Danger's Company Too! [7/5 Evening, House Leiham, PM To Join]

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher had arrived home early in the afternoon with the other men who had traveled to Tjuvar with the king. After a long ride he cleaned himself up while Lorrella had been fast asleep. He bustled around the room, changing his clothes after washing up, and gave Lorrella a kiss on the forehead as he settled himself on the side of the bed. She informed him of how she hadn't been feeling well and not allowing her to speak further he told her to go back to sleep and he'd wake her when he was back from visiting with his mother. The had exchanged smiles and with that she had fallen back asleep, swiftly and soundly. He left the room swiftly after informing his mother of his intentions he hustled off to the stables and readied the horses.

Penelope had enough time to rest, eat, and get water, and as he brushed her down he was so pleased to go on another trip with her. He readied his mother's horse, Reynard, making sure his reigns were fastened properly and that he was ready for the trip as well. He'd found a beautiful path on the countryside and was sure that his mother would love the adventure, no matter how small. She loved to see new places, and this one was scenic, he made sure of it.

He was bringing both of the horses out of the stables just as his mother approached. "Good afternoon, Lady Leiham!" He bowed with a smart grin. "How is it that your last few days have gone without your son to bother you every waking moment?" He teased his mother, as he helped her onto her horse, "Are you ready for your adventure?"

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde sorted through her trunks, tossing skirts and dresses and underthings on the bed as she searched for the things she needed. She knew there were split skirts in here somewhere, and the pair of her husband's breeches that she'd always used for riding. After a bit of searching she dug them out, changing quickly and hurrying down to the street after pinning her hair back. Her son was waiting with the horses, and she let him help her up onto Reynard.

"I hardly knew what to do with myself while you were gone! It was so quiet, I daresay I began to fear I was losing my hearing!" She waited for him to mount his beloved Penelope, and soon they were off, riding out of the town. She felt at great peace, with a good bit of stress falling off her shoulders the farther from town they got. Fletcher had chosen a wonderful path, so far; they were barely out of the town and already it was beautiful.

"You must tell me of your trip!" she said, after a bit of riding in peace. "I haven't been to that part of the world in years, I'm curious to know if it's changed much. Tell me everything!"

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher lead his Renilde out of the town, smiling as she teased him back, he'd missed his mother, as well as Lorrella. He'd be able to catch up with his wife later, but now it was time to spend with his mother.

"I learned so much about their culture! Their education systems! Everything!" He chattered on for a while, while riding at his mother's side, "Their countrysides are beautiful as well! Such fantastic scenery!" He gave detailed account of everything he saw and told his mother even of the great foods, even of the foods that made him regret eating them. He'd never had such a hard time not laughing along at his own mistakes.

They had gotten further into the wood by this time, and they were surrounded by such beautiful foliage. Fletcher could spot random animal tracks as they wandered down the path and wished he'd brought more then just his hunting knife, that was a grand mistake on his part, but worse had happened and he was sure they were safe in this area. The tracks he was spotting were mainly of less aggressive animals, so he didn't get too worried. He just noted to himself to keep an eye out and stay close by his mother's side, he knew the horses were good for speed, so if there was a need to run, they'd have the advantage. As they wandered he pointed out the different types of trees and flowers that he could remember, his mother knew them, so she'd correct him if he guessed wrong, it was a hobby of theirs when he was younger.

"What was it that you kept yourself busy with while I was gone?" he asked Renilde, after he caught his breath from laughing so hard.

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde was enjoying her evening greatly. She drank in everything Fletcher told her about his adventure, interjecting sometimes to say how things had changed, or that she'd eaten that exact thing he was describing, and demanding that any literature he obtained must be shared.

Once he was finished, she was reminded of when he was small as they rode, identifying the types of plants they were passing. She was always better at botany; he had always been better at identifying animals. They spent much of their ride in this manner, their horses walking slowly, in no rush to get anywhere.

In response to his question, she stopped and thought for a moment. She had her suspicions, but they weren't for her to share; instead, she was a bit more vague than perhaps she normally would have been.

"I managed to get a good chunk done on my writing, which of course I'll have you read at a later date. I also spent some time with your wife; we had a little bit of girl time while you were gone." She knew she could be treading into territory that would be less than comfortable, so she let Fletcher decide how much he wanted to investigate, and where he wanted to go with the conversation.

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher was excited to hear his mother had written some more, and explained to her, in a little too much detail what he had written to finish up his last novel. "We'll have to swap books and make sure that we're writing correctly, or that I am at least." He joked and continued casual conversation, ignoring the comments Renilde made on the 'girl talk'.

The two of them had wandered into the small thicket that Fletcher had picked out when he scoped out the trail, he hoped to be able to sit under a tree with his mother and just enjoy the day, not in a rush to get anywhere or do anything, and just talk. What happened next was quite a shock and it took so little time to unfold that Fletcher didn't know what had hit him until it was far too late.

Fletcher was thrown off of Penelope, right over her head towards a tree. Narrowly missing the trunk he looked up just in time to see Renilde's horse rear back and throw her off. With a shriek she had had less luck then Fletcher. She hit the tree Reynard tossed her towards and after a gut wrenching thud rang through Fletcher's ears, she whet terrifyingly silent. The last thing Fletcher saw was Reynard as he whipped around and darted out of the thicket, leaving them behind.

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde heard moaning distantly, but couldn't see through the blackness to find out who it was. Why had it gotten so dark all of a sudden? And where was Fletcher? If only she could see! And she was so tired...she felt like she could sleep forever. But, it was dark, so why not take a nap?

A pain roused her; something in her ribs. Turns out the moaning she'd heard had been her own. With great effort, she opened her eyes, although her brain was still foggy, so it took a moment to remember where she was. In the thicket, where she'd been riding with Fletcher. They had been about ready to dismount and have a snack when something...something had happened. Penelope spooked, or something, and that spooked Reynard, and...where on earth was Fletcher?

She called his name, still unable to make herself move even enough to sit up. When there was no response, she called again, louder, a bit more panicked. She was trying hard to keep her breathing normal and level, as gasping hurt something in her side. What needed to be done? First off, she had to figure out how hurt she was. Her clarity was coming back, and she remembered Reynard throwing her into a tree, but nothing after, so she assumed that was the source of her pain. She managed to sit up and move all her limbs; nothing broken yet, it seemed. But that stabbing pain in her side would not abate, and if she turned, it flared, becoming serious enough to cause her to nearly black out. Her hands gingerly moved along her rib cage, and soon fell to a spot where the pain was so great she whined involuntarily. Likely some broken ribs, then. For a half second she thought about unlacing her bodice, but likely that would cause more painful shifting, and probably wouldn't help matters. She didn't feel like she was bleeding, though, which was good.

Now, to find Fletcher. If she could move, that is. Gingerly she forced herself to her knees, pausing there to catch her breath. Each movement was like fanning a fire in her side, but she just had to find her son. With each spare breath she called his name, hoping he would hear her and respond. She got to her knees, but couldn't find the strength to stand on her own. Her eyes searched the thicket, but all she could see was Penelope, lying on the ground and whimpering. Where was Fletcher?

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher came to, slowly roused by his mother's voice. She sounded miles away but for some reason he couldn't focus on anything around him, his eyes burned. His back felt shredded and was on fire, but he put a hand to his forehead and tightened his eyelids a few times, finally being able to open them and look around. His vision was blurred but he was able to find his mother and crawl over to her, the sounds of Penelope were only registering in the back of his mind.

