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.”