***Disclaimer*** This is not my story. It is the piece of work of Ka Hmnd AKA Kenneth Hammond. I have not changed or edited this in anyway.


I took another sip of java as I looked out over the square. I had been in or with one war machine building block or another most my life. I was twenty five and had finally decided to settle down. That meant finding a wife and a job I could expect to survive in. I was the young son of the new son of a minor noble so the only thing I got was a dependable educational activity and weapons teachers that were More than volition to give me clod while they taught me.

Whitecliff was a with child embrasure city and seemed like the stead to part. I was trying to think of how I could get in to see the duke to see about a job as one of his officers in the urban center Militia. I shook my head and stood, the youthful serving daughter appeared at my side and I smiled at her passably face and handed her the money for the meal and coffee.

I crossed the lame and walked quickly down a small side street. At my belittled set of rooms I stopped at the door, I looked at the open room access and pulled my dagger before stepping in. The first thing that struck me was that my artillery were missing. My bag had been dumped on the bed and gone through as well.

I stepped out and looked around, several the great unwashed working on the street seemed to invalidate looking at me and I nodded as I memorized them. I turned and walked back to the square toes and crossed to the City Guard construction. I nodded to the safety as I entered and stopped at a desk with a sergeant behind it. I told him what had happened and he just looked at me,"What do you need me to do about it ?"

I looked him up and down,"How about finding the stealer that steal my weapons ?"

He sneered,"You probably don't even know how to use them. pass on it alone kid, find another business of work."

I looked at him for a minute and nodded to myself,"So you aren't going to look."

He growled,"Listen punk, the sentry go has substantially things to do than attend for your toys."

I nodded,"fine, I will witness them myself and on your head will rest the fallout."

I turned and walked out and back to my set of rooms. I crossed the street to a couple of toughs standing on the corner. I had seen their type before, bullies and lookout man for the thieves guild. I stepped up to them,"You made a mistake."

The bigger one laughed,"beat it kid before you get hurt."

I was done talking, I kicked his kneecap from the side shattering it and struck the other man in the throat. I knelt beside the man on the basis screaming and holding his knee. I drew my obelisk and put it against his pharynx,"I will count to three and if you haven't told me where my stuff is I will cut your throat and regain someone else to state me."

I looked at him as he glared at me,"One."

"Two."

He screamed,"The Silver Swan."

I sliced both his cheeks,"If I ever see you again, I will pop you."

I stood and walked away, not even glancing at the second man as he died. I stopped a Jacques Cartier and got directions to the ash grey Swan. It was on a street that was poorly cared for, the front of the shop was dirty and three men lounged against the door.

As I approached they looked at me and one of them stood away from the wall. I kicked him in the mole and stepped to the side as another pulled a sticker and lunged. I grabbed his hand and twisted. I spun him into the other man that had just started to move.

I whipped his arm around and brought my other hired hand down in a smash that broke his arm at the elbow. Taking his sticker, I stabbed the early man through the eye and then pulled the dagger back to cut his throat. I knelt by the one on the background and stabbed him through both thighs.

I stood and walked through the room access and into the shop class. The two men in the shop class had been watching and held their hired man up. I stopped a few metrical unit from them,"Your gild stole my weapons. I want them back, now."

The one on the right hand had narrow heart, he looked me up and down,"Don't know what you're talking about."

My quick footprint as I closed surprised him, as did my dagger as it sliced across his tum. He dropped to his knees screaming until I kicked him in the face. I looked at the other man,"My weapons, now !"

He nodded and quickly opened a chest beside him. I stopped him before he could reach inside. I reached in and pulled my weapon out and a small parcel that I recognized as mine. I turned and started walking towards the threshold. The man I had left was feeling braver,"The gild will kill you for this."

I turned at the door,"If they want to try they can, but if they do, you tell them I will do more than kill a few replaceable punks."

I walked out and started back to my rooms. I buckled on my sword and slipped the former weapons into their berth. When I got to my way there were ten safety device and that serjeant-at-law across the street. When I stopped at my door and looked across the street the sergeant was staring at me. He stood and gestured as he started walking towards me, I turned and waited for him. When he stepped close he gestured again,"Take his weapons."

I smiled as my hand pulled the steel a couple of column inch gratuitous of the scabbard,"That wouldn't be wise."

He looked me up and down,"You killed a man, boy."

I nodded,"I killed three men. If you had done your job, I wouldn't have. If you want to take my weapons, it will be a lot more."

He looked at his men and could see none of them were going to try to take me. He looked back at me,"we'll be back."

I smiled thinly,"Make sure as shooting you tell the men that come with you, that it is an Armsmaster they face."

I turned and went into my room, in the pocket-sized side elbow room I stripped and washed. spine in the principal room I put my Light Within padding on and lifted the mattress to remove the steel chain of mountains shirt. I slipped one of my good shirts over that and replaced my weapon. I straightened up the bed and cleaned the room.

I sat at the table and pulled out a clean parchment and began writing to the duke. I had just finished when soul knocked on the door. I turned in the president and called for them to enter. The room access opened and three men entered, the first was a guard deputy, the second a police captain and the third ... the third man was sometime and wore the tunic of a sworn man with the duke's peak on his chest.

I smiled and gestured toward the bed,"I'm sorry, but I don't have anywhere else for you to sit."

The lieutenant and captain stood but the old man smiled as he sat,"It seems I have a problem."

I looked at him and he glanced at the captain,"My Captain and lieutenant think they wouldn't have that much of a problem in arresting you. I on the other hand know what a develop Armsmaster is equal to of. So tell me, are you a capable Armsmaster ?"

I grinned,"Very."

He nodded,"So how do I resolve this ?"

I smiled,"How about with courtesy ?"

He blinked and glanced at my shirt, his eyes lingering on the pocket-size gold crest sown into the left berm. His smile was more relaxed,"My apologizes. I am Jonathan Whittel, Sheriff of Whitecliff and the surrounding county. This is chieftain Hurst and Lieutenant Belet."

I nodded,"My joy gentleman's gentleman. My name is Charles the Bald Duke of Windsor Simon Winston."

All three men started and Jonathan smiled,"It seems I was right to come speak to you first. What is the gamey regarded Armsmaster doing in Whitecliff ?"

I smiled and leaned back in the chair,"look for a married woman and someplace to work away from the mercenary companies."

Jonathan smiled again,"Retiring already ?"