"Mother," he croaked, out of breath. He placed a hand on her foot and blinked a few more times, mostly clearing his vision. After some conversation they assessed the damage Renilde was facing and he took off his shirt to bandage up a gash she had gotten across her leg. "Brace yourself mother, we have to get you to your feet."

He took the arm opposite her broken ribs and knelt so she could get her balance, and get to her knees. He watched her wince and his heart broke to see his mother in so much pain. When she was settled and ready to stand, Fletcher poised himself to lift his mother, looking straight forward into the woods.

A gasp left his lungs, one so close to being a scream. His eyes landed on Penelope, laying on her side, her leg stuck in a hole, deep in the ground. He composed himself for enough time to lift his mother up and help her brace herself against the tree she had collided with.

Fletcher finally realized what happened after a moment of thought, and was able to piece the whole situation together. "Penelope!" he shouted as he ran over to where she lay, writhing in agony, whimpering as he ran his hand down her neck. "What kind of a mess have I gotten us into this time, love?"

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde watched Fletcher run into the woods, her heart breaking. That horse had been his companion for years; she was so much to him, and now...

She hobbled to him, her steps slow and deliberate, leaning against trees every few steps to regain her breath and her balance. Her strength was coming back to her little by little, as adrenaline kicked back in and numbed her pain. Either that, or her son's emotional pain far eclipsing her own physical problems distracted her. Either way, she soon found herself on her knees again, this time by Penelope's leg. Her hand reached out and then pulled back, the extent of the injury obvious. There was no way the horse could survive.

Were it a lesser break, perhaps. But poor Penelope's leg was still stuck down in the hole, the weight of her body having snapped the bones in her leg completely. They had broken the skin, and the poor thing was bleeding quite badly; soon it would be attracting predators, there was no doubt. Penelope's eyes were rolling wildly, although she was losing the energy to thrash about. There was a large rock at the head of the hole, which Penelope's hoof must have slid on and was now trapping her leg; Renilde dug her hands into the soft soil and removed it, not without a good bit of effort. That done, the poor animal's leg was under a bit less stress, and Renilde hoped a bit less pain.

"Fletcher...We must be kind. Her injuries are too great, she'd never make it home." Her hand found his, squeezing as tightly as she was able. There could be no more difficult task set before her son, but they both knew it was necessary.

[Rosalie Mallory]

Rosalie sat atop her horse, content and at peace for the first time since she left home. One good thing about having her sister at home, she could have one of her personal horses sent from home, and it had finally arrived. One of her younger ones, he was still a little unruly, but by far the most energetic and well suited to all the travel they'd be doing.

She'd decided to go riding in the early evening, heading out of town and towards the small thickets and beginning of the forest. It was pretty down in this area, and she was fairly sure she wouldn't have to run into anyone. She spoke quietly to her horse, conversing with him as though he knew what she was talking about. She updated him on the events thus far, her emotional upheavals, how she had felt the pull of what might have been love, under other circumstances.

Soon, though, there was an intruder on their quiet trip. Another horse, completely saddled and bridled, stood just off the path eating lazily. Rosalie dismounted, keeping a hold on her horse's reins while slowly approaching the lone horse. She spoke softly, letting it know she was there, before taking hold of its reins and looking it over. It looked fine, physically, but was a little jumpy. She tried to find a sign of who owned it, and when she did her heart sank; it bore the crest of House Leiham.

Something must have happened; Fletcher wouldn't leave a horse under his care unattended like this. And it wouldn't be kept saddled if it were in the stables, so somebody must have had it out. Her eyes searched the area for any sign of him or his mother; she called both their names, screaming them into the evening, but to no avail. After a few moments she mounted her own horse again, keeping a tight hold on the reins of Fletcher's, and she began to make her way back to the town as quickly as she could.

[Rex]

Rex and Victor were out on the moor, riding and tying up loose ends with their conversation. The evening had set in, casting a golden orange glow on the waving grass, transforming the meadow from green grass to a tossing golden sea. As they crested the hill, Rex noted a rider a bit of a way off, headed their way. As she came into view, Rex realized it was his little sister, Rosalie. Trailing after Rosalie was a riderless horse and Rex's heart leapt. Was that Ramira's horse?! If something happened to Ramira, Rex knew his ties with the Castells would be hard-pressed to be fulfilled.

"Rosalie!?" Rex called out, spurring his horse to a faster gait. "Rosalie! What happened? Where's Ramira?" Rex wondered, before he caught sight of the riderless horse, proudly displaying the Leiham crest upon the saddle. "Oh, good. This isn't Ramira's horse then," Rex said, calming himself. Whoa…that was close. Last thing Rex needed was to fix another severed tie with the Castells. "Wait a second…who's horse is this?!"

[Victor Castell]

Victor followed behind Rex as soon as the name Ramira left his friend's lips. The girl was too vital to both their future plans for something to have happened to her. He urged his horse into a gallop pulling up short next to Rex as he questioned his sister. Victor realized that Rosalie looked very much like Rex, then the thought passed and his own eyes were locked on the saddle of the horse.

There were only three members of the Leiham Family. "It's Renilde's mount," Victor confirmed, knowing Fletcher's main horses by their coloring, size, and stature. "Something must have happened." His natural leadership took over him, along with concern for the women who like an Aunt. "Which direction did the horse come from, Rosalie? Do you think you can lead me there?" Victor asked, "I'll ride out and find her. Rex, can you head back to town to see if Fletcher or Lorrella are still there? They should know something has happened; we may need some transport or a healer."

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher buried his face in Penelope's mane, cursing himself for not paying more attention and at the same time apologizing to his best friend. "Penelope, can you ever forgive me?" He let out, what he'd asses later, as a very unlordly sob.

He watched as his mother knelt down and released Penelope's leg from the hole, blood pouring out of her open wound. "I can't believe I let this happen." He breathed, this time with purpose. There had to be something he could do and he shuffled around to his mother's side to investigate her leg.

As his mother spoke her words sunk in, "She won't make it back, will she?" He whispered to Renilde. Her leg was broken in half, completely. Blood was flowing out at a rapid pace. There was no hope, and again Fletcher found himself choking back tears. "Penelope ... We must be kind, right mom?" He searched for the answer in his mother's eyes.

He found exactly what he knew he would, she squeezed his hand. He had his work cut out for him, his hands moved with purpose. One stroked Penelope's mane, the other found his knife, gripping it tight, while his eyes begged for her forgiveness. He felt his face flush and his knuckles went numb, as he unsheathed his knife.

He leaned on his forearm, concentrating on the blade. It was sharp and clean, he could see the trees in the reflection. Situating himself so he was leaning on one knee, he put his other foot firmly on the dirt. "I don't wish you to suffer my love, I wish you to be free to roam."

In one motion he lifted her head and slit her throat from one side to the other, making sure his knife penetrated the deepest it could. He heard Penelope whimper and then a faint gurgle and all fell still, silence that sent a cold chill down Fletcher's spine. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, taking in only the scent of blood. Stroking her mane a few more times he closed her eyes and stood up slowly. "Come mother we have to get out of here and get you back to town. You need to see someone to take care of your ribs."

As Renilde stood he took her arm again, as he did last time, wrapped it around her neck and supported her as they began their march back to town.

So much for a pleasant mother-son outing.

[Rosalie Mallory]

Rosalie was flooded with relief as she saw her brother approaching her. Victor was with him, too, which was doubly good; Fletcher's banner lord would be more concerned for his wellbeing than her brother would. She waited through Rex's thought process with a saintly patience, her arm reaching out to stroke the Leiham horse's neck to calm him. Victor answered her brother's question, though, and she quickly turned her attention to the more level headed of the men.

