Lisell watched intently as the leader of the troop dismounted and to her surprise, did not ascend the stairs. Instead he strode confidently into the shadows that enshrouded the left side of the stairway. Striding to a spot that she couldn't see, he raised his fist and rapped authoritatively upon a hidden door. Within a few moments the courtyard was bathed in a beam of bright light that came from behind a door that had been thrown open at his knock. Lisell was now shivering almost uncontrollably from the deep penetrating cold of the fog and her near nakedness. The trooper that was holding her in front of him sensed this, and with a wave of his free arm swung his cape over her slight form. She looked up at his face with a look of gratitude as he grinned down at her. She watched in rapt attention as an unseen figure addressed the sergeant with whispered questions. She heard his short reply, "Gotta nuther one" A pause on the other end of this conversation. Then more mumbling at the sergeant. His reply was the curt "King's command" Another moment of mumbling from the other side of the door and then it swung shut. Lisell's heart sank, she was being rejected again. In her eleven short years she had become almost accepting of the fact that she was of no consequence. But still it hurt her in ways that she could not comprehend. A single tear traced down from her left eye and made it's way down the cheek to drip softly in sorrow on the cloak that now covered her shoulder. But wait, a few seconds after the door had shut in terrible and silent finality, it swung open again. The sergeant had waited as if he expected this turn of events. Two figures brushed past him and strode towards the horse upon which Lisell was sitting and shivering. She looked down at two women of indeterminate age as they returned that frightened gaze with looks of calm assessment. The one on the left nodded to herself and with a look of command at the trooper that held the youngster compelled him to release her into their care. With but a seconds hesitation the lancer loosed his hold upon his young charge and let her slip to the ground to stand in front of the two women. The eleven year old was now shaking with more than the cold and damp of the fog. Staring upwards at the two impassive faces above her she was in dire fear for her life. The trooper that she had been riding with, bent down and rested his hand upon her shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze. She was able to turn and look into his face, a face that was at once craggy and old, but filled with the joy of life that only a young man could have. He looked into her wide eyes and said "Ahh, little one, go, go and be brave, this is the best thing that has ever happened to you." Lisell looked into those young/old eyes and knew that he spoke the truth. She also knew that she was in love with this man that had taken the best she had to give and still was able to smile at her with tenderness. The sound of her voice surprised the little one, "Your name sir, I... I.... I. must know your name?" she pleaded. The woman on the right placed her hand on Lisell's shoulder and said softly "Names do not matter here my darling." Lisell looked up with pleading eye's at the trooper and with an impudent grin he looked down at her and said the words "La'oid my dear, if ever you call the name La'oid, I will answer." Her two chaperones gave sniffs of displeasure at this effrontery as they took her by the arms and lead her to the almost hidden door. More to come