Dear Reader,
I am incredibly honored that you've made it this far in my book. Maybe my writing isn't quite so bad? :-) Yet, this is the end. The last chapter. No, it's not the finished work. In fact, since I completed the "first draft," I have added about 3,000 more words and I've barely made it to the second chapter in the reading and rewriting process. I am not happy with the professionalism, the quality, and the flow of the story, but it will do as the first draft. Still, this is the last that I will be posting on here. I have in times past reposted chapters when I changed something, but now that the complete first draft is done, no more revisions will be posted. Instead, you will be invited to read the final product, once it has been published by Little Dozen Press. Until then, if you have any comments, please share. I hope you have enjoyed Aquila and her story as much as I have enjoyed penning...er, typing it on paper.

Sincerest Gratitude,
Haley Crenwelge



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

Chapter 14

Aquila shuddered at the thought of being attacked by a bird with brass claws and beak. Maybe that was why she felt like she was being watched the whole time. Suddenly the last part registered in her head. A man had stumbled into town half dead from such an attack. Aquila pulled the horses to a stop and turned her full attention on the man. He was not so tall, thin, but had a full head of blond hair above his green eyes that were a little too close together to deem handsome. “That man that came into town, did he live?”
“He is still alive. He was on the brink of death at the beginning, but Doctor Hagan is the best doctor around and he was able to spare his life. He got tore up pretty bad. Had an arrow in one leg and in his back. Looked like the bird grabbed him by the shoulders and knocked him over and then did a work on his back—oh, excuse me, my lady, I did not mean—“
“No, do not apologize. Where can I find this man?” Aquila was almost desperate.
“In the doctor's office, just down the street on the right, just beside the livery stable.” The man climbed onto the bench. “Allow me to drive you there.”
Aquila relinquished the reigns, half hoping the man was her husband and half hoping he was not. The poor man, whoever he was.
A moment later the man pulled back on the reigns and nodded his head towards a nice shanty with a beautifully kept yard. “That be the doctor's home and office. Go right on in.”
“Thank you, sir,” Aquila quickly scrambled down from the wagon. Turning back halfway to the door, she hurried back to the back of the wagon and scooped the babies out of the cradle.
The man climbed down and tethered the horses to the fence. “Have a good day, Madam.”
“Thank you,” Aquila shouted back to him as she burst through the door. “Doctor!”
A short, white haired, portly gentleman appeared, a towel in his hands, his eyebrows going up at the sight of the three crying babies. “May I help you?”
“Yes. The man you have here who was attacked by a Stymphalid, may I see him?” Aquila asked.
“You may, but not with those infants. They will disturb his—“ “Aquila!” someone shouted from a back room.
Aquila almost wilted at the familiar sound of her husband's voice. Ignoring the doctor, she rushed to the back room where the voice had come from. What she saw when she went through the door melted her spirit and she dropped to her knees beside the bed and sobbed. “I thought you were dead!”
Trouble smiled as he gently tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. “Shh, my love. It is all right. I am not dead.”
The doctor appeared in the room and took the babies one by one to another room. When they were alone, Aquila moved to the headboard and softly caressed her husband's face.
Trouble looked her up and down and then frowned. “You have lost a lot of weight.”
Aquila sniffed and tried to smile. “I needed to lose weight.”
“Yes, but not so quickly. You went hungry, did you not?”
“Y—yes. But I am all right.”
“Why are you here?”
“Sir Skelumu hired a new man for your job and told me I had to get out.”
“I heard a wagon. How did you get acquire a wagon?”
“Sir Briggs had one that he kept behind the livery stable.”
“He just gave it to you?”
“No, I traded him the pendant for it.”
“Aquila—“
“No, it is all right,” Aquila quickly assured him. “He was a member of the Royal Guard and was grateful for it. He said it belonged in the depths of the sea and willingly gave the wagon to me in return. Sir Briggs is a nice man.”
Trouble sighed. “My love...I have not ceased to think of you day and night. I am so sorry for abandoning you for so long.”
“No, do not think about it. You could not have helped what happened. Trouble...two weeks after you had left, six men rode into town with a Stymphalid. It had your dagger in its chest.”
Trouble nodded. “I plunged that dagger into its chest all right. I wish I had thought to pull it out, it was a handy thing. How did you know it was my dagger?”
“I went up to see what all of the commotion was about and noticed the inscription. I asked them where they got the dagger and they said they bought it off of a peddler a month or so back.”
Trouble frowned. “That is odd. Why would they lie like that?”
Aquila shrugged and laid her head on the pillow beside his. “I do not know, but that does not matter now. You are alive and getting stronger by the minute, no doubt.”
“Yes. Soon I will be up and walking again.”
Aquila giggled.
“What is so funny?”
“Remember how we met?”
“Yes, quite clearly.”
“It took you months before you could find the strength to get up and move about.”
Trouble's frown deepened. “Yes. But I hope it shall be quite different now. I do not wish to spend months on my back again.”
Looking up at his face, Aquila slipped a hand beneath the covers and patted him safely on his chest. “I am sure it will not take quite so long, my big man, now that you have your wife and children to cheer up your days.”
Trouble kissed her nose and smiled. “I am sure.”

********

Two days later Trouble was testing his weight on his one good leg and a crutch the doctor had provided. Aquila stood close by, prepared to catch him if he should fall.
“You could not catch me if I fell!” Trouble had frowned.
“I carried you up a mountain once before, I can catch you if you fall,” Aquila had insisted.
Trouble had just shrugged then and let her be. Once satisfied that the crutch would hold and he could move about comfortably, Trouble moved outside for some fresh air. A falcon soared overhead. Aquila watched it for a moment before gripping her husband's arm. “Trouble!”
“Yes?”
“The falcon. It is one of my brothers or sisters.”
“The falcon is your brother or sister?” Trouble frowned.
“No! It is carrying a missive from one of my brothers or sisters,” Aquila explained.
“Oh. I will get it.”
“Careful. They do not take to strangers very well,” Aquila cautioned.
Trouble slowly and carefully moved to the railing a few feet away that the falcon had perched on. It eyed him suspiciously and moved further down the rail. Stopping not even an arms length away, Trouble gradually lifted his free hand towards the bird. Ever so slowly, he moved towards the bird until he could reach the missive it held.
He returned to Aquila once the task was completed and opened the small parchment. “My dear brothers and sisters, Come home.”
It took a moment for the words to sink in, but when they did, tears streamed down Aquila's face. “Oh, Wren!”
Trouble stood there, for a moment, at a loss for what to say. He had not been expecting this any more than she had.
“It is over. I can go home!”

Chapter 13

It seemed like eternity passed as he stood there banging before a light slowly grew underneath the door and it opened to reveal the pajama-clad doctor. “You are going to wake the whole town if you keep banging and shouting like that!” He took one look at Aquila's pained expression and nodded. “It is time.”
“You mean—this is what—is supposed—to—happen?” Aquila gritted out.
“Yes. What did you think was supposed to happen?” Doctor Witherfield chuckled. “It is called a contraction.”
The contraction, as Doctor Witherfield called it, ceased and Aquila sighed. “I have no idea. I thought something was wrong.”
“No. Everything is going as it is supposed to go. Sir Classye, please put her in the bed to the left while I wash my hands,” Doctor Witherfield instructed.
Trouble obeyed and then quickly moved a chair to her bedside. Aquila took his hand and smiled. “They are coming. I am going to have my babies.”
“Yes, you are, my love.” Trouble smiled.
Doctor Witherfield placed another chair on the other side and sat down. “Now we wait.”
“Wait?” Aquila frowned.
“Yes. I must time the contractions. It may not happen for a few hours yet. I doubt it would happen before tomorrow comes,” Doctor Witherfield said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Tomorrow? But the pain!” Aquila complained.
“Yes, the pain will continue for quite some time. But just because you are in pain does not mean that it is going to happen right then.”
A contraction hit and Doctor Witherfield looked at his pocket watch. Aquila squeezed Trouble's hand with her right and with the left she clenched the bedsheets. Gasping with relief when it passed, Doctor Witherfield nodded. When another one hit, he nodded again. “Yes, it will be a few hours yet.”
Hours passed by slowly as contractions hit one after the other, the next one growing closer to the last one every time. Doctor Witherfield had at one point gotten up and poured a basin full of water. Dipping a rag in it and squeezing it out, he handed it to Trouble and motioned for him to gently pat her face. Trouble continued to hold her hand with one hand as he wiped her brow with the other. Aquila was immensely grateful for the cool water as it seemed that the room was growing steadily hotter by the second.
Finally, when Aquila was sure her contractions would not stop, Doctor Witherfield nodded at Trouble. “It is time.” Moving to the end of the bed, Doctor Witherfield looked at Aquila. “All right. This is going to be the hardest part of labor and delivery. It is going to be more painful then your contractions. Now when I say push, push with everything you got.”
Taking a few deep breaths despite the pain, Aquila closed her eyes and waited with dread. Seconds later Doctor Witherfield gave the order and Aquila pushed with all her might. The painful minutes of pushing seemed like torturous hours until finally Doctor Witherfield announced the arrival of a baby boy. Only seconds after that announcement Aquila could hear his screams and she opened an eye to look at him. Doctor Witherfield had him wrapped in several blankets and situated carefully on the second bed before readying himself for the next one.
Aquila released the sheets and then grabbed a fresh spot, once again bracing herself for the next baby. Doctor Witherfield ordered her to push. The contractions were returning with an even greater ferocity than before.
“I cannot do this!” Aquila screamed in agonizing pain.
“Yes you can, Aquila! You must! Now push!” Doctor Witherfield shouted above her screams.
Aquila took a deep breath and pushed with every ounce of strength she had, forcing her breath out in excruciating cries. Then when she was sure she had nothing left to give, Doctor Witherfield held up the second baby screaming and crying. “A second boy!”
Aquila released her grip on the bedsheets, the remaining air in her lungs leaving her in a rush. Closing her eyes, she tried to shut out the crying infants. She had no strength with which to—grabbing the sheets again, she screamed.
Doctor Witherfield blinked and Trouble jumped to his feet. “Why is she still in pain?” he demanded.
“There is another one,” Doctor Witherfield replied in calm shock.
“Another one?” Aquila cried out.
“Three babies?” Trouble declared.
“Three.” Doctor Witherfield placed the second baby carefully beside the other and nodded. “All right. Push!”
Aquila threw her head from side to side. “I cannot!”
Trouble released Aquila's hand and grabbed her face with his hands. “Push, Aquila, push!”
Aquila gasped for air. Pushing so hard she brought her knees and chest up to meet in the middle. Soon her own screams were met with a chorus of two unhappy infants. Suddenly Doctor Witherfield laughed. “We have her!”
The pain ceased and Aquila fell limp onto her pillow. She could say nothing to acknowledge her babies arrival, instead she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

*********

When Aquila opened her eyes it took her a moment to remember where she was and what had happened. “My babies!”
Trouble was immediately at her side. “Shh! They are all right. They are sleeping after their meal.”
Aquila's brow knit in confusion. “How did they eat?”
“You were so out of it that I had to turn you over and hold the babies in place but it worked. They had their fill and fell right asleep,” Trouble explained.
Aquila looked over to the three small bundles. “Two boys and a girl?”
“That is right. What have we decided to name them?”
“Sevrrech Laush, Gilov Elm-vesit, and...Emili Uwani.”
“Beautiful. Just like their mother.” Trouble kissed Aquila on the nose and then on the lips.

**********

“Baby, I am going hunting,” Trouble announced two weeks later.
“Hunting?” Aquila frowned as she smoothed a dark curl away from Emili's eyes. “But Love, you said it was dangerous out there.”
“It is, but we need food and I cannot afford enough food to hold us until I get paid again. Do not worry. I will be all right,” Trouble assured her.
Aquila worried her lower lip as Emili gently sucked her breast. “You will shoot everything that moves, will you not?”
Trouble chuckled. “I doubt I will be in that much danger.”
Aquila gently rocked as she thought of the many stories she had heard in the general store about many hunters who never returned. Horrible rumors went around about the different ways they died but all were painful and never left the family back at home happy.
Trouble stepped to her side and gently kissed the top of her head. “I will be all right. I will take every precaution necessary and will return home in two nights. You should have enough food until then.”
Aquila reluctantly watched him leave and sighed. “Deus, please watch over him.”

**********

Therget stepped out onto the porch of the tavern and rolled his shoulders in the heat of the afternoon. Movement at the end of the road caught his eye and all movement stopped as he watched the Tall Man mount up. His eyes narrowed as he remembered in great detail the evening before when the Tall Man had butted in where he did not belong. He had promised the Tall Man that he would regret it and Therget had no intention of not carrying through with that promise.
“Lywor! Struit!” he called gruffly into the tavern. “Ighthatrak, Rytanin, and Dar'bura!”
Five rough looking men showed up ranging from 5'4 to 6'1 from inside the tavern. “Aw, Therget, I was just getting to know that nice gal!” the short Rytanin complained.
“Close your mouth and listen,” Therget backhanded the man's shoulder. “You remember that Tall Man who saved Walshray from getting his head removed?”
“I remember,” Struit growled.
Dar'bura spat on the ground and cursed under his breath. Lywor scowled at the ground. Ighthatrak grinned. “We gonna make him regret it?”
“That was just what I was thinkin',” Therget nodded.
“How's we supposed to do that?” Lywor questioned.
Therget pulled on his brown scraggly beard. “Iggie, you remember our good friend, Eyskeloth?”
Light dawned on Ighthatrak, broadening his grin. “I sure do.”
“Who is Eyskeloth?” Lywor scratched his bald head.
“Not who, what,” Therget corrected.
Lywor, Dar'bura, and Struit were instantly curious. “Darn it, Therget! Would you just tell us?” Dar'bura growled.
“Eyskeloth is the Stymphalid that lives over in Froloch Marsh,” Iggie informed them.
“Are you insane?” Lywor shrieked. “We cannot go near that thing or we ourselves will be surely torn to bits!”
“Course we won't go near it, you ninny,” Therget scowled at the small man. “We will, though, somehow get the Tall Man close enough to the marsh and make some racket so as to lure that durned beast out.”
“All right. Now how is we supposed to get Tall Man to the marsh? He could take the five of us on all at one time.” Dar'bura cursed.
Therget thought for a moment. “Tall Man seems to believe in honor and if a woman were to scream from somewhere, he would probably run to her aid, right?”
“Right,” Rytanin nodded.
“So all we need to do is get Struit here to practice his screaming and Tall Man will come runnin' thinking its a damsel in distress,” Therget thumped Rytanin's carrot topped head. “We would shorely have him then.”

*******

Trouble was half a day's journey out of town and had yet to find one thing worth trying for. Sure he had caught him a squirrel or two with which he would use to survive during his hunting expedition, but two squirrels would not feed him and Aquila.
The sun was beginning to disappear behind the tree tops as he ventured farther and farther towards Froloch Marsh. The men in town had said that game was plenty towards Froloch. But they had also warned him of a Stymphalid that lived in those parts. No matter. He would be careful and would not come on any harm.
The woods grew thicker as he neared the marsh. Ever so slowly and quietly, he crept through the forest, watching for signs of movement. Suddenly he spotted a large buck. He licked his lips as he thought of the many ways it could be cut up and served.
Leaning against a giant oak, he slowly pulled an arrow from his quiver and aimed at the buck. Pulling back, he closed one eye and then the other.
A woman's scream split the air and the buck dashed off. Cursing under his breath, Trouble looked around. What was a woman doing out here? The sound had come from somewhere beyond him and where the buck had stood.
Quickly but still cautiously, he moved towards the direction he believed the sound to have come. It might be that he was too late. The woman, stupid as she must have been, had been attacked by a Stymphalid and would be dead by the time he got there.
Without warning Trouble stepped out into a large circular clearing. Stopping, he looked around and listened. It was quiet. Too quiet.
Then he saw it. Sitting on a limb across the clearing, watching him, was the biggest Stymphalid he had ever seen. If it was going to attack, he wanted it to make the first move. It might be possible that this guy was not wanting a fight and would just watch him. Thus he remained completely still.
Sweat trickled down his forehead and down his neck as he waited. Was he the only one? Would it be possible that there could be others around watching as well? He had never heard tell of whether they were companionable birds or not.
The bird did not move an inch. Deciding to chance it, Trouble stepped back into the cover of the trees.
Reeeeeaaak! The bird screeched. Wrong move. Trouble quickly moved back into the clearing. He wanted to be able to see this guy and get a clear shot at him if he was going to do battle.
The bird spread its wings and left its perch. It dove directly towards Trouble who quickly took aim and released the arrow. It was a quick aim and release that sent the arrow off so that it only grazed the bird that cried but kept coming.
Trouble dove for the ground as it tried to grab at his shoulders. His arrows spilled on the ground. He grabbed one and quickly stood and positioned it on the string.
Wildly looking around, panic seized him as the bird was missing. He could not lose sight of this bird. It would come out of nowhere and get him before he knew what was happening.
It was silent once more. Trouble looked at every branch in every tree around the clearing with no luck. He had only grazed the bird, not really disabling it. It would be back.
The hairs on the back of his neck rose as he forced himself to breath evenly. He pulled the string back and waited, vigilant. Suddenly he heard the wings flap and he looked up. Coming at a straight up and down angle from the sky was the bird.
He aimed the arrow and shot but missed it. Cursing under his breath, he dodged the attack and threw his bow and quiver aside in one smooth motion. As much as he dreaded it, this would have to be an actual hand to claw fight. He would be injured but it was his last chance. His arrows were spilled on the ground and he would have no time to pick one up. Drawing his dagger, he waited.
The bird was now on its feet with its wings spread out. Trouble's heart skipped a beat as the first feather shot out. He dodged it but a second brass feather hit him in the thigh and he went down on his knees.
It took that moment to jump at him. its brass claws latched into his shoulders and he cried out, dropping his dagger. It held on dragging him backwards and then it released, dropping him onto his back, his legs painfully pinned beneath him.
He was not going give up. Blood pouring from the holes in the front and back of his shoulders, he rolled over and grabbed his dagger.
Another brass feather pierced his side and he slammed his dagger blade down into the ground. Dragging himself forward, he raised his good leg and attempted to push himself off of the ground.
But the bird was on top of him, ripping out his flesh with its brass claws. He rolled his head to the side as he jerked from the pain and saw the bird's beak go into the ground where his head had been. He felt helpless to do anything. He managed to pull the dagger from the ground and when the bird moved for a better vantage point he rolled over and thrust the dagger into the bird's chest, right between the legs. It screeched and flapped its wings violently, furiously trying to fight away the pain, but to no avail. It fell to the ground. It was still alive but barely. He had gotten it close enough to the heart for sure.
Groaning in pain, he forced himself to stand. The world began to spin and he fell to the ground, hitting it with all of his weight. He cried out in agony. Pictures of Aquila being attacked so viciously by such a beast flashed through his head and he shuddered. She would not have survived. At this moment, he wondered if he would, too.
Darkness was beginning to envelope him and it was not just because the sun was going down. Shaking his head, he slowly yet painfully pushed himself off of the ground. Blood poured out of his back and shoulders rolling down his chest and legs.
The bird's arrow-like feathers still sticking out of his back and leg, he stumbled forward. If he did not start moving and find help soon, he would be forced to give in to the darkness, and it would be over for good.

