It is two, maybe three days since the assault in the valley.  The
remains of Amber's forces have made it to the foot of Kolvir, harried
their rear by the Virgans. If they can make it back within the city's
walls, they have a chance of holding out the enemy a while longer. But
without fresh troops, and harrassed by forces at thrice their numbers,
the situation doesn't look promising.

First to sight are the wounded soldiers, hurriedly carried and dragged
up the sloping road towards Amber by those more able to walk. Beyond
them are the remnants of the combined forces: Rangers, Calvary and Horse
Guards, bloodied and outnumbered, yet still battling to halt the advance
of the Virgan legionaries.

A cloud of dust can be seen in the distance, from the direction of
Amber, and the distant thunder of cavalry is barely distinguishable in
the background...

Perhaps a mile behind the long trail of wounded and weary Amber soldiers
races a smudge, dust issuing from behind it.

The wounded look up at the distant growing sound. Apprehension marks
their tired faces, followed in turn by realisation, and a ragged cheer
begins to go up. The word makes its way quickly down the line:
reinforcements.

The new force can be barely made out in the distance, thundering along
at a slight angle, guaged to cut off the pursuing Virgans.

The smudge seems to be gaining rapidly. It will be close as to who
reaches the retreating force first.

The sound of Amber's reinforcements' approach grows louder by the
second, thundering of over a thousand hooves echoing through the hills.

"C'mon, boys!" One of the wounded soldiers shouts from his vantage
point. "Rip those bastards apart!"

A group of mounted soldiers stop and prepare to meet the rapidly gaining
force behind them.

The approaching cavalry crests a rise, slows, and at the bellow of a
horn, charges into the oncoming Virgan force. A large, somewhat familiar
fellow leads the charge.

As the smudge grows closer individual features become discernable. The
force is clearly not human. Closer and closer it draws to those that
await it. Soon it becomes obvious that the creatures that are pursuing
the Amber troops resemble giant spiders.

At the blast of the horn, a hurrah rises up from the troops awaiting
combat at the foot of Kolvir.

The mounts of Amber's forces scream and whinney at the sight of their
foes, though at the urgings of their riders continue on..as the cavalry
closes, lances level, set for the charge..

A figure amongst the soldiers awaiting the spiders raises his sword
high. He holds it there for a moment before he spurs his mount into a
gallop toward the oncoming creatures.

His colors are red, white and black.

He's quickly followed by another in dull bronzed armor, and assorted
other officers of the Calvary and Horse Guards.

And with a resounding roar, the rest of the mounted troops charge into
the ranks of the enemy.

The man in red and black leads the new charge, lines of medium cavalry
back him, and a force of light cavalry circles behind, perhaps moving to
flank the virgan forces.

The two lines reach one another with a CRASH! The screams of men and
horse fill the air mixing with the primal screams of the creatures that
they have just felled.

Hundreds of lances and horses plow into the side of the spider ranks,
trampling beasts and spearing them...screams erupt from that side of the
carnage, as men are hurled from their saddles, and horses and spiders
alike topple. The sound of hooves coming from the direction of the
Virgan flank is almost indistinguishable...

Antonio is seated astride Tharnus, his cutlass a blur as it flicks out
at the surrounding spiders.

Gavin stands in the stirrups of his black steed, leaning forward, sabre
flashing amidst the spiders. Men behind and abreast of him do similarly,
while lighter horsemen charge toward the virgan flank.

Martin's gray warhorse rears, its ironshod hooves descending again and
again, shattering chitinous armor with each fall.

As Gavin draws closer he can see that Antonio is covered with blood and
ichor and there are several large slashes in his clothing, especially
across his back and chest.

Tharnus rises on his hindlegs and lashes out at spider, connecting with
it in the torso sending it sprawling backward.

Gavin gives a shout as his horse is torn from under him, and he lands on
his feet, barely giving a pause before resuming the battle. Spider legs
and ichor flies about, and numerous nicks land upon Gavin as he and the
unhorsed and horsed both follow him through the carnage. Lines of light
cavalry carve apart the rear ranks of the spiders, darting in, attacking
briefly, and withdrawing.