I nodded,"A request from my grandfather."

He again looked at my top,"To far away to be in the line."

I nodded,"My grandfather and I have always been close. I think he just wanted to know I wasn't in the middle of a battle every other week."

Jonathan grinned,"I think I understand, but that brings us back to what has happened here. You killed three men."

I nodded,"Yes. I asked the sentry duty for help and was told the sentry duty had better things to do than regain thief and stolen property. The serjeant told me to leave it alone and line up another line of work."

He looked at Captain Hurst,"Who was the sergeant ?"

Captain Hurst's font was red but I don't think he was angry with me,"Harris."

Jonathan sighed,"need his strips and have him walked to the edge of the duchy. We don't need that form of man."

He looked at me,"Are you looking for the Armsmaster's job or something else ?"

I smiled sourly,"Armsmaster Henry has been with the duke for a long time. I won't try to promote him out. I was thinking of an ship's officer posting."

Jonathan looked at the captain and deputy,"Would you gentlemen beg off us for a minute ?"

He waited until they had closed the doorway behind them and then looked at me,"Armsmaster Winston, have you submitted your varsity letter yet ?"

I handed him my missive, he read it through and sat back looking at me thoughtfully,"I know you aren't trained as a metropolis guard but how would you like a job ?"

I smiled,"As one of your Guardsmen ? I don't think so."

He smiled,"How about as the Duke's Kristin."

I looked at him in surprise, Kristin was an old term. It meant evaluator and fact finder and a lot more,"Why ?"

He knew what I was asking and smiled,"The Guard is safe for what it was meant for, but now we are getting new character of thieves and cleanup. ace that take mortal that has a unlike outlook I think."

I looked down at my manus thinking, it wasn't what I expected and not really what I had trained myself for. I looked at Jonathan,"volition I be working alone or do I get someone to help ?"

He sat forward,"Charles, listen to me, some of these people have to have had inside knowledge."

I nodded,"Do I get supporter ?"

He nodded,"Fine, I'll put anyone you want in uniform."

I shook my head,"springiness my letter of the alphabet to the duke and if he agrees then we can talk."

Jonathan stood,"Some of the guard were not happy about the way you threatened them."

I grinned,"They would give birth been a lot less happy if I hadn't."

He smiled and turned for the door. I rose and opened it for him, there were six safeguard standing outside the door waiting for him. He turned,"It was a delight to fulfill you Armsmaster and I hope the duke sees things my way."

I nodded and watched as he walked off with the guards around him. I shook my forefront, Jonathan was something else, something I hadn't figured out yet. I walked out and closed the door before walking back towards the square. I sat at one of the small mesa in the spread out front of the tavern.

The pretty fille from this morning appeared just as quickly as she had this break of day. I ordered a light meal and another deep brown. When she brought it I stopped her and got direction to a banking house. When I finished eating and stood, she appeared and I smiled,"You wouldn't be undivided would you ?"

She grinned and an honest-to-goodness man at the next table laughed. She shook her head,"Sorry."

I sighed,"All the best girls are taken."

She laughed and I started off to the banking house and then it was to a seamster and boot Creator. I was walking back across the square towards the tavern when the onslaught came. When I felt a man suddenly move towards my back, I turned and then side stepped his lunge.

I struck his pharynx with a knife paw blast and the crowd around me cleared to unveil a 12 men with sticker. I drew my contend knife and my former mitt made a hurl motion and a man fell back with a small dagger in his pharynx. I drew my sword and smiled as they backed away,"Tell your guild I will come for them."

I sheathed my sword and they turned to take the air into the crowd. One man turned quickly, throwing his dagger. My fighting knife knocked it away as my other hand flicked out. The man stumbled and fell with another small dagger in his pharynx. The XII guardsmen that broke through the crowd caused the men to run into the crowd faster.

Lieutenant Belet led the guardsmen and another skipper joined him shortly, as well as another half twelve sentry duty. He walked up to me,"The social club has decided to decide the score."

I smiled as I put my tongue away and walked with him and the new senior pilot,"apparently so. Would you care to take concern of it or should I ?"

Lieutenant Belet smiled crookedly,"I wish I could, we don't have any idea who is running the guild."

I knelt and pulled my belittled dagger out before moving to the other man and removed my other obelisk from him as well. I stood to face him,"I could let some of your men tag along I guess."

He grinned and looked at the captain and back at me. In a tawdry voice,"chieftain Able, this is Charles IX Edward I Simon Winston, Armsmaster."

Captain Able smiled and bowed,"Armsmaster."

I looked around and gestured to the tavern,"Would you care to join me for dinner party ?"

The captain nodded and looked at a nearby sergeant-at-law,"sergeant, have this spate cleaned up and send the sheriff a message about the incident."

The sergeant started giving order of magnitude as we walked towards the tavern. When we reached a table and sat, the like girl was there to get our order. She didn't seem too happy though and kept looking at the skipper. I looked at him,"I think she wants to utter to you."

He looked up,"Tess ?"

She frowned,"William ... Teresa is missing. We thought she went to her classes this morning but she never arrived. Could you have the guards face for her ?"

headwaiter Able nodded,"Of course dear."

He stood and called to one of his guards nearby. I looked at police lieutenant Belet,"Dear ?"

He smiled,"Their married."

I smiled and nodded and pulled a small fighting of sheepskin out of a pocket,"Tess ? Would you ask your cook if he or she can progress to a small pot of deep brown using this formula ?"

She took the lambskin and nodded,"Of course. I'll have your dinner sent out."

maitre d' Able returned to the board with a frown,"That is the sixth girl today. I didn't want to say anything to Te, but this is happening more often. I doubt if we will encounter these girls."

We ate quietly and Tess brought out a little pot of coffee. She grinned at me,"Momma said to severalize you thanks for the recipe. She tasted it and fell in dear, she said that if she were single, she would have grabbed you up just for this recipe."

I sighed,"The story of my life."

Tess laughed, but there was still a shadow in her eyes, I poured a cup and sipped. The public square was getting thinner so I saw the group of safety enter with the sheriff in the center. Lieutenant Belet sighed,"William, time for me to be off. I have a young Lady waiting."

The captain nodded and stood as the sheriff approached. Jonathan smiled at me and sat in Lieutenant Belet's seat,"Charles the Great, it seems things have escalated. The duke is on his way here. One of his daughters has gone missing. She has been missing since this morning. How they could not miss her for this farsighted I don't know."

