," "Fukiban."

I put my hands on my hips, "And how do you know that? And don't say the library in A'Dore. I never read any book like that in that library." I fussed.

Toby wasn't bothered or upset. He knew I never really fussed at him. "And when have you read any books from there in the past ten years?" He smirked at me! He smirked!!

"I'm a busy man!" I said, "I have a business to run and two hungry boys that grow out of clothes and eat a lot!"

"Uncle Christian has gotten more books since you married Daddy," Toby said. He was even learning how to sound smug. He couldn't hear what he was saying, but he felt the vibrations in his throat. He was even changing his volume now. He wasn't able to yell, but he varied his tone better. I grabbed him and hugged him.

I held him back a little so he could see what I said, "My son, the genius." Toby smiled, but looked away embarrassed. A thought hit me, "Wait, are you using the doorway alone?"

"Sure," Toby said, "You and Daddy do it. Sometimes just you for a few minutes. I can just reach the top crystal with a stool. You said to be careful and I am. You didn't say I couldn't."

"The A'Dore staff didn't ask?" I asked. "We live a thousand miles away."

He looked at me sort of sideways, "Dad, most of the staff knows we come and go." He shrugged, "They don't ask anymore. All of the guards know. The route I take to the library I don't really meet anyone. A few guards see me, but no problem. They've seen plenty of weird things, my being there isn't surprising anymore. It's like we're one house. I walk upstairs and go down a few halls and I'm in the library! Please don't say I can't. They have more books than the book lender..."

Seth had heard the whole thing, "You've missed the point. You've never asked me to go." He looked at me, "I take it he never asked you."

"No," I said. "Toby," I began, "I love that you love knowledge. I love that you love to read," I tapped him lightly on the forehead, "and you retain it. Of course, you can go to that library."

"But it's a thousand miles away!" Seth said, "And we didn't know you were there."

"A thousand miles, Toby," I said. "If something happened..."

"Like what?" Toby asked. "We're safe in Royal Valley and so is the palace in A'Dore."

I sighed and looked up, "Royal Valley was attacked recently. Then why are there guards?" I asked. "A'Dore, too. There are secret passages in the palace.."

Toby's eyes widened. "There is? Where?"

I was back to my mocking fuss mode, "You're smart, what part of secret didn't you comprehend?"

"How many? Tell me one," Toby begged.

"That's not what we were discussing," I said. "If something happened to one of the mirrors, or to you. It's a thousand miles and we don't know, or you're stuck there and can't come back."

Toby nodded, "I hadn't thought of that. Sorry."

"We don't want you to stop," Seth said. "Tell us when you go."

"I'd hate it if you had to get back, even on a horse." I smiled, "Even riding fast takes almost two weeks! If the horse breaks a leg..."

Toby was nodding as he said, "I understand. I'm sorry."

"We love the independence you show," Seth smiled, "But we are your parents, we need to know."

"I'm sorry," Toby said again. "I'll tell you next time." He got a mischievous look I recognized in his eyes, "You could share a couple of these passages. They are for the family. That includes me!"

I heard the guys "whoa" in amazement as Tala threw two metal tomahawks at a good distance, at two separate targets of thick slices of tree trunks with the circles on it a good distance apart. He struck the bull's eye on both.

"Impressive," Max conceded, "But now you're out of weapons."

"No," Tala smiled, "I'm not." He pulled something from a small pouch on the sides of his torso and was almost too fast to see as he flung something three times. Before we saw what it was, it hadn't gotten to a target yet, he took some things out from pouches at the sides of his hips and threw whatever from near his head. The three throwing stars he threw hit three of the targets on their bull's eyes, two larger what looked like big throwing stars hit Bull's Eyes. "If that was the body of man, they go deeper." He smiled grandly and even bounced a few times.

"Wow," Toby said.

Seth nodded touching Toby's shoulder, "I agree. Wow."

I walked up to Max, "Give in, Max. Natives can fight just fine." Max was just standing with his mouth open gaping.

I went to Tala and touched him, "Can I see one of those..." I wasn't touching the Japanese pronunciation of the throwing stars, "those throwing stars."

"Yes," Tala agreed, "the edges are sharp." He pulled a few out. They were flat and so smooth; many could be stacked together and not need much room. There were multiple stars. Some stars were four pointed and others were six pointed stars. You put them between your thumb and four fingers at the center of the star. You needed to be careful with those star points. They would cut the thrower's hand if you didn't!

Seth was looking over at my shoulder. Max looked over Tala's.