Everywhere around man and horse fight with spider. Steel strikes
chitinous armor as razor claw strikes chain, plate and horse.

Finding himself in the clear, Antonio stops and surveys the surrounds.

Where the spiders are breaking through the lines of mounted troops, men
die, caught up in the spiders' knife-sharp mandibles.

Martin is deep in it, slashing at spiders, defending the fallen, doing
his best to break up the onslaught of the spiders as a unified force.

A gashed-up Gavin stops, a moment, breathing heavily, and peeering about
the battlefield. He starts into the fray again, slowly fading back with
his rank, letting a new group take its place at the forefront. The
darting attacks of the light cavalry continue across the spiders'
flanks.

Antonio urges his mount towards Gavin, attempting to cut his way through
the mass of spiders that surround.

Gavin pauses with his rank for a short rest at the rear of the force,
before appropriating a remount, and charging back into the fray. He
drives his lance through a spider, pinning it to the ground, and sets to
sabre work, this time much more careful about his horse.

The gray warhorse of Martin's rears again, hooves clashing with the
forelegs of a spider that rears up against it. As they crash together,
the force knocks the warhorse back and it falls, taking Martin with it.

Antonio says as he nears Gavin, "Think we should help him?", indicating
where Martin fell.

The constant harrying by the light calvary along the rear, and the
failure of the ones in the front to make any real headway seems to have
disheartened the spiders. There's a noticeable sense of uncertainty in
their actions, and a loosening in their ranks.

Gavin dispatches his most recent opponent, quickly, and nods at Antonio,
"I'm sure Gerard would be rather disappointed were he to die," he
shouts, and edges his horse in Martin's direction, starting about
hacking a path through to him.

Antonio's sword whips out to parry the leg of a spide only to have it
glance off and impale his arm.

Over the heads and bodies of the combatants, Martin's warhorse may be
glimpsed rearing upright again, eyes wild, blood frothing at its mouth,
slashing its forehooves at its arachnid foe. No sign of Martin, though.

The spider, sensing victory, retracts its leg dragging Antonio from the
saddle.

Tharnus goes beserk and leaps at the spider, slashing at it with its
hooves.

Gavin's blade spears the spider in front of him, and he half-turns in
his saddle to stare at the berserk horse. he pauses, almost
unnoticeably, before wheeling his mount, and directing his rank to carve
a path around Antonio.

Antonio is tossed about like a ragdoll as he slashes at the leg embedded
in his left arm. Once, twice he hits the leg severing it but losing the
grip on his sword in the process.

The Spider looms over Antonio.

With a scream of fury, Martin's warhorse finally cuts the spider down,
its chest and belly torn by the spider's dying slashes.

Gavin's blade flashes in a short, vicious arc towards the spider
menacing Antonio, dispatching it rather gruesomely. A hand directs his
men to circle Antonio, and he leans forward, extending the hand to
Antonio.

Antonio leaps up, grabbing the hand and using it to pull himself from
amongst the mud and ichor and onto Gavin's horse.

Gavin hauls Antonio to his feet, and wheels his mount back to face the
oncoming spiders, and towards Martin.

Tharnus continues to rain down blows upon the dead spider.

In the rear, indivdual spiders are beginning to break away, retreating
back the way they came.

Gavin spares Antonio a brief nod, though doesn't turn to him, as he sets
about carving a path towards Martin.

Antonio turns towards his horse and whistles, "Hey buddy, we're going
this way."

Tharnus turns towards Antonio, gives him a derisive look as if to say,
`I knew that', and bolts after him.

Martin's warhorse may be glimpsed circling, whinnying fiercely at
another spider approaching it.

Gavin slows in his charge, perhaps to give Antonio a chance to catch
up...or to catch his breath.

Tharnus edges alongside Gavin's mount.

The spider rears, easily sweeping aside the warhorse with one blow, and
then strikes toward something on the ground.

Gavin gives Tharnus a brief glance, before spurring towards the fallen
Martin.

The spider raise its forelegs again, poised for another strike, and
shudders. Slowly, it falls forward, crashing to the ground. A moment or
two later, Martin's warhorse stumbles into view again, nosing round the
fallen body of the spider.