"I was riding toward the forest and saw him grazing in a field...he had been spooked recently, but I looked him over and there was no evidence of an attack by anything. I can lead you to where I found him, Victor. There should be some hoofprints nearby; the ground where I found him is very soft." In the panic, she didn't even realize she'd forgotten to address Victor properly. Oops.

She led the Leiham horse to her brother and handed off his reins before turning and stepping back the way she had come, turned in her saddle to wait for both permission from Rex and for Victor to follow.

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde stayed mostly quiet as Fletcher's mind wrapped around the task at hand. She could tell him that it wasn't his fault, that it was an accident, that it was the will of the gods. But she knew nothing would make him feel better. Instead she remained strong, kept pain from her face as she stayed close to him and still out of his way. She moved so that she was between Penelope's legs, her hands stroking the poor animal's fur. As Fletcher's knife found its mark, Penelope's chest rose and fell one last time.

As her son helped her up, before they started walking, she turned him to face her and pulled him into a tight hug, ignoring the screaming of her side. "That was the kindest thing you could have done, my son. Even if she had been able to make it back, she would have never run again, and that is no life for as noble an animal as she." She kissed his forehead and, knowing that dwelling in that thicket was the worst possible thing for him, she summoned her strength and began walking, trying to keep as much of her weight as possible off of Fletcher.

The forest was far less joyous the second time around. The shadows were deeper and more sinister, the sun merely a weak source of light. There was no laughter, no conversation. Just trudging. Renilde tried to think of things to say, something to keep Fletcher from thinking about what he had just done, but nothing came to mind. She felt like the worst, most helpless mother ever, and nothing she could think of made her feel any less so. Somewhere deep down she knew he needed his time to mourn, and then he'd start feeling himself again...or at least she hoped the latter would happen.

[Rex]

Rex accepted the reins for the riderless horse and made for the Severne estate, turning back to look one last time at her little sister and Victor riding off as well.

He knew he had to find either Fletcher or Lorrella, and the best place to find either was probably their own quarters. Within a few minutes, Rex found himself in the Severne estate, asking various servants where the Leiham quarters could be located. After a bit of running around, Rex finally found the correct wing. He was knocking on the Leiham's door in no time.

[Lorrella Leiham]

It was a lucky thing that Lorrella had finally woken up, and managed to get herself presentable before the knock came on the door. Yes, soon after her husband had left, she had woken up again with the morning sickness. She hadn't had a chance to sit her husband down and tell him of her and his mother's suspicions.

She assumed it was Fletcher or Renilde, although she was surprised knocking was necessary. But when she opened the door and found Rex Letalis, she was shocked, to say the least. "Lord Rex?"

[Rex]

Thankfully, the door opened shortly after the first knock fell. Lorrella stood before him, obviously confused. Rex stood in the doorway, making no motion to invite himself in.

"We found a Leiham horse on the meadows. Is Fletcher here? Something may have happened to your mother-in-law," Rex blurted out, with complete disregard for any feelings Lorrella might have on the subject. He was a bit flustered and out of breath, irritated that it took him so much time to even find the Leiham wing to begin with.

[Victor Castell]

Victor watched Rex ride away with the extra horse then turned to nod at Rosalie. "Lead me there, Lady Rosalie. If something has happened to Renilde we must find her quickly." Odd that he couldn't imagine Renilde as hurt or injuried; the women was just too lively and fun to sport any expression except a knowing smile in his mind. He spurred his horse to follow Rosalie, hoping that whatever they came across the older woman was well, both for himself as well as Fletcher and his cousin Loralynn. Nearly everyone in the Leiham and Castell family found Renilde to be dear and sweet.

"How long did you travel before you found us?" Victor asked, trying to judge just how long Renilde might have been out alone.

[Lorrella Leiham]

Lorrella tried to remain calm, as she had heard that stress can be bad for the unborn child, but it took all of her strength not to panic. No, Fletcher was not here, and neither was Renilde. She grabbed her shoes, the ones that were appropriate for the outdoors, and stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

"They aren't here," she started, wondering whose horse it was. She knew that Rex wouldn't notice the difference between Penelope and another Leiham steed, but it was important to her. Rex seemed to think it was Renilde's. Did Fletcher go out to look for her? "Where did you find the horse?"

[Rex]

Rex watched Lorrella close the door behind her, yet step out in the hall barefoot. "Uh...aren't you going to put those on?" he wondered, knowing she'd need to sit in a chair to do it...and there were no chairs in the hallway.

"The horse was found on the meadows just outside of town. Victor recognized it as Renilde's. There's no time to lose!"

[Madeline Tresson]

Madeline was hustling back to her room, it was past time for her to be back to the inn and she was afraid that Jaxon would notice her absence. As she was almost running past another inn she looked over just in time to see Lord Rex standing at the inn door with another woman. Oh that Rex, he's such a sweet young man, helping me out with my little ponies. she giggled as she thought to herself, then stopped dead in her tracks.

The girl he was with, she's the wife of the man she had danced with at the ball! Barefoot in the middle of the world, she was getting dressed outside her room!? How could a banner lord's wife be so scandalous, and not even care to know who sees her getting dressed, outside her room, with another Lord in tow!?

Wait till she got her hands on Lord Leiham again, or even got a moment to talk to him, he'd hear about this one!

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher took in the scent of his mother's hair as she held him, for concentrating on anything more would break him. "You're right mother, I know you are, I just believe it will take me some time to realize it." He turned to pick his knife up off the ground but decided it would be better if it were left behind. He couldn't really understand why he'd want the murder weapon, there's no reason to keep memories like that.

As he felt Renilde shift her weight off of his shoulder he smiled to her, "Don't be silly mother, I'd carry you if you need." With that comment he looked down to his bare chest, covered in blood, Penelope's blood. He, once more, found himself choking back tears. "Come mother we must hurry."

The sun was setting slowly today, but could time move any slower on the day that his best friend died? He just hoped he could find some help before the creatures of the darkness emerged, so he could find some peace of his own.

He tried once to carry his mother so she didn't have to walk, but found half way through the lift that it would cause her more pain then she was in before. He settled with supporting her as he did before. When they made it into a small clearing, two thirds of the way back to town he decided that it was time to stop and rest. The sun was still shining, so it was safe to sit for a moment and let Renilde catch her breath.

"How are you doing, Mother?"

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde was deeply grateful when they were able to stop and rest. Any adrenaline she had going from the death of Penelope had worn off long ago, and she was feeling more and more miserable by the minute. She was worried for her son, she was in pain, she was caked in blood and dirt and filth...and there was a long, long trek home. She tried to keep all of this from her face, though, so she didn't worry Fletcher any more than she needed to.

"I've been better, certainly," she said to his question, lowering herself down onto a large stone slowly and taking short, shallow breaths. "But I'll live, and be back to my old self soon enough. Are you holding up alright, my dear?"

For the first time, she tried to investigate the extent of her injuries. The gash on her leg would need cleaning and stitching, very likely, which was going to be no fun at all. But it had stopped bleeding and scabbed a bit, so although it was ugly, at least no more dust was getting into it. Her ribs, though, they were a different issue entirely. She couldn't inhale very much, or stretch or bend or twist. Even lifting her arm on that side was incredibly painful. A thought crossed her mind and she started laughing, a bit of the shock of the whole evening setting in and bubbling out.

"I suppose this means I get to get out of dancing for the rest of the trip!"