********

Aquila pulled with all of her might before losing her grip on the board and falling back onto the bed. Wincing, she looked at her splinter covered hands. She was on the verge of crying.
Five days. It had been five days since Trouble had gone hunting and still he had not returned. He had said he would be back in two. Why was she so worried? He was only three days late. He probably had no luck close to town and ventured further in hopes of finding something. He would be back.
But she still wanted the boards off of her window so she could watch for him from her room and not having to constantly be going downstairs and outside to look for him. Now her hands were useless for now until she could remove the offending objects of her consternation.
Emili started crying. Aquila sighed in exasperation. Emili had not been sleeping well at all for the past four days and thus had been keeping her mother up as well as both of her brothers.
Aquila quickly moved to the cradle a kind elderly gentleman had fashioned for her and gently rocked the crying infants. It was not for another hour or so for their feeding.
Half an hour later, she rubbed her pounding temple and winced as the splinters continued to remind her of their presence. The babies had still not stopped crying even though she had taken each one in her arms and sung to him or her. She had walked around the room and spoke softly in their ear of her love for them. They had calmed down considerably but when she laid them down to take the next one around the room, they started up again.
Finally she was satisfied that it was close enough to their feeding time to feed them. So she moved the rocker beside the cradle so she could rock the other infant in the cradle while she fed the other two and sang.
She had them all fed and laying peacefully back in the cradle. Daring not to make a sound, she inwardly thanked Deus for His intervention. Quietly she slipped out of the room and down the hall. She wanted to go sit on the porch for a little while.
Aquila had her hand on the doorknob when Emili started screaming. “No!” Aquila pounded on the door and then cried out in pain. She had to remove the splinters even if the babies were screaming.
Finding a needle, she worked one by one, painfully dragging each splinter out. When the last one was out, she breathed a sigh of relief. Yet, the babies cried on.
“Trouble, where are you? I can not take this much longer!” Aquila shouted to no one in particular.
So her days and nights went. No sleep but maybe a half hour nap in between feeding and the next time the babies started crying.
Food was sparse as the days stretched on into a week and she had to ration herself to one square meal a day with a bite or two throughout the course of the night. Her weight began dropping as it was used to fuel her milk for the babies, leaving her completely exhausted.
One morning Aquila picked up all three babies and ran out the door. She had to get outside for some fresh air, screaming infants or not.
Heads turned as she passed the village people, curious as to what the ruckus was all about. She simply shrugged and they nodded sympathetically at her.
She had just made a full circle around town when six men rode into town, one carrying a large brass-like bird. People began to gather around them.
“Look what we done killed. A Stymphalid!” one of the filthy bedraggled men shouted.
Aquila moved closer to get a look herself at the creature. Worry creased her brow as she remembered Trouble's voice berating her for going hunting. “Many men have gone hunting and have never been heard from again.”
Aquila gasped. What if that was what had happened to Trouble? He had had a run in with one of these creatures and had been killed.
The short and fat man turned the bird around and Aquila frowned. There was a dagger still sticking out of the creature and on the handle it had an inscription but it was too small to read. Something about it, though, looked familiar.
Squeezing through the crowd, she moved so she was right beside the man and his horse. He grinned down at her revealing three missing teeth and winked. “Got me a perty thing, eh Lady?”
Ignoring the fowl stench that no doubt came from the man as much as the dead fowl, she read the inscription. “Nary a man who crossed this Woman and lived to tell.” Trouble! That was his dagger.
“Sir! Where did you get that dagger?” Aquila questioned.
The man frowned. “I bought it off a peddler.”
“When?” Aquila asked persistently.
“A month ago, why?” The man spat on the ground two inches away from Aquila's feet.
She stepped back. “You lie, sir. That dagger belonged to my husband and he had it on him only a week and a half ago. What have you done with him?”
“I ain't done nothin' with yore husband, madam. As sure as I live, this dagger belongs to me,” he stated emphatically.
“You—“ Aquila started to protest.
“Shuddup, Lady, and move on.” A short burly man nudged her back with his horse. “I was there when he bought that thang.”
Aquila quickly turned and worked her way out of the crowd, tears flowing down her cheeks. How that man had gotten the dagger, she did not know, but it was Trouble's for certain.
Once inside their apartment she slammed the door with her foot and bolted it. Babies in her arms, she leaned up against the door and slid down to the floor. Trouble was dead. That was all there was to it. They had killed him. The whole lot of them. Took his weapons and left him somewhere out there for the vultures and wild creatures to eat.
Aquila sobbed, the fact that all three of her babies were silently sleeping, lost on her. Trouble was dead.

*******

Three days after the men had rode into town with Trouble's dagger, Aquila pulled herself together and began packing. She was leaving, dangerous as it was. Sir Skelumu had found another man to take the job that Trouble had left and had informed her only that morning that she would need to pack up and move somewhere else.
Her clothes and all that she had for the babies was packed in the two saddlebags when she scooped the infants into her arms and took off for the livery stable next door. Frasier Briggs was a slightly older gentleman who she had only met a time or two. He was a respected businessman in town even though all he owned was the livery. Aquila had decided upon her first encounter that he was a good man. That was the reason why she had high hopes that he would grant her request.
“Sir Briggs,” she called out as she entered the large barn.
Frasier Briggs, though respected, was somewhat mysterious. He carried himself as one of high education although he boasted of no such thing. He walked with a limp which no one knew why. He remained cordial to all though he kept to himself as best as possible. It was with this limp that he scuffled around the doors of a small room and to her side. “Good afternoon, Lady Classye. May I take one of them bundles for you?”
Aquila relinquished Gilov to his care and smiled. “Good afternoon.”
“Such precious wee little ones, they are.” The man's gray eyes twinkled down at the infant he held.
“Yes. Sir Briggs, I have a special request to make. I pray that you will hear me out.” Aquila knew it was best to get right to the point.
“Yes, my lady, how may I be of assistance to you?”
“My husband has been gone for two weeks now and a man has shown up in town with his dagger. I can only imagine that he is dead. Sir Skelumu had to hire a new man to run the blacksmith shop and has told me that I am to move out of the apartment above it. I have no money at the present time, but I need to leave. Which is why I must ask that you lend to me in good faith that I shall pay you every penny it is worth...the covered wagon that sits behind the livery.” Aquila held her breath and watched his face.
He looked at her a moment in indecision and then at the babies. “You may have it. It has not been used for over ten years and I doubt it will be used in the near future. You may take it and I will trust that you shall send the money for it later when you have it.”
Aquila wanted to hug him. “Oh, thank you, Sir Briggs! You do not know how you have been such a blessing to me. I could not possibly travel with these babies in my arms. May Deus in heaven above bless you beyond what that wagon is worth.”
Sir Briggs gently caressed Gilov's soft cheek. “Aye, it would only be the babies that could induce me to extend such faith, even to a special lady as yourself.”
“I am going to get our saddlebags,” Aquila said and then left Gilov in Sir Briggs' arms.
After retrieving the saddlebags and whispering a final farewell to the apartment she had so diligently tended, she scurried through the livery to the back door and threw the saddlebags into the back of the empty wagon.
Frowning, she carefully scrutinized the interior. How would she keep the babies? The cradle! Returning to the apartment, she placed Emili and Sevrrech in the cradle and carefully carried them in it down the stairs and back to the wagon.
Placing it in the back of the wagon, she bounced on the back of the wagon to test the stability of such an idea. The cradle rocked a little too violently for her peace of mind. Scratching her head, she studied the cradle's rockers. If she sawed off the ends of the legs it might not rock.
Sir Briggs stood to the side, watching her in amusement. Aquila paid him no mind and quickly found a saw. Finding one hanging on a peg just inside the blacksmith shop, she returned and began sawing off the legs. They might have been nice to have but she was in need of a carrier for the babies while she drove the wagon.
When the task was complete, she bounced on the back of the wagon and smiled satisfactorily as it only slightly moved from side to side. With all three infants in it, it would help as well.
Aquila dropped her hands to her side happy at her success when she felt the familiar pouch hidden away in her robe. Blinking, she gently fingered the pendant through her robe and thought for a moment. Sir Briggs was an honest man. She had seen him attending church many times.
“Sir Briggs...I have something for you. Maybe you will take in payment or just as a promise of payment.” Aquila reached inside her robe and pulled out the small velvet pouch.
Sir Briggs straightened at the sight of the pouch and something flashed in his eyes. “Where did you get that?”
“I...I was somewhere between Braedoch Forest and Quentin, the palace of the old Lucian royalty, when a man was killed. Before he died, he slipped this into my hands,” Aquila explained. “Why?”
“Lady Classye, that is the pendant that—“
“Belonged to the Lucian royalty? I know. I only found that out after having my life threatened twice...I will understand if you do not want to take it. It is a hazard at times,” Aquila was quick to explain.
“No, Lady Classye, I will take it. I will take in as payment for this wagon. You see, I was a member of the Royal Guard. I was injured that fateful day that almost cost me my leg, which is why I walk with a limp. Tell no one of this, but I will take the pendant. It belongs in the depths of the sea!”
Aquila gazed up in amazement at the man as he stood at attention as he took the pouch from her hands. “You were of the Royal Guard?”
“Yes, my lady, I was. It was the greatest honor of my life to be able to serve my king,” Sir Briggs nodded as he handed Gilov to her care.
Saying no more, Sir Briggs harnessed the two horses that they had rode into town on to the wagon and then assisted her onto the bench. Once situated, Aquila turned and smiled down at him. “Thank you, Sir Briggs, for all of your help today and especially for this wagon.”
“Your welcome, my lady. Fare thee well!” Sir Briggs saluted her crisply and then waved as Aquila slapped the reins against the horses' rumps.
Only ten minutes west of town, Aquila felt something hit her legs and she looked down. A bow and quiver laid underneath the bench. The quiver had rolled going down the hill and hit her legs. Aquila smiled. Sir Briggs was sent by Deus Himself.

********

Leveling the arrow on the string, Aquila pulled it back and let it fly. Squealing only second later when it hit the target, she jumped from the wagon and took off after the now dead rabbit.
She packed it in some brown paper that she had stashed in her saddlebag and then stepped back up into the coach. She would have a good supper that night when she camped out for the night. Choosing to skirt around the woods, she pulled the horses to the left. It was rumored that a small town thrived some twenty miles to the southwest of Zharyd.
As it grew dark, Aquila looked around and shivered. She felt like a million eyes were watching her. Maybe she would just stop long enough to cook the rabbit. She would eat it on the road. The babies were sleeping just as well in the wagon as they were before anyway.
Pulling up, she gathered firewood and had a fire going before long. She skinned the rabbit and cooked the meat, all the while looking at the trees and through the open space behind her. Once the meat was cooked, she threw dirt on the fire and then climbed back onto the wagon.
Picking up the reigns, she slapped it against the horses' rumps. “Ho!” she hollered in the dark.
Dozing off and on through the night, she allowed the horses to simply shuffle along. When the sun rose she clucked to the horses and picked up the pace. So she traveled every day and night until arriving upon a small town that boasted the name of Larkspur.
Emili, Gilov, and Sevrrech were all wailing their complaints as she rolled into town and many stopped to watch her move down the street. One man, quite shocked at her appearance, stepped up to the side of the wagon. “Where do you hail from, my lady?”
“Zharyd,” she replied.
“You made it from Zharyd without a man?” he seemed incredulous.
“Yes. Why do you sound so surprised?” Aquila frowned.
“B—because! Stymphalids breed by the dozens between here and Zharyd. It is even dangerous for men to travel through here. Why just last week a man stumbled into town half dead from an attack from one of those beasts!”

Chapter 12

The next morning, Trouble had the horse's saddled bright and early. Aquila had just barely untangled her hair and rolled out of bed when he handed her a plate of food. “Eat. We must be on our way soon.”
Aquila obediently ate and then tied her hair up. “I am ready.”
Trouble picked up the saddlebags and escorted her out of the door and down the stairs. At the livery, Trouble nodded to the proprietor who returned the gesture as he lifted up the coins Trouble had left the night before.
Aquila groaned as she settled back on the saddle. “How much further do we have to travel?”
“There's a town called Zharyd that is about a week's journey southeast. I know a man there who once offered me a job. It is as good a place as any, I figure,” Trouble informed her as he ducked to make it out of the livery stable's doors.
“A week? Oh my,” Aquila muttered.
Trouble looked back at her sympathetically. “How did you get from Braedoch to Lucia?”
“I had a horse for a couple of days. But she died. After that, I walked.”
“All the way?” Trouble seemed incredulous.
“Yes. All that way.”
“Why did you keep walking? Why did you not stop in a town sooner?”
Aquila shrugged. “I was scared, for the most part. I had been hidden away my whole life. I did not know what outsiders were like. Were they all like Duard? I am so small it would be so easy for them to take advantage of me. So I just kept walking. I killed my food and ventured into a town only once a week if I came upon them. Otherwise I skirted around them and avoided them like the plague.”
Trouble led her eastward out of town before turning south. The town was just on the outskirts of the forestlands and they moved onto prairie lands that unfolded in gently rolling hills. Trees were still sprinkled here and there with a bush or two. Flowers were scant for which Aquila was want for.
Trouble's horse charged through unexplored territory belly high in grass. Aquila anxiously scanned the area for snakes and other critters that might frighten the horses. It would just so happen that her horse would be the first and she would fall and kill herself.
Further the two traveled. At one point Trouble had admonished Aquila to stay close and to never wander anywhere without him. Aquila shrugged wondering what reason she would have to leave him.
Aquila lost track of how many days it had been as they passed through the prairie to desert to mountain range to flat lands, day and night, until they finally walked into the middle of a bustling town that boasted the name of Zharyd. Trouble pulled up in front of an old inn. “Here we are.”
Aquila looked up at the old building and smiled faintly. “Finally.”
Trouble assisted her down. “Go get a room and lie down while I put the horse's to stall. I will bring food so we can eat alone.”
Aquila was only too happy to oblige. Walking into the inn, she was quite impressed with the cleanliness and the elegance of the lobby. It was rather spacious and a large red rug covered the floor. Two elegant chairs with red plush cushions sat on either side of a sideboard that held a locked booksafe that was encrested with a falcon. Along the front wall was a long settle and around the room ornate handforged fleur de lys uplighters brightened the room. A painting of St. Peter and the Apostles hung directly in front of her next to a staircase going up.
Aquila stepped to the front desk and rang the bell as the sign instructed. A tall, thin, middle-aged man appeared from a back room. He looked her up and down. “Do you speak?”
Aquila blinked at him dumbfounded. Finally she found her voice. “Yes, I speak. I need a room for two.”
The man raised a suspicious brow and looked towards the door before nodding and lifting a ledger onto the counter. “Sign here.”
Aquila picked up the quill provided and signed her name. “Thank you.”
“You will be room twelve. Up the stairs and to your right.” The man carelessly dropped a key onto the desk and turned.
Aquila picked it up and left. She could care less of the poor service as long as she got a room.
The room was as elegantly furnished as the lobby. A plush red rug covered the floor except for two feet of hard floor in front of the magnificent fireplace against the far right wall that boasted an elegantly crafted mantel.
A large oak bed was against the wall directly across from the door with matching oak tables on either side. A long iron bound boarded Oak chest sat at the foot of the bed. Two large chairs with cushions that matched the rug sat side by side on the in the middle of the left wall. To the left of the chairs was a long mirror and to the right of the chairs was a Roman Oak cabinet with copper fittings.
Aquila sank on the bed and closed her eyes enjoying the thick quilts that covered the bed. Trouble knocked on the door twenty minutes later and Aquila quickly ran to open it. “I am so glad you are here. I am famished!”
“Well, I thought I was not going to find you. The man at the front desk was refusing to let me know which room you were in,” Trouble growled as he entered with a large tray piled with covered plates.
Aquila chuckled. “He was not very nice when I signed in, myself. How did you find which room I was in?”
“By a little persuasive talk,” Trouble grinned.
Aquila shook her head. “The poor man.”
“Poor man? What about me with this food just trying to find my wife?” Trouble asked incredulously, his lower lip coming out in a playful pout.
Aquila threw her arms around him. “I think he was in greater danger than you.”
“You are right at that. Roast beef?”
“Mm, sounds good to me. Let us eat!”
Trouble set the tray he was carrying on the bed and sat down on the one side, Aquila on the other. Trouble pulled the tops off of the plates to reveal two plates piled with roast beef, stewed carrots, beans, and mashed potatoes. There was also a third plate with steaming apple pie. Aquila's eyes grew big at the sight of the huge helpings.
“Eat what you want. What you do not eat will not be wasted,” Trouble wasted no time in saying.
Aquila giggled. “I am quite sure it will not be if my giant for a husband has anything to say about it.”
Aquila picked up her fork and knife and cut into the roast beef. Trouble watched her eat for a moment before following suit. “One happy giant, yes ma'am. I talked to my friend while I was out and the job is still open. I start first thing tomorrow.”
Aquila paused for a moment to ask, “What job is this?”
Trouble looked at her with a glint in his eye as he slowly chewed his bite of meat. When he finally swallowed it, he replied, “You are looking at the town's newest deputiy.”
“But—“
“Nah, I am just jesting. No, I am a blacksmith.” Trouble winked at her.
Aquila continued eating. Finally, she stopped. “What are we going to do about living arrangements?”
“There is a bedroom, a tub room, kitchen, and living quarters above the shop that has been given to us to use. Seeing as we have nothing but two saddlebags, I can take them over in the morning when I go to work and you can just sign out of the inn as you wake up.”
The rest of the meal was eaten in silence. Aquila only hate a third of the beef with most of the carrots and mashed potatoes. She managed a couple of bites of apple pie before pushing it all towards Trouble. Laying back, she closed her eyes.
“You are beautiful. Have I ever told you that?”
Aquila looked at him lovingly. “I cannot remember. I could always use to hear it again.”
Trouble picked up the tray and moved it to the table beside the bed. “Sleep well. You are home now.”
“I only hope we have a bed as good as this one,” Aquila mumbled just before she drifted off to sleep.