"So, what were those bigger ones?" Max asked Tala.

"That is Star Knife," He pulled one from the pouch. He showed it to us. It was much bigger and round. He touched something on it and those rounded edges sprang up into three long sharp blades the size of daggers! Deadly. There was a leather handle on each blade for a hand to throw. The blades folded down to carry them easier.

"Wow," Seth said.

My concern about them losing what they were was proven was going to happen. It couldn't be helped. They were still Natives. Tala was great! Karey showed his triple stringed bow. It was the same string that went from end to end three times.

"May I?" Seth asked Karey holding his hand out.

"You may," Karey handed the bow over. "You pull this string." He pointed to the one that was separate from the other two.

Seth lifted it up and pulled it and it hardly moved. He pulled harder and it did move. "It's so tense!"

Karey nodded, "Arrows go farther and hit harder." He picked up an arrow. Taking the bow and shooting the arrow that flew faster than any arrow I had ever seen! The target was that wood and more than half of the arrow went into the wood.

It was my turn to say, "Wow."

Seth looked at Max, "I don't think you need to worry about their weapons or tactics."

Max was again staring and gaping. He looked at Seth, closed his mouth and said, "Yeah."

"How did you keep the wood bow from breaking?" Seth asked.

"It's soaked in an oil and then boiled in another," Dakotah answered smiling. "Boiled at a temperature you normally use to metal iron. The result is a wood as strong as metal, but flexible."

"None of the ones that attacked Royal Valley had these," I said.

"We only met a few of those men," Dakotah chuckled. "Even Wahkooha wasn't going to give them these weapons. They are hard to make. I don't think those men were to do anything but scare people." He thought, "I believe the words are cannon fodder."

They were disposable.

"The strings are treated, too?" Seth asked.

"Yes," Dakotah nodded, "Almost impossible to break."

"How do you string the bow?" Seth asked.

"We use a tool to string it," Dakotah replied. "A man can't do it alone."

Max looked a little chagrin, "Okay, okay, I was wrong about them." He looked at Dakotah, "I apologize."

Dakotah chuckled, "We knew the reputation of the Creid. We would not want to become adversaries."

I handed Max a throwing star, "Look at this metal."

Max took it and felt the weight and tried to bend it, "What kind of metal is this?" He said in amazement. He tossed it up and down. "It's light, but strong."

"A man from Japan showed us how to mix metal ores when making them," Dakotah pointed to the star. `It is lightweight to ease the carrying, but strong enough to withstand bending."

Max dropped to his knees and put his hands together and pleaded, "Teach us, oh great man of knowledge."

Dakotah laughed hard, "We teach our friends."

"We're your friends!" Max said, "We are! I swear!"

Max brought out the new armor they had.

"I wish we knew how they made that metal," Max said. "This steel feels heavier now."

"Dakotah promised to tell you how they do it," I smiled as I reassured him.

Max nodded, "Yes, he did. It would make a suit of armor light and easier to wear."

I growled, "Yes, but it would be better than the one I trained in. I hated that thing." I looked up at Max's surprised eyes, so I went on. "I know it protects and you're supposed to be able to fight in them, even run and jump in those things. I wore it all the time for three months to get used to it, but I felt my skills were hindered by it!"

"Three months!?" Max balked, but smiled. "You gave up too soon! We wore ours for a year!"

"Those black leather ones weren't steel," Seth said. "They are hot, but not heavy!"

"But we trained in those suits of armor," Max chuckled, "These have both. Your suit of armor is supposed to protect any vulnerable spots such as your arms, your hands, neck, your heart.." he held up the breast plate, "This is leather over steel and will protect all of your vital organs. It will also deflect arrows, swords, knives, and any strike to you." He brought a chainmail something, "This protects you farther." He showed the tightly worn circles. This will stop the same things such as arrows and swords." He held up the chainmail and stopped as he thought, "I wonder if an arrow shot by that bow Karey showed us might go through."

"Do you want to put it on and have someone shoot you and find out?" I bounced and grinned.

Max looked at me thinking and a few seconds later he shook his head, "Nah, these Puritans don't sound very sophisticated. They won't have advanced weaponry."

Chitto smirked, "It just goes to show that Natives just might be more superior than you."

"We're all smart people," Seth smiled. "We should know that."

Max's eyebrows rose as he nodded, "Oh, I do."

Chitto chuckled, "So, you think they can fight as well as you? You were worried last night."