He looked at the police chief,"How many reports of missing daughter so far ?"

Captain Able frowned,"Seven with the duke's daughter."

Jonathan reached out and poured java into a cup that ti set down as she picked up home base,"Would you like something to eat ?"

He smiled up at her,"No Tess, my married woman is waiting dinner party on me. If I ate here she would lock away me out."

She smiled and moved off. Jonathan took a sip and looked at the cup, he looked at me,"Your recipe ?"

I nodded and filled my cup and sat back,"Tell me all you can about these missing girls. While I am out… visiting tonight, I'll look into it."

Jonathan smiled and looked at Captain Able, the captain shifted in his bum,"There's not a lot to tell apart. We never find where they are taken from. No one sees anything and we have never found a I little girl that has gone missing."

Te gasped from behind him and he turned quickly and went to her. I looked at Jonathan,"atomic number 52's sis is missing."

He slammed his script onto the mesa,"Damm it, Charles. I want this to be a priority."

I sipped my coffee and watched as a dozen militia entered the foursquare and variety direction from the city precaution construction to us. Jonathan stood as they approached and captain Able turned towards them as well. Jonathan bowed and the master knelt. One of the militia guard stepped towards me,"Kneel."

I smiled,"I'm not one of the duke's subjects yet."

He started to hold another step when a richly dressed imposing stepped out of the crowd of safety,"Jacob ? I wouldn't push it. The Armsmaster is correct and I don't feel like finding someone new to spar with."

The guard froze and then hesitantly bowed,"My apologizes Armsmaster."

I nodded,"accepted."

The duke sat in Jonathan's professorship,"Jonathan said your grandfather wanted you to retire from the mercenary companies. Did he tell you to amount here ?"

I nodded,"Yes, I don't know why, he was so… cryptic."

The duke looked over his shoulder at Jonathan and back to me,"What do you know about my fellowship ?"

I shrugged,"Not much, we never worked in your duchy so there was no reason to find out. I do sleep together about Armsmaster Henry."

The duke nodded,"most Armsmaster's know about Henry. The reason I asked was that I have one son and four young unmarried daughters."

I sighed and sway my question,"grandfather is playing marriage broker. I am sorry my Divine, I had no idea."

He smiled,"I believe you. Your gramps is a very ache and capable man."

He looked at Jonathan,"I have seen enough. I'll schedule his oath for the morning."

He looked at me as he stood,"Jonathan should have told you about my girl Samantha. Find her ! The sooner the better."

He turned and walked off with his guards surrounding him again. I looked at Jonathan,"Would you like to accompany me to pick some guards ?"

He shook his head,"Time for me to get home. Send a moon curser if you find out anything. Be here tomorrow good morning and we'll walk up to court together."

I nodded and finished my java. Standing I looked at headwaiter Able,"I'll need a few men."

He looked at Jonathan and he nodded,"He's the duke's new Kristin."

Captain Able's eyes widened and he nodded,"I'll see he gets whatever he needs."

I gave Jonathan a slight bow and started for the sentry go building. The captain matched steps with me and the guard opened the door as we arrived. When I walked in this clip it seemed like a different standard atmosphere. I stopped inside the door for a minute of arc and watched all the guards. Finally I walked over to a dark haired slim man,"Tracker ?"

He didn't good turn towards me, only giving a short nod. I looked at another guard about five ft away. He was short circuit but very stocky, he was sharpening a dagger that was already sharp."huntsman ?"

He gave me a glance and nodded. I looked at a guard across the room, he seemed to just blend into the surroundings. He was leaning against the rampart and after a bit he nodded. I glanced at a huge blond guard sitting alone at the following tabular array. After a minute he sighed and turned towards me,"No half manner Armsmaster."

I smiled,"It's Kristin and I don't do things halfway, you know that."

The guardroom stilled as all the guards looked at me. The man I was talking to stood and walked to a weapon rack along the wall and pulled a worn sword belt down from above it. I looked at the captain,"Send runners out and tell all your guards. I'll be leaving a trail a blind man could follow. Have moon-curser quick at your precaution meeting places."

I started for the threshold and the four men fell in with me. Once external I looked at the men,"If you need to speak, holler me Charles."

The Tracker nodded,"Dett"

The hunter was scanning the square toes,"Edward."

My assassin shrugged,"Chris."

The large man only returned my smile,"Sergeant Joule sent word you were coming."

I nodded,"It wasn't a secret. It's been for a while Peter."

He nodded,"Mona will require to say hello."

I laughed,"Did she get on with the militia ?"

He grinned,"She's a sergeant."

I nodded,"This is going to be a dirty, no holds run. I need a starting place, do you experience of any social club houses or multitude ?"

Peter nodded,"Dett ? Let's take it to McSire."

Dett smiled thinly,"My pleasure."

As soon as we reached a street I signaled and our group seemed to dethaw into the shadower. All except for Dett, he walked on as if unconcerned. He stopped at a door and we melted out of the tincture. I nodded to dick and we followed him through the door as he kicked it out of its frame.

I slammed the first man that I came to into a bulwark and let him diminish to the floor. Chris followed me in and Edward followed him. I let them submit the lead, they knew this McSire and I didn't. There was only one woman in the planetary house and seven men, three were still animated when we stopped, two men and the woman. I knelt by a struggling McSire,"I need information and you are going to give it."

He spit at me,"I know the law, submit me to the goal."

I smiled,"Unfortunately your guild declared war or me so that is out. You also messed your bed when you took the duke's daughter and that is treason."

His face went pale,"We didn't touch her."

I pulled a mischievous looking tongue from the small of my backrest,"To bad we can't claim your watchword for it. I will commence off by removing your manhood and then I will start out asking questions. Each question you can't or won't answer will be another division of your dead body. hired hand, foot, arm, and so on. I'm sure you get the picture."

I looked at St. Peter,"Would you cut his clothes off please ?"

Peter's grin was very sinister,"Want us to tie him up ?"

I shook my head,"I don't have clip to be fancy, just cut them off so we can get on with it."

He pulled his obelisk and McShire screamed,"hold ! I'll tell you everything."

I looked at him as I tested the blade of the knife I held,"Where is the guild master and where are the girls being kept ?"

He swallowed,"The… the guild master is in Hermon's. I'm not sure where the girls are. I heard they read them to one of the Inn's on the docks."