[Rosalie Mallory]

Rosalie spurred her horse on, noting the concern in Victor's face with a bit of softness in her heart. It said a lot about the woman Renilde that such an influential lord as he would have a sweet spot in his heart for her. "I wasn't riding too long past where you found me, so it shouldn't be far." As they rode she wracked her brain, trying to remember the exact way she had come, where she had stopped, where the horse had been. After a few moments, her memory clicked and she reined in her mount.

"Here! Here is where he was grazing." She dismounted quickly, adjusting her skirts only in as cursory a fashion as to keep them out of her way. She went to as near as the exact place she saw him grazing as she could remember, and looked around her, crouching to the ground to search for prints. The ground was spongy as she had remembered, but that meant that everything else that had crossed this way had left its mark, as well, so finding any sign of which way the horse had come from was a bit more difficult than she had anticipated. She hoped Lord Victor was having a better time of it; his skills in hunting and tracking must come in handy for situations like this!

She was close to the edge of the thicket, just thinking of turning back and working towards Victor, when she heard something. Her hands went out and she froze, looking to Victor to see if he had heard it too. "Did you hear that? It sounded like someone laughing!" Turning towards where she heard the sound, she clicked her mouth for her horse to follow and started towards the sound, hoping that laughter meant everyone was okay.

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher winced as he watched his mother lower herself onto the rock, he shuffled over to help her but only to guide his hands around her in case she fell. He didn't want to help her too much, he knew his mother to be a solid woman from the start. He smiled and nodded to Renilde in agreement, "Yes I'm sure we both have."

As he watched her examine her cuts, he thought it was high time he did the same. He felt a burning gash on his cheek, as well as a few on his back and stomach. Lucky for him only his head really hit the tree, the rest of him scraped the rocks and brush around it. He had a small gash on his head too, but nothing that he'd worry himself over, the fact that he was covered in Penelope's blood from head to toe was what really made his heart ache. Sighing heavily, he wiped a bit of the blood off his forehead.

"We're a sight for sore eyes mother, or to make those eyes worse that is." He said laughing. Renilde adding the comment about not having to dance made him laugh harder, "No mother, you'll at least have to dance with me!"

[Victor Castell]

When they arrived at the place Rosalie had found Renidle's horse, Victor slid from his own mount and began to pace the area. The horses tracks soon became clear, as was the direction she'd come from. He followed them for a minute, then returned to get his own horse. "The trail is clear," he suggested, returning to his horse with the intention of remounting. Just then, laughter filtered toward them. Rosalie picked it up quickly, and Victor nodded with approval.

He pulled his horse's reins gently and guided the stallion in step with Rosalie. The voices were louder now, and he recognized with relief that one belonged to Renilde. As they pushed through the clearing he saw both Renilde and Fletcher sitting together resting. Both were horseless, but while Renilde's horse had been found, there had been no mention of Fletcher's. "Fletcher!" Victor called out across the small meadow, hoping to gain his friend's attention. "What happened? Rosalie found Renilde's horse. Are either of you hurt?"

[Renilde Leiham]

"Oh, Fletcher, I shall always dance with you, even if I must do so with you holding me up. Always, always, always." Renilde looked her son up and down, her hand reaching out to grasp his. She said nothing more, but his hand in her own comforted her, and she hoped the feeling was mutual. She knew soon she would have to get up and begin the trek back to town again, and once they got there, oh my the stir they would cause.

Crashes through the undergrowth caused Renilde's hold on her son's hand to tighten with a bit of fear. The thought that people could be looking for them never crossed her mind, although later she would feel foolish for not thinking her own horse would just go home, where someone would find it wandering. Her fear abated, though, when Victor came breaking through. A flood of relief washed over her and she made to stand and kiss his cheeks, such was her gratitude. However, only a few inches from her seat and she lost strength, sitting back down inelegantly.

"Lord Victor, Lady Rosalie, you are blessed saviors! I'm afraid there's been something of an accident that's left us both a bit more worse for wear."

[Rosalie Mallory]

Rosalie followed the sounds, waiting for Lord Castell to take the lead once they got closer on the off chance that there was trouble. Her own horse followed them slowly, something in the air seeming to trouble him. Once she heard Victor call out, she broke into the clearing and, seeing the state the two were in, rushed over to them.

"That's putting it lightly, Lady Leiham, if I may be so bold as to say so. Are you hurt terribly? You look fairly solid, the both of you, but niether of you look well. Is there anything I can do to help?" She didn't bother asking what had happened again, as she was sure Fletcher would tell Victor in due time, so instead she knelt by the old woman, her hand lightly on her knee. The scent of blood hung heavy in the air, but surely all of it wasn't from them or they'd have passed out a long time ago. Rosalie looked at Fletcher, at the way it looked like he had aged ten years since the last time she'd seen him, and a thought occured to her: where was Penelope?

[Lorrella Leiham]

Lorrella inwardly cursed herself for her stupidity. "Oh, yes, I ought to." However, she was a bit more balanced than Rex had given her credit for, and she was able to get her shoes on without much trouble - and without sitting.

When Rex mentioned that Victor had recognized the horse, Lorrella knew it must be true. Victor would know their horses better than anyone outside of their own castle. "Then you are right, there is no time to lose." She started to walk towards the exit, in her haste and worry completely failing to notice Madeline's presence.

[Rex]

As they walked out, Rex caught a glimpse of Madeline and flashed her a little wink. Ah, she was such a little cutie. Too bad she was married. Then, he and Lorrella just kept walking out and to the livery.

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher laughed along with his mother, his sides hurting all the while. "I'm quite clumsy on my own, mother. Maybe we both should just sit it all out!" He took his mothers hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. Just as the undergrowth began to rustle he gripped his mothers hand and stepped so that he was before her.

Damn. He cursed himself as he reached down to grab his knife and remembered he had left it in the clearing. That mattered little, as he knew he'd keep his mother safe regardless the noisemaker became known.

"Lord Victor!" Fletcher winced, he knew his mother had sat down abruptly and turned around to make sure she was okay. After doing a quick check and turning back to his friend and Lord he saw Lady Letalis enter the area and rush over to his mother. "Lady Letalis." He spoke with a quick bow.

As Victor demanded an explanation, Fletcher began to turn red. "The horses were spooked and I'm afraid that mother and I both received quite a bit of damage. Unfortunately, mother more then myself, is injured." After a small pause to regain his mental functions he looked to Victor, "I take it you found Reynard?"

[Victor Castell]

Victor wasted no time, breaking into a run as he crossed the meadow, his horse left behind to graze. He reached Renilde's side, dropping to a crouch and practically ignoring Fletcher who was obviously alright. Fletcher was by far more critical for Victor's future than his mother; Fletcher was one of the heads of Victor's army, but Victor had always carried a soft-spot for Renilde who had spent so much of his childhood as a visitor in Solbra while her husband was busy advising Adron of matters that concerned the province.

"Are you hurt?" Victor asked her, quickly checking her over. No man who considered himself a soldier was unaware of how to check for broken bones or other wounds. He determined quickly that at least two of her ribs were broken. Her leg was bleeding well enough and needed to be stitched. And Fletcher was obviously unable to focus or he would have wrapped it better; his friend had enough experience to know which led Victor to believe something serious had happened.

He pulled off his shirt and quickly ripped a long piece of fabric from his undergarment. He tightly wrapped the linen around Renilde's leg, applying pressure to the wound while he worked to try and stanch the flow of blood. "I think the leg will heal fine, but your ribs are another story. I don't think you should walk any longer." He rose and lifted Renilde easily into his arms. "You'll ride with me, Fletcher with Rosalie. Let's get back and find her a healer before her chest bruises too much."