"I apologized!" Max said loud, he waved at Seth and me, "You heard me." Then he held his arms out helplessly, "Our motto is "Anything It Takes," and we worked to become a strong and often brutal fighting force, but who could have imagined ANYBODY knowing more about metal ore and forging than us? We're Creid!"

It was said in jest, but it was true. They prided themselves as being superior to everyone in fighting and metal ore. I truly thought they believed that melted metal was in their very blood. I befriended them because I defeated who the king at the time knew was the best. When I bested him, suddenly I was welcomed as a long lost Creid. I loved that king who is the father of this Creid king, Yannick. I loved many of them now.

"Be careful," Seth warned Max. "You should watch your step. I don't want you to get hurt." Seth's voice was gravely serious.

Max looked at Seth uneasily, "Why?"

"Being forced to step down from that pedestal you are on," Seth grinned. "I don't want you to fall too hard."

There were laughs from everybody, including all of the Creid, except Max.

Max looked at Seth, he wasn't too annoyed, "Oh, hardy har, har, har," he moved his head from side to side as he mockingly spoke the laugh. I didn't know where these words and phrases came from, but they stuck with you. He pointed at us with the chainmail still in his hand, "Laugh it up, guys. Most of you will be practice sparring today." He clutched his chest over his heart and said not quite sarcastic, "It would be devastating for me if anyone got hurt." He was very dramatic.

Now, everyone was laughing.

"I love that all of you," Dakotah began, "and I sincerely mean this. You find humor as you prepare for conflict."

Max shrugged, "We sort of have to."

I nodded, "It feels so much better than being scared, serious or angry all the time."

"I've known many people that are so serious," Val said. "You wonder why they are still alive."

"More serious than you!?" Reese asked in disbelief.

"I laugh!" Val shot back defensively, "those serious moments with me are because I'm thinking!"

"You think a lot," Beau said simply and without malice. It was just an observation. That made it more funny.

"Yes," Val haughtily said. "I do!"

"ANYWAY!" Max said loud to change the subject back. "What I've learned is that our Native friends are better at attacks at a distance. We will certainly need that." He waved at Seth and me. "We are better fighting one on one up close." He looked at Dakotah, "If the people here can eliminate as many of the support by killing," he paused. It was clear he didn't like the idea of ending a life, "or just incapacitating as many as possible...there are just too many to fight individually. We can deal with the rest."

"They will be able to," Dakotah replied confidently. "The passage they have to take had many places to hide and still hit the target."

They would be ambushed!

"Good," Max nodded, "Today we'll spar simply to disarm." He looked at me. "We don't use practise swords, but our real swords. We'll be adding the armor in a couple of days."

That would give me a chance to renew skills I had. I knew they were there, but hardly used in a while. I looked at the Creid. I had told them not to go easy with me and they swore they would not. Then I looked at Seth.

"Have you ever fought with a sword?" I was now worried. He was a great archer. I didn't know if he could use a sword.

"I have sparred with Darius as he trained growing up," he admitted, "I can do it, just not as well as you." Okay, now I was worrying. Seth picked up on that quickly. "I will probably be using that bow and arrows mostly, but I would like a little training with a sword. Just in case."

I could go with that. Then I looked at Thomas and Toby. They were under the care of the Children of Lilith we knew. We were promised they wouldn't get hurt. I knew Thomas had trained with Jason with a sword in A'Dore. I never saw him fight. I was near his age when I fought Darius those two times. The Hunt and in Thorne Valley outside the home manor? Remember? Should we allow Thomas to fight?

There was no way Toby could fight. He was super smart, independent, but still a child! What sort of parent would allow that? His two parents would not let him.

"That's your place as a father." Demetrius said to me. I looked around for him, but none of the Children of Lilith was here. "You are supposed to worry about Toby. You still see Thomas as a little boy. It will be fine."

"Demetrius?" I said looking around.

Seth looked at me puzzled, "We haven't seen him since breakfast."

I frowned, "He was just speaking to me. You didn't hear him?"

Seth shook his head, "Not just now. He can't use telepathy." Seth pulled his head away a little as if that would help. "Can he?"

"It was in my ear," I stated. "Not in my head. I heard him." How did he know what I was thinking about?

"I didn't imagine it, Seth," I said and called into the air. "Demetrius!"

"You shouted?" Demetrius said behind us. It was again the "he wasn't there and now he was" trick again.

I turned to him, "You just spoke to me, but weren't here, didn't you?"