********

The next morning Aquila signed out of the inn. Trouble had already left earlier that morning but she had chosen to sleep a little longer. Now she walked across the busy street under close scrutiny from numerous passersby.
Just before she made it to the shop, an older gentleman stopped her. Doffing his hat, he smiled. “Good morning, Madam.”
“Good morning, sir,” Aquila gave a small curtsy.
“Are you just passing through or are you and your husband planning on settling down here?” The man replaced his hat over his balding head.
“We are settling down here. My husband is the new blacksmith. I am Aquila—“
“Classye,” Trouble's deep voice interrupted. “I am her husband, S'angard Classye.”
Aquila frowned up at Trouble but the gentleman smiled. “It is a pleasure to meet you two. I am Doctor Reisel Witherfield.”
“Doctor, eh? I imagine we will be using your services in the not too distant future.” Trouble winked down at Aquila.
“How far along are we?” Dr. Witherfield asked.
“A good seven and a half months,” Aquila beamed.
The doctor's eyebrows shot up as he scratched his white goatee. “Seven and a half?”
“Yes sir. My mother—Trouble's mother, thinks it might be twins,” Aquila explained.
“Twins...hm. Likely, but then again...no. It is not possible. Yes, twins I would believe it to be,” the man shook his head, a twinkle in his eye. “Double the blessing, I say.”
Aquila frowned at Trouble questioningly. To Dr. Witherfield, she said, “Yes sir. I could not agree with you more.”
“Well, I shall let you two be on your merry way. I have some patients to see this morning. Good day,” the doctor tipped his hat again and walked off down the boardwalk.
The couple watched the man's retreating back before Trouble ushered Aquila into the barn like doors of the shop. “I am S'angard in public. It was the alias I used several years ago when I thought I might settle down.”
“I hope I can remember. I am still Aquila though, right?”
“Yes. I did not see any reason to change your name.”
Aquila looked around the blacksmith shop that looked much like the one in Kantuuk where they had taken her cuffs off. This one had a wall around three sides of the shop but was open on the left side from the street towards the livery so it was easy to get a horse in to properly shoe it.
Trouble ushered her to the back of the far wall and through a door that hid a staircase. Up the staircase Aquila trudged ahead of Trouble until she found herself on a small landing. Then Trouble lifted her. “Allow me to escort you over the threshold of our new home.”
Trouble opened the door and in they went. It was a small living room that they walked in on. There was what looked like a settle cut in half sitting against the wall to the right, it was so small but it would fit her and Trouble. An old but sturdy square oak table sat in the middle of the room. A small bookshelf sat against the opposite wall beside the entrance to a hallway.
Trouble set Aquila down and she ventured down the hall. The first door to the right was the kitchen. A small fireplace sat to the right with a caulderon hanging over cold ashes. Next to it was a an old chipped cupboard that provided minimal cabinet space. A small table with two old chairs, one missing a leg, sat in the middle of the room. On the far wall was a window that Aquila knew would be its saving glory.
Further down the hall was the tubroom without a tub and at the very end was a small bedroom. Aquila almost melted when she noticed the small bed. Trouble's feet would hang off the end and they could not both fit on it at the same time. A once gloriously fashioned chest now sat at the end of the bed, its lock broken, cracked and rotting wood now its frame. There was one backless chair beside the bed and a window that had been boarded over.
“It is not much to look at, I know, but...we might be able to fix it up after I start working or possibly find another place to live in,” Trouble assured her.
“How will we sleep?”
“That is not as difficult as it seems. I on the bottom, you on top. But I promise that the bed will be the first to be replaced.”
“I want a cradle for the babies, first, then a bed.”
“Consider it done.”

*********

As soon as Trouble had returned to work, Aquila began cleaning up the place. She found a broom and dustpan and had the place swept from end to end and all of the cobwebs removed in less than an hour. Some soap, a bucket, sponge, and water from the well out back and she was on her hands and knees scrubbing the floors.
Trouble's employer, a Rothale Skelumu, appeared for a minute before disappearing. He returned carrying up a large tub with Trouble's assistance.
Aquila beamed at the men. “Oh, how wonderful! Thank you so much, Sir Skelumu, you do not know how much this means to me.”
The man's gray-streaked blonde mustache turned upwards as his blue eyes sparkled. “Aw, 'tis nothing, my lady. It was all I could do for putting you up in a place like this.”
When the men had left, Aquila scrubbed it with the sudsy water and sighed. She would not feel quite so inhumane now.
That afternoon Madam Skelumu appeared at her door. “Good afternoon to you, my lady. Sir Skelumu thought you would need some provisions to last until you could got your first paycheck.”
In she brought an armload of canned and dry goods. Then she pulled something out of the pocket of her apron that hung on her robust figure and set it on the table.
Aquila picked up the wooden object and shook it. Squealing with delight as it rattled, she threw her arms around the woman's shoulders. “Oh, thank you! The babies shall love it.”
The woman looked surprised but smiled pleasantly afterwards. “That they will, my lady.”
Aquila wished she would have stayed and had some of the tea that she had brought, but the woman shook her head, mumbling something about a turkey in the oven. Aquila rummaged through the different cans and items Madam Skelumu had brought.
Pickles, sprouts, beans, olives, a bag of potatoes, peas, flour, salt, sugar, pepper, yeast, tea, and dried meat. It was not much and Aquila doubted that it would get her through the next day, but she placed them inside the cupboard and put a pot of water over the stove. Company or not, she would have her some tea.
That evening Trouble came in to dried meat, sprouts, and peas. Aquila watched his expression expecting to find disappointment there. Instead he smiled. “You are so creative. I am afraid that the last bit of what money I had I spent last night. Sir Skelumu was gracious enough to allow me a bit in advance but I knew it was not going to much like we had been used to. But you will never cease to amaze me in how you can make a good meal out of so little.”
Aquila sighed with relief. That night as they laid in bed, Aquila thought through the next days' meals. The provisions would only last through tomorrow if even for the whole day. Something else would need to be done for the next few days until Trouble got paid.
She was really hungry for some rabbit stew. Hunt. That is what she would have to do. She would go hunting and hopefully bring back some rabbit. Aquila closed her eyes in peace that night.

******

Aquila did not bother to inform Trouble of her plans. An hour after he left, she was dressed and out of the door with Trouble's bow and quiver in one hand and his knife in the other. He had packed a lunch and took it downstairs so he would not be coming in until that evening and would never know she had left until she presented him with a bowl of hot savory rabbit stew.
A few hours later and several failed attempts at killing her a rabbit was leaving her frustrated. Every time she had come upon one she had made some mistake and the rabbit had gotten away unharmed. The first mistake was taking Trouble's bow. It was almost as tall as she was and was difficult to hold still while pulling the string back.
Her second mistake was leaning forward too much and snapping a twig underfoot. Her third mistake was poor stance, causing the string to hit the inside of her forearm sending the arrow off in an odd direction. She was reminded just how long it had been since she had been hunting.
Finally she came upon her sixth rabbit. It was a big one and she grinned. Suddenly pain shot through her middle and she doubled over moaning. The rabbit scampered away.
It was a good minute before the pain completely subsided and Aquila was able to recover. She continued on until she finally spotted another rabbit. Setting an arrow on the line, she carefully aimed and slowly pulled the string back. Boing! Success flooded her senses. She had not stepped on a twig or straightened her left arm.
The rabbit lay only a few feet away from her now, flat on its belly lifeless. She had hit it right on the back of the neck rendering a quick and painless death. She stopped and skinned it right there. There was a stream not too far back and she took the meat back and rinsed it thoroughly from the cool water.
After packing it carefully in brown paper and tucking it away in her robe, she rinsed the arrow in the river and replaced it in the quiver. Only a few minutes later she spotted her next victim and delivered another accurate blow to the back of the neck.
After skinning it and rinsing it in the river, she looked up at the sky. The sun was already going down and it would be almost dark before she got back. She would have to hurry if she wanted to get home before Trouble did.
She was breathless when she walked into the apartment above the blacksmith shop to find Trouble sitting at the table, his face in his hands. “Oh, you are home a little early.”
Trouble stood so fast his chair went crashing to the floor. His wide eyes took in the bow and knife in a quick glance and then he lost it. “Where have you been? Do you not care that I have been here worried sick about you?”
He was angry now and Aquila worried her lower lip. “I thought you would be working.”
“I was. I came upstairs this afternoon to see how you were faring and you were gone. I waited here all afternoon expecting the worst. And here you are with my bow. What have you been doing?”
“The provisions Madam Skelumu brought were not enough to cover us the week. I thought you might enjoy some rabbit stew so I went hunting. I did not think you would notice my absence or I would have told you so. I am sorry,” Aquila explained, dropping her eyes to the floor.
“Rabbit stew? You went hunting? With my bow? That thing is way too big for you!” Trouble almost roared. “Aquila, we are in Stymphalid territory. People go hunting every day and are never heard from again. You are never to leave this apartment without my permission, do you understand me?”
Aquila mutely shook her head and dropped the weapons onto the small table. She looked up and opened her mouth to apologize but Trouble's angry eyes silenced her. He was standing tall and straight, his muscles tense, his jaw working slowly.
Instead she slipped over to the stove and pulled out the paper packaging. Working quickly and efficiently, she had the meat and vegetables cooked and stewing in broth before she ventured to look back over her shoulder. Trouble was gone.
Dropping down at the table, she burst into tears. An hour later she wiped her eyes and got up to stir the stew. Pain shot through her middle and she was forced to fall back into the chair. What if something was wrong and that was why she was having these pains? She could be losing the babies or worse. Possibly her life could be in jeopardy and Trouble was not here to get her to the doctor.
The pain ceased once more and Aquila took a deep breath and stood. Dipping two bowl fulls out, she placed them on the table with silverware and sat down to wait.
Hours passed and Trouble never showed. Finally she dumped his bowl back into the pot and ate hers cold and miserable. What she had so been looking forward to tasted bland to her dull senses. This time the tears flowed silently.
She pushed the stew onto the back of the stove to keep it warm and retreated to their bedroom. She was ready for bed only minutes later. Curling up into bed, she listened for Trouble to come in. Her eyes slowly drifted closed, exhaustion overcoming her will to wait for his return.

********

When Aquila woke up the next morning, she found Trouble's bow hanging on nails above the door. The pot was empty and clean and a note was on the table. “Ate breakfast. At work. —T”
Aquila quickly ate a bite and dressed. She pulled a blanket around her shoulders and then went downstairs to find Trouble.
The object of her search was bent working over a horse's shoe. He barely looked up, grunting his recognition of her presence around the nails he had in his teeth.
Aquila looked around the shop and was glad to see they were alone. “Where did you—did you sleep last night?”
He nodded.
“I thought I would have woken when you came in.”
Trouble did not respond. Taking one of the nails from his teeth, he positioned it in the horse's foot. Aquila jumped at each swing of the hammer.
“Did you make you lunch or shall I bring some down for you?”
“I brought some.”
Aquila shifted uncomfortably. He was still sore at her and she wanted to cry all over again.
“Madam Skelumu said that she had some cloth that she would not be using. Said you could use it to make baby clothes. They live in the brown brick house at the end of the street. Said she would expect you sometime before lunch.”
Aquila nodded and turned. Forlorn and dejected, Aquila sauntered out the door and down the street. Forgetting that she did not even know how to make baby clothes, she was distracted with Trouble. She had made one life threatening mistake and he acted as if she had been unfaithful to him in some way.
Aquila found herself knocking at the described door before she knew it. Madam Skelumu appeared and gave a curt smile. “This way.”
Aquila mutely followed the woman down a dark hallway to a back room. The room smelled musty and Aquila nearly gagged from the dust that hung in the air. The robust woman stopped all of a sudden and stooped to pick up a sack. Turning around she thrust it into Aquila's arms. “Thank you,” Aquila managed to choke out.
Madam Skelumu nodded. “I have much to do this morning.”
Aquila quickly turned and almost ran out of the house. Madam Skelumu was certainly not a friendly type of woman. She was only just outside of the woman's fence when the ever familiar pain shot through her middle. She thought during these moments that she should visit the doctor but they passed within a minute or so and she always managed to talk herself out of it.
As at other times, the pain ceased. Walking as fast as she could, Aquila breathed in the fresh air as she tried to keep her blanket wrapped snuggly around her shoulders. Slipping around through the back, she avoided Trouble and went straight upstairs and dropped the bag in the living room.
Aquila ran for her room and thrust herself on the bed and sobbed once more. The noon meal passed but she ate nothing. It was almost time for the evening meal before she got up and ventured out of her room.
Her tears were dry and she had supper almost finished when two strong arms encircled her large stomach. She wanted to cry again as he bent down and tenderly kissed her neck. “I am so sorry. I will never do such a thing again, I promise. I did not know you would be so upset over it.”
“I know, and I am sorry I took so long in forgiving you. You know I did not get an ounce of sleep last night due to my stubborn pride? It was not easy for you, I am sure,” Trouble apologized as he gently danced her around the kitchen.
Aquila placed one hand over his and with the other she ran through his hair. “All is forgiven, my love. Let us leave it in the past and enjoy tonight.”
“Amen.”
It was almost an hour before Trouble hesitantly let her go to move to the table. “What is for dinner?”
“Fried rabbit, mashed potatoes, and turnips,” Aquila responded as she quickly set the table with two steaming plates.
“Mm.”

******

Aquila frowned as she looked at the material, her scissors, needle, and thread. How was she supposed to do this? She had never sewed an inch in her life much less cut the fabric out for one.
She sat there all day trying to figure it out but with no success. It was this way that Trouble found her that evening. Lost in her thoughts, she jumped when he tapped her on the shoulder.
“I am sorry, Dear, I did not mean to scare you. What are you working on?” Trouble asked.
“I was trying to figure out how to make baby clothes. Oh, no! I forgot dinner.” Aquila's shoulders slumped as she looked down at the untouched material.
Trouble chuckled. “I forgot about that when Madam Skelumu offered the material.”
Aquila was not amused. “My baby will go around naked because I am a terrible excuse for a mother!”
“Babies. Oh, which reminds me. Doctor Witherfield stopped in today and said that he would be by tomorrow to visit with you. He wants to get to know you a little bit and do a small exam in preparation for their arrival next month or so.”
“Do doctor's sew?” Aquila questioned as her brow knit in a frown.
Trouble almost died laughing. “They sew up cuts and wounds but not clothes!”
“Do not laugh at me. I am just trying to figure out how this is going to work.” Aquila stood and stomped on his foot. “I do not find this funny.”
Trouble seemed untouched by her attack but sobered. A twinkle still in his eye, he planted a kiss on the top of her head. “I am sure we will find something for them to wear. For now, I am hungry.”

*********

The next morning, Aquila made the climb up the stairs of the general store to the Doctor's office. She was about to knock when it flew open. Stunned and taken aback, the doctor looked her up and down. “How—how did you get up here?”
“I climbed up the steps one at a time,” Aquila frowned. “How else would I have gotten up here?”
“I must say I would never have expected you to make that climb in your condition. I was just on my way over to your home. But since you are here, come in and sit down.” The doctor opened the door wider and stepped back.
Aquila obeyed and found a comfortable chair with a cushioned back to settle down in. “I find the exercise quite invigorating.”
“That is good. Exercise during your pregnancy is a good idea. Delivering a baby, or in your case, babies is not an easy job,” the doctor was sure to inform her.
Aquila nodded as she looked around the open room. Along the far wall was two beds only a few feet apart with a table holding a lamp in between. Curtains hung from hooks on the ceiling to the side that could be moved to close off the beds from public view.
To the right of the door, in front of Aquila, sat a long narrow oak table and positioned around it were chairs much like the one she sat in. To the left of the door was a big desk with a chair in it. A cabinet stood beside the desk that held countless vials of herbs and medicinal potions. Lamps hung every few feet around the room allowing for no shadows which helped spread a happy atmosphere on the occupants.
“You said you had about one and a half months left?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Hm. With twins it is more likely that they will come sooner.”
“One month?”
“It is possible that you will hold out for another month but I want you to be prepared: they could come as soon as next week.”
Aquila blinked. Next week? That was way too early. They would not survive. The pains. Should she tell the doctor about the pains. “But—“
Doctor Witherfield reached over and laid a reassuring hand on hers. “I know. There is always the fear of underdevelopment with a baby being born so early but, since you have held out as long as you have, I do not believe we will have any major complications.”
Aquila sighed in relief, her hand going to her heart. “I do pray you are right. I could not bare to lose even one of them.”
Doctor Witherfield talked to her some more about her life in general before Aquila realized it was almost noon. “Oh, please excuse me. I must be sure my husband has lunch.”
“Absolutely,” Doctor Witherfield said as he rose. “I also have other appointments I need to tend to. It was very good to be able to get to know a little more about you.”
Aquila nodded and left. Just as she walked into the blacksmith shop she realized just how tired she was. When she found Trouble happily eating away at leftovers from the night before, she went upstairs and fell asleep.

**********

As Aquila entered into the next week she became fearful at every movement her babies made or every slight pain her body seemed to inflict on her. Pain shooting through her middle was a regular occurrence during the day. It happened most days about 3 times.
One day she even woke in the middle of the night gasping pain. That time it had alerted Trouble and he wanted to take her to the doctor but Aquila shook her head and convinced him that she was perfectly all right.
Still she carried on. One week turned into two and she was almost certain she would make it another month when she neared the end of the second week since her visit with the doctor.
Then one evening as she sat in a rocker Trouble had managed to fashion out of some old wood behind the shop the pain seized her. Expecting it to end like it normally did, she was quite alarmed when it did not.
She was doubled over which put her off balance and she was going headfirst onto the ground with no way to stop herself when Trouble appeared from the back room and grabbed her. “All right, we are going to the doctor right now!”
“It—normally—stops after—a minute,” Aquila gasped out.
Trouble lifted her into his arms and calmly but quickly took the stairs to ground level. The pain stopped all of a sudden just as he stepped outside of the shop and Aquila breathed deeply. “It stopped.”
“We are still going.”
“But it sto—“
“No. I am not going to listen to that talk. You were in serious pain and I do not want to take any chances.”
Just as Trouble started up the stairs to the doctor's office, pain seized her again but this time she cried out. “Trouble!”
Trouble was starting to panic this time and was almost running up the stairs despite his heavy load. “Doctor!” The door was locked and Trouble shifted Aquila to one arm and with his free one began banging on the door. “Doctor Witherfield!”

