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Revolt and Tranquility

The Outlaws of Hemlock

Book One

Sybil Forbes

Chapter I...Rean-Hammon

“Drop the blade or loose your head!”

The young man stared at the man standing before him and asked, “How do you plan to remove my head with a bow and arrow?”

The man scowled darkly and muttered, “I shall kill you first and then use your own sword to relieve you of your head! Now drop it!”

Rean-Hammon, the young man, smiled and asked, “Do you really think I would just drop my sword and let you shoot me? Rather would I die with my sword in my hand then begging for mercy from one who would be reluctant to give it, or am I to really believe you would let a rebel live?”

The man raised one eye brow and said with a scoff, “You think you are cleaver do you not? In the end all cleaver men end up dead!”

“Yes, and all men end up dead,” Rean-Hammon said with another smile.

The man blinked and then without another word let his arrow fly. Rean-Hammon never stopped smiling, He waited till the last possible minute and then stepped aside and hacked at the arrow as it flew passed, cleaving it in half and knocking it to the ground.

The man stared in amazement and Rean-Hammon asked, “What were you saying?”

“How did you do that?” the man asked as he slowly reached for the dagger he wore at his side.

Rean-Hammon only smiled in answer and said, “I would not do that if I was you.”

“Do what?” the man said as he kept his voice even.

“If you draw that dagger I shall be obliged to run you through,” Rean-Hammon kept his eyes locked on the man and a smile on his face.

The man stared back into the young man's eyes and shook his head. Surely he was wrong, there was no way the man could be, blind. At first he had thought so, but now? Rean-Hammon blinked and in that second the man drew his dagger and tossed it, and once more Rean-Hammon leaped out of the way, only this time he grabbed the handle of the dagger, closing his fingers about it, and quickly flinging it back at the man. It struck true and the man fell to the ground, dead.

Rean-Hammon shook his head and sheathed his sword. “Sorry, I did not want to do it,” he said as he picked up his stick and continued on his way.

***

Months eariler

The hammer clanged loudly, ringing through the small shop. The ringing continued in the young man's ears even after he had set his hammer down and rammed the red hot metal into the barrel of water. The metal sizzled loudly and steam rose up from it. Rean-Hammon pulled the metal back out and then ran his fingers over it, feeling the curve and making sure it was right.

He sighed and shook his head. Turning he plunged it back into the fire and waited as it heated up again. Long before it was ready Rean-Hammon heard a step behind him and turned, whipping his hands on the leather apron he wore. He smiled brightly and waited.

The man stepped farther into the little shop and asked, “How is the horse shoe coming?”

Rean-Hammon nodded his head and turned into one of the back rooms. The man followed without a word. Once they where in the room the young blacksmith shut the door and walked over to one of the many barrels in the room. Pushing it aside he reached back and pulled a little latch in the wall. A small door swung open and Rean-Hammon reached inside the hole and pulled out a sword.

Backing up he tested it by swinging it about a couple times, then he spun it around his hand and held it out to the man, “Will this one do?”

The man took the sword and tested it, then nodded his head. Rean-Hammon grinned and grabbed a rag which he wrapped it in. The man hid it under his cloak and then looked again at the young man. He rested his hand on his shoulder and said, “You are a brave man Rean-Hammon, I don't know what we would do without you.”

Rean-Hammon smiled and said nothing as they entered the main room and the man made his way to the door. Before leaving he turned and said, “May the King bless you in your work.” Then he was gone and Rean-Hammon was alone again.

Rean-Hammon grabbed the metal with a pair of heavy tongs and moved it back over to his anvil where he started pounding it again. It all outward respects he appeared to be a humble blacksmith. No one ever bothered Rean-Hammon. For one thing he was nothing but a poor blacksmith, and for another he was blind. And yet that gave the young man the perfect cover.

He worked until the sun went down and then closed his little shop down, locking the door behind him as he left. He went out into the dark street,m feeling the cool and damp evening wind on his face, the fog had risen. Rean-Hammon kept to the shadows, as though he was hiding from something. He felt his way along the muddy street with his stick.

He went along until he reached the small and roughly made tavern. Once there he went inside and slowly made his way through the noisy and smoky room. Men where drinking and talking loudly, some yelling and some even fighting. Rean-Hammon despised this place but it was the safest place to meet.

He slowly wove in and out of the chairs until he reached a back room and once there tapped lightly on the door, it was opened and someone gabbed his hand and hurried him inside and then closed and locked the door. Rean-Hammon stood by the door for a moment, enjoying the stillness of the room.

Though he could not see it he well knew how the room was furnished. There was a small table in the dead center and on that table rested in a candle that was burning low and casting a small yellow glow about the center of the room. The light really did nothing to light the room, rather it made the shadows stand out more, made them seem darker then they would have without it.

There where eleven chairs in the room, all of them pushed back against the wall, deep within the recesses of the shadows as though they wished to hide. Once Rean-Hammon sat in the chair nearest the door they were all filled and for a long time none of the eleven men uttered a sound.