"I did!" Demetrius answered happily. "You are the first one of the Children of Eve I tried that with." He said proudly. "I learned it from Martha." He started waving his hand and said, "She does all that blocking and seeing stuff. She taught me how to speak to just one person and they are the only one that can hear!" He looked at Seth. "You didn't hear me, did you?"

Seth was smiling in spite of himself, "Not until you appeared behind us."

"Excellent!" Demetrius smiled bigger. He was a big kid with a new toy, "I think I've got the hang of it." He looked at me and shook me happily, "You were my first test subject!"

There were times Demetrius bordered on annoying me, but I loved his antics. They were now just part of his charm.

I smiled, but said, "So, you didn't put it in my head."

Demetrius looked puzzled, "How would I do that?"

"I don't know!" I said back to him loud, "but you knew what was on my mind."

"Please," Demetrius said flippantly. He must have picked up some of Max's colorful words, "It was written on your face! Like I told Seth," he glanced at Seth and threw his arms around our shoulders. "I've known you for more than a decade. I could tell what you were thinking because how you looked at Toby and Tom. You ARE Toby's parents. It was so obvious!"

I nodded as I smiled, "I guess you can."

""Where did you all go?" Seth asked. "After breakfast you vanished."

"You know us," Demetrius said in a somewhat bored voice, "We don't hurt or heal. We don't really fight even among ourselves much, but don't worry," he looked at me, "Since we met, I've seen every fight from the two with Darius, the standoff with Candor when the boys were sick, your challenge with Yannick and even the sparring with Darrin." He grinned at me, "That was some pretty fancy moves and footwork."

"Thank you," I said, "You were right. We are Toby's parents. I can't even think about letting him fight."

Seth's eyes widened, "It never occurred to me. It isn't a possibility! Of course, he won't fight!"

I waved at Thomas who was talking with Reese and laughing about something. "You're right about Thomas. I do still see him as a little boy. I know he's trained, but I've never seen him fight." I saw our family in him. Christian and I were brothers with the same parents. We shared a lot of features. Those features I now saw in Thomas. He was a younger version of his father. I had said before, Thomas was in great shape but still had the thinner frame of youth. He was in his last year as a teenager. I was married by then and was King Consort to King Seth. Could I restrict him from fighting?

"We have a little time to prepare," Demetrius reminded me. "Why not see what he can do? He shares your blood. Does he possess the fight skills?"

I had seen Christian spar a few times as we grew up. He was very good. He was agile and moved quickly. It made me want to be just as quick and agile, too.

Thomas, other than his father, mother, Seth, and I were the only ones that called him Thomas without the word Prince in front of it. Your Highness, of course, but he viewed people like his father, mother and I did. People were just as important as he was. Protocols were followed, but he had friends and wanted them to use his name, not his title. He was born and raised for a job and he would do it. Friends called him Tom.

"Do we start?" Max asked, coming over to us. "Your swords are right there." He waved his hand toward two swords I knew well. My swords are what I preferred and I will remind you, I often used both when I fought. The longer broadsword I used every time. It originally was a sword used by the Vikings and was two and a half feet long. It was called a Carolinglad. The second was a shorter sword, a little bit longer than a foot in length called a Gladius. Roma's soldiers carried them. Often, you had your opponent putting as much force against your sword as you did on his. That happened with Yannick, only I didn't use a Gadius. That's when I kissed him. Well, I won. Don't forget that part. The Gladius was used during those times. We kept the short sword and made them our own. A'Dore's had a man that forged and made many military weapons and he was also a craftsman. The family crest was on the hilt of the handles showing I was a prince of A'Dore. Yes, I was a prince of Blethos, too. But Seth and I were now business men. We had a vineyard and winery. I was seldom ruling anyone. Neither was Seth. We knew our business and no one in Royal Valley used any of the titles Seth and I had. We were in charge because of our knowledge and ownership. Before, when we had to take horses and carriage, there were people there that knew what to do. Hell, a lot of them knew as much if not more than we did. As bad as Arthur Thorne was as a pseudo king of the vineyard, winery, and the town, there were people that worked both all their lives! Arthur was a bad boss and a bad and criminal Human Being. He had people that knew what they were doing in spite of himself. Right this moment with the two of us in See-ahisih there were people that were trusted and educated running Royal Valley's business. It belonged to nearly all of them. We had set some new policies they followed. All those who worked the vineyard or winery were working their business and shared portions of the profits. It was an incentive! They knew what worked and didn't, so they made new policies themselves!