I looked at Edward,"Tie them up."

I stepped to the side with Chris,"Go to one of the meeting places and send a contrabandist. I want a platoon of militia just back from the pier, not Guards. Met us at this Hermon's."

Chris nodded and left at a trot while I looked at Peter,"Is there somewhere close we can put them without anyone finding them ?"

Twenty minute later we were in the shadows across from a tiny unnamed tavern. Chris slipped out of the shadows and we crossed the street. Edward drifted to one position of the building while Dett went to the former, peter didn't even slow down at the door. It splintered and flew across the room as we entered.

Edward V pushed two old charwoman out of the kitchen as he came in and Dett shoved a stunned youthful man into the room from a back door. There were six men in the room at the only when two tables. I pulled my sword,"Gentlemen, the society has committed treason by taking the duke's daughter. I want the guild master and I want him now. If you don't give him to me or tell me where he is, I will start cutting pieces off you until you do."

A man that was a little estimable dressed than the others stepped away from his table with his hand on his sticker,"The guard doesn't have the authority to do that."

I smiled,"I am not the Guard. I am the Duke's Kristin and if you don't off your hand from that obelisk, I will withdraw it permanently."

His hand jerked away from the sticker as his face paled,"I didn't know this was a social club house."

I walked up to him and touched his handwriting with the tip of my sword,"These assure me you are lying."

My sword swung up to his face and touch him next to one of his eye,"These tell me you are lying. Which would you like me to polish off first ?"

He shuddered and glanced at a man across the table,"The guild master left. The night master knows where he went."

I smiled and pushed against his pectus with the point of my sword. When he had stepped away, I faced the man across the table,"talk !"

He smiled,"I am not as gullible as he is."

I walked around the board and kicked him off the bench. I stepped on his carpus as Chris knelt on the other side. I knelt, pulling my fighting knife and cut his fingers off. While he screamed, I looked at the men,"I will have the guild master, the duke's daughter and everyone else that had a hired man in it or you will be in belittled pieces when I leave."

I slapped the night victor,"Where is he !"

"The Sharks Fin !"

I put the knife at his throat,"The girl."

He swallowed,"She's there too. They have a consignment going out in the morning though."

I looked around the room,"If you are in the city tomorrow your lives will be forfeit."

I looked at Chris and tilted my heading, he left without glancing back. I looked around the room,"If word of this gets there ahead of me, I will hunt down you down and use you as bait."

I turned and walked out. Outside I looked at Dett,"We need to get there as soon as possible."

I looked at the others,"When we get there, no one goes in and no one comes out."

Dett turned and started off at a trot. I stopped when we came to a ball carrier,"I am Armsmaster Winston. Go to the sheriff and no one else. Tell him, The Sharks Fin and the Militia. Now go, run."

I didn't even wait to see him off. I turned and started after Dett and the others. They had slowed but did not terminate. Five minutes later Dett was pointing out a summing up two fib tavern across the street. I signaled to St. Peter the Apostle about a man leaning against one nook of the building and he slipped away.

Dett and Black Prince slipped along side the building and then around back. I watched as the man leaning against the wall suddenly jerked back into the shadows.

"About meter he started using his skills."

I smiled,"You know why he stopped."

Anglesea Island stepped forward and put her hand on my shoulder joint,"I know. I just don't like admitting he was right."

I turned my head and smiled,"Mona, you were always a bloodthirsty kick. If he didn't love you so a good deal he would take in gone back to the farm we found him on."

She grinned,"It goes both way Charles."

I nodded,"We are going to have a lot of company soon. I want this settled before they get here. Split your masses and don't let anyone get away. Make certainly they watch their book binding and the windows."

I watched as they split up crossing the street to surround the tavern. I nodded to Chris as he stepped out of the shadows,"You four hold the main flooring, I'll take the amphetamine flooring. Bring the reserves in if you need them."

I walked across the street and opened the room access, Chris was right behind me. The elbow room fell silent as I continued across the floor. A big man stepped in presence of me at the stairs, I didn't hesitate. My tongue swept up and across and I continued up the stairs as he fell to his knee trying to stop the blood that flowed from his cut throat.

pecker and Edward stepped in the rearwards door before I was halfway up and I heard Dett chasing people into the room from the kitchen. At the top of the stairs another man stepped out, this one I stab through the gut and shoved out of my way. There were four men in the hall and then there was none.

I walked to the end and opened a doorway, a large man was raping a struggling missy. I quietly stepped succeeding to him and grabbed his hair and cut his throat as I threw him onto the floor,"Stay where you are girl and be quiet."

That was the way it went until the close room. When I stepped into the final stage room a man was crouched future to the bed holding a dagger to the missy's throat,"Let me go or she dies."

I smiled as I stepped further into the room,"You would be the society master. I am afraid you aren't going anywhere."

He tilted the obelisk,"This is the duke's daughter, let me go or she is dead."

I pulled my steel,"I'll make you a better stack. You let her go and I will vote out you quick and painless."

I was moving from English to side in such a way that he didn't even realize I was moving closer until my sword struck and his dagger fell. I twisted the blade up and away and since the blade had pierced his hand it went with it. I stepped forward as he fell to the floor. He glare up at me,"You don't know who you are dealing with."

I smiled as I struck him with the pummel of the sword knocking him unconscious,"A dead man."

I looked at the girl, she had contusion on her expression and torso. Even though she had been beaten there was something else there,"Samantha ?"

She nodded and I smiled gently,"I will get you home as soon as I can."

She shook her drumhead,"No."

I looked at her,"Why not ?"

She looked down as still tears fell,"They used me. I am no longer fit to be my father's girl. Just leave me."

She looked down at the dagger on the bed next to her. I stepped confining and took the sticker,"You are still your Fatherhood's daughter and it is his determination to lay down that choice."

I called down the stairs and Dett appeared at the top,"All done ? We have a platoon of Guards here all of the sudden. The Militia have kept them back, but deputy Zellig Sabbatai Harris is getting mighty anxious."

"police lieutenant Harris ?"

"I don't trust him and half the men with him aren't even supposed to be on duty."

I looked at Samantha and back at Dett,"I need you to watch this girl. I think she will try to…"

Dett nodded,"I'll watch."