The were the rebels and their lives were in constant danger, and they all knew the moment they started talking they would be committing treason and they would be as good as dead men. Yet they also knew they could not sit in silence forever and so at last the leader of the little band stood up and faced the shadows.

“Who wishes to report first?” he asked after another pause.

No one rose at first, then one of the chairs scraped on the floor and another man stood up. “I will,” he said with a bow of his head.

“Very well Sloan,” the leader said as he bowed his head in return.

The cabinet maker shifted his feet and said, “I was nearly found out today. One of the soldiers came in while I was making an arrow shaft, thanks be to the King I had not put the head on yet or I should have been a dead man.”

The men all felt a chill of dread creep through them. They knew what it would mean if Sloan was slain. Not only would they no longer have anyone to making arrows for them but they would be loosing a good friend, and his wife and children would be left without a protector.

“What did he say?” the leader, Melvyn, asked.

“He wanted to know why I should need a long, rounded shaft for cabinets. I told him I needed many shapes of wood for my work and he seemed satisfied but said he would be coming back to search the house.”

Melvyn shook his head. “In that case we shall have to get those arrows out of your kitchen, is there anywhere we can take them?”

One of the other men rose to his feet and said, “There is that hole in my cellar floor, we can hide them there and cover the whole over with a create or something.”

Melvyn rubbed his chin. “Will your wife mind?” he finally asked.

The man grinned and shook his head. “No, it was her idea to hid something there, she was ready to hide Rean-Hammon's swords the other day!”

Rean-Hammon grinned, and the other men laughed softly. Melvyn too smiled and said, “Very well, before we return to our homes tonight we shall move the arrows there. Now Duer, what is the report on the bows?”

Sloan and the other man sat down as Duer took the floor. “I was able to get ten made today,” he said with a sad smile. “I gave away two making my total count fifteen.”

Melvyn smiled. “Very good! That is very good news. Sloan do we have enough arrows for the bows?”

Sloan bowed his head again. “If I am able to make as many as I made today tomorrow then we shall.”

Melvyn smiled widely. “Very good then, see what you can do about that.”

Sloan nodded his head as Melvyn turned to Rean-Hammon, the youngest in the rebellion. “And what is your report on the swords?” he asked.

Rean-Hammon sighed almost sadly as he said, “I was only able to get two made today, that brings us up to seven as someone came for a sword today as well.”

Melvyn nodded his head and thought over that. He did not want to push the young man who was having to make horse shoes for the very men oppressing them, however he also knew that without swords they had very little chance of doing anything. Rather then say anything though he bowed his head and said encouragingly, “See if you can get at least two more done tomorrow.”

Rean-Hammon nodded his head as Melvyn turned to another of the men and asked, “And what of the rocks? Have you made any advancement on them?”

The man, Donalt, shook his head and muttered, “However Sir Maddock was able to make those rocks explode is beyond me. I have tried everything, but nothing works.”

“We could go into the castle and get the book that has it recorded,” Rean-Hammon said even though he knew it was pointless. If it was that easy to get into the castle things would be different.

Melvyn shook his head as he said, “No, all we can really do is keep trying. However, there is another reason I wanted you all here tonight.”

They all stared at him, knowing that when he used that tone something was wrong. Melvyn sighed and said, “You all know how that fool up there has outlawed the making of weapons in the hopes of bring peace to the land, well it seems that was not good enough for him.”

Sloan ground his teeth, Rean-Hammon could hear the noise even from where he sat. Oh course they all knew about the law, no more making or selling weapons and anyone doing so would be imprisoned. They also knew the other lands where still making their weapons.

Hemlock had been in a civil war for two hundred years now. It had happened the day the last king had died without an heir, and before he could name the next one. Hemlock divided as each land wanted to put one of their own people on the throne. Things had gotten worse when some of the lands had united.

In the center of Hemlock was the Castle and the Under Forest. To the north were the mountains, below them the swamp, to the west of them the marshes and to the east the prairie lands. To the west of the castle were the jungle lands, the hot springs, and the volcanic lands. To the south were the desert, the farm lands, and the open ranges. In the east were the giant lands, giant forests, castles, houses, and farms. The giants were unfriendly and yet people still insisted in living there. Also the dragons lived there.

The people from the mountains had united with the people from the swamp lands, the marshes and the prairie lands. The people of the jungle lands had untied with those from the volcanic lands and the desert. Those of the hot springs had chosen to stay out of it all. The Rangers had untied with the people from the giant lands while the farmers, though on the other side of the Ranges from the Under Forest had untied with the Dwellers.

The man who now lived in the castle was nothing more then a lord protector like the lords over each of the untied lands. The difference was the lord in the castle thought he had more power as he lived in the castle kings had lived in before him. And so, he had tried to stop the war by taking away the weapons, all he had done though was take the weapons from the Dwellers. The other lands still had their weapons and now the Dwellers where defenseless. And so that was why some had rebelled. They made weapons in secret and handed them out to the people.