Yes, I would watch Thomas spar. I was too close to the situation with Thomas. I would naturally worry when he did, but wouldn't get too hurt. I hoped.

Toby. I said it before, there was no way in Hell Seth or I would approve of him in the fight. He was ten years old! No rational adult would approve of him fighting. I remember what Demetrius said. He would protect both Thomas and Toby, but warfare like this was bloody. Toby still had some of that childhood innocence. Exposing him to the probable gore would take that away. No matter how smart he was we couldn't let him. Wouldn't! Won't!!

"Hellooo," Max said to me. "Do you want to start?"

My attention returned. "Sorry. I take it you don't warm up?"

Max gave a side shrug, "You might for a few seconds, but you can't ask your opponent to wait for you to warm up."

I grinned, nodding, "Good point."

"I'll be watching," Demetrius said, "Just not from here." Then he wasn't here.

My first opponent was Val. I saw Max was going to be with Seth. He assured Seth he would take it slower with him to see what skills he had. Thomas was going to be Reese's opponent.

Toby enjoyed watching me spar before. Now he had several to watch.

The Creid did not hold back. For instance, I had just picked up my sword and without the usual invitation to start, Val was heading for me. No usual test thrust, his sword was out and heading for my midsection. The Creid sparred to be battle ready. I used my sword to deflect his sword to my right, using his momentum against him. At the same time, I used my right leg in front of him causing him to stumble and did a fast spin to the right pushing him further and faster in that stumble. He hit the floor, where he did a fast roll away from me with his sword up ready for any strike I would make. Yes, this was much more realistic and said Creid tactic loudly. He was on his feet instantly. The artistic way many aristocrat sons looked good, but Creid learned to really fight. Jason, my trainer did, too. Val was lunging quickly again toward me. This time it was not a surprise for me. Jason's lessons about using body stance and language to know what was coming really paid off. The fact that I hadn't done it often in a while never entered my mind. I fought to keep from being hurt. The Creid didn't use shields often. Neither did I. We did when we didn't know the enemy, but usually we knew if they used spears or arrows. The shields were good for deflecting anything used that came at you. Those paladins could deflect the throwing stars. If they knew about them. They were coming, but why? So many of them, someone had told them something. What had they been told? About the magic and Wahkooha? We'd find out.

Creid were tricky. It was soon clear to Val I knew what he was doing next by reading him. He began to give false stances.

He almost got me in the side by doing that. "You son of a bitch!" I said to him.

Val's reply was a toothy grin and shrug and he came at me again.

The sound of metal hitting metal was echoing in this big room. It had several fireplaces, but only two of the closest to us were lit. It had been cool, but we were all sweating now. I did a little faking of my own and sent his sword flying, which I quickly got and held both his and my points to his throat.

"Damn, you are GOOD!" Val smiled. "No wonder you beat Yannick. I bet you'll beat Beau!"

"So are you," I said trying to regulate my breath.

"Not good enough," Val said.

The truth? I was winded and I knew I would be sore later. These Natives had hot baths. We would need them. When I sparred with Darrin, I knew we were sparring. Val would hurt me. It was the adrenaline that made the fight more intense. When you fight for your life, you find energy. "Am I fighting Beau now?"

Val looked for Beau and shook his head, "No, he's talking with your son."

Beau processed things differently and was a little slower than normal, but what was normal? He was a good man. That opinion was confirmed by the Children of Lilith. Ceto said he had a pure soul and a good heart.

Toby retained a bit more childhood and was talking with Beau like he was his best friend. I'd say he was...after Dennis. Dennis was his brother and best friend like Christian and I were. Dennis and Beau were best friends just because! If you ever hear a child use that word like this, that because it is something that could not be described in words. It just was just because. There was laughter from both and even light punches in the arm. Beau must also have been told to be careful with that kind of punch. I knew he could easily knock a man out with his punch on full force. He'd never hurt a butterfly even by accident!

"Good," I said to Val. "He looks rested. Has anyone won a fight with him?"

Val nodded, "Max did." He thought, "Twice, I think. I don't remember anybody else."

Great, I thought.

