"It just doesn't seem right," Cailin said to Petra, " I mean, two women in love?  It goes against everything..."  "I know what yer about to say, Cailin," the dwarf interrupted her friend, "it goes against everything we've been told about love... but look at them, darlin'.  They be happy and content."  Continuing, Petra added, "lass, I've seen enough of the sorrow, hatred and misery that people throw at each other in me lifetime.  I see them and the way they feel for each other... and it helps me cope with all that, knowing that there is still a place fer all the good things inside our hearts.  Just because their feelings don't conform to what most see as the norm, does that make them any different than they were yesterday, last week, last year?  I don't know Lilith that well, but Lyranda has proven herself to be a good, honest and caring friend and ally.  I trust her and I trust her feelings."  "And when my day comes that I stand before The Light to atone fer me life," Petra intoned,  "I'll say I did me best and followed what I felt was good and right in me heart."

Looking over at the couple, Cailin responded with a sigh, "Your words have great merit, my friend.  And they are happy, that is a good thing in these times... I just don't know if I'll ever get used to the situation."  "I'm not asking you to change who you are, Cailin,"  Petra replied,  "all I ask is that you keep an open mind... and an open heart."  "I will do my best, Petra," Cailin sighed, "I will do my best."  Smiling at the young woman, the dwarf said, "and that , Love, is all we can do."

As they approached the edge of the Darkwoods, Petra looked over to Marren and said, "well, it looks like we be here, lad.  There still be plenty of daylight, but yer plan to stop is a good one.  Looks like there be a good spot up ahead to set up camp fer the night.  This will also give us time to plan further fer the upcoming leg.  what do ye think?"  "Absolutely, I couldn't agree more," the man responded,  "the path ahead is going to get a bit dicey,  we can use all the preparation we can get."

After Lilith used her powers to set up the camp, again, Petra turned to the mage and said, "ye know darlin', having you around is beginnin' to spoil me, but I like it.  Glad ye be here."  "Thank you, ma'am," Lilith replied. "And stop callin' me ma'am," Petra chided the woman, "ye make me feel damned old."  "Yes ma... ... ... Petra," Lilith said with a smile, "I'll do my best to remember that."

Marren approached the group of women and laid the map out on the table in front of them.  "Okay, we're here at the edge of the Darkwoods now," the man spoke, "our trip has been pretty peaceful so far, except for the little incident at the cave.  But things are going to change quickly."  Continuing with the briefing, Marren said, "starting tonight, we'll need to post a night watch.  I figure since there's five of us, two hour shifts should do." "Ah hells," Petra interrupted with a lilt, "there goes me beauty sleep." Laughing at the dwarf's comment, Marren continued, "we'll draw straws to see who gets first watch and so on... after that, to be fair, we'll rotate the schedule each night.  We'll also need to start picketing the horses between the wagons, we don't need them to run off or possibly get stolen if we run into trouble. Start keeping your weapons with you, even when you sleep, we may have to fight at a seconds notice and there won't be time to retrieve them from somewhere else."  Then turning to Petra, Marren remarked, "well Guard Captain, you've been through this before yourself, any further suggestions?"  "Not that I can think of at the moment, ye got it pretty well covered, lad," Petra replied.

Lilith looked at the man and began to speak, "once again sir, you have proven yourself to be an excellent strategist.  Picketing the animals is a great idea, but there will be no need to post a watch."  "Do you hope there will be no trouble,"  Marren responded with a bit of agitation in his tone, "or do you think this will be like a walk through the Golden Rose's flower garden?"  Looking to her partner, Lyranda added, "Lilith, both Marren and Petra have experience in these matters, why do you question their judgment?"  "I have nothing but admiration for their skills and knowledge," Lilith replied, "they are both wise and seasoned veterans, I feel honored and safe in their presence."  "Then why do you still question their decisions?", the druid asked.  "Perhaps it is better I show you," the mage responded with a grin, "than try to explain."

With her hand hovering over the map, Lilith spoke again in the language of the arcane, "retrieve your map, if you will sir"  Doing as the woman asked, Marren reached for the map lying on the table, but his hands were stopped by what seemed to be an invisible wall.  "What the hells?", Marren said to himself as he continued to attempt to reach the map.  Seeing the man's futile effort to touch the parchment, the rest of the group attempted to grab the map but were stopped by an unseen force.  Looking at Lilith, Marren spoke, "what did you do?"

"It's called an arcane shield," the woman responded, "just a little something I've found very useful in my own travels.  You see, I can place this shield around us while we camp and we will be safe from danger."  "How long does it last?", Petra asked.  "It takes awhile to collect the arcane energies, the longer I am able to gather these energies, the longer the shield will last.  In fact, you should be able to touch the map shortly, since I was only able to gather enough power in a few seconds for the demonstration."  Pausing for a moment, Lilith continued, "there is one drawback, though."  "And that is?", Cailin inquired.  "Once the shield is invoked, nothing may enter or leave until the shield's power has dissipated or I invoke the counter spell," then with a chuckle, the mage added,  "so I suggest if you decide you want to take a little stroll after it's in place, you walk with your arms extended or you might be brought to a sudden, and possibly painful halt."

"So, looks like I'll be getting my beauty sleep, after all," Petra said with a laugh.  Then turning and pointing to Lilith, still with a laugh, addressed the rest of the group, "ye know, I'm really startin' to love this girl!"

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