Yet, things had just worsened for those who where truly trying to untie the people. Melvyn paced as he told the gathered men what had happened. “It seems that hair brained fool wants a king as much as the people want one, and so he has started a, I guess we can call it a contest. He has told the four providences to chosen one man they wish to sit upon the throne. The one chosen is to go on a quest to find the lost sword of the kings, the one Theobald himself wielded.”

Rean-Hammon leaped to his feet. “That is mad!” he gasped. “They will end up killing each other and then the lords will go after each other for revenge!”

“Does that man ever think?” Sloan muttered as he too thought of the blood shed.

“I seriously doubt it,” Melvyn growled as he continued pacing. “The point is we cannot stand by and let this happen! If it does whatever hope for Hemlock to be untied and at peace shall forever be lost.”

“Who are the ones going?” Duel asked.

Melvyn shook his head. “Either the lords themselves or their heirs, their children.”

Rean-Hammon nodded his head. “What do we do?”

“We get them to unite,” Melvyn stopped pacing. “If the people see these four unite and put aside their fighting then there is a chance for Hemlock yet!”

Rean-Hammon moved closer to the door. “Then let us go after them now!” he said passionately.

Melvyn laughed and said kindly enough, “Rean-Hammon we cannot go dashing about the countryside with swords drawn...”

A door crashed open and from the other room they could hear the men yelling. Melvyn sucked in a sharp breath and hissed, “Out the back door!” He ran over to the candle and put it out but before the other men could move someone kicked in the door.

The door swung in backwards and before Rean-Hammon had the chance to move he was hit right in the head. He staggered backwards and crashed against the wall as men rushed into the small room. Rean-Hammon clenched his head, he could feel warm blood on his fingers and moaned aloud as he bent to grabbed the dagger he kept in his boot. However as he bent over blackness swept over him and he fell to the floor as the sounds of his friend's dying filled his ears.

***

The back room was now a bloodied mess. The tavern keeper, a man Melvyn had trusted with his life, stood in the doorway as the soldiers looked over the eleven dead bodies.

“You were not supposed to kill them!” the keeper snapped as he looked into the dead men's faces. “That was not part of the agreement!”

The general turned and looked at the man with scorn. “You called us need I remind you, if you don't like the way we work you can join them,” and he drew the string back on his bow and aimed an arrow at the man's chest.

The man shook his head. “No sir, I am sorry.”

The general smiled and then stepped over the dead bodies and said, “Good, now if you don't mind we still have work to do, these rebels had families after all!”

The keeper's face went white but he knew there was nothing he could do. He watched the soldiers leave and then turned back to look at the dead bodies, pierced with many arrows. His eyes landed on Melvyn and tears pricked at his eyes as he whispered, “I am sorry my friend, truly sorry.” However he knew being sorry would not right the wrong he had done.

Meanwhile the soldiers rode to each of the rebel's homes and set the houses on fire, burning the women and children who where within. Nothing could be done to stop them and it was a warning everyone well remembered.

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I have been doing a lot of thought as to were to start in this endeavor. I have been praying about it for a while, and God has finally given me a good idea. I am trying to start a...prayer group I guess it is called. I am trying to get many of the young people I know together every other week to pray and studying the Bible.

I got this idea over a many of things. One being I cannot remember when Christians last got together to pray, at least from where I am. Also during the election I was on line with my friends and through the whole thing they were praying, it was wonderful! Another being that long ago God used prayer to revive our nation. And so, I am inviting all of my on line friends to pray with me.

I have set up a chat room which is protected by a password so that no one can get on unless they have it. Here is the link...http://www.chatzy.com/330709073000. PM me for the password. Now I know no one is never on at the same time, so the prayer meetings shall be held at different times. I am thinking we can start with just an hour, maybe every day, every other day. The times shall have to be worked out as we go. It is up and running now, and I am going to try and have the first main meeting this Friday at seven mountain time, I believe it is mountain type, shall I say seven in the same time zone as Wyoming. That said drop by it at any time as someone may be on, but on Friday I am hoping to have nearly everyone there and get secludes worked out and all.

What I am thinking we shall do is study a passage on prayer, the ones at the meeting can decided on a passage. The only rule to this is that they must be studied in context, that means adding at least five verses before the verse and five after, or as many as it takes so that the verse is understood. Once then we can all pray, writing down our prayers as we pray, if that does make any sense. One thing we NEED to pray for is our government, but we can also tell our own requests and pray for them as well.

I believe that is all for now, so I am going to send this off.