I admit it. Thomas surprised me. He used Jason's style of fighting, but made some moves all his own such as he stopped Reese's sword with a simple spin to the left to successively block Reese's sword and immediately spun right to use his right elbow to knock Reese almost off his feet. Thomas could have sliced Reese well with his sword, but he was having a good time. His smile said so. Hurting Reese would end the match. That made me chuckle. Thomas had good reflexes and the stamina of youth. What he lacked in experience he made up for with those reflexes. I saw him in one motion take his shirt off due to the heat he was giving off. When I say this, I would never touch or hurt him in any way. He was a third son to me. Edward, too. The chronological order of children we had, first was Thomas, then Ada and Ana, Edward, Toby, and Dennis. Of course, Sam's and Theresa's Michael and Kristine, but we didn't see them often enough. It wasn't fair that I saw my side of the family more, but it took two weeks just to get there and back. Sam and Seth were close, but...we needed to make more time with them. If we survived. The homing pigeons were good for messages, but we needed to change that. You know Toby and Dennis were the most important to me, and Seth! They were part of me. Thomas was in excellent shape. His pectoral muscles were honed and would in time be more protruding. His biceps were also fine-tuned and would also get bigger as he aged. His stomach had the ridges. He'd be breaking many hearts; I knew that when he was small and he was taking after his father and would become the new Prince Charming. I had seen him eat. Jason had told me to eat slow and only eat as much as you needed to feel full. "You may carry around heavy weights, but one of those weights shouldn't be you. It will slow you down." I followed that advice. On the few occasions I did eat too much, I couldn't fight anybody off.

I watched as Max fought with Seth. Seth was doing pretty well, but it was clear Max wasn't doing it as fast as he could. Max was holding back with Seth. I felt the need to coach Seth from the side. I had to bite my tongue. Distracting Seth could prove harmful. Max trained while sparring with Seth, he would tell Seth how to block better and fend off the assailant's blade. Much of what I would have coached Seth, Max did. He would advise Seth to hold his sword higher or block his sword backhand to knock the advisory's sword off target.

"You did well, Dad!" Toby said happily as he hugged me.

I hugged him back and then backed my head so he could see my words. "Thank you, Toby! The knowledge of what to do is there, I just got used to counting inventory and accounting. I neglected to exercise my body, too." I looked at Seth again, "Your Daddy has the strength, but needs more skills."

Beau nodded, "That's why we spar. He has time to learn."

I nodded, smiling at Beau, "You are so right, Beau. I couldn't shoot an arrow as well as he can."

"You have a fighting face," Val said out of the blue.

"I do?" I asked. "I didn't know that."

Val was nodding as I said I didn't know, "Well, you do. It's not scary, but..." he stopped, "then again it IS scary. It's so serious. It's kind of a scowl that told me I was in a world of trouble. There was this determination on your face that said I was going to lose. That was scary."

I looked at Toby and then Val, "I don't know if I say thank you or not to that."

Val laughed, "I'm just telling you to make you aware of it. It's very effective. You must be Creid. I don't care where you were born."

I chuckled back, "For that, I do thank you."

"Whatever it takes," Val shrugged.

"Words every warrior needs to take to heart and onto the battlefield," I said. "Wait, don't you use those helmets that are masks, too? How does the mask help?"

"Yes," Val nodded, "We use those masks often, but if you are close enough, you can see the eyes." He pointed to his own eyes, "The emotion can be seen in the eyes. There are incidents that are to control our targets, not to kill. We don't necessarily use them."

We did spar again. I did spar against Beau. No warning. No one said to go or now, he just lunged at me. The "enemy" usually didn't say go or now. Well, there was Darius and Yannick. Those three fights were more "civilized." They were to make a point. The ones that weren't civilized had a point, such as the unsuccessful one on Royal Valley. They wanted what we had and would not accept "no" as an answer. We said no! We said it clearly in a language they understood.

I was mentally ready to have to work for a victory with Beau. From the first swing I found that true. His rage face on and he was damned scary! No test thrust, but a full-on attack with every fiber of his being. At first I was all about stopping his strikes. The sound of metal hitting metal rang as our swords hit each other. The swords clashed and crisscrossed each other and it had become almost music to my ears. Those strikes and thrusts of Beau's were him using all his strength and rang many times rapidly. That power hit my sword very hard. I could use his momentum against him just like I did with Val, but I had to know his pattern. My timing had to be precise. I was getting winded again. I didn't want to hurt Beau! He was tougher than Yannick was! After three rapid swings he gave from over his head, using both of his hands gave more strength to his rapid blows! There was hardly a second or two between blows. It was clang, clang, clang!! If I didn't stop him, he would hurt or even kill me!!! The floor was stone and level. They had taken care to be sure there were no raised edges and smooth. You didn't want to lose a sparring match because you tripped. Not while training. I stood in place as he was thrusting his sword straight at me. Thomas may have had his moves, well, I had mine. Beau swung his sword high while doing a horizontal swing. Falling back to make the sword miss me. I could do the backward flip in the air, but a mistake could hurt on this floor. I fell on my butt and continued going back. I rolled over on my back and head in a tight roll and rose on my feet. This happened in what I perceived as split seconds, but I was ready. With his forward momentum on full, he couldn't stop! I felt his sword against my side. Not into my side, but the tip of the blade touched my side. As a dance partner often did, I spun into him and the direction he was going as we would be chest to chest. I quickly grabbed his wrist and pulled him even more the direction he was going and pulled his arm toward and against my body and twisted his wrist backward and farther to the right. His footing was lost as he overshot his center of gravity making him stumble and he cried out as I bent his wrist farther in a direction. His bones would not allow naturally without breaking. It was a pressure point I squeezed and I saw his hand let his sword go and hit the stone floor with a loud, ringing clang. I bent forward, putting my hands on my knees and rested standing to catch my breath.