I walked downstairs and out the front line doorway. A Guard lieutenant was yelling at Anglesea Island as she stood there calmly listening. I stopped side by side to her,"lieutenant shut up. I am Kristin Winston and this is my business."

He sputtered and turned red reaching for his police officer sword. My blade came out in one motion and took his hand off,"You guards listen close ! I am the duke's Kristin and I am an Armsmaster ! You will break this up and leave right now or you will pay for your perfidiousness with your spirit !"

The deputy was on the flat coat holding his arm screaming. I looked at Anglesey Island,"Sergeant ! If these men are still here after a minute is up, ingest your men kill them."

Anglesey Island smiled and snapped to attending,"Yes SIR ! PLATOON !"

The sentry go looked at one another, turned and ran. Mona laughed,"Damm, Charles I missed you."

I smiled,"The real sentry duty will designate up soon enough, along with the sheriff and probably the duke."

Anglesey groaned,"Great."

I looked at her and she shrugged,"I don't let him win when we spar."

I grinned,"The righteous suffer for their virtue."

She stuck her knife out at me and turned to her people,"All right the show is over, get back in place."

I walked back inside the inn. Everyone was sitting quietly at the tables. I nodded to St. Peter the Apostle,"When the Sheriff and the others get here send them up. Hopefully headwaiter Able will be with them."

I walked up the step and in the first way I grabbed the trunk and pulled it out into the hall. I looked at the girl,"I'll get you home as soon as I can."

She had wrapped the blanket around herself but nodded. I found Tess's babe in the third room. After I took the body out, I stopped adjacent to the bed,"Mother Theresa ? Tess sent me, as soon as we get the rest of this place straitened out and get some answers, I'll get you home."

She was a lot like si. she sat up straight,"tellurium sent you ? Maybe I can facilitate ?"

I looked at her,"Do you know if there are any early miss ? We heard something about a shipment."

She nodded,"It's a ship, The Yellow minnow. They were taking us to Shermerez."

I smiled,"Thank you."

I finished the elbow room and went back into Samantha's room, Dett nodded and left. She finally seemed to total to a decision and got out of bed. She didn't even bother to overcompensate herself as she walked up to me,"What's your public figure ?"

I smiled,"Charles."

She looked at my body closely,"Are you married Charles ?"

I shook my drumhead and crossed the room as the society Master began to stir. I used strips from his shirt to bind him before I gagged him. I heard the hoo-hah from downstairs and tried to get Samantha to put her wearing apparel back on but she would have none of it.

The sheriff and the duke appeared in the doorway. There was a 3rd man that I recognized from the way he moved. I nodded to the Duke and handed him her garb,"You talk to her."

I stepped out of the room as the startled duke held the dress. He held it out to Samantha,"Put it on."

She shook her chief as she cried quietly,"I can't daddy. They… I'm spoiled."

He tried to hug her, but she stepped back,"No."

He was very tranquillity,"Samantha it doesn't matter."

She turned,"Yes it does. I am deserving nothing now. You could give me to that commoner… Charles the Bald and he could refuse."

The duke sighed and looked at me. I looked at him and shrugged,"Fine, I except. Samantha Fargrove, under the king's law, I except your offer."

I walked to her and turned her surprised typeface to mine,"And I am not a commoner. I am Baron Thrustin's grandson, an Armsmaster and if your father still wants me, his Kristin."

I turned her to her father,"you know the law, tell him what you have to do."

She looked at me still surprised, she shook her psyche and her eyes narrowed. She looked at her surprised father and back at me. Her shoulder joint straightened and I groaned as I sat down. She smiled,"Nice try Armsmaster. Father, he accepted my crack. He thinks I won't do it, he's faulty. I have to stay with my husband to be until I am pregnant or test unable to stick out a child."

The old man in the residence laughed,"Wait until I tell this one."

I glared at him,"Very funny Henry."

The duke looked at me thoughtfully and then grinned at Henry,"This is the first fourth dimension I have seen anyone out fox one of you maniacs and it was my daughter. Elizabeth I is going to quiver me otiose until she thinks about it though."

I sighed and stood up,"Very well my future wife, but you will cause to wait a month before you get to torment me."

She looked at me and I kicked the man at my feet. She blushed and nodded,"Very well, but I will still detain with you."

I shrugged and turned to the duke,"I apologize my lord. I thought that after her… tryout, she would back down. We have another piece of concern tonight."

I bent and stripped the social club original's drawers from him. I pulled a startled Samantha to the bed and made her sit. I crumpled and pushed her branch into the pants. She tapped me on the shoulder,"What do you cogitate you are doing ?"

I looked at her,"You wouldn't wear the dress and I am not parading my wife all over townspeople naked. You will put this on or I will spank your cigaret black and blue."

She smiled and bent her head teacher timidly,"Yes my husband."

I shook my head,"Why do I get the feeling that there was something you didn't say."

All three men laughed and I turned to Armsmaster Henry,"If you would be so form, see if one of those shirts managed to escape getting bloody."

I looked at the sheriff,"There are to a greater extent girls aboard a ship called the Yellow minnow. It was the transport for all the missing girls and was supposed to voyage in the morning."

The three men were silent as Jonathan and the duke looked at each early. Finally the Duke sighed,"Do it Jonathan, if he comes complaining tomorrow, I'll hired man him his balls."

Jonathan nodded and left, Patrick Henry handed me a shirt and I helped Samantha put it on and absently buttoned it while she watched me. I looked at the duke,"Do you want me and my team to serve with the ship ?"

He shook his head,"Why don't you take all the little girl home. We'll take it from here."

He looked at the Guild Master on the floor. I cleared my throat,"If you don't belt down him let me bang, he owes a debt."

The duke smiled,"You won't have to worry about that."

I stepped into the hall and got all the lady friend wrapped in mantle. When we went downstairs, matter were really subdued. captain Able looked up from talking to a police lieutenant. He crossed the room and hugged Teresa,"Mother Teresa !"

She cried and held him, I signal to my men and when senior pilot Able finally pulled away from Teresa I touched his shoulder,"I am done for the nighttime. The duke asked me to contain them home."

He smiled,"Tess is going to sleep together you for this, not to refer her mother."

I looked around the room,"Don't let any of these… mass Sweet talk you."

He shook his head,"I won't, go ahead and get these little girl home."

I turned and only took one footprint before turning,"William, I want these four men assigned to me permanently."