More and more spiders begin to flee the battle that they are clearly now
losing.

Gavin's mount thunders toward Martin's horse, with the help of a rank of
men who move up to follow him. Spider legs fly about.

What was a moment before a retreat has become a rout as the bulk of the
spiders suddenly turn and flee away from Kolvir.

Gavin nods over his shoulder to Antonio, and stops to give him a chance
to dismount. He gestures for his troop to move forward.

Antonio slides off the horse.

Martin's warhorse, bleeding and quivering, stands protectively by the
side of the spider's corpse, besides which leans Martin on the ground.

Antonio gestures to the troops around him, "Follow them for the next
mile, then return."

A troop of horsemen surround Martin, warding off the straggling spiders,
while the remainder chases the retreating spiders. As the beasts
retreat, the light cavalry continues to pick them off.

Antonio bends to retrieve a sabre from a dead horseman before climbing
atop Tharnus.

Martin's armor is slick with blood, ichor and mud. Using his horse's
stirrups, he pulls himself shakily to his feet, muttering to the wounded
horse.

Antonio edges his mount over towards Martin.

Martin stands, supporting himself against his horse, his features ashen
under the grime. Tiredly, he waves to Antonio. "I'd say we fucked them
good, wouldn't you?"

<3/28/98>


Antonio slides from the back of his horse, wincing at the effort.

Martin pats his wounded warhorse Farrand on the neck, muttering to it
all the while as he leans heavily against its side.

A pair of boys quickly rush over to gather the reins of the horses.

Antonio mutters to Martin, "Remind me why I gave up sailing for this?"

Martin doesn't move from Farrand's side. Turning to his cousin, he grins
weakly, "Your horse made you do it?"

Antonio smiles wryly.

Tharnus snorts derisively at Martin as he's led away by one of the boys.

A speck on the horizon makes itself distinct from everything else by
being a rider and coming closer. The rider wear's Amber colors.

Martin irritably waves aside the boy reaching for Farrand's reins.
Farrand moves a step, dragging Martin forwards with him, wincing and
pale.

Antonio says, not noticing Martin's reaction, "Looks like we've got a
messenger on the way," indicating the approaching rider.

"It better be good news," Martin mutters through clenched teeth, as he
struggles to keep upright against Farrand's side.

The rider apparently has passed any tests of inspection, for he is
getting closer. He shows himself to be a youthful soldier, not
particulary worn looking, and his horse has fleet lines.

The messenger slows down his horse and proceeds at a more stately pace
as he is led to the Lords.

The messenger arrives and salutes. "I bring word from Lord Harold. With
your permission?"

Martin looks to the messenger, quirks a brow. With a glance to Antonio,
he nods to the messenger to continue.

The messenger says promptly, "Lord Harold has instructed me to inform
you of his arrival along with footsoldiers. I am to answer all your
questions, and request you to send back word of any particular needs."

The messenger adds, "The companies should be here in the next hour."

"Hal made it to the party after all, eh?" Martin manages a grin. "Right,
tell his Dukeship to get his men to dig in when they show. We're making
our stand here. The Virgans're maybe-" he winces again, sets his jaw,
continues, "maybe a couple day's march from us."

The messenger says, "Yes mi'lord." He looks Martin and then Antonio up
and down, slightly worridly.

Martin eyes the messenger, noticing his glance. "When Hal's free, tell
him to come on over. In the meantime," he suggests, "Scat."

The messenger looks slightly startled and says, "Yes mi'lord!" turning
his horse about and exiting properly, yet speedily.

Martin turns away as another rider approaches, one of Gavin's light
calvary. There's a brief exchange, and Antonio draws aside a short way
to speak with the rider.

Time passes. . .

And there are drumbeats on the horizon, playing a swift pace of travel.
Hal arrives on horseback, amongst some officers, all at the head of the
footsoldiers, of which a good count would take time.
Hal rides out alone, obviously hunting for family.

Boys and chirugeons are moving across the battlefield, collecting arms
and carrying the wounded back. Scattered groups of mounted troops are
searching among the spider corpses, checking for any which may still be
alive.