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Chapter One…New Dangers
Theobald awoke, his forehead was covered in sweat, his hands were trembling slightly, and he knew something was wrong. He tried to sit up and felt the cold steal of a sword blade digging into his neck. Someone was knelling on his chest, pinning him to the bed, preparing to slit his throat.
Taking a deep breath Theobald looked up at the man and saw only shadows, it was too dark to see his face, and the man wore a hood.
“Who are you?” Theobald demanded.
“A man who was assigned to be your murderer Theobald. And I am never one to fail an assignment!”
Theobald felt the sword dig farther into his throat, and he knew he was going to die.
***
Weeks earlier
A shepherd turned warrior, a maid turned fighter, a daydreamer turned knight, and an outcast turned king. In all the Hemlocan tales there were never any hero’s who stood out as much as those four, there were never any whose courage was remembered so well, never any who had stood against such unbeatable odds and won then these four. And at the moment they were sitting before a roaring fire scolding each other as winter wind howled about the castle, moaning like a beast in pain trying to get in.
Theobald leaned back in his chair; feet stretched out to the fire, and scowled at Maddock. “Treason!” The young king said with a toss of his red head.
“You can’t call treason!” The younger knight crossed his well muscled arms over his chest while two girls, perched in near by chairs, giggled.
“I just did!” Theobald grinned.
Maddock turned to one of the girls, a plain looking maid who had eyes as bright as the stars, or so Maddock claimed. “You break the tie Carlyss, who was the better warrior? Hamor or Jaalam?”
Theobald rolled his eyes. “You can’t ask her!”
Of course Maddock couldn’t, everyone who knew the two knew how much in love they were, and it is unfair to ask the girl who loves you which side she would be on, no matter which hero of old she thought was better.
Theobald raised an eye brow at the maid as she prepared to answer. Though he knew she would side with Maddock he gave one feeble attempt saying, “Remember, I am your cousin.”
Maddock caught Carlyss’s eye and gave her one of his charming smiles. Adele giggled and said, “Give it up Theobald!”
Carlyss’s face reddened and Theobald turned to Adele. “You agree with me, don’t you?”
Adele giggled again and said, “Aye, I will.”
“There then! Two to two! We are tied!” Theobald tossed Maddock a look of triumph.
“Then we are back where we started!” Maddock moaned as he placed his boot against wall and slowly leaned back.
Carlyss tossed her head back and giggled gleefully, she had been enjoying the whole debate and now that they had come to another tie she could not help the giggles that burst free. Maddock grinned and Adele rolled her eyes and sighed, a habit she had picked up lately.
 It had been a year since they had over thrown the usurper Ulrich and his evil wife Tamar, now the four of them were dwelling at the castle that rose above the Under Forest. Theobald’s first year as king had passed peacefully enough, and now at the age of twenty he had won the love and respect of the villagers around the castle.
Maddock, a handsome and well built young man of eighteen had grown more serious and solemn over his past adventures; however he had been able to retain some of his boyishness and could often be found setting off his rocks.
Adele was still the same day dreamy and romantic girl, however of late she had become quieter and almost sad.
It was Carlyss who had changed the most. The fearful maid, who used to climb trees to cry, had bosomed into a bold and cheerful young lady. Her love for the King was unshakable, her laugh was contagious, and her brightness lit up the castle, and filled with the love of her father, mother, brother, and Maddock she seemed to glow.
However, more had changed then just the four friends. The castle, once of place of gloom and sorrow, had become a place of lightness and joy. Often people could be seen climbing the hill to see their young king on some matter. And Theobald always received them, he was never too busy to hear even the smallest problem, it was said he understood the people better then any king ever had, this being because he knew what sorrow was.
The castle grounds had also changed, in the spring and summer the trees that had once been dying now put forth their leaves, showing off their glory. The flowers, which had fled, now returned to grace the gardens. Birds sang in the trees, the fountain had been repaired and now could be heard gurgling night and day.
The Under Forest, once a place of hiding, had been cleared of most of the cumbersome trees, and a nice sized town had sprang up. And so, on all outward appearances, Hemlock had settled into a time of peace; however that was only on the outward. Under it all there was the hint of rebellion, for not all were pleased with the young king.
Later that night Maddock and Carlyss could be seen walking down the hall to the annual meeting place, the castle’s library. Though not the normal meeting place, it was the special one Theobald used to gather in every night with what he called his elite knights.
