"King's colors?"

"It was night by then. I tried to move closer, but one of the men chose that moment to relieve himself...I managed to get away without notice, but I did not kill the soldier, as he wore not surcoat. I could not tell if they were friendlies. I rode through the wood north and east to hide in the wood near the base of the mountains this side of Garret's Keep.

It is my wish that they will assume that I continued on toward the Keep. I waited two days before I moved. I followed the mountains east ad skirted around the north end of the Loch to the wood that runs south of Greenwood. I stayed in the tree line, but kept the edge of the loch in sight until I was certain I was not followed before cutting west and coming here."

"You were not followed then. There is much to tell you though." Erec said as he gestured to the stools and the men sat."

---

"So, they could be King's men watching for Garret's men, since Brecken sent word to the king."

"If they are not, they may be more men sent by our assassins to watch the roads lest you make a reappearance."

"Aye. I thought of that also, which is why I returned here. I have no wish to be questioned."

"That was a smart thing. If they are neither King's men, nor assassins, then mayhap they are from the Keep and are awaiting word to advance..."

"Or reinforcements from End'aven."

"From what you tell me of the spies, this could be more of Axel's men. In any case, I do not believe that Brecken's man made it through to the king."

"We must get word to the King! He must know of the spies, of Axel's attack on Port Castle and his pressing the pass and Brecken. He needs to know about the threat from Garret!"

"Aye, but I am a dead man, remember? Dead men tell no tales. And you are too well known as my second Drew."

"As are John and Thomas. But Gil and I are not well known."

"No!" Gwyn spoke up. Giving the children's hands a squeeze, she left them to move over to Erec. "Two men alone would be suspect. They would be taken, regardless if they were injured or not and they would be questioned."

"She is right. They have the roads south sealed up tight."

"A family." Gwyn said.

"No!" Erec bellowed.

"Let her speak." Drew said softly. "I do not wish her harm, but the king...the whole kingdom..."

Erec growled and Gwyn went on.

"Dermot is not known by anyone to be associated with you. Neither is Gil. They were among the men Brecken sent as tribute and came with you and the others for the north campaign. They were not among your former men."

"One of them then."

"Nay. I must go also, and Sofi."

"I will go with you, mama!"

"No Robin. You and I together are known. But a man, his wife and a daughter will not raise suspicions."

"She speaks truly." Drew frowned. "Though I like it not."

"Neither do I." Erec scowled. "Robin, you must stay with me. I will train you how to fight with a knife so that you can protect your sister and mother once they return. I leave it to the two of you," Erec nodded to Gil and Dermot, "to decide which of you is to become a husband and father. I trust you with my family. Guard them with your lives."

Gil and Dermot nodded.

"In case anyone saw Dermot, I will go with you."

"It should be me," Dermot protested. "I know where they are hiding.

"And that is a disadvantage. Gwyn, Sofi and I can honestly deny knowledge of their presence."

"You know they are there. I have told you!"

"True, but we do not know exactly where they are, so we will not be looking at those places as we go. You would naturally be wary of where you last saw them and that might give you away."

Dermot nodded.

"Sofi, do you suppose you could call Gil Papa as you call me Mama?"

Sofi's eyes were round as she squeezed her ragdoll and leaned against Robin. She nodded.

"Good girl then." Gil said. "Come sit upon Papa's knee and I shall tell you a story."

Sofi leaned into Robin and nearly knocked the boy over. Robin gave her half a hug and whispered: "It is okay Sofi. Gil is a good man. Her ladyship trusted him, did she not? And he was good to us and brought us safely to mama, did he not?"

Sofi looked at Robin, one brow arched in question. Gwyn bit her lip. That was a gesture Robin made all too often. Robin nodded and Sofi slowly rose, holding tight to her ragdoll as she walked cautiously over to where Gil sat upon the stool. She said nothing, but turned to allow him to lift her to his knee.

"Thank you for trusting me Sofi."

Sofi nodded.

"You have a pretty dolly. What is her name?"

"Shelba." Sofi answered softly.

"Shelba is lucky to have you for a friend. You are a brave little girl. Would you like to hear a story about a dragon, a knight, and a brave little princess?"

Sofi's eyebrow went up again, but she nodded. Gwyn came to sit beside them to help Sofi feel more at ease.

Erec's frown deepened as he watched his family become another's. It was not a good feeling knowing that he was sending them into danger, but Gwyn was right. The King was in danger, and more than that, the fate of the kingdom was in the balance. The odds were stacked so heavily against them...but if they failed...

"Papa?"

Erec felt a small hand upon his shoulder and turned, realizing from the concerned look on Robin's face that the boy must have called to him.

"My apologies Robin. I do not mean to worry you. I am new to being a Papa, so it might take me a little while to get good at it."

Robin shook his head and leaned forward, slipping his arms around Erec's neck. Erec lifted him onto his lap.

"You are already a good Papa. You make Mama happy and you keep us safe. I can see that you care for us. My other Papa looked that way whenever my brothers took me hunting. But you will see. It will be well."

Erec hugged the boy, and turned to Gil.

"My men are scattered in the farms around Kingstown. If you make it through the pass, Drew can tell you where to find safe haven. Say that you are visiting your wife's brother to celebrate the birth of their first baby. It is a valid reason for a farmer to travel with his whole family. Lean heavily upon the crutch when you walk and keep it in obvious view when you ride."

"They should take the cart and use the mule instead of a horse."

"Little Jacques..."

"Worry not, love." Gil smiled, "He means not your little pet. He refers to the pack mule that Brecken sent away with us."

"Aye."

Erec frowned at the use of the endearment but he understood they needed to be believable as a family unit. So just as Gil was getting Sofi used to calling him Papa, Gwyn must be familiar with him as well...

He knew that it was necessary...but he still did not like it one whit.