He turned and headed for his horse. The stallion was busy grazing, ignoring the commotion around him. He lifted his head only for a moment while Victor place Renilde on his back. Victor swung up in the saddle and wrapped his arms tightly around the woman's waist, careful to avoid putting any pressure on her injuries. His horse lifted his head, suddenly alert at the weight of his rider in the saddle. "Let's go," Victor ordered, commanding the group easily. He kicked his horse in the side and the stallion cantered back out of the meadow.

[Rosalie Mallory]

Rosalie watched as Victor removed his shirt to help patch up Renilde, her cheeks flushing at the show. It seemed odd that Victor's priority was Renilde and not Fletcher, his own banner lord; she was obviously more injured, but she knew her brother wouldn't have cared much for an old woman if there was a chance one of his pawns was in danger. Her jealousy of her cousin's marriage grew as she grew to know small things about the family she was marrying into.

"I found the horse," she said to Fletcher as they crossed the clearing to where her horse was. "I was out riding and found him, and I ran into my brother and Lord Victor on my way back into town. Rex went to find your wife and let her know that things weren't right, and you see that Lord Victor and I came to find you two."

She clicked her tongue and her horse came through the underbrush somewhat lazily, as if he wasn't interested in going anywhere just yet. Victor had already gotten Renilde on his horse and was ready to go when Rosalie's brain screeched to a stop. Fletcher would be riding with her. Behind her. Oh, how she must have done something awful for the universe to be so cruel! Her mind had not yet convinced her heart that Fletcher wasn't attainable, and now it was obvious that this ride back to town would be a sweet torture.

Patting Edgar's neck, she mounted quickly and easily and then held him steady for Fletcher to mount behind her. Her mind was racing, but she tried her best to keep her face neutral and relaxed. Once Fletcher was in place behind her, she would fall into line behind Victor's horse, following whatever pace he would set.

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde smiled at Victor as he rushed over to her, her first instinct being to tell him to go check Fletcher first. However, she knew that if there was any man more stubborn than her own son, it would be Victor Castell, and so she held her tongue. "I'm not hurt too badly, I don't think..." she said in response to his question, knowing that if she were to play it off as nothing it would only get her scolded.

His hands moved swiftly over her, assessing her wounds. She tried to keep a straight face as he felt along her ribcage, but she couldn't suppress a small whine of pain. "I'm not allowed to walk?" she asked after his announcement. "Then how am I going to get home? If I can't walk I can't get on a horse, and last time we tried that it didn't work so w-!" Her sentence was cut off as Victor swept her into his arms, making her feel weightless. He didn't heed her concerns about getting on a horse, however, and soon she found herself on his horse and being held very securely. She turned her head as much as she could and gave him a sly wink. "You know, were I a young thing like Miss Letalis here, you would have me in a right proper swoon!" She feigned falling back into him, her hand over her forehead in a mock faint as she put her head on his shoulder for a moment and batted her eyelashes up at him. Her grin broke through her attempt at being young and alluring and she laughed at herself as much as she could with the pain in her side, sitting up properly again so she wouldn't hinder Victor's riding or his grip on her.

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher watched as Victor assessed his mother's wounds and lifted her up onto the horse. "Oh my ..." He spoke quietly, worried over Renilde's ribcage. He knew Victor would never do anything to hurt his mother, but he was just so worried that Rosalie's closeness as she was talking to him didn't register until the last second.

"Oh!" he said as he stepped back a foot, "I'm glad someone found him, It'd be a shame to lose him too." he added absently. As Victor told him to ride with Rosalie his face went blank. Oh shit. "Right." he added and followed her over to her horse. "I'm glad that you two were able to find us, it seems that mother is hurt pretty badly, she needs to get to a healer quickly." He spoke to Rosa as he watched her mount her steed.

His gaze locked on her legs. Shit. He mounted the horse, sitting directly behind Rosa he first applied his hands to her waist, then to the saddle, then almost back to her waist, finally just putting his hands on his own legs. Bah! He was so close to her, his hips were directly against hers.

This was enough to drive a man to drink.

[Victor Castell]

Victor kept the horse traveling at a decent pace, easing the stallion's stride to minimize the jostling and the bouncing that came when riders weren't properly seated upon the saddle. Renilde wouldn't have managed well if she was tossed around much, and Victor shifted his weight to try and take most of the impact himself. Victor looked back behind him to see that Fletcher and Rosalie were doing well, then he leaned forward to speak directly into Renilde's ear. "Ah my Lady, if you wish I could have you swooning no matter your age." His voice was all teasing and joking, and Victor knew Renilde's words were said in jest. Even so, he did not mind flirting with the older woman. "And if I've heard right you women only getting better as time goes on."

He grinned down at her as they rode. Victor continued to keep the pace steady, knowing Renilde needed a healer. All joking aside, he knew from experience the pain that broken ribs caused, and Renilde was always one to downplay her own wounds and push care onto others. This time she was the one who needed all the help, and Victor planned to see that she received whatever she needed.

The outskirts of the town came into view and Victor wondered if Rex had found Lorrella and where they might now be. He glanced over his shoulder at Fletcher riding behind Rosalie and wondered briefly if perhaps it would be better if Rex and Lorrella didn't find them at all. Calling back to Fletcher, he shouted out his plan, "Let's head to the stables. You can put the horses up and I'll carry Renilde into the castle." He guided the horse to the castle stables, slowing the pace as the neared their destination. Arriving just outside the livery, he dismounted and then pulled Renilde into his arms, waiting for Fletcher to catch up and take his horse.

[Rex]

After making their way to the stables, Rex helped Lorrella by saddling her horse for her in the interest of saving time. Finally, they were just about to exit the stables as the missing party arrived.

Rex couldn't be sure if Lorrella had actually seen what he had seen...Fletcher, on the back of Rosalie's horse?!? What in all the layers of hell!?! And he was sitting a might bit too close to Rosalie at that! No, absolutely hell no! He couldn't barter with Rosalie if she was considered damaged goods by any account. Clearing his throat, Rex glared over in their direction. Oh, he'd have a chat with Rosalie...later.

"I found Lady Leiham," Rex said, almost putting an emphasis on her last name, ensuring Fletcher was aware that Lorrella was his love toy...not Rosalie.

[Rosalie Mallory]

Rosalie all but held her breath the entire ride back to town. His hands had only touched her waist for mere moments, but still it was enough to make them feel as though the skin were molten. To keep her mind from things, she thought about his poor mother.

"Lady Leiham is in quite a state...although she seems in good spirits for the extent of her injuries, if Lord Castell's distress for her is any indication. But she's a sweet woman, so I hope with all of my being that she'll heal quickly and easily. I wonder how she'll fare when the King's entourage moves on? I hope she'll be well enough to travel by then. And yourself, as well, as you seem pretty banged up yourself."

She started to turn to look at him, but realized a fraction too late that to do so would be bringing their faces much to closely together. Her cheeks flaring red, she faced front again quickly, thankful that Victor hadn't been looking at that moment and that they were still a little distance from town.

As they approached the stables, Rosalie saw the familiar form of her brother waiting for them. And...oh, shit, why didn't she think of this before? Fletcher's wife stood beside her brother, worry painted clearly on her face. As soon as Victor's horse was at a stop, Rosalie reined Edgar in as well and dismounted as fast as she could, stepping to the other side of Edgar's large head and grabbing the reins. From the look on her brother's face she'd inspired his wrath, and she knew 'But Victor said he was to ride with me!' wouldn't be a good enough answer. She couldn't bring herself to address Fletcher directly with Rex and Lorrella standing right there, so she simply stood out of the way and kept quiet and waited for him to take care of Victor's horse. She'd wait until he was completely finished and gone before she went in after him to brush down Edgar, and she'd probably be listening to an earfull from Rex while she was doing it.