It took almost two time of day to get all the young woman home. Besides Sam, ( Samantha ) Teresa was the last. When I opened the door into the Guard tavern, it was full-of-the-moon of subdued clatter and a mediate aged man and woman turned as we entered. The adult female cried out and Teresa stumbled towards her. I quietly pulled the man aside and explained what had happened to his daughter.

He was furious, until I told him the one responsible were already dead or on their way. I finally broke free and we stepped out of the tap house. I sent my men home with directions to take back at midmorning. I took Sam's hand and we walked the few blocks to my set of room. At the threshold I hesitated and looked at a nervous Sam,"You know as well as I do, that you don't have to do this."

She smiled a picayune sadly,"Yes I do Charles."

I looked at her and then open the door, I stepped in and moved to the table. It took a minute but the small lamp finally started and Sam came in and looked around. She frowned,"It could be worse."

I nodded,"You could still be in that elbow room, servicing men, or you could be on that ship headed south."

She nodded,"Yes."

She shuddered and I crossed the room to conclude the doorway. I pulled her to the bed and sat her down. In the position room, I pumped some water supply into a large pot. I pulled out the wash basin and twirler. I filled the mound and walked back to Sam. I stood on the chair and lifted a circuit board in the ceiling.

I pulled down a small satchel made of soft leather. I walked back into the belittled way and returned with a cup of water. I took a paper parcel out of the satchel and poured it into the water. I stirred it with my finger and handed it to Sam,"Drink this, it will assist with the pain."

I took a small-scale glass pot out and set it on the table. I pulled the table and president finisher to the bed and had Sam sit in the chair. I set the basin in her lap and knack her forward. I put my towel around her shoulders and gently washed her fuzz. When I was done I brushed it for her, I took the basin and emptied it.

I removed her borrowed clothes and gently washed her with the fond water. Treating each of her bruise and scrape with the lenient cream in the ice pot. I took her to the tiny bath and helped her washout herself and brought her dorsum to bed. I pulled out an old easy shirt and helped her put it on.

Another search in the satchel and another cup of water. I put the herbs into urine and held the cup,"Sam ? I know you are not all here, but try to hear. I need you to make a determination, these herbaceous plant are very strong. If you are already pregnant, it will kill the child and end the gestation. I can't make this decision for you."

Sam looked at me, her eyes dazed from the pain medication. She looked down at the cup and whispered,"I would have a freshly start."

She looked at me,"If I am not pregnant ?"

I smiled,"It won't hurt anything. We still have to waitress for your next cycle."

She looked into my eyes,"If I do this, what variety of mother could I be ?"

I smiled,"Sam, what they did to you was not your choice. It was done against your will. There is no geological fault to you and you are not to blame."

Sam looked down,"Maybe not at first… but later…"

I reached out and lifted her face,"Sam ? That is a natural reaction. first-class honours degree you felt painfulness and gradually it became joy. That does not mean you are to blame."

She looked at the cup and into my face,"What about how you will feel."

I caressed her face,"Sam, I am an Armsmaster. I started training when I was three. I offer this to you so you will have the option. If you are pregnant it is not even a baby yet, only a man's seed and your egg."

Sam looked at me,"But you want me to engage it."

I sighed, looking at my own feel and finally I nodded,"Yes, I guess I do. It will give you and I a smart start. Even though I did this to get you to go back to your Fatherhood, the longer you are with me, the more I like the idea of you being with me. I have been alone a long prison term Sam."

She looked at me and slowly took the cup and toast it down. I took the cup and set it on the board before I moved the table and chair back and put the lamp out. I removed my arm and Chain shirt and walked back to the bed. I eased Sam into the bed and lay beside her and held her against me,"Sam ? Do you feel me holding you ?"

I could palpate her trembling,"Yes."

I gave her a cold-shoulder hug,"Nothing can pain you while I hold you."

It was a minute before she seemed to relax,"Charlemagne ?"

"Yes."

"Is it always like that…"

I kissed the cover of her neck opening,"No Sam. When we are quick, I will show you how it should be."

Slowly her external respiration slowed and she slept. She woke before first light outcry uncontrollably. I held her against my chest until she had cried herself out. She stirred and looked up,"I have to…"

I caressed her brass,"Go ahead, its light enough to see."

She slipped out of bed and walked to the diminutive john. When she came back she climbed timidly into bed. She hesitated and then moved closer and held me. I looked at her strain face and caressed her,"It's finally started."

She looked into my face,"What ?"

"The fear and loathing. The feeling of not being clean."

She looked at me for a second and then nodded. I sighed and caressed her nerve,"Sam, this is the role I can't avail you with. I will hold you, when you let me. I will try and fix certainly no man touches you. But this is a fight you have to make to return your life to something that you will be able to live with. Face your veneration my Sam."

She put her head back on my chest and we watched the light grow in the one tiny window. I sighed and slipped out of bed, I looked at her facing away from me,"Sam, turn around and watch me."

When she had turned, I slowly undressed the rest period of the way. I looked at her,"This is my consistency Sam, the one you will make to admit if we are to espouse. I will not force you to go for me. This is the care you have to face. The fight you face is yours, but in the end it is for both of us."

I walked into the small room and returned with the basin full of clean body of water. I sat in the chair and washed with her watching, when I started shaving she stirred,"Charlemagne ? Can you shew me how to do that for you ?"

I smiled and held out the razor. She came to me and after a few mistaken starts and nicks, she finished. When the hemorrhage stopped, I dressed in my advantageously dress and then looked at Sam thoughtfully and she smiled,"What ?"

I smiled at her,"Unless you want to walk around the urban center wearing zero but my shirt, we need to encounter something for you to wear."

She looked down at the pants and shirt she had worn the dark before. I shook my chief,"You are not putting those indorse on."

After digging in my mob, I found what I thought would work for now. I sat her down and started to aid her put them on. When I touched her, she started shaking and I looked into her face,"voice of fighting the fear is learning to rely ; yourself, me and others."

She nodded and I waited, after a minute she relaxed and I finished. I was going to get her a unexampled shirt, but she said she liked the one she already had on. I looked at her feet and pulled the only piece of leather I had out. I outlined her feet and sat down to cut it out. When I started sewing she stirred,"I can do that."

I showed her where to sew and a little while later they were finished. I put them on her,"This will have to do until we can get you shoes."

She smiled as she stood,"I like these."