Hal leans over and asks a man, "Where's Martin abouts?" then says,
"Cheer up man! You'll have it easy now." as he rides off in the
indicated direction.

Antonio emerges from the command tent.

A group of officers are gathered near the command tent, making their
reports, counting off their dead. Martin, at their center, is having his
leg set by a surgeon, as someone else helps him of with the rest of his
armor.

<3/29/98>

Hal sits astride his horse and ponders the damage.

Gavin straightens from his crouch, shifting his eyes from the
battlefield-to-be to Antonio, and nods.

Hal muses, "I wonder what they tell an actor after he already has broken
one leg." to one of his officers.

Antonio chuckles as he makes his way across to Martin.

A group of officers are making their reports to Martin just outside one
of the tents. At their center, a surgeon finishes on Martin's leg.

Antonio asks the surgeon as he approaches, "Think he'll live?"

Hal settles back in his saddle and listens with half an ear. He nods to
Antonio as he sees his approach.

Martin flicks an irritated grin at Antonio as he approaches.
"Unfortunately for you, perhaps." The surgeon just smiles tiredly.

Antonio nods to both Gavin and Hal waving them both over.

Hal says cheerfully, "You all look like hell." he obligingly urges his
horse nearer.

The officers nod to the Lord Marshal, and Martin, and to Hal, as Martin
dismisses them.

Antonio comments dryly to Martin, "I was so hoping you'd bequeath me
that excellent horse of yours. Hard to find one with such talents as
yours." He smirks.

"You wish, couisn," Martin chuckles, wincing a little. Turning at Hal's
approach, he waves. "Glad to see you made it, Hal."

Tessa arrives astride a silver horse, just within sight, wind wreaking
havoc upon her hair, whipping it about her.

Antonio says to Hal, "Our opponents look much worse."

Hal nods gravely, "How many of them are left do you estimate?"

Gavin nods in return to Martin, and starts toward him.

Antonio's gaze adjusts to take in the approaching rider.

Martin glances to Antonio. "Still too many," he answers Hal.

Hal says, "Well. It looks like my timing's about right. How's the leg?"

A nudge of the heels and Tessa's horse rides again, this time down and
towards the field, her posture held gently as her horse winds his way
down towards the field and the tent that has been erected there.

Antonio says still watching the rider, "If they bring no more through
I'd guess ten thousand legionairres and another three thousand
mercenaries."

Martin manages another careful chuckle, as he waves aside the surgeon's
fussing. "Holding together. Where the hell have you been?"

Hal says, "Well then we have a numerical advantage perhaps."

"Except we're not gaining any more fresh troops," Martin observes to
Hal.

Gavin frowns, a bit, at the numbers. "Its actually almost even. With the
slight advantage of choice of ground, and fortifications..."

Antonio says, "And they still can. There's nothing stopping them from
waiting a day or two and bringing a few more thousand through."

Hal sighs. He gives Martin a peculiar look.

Antonio says, "Plus then there's the fleet that Gerard told me about. If
some of them get through..."

Coming closer, Tessa is now visible and recognizable to those familiar
with her face. A slight movement of her right hand slows the horse for
her entrance into the outskirts of the camp. Her chin rises slightly and
her eyes brush over many seeking out one.

Antonio frowns as he recognises Tessa. He mutters to himself, " How'd
she... here?"

Martin shrugs, looks pointedly at the surgeon, who packs up and goes see
to others more in need of his help. Martin glances up at Antonio, shifts
his attention to where he's looking.

Gavin turns to peer at the approaching rider. He frowns. "Hardly the
place for that girl..wonder why she's here."

Hal rubs his chin, and then rather complacently looks in the now
interesting direction.

A quick movement of her leg and Tessa dismounts with some flair of
rushing fabric. A smile passes fleetingly over lips as she hands her
reins over to a nearby boy, and then eyes held high she approaches the
throng.

Antonio orders, "Gavin, go find out what she wants."

Martin's eyes widen slightly when he recognises the figure on horseback,
and he sinks back with a groan. "...on't belive this," he mutters to
himself.