These knights consisted of those that had helped him regain his throne. There was Quentin, who was more like a brother to Theobald then anything else, his unruly wife Kendra, Julian and Bettina, who after a year of marriage where still as much in love as their wedding day, Kenrick who was Julian and Maddock’s younger brother, Yorick, Adele, Maddock, and Carlyss. Maddock was the leader of the knights, being second in command to Theobald, this had been unanimously decided when the order had been set up. They went by the title of The Knights of the Under Forest, as they had all lived in the Under Forest at one time, all but Quentin and Yorick.   
Before Maddock and Carlyss even reached the library they could hear a heated debate going on. Glancing at each other they both rolled their eyes knowing it was Quentin and Kendra. The two made an odd couple, they were always fighting and yet if anyone said anything against one of them the other would knock them into next week.
“’Tis just the way they are I guess,” Maddock had told Carlyss once.
Carlyss had giggled, she always giggled these days and Maddock felt that he should always be happy as long as she never stopped giggling. “I am glad we are not like that then,” She had said.
Maddock smiled as he looked down at her now. He intended to marry her the very day she turned eighteen, he did not want to marry her too young. There were other reasons he wanted to wait, he wanted to give her time with her real family, she deserved after being raised by the monster who had pretended to be her father. And besides, he was contented the way things were now, contented courting her. And she was only seventeen; they still had time before they even thought of marriage.
On reaching the library they found they were right, Quentin and Kendra were bickering. It took near a half an hour before Theobald could get them to call peace and be quiet. During that time Carlyss had hurried over to Yorick and given her brother a hug. Their relationship had been growing until its bonds were unbreakable. As Yorick said, he was sixteen years to make up for missing out on being a big brother.
“Now, if you two are done can we call this meeting to order?” Theobald said as he did his best to glare at Quentin and Kendra.
Kendra grunted and muttered, “As long as I don’t have to sit by him.”
She was standing by the chair Quentin had clamed. On hearing her words he grinned and yanked her onto his lap where she tried to kick him, then settled back comfortably. Theobald rolled his eyes and sat on the edge of the table where a bunch of old documents were spread.
Outside the wind continued to howl, it was going to be one bitter winter, no matter, they would be safe and warm with in the castle protected within its secure walls. Theobald smiled as, this was how he wanted things to stay, though he knew they couldn’t. Little did he know trouble was brewing at that very moment.
***
She had escaped. A year of sitting in that rotten dungeon, of knowing her brother was dead and she had not been there to help him, of having to plot her revenge, at long last she was free! Nothing could stop her now! Except maybe this rotten marsh.
As Della stood on the edge of the vast march that stretched out before her, as far as her eyes could see, she mumbled a curse and kicked at a stand of weeds. As she looked to the sides and saw there was no end to the marsh she could see she figured her best option would be to cross it rather then try to go around it.
Anger swelled through her when she realized how long this would take, she would loose days trying to cross this place! However, she might loose weeks if she tried to go around it, given the two she would rather loose days. And so, hunching up her tattered skirts, Della stepped onto one of the dry patches of ground that rose out of the foggy marsh.
Patches of snow covered the grass. A bitter, cold wind tore across the marsh, yanking on her cloak and making her yearn for the warmth of a fire, and a bed. She would have given anything at that moment for a warm house and a hot dinner.
Five steps into the marsh Della’s foot slid from a patch of earth and plunged into the green water. “Ugg!” The woman screamed as she yanked her foot out and shook the mud and water from her foot. Ice crusted the edge of the water, only adding to the bitter cold.
Over head a bird screamed back at the woman and then seemed to laugh at her. Cursing Della took another step and complained, “I was supposed to be a princess! Our plan was foolproof! There was no way we could fail! Then Tamar had to go get cocky, and that depraved boy had to go and, and kill…” Tears filled her eyes as she remembered the news she had heard while imprisoned.
Two of the guards were talking about it one night. About how Tamar had been killed, how Theobald had been made king, and how Reid had been slain by Maddock. How the young knight had thrown a knife right into her brother’s throat, killing him.
They had been delighted about the whole thing, well they hadn’t been laughing when Della had gotten a hold of them! The night she had escaped she had made certain to kill them both; she had cut their throats just so they would know how it felt. And now, now as she made her way across the march she had one intent, one purpose. She was going to kill Maddock, she was going to kill him slowly and painful, and she was going to laugh when he begged for mercy.
But first she had to get across this accursed marsh.