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher found himself dismounting in unison with Rosalie, once he spotted her brother, Rex. Close behind Lord Letalis, stood his wife, Lorrella. She looks very worried, they must have told her everything. he thought.

He made an uncomfortable gesture to thank Rosalie, but realized it'd to more damage then good, turning to walk away from her a realization struck him.

"Rosalie, I know you owe me nothing, but I wish to ask a favor for I know you're a strong woman." He did not bother to turn around, he knew he couldn't face her. "I'm sure you've noticed the absence of Penelope." he choked on her name for a moment but squared his shoulders. "I will not be able to get back in time, I must care for my mother. In the thicket, not too far from where you found us, she lies in rest. I wish for her remains to be kept intact, for her final resting place to be undisturbed by the other wildlife of the area." he made a fist, and looked up at the sky. "If it is not too much to ask, I would like to request ..." he moved his foot in the dirt. "Could you please burn her remains, I couldn't live with myself if another animal fed off of her."

He choked back any emotion that was about to show itself, and show himself in an unlordly light.

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde smiled at Victor's words, a blush rising onto her cheeks. "My, but with your smooth tongue and handsome looks, you could have any woman you wanted at your feet begging for your attention. And as for getting better, I wouldn't be one to know! I'm as inactive as a nun these years since my husband passed! I'd be so out of practice it wouldn't even be worth the trouble of untying my stays!" She laughed, but her breath caught in her chest as a new stitch of pain flared up, and she fell to coughing. Her face had become paler as the ride had continued, and now it was contrasted with a fresh rosy stain of blood on her lips and hand from where she was covering her mouth.

Worry then gripped her truly for the first time, and she leaned heavily on Victor, her strength leaving her slowly but surely. Even she couldn't play at being well for too long, and it was all beginning to get to her. The town couldn't come nearer to them soon enough to suit her, as all Renilde wanted was to be in a soft bed and out of her soiled clothes. Breathing was becoming more difficult, and she just knew it would be better without constricting clothing on.

Still, she tried to keep her face strong. She had wiped as much of the blood from her face as possible, hoping the rest could be written off as from her other injuries. Desperately, she hoped Fletcher wouldn't notice, wouldn't see how bad she no doubt looked. She said nothing as the group joined with Rex and Lorrella, saving her energy. If there was one thing she remembered about healers, it was that the healing always seemed to hurt more than the hurting.

[Lorrella Leiham]

Lorrella ran with Rex, and came upon them. First, worry crossed her face, and then, sheer anger, although it was subtle enough that those far away perhaps would not have noticed. Oh, he was out for a ride with his new friend, was he? And in so doing, his dear mother was injured! And he hadn't even bothered to greet her, tell her he was alright. He only spoke to Rosalie.

She looked quickly at Rex. "Thank you for being so swift in coming to get me," and then left his side, heading for Renilde. She was deeply injured, it seemed, and her wayward husband was none of her concern right now.

"Renilde, what happened? Are you alright?" She turned to Victor, asking him only because it was sometimes difficult to assess one's injuries. "She is going to be alright, right?"

[Victor Castell]

Victor appreciated Renilde's humor but as they neared the castle he'd ceased to joke with her. He knew from the way she leaned heavily on him that her strength was failing fast. They needed someone experienced in wounds to staunch the bleeding, and the women needed food and warmth to return her inner strength. He ignored Rex's tone; now was not the time to concerned with politics. Victor would clear up that misconception as soon as Renilde was safe. While Fletcher was busy speaking with Rosalie, Victor turned his attention to the other present.

"She needs a healer now. She'll need food, water, fire and medicine. Someone needs to find Lord Severne and request these services from him. I will take Renilde to the Castell's suits, as there is no reason to try and manage getting her to back to where the Leiham's are staying." He took one glance at the look on Lorrella's face and knew there would be trouble. "Rex find Theo, Fletcher, you go to the kitchen and get her a hot meal: soup or broth. Something warm with meat. Lorrella, come with me. I'll need your... presence to help with her.." Lorrella would understand. Flirting aside there was propriety to think of, and Lorrella could manage a few things that Victor cared not to do unless absolutely necessary.

Orders given, he turned and immediately entered the castle, simply expecting that each member of the party would do as requested without further supervision. Victor was not a man used to anyone bucking his orders, and with the exception of Rex, all others were in service to him anyway. He reached his rooms and entered the sitting area and laid Renilde on the sofa. "We need to get you out of these clothes and into a shift so that whoever Theodoric sends can examine you properly. Lorrella, see if Loralynn or Evelyn have something Renilde can wear." The room was warm but Victor still crossed the fireplace to start a blaze. Water would need to be boiled for medicines or to clean wounds, and Victor planned to be prepared. The longer things like healing took the less chance Renilde had of making a good recovery. A piece of flint and a blade were resting on the mantle, and Victor bent to begin the tedious process of striking the two together to produce a spark. No soldier or proper lord refused to learn the skills of starting a fire, and he was no exception. In minutes he'd managed a spark and began feeding the fire with kindling.

[Rosalie Mallory]

Rosalie stopped dead at Fletcher's request. She could see the necessity for it, yes, and she was glad to get away from the whole mess here. She'd not missed the look of anger that flashed across Lorrella's face; there'd be no friendliness from that party ever again, it seemed. But to...to cremate a horse? By herself? By the gods, she would need a lot of ale to wash this day away.

"I'll go see to Penelope for you. Go tend to your mother, and reassure your wife. And for gods' sake, go get yourself cleaned up and looked at. I'll send word to you tomorrow." But I sure as hell won't go see you myself.

With that she mounted and wheeled Edgar around, not meeting anyone's eyes as she sped back towards the woods. Sure, she'd have to answer for some stuff later, but for now she had a job to do.

Her gallop slowed as she neared where they'd found Renilde and Fletcher. It was fairly easy to see their path if you were looking for it; their trek had left an uneven and wobbly trail of tramped grass and earth. As they followed, Rosalie leaning forward in her saddle to keep sight of the trail, she was impresed with how far they had actually managed to come. It wasn't long, though, before Edgar started balking at going forward, his eyes rolling wildly. They were still in fairly thick undergrowth and what lie directly ahead was still obscured from sight, but Rosalie was sure they'd come upon Penelope. There was a faint hint of blood in the air, and it was necessary to backtrack a little to tie Edgar where he wouldn't be smelling it constantly. From him she took her saddlebags, tossing them over her shoulder and, with a deep breath of resolve, she crossed into the thicket.

The sight before her was more gruesome and sad than she had been ready for. Fletcher had said she was a strong woman, and he must think incredibly highly of her to think she could handle this. Gods in heaven, this was awful. Penelope lay in the middle of the clearing, blood soaked into the ground around her. Her throat had been cut cleanly, and it took a moment of looking the corpse over to know why it had been necessary: her leg was broken as badly as it could be. A hole nearby, also having drank its share of blood, was likely the cause of the accident. Tears welled in Rosalie's eyes as she thought of how awful this whole situation had to have been.