Chapter 11
Aquila frowned. “No, I believe she has one other son. At least if she did not, I would not be married to him.”
The woman, Aquila assumed to be Poges, looked up at Oserene. “I am Poges, Oserene's wife.”
Aquila laid a hand on her stomach. “Oh, I hope we shall become fast friends and that our children might grow together. The bigger the family the merrier, I say.”
The woman smiled. “I would very much like that. But...we were under the impression that Trouble Woman was dead.”
Aquila laughed. “Dead? I believe many have thought him dead at times and many have tried to make him that way, but he is very much alive. He is at this very moment taking care of the grounds at Mother Woman's—“
“Sh,” Oserene quickly hushed her as a tiny bell rang above the doorway proclaiming the entrance of a client. “Please refer to her as Mother Dravaar.”
Aquila frowned but did as requested. “He is right now taking care of the grounds at Mother Dravaar's. He is looking forward to his reunion with you.”
“That is one reunion I should very much like to miss,” Oserene muttered.
Kasaba walked up at that very moment and panic seized her. “Oserene, I see you have met Aquila.”
“Yes, Mother, and I hear she is my sister-in-law, above all things,” Oserene gritted out between clenched teeth.
Aquila shrunk back at the menace in his voice. Have I done something wrong?
“Oh, I was hoping you would not find out about that until tonight,” Kasaba pouted. “It would have made so much better a reunion if you did not know ahead of time who you were meeting.”
“I'm sorry, Mother Dravaar, I did no—“ Aquila said.
“Oh, tsk tsk, no worries at all. You did no real harm,” Kasaba assured her. “But come. We are finished with our errands in town. Oh, Poges, would you bring over the baby clothes you have from Olga tonight? It seems we have a shortage of baby clothes.”
“Yes, Mother Dravaar,” Poges smiled.
“Thank you. We will see you tonight.” Kasaba steered Aquila out the door.

*******

Once Aquila had had a thorough tour of town, she and Kasaba returned home. Aquila wanted to tell Trouble of the events of the day, but got no chance, as Kasaba dominated the conversation all through lunch up until the time that Trouble left to cut some wood.
Kasaba seemed so intent on keeping the two world's apart that in her haste she had Trouble out the door before he remembered to bid Aquila a good afternoon. Aquila turned on her mother-in-law the instant he was out the door. “What are you doing? You would not let me get one word in edgewise all afternoon about the morning's events. Do you not think he has a right to know? Oserene thought he was dead. And he is not very happy about his return. Trouble should know these things.”
“He does not need to know such things until tonight,” Kasaba disagreed. “Now hush and get busy. We have plenty to do for supper tonight.”
Kasaba kept Aquila so busy cleaning and cooking all afternoon that Aquila wondered if she had not invited the whole town. Surely five people with an additional child could not eat so much food as they were preparing.
Time flew quickly though and Aquila soon found herself inviting Poges and Oserene with their daughter into the home before she knew it. But she did not forget that Trouble had not returned from his last assignment and would probably have liked to have cleaned up before his reunion with his brother.
Oserene frowned as he searched the room for his wayward brother. Poges ushered Olga in tentatively watching for the brother-in-law she had only heard about.
“Trouble has not returned from the afternoon's chores, but he should be in soon,” Aquila informed them.
Tension held the room's occupants in suspension. The table was set and all were gathered around it. Suddenly as if by cue, the door opened and Trouble stepped in. Aquila smiled with relief and rushed to her husband's side. “I wondered when you would be returning to me.”
One side of Trouble's mouth turned up in a cockeyed grin as he had eyes for Aquila alone. “I could not forget you so soon.”
Kasaba cleared her throat stopping Trouble from placing a kiss on Aquila's inviting lips. Trouble straightened and then tensed. Aquila looked over at Oserene and could not miss the way the fire flashed through the man's eyes. “Oserene, you already know him, but Poges, this is my husband, Trouble Woman.”
Poges looked down and Oserene stiffened. Trouble shifted uncomfortably. The tension was so thick that even six-year-old Olga knew that silence was the best thing at the moment. Kasaba was not going to stand for it. “Oserene, your brother has returned. Do you have nothing to say?”
Oserene glared at her, obvious hatred burning in his eyes. “How could you say that, Mother, after all he has done to you?”
“Your brother has returned to make amends, Oserene, and I must say that I am just as much to blame for his actions as he is,” Kasaba choked out.
Oserene came to her defense. “You could never—“ “Yes, Oserene, I was and am to blame,” Kasaba cut him short. “I treated him with contempt and disdain. I failed him and thus caused him to run as he did. And doing so he turned to the only thing he knew how to do. And that was vent his anger. But no matter what he did, I cannot turn him away, because it was I who made the first mistake. Now I want my family back—“
“We could never have our family back. He killed Father!” Oserene spat.
Trouble stepped to his own defense. “I did not.”
Oserene turned back to his estranged brother. “Then who did? Every report we have gotten says that the Woman killed Dirrach Dravaar. After all you have done, what have you to prove your innocence?”
“Me,” Aquila spoke up.
“Dirrach kidnapped my wife, Oserene. I retrieved her and Dirrach followed after me. In the presence of Aquila and thirty other men, he charged me with sword in hand while Aquila stood in between us. Those thirty other men fired upon him in defense of Aquila and Aquila alone. They had no choice,” Trouble explained. Suddenly he frowned. “Dirrach Dravaar?”
Aquila tugged on his sleeve. “They changed their name.”
“That would explain why I have not been able to find any news of their well being.” Trouble growled.
“Oserene, your brother is trying to make amends. Please, let us try and reach out to him,” Kasaba pleaded.
“You left here too long ago, Trouble. What have you been doing all these years? You sure made a good name for yourself. Yes, I am sure you started out with something small, maybe pickpocketing. Then you began pulling off bigger heists, until one day you had to kill somebody to keep from getting caught and turned in to the authorities. Then it did not stop there. You liked the taste of blood. And so you killed more—“
“Oserene, stop!” Kasaba cried.
Oserene ignored her. “—took more chances, until soon enough you had made a name for yourself. But you got real tired of that, did you not? You finally got tired of it and decided to make a grand turnaround. You go find a child barely able to care for herself and marry her. Did you force her to marry you, Trouble? I cannot see how any one in their right mind would agree to such an arrangement. You intimidated her into agreeing to marry you, that is exactly what you did. Then like the no-account killer that you are, you impregnated her and then left her. Which is when Father came in. He picks her up to save her from you and the fate you had left her to. But you could not stand someone stepping in and taking over what you should have taken responsibility for in the first place, nevermind that you left her. So you rounded up all of your friends, if you can call them that, and then you picked her up and then led your own father into an ambush. Well, I am not going to be so easy to get by. I came prepared.”
“Oserene, what did you do?” Kasaba demanded.
Poges sobbed. “I told you not to—“
Aquila felt Trouble tense next to her and then relax. He took a bite of chicken and chewed it with deliberate care. Aquila picked up her napkin and began fanning herself with it. “Oh, my.”
“Aquila, are you all right?” Kasaba asked, concern etched across her brow.
“Yes, I just need to go lie down. Excuse me,” Aquila smiled and stood.
Aquila could feel Trouble's eyes following her the whole way and when she opened the door she turned back and smiled at him. Kasaba was frowning down at her plate and Oserene was sitting back in his chair, triumph registered across his face as he watched Trouble. Aquila winked at him conspiratorially and then disappeared inside the room.
Oserene had obviously called some friends out and were no doubt waiting outside for Oserene to give the signal for them to close in. Aquila had to move fast.
Aquila packed Trouble a few of his belongings inside his saddlebag first. If nothing else could be done, Trouble could escape now and Aquila would follow later. When she had that complete, she packed a few of her things in a separate saddlebag. After it was complete, she stopped to think for a minute. She could hear Trouble making casual small talk.
A horse. That would be tricky. If Oserene had help out there, they would surely see her and intercept her. But she had to try. She peaked out of the window but saw no one. No doubt they would be hidden away. They would think it odd that she was coming out of the window but she had to try anyway.
Chair legs grated against the floor as Aquila heard Trouble say, “I am going to check on Aquila.”
Aquila quickly opened the window and forced her bulk through the window. If nothing else, she could distract the attention to her, and Trouble would be able to get out the window while she had the others around front.
Tip-toeing around the back of the house, she kept an ear out for activity. As she was reaching the corner she heard them. At least three men were moving through the thick foliage, just beyond eye sight. Aquila rolled her eyes. Amateurs. Surely Oserene could have done better if he expected to catch the Woman.
Continuing on, Aquila was sure to stay out of sight from the house, ducking under windows and running through bushes. She was inside the barn before someone grabbed her arm. “Hold it right there, Ma'am,” a low voice commanded.
Aquila turned to look at her captor and inwardly screamed with victory. Five men were now standing around. Three of them had to be the men she heard earlier.
“Raldo!” Oserene called.
The man holding her looked up and nodded. “Move in, men!”
Aquila was escorted to the front yard where she met four other men other than the her five companions. Oserene scowled at her. The men looked around puzzled. The man who held her arm spoke up first. “Where is the Woman?”
“You do not have him?” Oserene paled.
“He was inside with you, Boss,” another replied.
The corners of Aquila's mouth turned up smugly. “If he is not with you, Oserene, and your men clearly do not have him, where did he go?”
Oserene cursed. “Leave her be and find him! He could not have gone far.”
Aquila chuckled at the same time that she whispered a prayer to Deus to give her husband wings. Aquila walked inside and was met with surprised glances from Poges and Kasaba. “How did you—“
“I snuck out the window,” Aquila smirked triumphantly.
Kasaba chuckled. “You were not feeling ill at all.”
Aquila winked at her and then disappeared inside her room. She frowned. Both saddlebags were missing. Why would he take her things, too?
The door slammed against the wall and Aquila whirled around. She screamed and shrunk back at the sight of Oserene who's eyes were spitting fire.
“Where is he?” Oserene bellowed.
“How should I know? You were the last one to see him,” Aquila hollered back. For a moment she wished Trouble had not left and had stayed to fight for her, but she dismissed it, knowing that this was the only chance they had of a life together. He would either come back for her when the excitement had died down, or she would escape on her own. Finding him would be easier afterwards for he would certainly be looking for her.
“You were not ill at all. You came back here to sneak out the window in order to aid his escape. Where did he go?” Oserene slowly moved forward, his own domineering height towering over hers.
“I will admit to helping his escape, but I have no idea where he went. We had no original plans of escape. We did not expect to have to make such a feat. So if you think that intimidation is going to force it out of me, you can think twice.” Aquila squared her shoulders and placed her hands on her hips.
Oserene glowered at her for a moment before stepping back and crossing his arms. “So you admit to helping him escape?”
Aquila faltered a moment at the unreadable gleam in his eye. “Y—yes, I do.”
“Then you are under arrest for aiding and abetting a known felon.” Oserene grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the room.
Kasaba gasped and Poges paled. “Oserene, what are you doing?”
“Stay out of this, Poges, she has admitted to aiding and abetting a known felon,” Oserene informed her.
“You cannot arrest a pregnant woman, Oserene,” Kasaba cried after him.
“I can and I will!”
Aquila thought he said it rather loud and thought it unwise. While Trouble had left, he could certainly be lurking about watching to see what would happen and would no doubt have heard that.
“Raldo, bring the wagon,” Oserene commanded.
Aquila's stomach knotted in fear as the man who had grabbed her earlier came up the road from the barn with a wagon. One of the other men sat next to him a second standing in the bed of the wagon both with a bow in hand, armed with an arrow, and quivers full of arrows.
Once the wagon had come to a complete stop, Oserene took Aquila's wrists and fastened cuffs to them. Aquila silently breathed a sigh of relief he was merciful enough to fasten them in front of her. “Lock her in the third cell. He will never be able to get her out of that one. I will be there once I have taken my family home.”
Aquila examined every tree and bush on the way to town, praying fervently that Trouble would be there to rescue her. But it never happened. They rolled into town, uninhibited.
Raldo helped her out of the wagon and led her into the jail house. Ruffly pushing her into a cell, he said, “Get comfortable, this is your new home for a while now.”
Aquila lifted her bound wrists. “Could you—“
“Shut up,” he growled and turned on his heels.
Aquila's mouth gaped. Aquila grabbed hold of the bars and shook it. “You will not get away with this!”
“That is what you say,” Raldo said, laughing mockingly.
Aquila looked at the small, thinly covered board they called a cot. As silent tears slipped down her cheeks, Aquila laid on the cot and closed her eyes. It would be a long cold night.

*************

Three men guarded the jail from the back and three men guarded the jail from the front. Both sides could be seen from at least two men, one from the front and another from the back. A fresh and energetic crew of six men had replaced the previous shift every two hours. They were not taking any chances.
From the tree where he sat, high above the town, he could pick off each of the guards along the back wall with a bow. But the front guards would be trickier. They would certainly be discovered within seconds of going down and would hinder his ability to get inside the jail and out safely.
Another plan would have to be concocted. There had to be another way of getting inside without actually getting inside. Maybe even one that would not require bloodshed.

******

Aquila had pleaded with Oserene to release her from her restraints many times but to no avail. Aquila wished she could rub her back. It was hurting from her added weight combined with the hard cot she had to sleep on. There was no chair and the bars were painful to lean up against as well.
The ground was covered in dirt, besides the fact, she had reason to believe she had rather large rodent friends in the middle of the night, thus over ruling the idea to sleep on the floor. The pain continued to grow steadily worse as the hours passed. Aquila lay on her side on the cot and moaned. Her mouth was dry as she only got a small cup of water with each of her two meals a day and she had cried what other moisture she had in her body.
Now only her wet stained cheeks told of her tears as she stared carelessly through the other two cells to the wall that separated her from the office of the jail house. Oserene came in daily asking her where Trouble had disappeared to. This would be the third day and she could care less if he came in today. The answer was the same.
Aquila shuddered as a spider crawled up her arm. Rolling over, she brushed it off of her arm with the edge of the bed. She shuddered one more time, wishing for the hundredth time that she could take a bath. She was filthy and at night it felt like the dirt itself crawled over her skin.
The front door was thrown open and slammed shut by someone in a rush. Voices could be heard, but Aquila could not hear what was being said until Oserene exploded. “What?”
Aquila cringed. The other voice answered calmly and then all went silent. Seconds turned into minutes as Aquila waited. No one left. No one came. Someone shifted his weight causing the boards to creak underneath him. Then hard footsteps hit the planks and the door closing the cells off from the office opened. Oserene stood there in the doorway and looked down the row of cells at her.
Seconds later it closed and Aquila was left to wonder what it was all about until the following day when a similar event occurred. This time, Oserene calmly walked in and stopped in front of Aquila's cell. Aquila struggled to a sitting position and watched him. He said nothing. He just looked at her.
“What happened?” Aquila asked.
Oserene still said nothing. Raldo appeared in the doorway. “Shall I ready the wagon?”
“Yes,” Oserene muttered.
Raldo disappeared as quick as he had come and Aquila felt a glimmer of hope rising within her. Why would he need a wagon? Why was Oserene so obviously upset about whatever it was Raldo had come to tell him?
It had to mean only one thing: Trouble had found some way to get her released. Moments later Raldo returned with two other men. “The wagon is ready, Boss.”
Oserene nodded and lifted his keys to the cell. “Do not talk, just listen. Whatever we say goes. You do not walk unless we say walk, you do not blink unless we say blink. One wayward movement from you and you are history, got that?”
Aquila nodded and stood. Oserene headed for the door and frowned when she did not follow him. “Why are you not coming?”
“Because you said I was not to walk unless you said so,” Aquila replied smartly.
“Walk!” Oserene growled.

******

Aquila was ushered into the back of a wagon and drove out of town the oppositie direction of Kasaba's house. This area was mostly open and free of trees. It was also bare of grass and the horse's kicked up so much that Aquila had to shield her nose and mouth with her arm to keep from breathing it in.
They kept rolling across the barren wasteland, seeing only a jackrabbit bound across the way every fifteen minutes or so. Aquila watched the sun move across the sky and wondered if she was not being carried to some lost and forgotten prison.
Just before dark they crossed a river into grassy woodlands and Aquila could breath clearly. The wagon pulled up just then and as they assisted Aquila from the wagon.
Oserene pointed her in one direction. “Start walking that way. Straight. Keep walking and do not stop.”
Aquila looked at him uncertainly and then back in the direction he had pointed. At this point they were only surrounded by a few trees, but the direction with which he sent her would lead her farther into the woods. It was dark already but the thickness of the trees blocked out the light of the full moon.
Aquila turned and lifted her arms. “Would you—“
“No, now go!” Oserene wasted no time and pushed her forwards.
Aquila willed herself to place one foot in front of the other as she moved farther and farther into the darkness. She could not see a thing and found herself running into tree after tree. Praying that she was still going straight and not turning to the left or the right, she would feel her way around the tree and continue on.
Struggling to breath despite the agonizing fear that held her around the throat, she started to shake. The cold night air was now beginning to get to her. Stumbling over a root, Aquila gasped in pain, as she landed on her hands and knees on pine cones, rocks, and roots. “Deus, lead me out of this! Light my way. I cannot see what is in front of me. I do not know where I am going. Help me to trust You.”
Aquila pulled herself off the ground and kept on. She was certain she had taken a few turns in there but kept going. She would have no idea how to tell.
Hours passed and Aquila began to shake. Sheer will forced herself to keep moving and by the time she could feel the sun's first rays, she could not feel her hands or feet. Suddenly she stumbled into a small clearing. A fire was built and licking away at thick logs. The thought briefly passed her mind that she might have made a full circle and just found herself back at the same fire they had dropped her off at, but she did not care.
Aquila collapsed next to the fire and reached her frozen hands to the warmth. “Oh!”
Suddenly, two strong arms grabbed her and before Aquila knew it, she found herself nestled against a broad chest, a thick black coat covering both her and her captor. Aquila looked up and gasped. Trouble smiled down at her. “Miss me, Love?”
Aquila released the flood and cried. “Oh, Trouble!”
It was quite some time before Aquila could stop but Trouble sat there, with her in his arms, gently rocking back and forth. “Everything is all right now, my love. Everything is just fine.”
When the tears finally subsided and Aquila could feel her fingers again, she reached up to stroke his unshaven chin. “How did you get them to release me?”
“The Holy book says something about an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. So I figured that if Oserene was going to insist on keeping my wife and child, then why could I not take his wife and child? With the knowledge that I had his family would then lead him to exchange mine for his,” Trouble grinned.
“Did you make them walk like they did me?” Aquila frowned.
“No. I actually left them at the jail house shortly after you all left.”
“Then how come I had to walk so far?”
“Because I was following them follow you.”
“They followed me?” Aquila pushed back from his chest looked around.
“Up until two hours ago. But I wanted to make sure you were alone before I revealed myself so I rode on ahead and fixed this fire and then backtracked to see if you were still alone.”
Aquila snuggled back up against his chest and sighed. “Oh, it was awful, Trouble, just awful. I have not had a bath in ages and I feel like there are millions of little bugs crawling all over me. My back has been in pain since the morning of the first day in jail and I have not been able to relieve it in any way. I have had these handcuffs on me since he first arrested me and he has refused to remove them.”
Trouble noticed the cuffs for the first time. He held her away from him, examining them and frowning. “That is going to be a trick. Hmm.”
Aquila winced as they seemed to be tightening around her wrist. Her wrists were red all around them. “They hurt, too.”
“Well, you are just a basket case,” Trouble teased.
Aquila nodded. “It was horrible!”
Trouble pulled her back to his chest. “I know, I know.”
Aquila melted up against him and was happy to simply be in his arms despite the cold and undesirable situation. The methodical motion of his large hands across her back eased her pain immensely and she closed her eyes, reveling in the serenity of the morning.
Moments later, Trouble took his coat off and wrapped it around her frame. “We need to get on the road. I want to get as far as possible away from Kantuuk, yet to the closest town we can to bed down for the rest of the winter. I would like to be settled long before this baby decides to enter the world.”
Aquila tried to put her arms through the sleeves before remembering her cuffs. She frowned. “Would you button this thing? I cannot get my hands through the sleeves.”
Trouble obliged and then lifted her onto a horse that had been tethered nearby. “Can you guide the horse like that?”
Aquila accepted the reigns through the jacket in between two of the buttonholes and nodded. “I can do it.”
Trouble mounted a second horse and turned his horse down a small path. “We should be in a small town by nightfall.”