---

Two days later Gil set out with his new family comfortably seated in his little cart down the old abbey road toward the north road that went from Brecken, through the pass, and on into Kingstown and continued South all the way to Kingsport on the south coast. They moved slowly by design and the excitement of the ride soon wore off.

Gil stopped at midday.

"Why are we stopping?" Gwyn asked, looking nervously about.

"Because I am hungry wife." Gil winked.

"Take Sofi." Gwyn leaned to offer the sleeping child, but Gil shook his head.

Grabbing his crutch, he hobbled over to the edge of the field and began to cut what grasses he could and began piling them in the back. Gwyn made to set Sofi on the seat to help but Gil shook his head and continued working. At last, he deemed it a sufficiently comfortable pile and spread their blankets out upon it.

"There. Now my girls have a comfortable bed to lie down upon if they grow sleepy."

"My thanks, husband." Gwyn smiled, "But where shall you rest?"

"If there is not room upon the bed for me, I shall sleep on the ground as easily. It will not be the first time I have slept rough. But now is not the time for sleeping. I did not jest when I said that I am hungry. Do you require a fire, or is there a cold meal?"

"I have bread and cheese and there is water in the waterskin."

"A humble meal at your hand, my dear, is as grand as any from king's table. And I should know." Gil winked and Gwyn could not help but laugh.

She knew that this was awkward for him also, but he was trying to keep it light and easy betwixt them so that they did not raise suspicions when they were among others. They must appear as a family. And if Sofi was shy and stayed close to her mama, well, that would only be natural of a frightened child anyway...

By evening they made it to the north road but Gill took them passed the north road and stopped at the ruins of the village about an hour passed the north road. The road easier, as it was more oft used. This became the east road-south. The east road-north branched off about a day's ride further west and headed north where it met the north road.

The roads were the only route to move east and west this side of the pass. It made sense that there might be other east-west roads north of Brecken pass or south of Kingspass, but she had never before been through either and could only guess.

"Do you suppose that we shall make it through the pass?"

"Aye. There is no reason for them not to let us pass. We have no goods, no money, and no weapons. A crippled soldier/farmer is no threat to a troop of soldiers so we shall be allowed to pass. You were wise to suggest travel as a family. Alone I doubt I would make it, crippled or not."

"I pray that you are right."

He nodded and added another log to their little fire.

"I will move the cart." Gil stood and reached for his crutch.

"Shall I help you?" Gwyn started to rise.

Gill shook his head and Gwyn frowned as she settled back comfortably again.

"I can help Papa." Sofi jumped up and Gwyn tried to hide her surprise.

"I would be honored, milady." Gil gave a noble bow as he leaned on his crutch.

Sofi laughed and turned suddenly running back to Gwyn. Gil met Gwyn's gaze with a question. She shrugged.

"Mama watch Shelba." Sofi shoved the ragdoll at Gwyn and turned to run back to Gil, who held out his hand.

As she slipped her hand into his, he turned and winked at Gwyn. She smiled back and watched as the two of them moved the cart and backed it up closer to the fire.

"Now you will be warm enough tonight, mama." Sofi beamed as she skipped up, plopped down next to Gwyn, and took her ragdoll back.

It was not long after that Sofi began to yawn. Gwyn reached an arm around to pull the child to her lap, but Sofi got up and sat on Gil's lap. Settling down in his harms with Shelba tucked against her heart, she said: "Papa, tell me the story of the dragon, the knight and the brave princess."

---

Two days later they stopped at a village that was half a day west of the north road on the first road on the south side of Kingspass. They were relieved to be this far, not only because their meager supplies were running low, but also because they were detained on both sides of the pass while their cart was searched.

Having purchased two loaves of bread, a quarter circle of cheese and a small bag of dried apple slices, Gil filled their waterskins at the well and they departed. At the Dupre Castle, they were to turn south and follow the trail. The second farm would be Berk, Drew's man. If they made it that farm it was only another day to Kingstown and that much closer to success of their mission.

"We dunna get many visitors here." A young lad greeted them on the road.

"Aye. Is your father called Berk?"

"Aye." The lad eyed them cautiously.

"Run ahead then and tell your father that Drew has sent us. This is your father's sister, Mary. And I am her husband Gil. It has been many years. Sofi here has never even seen her Uncle Berk."

The boy eyed Sofi and nodded before taking off at a run.

"Do you think this will work?" Gwyn leaned against Gil and whispered.

"If he remembers to say that Drew sent us, you will be welcomed as his sister Mary whom he has not seen in a very long time. Saying so will account for any awkwardness and for Sofi's shyness."

"You think we will be watched then?"

"Erec and Drew think that it is probable that Erec's former men are being watched. Especially since Erec died in the ambush."

"In case Erec came to any of them for help."

"Right." Gil planted a quick kiss on her crown. "Do not worry so, my love. All will be well."

Gwyn tried to smile, but failing that, she set her head upon Gil's shoulder and hugged his harm. Sofi climbed from Gwyn's lap into the back where she lay down and covered up her head.

"Sofi, honey?"

"I am sleeping." She said from under the covers. Gwyn and Gil exchanged a look and shrugged.

"Well, Mary, are you ready to see your brother again after so many years?"

"If I only think of my real brothers while I greet him, the tears will come easily enough. For anyone watching it will be an emotional reunion."

"Sofi, love?" Gil waited but there was no answer. "If you are still sleeping when we get to Uncle Berk's farm, I will carry you and you can sleep on my shoulder."

"Okay." Came the muffled reply.

A man not unlike her eldest brother William in size and age came out of the cottage ahead of them and waved.

"Mary!" he called, walking quickly forward to meet them. "Mary!"

When the man reached them, he walked alongside and smiled up at her. "I am glad you could finally visit!"