Another deep breath (somewhat choked with tears this time) and Rosalie set to work. A fire would have to be lit quickly, as the light left the woods quickly in the evening and then the predators would be out, if they weren't already. With this much blood having been spilled, it would be difficult to keep them at bay, but hopfully with a blaze big enough it would be alright. She set to clearing the area for the fire, directly at Penelope's back. She'd have to roll the animal into the fire once she had it hot enough; to just build a fire around the body wouldn't be adequate. Before things moved any further, though, Rosalie had a slightly more unpleasant job to do.

She knelt by the poor animal's head, closing the horse's eyes and brushing her mane from her face. Sobbing in mourning, her fingers unbuckled the bridle and she eased it from her head, trying incredibly hard to not look at the wound on her neck as she did so. Once that was removed, the saddle was next, and slightly harder as she had to slide it from the dead weight. She had been wearing a fine saddle, with a lot of carving in the leather and the Leiham house symbol on the pommel. The blanket had been a fine wool, but was now ruined, stained with blood and dirt. The saddle and the bridle went by her saddle bags; cleaning them would give her something to do to distract herself while she waited for the cremation to be complete. The blanket she set aside; she had a plan for it later. Last, she took the dagger from her belt and cut a piece of Penelope's tail, tying it with a ribbon from her own hair. Were this her horse, she would want a momento of her; she was fairly certain Fletcher would want the same. The lock of hair she wrapped in a large leaf, tucking it into the pouch on her belt for safekeeping. It would go with her letter tomorrow to Fletcher.

Within an hour the area was clear and piled for a fire, a ring of stones around to keep any wandering flames from the rest of the forest. It was lucky (if anything of this situation could be) that the accident had happened in a clearing; otherwise the risk of setting the forest ablaze would be far greater. She hoped she had the fire piled well enough...she was used to lighting cooking fires on the beach, not funeral pyres for a horse. But it would have to do.

It took all her strength, and it was not graceful nor pretty, but after a good bit of work Penelope was on her funeral pyre. Rosalie herself was filthy; hot and sweaty, covered in blood and dirt. She flopped down for a moment on the outer ring of the clearing to catch her breath, and noticed something she wished she hadn't. Poor Penelope's head was at an awful angle, the gash wide open and gaping. Even though it wasn't facing her, that was too much, and she barely had the time to roll onto all fours before her stomach heaved, emptying itself of her light breakfast. When she could, she stood and made her way over, her stomach heaving every so often in protest, and fixed the animal's head so it was no longer so gruesome. For good measure she opened the saddle blanket, small as it was, and laid it over Penelope's head and neck. And then, she lit the fire.

It took awhile to catch properly, and needed to be built up frequently in the beginning, so that it wrapped around the body a little better. But soon it was blazing, the shape of the horse obscured by flames. The smell was awful, and Rosalie ended up tearing off a strip of her underskirt to wrap around her face to try and blot out the smell and the ash. Gathering up her belongings, as well as the saddle and bridle, Rosalie moved everything out of the main thicket, to another smaller one that was upwind. Edgar was moved as well, and he fell to grazing contentedly, a counterpoint of normalcy in this most unusual of evenings. Another strip of her underskirt was sacrificed, and Rosalie set to cleaning the bridle and saddle, thankful that the light from the pyre was bright enough that she needn't light one of her own.

She sat out there for the better part of the evening, polishing leather and tending the pyre. It took a long time, but eventually the fire had claimed all it was going to. After knocking the fire down, all that was left was a few bits of bone, and her horse shoes, the nails still sticking out of them. At this new tears rolled down Rosalie's stained face, and she scooted them out of the hot embers with a long stick.

A hole would have to be dug somehow to bury the bones, and Rosalie cast around for what she could use. There was no spade, but there was a flat rock she could use, and it fit well in her hands. Thankfully the earth was soft, and the digging easy; within a few minutes she had a hole deep enough to do for now. With the long stick, she pushed the still-hot bones into the hole, closing it back up with her hands and patting it down. It might do to come back later and bury her properly, but this was the best Rosalie could manage with what she had. The horse shoes she arranged atop the small pile, marking Penelope's final resting place.

Rosalie took her leave of the sad place after scattering the ashes and stones. Edgar was all too ready to leave, although carrying everything home was a bit of a challenge. The bridle she could fit in her saddle bag, but carrying an extra saddle required her to hold onto it the whole way, setting it behidn her own and holding the pommel so it didn't slide off. It wasn't going to be a comfortable ride home, but there would be a change of clothes and some hot water to clean up with, and then some ale (on her now empty stomach) to calm her nerves before bed.

[Rex]

Rex nodded as he dismounted and threw his reins to the nearest stable boy. Theo wasn't exactly his favorite person, but he was Kaedon's brother. Eh, as the head of house, he should know exactly who to call for medical issues.

Picking up the pace, Rex wordlessly left the barn, the irritation at Rosalie grating on his last nerve. Arg...he'd have to hash that out later.

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde became vaguely aware that she had stopped moving, and tried to concentrate on what was going on. She was in her room...no, this room was finer than hers....so Victor had brought her to his family's rooms instead of her own. Lorrella was here, and Victor was bustling around somewhere...but where was Fletcher?

Her brain caught up with what was going on, slowly; the fog over her consciousness was thick, and she had to fight to swim to the surface. Victor had said something about getting her out of the clothes she was in...but that was going to be an ordeal in and of itself. Her fingers found the lacing on the outer dress she wore and pulled on them, but she wasn't going to get very far by herself.

"Victor..." she called out, her voice quiet and weak. "Victor, where is Fletcher? He needs to be here...I need to see him. He needs to be checked over, the gash in his head was bad...." Her voice faded out and it appeared she fell asleep, but a moment later her eyes opened and consciousness returned. "Where is my son? We need to make sure he's alright...had to....Penelope...."

She passed out then, the worry she felt for Fletcher plain on her face, her fingers still tangled in the laces of her dress.

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher nodded as Rosa told him to get to a healer, but couldn't bring himself to turn around and watch her ride away, he knew he was asking a lot maybe too much. He listened as her horse's pace faded into the distance and then dragged himself into the stables. The sight there, terrified him. Renilde had blood on her lips, he knew what that meant, he wasn't a fool.

He rushed over to where his mother was, and started to speak to Lorrella when Victor gave him his orders. It pissed him off enough that Victor was toting his mother around like a rag doll, most likely putting her in a lot of pain, and then he orders him to get soup? Something a mere servant could do when he should be paying attention to his mother's every need.

At the moment his anger started to flair he got dizzy and staggered back a bit, maybe Victor was the best man, misguided but the best to take care of his mother. He obviously was not of a clear mind, he noticed as he touched his head and nodded to Victor that he understood his orders.

He left promptly, to get soup.

[Lorrella Leiham]

Lorrella followed along obediently, not thinking much of anything about Victor ordering her around. Victor was a commanding presence normally, and in a crisis, that was only to be amplified. She followed him back to the room, and watched him start to light the fire. She nodded silently as he instructed her to go find Loralynn or Evelyn, and left to go find them before Renilde mentioned Fletcher's possible injuries.

She went next door to where Loralynn and Evelyn were rooming, and knocked on the door. Hopefully one of them would be there, preferably Loralynn, who would also be worried about her Aunt.

[Loralynn Drake]

Loralynn swung the door open a half irritated look on her face. Her hair was half done up in curls and she was wearing only her undergarments, although by themselves they were nearly a dress all on their own. "Lorrella!" she screeched as recognition of the face hit her. "What are you doing here?" she asked her eyes flicking up to see a form laying on the sofa. Victor was working on the fire, no one else was in the room. "What is going on?" she asked as she stepped into the parlor. Her eyes widened at the site of the blood, of her aunt out cold on the sofa, and she pushed back Lorrella to rush to Renilde's side. "Victor? Lorrella? Renilde?" Truly, Loralynn loved the woman who was her aunt. Who couldn't love Renilde?