********

Aquila was ready to fall asleep by the time they rode into a small town that boasted the name Tyracue. Down the street they cantered. A lively tavern named the Red Bull sat on their right, the light from the door illuminating the man sitting on the porch of the jail house directly across the street from it.
Next to the jail house sat a bank and two doors down from it was Tyracue Inn. Across from the inn, three doors down from the Red Bull, was a livery and next to it, only two doors down from the tavern sat the blacksmith shop. Trouble led Aquila around to the back and then pulled up.
“We will have to do this quickly,” Trouble whispered as he dismounted and tied his horse to a post.
Aquila handed him her reigns and he tied it before helping her down. Sneaking up to the back door, Trouble slowly opened it and peered inside. Aquila bounced underneath the coat to try and generate body heat, as she eagerly anticipated the relief coming.
When Trouble was satisfied that they were alone, he ushered Aquila in. Trouble built a fire in the forge. As it heated up, Trouble kissed Aquila tenderly. “We shall have that off in no time.”
When Trouble was satisfied with the intensity of the heat, he stuck two thick rods with pointed ends into the fire. Then he led her to the anvil and placed her wrists on either side of the anvil's thinner side. He placed a hammer on the anvil and then went to examine the rods.
After ten minutes of heating, Trouble picked them up with tongs and examined them. They were glowing red hot. He stuck them back on and quickly slipped on two heavy, thick gloves. Picking them back up, he stuck the pointed ends of the steel rods in the holes of her cuffs.
Picking up the hammer, he looked at Aquila. “You might want to look away. And do not jump!”
Aquila looked away and braced herself. Wham! Aquila jerked slightly, the cuff around her left hand loosened. Wham! Aquila jerked again as relief flooded her senses.
“All right, you are free,” Trouble announced.
Aquila shook the broken pieces free of her wrists and sighed as she rubbed each wrist. “That feels so much better.”
Trouble did not let her stand there long. “Come quickly. They would have heard the hammer hit the rods and will be investigating soon.”
They quickly disappeared out of the back door, but instead of lifting Aquila onto the horse, Trouble led them in the back door of the livery stable. He had them both unsaddled and rubbed down while Aquila found hay and oats for them. Trouble left a coin at the office in the front and then together they walked across the street to the inn.
Trouble had Aquila in a room before she could think. Aquila looked longingly at the bed. “I want to go to sleep but I know I would be miserable if I did not take a bath first.”
“I will get you one ready shortly,” Trouble assured her. “Sit down until then.”
Aquila was only too happy to obey and took a seat in a wooden chair to her right. Rolling her head back, she rolled it from side to side. The room was rather drab. Torn curtains hung on the window above the rather small and thinly covered bed. A wardrobe missing it's left door with the right one hanging by one nail sat directly across from her to the left of the doorway and next to her chair was a small, rudely crafted table with a single lamp that provided the only light to be found.
Aquila removed her thin shoes and kicked them towards the bed. She instantly regretted the action as her feet touched sandy floors. Trouble walked in as she frowned and shuddered. “What is the matter?”
“The floors are filthy!” Aquila complained.
Trouble sighed. “This is just not going well for you. I am sorry. But the water is hot and once you have cleaned yourself from head to toe, I shall carry you across the floor so you do not have to touch it.”
“No, you do not have to do that. I am being a baby,” Aquila shook her head and pouted.
“You have every right to be, my love, for what you have been through. And I know I do not have to, but I want to.” Trouble leaned down and kissed her nose. “Now go get in the bath.”
Aquila picked up her saddlebag Trouble had thought to bring in with him and quickly waddled out the door and down the hallway to the tub room. She had only just begun when Trouble joined her.
Wishing for all the world time would freeze right there, Aquila leaned back against his chest and sighed. “You are too good to me.” Forgetting half of the job, Aquila fell asleep there in Trouble's arms.

Chapter 10
 Aquila pulled her horse up as she approached a low hanging limb.  They were traveling
on a narrow path through very heavy foliage.  Trouble had had no problem leaning to
the side of the horse to miss it, but Aquila had one big issue that kept her from ducking or
leaning as Trouble had.  “Um, Trouble.”
 Trouble, already a few feet away, reined up and turned around in the saddle.  His face
said he wanted to die laughing but one look from Aquila told him he had better think twice. 
He turned the horse around and came back.  “There is no way the horse can go around the
limb with all of the trees and bushes.  Hm...can you climb over?”
 Aquila looked at him as if he had lost his mind but then studied the limb.  It was a sturdy
limb and could probably hold her weight.  At least what the limb would get.  She could
keep most of her weight on the horse if she kept one foot on the back end of the horse as
she lifted her other foot over the limb and planted it in the stirrup of the saddle.
 “Hand me the reins and I'll hold the horse steady,” Trouble said as he climbed off of his
horse.
 Aquila obeyed and Trouble led the horse under the limb until Aquila was directly in front
of it.  Aquila slowly and cautiously balanced herself on her knees on the top of the saddle
and then stopped.  “How do I do this?”  Aquila was starting to panic.  Her original plan
had been a good one but the process of getting there was a scary ordeal.  The horse could
shift at any moment sending her crashing to the ground beneath it.  And her stomach was
hindering her from lifting her leg so that she could plant her foot securely on the horse and
lift the other one over the limb.  
 “Change of plans,” Trouble said hitting himself on the head.  Ducking under the branch,
he reached up to stabilize her.  “Let me help you down and you can walk underneath.
Then I will help you back up on the other side.”
 Aquila's mouth gaped.  “How come we did not think of this before?”
 “I have no idea,” Trouble shook his head.
 Aquila placed one of her hands on Trouble's shoulder until he had her in his arms and then
she wrapped her arms around his neck.  For a moment he held her in his arms and Aquila's
mouth parted slightly.  He is so strong.  He lifts me now with just as little effort as he
did before.
 Trouble accepted the invitation.  Dropping the reins, he enveloped Aquila with his
powerful arms and leaned forward.  His kiss was ever so gentle yet possessive.  
 When he pulled away, Aquila spoke in an almost inaudible voice.  “I think this pregnancy
is causing mental blocks.  Please excuse my lack of intelligence.  I promise it shall come back
to me when this child is born.”
 Trouble chuckled.  “You are excused.”
 Trouble held her yet for a few more seconds before setting her on the ground.  When they
were both re-situated on their horses, Aquila asked, “Who are they?”
 “Ah, yes, they,” Trouble nodded, having momentarily forgotten about their previous
conversation.  “There were two children born to one of the maidservants, who had been
married to one of the executed menservants, who were imprisoned.  Because the children
were innocent of any wrong doing, they were released from prison when they were old
enough to make a life of their own away from their mother.  But their father was one of the
band leaders, who had convinced his wife of their right to the Lucian royalty, who in turn
passed it on to her children before they left her. You see, there was one valuable, priceless,
heirloom that was known across the kingdom to represent the Lucian royalty and whoever
had it was revered as the highest person in all the land of Lucia.  Their influence and power
would be great and everyone would follow them.  That heirloom was lost in the chaos and
was never found on any of the maidservants or the bodies of the male servants.  When the
children of the maidservant were released, it was rumored that they had somehow had
possession of the priceless heirloom all along, and that now they were out to rule the
kingdom.  As that circled around, a band of the royal guard came back together to reclaim
the heirloom in hopes of restoring it to the rightful place: buried in the sea where the whole
world believed the royalty to have perished.  They retrieved the heirloom, but one of the
royal guards became greedy and stole the heirloom himself.  He disappeared without a
trace.  It is believed to have passed from one cut-throat's hands to another, but the children
of the maidservant and their clan has been after it ever since.  Finally Pleo received a
missive from one of his men that they now had possession of the heirloom but Pleo never
saw or heard from him again.  That was about two years ago.  There is word that they
have discovered the whereabouts of the unfortunate possessor of the heirloom and has
even sent two assassins to retrieve it.  The first assassin was supposed to have returned
the heirloom just over a year and a half ago...but he never returned and so they sent a
second one who was the unfortunate victim of the first assassin's blade...mine, in fact.”
 “The heirloom?” Aquila said as she reached down into her robe and pulled out the
small velvet pouch.
 “That cross pendant in the red velvet pouch you keep hidden away in your robe,”
Trouble responded without even looking back.
 “And how did you know where I kept it?”
 “Well, I searched the castle for it while you were gone, first off.  Second off, I
searched you one night and found it,” Trouble said matter of factly.  This time he looked
back.
 Aquila's cheeks reddened and she quickly looked away.  “So, that was only a week
and a half's time.  What did you do for all of those months?”
 “Well, after he told me all of that, I realized that these people would not rest until they
had the pendant back.  I figured you would not mind me being gone a little bit longer and
so I left to track them down.  It took me two months to track them down and another
month to find the right time and method of annihilating them.  Then I doubted my reasons
for keeping you the way I did.  I was obviously being selfish.  You really did not want
me anymore and I would no doubt be sentencing myself to a life of bitter estrangement
that would not make either of us happy.  It took me a few weeks before I decided that
I could not leave you without giving you the reason why I left and tell you that I had
released you from our commitment to each other.  You had been gone for what had to
have been only one week when I got to the palace.  I stayed at the palace with my
doubts for a week more before finding myself in your room.  It was there that I had
this sudden desire to hold you again.  Then I thought of how it must have been Dirrach
who had carried you off and I was furious that he would cross the line and take
something that was mine away from me. So then I tracked you down.  And that
concludes my story.  So tell me about your story.”
 Aquila shivered as she remembered the cold nights she spent wondering where
he was. “Well, I waited for you.  After about a month I found myself greeting the sun
every morning watching for you at the edge of the mountain.  It got cold, too.  I ran
out of wood and I was afraid that you would return the instant I was gone to chop
down a tree for firewood and you would be angry with me.  You should know that
I was completely intimidated by you and feared your wrath so horribly, that I spent
my nights in cold darkness.”
 Trouble was silent and Aquila proceeded.  “Then one day Dirrach showed up and
the next thing I knew, I was running off with him and his clan.  He introduced Yerik
to me first off and told me that he was my body guard.  So from then on, day in and
day out, we traveled on.  The Beldarak Thadal was the worst experience I have ever
had.  We lost my horse and I had to scramble up with Yerik on his horse.  But it was
so cold.  I had a fever for a few days afterwards.  It was only a day or so later that
Earh came running up with your threat to Dirrach.”
 “Hm,” Trouble grunted acknowledging that he had heard her.  Silence fell for a long
while as they continued to forge their way through the jungle.  Finally Trouble cleared
his throat awkwardly.   And what was Yerik like?”
 Aquila sighed.  “Nothing like you.  He was rather clumsy, not very good looking
at all...and he could hardly hold my weight.”
 Trouble looked back and grinned.  “That really matter to you?”
 “If you had not come along first it would not have mattered at all.  But having met
your strength first...I could never forget the way you could lift me with ease.  And
when he asked me if I preferred him or you...I could not help but compare you two. 
Where you were graceful and poised, he was the total opposite.  He often stumbles
or kicks rocks when he walks.  And as I said earlier...you could no doubt have lifted
me onto the horse with no help from me and not had a problem but he could hardly
assist me onto the horse.  He was the perfect gentleman, but I knew that he could
never possibly be as gentle and loving as you are, and that I could never spend the
night with him as husband and wife without thinking of you. It would not have been
fair to him and I would have regretted my choice for the rest of my life.  I would
spend it pining away for a man I willingly turned down.  I only wish he had not taken
it so hard.  He might have found him a wife who could love him like he deserved. 
He could have been very happy with someone else, if he had only given it up!”
 “Do not torment  yourself over it.  He did what he had to do,” Trouble offered.
 “What he had to do?” 
 Trouble looked back at her understandingly.  “Honor.  In his mind I was only the
wretched man I used to be.  If I had been in his place, I would have done the same
thing.”
 “But you called him a foolish boy.”  Aquila was confused.
 “I did.  But not because he tried to protect you.  Because he acted in anger.  You
never strike in anger.  It clouds your senses and leaves you prone to make mistakes. 
Deadly mistakes, like his,” Trouble explained.  Sighing, he continued, “No, he was
not foolish because he tried to protect you.  The men in his camp will give him a
heroes funeral.  After all, he tried to take a stand against the Woman.  Anyone
who does that is revered as the greatest man who ever lived.  I have that reputation.”
 “But you are different now!”
 Aquila sounded so triumphant over that fact that Trouble turned around and
smiled.  “I guess I am at that, my love.”
 “I guess that makes me the greatest woman alive.”
 “How is that?”
 “Because I took a stand and conquered you with my love.”
 Trouble laughed.  “Yes, you did.”
     **********
 It took a week of traveling before Trouble pulled up in front of a small shack
just outside of a small town.  It would have only been a few days as Dirrach had
said except that Trouble had discovered he was a little rusty on his directions from
his extended absence.  A wisp of smoke curled out of the chimney and
disappeared into the drearily clouded sky.  Lightning flashed in the distance and
the thunder slowly rolled in as rain could be smelled in the humid air.
 Aquila saw the light in the window and breathed a sigh of relief.  “She must be
expecting Dirrach back to be up this late.”
 Trouble did not say anything as he sat motionless on his horse.  Aquila studied
his profile under his wide brimmed hat as he seemed to have forgotten she was
there.  His jaw tightened and then loosened to just tighten once more.  


 “Trouble, sit down and be quiet...go cut some firewood...stop it, Trouble,
I am busy...go feed and milk the cows...you are nothing but trouble, did you
know that...clean that mess up, Trouble...why can you not be like your
brother...I wish you would just disappear...”
 It all came back to Trouble as the familiar smell of his mother's apple dumplings
met his nose.  Mother's apple dumplings were Father's favorite.  She definitely
was looking for him.  
 Why had he come back?  The last time he saw his mother was that morning they
discovered his stash of stolen goods.  It was nothing big, only a couple of pieces
of candy, a special rock he had had his eyes on for months on the general store's
shelf, a small knife, and a few other toys.  He had been ten at the time and when she
said, “I wish you would just disappear,” he decided to grant her her wish.  
 His life he had spent working for his father almost every minute of the day.  But
when he was not working, he was always asking his mother questions about things
or tried to help her do things.  They always proved disastrous and she would
constantly belittle him for his failures.  She also never found time to answer his
questions, instead telling him she was busy and he was just being a bother.
 When he left, he figured he was doing them all a favor.  She wanted him to
disappear and he wanted to get out from under his father's thumb.
 “Who is out there?” a soft voice called from the shack.
 Trouble all of a sudden realized that it had started to rain and had grown
considerably darker.  He looked at Aquila who was just watching him.  “Sorry, my
love,” he whispered and quickly dismounted.