I bent down and pulled Beau around, "I didn't hurt you badly, did I?"

Beau's raging face he used, which I have to say was pretty terrifying. It just got worse as he exerted himself and turned red, but I knew him. That face was gone. He looked tired but his usual happy and content face had returned it. That compartmentalizing thoughts thing worked damned well. He was caressing his right wrist, but smiled at me with his usual happy smile. "Nah, I'm fine."

As I helped Beau up I heard applause, whistles, hoots, and in men shouting "attaboy," "way to go!," and things in languages I didn't know, but I assumed they were along the same line as everyone else, so I didn't care. Max put his thumb and a finger from his left hand in his mouth and let out a shrill whistle that hurt my ears! If whistling was an art, he was a great artist. Toby and Seth were clapping.

"You fought good!" Beau said smiling as I hugged him.

"You did, too," I patted his arm as Seth grabbed me and kissed me hard.

"You were amazing, Dad!" Toby said hugging us both.

"You were two blurs for a while," Seth said in our hug.

My time perception was always faulty when I fought. "How long was the fight?"

Peter shrugged, "An hour and half, maybe two hours."

My eyes widened, "Two hours!?" I moved and my body didn't like it, "Oh, yes, I believe it now." I pressed on the sore place on my lats. (That's the Latissimus Dorsi, if you must know. The muscles that wrap the ribcage,) I had over extended it. I think it quivered and then the intense pain of a major muscle cramp hit. "Ow, ow, ow!" It was the worst I ever had.

Seth looked very alarmed. "What is it?" He grabbed my arms to look at my face. "What!? Are you injured?"

I was in great pain! "Muscle cramp," I managed to say as I was grimacing, "A really big one." I moved Seth's hand over the cramp.

Seth's eyes widened, "Jesus Christ! I can feel it throb through your deerskin top!"

I couldn't help it, "YOU can feel it!?"

"Sorry," Seth began kneading the muscle, "Sorry." He began to help me to the side where there was a long seat.

Toby's face was also full of concern, "Dad?"

I forced a smile to my face, "It will be fine, Toby."

"Your Dad's always helping me with my muscle cramps," Seth smiled at Toby. Seth lowered me down. "I think I can give as well as I receive."

"I'm sorry, Erik," Beau said worriedly.

"You didn't do this, Beau," I said. "It's my fault. I didn't exercise enough while in Royal Valley. Accounting doesn't work the muscles."

The others were gathering closer to see what was wrong.

"You lack an element in your body," Dakotah said, "It can be found in herbs. We have something that will prevent others, but..."

"No need," I heard Ceto's voice as she pushed through the guys. "I have what he needs right here." She held up a green vial. "It will ease the pain and prevent them in the near future."

"The last time we were given a vial of stuff," Seth began testily as kneaded the muscle that still throbbed, "Erik had to add his blood to the juice from the Forbidden Fruit. What else is it? Is that from the Garden of Eden, too?"

Ceto smiled at Seth and me, I was in pain so I barely noticed. "It is from a garden alright. My garden. There is condensed and ground banana seeds, beans, and apricot seed. That element you are short of, you get from eating these fruits. This has more of it." She waggled the vial. "It also has aspir-willow and mullein for pain. It might even make you sleepy." She said to me brightly.

I took the vial and drank it all. It didn't taste bad, "How long before it works?" I asked.

"Fifteen to twenty minutes," Ceto said. "Those Little Warriors you have will have it fixed soon. You just need the muscle to relax."