"How can I help?" she asked them both, looking back and forth.

"She needs to be changed," Victor told Loralynn. "After the healer sees her."

"I'll get something," Loralynn offered. "I'm sure one of my shifts will do." She breezed past Lorrella again; the woman still looked in shock. Loralynn could understand. She'd lost her mother-in-law as well, and while the woman wasn't Renilde she had her own kindness about her.

[Victor Castell]

The sounds of Loralynn fumbling through drawers reverburated into the room. Victor returned to Renilde's side, hoping she'd come back awake. He didn't want to move her until the healer arrived, and he knew the man would have work to do. Just then a knock on the door was followed by men bursting into the room.

"I'll take things from here," a man dressed in fine gold and blue doublet said. "Andryw, by the way. Tell me what happened." Victor did his best to repeat what Fletcher had told him, and what he'd discovered. He half wished he hadn't sent Fletcher away, but what the healer might need to do to examine Renilde would not be easy to watch, and he knew from experience that loved ones tended to make matters worse. "Fire is going," Andryw check off, more to himself than the room. He pulled out a cloth and some implements from his bag. He began to feel her ribs, pressing deeply into her chest with no concern for the pain. Victor winced as Renilde cried out, even while still unconcious. Hearing her pain wasn't easy, but he knew Andryw had to know the extent of the injuries. Then he turned to her leg, removing Victor's make-shift tourniquet. He cared little for propriety, lifting her skirts near up to her waist. His eyes never once looked past the gash. "This needs to be treated immediately lest it become poisoned. If that happens, Avskar will demand her leg or her life. Boil some water and I'll clean the wound. I have some herbs I can make a good poltrice out of and a tea she can drink as well. We'll need to clean it every day and have her drink the tea until only a scar remains."

He quickly set to work. The cleaning caused more cries from Renilde, then the poltrice was set. Loralynn arrived with the shift and while Andryw was making the tea, she helped Lorrella change Renilde from the dress to the shift.

"I don't think she should be moved tonight," Andryw said, rising from where he'd mixed the herbs to make the tea. "And someone needs to stay with her all night."

[Fletcher Leiham]

Fletcher had been standing in the doorway, it didn't surprise him that his mother had passed out, but he was still worried nonetheless. Bowl of soup in hands he spoke while crossing the room, "I shall stay with her tonight."

The women in the kitchen had given him hell for the way he walked in to request dinner, let alone the fact that most of them just stared as he left. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and stopped short, he was covered in blood, really covered. Touching his cheek he now knew why the women were so terrified of him when he walked in the room.

He crossed the room and set the soup on the table, unaware the healer was eying him until he looked up and made eye contact. "Who's blood are you wearing, boy?" he asked him and Fletcher smiled, "Some of it is mine." he was in no mood to talk about the situation.

The healer set to work on him next, stitching his scalp and putting the same mixture he used on his mother, on his cheek, and back. Finishing up by stitching his side. When the healer was finished lecturing him on how to take care of himself and Renilde, Fletcher thanked him and set to work washing himself off, arms, neck, and ridding his body of Penelope's, Renilde's, and his own blood.

His mother shifted once or twice, moaning, he eyed her with concern but when she settled down he went back to washing himself, though in his mind he'd never be clean again.

[Renilde Leiham]

Renilde moaned, her world colored with pain. For a moment she couldn't tell if her eyes were open or closed, and then the room came into focus and she remembered where she was. Victor had brought her to his rooms, and...well, she didn't remember much more. She tried to think, closing her eyes and concentrating, but could only come up with snatches of memory. A familiar female voice, but not Lorrella...a man she didn't recognize saying she shouldn't be moved...Fletcher saying he'd stay with her.

Her eyes snapped open as she remembered her son's words, and she tried to sit up to look around and find him. That, however, proved to be an awful move, and she immediately regretted it; until then, she'd been oblivious to the amount of pain she was in, but now it all came flooding back to her at once. Her leg stung and felt sticky, and her side felt like someone had reached inside and rearranged things without her permission. "Son of a cock sucking mother fucking piece of sodding shit!" she muttered, her hands hovering over her side. Her instinct was to wrap her arms around where it hurt, but she knew to do so would make things worse; she pulled down the blanket that had been placed over her and could see the huge, dark bruise through the thin fabric of the shift. Groaning, she pulled the blanket back up and finally looked around to see who was around her.

It only took one glance to see her son, though, and she had eyes for no one else. "Fletcher! Oh Fletcher you're here, please come closer to I can get a look at you...I looked for you when we got here but you were nowhere to be found and I was so worried my love...you've been seen to, obviously," she said, noting the stitches on his forehead, "but are you alright?"

[Fletcher Leiham]

After he finished cleaning up he looked back over his wounds. As he poked at his side and his scalp, he eyed Lorrella who was being shuffeled around, saying nothing. Shrugging it off, he contiuned to poke at his side wound, he didn't think he hit the tree that hard.

Fletcher heard his mother groan, but when she sat up he made a dash for her side, her cussing tirade made him laugh, but only in his head. "Mother you mustn't do anything to aggravate your wounds."

He had reached across to the bedside table and gotten the soup, it was only room temperature now and he scowled. "I shall have to get you more now, this is unacceptable." He spoke to himself for the most part, after taking a drink of the soup himself. "Though it's not bad." He made a surprised face and put it back on the table, he'd have to drink it later so the ladies work hadn't gone to waste.

He looked sideways at Renilde when she asked if he was alright, "I believe I'm a sight better then you are," He teased, "but to ask if I am truly alright. I'm not sure, ask me that in a day or two." His smile was weak, he knew it and he disguised his lack of emotion by pure worry.

"Do no more moving tonight, the healer said it would do nothing but bring trouble, you hear?" he knew his mother was stubborn, but she'd have to listen or he'd tether her to the couch. "I'll bring you a book to proofread eh? My newest, you haven't seen it yet, though it's not done, you'll have to make due." Now that his mother was awake he was confident he could get himself, new clothes and Renilde more soup.

"I shall return shortly mother, sitting around shirtless is getting irritating." Not to mention every time there was a breeze his back and side stung and he couldn't even sit back in a chair properly. "I shall get you more soup while I'm out."

Placing a hand on Loralynn's shoulder he spoke, "Can you watch aver my mother while I go back to my room? I know you've had the experiance cleaning up after Victor's disasters." he teased. He missed speaking with his cousin, it was a shame that disaster had to bring them together.

[Loralynn Drake]

"Oh Fletcher!" Loralynn exclaimed as her cousin entered the room. She didn't want to bring attention to his wounds, but the doctor apparently had no issues doing so. Loralynn remained silent as she watched the man repairing Fletcher, and when he was finished she waited with patience as he spoke with his mother. At his request she rushed to give him a hug, to remind him she cared about him too. "Of course I will. Aunt Renilde is important to me too. But you, are you alright? Are you going to be ok?" Her words were soft, a whisper, barely blowing past his ears. She knew he wouldn't want Victor to hear. Then she stepped back, knowing he wasn't going to answer her here and laughed, "Victor always leaves us with messes." She shot a smile at her other cousin, not wishing to raise his hackles too much with idle jokes. "Go, we'll be here. We'll all look after her." And her eyes glanced at Lorrella for the moment.

What else could have possibly happened?