 Aquila breathed a sigh of relief when Trouble reached up to help her down.  She
was soaked and getting rather cold.  Fear of a relapse from her previous bout with
the cold caused her to send a quick plea up to Deus for mercy.
 After Trouble set her on the ground, she preceded him to the open door.  She
could see the tall woman that stood there waiting and instantly saw the similarities in
the woman and her son.  
 When they were both in the light where the woman could see them, she gasped
and took a step backwards.  “Trouble!”
 “Hello, Mother,” Trouble nodded as he removed his hat.
 Trouble's mother recovered enough to realize Aquila's presence and state of her
pregnancy.  “Quick, come in out of the rain.  You must be cold.”
 “Mother, this is Aquila,” Trouble said once he had removed his soaked trench
coat and shut the door.  “She is my wife.  Aquila, this is my mother, Kasaba Woman.”
 Kasaba only glanced at him as she ushered Aquila over to the fire.  “Stand here
while I go fetch something for you to change into.  We can not have you wearing wet
monks clothes.”
 Aquila was led to the hearth that sat in the middle of the large room.  Kasaba
disappeared into a small room at the back of the small rectangular room.  Aquila
looked up and found an ink sketch above the modestly sized fireplace's mantle of
Dirrach, Kasaba, and a young man who resembled Trouble and Dirrach.  The sketch
seemed to be missing something but Aquila could not put her finger on it.  
 Aquila looked down dismally at the gray and white Crocotta rug that was being
drenched.  Hopefully it would dry and not ruin.  
 She sighed as she saw the Crocotta fur lined chaise with a hand carved oak wood
framed glass table in front of it.  On the other side of the room was a simple but
sturdy oak table with four chairs placed around it.  In the center of the table sat a
steaming pot that smelled of the apple dumplings that made Aquila hungry with the
rich cinnamon spices emanating from the dessert.  
 There were two windows on the front end, one on each side of the solid oak door. 
A lamp hung above both and Aquila felt sorry for the woman knowing the news they
had to bare.
 Kasaba appeared in the doorway.  “Come this way, Aquila.”
 Aquila quickly obeyed and Kasaba led her into a small room barely big enough for
them and the large bed and elegant oak armouir it held.  Dirrach must have been an
excellent craftsman.
 “You can change in here in privacy.  I hope these things work,” Kasaba said as
she handed her some pieces of clothing.
 “Oh, I am sure they are fine, thank you so much,” Aquila smiled her gratefulness.
 Kasaba disappeared out the door and Aquila quickly changed.  She then
scooped up her wet things and returned to the living room.  It was very quiet and
Aquila could feel the awkwardness of the reunion.  She hurried to the outside door
and said, “I will just toss these things outside and hang them up to dry in the
morning when it stops raining.”
 “Oh, no.  Surely you do not go around wearing monk's clothes all day.  You
can just throw them in the fire,” Kasaba shook her head.
 Trouble grinned.  “Actually, Mother, she does.”
 “Yes, I do.  And I only have two sets so I must save these,” Aquila explained.
 Kasaba looked perplexed but did not object any more.  When her mission was
through, Aquila took her place at Trouble's side and noticed that he, too, had
found dry clothes to change into.  She looked from Kasaba's averted eyes to
Trouble's concerned expression.  Aquila was completely at a loss as to what to
say.  
 “How is Oserene?” Trouble offered.
 “He is doing well.  He got married eight years ago to a lovely young woman,
Poges. They have only had one child but are hoping for another one.  Oserene is
the law around here, now,” Kasaba replied.  “I assume you have seen your father
and that is why you have come.”
 “Yes, Father.  About Father, Mother...he is dead,” Trouble said awkwardly.
 Kasaba gasped and buried her face in her hands.  “And I suppose you were
the cause of that!” she accused.
 “No, I was not.  He charged me with his sword with Aquila in between us
and he was fired upon by other men.  They had no choice, Mother,” Trouble
explained.
 Kasaba was uncontrollable for quite some time.  Aquila and Trouble had to
escort her to the chaise and wait for the flood to subside.  Aquila patted her
arm and offered comforting words like, “He was a good man.” and “He loved
you very much.” even though she did not even know how much Dirrach loved
Kasaba.  She had to guess on that part.  
 When Kasaba was finally able to compose herself, she became a completely
different person.  All signs of tears disappeared and she patted Aquila's hand. 
“When are you due, dear?”
 “In about two and a half or three months,” Aquila responded.
 Kasaba looked at Aquila's enlarged stomach and thought for a minute. 
“You must stay in my bed until the baby is born.”
 “Oh, no, I could not intrude on you like that,” Aquila objected.
 “Oh, yes you can, and you will.  Trouble will see to that,” Kasaba raised
her chin triumphantly.
 “I will?” Trouble confirmed.  Kasaba gave him a look and Trouble turned
to Aquila.  “I will.”
 Kasaba suddenly turned sad and took Trouble's hand in hers.  “Trouble,”
she sighed.  “I made the greatest mistake in treating you as I did.  I was not a
very good mother to you. A—after you left...there was this hole in my heart that
has never healed.  I have cursed myself and berated myself many a time since
that day you left.  I could not stop missing the little boy who was always asking
questions...that I never seemed to have time for.  Dirrach does not know this, but
I have been praying for you to come back ever since.  And now you have. 
Please do not leave me again.  I know I was harsh in accusing you of Dirrach's
death but...”
 Trouble wrapped his mother in his arms and gently held her to his chest.  “Do
not worry, Mother.  If we part, it shall not be on such terms.”
 Aquila furiously wiped at the tears that were pouring down her cheeks.  If only
I had a mother to go home to.  But I do not even have Wren.
 Kasaba hugged her son for a moment before noticing Aquila.  “Oh, Trouble,
take Aquila to bed.  She is exhausted.”
 Trouble kissed his mother's forehead and then stood.  “Yes, Mother.  Aquila,
you heard her.  Off to bed we go.”
 Aquila giggled through the subsiding tears at the way he said “we” and quickly
scooted off of the chaise and into the back room.  Trouble was close on her heels
and was quick to wrap her in his arms when the door was shut.  “Oh, my love!  I
am never leaving you alone for as long as I live.”
 “You know that is not possible.  You must make a living somehow and I cannot
follow you along with children and a house to tend to,” Aquila shook her head.
 “Then I suppose I shall have to leave you with my mother while I am gone. 
Mother was always a strong woman and can protect you when I am not around.”
 “Are you sure she will like that?”
 “She will love having you around with a grandchild,” Trouble assured her.
 Aquila chuckled.  “Children do have that affect on people.”
     ********
 “So, what is next for the two of you?” Kasaba asked them as she set cups of
steaming coffee in front of them the next morning after breakfast.
 Trouble had just finished filling his mother in all that had gone on for the past
two years. Breakfast had now been cleared away and Aquila was massaging her
stomach as pain sliced through her core.
 Kasaba frowned for a second as Aquila grunted but thought nothing further of
it. Trouble did not notice it at all and shrugged.  “I figure I will try to find a job
around town. Maybe go talk Oserene into deputizing me.  But I reckon a felon
such as myself could not be given such a job.”
 “Nobody in town knows your identity.  And Oserene can be talked around,”
Kasaba informed him.
 “Then I shall see him today when I go into town,” Trouble concluded.  
 “Do not bother going into town.  I shall send a missive inviting them to dinner
tonight. We can have a family reunion and you can meet Poges and Olga,” Kasaba
suggested.
 “Good.  It will give me time to get some things done around here.”  Trouble
stood and kissed Aquila on the forehead before heading out the door.
 Kasaba watched Aquila for a moment before leaning forward and placing her
hand on Aquila's stomach.  “Do you have any brothers and sisters?”
 “Eight of them.”
 “Is there a history of twins in your family?”
 “The two underneath me are twins, why...”  Aquila looked down.  “Oh.”
 “I think we are expecting more than one.  What have you been doing in
preparation for these babies?”
 “What have I been doing?”
 “Yes, like making clothes, diapers, and the other necessities needed for the
care of an infant.”  Aquila looked horrified.  She knew nothing of how to prepare
for a baby.  
 Kasaba saw the look and her mouth dropped slightly.  “You mean you have
not done anything?”
 “I know nothing of how to prepare for a child,” Aquila explained.  “The twins
were the only ones underneath me and I remember nothing of my mother's
preparations and she died when I was very young.”
 Kasaba instantly sprang into action.  “Let me see what I have left over from
Trouble and Oserene.  Probably not much.  I think I sent most of it to Poges when
she was pregnant with Olga.”
 Aquila followed Kasaba to the back of the house and into a closet.  Kasaba
opened various boxes and shook her head.  “Poges has them all.  I shall ask her
about them tonight and see what condition they are in.”
 “How far is town?” Aquila asked.
 “Oh, not far.  Why?”
 “I want to get the feel of this place.  Trouble talks as if he wants to settle down
in this town.  You could go with me and give the missive to Oserene.”
 “That is a good idea.  Let me go get the horses ready.”
 Aquila did not ask to help.  She had given up all attempts to assist in such
preparations. Instead she slowly wandered outside and towards the stables.  It
was a beautiful place.  The gray stone with a thatched roof and a chimney rising
above it to the right gave it a quaint and cozy atmosphere.  
 The smoke did not bother the birds that blissfully sang from the trees that
completely surrounded it, sealing it off from the outside world except for one gravel
road that seemed to simply disappear into the foliage beyond.  
 Aquila looked around and frowned.  Where was the barn?  She circled the
whole cottage but found nothing.  She was thoroughly confused by the time Kasaba
appeared in a buggy coming up the one road leading in.  
 Kasaba read the look and nodded.  “The barn is just beyond.”
 “Oh.”  Aquila grunted and groaned her way up into the buggy.  “You do not
think I will look a scary sight?”
 “What?  The fact that your stomach is five times as big as your body?  Yes,
but they are kind people and will not say anything,” Kasaba said matter-of-factly.
 Aquila looked at her incredulously but said nothing.  The trip into town was
much less overshadowed as the house.  The road led out of the trees into open
space that seemed to relieve the oppression Aquila had begun to feel.  “I think
I want to live on a farm out in the middle of nowhere.  Something like this. 
There are trees but not so many that you can't see the sky or enjoy fresh
uninhibited air.  Here there is plenty of room for the kids to run around without
worrying about thorns and briars.”
 “That would be a wise decision.  Trouble and Oserene were always coming
in with scars,” Kasaba noted.
 The picture of the scar that ran across Trouble's back suddenly flashed
through Aquila's mind.  She had seen it that first day when she bandaged him
up from the spear in his side. Somehow she had not thought to ask him about
it since.  Now it plagued her.  “How did he get that scar on his back?”
 “What scar on his back?” Kasaba frowned.
 “Oh, he must have gotten that while he was gone.”
 “Most undoubtedly.  What does it look like?”
 “He has one thick long scar that runs from his left shoulder to the bottom right
side of his back.”
 “We shall have to ask him about that.”
 The remainder of the trip into town was quiet but when Kasaba appeared in
town, a small town called Kantuuk, people began pouring from one side of the
street to the other to meet her.  Aquila was perplexed.  “Do you always get such
a greeting?” she asked her mother-in-law.
 “No,” Kasaba shook her head in a quandary all her own.
 “Kasaba, are you all right?”
 “Have you heard about Dirrach?”
 “Kasaba!”
 “Do you need anything?”
 Everyone was talking at once asking questions about Dirrach and her well
being. Suddenly a tall man appeared cutting through the crowds.  “Mother!”
 Kasaba had already put the brake down on the buggy and handed the reins
off to another man so that the tall stranger simply lifted her down and whisked
her away.  The crowd seemed to follow, completely ignoring the other woman
in the buggy.  
 Aquila watched the crowd disappear into a saloon.  Sighing, she folded her
hands in her lap and waited a moment.  Surely Kasaba would remember her. 
Right now she was at a loss as to what to do.  The feat of getting down from
the buggy seemed much scarier than getting up.  
 When some time elapsed and she had obviously been forgotten, Aquila finally
looked over the side.  “Fine.”
 It was slow, and even scarier than just thinking about it, but she finally
managed to touch ground.  Straightening her skirt of which she was
unaccustomed to wearing, she looked around.  The general store was easy to
spot and so she decided to venture in.  
 Tanner's General store was well stocked and seemed to be decently priced
as well.  She looked over the dry goods well and then moved on to a section
that was devoted to clothing.  There was some baby things that she began
picking up and examining.  
 “Excuse me, can I help you?”
 Aquila jumped, startled at the sudden presence of the woman addressing her. 
“Oh, no.  I am just looking.”  Aquila looked up at her and then at the taller man
beside her.  She had seen that man before.  It only took a moment to place him. 
“You must be Oserene Woman.”
 “Y—yes, I am.”  The man stuttered out as he looked at the other woman. 
“How did you know?”
 “I saw your picture with your parents above the mantle,” Aquila said as
if that would explain everything.  
 “Picture?  You know my parents?” Oserene asked.
 “Did Kasaba not tell you?  I am sorry.  I only assumed she would have
told you.  I am her daughter-in-law,” Aquila informed him.
 Oserene's face paled.  “D—daughter-in-law?  I—I am sorry, you must be mistaken. 
I am her only son.”

Chapter 9
The next morning, Aquila woke up and sighed. I am not going to think of Trouble anymore. This morning I am turning that page in my life and never looking back.
“Good morning, Lady Aquila,” Yerik's low voice intruded in on her thoughts.
Aquila gladly turned her attention to the man. “Good morning, Lord Galowen.”
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I did, thank you. And you?”
“I did, thank you.”
Yerik handed Aquila a steaming cup of coffee. Aquila accepted the cup as she studied the man who had become her companion. He was not that handsome but then again she could see why some girl might enjoy his attentions. He was well built and slightly above average in height. His large hands were rather clumsy but he made up for it in excellent manners and his smile was quite winsome despite the small gap where his left front tooth had been knocked out. His eyes matched the muddy brown of his hair that was gradually receding back over his head. But this was hardly noticeable as he normally wore a black flat cap with red and gold bennu feathers.
Yerik shifted and Aquila realized he was watching her as she watched him. “Forgive me, Lord Galowen, for starring. It is quite rude of me.”
Yerik merely shrugged. Dirrach stepped in at that moment. “We need to mount up.”
Aquila wanted to complain but shut her mouth. Instead she took a deep breath and grunted as she struggled to stand. Her baby kicked in protest and she gasped.
Yerik frowned. “Lady Aquila, are you alright?”
Aquila managed to nod. Yerik offered his hand and she grabbed hold. With his help, Aquila was able to get off the ground and sighed in relief. “I do not know if I can do that again.”
Yerik chuckled. “It is a pity there is not such a thing as a transportable pulley and harness so that we may lift and lower you from the horse to the ground so that you may get up and down as much as you like. It might also help you off of the ground.”
Aquila nodded in agreement. “I just can not wait until I have this baby and I can lose this weight.”
At that moment the baby kicked again but it was rather odd. At the same time that it kicked on her left side, it felt as if it had kicked the right side as well. Aquila frowned but said nothing. Yerik was already in position to assist her onto the horse.
When Aquila was comfortably situated on the horse, Yerik smiled up at her. “Maybe we can travel at a slower pace today.”
Dirrach had mounted his horse and was by their side at that moment. “Aquila, are you uncomfortable with the pace we have been going at?”
Aquila flushed. Looking down she admitted, “Yes.”
“Do not be ashamed. It was harsh of me to push you at such a pace with you being with child like you are. I offer my sincerest of apologies for my thoughtlessness. We shall travel at a much slower pace,” Dirrach assured her.
Aquila looked at him and smiled in gratitude. “That would be so nice, thank you.”
Yerik mounted and Dirrach spurred his horse into a comfortable walk. Alas, despite the slower pace, Aquila's discomfort grew worse. Once a tear managed to slip down her face and Yerik reached over and wiped it off. Aquila was slightly startled at the gesture but shook it off and sucked it in. Concern for the baby within her was growing. Could he or she withstand the strain of the trail?
Are you a girl or a boy? Will you look like me or...your father? I do not know if I could handle the pain if you become the constant reminder of a man I once loved. Memories of the good times she had had with Trouble flooded her mind at that moment and she had all she could do not to turn around. Trouble was probably not even home anyway. She would be returning to an empty castle where his memories would haunt her there. Besides, she could not love him like she did before.
“Have you thought of a name for the baby?” Yerik's voice intruded into her thoughts.
“A name? Oh...I guess I have not thought about that,” Aquila frowned as she reached up to move a small low hanging limb out of her way.
“Well, think of some. You must have one soon. We would not want the little one to surprise us earlier than expected and not have a name for him or her.”
“Maybe something like Gustav, or Gilov maybe.” Aquila shrugged.
“So do you think it is a boy?”
“With as much movement as this little one is giving, it has to be a boy. Right?” Aquila's brow furrowed.
Dirrach pulled up at that moment forcing all to come to a stop. “Yerik, we are coming up on the Beldarak Thadal within the next mile or so. Lady Aquila will probably need a steady hand to help her across.”
Yerik nodded and moved his horse so close to Aquila's that his foot brushed the hem of her robe. “She will get across safely.”
“Good man,” Dirrach nodded and then moved the entourage forward.
Moments later a dull rumble could be heard in the distance. As they traveled on it grew louder and louder until it became a deafening roar. Aquila's eyes widened and she swallowed in fear. White caps crashed wildly against rocks that stood up above the angry river that looked as if it could carry an elephant away.
“Do not be afraid, Lady Aquila,” Yerik said calmingly. “It only looks impossible. Many have crossed it and lived to tell about it. I have no doubt you shall make it as well.”
Yerik nudged his horse even closer so that he could place an arm around Aquila as he kicked his horse into motion. Aquila's horse followed obediently and down into the river. Icy water hit Aquila's legs and she shuddered wanting for all the world to return to the bank. Aquila gasped, exhaled shakily, and gasped again as the strong icy arms of the river crept up her legs and then up her waist.
Aquila grabbed a hold of the horse's mane to steel herself against the raging force of the river. In between gasps for air, Aquila squealed, “Lord...Gallowen!”
Yerik's hold tightened around her waist. Seconds turned into hours as the travelers fought to stay on their horses while the horses struggled to not get swept downstream. Halfway across the river, Aquila's horse's leg struck an underwater boulder and the horse panicked, losing it's control. Aquila quickly let go of the horse's mane and threw her arms around Yerik's neck as the raging waters swept the horse out from under her.
Yerik pulled her over the front of his horse as soon as she was free of her horse. “Hold on, Lady Aquila!”
Dirrach was the first to make it across and he turned to watch as the others joined him. “Hold on, Aquila! Yerik!”
Aquila shook from the cold water that penetrated clear to her bones. It seemed the onslaught would never end and she was losing the feeling in her lower half. She was acutely aware that she was easing up her grip around Yerik's neck, and had it not been for Yerik's arm around her waist, she knew she would have surely been swept away by the river's merciless fury. Yet even Yerik's grip was shaky enough to leave her fearful of the consequences should he give way.
Exhaustion hit Aquila and she leaned up against Yerik's wet chest. Closing her eyes, she prayed, Deus, where are you...


It was hot. Hot and dark. Yet shadows fell over her even through the darkness. Something heavy laid over her body and she pushed it away trying to find relief from the heat but something repositioned it. A low voice admonished her, “You have to stay covered.”
“Hot,” Aquila mumbled in response and tried to push away the heat source. A firm grip held it over her and she gave up. “Hot—“


“How is she doing?”
“Her fever broke this morning.”
“Good. The worst is behind us.”
“She should be out of it at any moment.”
Aquila opened her eyes. Staring up at a gray wall, she blinked. A cave. But what happened to the river?
“Aquila?” Yerik appeared at her side. Dirrach frowned at his side. Yerik shook his head. “Lady Aquila, how are you feeling?”
“Aquila, we were worried about you,” Dirrach said in a reprimanding tone.
“I am sorry,” Aquila squeaked. Clearing her throat, she smiled apologetically.
Dirrach winked as he reached over to pat her hand. “You rest now. You will be up in no time at all and we can continue our journey. It should not be but a couple of days or more now before we reach home and you will be in the capable hands of my wife, Kasaba.”
“Thank you,” Aquila squeezed his hand.
“Excuse me, I must see to the other men,” Dirrach nodded at Yerik.
When Dirrach had left, Yerik picked up her hand. Aquila turned to him, “What happened? The last thing I remember we were in the river.”
“We got out, is what happened, but you came down with a high fever due to the freezing temperatures you had to endure while in the river. We thought we had lost you several times over the past couple of days. But you seem to have come out of it all right,” Yerik explained.
Aquila nodded. Then, remembering something Dirrach had said before the river, Aquila asked, “Lord Gallowen, what's Beldarak Thadal?”
“That was the name of the river. It means 'Treacherous Fate'.”
“Oh.” Aquila studied the man sitting beside her. His face was too wide, his nose to big, and his forehead too bare of hair for her to find him attractive but something about him stirred up a desire to love again.
Yerik released her hand awkwardly, having held it longer than propriety allowed already. Aquila looked away and pulled her hand under the thin blanket that covered her, the form of her pregnant stomach reminding her of the obstacles in between her and a future with a man. No one would want a woman with a child.
Suddenly Aquila's future dimmed. Why did I ever think I could start over? Sure, I could probably forget Trouble completely but that does not change the fact that I am a mother and it is looked down upon for a woman to leave her husband. But I did not leave him, he left me...but people would wonder and no man could marry me with my baggage. It would shame them. No one would even consider it.
A tear slipped down her cheek bone and rolled into the crease of her left ear. Yerik frowned. “What is wrong?”
Aquila jumped. She had forgotten that he was there. “Oh, it is nothing. I am just tired, that is all.”
“Sleep now,” Yerik ordered. “I will have some food for you to eat when you wake up next.”