Hal says, "What do we know about where their troops source is? Is it
definitely the location of the trump of Amber?"

Gavin nods at Antonio. He starts off towards Tessa, still frowning.

Antonio nods to Hal, "It is, or as near as it doesn't matter."

That's what it looks like," Martin mutters to Hal, his gaze narrowed at
Tessa.

Tessa seems not to notice Martin's gaze. Though the effort it takes to
effect such shows in her shoulders.

Gavin stops as he nears Tessa; he nods, curtly, "Tessa. What're you
doing here?"

Antonio asks Hal, "Have you ever worked with the Rangers before?"

Hal smiles faintly. "Yes."

Tessa returns the curt nod to Gavin. "I am seeking out Lord Martin. May
I have a moment of his time?" Each word crisp, she seems, for the
moment, almost prim.

Gavin tosses a questioning glance over his shoulder to Martin.

Martin sighs in resignation, beckons her over.

Antonio mutters to Hal, "... to... setting up... making... for... for
that?"

Gavin nods at Tessa, "Appears you may," he murmurs, and starts back
toward Martin.

Tessa catches folds of her skirt, lifting them so the tops of her shoes
are visible as she steps over the trodden grass and mud, to Martin's
makeshift sickbed.

Hal smiles faintly again, and leans slightly towards Antonio. He mutters
to Antonio, "... thanks.... me... be..."

Antonio frowns at Hal. "It was not a request."

To Antonio and Hal, Martin mutters, "Gentlemen, the Lady Thessaly." 
Louder, he says, facing Tessa. "I'm sure she's got a damned fine reason
for traipsing around out here."

Hal smiles brightly and sidles his horse slightly away from Antonio,
bowing in the saddle. "Pleasure, Lady Thessaly."

Antonio turns to Tessa, brow faintly arched. He nods, "Tessa."

Hal turns his head and eyes Antonio. "Too bad. Favors turned down are
less embaressing."

Martin quirks a brow at Antonio's familiarity.

Antonio says to Tessa, "You seem to have found some understanding of
your location this time." He smiles.

Tessa turns a bright smile to Hal, returning his bow with a curtsy, the
movement of Antonio's brow she copies as the smile turns to him, and
then brushes by her eyes coming to rest upon Martin. "She does." she
replies to Martin. "And so I have Antonio."

Hal smiles at Tessa pleasantly.

"Let's hear it," Martin says curtly to Tessa. "This is no place for
you."

Gavin stands quietly, regarding Tessa with a neutral stare.

Antonio watches Tessa calmly, his gaze flicking down her body.

Honey colored hair falls about her shoulders in waves, curling
perniciously at the ends. Her features while unextraordinary are pretty
enough, aqua hued eyes being the only feature that draws attention at
first glance. She is however gifted with exquisite grace and balance,
her movements fluid. She stands with the trained poise of a professional
dancer, easily balanced and ready to move given any lead to do so. 
 
She wears a dress of deep green organdy, empire waisted with a full
skirt. The color makes her skin shine and gives highlights of emerald to
her eyes.

Around her neck rests a stunning necklace of silver filigree about a
green stone, upon which a Unicorn rears.

Tessa's smile almost slips a moment before it is reaffirmed, a glance
around takes in the area. "So I had noticed." her position shifts
slightly as she centers herself.

"In short, days of sequestering tend to weigh badly upon me and I left
the castle for a much needed excursion both by myself and my horse
languishing away. I sought out a glimpse of my new surroundings and
caught sight of the colors upon this field. My curiosity brought me to a
point where it was recognizable and then my efficiency a bit further as
there were questions plaguing that could find no answer save here."

As her arms cross her shoulders sit back slightly. "I shall endeavor not
to occupy too much of your time, or if you insist I shall depart."

Hal covers his mouth with one hand. Mirth is not completely hidden.

Martin just looks at the woman. "Tessa..."

Antonio smirks and looks away to Gavin.

Gavin chuckles. "She means she was tired of being locked in, so she went
out, and saw us here, so came down to visit. And she won't bother us."
He hmms. "I think."