"Step aside!" I heard and saw Demetrius order everyone, "It's time for a little magic from his God Father."

"But you can't use the magic to heal!" Seth said helplessly.

"Not that kind of magic," Demetrius raised his hands. "This kind." He wiggled his fingers. "Remember, I was married to a man for thirty some years," his eyebrows waggled, "The one that looked like the Statue of David in Italia? Before I met Dara, Except for you know where..." he lowered a hand over his crotch. "He was beautiful, but he would get muscle cramps in those beautiful muscles. I learned how to relieve it. Should I use my thirty years of hands-on training, or do we wait for Ceto's cure to work on the pain?" He wiggled his fingers again. "Ario," he smiled at everyone and looked at me, "that was my husband's name, my living version of the Statue of David's name, by the way," He looked at me, "He swore I had magic in these fingers."

"Were you all talk with Ario?" I growled, "I thought you were a man of action. I'm in pain here!! No offense, Seth, but if he can help get rid of the pain..."

Seth nodded, "No offense taken." He waved both hands at me to Demetrius, "Do it, damn it!! I can feel it in my hands. He's hurting!"

Demetrius patted Seth's on the cheek gently and lovingly, "Not for long." His tone was it's usual happy and jovial tone. He waved at me and my skin shirt or top or whatever vanished. The sweat on my body made the air cold. "I see the problem." Demetrius said.

He reached down and touched my back and instead of the throbbing pain, I felt like a dagger went in my back! "Ow!" His finger moved and again a new dagger of pain hit. "OW! Ow!"

"You're making him worse!" Seth shouted in panic, "Demetrius!!"

"Hang on," Demetrius said calmly and moved his hand on my lower back and pressed hard. With his other hand his finger pressed on the ligaments that attached my throbbing muscle to my spine. His fingers did as a hard walk down the ligaments. "This will help the blood flow and those Little Warriors to be there in bigger numbers.

"Oh," I said as the pain slowly eased and then stopped. "Oh, my," I said in happy relief. The pain was replaced by a pleasant, relaxing feeling, "I can see why Ario loved you."

Seth breathed normally and touched my sweaty head.

"What does Ario mean?" Toby asked. "Isn't it Greco, not Italiano?"

"It is," Demetrius chuckled and nodded. "It means belligerent. Believe me, he was a good man, but he could live up to the name at times." I lost track of his hands, fingers and where they were on me, "What Ceto gave you and this, you should feel pretty good."

He wasn't kidding. He could do this nonstop the rest of my life as far as I was concerned. I even felt a little sleepy as I was told I would. "Oh, yes. Very good."

Demetrius chuckled again, "I'll do for you what I did for Seth after his accidental injury."

I suddenly felt clean and like I'd had a hot relaxing bath. Then Seth let out a sound of surprise and looked at himself. He was clean and his clothes were clean.

"Knowing you," Demetrius grinned, "and I do. He'll want to stay with you. You know I can't transport you, but you will rest a few hours." He waved at Seth, "He needed to be clean, too. Now, off to bed." He looked at Seth, "I think you can handle that."

"I can and will!" Seth hugged Demetrius, "Thank you."

My deerskin shirt was back on and clean.

"Come on," Seth said and helped me sit up. He looked at Toby, "Can you help me with your Dad?"

"Sure!" Toby said and hurried to my side.

My husband to my right and our son on the left; who could ask for better?

Sympathy and light pats were given and then I saw Beau. His eyes were swollen, red and his face was wet with tears.

"Beau," I said smiling, "I assure you. You didn't do this."

He nodded, "But you were in pain!" He said, his voice still had emotion in it, "I get..." he lifted one of his legs, "Charlie Horses here." He pointed at his calf. "I got them a lot. Val tells me you had a very bad one in your back. Mine hurt. I know yours did."

I nodded, "Yes, but you didn't do anything to cause mine, just like you didn't with your Charlie Horses."

"I know," he replied, "my friend, who I love very much was hurting. I couldn't help it."

He was upset because he loved me. He wasn't IN love with me. He loved me as a person. A person he cared a great deal about.

My smile grew, "That's the nicest thing a person can say to another person. You are more than just a friend." I went to Beau, bent his head down and kissed him gently on the cheek. "Thank you, Beau." Ceto was right, he was a kind, caring, and gentle soul. He was very sensitive. "I love you, too." I let myself be guided away. "Don't worry. You'll see me again." I said to Beau, "I'll be fine and maybe we'll have round two!"

Tribunal Judgement