I took my satchel when we left. We started walking towards the square and I was thinking all the way. Sam finally reached out and took my hand, I smiled but didn't say anything. When we got to the foursquare, there was a wrinkle of C. W. Post with dead men hanging from them. I saw the gild skipper and the Guard lieutenant on the center posts.

As we crossed towards the tavern, I saw Anglesey sitting at a table. She grinned as I got to the mesa and motion for Sam to sit,"Armsmaster Henry told us what happened. I was going to send a letter to the company."

I smiled as I sat down,"You're so thoughtful."

I turned as a serving little girl stopped. She was an elder version of Tess and Mother Teresa,"How is Teresa this morning ?"

She started,"Better. Afraid to let… you're Armsmaster Winston ?"

I nodded,"Yes, tell her I asked about her and said to have patients."

She smiled,"I'll assure her. Momma said you only have bread and tall mallow with coffee ?"

I nodded and looked at Sam,"If you have it, Sam could use a great breakfast though."

She looked at Sam,"We heard… of course."

Anglesea looked at Sam,"You don't have to let him secern you what to do. He may be an Armsmaster, but he is only a man."

Sam looked at her shyly and Mona grinned,"Of course, he has given me Sir Thomas More bruises and swelling then I care to count, but at least he knows I am my own person."

I grinned,"Care for another example ?"

She shook her point smiling,"I don't think so, the finally one is still fresh in my mind."

I watched the Guard building as Peter and Captain Able came out. I frowned,"I thought I sent shaft home."

Mona glanced over,"He stayed to help out, all those guard duty that tried to interfere last night, left."

I looked at Anglesey as she watched cock walk towards us,"When are you going to give him what he wants ? Don't dedicate me that, I'm not a farm wench bit. We both know that is just an excuse."

She looked at me,"Charles the Bald, it's none of… ok, maybe it is your fear in a way."

She looked up as dick and the captain joined us. When she looked back she sighed,"I wouldn't have the metre and with being in the militia… I don't think he deserves the heartache."

Out of the nook of my eye I saw Peter open his mouth. I held up my hand to stop him, this was something between Mona and I. Peter, had taken two arrows meant for me and I owed him a debt,"That is an exculpation Mona. We both know what the problem is."

She looked away as the serving girl brought the food and a belittled pot of java. When she left, Mona nodded,"Since we left the caller I have thought about it, but I am not… I wouldn't know how…"

I smiled,"Being a wife would not exchange who or what you are. It doesn't have to think of giving up your life for his. I don't think he would want or live with that."

Anglesea Island looked down,"I'm in the militia, Charles. What about the danger ?"

I looked at master Able,"You have an possibility for a lieutenant, right ?"

He looked at Anglesea Island's surprised cheek,"I met the sergeant final stage night. She seemed a equal to leader."

He looked at me,"From the way you have been talking, you know her background. Do you think she could do the job and more importantly, are you giving her your recommendation ?"

I smiled,"Yes and yes."

He nodded and turned as we heard a group of mass enter the square. The sheriff only had two safety, the rest seemed like clerks. He left the salesclerk and crossed to us and sat in the last hindquarters and gestured for his guards to sit at the following table. He looked at Sam,"Changed your mind ?"

Mona and Peter both grinned as they tasted the deep brown. Sam looked at the sheriff,"Why would I vary my head ? For the position I am in, his was and probably would always be, adept than anything I could expect."

He looked at her and then at me, I shrugged,"I opened my mouth one to many time already."

He grinned,"You have no thought how the duke's militia reacted to this."

I nodded to Anglesea,"Yes I do."

He grinned and Captain Able cleared his throat,"He just recommended her for the lieutenant's spot."

Jonathan looked at Mona and grinned again,"We could do uncollectible. The duke will wish it, she won't be tossing his nobleman bu… nates around the salle."

Sam laughed suddenly and looked at Mona,"You were the one ? wait until I tell momma."

I looked up as Tess and the char from net night, her female parent, stopped at our table. si went to Captain Able and hugged him. Her mother hugged me,"I don't bonk how to thank you."

When she released me, she saw Sam,"Oh, you pitiful matter. Why didn't they take you rest home ? You come with me and we'll get you out of those man's cloths."

Sam pulled back shocked,"mistress, delay !"

When she stopped pulling, Sam moved closer to me,"I have been spoiled. No imposing would assume me now, my father would be shamed. The Armsmaster has accepted my offer of mutual law marriage. He thought to frighten away me back to my father, but I have accepted my fate and him. He is a expert and kind man and… and I don't deserve him."

te's mother looked at her, wringing her mitt,"But it wasn't your flaw. You don't have to… to do this."

Sam sighed,"Mistress, I am a noble. It doesn't topic if it was my break. This equal is expert than I could make hoped for and now break then I deserve. My… my married man to be will teach me what I need to know."

atomic number 52's mother looked at the sheriff and he sighed,"Maria, she is probably more right then the Duke and I realized at the time."

She looked at me for a long meter before sighing,"If you need anything let me know."

I coughed,"Now that you offer. I was wondering if you had a set of elbow room you could engage us ?"

She blinked and looked at Tess,"The big entourage of rooms next to you is empty."

She looked at me, I knew she was thinking of just giving them to me,"Would two Au spell a month cover it ?"

She shook her heading,"I couldn't."

The sheriff broke in,"Maria accept it. The duke will pick up the notice. He is going to be the duke's new Kristin."

She smiled and nodded to me. I looked at the sheriff,"When is the duke expecting me ?"

Jonathan grinned,"When you get there. He said to come alive him, we didn't get much sleep."

I nodded,"How did it go with the ship ?"

He stirred,"It was bad. We took the ship without resistivity. The miss that were being held there were… they were not in thoroughly frame. The duke ordered the crew hung right there on the ship. He would have ordered the ship burned if it hadn't been at the dock."

I thought about what the girls might have gone through and quietly squeezed Sam's paw,"What did he do with the ship ?"

Jonathan shrugged,"Nothing yet."

My smile was tenuous and Mona chuckled. Saint Peter laughed out loud and both sea captain Able and Jonathan looked at us funny. I looked at Jonathan,"proceeds the ship and put it up for sale. divide the money and give it to the girls for a dowry."

Jonathan and sea captain Able both laughed and Sam squeezed my handwriting,"Do it uncle Jonathan."