Chapter Two…Days of Peace
Adele was sitting before the roaring fire, bent over a book, lost to the world. Outside it was snowing, thick, heavy flakes drifted down from the gray clouds, covering the brown ground in a blanket of pure white. Shifting to her stomach Adele smirked, there was nothing she liked better then reading beside a warm fire while the wind howled outside.
Sighing contentedly Adele once more lost herself in her book, but was soon pulled out when a clear laugh drifted up to the window. Someone was outside? Adele rose to her feet and walking over to the window looked out.
Below in the courtyard Adele was surprised to see Maddock and Carlyss walking in and out of the trees. Adele shook her head, why they chose to be outside on such a bitterly cold day was beyond her! She rolled her eyes and returning to the fire continued reading.
Adele was not the only one who was watching Maddock and Carlyss though. As they walked, laughing and talking, they failed to notice the mysterious man who was following them. Ducking behind the trees, moving slowly and quietly, he trailed the two.
“This summer we shall have to talk Theobald into riding back to the House by the Mountain,” Maddock said softly.
Carlyss’s eyes shone at the thought. “We must, I would love to see Iris again!”
Maddock smiled at her but for a while said nothing. “You are very quiet today,” Carlyss said after a while.
Maddock grinned. “I was just thinking.”
“About what?” Carlyss asked, she turned her face up and let the snow flakes fall onto her face.
“About you,” Maddock said with his charming smile. Carlyss called it charming; he never smiled at anyone else the way he smiled at her.
Carlyss’s face reddened as she looked at him. “What about me?”
“Oh everything, I always think about you, I can’t help it anymore,” Maddock was grinning again. “Every other thought is about you.”
Carlyss lowered her eyes and said softly, “All my thoughts are about you.”
Maddock reached up and brushed a loose strain of red hair out of her eyes; she looked up and smiled at him. “You really must stop doing that,” he whispered.
“Doing what?” Carlyss asked, her smile still tugging on her lips.
“Making my legs go all weak.”
“Do I?” Carlyss smiled mischievously.
“Aye, didn’t you know? You could knock me over with one of your smiles.”
Carlyss lowered her head; she lifted it again and smiled. Maddock leaned against a tree and said, “See?”
“You are in trouble now,” Carlyss’s eyes shone as she spoke. After years of seeing nothing but sorrow in her eyes Maddock knew he was never going to tire of seeing them shine.
“Am I?” he asked.
“Aye,” Carlyss grinned. “Now every time I see you I am going to smile and watch you fall over.”
Maddock leaned against the tree again. “How cruel you are to the man who loves you!”
“Not so, because I love him back. I just fail to tell him that every time he smiles at me my heart near stops beating!”
“Then I had better not smile at you,” Maddock said with a grave look. “I could not bear it if your heart stopped.”
“No, you can smile, it only stops for a second, then your smile revives it.”
For a full minute they stood there, silently, looking at each other and having no need to say anything because they understood each other’s thoughts. After a while they started walking again, behind them two figures emerged and met up.
“We can’t do it now!” one of them hissed.
“Yes we can!” the tall dark one argued.
“Not now we can’t! He was about to!” The dark one clamped his hand over the other man’s mouth and hissed, “We never fail in our missions! Now follow me!”
The man moaned and crept after the taller man, the falling snow muffled any sound their boots made as they moved over the snow. Maddock and Carlyss had stopped again, they were now under the tree were a year ago Maddock had declared his love to Carlyss.
“We can’t do it now!” the man hissed again as he grabbed the dark man’s arm.
“Now is the perfect time!” the dark man’s eyes were shinning eagerly.
“What if he is…” the dark man hushed him again, and ducking behind the tree crept closer to the two lovers.
He was behind them now; he could hear her soft giggling and his deep voice. For a moment the man actually feared Maddock was about to propose. “We should go out to the lake tomorrow,” Maddock said and the man smiled.
“The lake?” Carlyss asked with a giggle.
Maddock was about to say something, when the man sprang out from the trees and without a word of warning released the object in his hand. It hit Maddock square in the back.
“Take that!” the man yelled.
Maddock spun around, only to be hit in the face with another snowball. Whipping the snow off his face Maddock was rather surprise to find himself facing a grinning Theobald and a sheepish looking Yorick.
“You!” Maddock sputtered.
“Sorry, I would not help it,” Theobald said as he grinned wider.
“My own cousin and brother!” Carlyss exclaimed.
“I would not have done it!” Yorick said hurriedly. “But he talked me into it!”
“Oh it wasn’t like I twisted your arm!” Theobald rolled his eyes.
“Close enough!” Yorick grumbled.
Theobald shook his head and still addressing Yorick said, “You were as eager about it as I was!” And the next moment Theobald was hit with a snow ball.
He turned and glared at Carlyss and Maddock. “Now who did that?” he bellowed while trying to pull off his most threatening air.
Carlyss, the real culprit, looked innocent as Maddock stepped forward, squared his shoulders, and said, “I did!”
“Oh really!” Theobald kept the smile from appearing on his lips. “Then you are a traitor, hitting your own king with a snow ball! You shall have to pay for this!”
Theobald bent over to make another snowball as Yorick, armed and ready, tossed one at Carlyss. Theobald rose quickly, only to be hit by Maddock who had been a fraction of a second quicker then Theobald with his snowball. Carlyss dove behind the tree but was too slow and was hit.
Theobald released his snowball as Carlyss threw one at her brother. And so the fight started. Their laughter, which was very loud, reached up to the castle as they chased each other around the courtyard, tossing snowballs at anything that moved.
Quentin was passing through one of the rooms when he heard the racket, and going to the window looked out. On seeing Theobald slip on the snow and sprawl out flat on his back Quentin scowled and yelled out the window, “Not every king like!”