********

True to his word, Yerik had a plate full of food ready for her when she awoke. After assisting her into a sitting position, he handed her a plate with some beans and meat on it. “Rabbit meat. It is very good,” he responded to her questioning look.
Aquila accepted the plate and ate as if it would be her last. When she was done, Yerik took the plate back. “Are you ready to travel?”
Aquila nodded. “I am ready.”
Yerik stood and helped her to her feet. “We only have a few days travel ahead of us.”
Aquila suddenly remembered her horse. “What happened to my horse?”
“We found him on shore a mile downstream with a broken foreleg.”
“Poor horse,” Aquila frowned. “How will I travel now?”
“You shall ride across the front of my horse. When we take a break we will trade with one of our men to give ours a break from the weight.”
Dirrach approached then. “Are we ready?”
“Yes sir,” Yerik saluted.
“Mount up!” he roared over the camp.

**********

As the day progressed, Yerik kept Aquila involved in lively banter. Many times Aquila would burst out laughing causing Dirrach to look back with a frown. Putting a hand to her mouth, she stifled it as best as possible. Yerik would chuckle every time.
Aquila was already asleep in Yerik's arms when nightfall hit. Recovery would still take a little bit more time.
The following day was the same. Aquila rose and sat across the front of Dirrach's horse that now served as Yerik's. But that evening Aquila was wide awake when they set up camp. She frowned as Dirrach nervously paced around the campfire. He had been on edge since that morning. Aquila had seen him talk quickly with the men but for some reason had left her out of it. All day, during the ride, he was constantly looking around and everyone seemed to be keeping one hand on a sword or bow. Aquila was curious but did not know if she should ask.
Now they were encamped in some tall grass in a small circular clearing. Tall pine trees lined it one foot apart from the other but they were not enough to block out the beautiful star covered sky above. Aquila forgot about Dirrach's agitation as she rested on her hands and sighed. “It is a beautiful night, is it not?”
“Very true, Lady Aquila,” Yerik agreed. There was a small moment of silence before Yerik cleared his throat. “Lady Aquila, I was wondering—“
Suddenly one of the men that had been on guard duty came running up with wide eyes. Aquila immediately noticed the empty sheaths at his side where his long sword and dagger normally were.
Dirrach frowned. “Earh, where is your sword?”
Earh was out of breath and looked as if he had just passed death's door. “It is...him...he sent me...to warn you...he wants...his wife back.”
Dirrach scowled. “You tell him he will not have her.”
Earh dropped to his knees. “Please do not send me back...without her...he says he will...kill me if...she is not with...me.”
“Fine. I will tell him,” Dirrach said and then turned to his men. “This is it, men. Yerik, you stay with Lady Aquila. The rest of you, come with me. We are going to finish him off.”
Something sliced through Aquila's heart when he said that but she frowned and shook it off. It was only after the men had disappeared into the trees that Aquila became concerned. “Yerik!”
“Yes, Lady Aquila?” Yerik moved closer.
“Trouble is smart. He is a good tracker. He no doubt knows that there are way too many men for him to take on by himself and would not chance an encounter with the lot of them. You must leave now, or you shall surely lose your life,” Aquila pushed him towards the direction the other men went.
“But Lady Aquila, I am here to protect you. I could not forgive myself if I left you to the hands of that ruthless killer. I will stay and fight for you,” Yerik protested.
“No! You must go now. You would be foolish to think you could take him. He will not hurt me but he will not think twice of killing you if you should even lift a finger to challenge him. Go, go, go!”
“Never. Lady Aquila, you must know now that think that I am in love with you. You deserve better than he and I would rather die than give you up,” Yerik informed her.
Suddenly his eyes grew big and he gasped, staring at something behind and far above Aquila's head. “You just may have that chance,” a deep voice responded as a blade came to rest on Yerik's shoulder, inches away from his neck.
“You fool!” Aquila frowned at Yerik. “It is too late now.”
Yerik glanced upward at the dark figure looming over them. “You must be a man of some honor. Surely you would not cut me down now without giving me some chance.”
“You want a duel?” Trouble asked evenly.
“That is exactly what I want. One long sword, no daggers or bow. Code of honor on both of our parts,” Yerik nodded.
Trouble lifted his sword and a hand steered Aquila to the side. Aquila watched as Trouble stepped back, replaced his sword in its sheath, and bowed. “Code of honor—to the death. Aquila, move to the left. Monsieur Yerik, take your stance and prepare to die.”
Aquila was only happy to move further away and held her breath. Yerik slowly stood and bowed awkwardly. “Monsieur, I am afraid you have met your match.”
“Nonsense. I have only met one man who I could not kill but neither could he kill me. Know that if they return before I kill you, the code of honor is of none affect in the interest of my wife and I.”
Yerik placed one hand behind his back and lifted his sword. “You may find that I have the upper hand.”
“How is that, short stuff?” Trouble cocked his head to the side as he tapped his sword to Yerik's.
“Just that. I am shorter than you and thus can better come in from underneath then you can.”
The fight had begun and Aquila wanted to close her eyes, but she could not force them shut. Trouble set the pace at an easy level and began walking around, forcing Yerik to turn in circles. “Yes, but I could slash your throat just as easily, especially since I have a longer reach.”
“True,” Yerik shrugged.
That movement almost cost him as Trouble took the first move and lunged at him, but he recovered quickly and blocked it away. Trouble's eyes glinted in the soft moonlight. “I must say, it is quite a shock to be gone so long and then to return and find your wife missing. Add to that the fact that once you catch up to her you find her pregnant and enjoying the company of another man.”
“The baby is not mine, if that is what you are implying,” Yerik growled as he attempted a downward slash at Trouble's left leg. “She was much that way when we acquired her pleasant company as she is now.”
“And how am I to believe a word you say?” Trouble swung at Yerik for a horizontal strike to the neck.
“Trouble, this baby is yours!” Aquila came to her own defense. Looking from one man to the other, Aquila frowned. Trouble had yet to break a sweat but Yerik was showing signs of overexertion already.
“You may want to rethink this, boy. There is no room for errors in this game.” Trouble blocked a vertical strike and then paused. “Tell you what, you pull out in the next two or three minutes and I shall release you from death. Otherwise, you might not be so fortunate.”
“Ha.” Yerik lunged but Trouble flicked it to the side. He did it with such ease that Aquila cringed, waiting for Trouble to finish him off.
“Yerik, pull out now,” Aquila pleaded.
“Never. I shall not rest until I see you freed from the oppression of this man,” Yerik sneered.
“He is not oppressing, really. I can take him,” Aquila assured him. “Please, pull out. My husband is reasonable, you will live and...”
“No!” Yerik yelled just as he dodged a playful jab from Trouble.
Aquila could tell that Trouble was not exerting any extra energy. But Yerik's wet neck and face shimmered in the dim light. When the pace started to pick up, Aquila could see what Trouble was doing.
“He is playing with you, Yerik. He is not even sweating,” Aquila pointed out. “He is letting you think you have a chance but he is also making you nervous. Trouble just picked up the pace and will go from a challenge to total intimidation until you make one mistake. That is all it will take and then he will strike at you and you will not have a chance. Yerik, please!”
“You have fallen quiet, Monsieur,” Yerik commented to Trouble.
“What is there to say? My wife is doing the job just fine,” Trouble smirked as he flicked away the testing jab.
“Your wife,” Yerik remarked snidely. “You do not even know your wife, do you? You have been gone how many months? I do not even think you ever loved her. A ruthless killer such as yourself could not even begin to know the meaning of love much less feel it. Say, why do you not ask your wife whom she prefers?”
“All right. Aquila, my love, whom do you prefer?” Trouble complied with no hesitation.
Aquila looked from one to the other. She thought about Yerik. He had been nothing but nice and gentlemanly. He was predictable, easy going, and a good conversationalist. But his hands could not have spanned her waist like Trouble's. Where Yerik was awkward, gruff, and unstable, Trouble was smooth, graceful, and firmly grounded. Yerik had the greatest difficulty assisting her off and on the horse but Trouble could no doubt, despite her extra weight, lift her without feeling a thing. She knew Trouble was gentle and loving, and while Yerik could no doubt be that in his mind, he could never measure up to Trouble.
“Aquila?” Trouble's voice broke through her thoughts.
Aquila shook her head and noticed that the fighting had come to a standstill. She looked between the two. Yerik seemed so sure of himself but Trouble was unreadable. Aquila sighed. “Yerik, you are sweet. You have good intentions, and I am flattered by your affections.” A tear rolled down Aquila's cheek. “But...it would be unfair to you to say yes to your proposal. While you have been nothing but a gentleman from the start, I lost my heart long ago and there is no getting it back. When with you, I would think of Trouble and how he would act and things that he would say or do in each given situation. I would dream of him at night instead of giving you my full attention. I could not make a life with you even if I tried. This child in me is Trouble's and would be a constant reminder of the life I could have had. Please do not be angry with me.”
Devastation hit Yerik like a load of bricks. But it quickly turned to anger and he turned on Trouble once more. “You can not have her!”
In that moment, Yerik made the biggest mistake, and Trouble cut him down with one quick flick of his wrist. Aquila watched in horror as Yerik fell at Trouble's feet. Trouble sighed. “Foolish boy. Never strike in anger.”
Suddenly there was a commotion coming from the forest and Trouble sprang for Aquila. She was in his arms before she could do anything and he disappeared into the forest on the opposite side.
Trouble was quiet but quick. They could hear the men cry out when they found Yerik and Aquila buried her face into Trouble's neck to keep from making any noise, as she cried for the brave man who had attempted to win her heart. It was her fault he was dead.
A few yards later, Trouble mounted with her still in his arms. “A few months pregnant, are we?”
“Try like almost six months pregnant,” Aquila replied sardonically.
“We are not going to last long on this horse. We stayed way too long,” Trouble scowled.
“Well, I am so sorry,” Aquila scowled back. “But I do believe this was your fault.”
Trouble grinned at that point. “I guess it is.”
“There is no guessing about it. If you had not left and stayed away for so long, Dirrach would not have found me alone and been able to carry me off so easily.” Aquila raised her chin.
Trouble softly kissed her lips as he kicked the horse into motion. “I am sorry, darling.”
Aquila could not explain why, but relief flooded her being. Did I really miss him that much? Aquila thought as she melted into the arm he had around her back. You still love him.
“I guess I do,” Aquila sighed.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing.”

*****

Trouble and Aquila were in town when Dirrach and his men caught up to them. Unfortunately, they were also in the middle of the street. Aquila squared herself in front of Trouble. “Dirrach, wait.”
Smoke could almost be seen from the fire in Dirrach's eyes. “Out of the way, Aquila. It is time to end this once and for all.”
“No, Dirrach! Please, listen to me,” Aquila cried.
“He killed Yerik who's been like a son to me. Something Trouble never was. Now he is going to pay,” Dirrach cursed.
“Dirrach! He is the father of my child. You can not do this to me,” Aquila still pleaded.
“How can you sit up there after the way he treated you? He abused you on your wedding and then left you. Now you defend him?” Dirrach pointed his finger at her as if accusing her of all of Trouble's wrongdoings.
“Dirrach,” Aquila barely whispered. “I love him. I chose him. Yerik asked which one I preferred and I told him I preferred Trouble. Yerik made the mistake that lost him his life. If you must be angry at someone for Yerik's death, it is I. I killed him with my own betrayal of his heart.”
“Trouble, are you going to stand up and fight or are you going to continue to hide behind your woman's skirts?” Dirrach spat.
“I could come out from behind them, Dirrach, but you will not win this fight,” Trouble informed him evenly.
Dirrach laughed. “How do you think you are going to get out of it this time? There is twenty of us and one of you!”
“Wrong,” Trouble said.
Immediately men appeared from both sides of the street, some behind Trouble, and some even behind Dirrach's men. They all had bows with arrows ready and all were looking at Dirrach.
Dirrach stepped back and looked around. “Who are they?”
“I am not without friends, Dirrach, contrary to what you may think. There is about fifty of us here and all around you. Take your men and leave or prepare to meet your maker,” Trouble commanded.
Dirrach's anger seethed for a moment as he furiously tried to come up with a plan. Suddenly he lifted his sword and charged at Trouble. Unfortunately Aquila was sitting in between them and she was certain he meant for the blade to go through her and then into Trouble.
Arrows suddenly flew from every direction and Dirrach fell to the ground with ten of them stuck in his body. The other men quickly raised their hands. “We give up. We are leaving,” Earh yelled.
“Good idea, my friend,” Trouble nodded.
Once the men had turned their horses and left, Aquila took a deep breath. It is over. What about his mother? The poor woman, Aquila thought mournfully. “Trouble, your mother! We must go to her. She will be so upset.”
Trouble's arm tightened his hold on her. “What she will be more upset by, her husband's death or the return of her lost son, is the question. But for tonight, let us find a room in the hotel and start out tomorrow.”

**********

Aquila woke up, her hair neatly pulled to the side, and Trouble leaning over her, resting on his arm. Trouble smiled. “Good morning, my love.”
“On the way to your mother's, I want an explanation of why you were gone as long as you were,” Aquila informed him.
Trouble bent down and kissed her lips tenderly. “As you wish.”
Aquila threw the covers back and rolled to her side. Pushing up with her arms, she put her feet over the side and stood. “We need to get ready now.”
Trouble was slower in getting up but when he did get up, he was dressed in only a couple of minutes and was headed out the door. “I will go saddle the horses.”
“Horses?” Aquila frowned.
“Yes. After you fell asleep last night, I bought a horse off of one of my friends. Poor Jessup was not going to last much longer.” And with that he was gone.
Aquila was ready and waiting twenty minutes later when Trouble walked in. Aquila felt like she was waddling as she moved for the door. Stopping just in front of it she grabbed Trouble's shirt and pulled him down. “I love you,” she said and kissed him. “Now let us go.”
Trouble chuckled as he shut the door and followed. When Trouble had checked out of the hotel and had her situated on the horse, Aquila asked, “So, what were you doing all this time?”
Trouble mounted his horse and turned his horse towards the west. “I went to town to look for a job. After a week and a half of not finding one, I headed home. I decided to check your traps as I went.”
“How did you know about my traps?” Aquila interrupted, shifting to a more comfortable position on the rough saddle.
Trouble looked over and grinned. “You know that big hippocerf you caught that you could not carry with you?”
“Yes.” Aquila frowned as she tried to think of the time she had told him about it.
“How do you think it wound up at your feet that morning in the barn?” Trouble asked mischievously.
“You?” Aquila was incredulous.
Trouble nodded. “I followed you on one of your trips into town. I was curious as to what you did. Well, it was at the old mill down by the river that an old man, who introduced himself as Pleo Edler, stopped me and asked if I was the inhabitant of the old Lucian ruins. I said yes and he invited me inside with the excuse that he was our closest neighbor and felt like he had been rude in not reaching out to me sooner. But when we got inside he asked me about the ballroom on the second floor and if I had seen it. When I explained that I had, he told me the story. He was the King's closest friend and as such, his closest advisor. No one knew, and could know, that they were best friends. It was only proper that the King did not associate on a friendly basis with his advisors, but he did not trust Pleo's job to anyone else. But anyway, in the middle of his wedding ceremony, the servant that held the rings produced a knife and thrust it into poor Lady Portchi's stomach. A long sword went into His Majesty's chest and then chaos and pandemonium ensued as knives and swords appeared all over the room. Some managed to escape unscathed, but Pleo had to know if his friend was truly dead. So he moved through the hysterics to the front and just as he had emerged, a knife went into his side and then another across his neck. But it was not a very efficient job as he managed to get up from the floor and exit the door the priest had fallen at. He said he did not remember much after that other than the fact that he hid and watched as the servants partied over their massacre outside until a branch of the royal guard that had been out on a regular patrol of the surrounding grounds came riding through. Obviously some of those who had manged to escape found them and the royal guard executed every manservant on the grounds. They sent the maidservants off to life in prison. Pleo, as the highest ranking official alive, made the royal guard take an oath to never tell what had happened there that day. He disbanded the the men and dismissed them to places all over the world. History books know nothing. All they tell is that on the thirtieth day of the month of June, in the year of our Lord twelve hundred twenty four, the Lucian royalty was silenced and never to be heard from again. Everything else is left to one's own imagination of what could have occurred, although Pleo said that he doubts anyone has ever gotten close to what actually happened. He sealed the doors and transplanted some ivy and petiolaris vines and whenever he got wind of people going up there, he scared them out of their wits with tales of ghosts. So far it had worked. Except somehow you managed to slip by. And now, you have something that they want.”