I looked at Maria,"maria ? How busy does your tavern get ? Could you use all the girls that were saved ? Maybe learn them cooking, cleaning, sewing. With the guards across the square they would be dependable and it might help them get over what hap to them. I think I will ask some of the other shop class keeper to help oneself too. The baker and tailor and the like, I have money and could pay you for their repast and anything they might need."

She opened her sass but Jonathan stirred,"No Charles, it is a kind and generous thing but the duke will want to do that. He was trying to find some way to help them."

Maria smiled at me and then looked at Jonathan,"Have them brought to me. They won't want to come, but shit them total anyway."

She straightened and looked at Tess,"When you and William head up to bed, wake Teresa and send her down. If the duke's own daughter can look the light of day and what happened to her then she can too."

si nodded and pulled the captain to his feet,"We'll send her down."

I looked at Mona,"You've had time to think about it. Do you desire to babble it over with Simon Peter ?"

She looked at Peter,"No."

She took a breath,"Well lover, will you hire me as your wife ?"

His face lit up as he smiled,"Yes, but I get to direct the card letter to your father."

He paused and grinned as he looked at me,"And the company."

I grinned as Mona groaned,"I knew there was a ground I was avoiding this."

I stood,"Jonathan ? If we get Mona sworn in with the duke, she can get to the crucial hooey. Like teaching Peter she is still the one in charge."

Everyone laughed and stood, I tried to hand Calophyllum longifolium two silver gray spell but she waved it off. I held Sam's paw as we walked and after a while Mona sighed took Peter's handwriting as well. I kept my oral fissure shut, pretending not to discover his smile. When we got to the duke's manor, the militia precaution opened the door as we walked up.

The duke's chamberlain showed us into a small study and said the duke would be there shortly. Sam had seemed to act closer to me as we came in. We were only in the room a few second when the door opened and an old interpretation of Sam came in. A promptly look and she headed straight for Sam,"Samantha, what is this gimcrack. You come with me this instant."

I felt Sam trembling as she held my arm,"No momma."

The Duchess stopped in forepart of her,"Samantha !"

Sam shook her foreland,"You know I can't mom, please don't. I love you, but I can't."

She tapped her foot and looked at me,"You're the one that started this ?"

I shrugged,"I didn't kidnap her. I thought that after what she had been through she would… I surmise in a way I am. I didn't think she would go through with it, but to tell the Truth I am gladiolus she did."

She frowned,"You know she is the close in line to inherit ?"

I smiled and shrugged again,"You could remove her and I would be well-chosen. After watching my grandfather and my uncle, I think being a noble is more trouble then it's worth."

She blinked and then smiled,"I like you, you seem to have some sense."

She sighed and looked at Sam,"At least let me check you."

Sam's digit tightened on my arm,"I… Charles I already…"

I looked at Sam and then at Jonathan,"Jonathan, would you give my excuse to his seemliness ?"

I looked at the duchess,"Where ?"

She looked from Sam to me and finally nodded to herself,"This way."

The way she took us to was a small bedroom. ( Sam's sleeping accommodation ) After she closed the threshold, I led Sam to the bed. I quietly unbuttoned her shirt as she blushed. After I had slipped it off, I got a just look at all the contusion. I shook my psyche and pulled my satchel off,"The light here is much better. Hold still Sam, this emollient will feel cold."

Her mother watched as I gently rubbed the same ointment I had used the Nox before into the bruise on her amphetamine body. I removed her knickers and started on the fresh bruises I found, when I finished I looked into her face,"Better ?"

She smiled and nodded as her mother cleared her throat. I turned to her blushing, she was not the only one there. I couldn't believe I had been so distracted as to not point out the duke coming into the room,"Sorry, I was distracted."

The duchess smiled,"somehow I think you just did a better job than I could have."

She looked at the duke and sighed,"You were right."

acquiring clothes back on Sam proved as unmanageable as before. I finally put a plosive to it,"sufficiency Sam, put the drawers and shirt back on and have the dresses sent to our suite at the guard Tavern. Do it or I will put you over my articulatio genus and spank you right now. I don't have metre for you to argue and neither do your parents."

Sam stopped suddenly,"Yes my husband."

Her mother looked at me and I just shook my promontory. The duke walked us back to his study, the sheriff was still waiting with Anglesey and Peter. The duke accepted my curse and had just sworn Anglesey in as an officer when a loud argument broke out on the other side of the doorway. The doorway were thrown open and a man dressed like a southern noble strode in with two bodyguard following,"What do you think you're doing !"

My reactions were swift, my fighting knife came out and around, stopping at his throat. His safety device reached for weapon system and I pressed harder,"Pull them and he's perfectly. You two get out now or I won't wait to see if the duke wants to address to your lord."

They hesitated and then backed out of the way as More of the duke's guards arrived. When the threshold closed, I looked at the nobleman,"I don't like southerners. You threaten his grace again or so much as whispering disrespectfully to him and I will send your head back as a warning."

I pulled my knife back and slid it back into its cocktail dress. He glared at me,"You're dead."

I smiled,"Some of your kinsmen said that once on the champaign of Albia."

He paled as he looked at me, his whisper was to himself but everyone in the elbow room heard."Armsmaster Winston."

I nodded to the duke as he stepped closemouthed,"What do you want prince ?"

The prince looked at him and glared,"You boarded one of my ships and murdered its crew."

The duke looked at him,"Your ship and gang were role of a thrall halo. The ship has been confiscated and will be sold to compensate the women."

The prince puffed up and I turned to him,"One of the duke's girl, my wife, was taken. If I find out it was more than the crew of your ship…"

He paled,"Are you threatening me ?"

I smiled a slim down smile,"If you are involved, you can take it as a menace. If you aren't involved then you can bring it is a warning. I have been hearing about your veil threats to the duke. I will be sending substance to some… friends. If you want to get fast-growing here in the north, you go right ahead."

He blanched as the duke suddenly smiled,"You can forget now prince, before my new Kristin changes his mind."

We watched as he left, shoving his men out of his way. The duke looked at me,"You know he will send substance south as well as to the king."

I smiled,"Let him, nothing will come of it. Send a letter to the Martin Luther King explaining what happened."

I looked at Sam and back to her father,"If you will excuse me, I have some shopping to do."

I looked at Anglesea,"You're done playing your trick on his grace of God, but now I am going to use your special… science to teach Sam, Samantha."

Anglesey grinned,"It will be my pleasance lord Kristin. ”