Martin's tone is pained, and he says very slowly to her "There just
happens to be a war going on."

Antonio says, "Gavin, I think that fortification needs a little looking
into. Here, let me show you."

Antonio points towards a hole that is in the opposite direction to
Martin and Tessa.

Gavin suppresses another chuckle, with at least marginal success. He
nods at Antonio, "Good idea."

Hal says gravely, "I for one would be glad for the polite company of a
lady while in such painful straits as you Martin." "Are you stuck here,
despite being in the wounded category?"

Antonio glances to Hal before he heads off in the direction of the hole.
Tessa's eyes attempt to empty of all amusement. "I had noticed. Does
this mean you are about to insist upon my departure or may I spend a
moment to ease the mind of Princess Vialle?"

Gavin follows after Antonio, a reasonably well hidden smirk on his face.

Martin flicks a glance Gavinwards, grins. To Hal, he says, "Well, until
I figure out how to walk again, or we wipe out the Virgans, I'm not
leaving this place."

Hal half bows again in the saddle, eyeing Martin's leg sadly, and
tsking. "I should leave you two to your privacy."

Martin shrugs to Hal, "If you will, cousin. Gavin probably could do with
some help over at his hole."

Tessa turns a soft smile towards Hal. "I thank you. I shan't occupy him
long."

Hal sighs, "Into the hole I go. Dirt comes into the life of all.." and
he turns his horse and lets it walk off towards Gavin and Antonio.

Martin chuckles at Hal's parting words. He watches him ride off, a hint
of envy perhaps, before turning his attention back to Tessa.

Martin waits til Hal and the rest are out of earshot, before asking
tersely, "Vialle sent you?"

Tessa claims a chair moving it to Martin's bedside and seats herself.

Gavin nods up at Hal. "How many men did you bring with you again, Hal?"

Tessa shakes her head faintly. "No. Vialle and others are incessant with
worries over you and I claimed the opportunity myself."

Tessa whispers "It was more fortuitous than planned."

Martin looks about to query her on the "others" but asks instead,
"How're things back in the palace, and in Amber?"

Tessa swallows once. "I've been spending each day helping with
preparations under Mira." she says softly, teeth almost clenched. "But
besides that things are tense."

Martin enquires, "Mira holding up well, then?"

Tessa's faint smile gives way to a frown. "Were she truly as cold as she
acts I would say yes. She dissembles well but inside..." she sighs
softly. "Her barbs are for show but they cut so that not many are
willing to go around them."

Gavin murmurs something in response to Antonio and then Hal, and heads
off to collect riders and horses.

Martin nods. Reaching for Tessa's hand, he says, "Mira's in for a big
fall, and we can't afford to have that happen. Keep an eye on her.
Later," he flashes a tired grin. "You can think about pulling out her
hair."

Tessa squeezes your hand gently, her smile returning, softer. "I am
trying. But these days are hard on everyone and I find that my patience
may have stayed in New Orleans when we left." her mouth quirks slightly.
"I'll help her Martin. And she needed a new hairstyle anyways."

You sense Tessa is hiding it reasonably well but she's scared. Really
scared.

Martin reaches for Tessa's hand, and she takes it.

Martin's grin widens some. "Hey, you wanted to come here," he reminds
her with a chuckle, and winces. Muttering imprecations about that stupid
horse, he returns the squeeze, his grasp somewhat shaky, his face paled.
Softly, he says, "You'll do fine, Tessa. I know you will."

Tessa nods returning the grin. "I will. And you better as well." she
says, looking down at his leg. "I fully intend to ask you to dance on my
next birthday." she says firmly swallowing once.

"And when's that?"

Her glance lowers to your leg again. "What happened?"

Martin chuckles again, carefully, and after a moment. "Then I'll dance
with you on your next birthday, whenever it is," he promises her. "As
for how," his smile twists into a vaguely sheepish grin. "Uh... Farrand
fell on it."

Tessa's brow arches slightly, and she quickly closes her mouth so a
giggle doesn't escape and run wild. "See if I ever give him a carrot
again." She releases a long pent up sigh and smiles then, her second
hand gently touches your arm. "I'm glad you're ok Martin." she flushes
slightly. "I know I shouldn't have come but I had too."