Chapter 8

Trouble instantly forgot about Dirrach and moved for Aquila. But Dirrach stepped in front of him. “Leave her, Trouble, you have hurt her enough already.”
Trouble swung the back of his hand and hit Dirrach square on the jaw. The blow was so hard that he flew to the ground several feet away. “Don't ever step in between me and my wife again or you shall not live to regret it!” Trouble roared.
The hatred and ire disappeared as Trouble turned to Aquila. Aquila tried to back up more and fell off the bed. Trouble grabbed her and pulled her up to his chest. Aquila cringed, fearful of the pain he had caused her just before he left, but betrayal was all she felt.
“Aquila, my love!” Trouble implored softly. “Please let me speak on my behalf. Yes, I am the Woman. But I would not hurt you intentionally. I know, I treated you painfully at that point, but forgive me, I beg of you, for I cannot live without you. I wish now that I had thought about what I was doing instead of the pain of the past that that man has caused me.”
“You would not hurt me intentionally? You were sent to kill me!” Aquila balled her hands into fists and began beating his chest as hard as she could manage even though she knew he could hardly feel a thing.
“Yes, I was sent to kill you. But I did not because I fell in love with you. Can you not see that everything has changed? Do you know how many times I watched you sleep and could have taken that moment plus many more opportunities to carry out the job? My life was on the line the second I fell in love with you, too. Please, do not make this harder than it has to be,” Trouble pleaded as he allowed her to beat away at him.
Aquila sniffed as she ceased her flailing and wiped the tears from her eyes. She remained stiff and said nothing.
“Face it, Trouble. This scene is what I spared you from with your mother. You will get no where with Aquila, either,” Dirrach spoke from his place on the floor.
Aquila placed her fists against his chest and pushed. “Leave me, Trouble.”
After what seemed like hours of apologizing and pleading, Trouble would not be put off. “Aquila!”
Aquila stopped instantly and looked up at him. He was no longer pleading with her. His face and voice spoke of authority and complete seriousness as he continued, “If you cannot listen to my love speaking from my heart of how sorry I am for the way I treated you at our wedding and for the betrayal you must feel at finding out who I used to be, then I am going to have to stand on the grounds of your husband and final authority. My love will never change, and until you figure this out for yourself, you will submit to me as a wife should. I will not, for now, ask you to share my bed, but unless you can promise and prove your faithfulness to that promise, you will be subject to, what may seem like, imprisonment in your own home.”
She could hardly believe the change that came over him so suddenly and images of Duard popped into her mind. But it was worse. What had she been thinking of at their wedding? How much more oppressive Trouble could be than Duard if he was in the mind to. He had a mind to, now.
“Promise me you will not run, stick to your promise, and life will be easy. Run...and your liberties will be restricted,” Trouble informed her as he released his hold on her and stood.
“I will not run...but only because I could not win if I tried,” Aquila choked out and turned away.
Her eyes closed as Trouble placed a gentle kiss on the side of her head before turning to the man still sitting on the floor a few paces off. “As for you, you can get out and never come back. Why you even bothered to return is beyond me, but know now that you are not welcome and never will be welcome.”
Dirrach stood. “I received word of the death of the Woman and came to investigate the truth of such a tale. I can see now it was someone else you most certainly executed to fabricate such a lie.”
“For your information, it was the man who was sent to kill Aquila. I found it very convenient in my retirement. I send his head to the underground with my name on it and they think I'm dead, leaving me to live my life in quiet peace with my wife and family,” Trouble explained sardonically.
Pain shot through Aquila's heart at the word, “family.” They would have no family. She would not go anywhere near Trouble's bed for as long as she lived, instead living a life of solitude in her room other than fixing meals, which she would do, but nothing special. Trouble would get nothing from her other than those meals. He could suffer from his mistakes either alone in misery or with some other woman's company. She would release him from his vow to faithfulness, for she wanted no part of him, and she wanted no reason for him to force himself on her.
Dirrach looked at Aquila sorrowfully. “I will not forget about you. You shall be free one day.” And with that, he was gone.
If only you could help me, Aquila thought despairingly.
Trouble stood there for a moment and Aquila was suddenly aware that she was open in front of him with only her undergarments on. She grabbed the blanket from the floor and wrapped them around her. “I will go to my room now.”
Aquila ignored the pain she saw shoot across Trouble's eyes at her actions and trudged out the door and up the steps to her room in the top of the tower. She knew Trouble had followed her to the stairs and could feel his eyes on her back as she tripped on the edge of the blanket all the way up the stairs.

***********

Trouble sank onto the bed and ran a hand through his hair. What was he doing? Imprisoning his own wife...it was selfish. But he would not be able to stand living life without her.
Aquila collapsed onto her mattress and sobbed. How could she have been so foolish as to believe there was a man that she could be happy with? His name should have completely given it away. He was nothing but trouble and found pleasure from bringing it to women. His mother was right in her assessment from the start.

************

Aquila tiptoed down the stairs early the next morning after carefully braiding her hair and pinning it to her head. She wanted to have breakfast ready and be back into her room before Trouble was up. Water was needed for the preparations of the meal and so she quietly slipped the bucket off the rung and slipped outside.
The sun was just beginning to rise and the wind was blowing. It would be a short and peaceful trip if all went as planned. Aquila sauntered down the path until she reached her little niche in the cave where the water trickled out of the rocks. Once the bucket was full she turned and made her way back up the mountain.
She carefully opened the door and stepped inside but stopped when she found Trouble sitting at the table. Aquila grumbled and went to the hearth where he had already started a fire.
All was quiet through the preparations and all through breakfast. Aquila even stayed to take care of the dishes but was headed back to her room when Trouble spoke. “Why must you do this to us?”
Aquila ignored him and disappeared upstairs. And so life droned on in the same manner day after day, week after week until one evening after supper when Aquila was about to go to bed. Nothing different had happened that day to warn Aquila of the change coming, so when she laid down on her bed and looked up to find Trouble standing over her, she nearly jumped out of her skin.
Clutching the covers to her shoulders, Aquila stared at him wide eyed. “What do you want?”
“We have been married for four months now and you still insist on living up here. But I am not having any more of this. I do not know what you want me to do to prove my love for you or change your mind about me, but I am putting an end to living separate lives here and now. You are coming downstairs with me tonight.” He was not angry but the authority in his voice told her she had no choice but to obey.
Holding the blanket securely around her with one hand, she gripped the cross pendant in the other and stood up. Her hair fell all around her and she curled her body up underneath it, wishing she could simply disappear. Instead, she slowly preceded him down the stairs feeling even more vulnerable now then ever before. The door to his bedroom was open and it seemed like she was walking to her death with every step she took towards it. She did not dare stop or look back for fear of letting on just how much she feared him.
She took one side of the bed the closest to the door and laid in it, her back to his side of the bed. Aquila felt the bed shift as Trouble climbed into bed. Aquila closed her eyes. Could she let go of her bitterness from his treatment of her and his betrayal? She still loved him even if she did not want to admit it, but she was afraid to allow herself to be vulnerable to hurt once more.

***************

One day a few weeks later, Trouble announced that he was taking a trip into town. He did not know when he would be back but that he would be back within a week or two depending on how well his business went.
Aquila did not ask what business it was. “That is fine. I shall be quite content to enjoy my solitude, so do not hurry back.”
Trouble only winked and mounted his horse. Aquila watched his retreating back and silently wished him to never return. Two weeks passed and there was no sign of Trouble. Aquila frowned but shrugged it off.
One morning a week later, Aquila stood at the edge of the cliff and pulled her robe tighter around her for warmth. Leaning against the wind, she scanned the horizon for any sign of Trouble. He should have been back last week. Aquila frowned and shivered as the cold continued to seep through her clothing.
Turning around, she gave up for the moment. If he was not coming home at all, or if something had happened to him, standing out there watching for him was not going to bring him back.
Aquila shoved the last piece of wood into the fire and sunk down in front of it. It was the last piece of wood Trouble had chopped last year. She had not planned on him being gone so long. Now, if she took the trip down the mountain to get wood and he came back while she was gone, he would not be happy with her.
Aquila crossed her arms over her chest in frustration. “You are just a bunch of trouble.”
The next morning, Aquila found herself once more searching every side of the mountain she could see from the castle grounds. Still, there was no one or no thing to give any clue as to where he was.
From then on the sun found Aquila standing outside searching for Trouble. Every morning found her wrapped in an extra layer of clothing. The inside of the castle was now just as cold as the outside that threatened to snow at any moment.
Two months after Trouble had left, and Aquila went down to bathe. She was just about to step in when she noticed it: she had gained a few pounds around her middle. At first, she frowned and tried to think of how much she was eating. She did not remember eating any more than usual and with the exercise routine she kept, walking up and down the mountain carrying water for the day, she had never gained weight.
Suddenly it hit her and she despairingly sank into the water. She was pregnant and alone. Where was Trouble? He had no clue and she had no way of reaching him. She had brought it on herself. If she had not wished him to never return, Deus would have brought him back. But Deus had heard her desire and granted it.
Week after week, Aquila kept on wondering if he would ever return. A few times she left the castle to find game for food, but she remained within a days travel and returned every night no matter how late. Her stomach progressively grew larger and larger making it incredibly difficult to make the trip up and down the mountain. It never ceased to amaze Aquila how fast her stomach grew in two months.
It was now late January, and though she had given up hope of him returning, Aquila still greeted the sun at the edge of the cliff. It had been four months since Trouble's departure and everything told her he would not be coming back.
It had been her foolish self that had brought this on her. Now four and a half months pregnant, she would eventually have to face the decision to move into town until her baby was delivered. Living alone on the mountain was not wise with no one to deliver the baby.
That evening as she was preparing to go down to take her bath in the pool, she heard the kitchen door open. It was so faint that she almost missed it but her solitary life for the past several months had tuned her ears to complete silence and the door, even when slowly and quietly pushed, made noise that she could pick up.
Aquila almost ran for the kitchen but stopped when it was evident whoever had come in was trying to be quiet. Instead she ran to her room and grabbed her bow and arrow.
Resting an arrow on the her finger, she pulled the string back and cautiously moved towards the kitchen. Someone was opening the door from the kitchen to the hallway when she got there and she prepared to let it fly.
Dirrach stepped through the opening and instantly went still. “Aquila, it is I, Dirrach.”
Aquila lowered the bow and sighed with relief. “What are you doing here?”
“I promised you that I would not leave you here. I make promises and keep them. Where is Trouble?”
“He left a few months ago saying that he would be back in a week or two but he has not returned.”
“It would be like that fool to get you pregnant and then leave you. How far are you along?” Dirrach questioned.
“He does not know I am pregnant. I am four and a half months along.”
“Only four? You look like you're seven!”
“Well, thank you for your kind assessment,” Aquila frowned.
Dirrach shook his head. “I am sorry. That was rude of me. Please forgive my thoughtlessness.”
Aquila shrugged. “Am I really that big?”
Dirrach nodded. “Yes, but there is no time to talk of that. My men are waiting outside and I would rather not be found by Trouble.”
“Men?” Aquila sounded hesitant.
“Yes. You do not think I would come alone with the possibility of running into Trouble? I would be foolish to think I could face him now. You do not understand what he is capable of. Now hurry and get your things!'
Aquila hurried to the cook's quarters, where she had moved her belongings, and quickly packed a small bag with two of her robes and some other personal belongings. She returned to the kitchen in only ten minutes and Dirrach led her outside.
True enough, there was a band of twenty men on horses sitting outside. Dirrach motioned to one and he dismounted. “Aquila, this is Yerik. He will be your sole guardian. Yerik, help Lady Aquila onto her horse,” Dirrach instructed.
Yerik gave a curt but awkward bow and then led her to a saddled horse. Aquila tied her bag onto the saddle horn and then turned to Yerik. “How do you want to do this? I'm four months pregnant and short.”
Yerik chuckled and dropped to one knee. “Step on my knee and I will help you the rest of the way.”
Aquila obeyed and stepped up on his knee with one foot. The other one she simultaneously placed in the stirrup and grabbed a hold of the saddle horn and the back of the saddle. Unfortunately her stomach was refusing her the ability to finish the rest of the way. Yerik reached up and grabbed her around the waist. He stood and lifted her onto the saddle with a grunt. Aquila was embarrassed at the extra weight and apologized.
Yerik shrugged and mounted his horse. He nodded at Dirrach and Dirrach nodded back, then waved his hand. “Let us go, men. It will be slow going down the mountain, but once we reach the bottom, there should be no problems.”
So the journey began. Aquila could hardly believe what was happening.
As Dirrach said, the trek down the mountain was slow. Aquila was certain that, even in her pregnant state, she could have made it down and back up on foot faster than it took them to make it on the horses.
When they finally made it down the mountain, Dirrach led them off the beaten path and through the thick of the forest for a few miles until they came to the edge of the forest. “We shall set up camp here. Yerik, make sure that Lady Aquila is situated comfortably,” Dirrach ordered.
“Yes, Lord Dirrach,” Yerik replied.
“Lord Dirrach,” Aquila quickly spoke. “Might I set up camp on the outskirts of your outfit?”
“Wish granted, Yerik, see that it is done,” Dirrach conceeded.
Yerik saluted and then led Aquila towards the west a little ways. “You should be more comfortable here, Lady Aquila.”
When Yerik had dismounted and awkwardly assisted Aquila off her horse, Aquila took a quick look around and then smiled up at her guard. “Thank you, this will do nicely.”
Aquila began to clear a spot off underneath a tree for her blanket. Realizing that Yerik had not moved on yet, she looked up. “Thank you, Lord Yerik. You have been so kind, but I might ask you to do me one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Relax and go settle in for the night. I am quite used to setting up 'camp' for myself and I will not need your assistance. I feel I am intruding on your time by keeping longer than necessary,” Aquila smiled.
“Oh, no ma'am. As your guard I will be setting up camp within a few feet from you. You are not intruding on my time, I assure you,” Yerik explained.
“Oh.” Aquila was rather uncomfortable with this arrangement. Yerik was still a stranger and she did not make it a habit of sleeping near strange men.
Dirrach walked up at that moment. “Uh, Yerik, perhaps maybe I should take the first night's guard duty. Just until Lady Aquila is comfortable with your presence.”
“Yes, Lord Dirrach. I agree with your decision whole heartedly.” With a hardly satisfactory salute to Dirrach and a curt bow to Aquila, he ambled back over to the fire where the other men were coaxing into life.
“Thank you, Lord Dirrach, I was feeling quite odd trying to explain to him that I would rather he not spend his night so close. But, Lord Dirrach, I do not know tat I shall ever be comfortable sleeping in such close quarters with him. Might it be arranged this way every night?” Aquila requested.
Dirrach bowed. “I see no reason not. Rest easy tonight, Aquila.”
Aquila nodded and Dirrach moved to a tree twenty feet away. When her bed roll, that had been provided, was laid out, she let herself gently down on top of it and fell fast asleep wondering where Trouble had run off to.

**********

Aquila woke up with the sun and was surprised to find that the men had already rolled up their beds. There was one lonely cup hanging beside the fire and Yerik poured it full of coffee. He almost spilled it when she walked up. “Good morning, Lady Aquila. Would you like some coffee?”
“Oh, yes, please,” Aquila said.
Yerik handed it to her. “You are an early riser.”
“I slept late today. I am used to waking up before the sun to look for my husband,” Aquila commented.
Aquila did not miss the looks that Yerik and Dirrach exchanged. “Your husband?” Yerik raised an eyebrow. “I was under the impression that one does not look for a husband she does not care for.”
Aquila shrugged and sipped at the dark steamy liquid. “If you were pregnant and unsure of your future, you, too, would be looking for your husband.”
“Let us be glad we got there before that fool did,” Dirrach scowled. “Well, let us mount up and ride.”
Aquila looked mournfully at her cup of coffee and sighed. It would have to go or she would dump the scalding coffee down her front and regret it terribly.
Yerik took the cup and did the honors before assisting her up onto the horse again. From then on they rode hard. Just after noon, Aquila could tell Yerik was watching her closely. She knew he was concerned about her health and endurance level so she looked at him and smiled her gratitude for his sympathy.
Still, they rode on, barely stopping to grab a bite to eat. That night Aquila crawled into her bed role and wiped a tear from her eye. She truly was not used to riding horses but she did not want to tell Dirrach this. He was a determined man.
The next morning Aquila woke up to Dirrach's prodding. “Aquila, it is time to go.”
Aquila jumped, startled. “Oh!”
She rolled herself to the side and pushed up from the ground. Yerik was there with some form of food in his hand. She looked at it and then back up at him, questions in her eyes. “Do not ask. Just eat,” Yerik wrinkled his nose and ordered.
Aquila hesitantly complied. When it was through, Yerik lifted her onto her horse and away they went. “Where are you originally from, Lady Aquila?” Yerik asked once they were well on their way.
“Braedoch, from the old Romany clan,” Aquila answered.
“The Romany's, eh?” Yerik's eyebrows rose. “They were all killed, were they not?”
“Mostly. We are the last of our clan.”
“We?”
“My brothers and sisters and I,” Aquila said.
“How many are there?”
“There is nine of us total. We were banished just over two years ago from our home and now we are all over the world. Or so it seems. Really we are only spread out over a wide region, but it seems the only thing tying us together is our hearts,” Aquila explained sadly.
“Come to think of it, I think I remember hearing of some Romany's,” Yerik scratched his head for a moment, trying to recall the name. “I just did not put it all together until now. A sister of yours, named Wren?”
Aquila smiled at the mention of her closest sister. “Yes, Wren, the adventurous one. She has made quite a name for herself, I hear.”
“It is quite amazing how she can track people down like she does. How she must be able to handle herself in order to survive in a world that is predominantly man's. Incredible, I say,” Yerik shook his head.
Aquila started to think about Wren and forgot about the world around her. How many times had she wondered where Wren was? It was no different now. Aquila longed to see one of Wren's falcons soar overhead with a missive from her dear sister. She would not mind if it was Wren, herself, who soared above. Why could Deus have not given them wings?
“Lady Aquila?” Yerik interrupted her thoughts.
Aquila quickly looked over at his concerned face. “Hm?”
“Are you feeling well?”
“Yes, why do you ask?” Aquila raised her eyebrows.
“You looked a little dazed right then and I did not know if it had something to do with your pregnancy and the hard traveling,” Yerik explained.
Aquila smiled. “I am fine. I was just thinking of my sister.”
“I hope I did not bring you sadness by asking you questions about them,” Yerik said apologetically.
“No. You have done no wrong, I assure you,” Aquila assured him.
Yerik continued to make small talk and Aquila quickly warmed up to her companion. Dirrach also hung around and talked with her frequently.
One night after Dirrach had pressed them further into the night, Aquila's thoughts turned back to Trouble. Am I doing the right thing? What is he doing now? Does he know that I have left or is he still gone? Could he be dead by unforeseen circumstances and I am out here running for nothing? Is he hurt and alone somewhere? Does he still love me? Did he find some other woman who could give her love to him and did he totally take me out of the picture? Do I want out of the picture?
It did not help when Yerik reached up to help her down. In her mind she saw Trouble and remembered how Trouble's hands could go around her waist. She had to blink twice after being set on the ground to set herself straight and keep from calling him Trouble.
Aquila lay back on her bedroll that night and dreamed of the last night with Trouble. He had been gentle and loving as he always had been. The rough ground almost made her wish to be in his arms again, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. Life was different now.