“You are just sore that were didn’t invite you!” Theobald yelled as he jumped to his feet and ran behind a tree in time to avoid being hit by Carlyss.
Quentin rolled his eyes and the moment they were engaged in their battle he turned and ran toward the main door, half way there he crashed into Kendra. “Watch where you are running!” she growled as he caught her to keep her from falling.
Quentin grinned down at her and said, “No, not if it means I can’t run into you!”
Kendra rolled her eyes but could not stop the smile that turned her lips up. Quentin grinned wider and kissing her said, “Come on!”
“Were?” Kendra asked warily.
“To fight our king!”
Out in the courtyard Maddock found Carlyss hiding behind a bush. Knelling beside her he whispered, “Theobald is over by the green house, shall we go hit him?”
Carlyss grinned widely and sweeping up more snow she patted it into a ball. Maddock rose to his feet and crept off through the snow covered trees as the snow fell heavier. Carlyss followed, right on his heals.
Up in the library Adele heard his laugh. She knew his laugh as well as she knew her own, that was because his laugh was so rare, and deep, and when he did laugh it was a whole hearty laugh. Slowly she moved to the window again and looked out. She could see him as he ducked behind the green house, and her heart skipped a beat.
Theobald leaned his back against the green house, little knowing he was being watched. He grinned as he listened intently to all around him. They were coming; he knew they were coming because he knew Maddock had seen him. He also knew Quentin was coming, and that Quentin had seen him as well. Now all he had to do was wait, they were walking right into a trap. The thought made him grin wider.
The rounded the corner at the same time, Maddock and Carlyss on one side, Quentin and Kendra on the other. Theobald was expecting them and leaping away from the wall yelled loudly, causing them to stop and release their snowballs. Theobald dropped to the ground and rolled away so that the snowballs hit the others.
They all four gasped and Theobald lay on his back laughing. Then before they could get him he jumped up and ran away, leaving them sputtering.
“Sneak!” Quentin bellowed and ran after him, Maddock right on his heals.
Theobald’s laugh drifted back at them as he vanished into the trees. For the rest of the fight no one was able to catch him, he would show up when they lest expected him, hit them with snowballs, and then vanish.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Adele was putting a pot of water over the fire. As she was working Carlyss’s mother came in. She was a tall woman, graceful and round like her husband, she loved giving hugs and mothering everyone. The moment her eyes landed on Adele she pulled her into a hug and the orphan girl rested in those motherly arms, missing her own mother.
“And what are you up to dearest?” the woman asked when she released Adele.
“I was thinking they will be cold when they come in and would like hot drinks,” Adele said with her bright smile.
“Why that is good thinking dear! And I dare say they could do with some food, the last thing we need is for our adventurous king to go and faint on us!” as she spoke she moved to the cupboard and pulled out a loaf of bread, this she proceeded to toast as Adele make the drinks.
“It is so nice to have him laughing and playing, I feared he had been forced to grow up too fast,” Carlyss’s mother said as she turned the bread.
“He has,” Adele whispered with a far off look in her eyes. “We all have.” Tears filled Adele’s eyes. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
Turning Adele felt herself pulled into those motherly arms again. “Oh my poor dear girl!” the woman whispered as she stroked Adele’s hair.
Adele gave in, and resting her head on her shoulder she wept as the thoughtful mother held her close. Adele cried for a half an hour before she was able to talk. Once her tears were exhausted Carlyss’s mother asked gently, “What is the matter dear?”
“Everything,” Adele said with a gentle sob. “I miss my mother and father and sisters so much!”
“That is understandable dearest,” Carlyss’s mother said gently. “We all sorrow for you; no one should have to loose their family.”
“Why do you think I lived?” Adele whispered after a moment’s silence. “Why me and not one of my sisters?”
Carlyss’s mother stroked her hair as she whispered, “I believe the King has something special in mind for you my dear, trust Him.”
“I do,” Adele whispered. “Even when it is hard.”
Adele and Carlyss’s mother talked for another half an hour, and for the first time in a year Adele remembered what it was like to have someone listen to her and guide her. By the time the others came in, stomping snow off their boots, Adele’s eyes were once more glowing as she poured them their drinks.
The kitchen was large and warm, the fire roaring in the hearth. Maddock and Theobald moved the table up next to the fire and everyone sat down, shivering, as Adele set cups in front of them. Carlyss’s mother served them the bread and then slipped out of the kitchen.
“You think you are so sneaking!” Quentin muttered as he glared across the table at Theobald.
“I know I am!” Theobald smirked at his brother.
“Just wait until next time!” Carlyss said as she tried to stop shivering long enough to hold her cup.
“I think you have all lost your minds!” Adele said as she poured the hot, chocolaty drink. “Going outside in that weather!”
Theobald smiled up at her as she filled his cup. “You should have joined us, you would have had fun!”
Adele looked at them as they sat at the table wet and shivering, and said, “I doubt it.”
“It’s a good thing she didn’t come out!” Maddock said as he wrapped his hands around his warm cup. “If she had no one would have made us anything hot to drink!”
Adele giggled as she sat down next to Carlyss and joined in the conversation.
Later that night Theobald found himself lying awake in bed. Years of not being able to sleep, of having too much on his mind to shut it down led to this, not being able to sleep even one night all the way through. He moaned and rolled over in his bed, pulling his pillow up he rammed it over his head and groaned.
Through his mind thoughts raced at incredible speeds, refusing to slow down.