There is a slightly raised exchange between Antonio and Hal, who smiles
merrily and wheels his horse about and clip clops off.

Antonio glances across towards Martin and Tessa.

Martin's smile fades back into seriousness. "We can't spare the men to
escort you on your little excursions, and right now, the countryside is
not a safe place. And this," he fingers the folds of her skirt. "You're
a little overdressed for a war, know what I mean?"

Tessa lifts her chin and affects a voice like Mira's. "Just because some
boys choose to play at war doesn't mean I shall compose myself as
anything but a Lady." she smirks then. "Honestly, it was an impromptu
visit. Otherwise I would asked for jeans."

Martin arches a brow at her. "No jeans," he says firmly. "But definitely
something more low-key, but preferably safe behind Amber's walls." Then,
"Any more news from the home front?"

Antonio makes his way back into the command tent.

Tessa's eyes register a twitch and then it passes. "No. People talk all
the time, but no one is saying anything." she smiles softly then. "Can I
take a message back for you? To Vialle? Anyone?"

Martin shakes his head, after a pause to consider. "No, Gerard knows the
situation. Tell the girls what you want. Do *not* take this as an
encouragement for any more impromptu visits."

Tessa nods quickly. "I won't. I just..." her teeth graze her lower lip.
"I needed to know."

Martin says, "Reckless." But there's a hint of affection as he says it.
"Tell you what, take Farrand back with you to Amber when you go,
alright? As a favor to me."

Tessa looks surprised. "You don't need him here?"

Martin eyes Tessa long and hard, and refrains from pointing out the
obvious. "He got himself pretty badly cut up," he says instead. "He
won't be any good to anyone for a while. Might as well let him rest easy
in Amber til this is over."

Tessa nods quickly. "I'll take good care of him." she smiles then. "Did
you see me ride? I've been practicing."

Martin chuckles softly.

Tessa blushes faintly.

"Looking better all the time."

Tessa beams. "I should be." she sighs again. "I should go. I'll take
care. Come home soon?"

Martin nods, "Soon. Safe journeys."

Tessa nods, swallowing hard again. "I'd hug you but you'd probably get
embarrassed." she says with a smile. "So I'll just tell you. I miss
you."

Martin sits up a little further, beckoning Tessa forward.

Tessa leans forward.

Martin grins a lopsided grin. "You're getting sentimental again," he
smiles. "Tell me that when I come home, alright?"

Martin puts a hand up to her face, guiding it down so he can kiss her on
her forehead.

Tessa nods quickly. "I will. But best make it soon. So I don't forget."

Tessa smiles faintly as Martin's lips brush across her brow.

Martin smiles, tiredness and pain creasing his features. "I'll remind
you," he says softly. "Now, get lost."

Tessa chuckles softly and nods, rising. She grins "Last time I got lost
Antonio had to lead me home. Maybe I'll let Farrand find my way home."

Martin gestures towards the horse pens further back, and waves her
farewell.

Tessa winks. "I'd hate to have to hear more of your exploits and the
notorious amounts of women you bring home."

"Tell them I said you can have Farrand, and just follow the road up.
It's hard to get lost going up..." he blinks. "Pardon?" to Tessa.

Tessa begins to step away from the couch then smiles faintly, eyes
sparkling. She whispers "I believe Lord Antonio was trying to prepare me
for the heartbreak of you dumping me."

Martin nods, comprehension dawning, and slowly. "How considerate of our
dear cousin," he glances towards the command tent. "I'll see you when
this is all over." He gives her a wave, turning away, faintly
distracted.

Tessa nods and strides across the campground towards the horse pen,
calling for her horse and Lord Martin's to be brought forward.

Martin slumps back, waving over one of the boys to help him into his
tent.

Tessa smiles faintly at the boy who brings out the two animals, then
mounts and with a last look back, sets off towards the castle.

Martin doesn't look towards Tessa as she leaves, his attention rather
absorbed by the act of working out basics like how to stand again.

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3/30/98