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 I read a book once about one of the great awakenings. This awakening was brought on, mainly, by one pastor who dared to do what everyone said was impossible.  He got together with a bunch of poor, what most called scum, of the city of New York, and prayed with them. God used this man's bravery to bring a wayward nation back to Him. Through prayer he turned America on its head, shook them to their core, and showed them He is God.
 God can use prayer to change the world. Today we need prayer. Join me in doing what that pastor did all those years ago, gather as many as you can, and pray. God can still revive our nation, and we as Christains need to do what He has called us to do. 
 We need to unite, not only for important events, but in all things. However, seems to me this is a good day to start. Will you join me and pray as the fate of our country is decided over the next few days?
 Heather

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I edited Maddock's dream from Despair and Hope, drew it out a little more and added some things. Here it is, let me know what you think. Sybil

Dreams were an odd thing. One moment they could lift one into worlds unknown, carrying the dreamer high, on white clouds of delight. And the next moment they could plunge one into the depths of despair where they threatened to kill. It was in this state that Maddock fought.
One moment thoughts and pictures of Carlyss lifted him high, urging him to live, and the next he would see Kenrick dead, and sometimes it was even Carlyss, slain by Reid. He would hear Reid’s taunt, sometimes Maddock would fight him, but in the end he lost. And in those times all hope fled and he would want to die. What point was there to live with Carlyss dead and Reid free to roam?
Then came the day when he all but gave up. In his fevered dream Maddock found himself once more facing Reid. However, all he did to stop the man ended in failure until Maddock found himself weaponless and helplessly lying upon the floor, slowly bleeding to death.
Reid stood over him, his eyes black as a moonless night. “You killed them you know? If you had just given up, stopped while you had the chance, Carlyss and Kenrick would still be alive. But no, you had to keep playing the hero, and now they are both dead.”
Maddock turned his head and saw that Reid’s words were true. Not five feet from him lay Carlyss and Kenrick’s bodies, Maddock’s own sword lying beside them, covered in their blood. Reid was right, he had killed them. Maddock had killed his own brother. He could see Kenrick smiling again and laughing, Kenrick who was full of such innocents and love.
Visions of Kenrick faded and were replaced by ones of Carlyss. Maddock could see her, eyes glowing as she looked at him. She smiled, and her smiled seemed to cut into his heart, she was holding out her hand to him, mouthing words he could only guess at the meaning.
He reached out his hand to her, only to find a sword in it, and as he looked the sword went through her heart. Her face drained all color and she pulled back from him, fear and despair in her eyes. Maddock pulled his hand back, he tried to toss the sword aside but found he couldn’t.
“Carlyss!” he called as she recoiled into the shadows, gasping for breath. “Carlyss I would never hurt you!” Maddock realized he was on his feet again. He took a step toward her, calling out to her, begging her to trust him, when he felt someone grab his arm and hold him back.
“You killed her Maddock!” Reid laughed in his ear. “And if you had not killed her it would not have mattered, she does not trust you. Rather would she come with me then spend a day with you!”
Maddock fell to his knees, suddenly to weak to stand. Reid was right; Carlyss could not stand the light of him anymore. A blackness unlike any Maddock had ever known over came him and he fell to the ground where he lay as a dead man. In fact he was as good as a dead man, he had no desire to live, he had lost Carlyss, and there is no point in living any longer. 
Maddock closed his eyes, he was would die now, yes he would die and go home to be with the King. His breathing slowed, he was slipping away, when he heard a giggle. At first Maddock was not sure what the sound was, then it came again and he opened his eyes. Who was gigging in a place like this?
Pushing himself up Maddock looked about, and then saw her. She took his breath away, though he was not sure if it was because of her beauty, or her likeness to Carlyss. She, the little girl who was giggling, was dancing in a flowery field. Her white arms were raised above her head as she spun about, laughing and dancing to some unheard song.
She stopped dancing when she saw him, and her smile took his breath away, she had Carlyss’s smile. But her eyes, they were blue, the same blue as his. She had his eyes and Carlyss’s smile.
She was holding out her small hand to him, her eyes on his. “Come and dance?”
“Who are you?” Maddock whispered as filled hope, excitement, and fear fought for dominance of his heart.
The girl giggled at his question and he knew he should know her. He wanted to know who she was, and he wanted to hold her and caress her soft red hair, and kiss her rosy cheeks. Though he knew not why he knew he loved her.
“What a silly question father!” her words about stopped Maddock’s heart. She was now reaching out to him; she wanted him to hold her.
Maddock held out his arms, father, she was his daughter! She ran into his arms and he held her close, he buried his face in her soft hair and listened to the soft beating of her heart. “My daughter,” he whispered as he clung to her.
Slowly she pulled back and her blue eyes met his again as she said, “Not if you give up. You love me father? Please fight for me.”
She was disappearing. Maddock reached out to her again but she was slipping away. Once more he was left in blackness. However, this time was different. This time he staggered to his feet and yelled loudly so that all could hear, “I won’t give up!” And he didn’t. He fought through the despair, he fought through the blackness, always remembering the little girl, always hearing her giggle. He fought for her.

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 And so it begins. I have decided I am ready to edit as I work on book two, I would like to have Dispair and Hope ready to publish by Christmas of next year but that might be pushing it. Then there is Treason and Loyalty, I realized why I am unable to write it, it is lacking everything Dispair and Hope had.

 One, Maddock turning from boyhood to manhood and his struggles along the way.

 Two, Carlyss leaning to love and trust the King.

 Three, Theobald mysteriousness

 Four, Reid...Joel will never be like Reid, Della isn't coming close either

 Five, Clyde to show up when one thinks he is dead

 Six, it is also lacking the newness and unexpectedness.

 So I am stuck with Book One being a disaster...I shudder at the thought of editing it. And Book Two trying to give me a good reason as to WHY I should write it. Oh what a hard task I agreed to take on, I hope Maddock thanks me when this is over. 

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