Kronfeld

Kronfeld

                It was a small village on the edge of the Golem Forest.  Kronfeld looked similar to Kindle’s hometown and inviting at that.  Kindle had hopes that whey would be welcome there.

                Turns out, they were very welcome.  As their party passed through the gates the townspeople either bowed or kneeled before them.  One man even shouted “It’s the prophecy!  They have finally come!”

                This was at least the fourth time Bytor had heard this proclamation.  He wondered about all this talk of prophecy.

                Kindle hearing his thoughts told him what he already had known all along.  He and Kindle’s unborn child were both the prophecy everyone had been proclaiming.  The two of them will be the ones who would save the land from Ryanne and Carum and bring peace back to the Kingdom.

                After dismounting his horse, Bytor helped Kindle down and stared at her with a new respect.  He now had to protect her and her unborn child at all costs if there were to be any chance to bring peace back to their Kingdom.

                People were milling around their group, shaking hands and giving thanks for stopping by their village.  There was shelter at the inn for all of them and there was a bathing pool much like the one Kindle had at her village.  Both Kiera and Kindle were tired and felt dirty so they took advantage of the bathing pool.  The rest of their party decided to partake in a communal feast much like the one that Kindle’s family and friends took part in about a week ago.  After bathing and changing their clothes, they joined in the festivities.

                The mood was a celebratory one.  All of the villagers seemed joyful that their “prophecy” was in their presence.  They played instruments and danced. 

                Bytor watched Kindle as the celebration went on.  This night though, she chose not to dance.  She was having pains in her belly from the baby growing inside her.  Bytor rushed to her side when she doubled over in pain.  In their world, babies were born full term in just four months but to Bytor the pains were coming to her way to fast and he was worried she would lose the baby.  So he picked her up in his arms and carried her into her room at the inn.

                Bytor was ready to sleep on the couch in her room but something was stirring between them.  A feeling that Kindle had not had since her first moment with Carum.  Bytor let Kindle dress into her nightdress in peace and readied his-self to sleep on the couch but Kindle told him she felt safety with him right next to her.

                As they lay in the bed, the stirring inside Kindle became too great.  She had become so accustomed to him being there next to her at all times that she could not resist a small kiss on his lips.  This shocked and aroused Bytor but he could not resist her kiss, so he returned kiss for kiss.  He felt drunk with love and passion for this woman who was carrying what used to be his best friends child.

                Before either could stop themselves, they were undressing each other.  It was a chilly night, so Kindle moved instinctively into Bytor for warmth.  He put his arms around her and stroked her back which sent more chills down Kindle’s body.

                His kisses became more intense, moving from her mouth down the length of her throat.  This move made her crazy with passion especially when his right hand moved from her back to her right breast putting pressure on her nipple.

                He was waiting for her to tell him to stop but she did not.  Instead, she moved further into him.  Neither Kindle nor Bytor had the strength to stop what had just begun.  With Bytor lying on his back, Kindle slid on top of him.  The shock of this new intimacy had brought a gasp of passion from the both of them. Bytor’s hands went from her back to caress both of her breasts as Kindle threw her head back to enjoy the very touch of this man she had become to love.  They moved together in a most enticing way and when the pressure of having her got too much, he rolled her off of him just to feel himself inside of her again.  They were quietly gasping together.  Kindle was whispering words to him that he could not understand.  Bytor watched Kindle’s face which was full of nothing but love for him…only him.

                They made love for what seemed like hours until all passion was spent.  When the lovemaking was over, they decided to get some sleep.

                “Goodnight my love”  Bytor told Kindle who returned the goodnight with another kiss.  Bytor’s rule of never falling in love with one whom he was to protect had just been broken.  He was madly in love with this beautiful , innocent woman.

                It was late.  Bytor could tell.  He could not sleep any longer so he decided to take a walk and find his son and the rest of the party.  He knew Kiera, Peter and little Nick were already in their room next to Kindle’s and Bytor’s so he decided to try the Pub that was in the center of this village.  There, he found Caden with Anthony, Ty, Chris, Bryan, Kinley and Yoduf.  All were having a great time.  Bytor decided to join them for a drink. 

                After a few hours, they all decided it was time to go to bed.  They needed to rise early if they were going to make it to the Flats tomorrow.  So he picked the already sleeping Caden and told the rest of the group that they needed to get some sleep also.

                Caden was still fast asleep as he lay him down on the couch in the room they shared with Kindle.  Bytor then climbed into bed next to her and fell fast asleep.  It was then that Alia came to him in a dream again.  She warned him with visions that they whole group needed to get out of the village as fast as possible since there was a traitor in their midst.  It was Anthony.  Bytor knew Anthony had been a little too frightened but never thought in a million annuals that he would ever betray them

                So he woke up Kindle, who apparently had the same vision.

                “We have to go now, don’t we?” She asked.

                “Yes.  Anthony has turned traitor and is now on Ryanne’s and Carum’s  side.  I have to wake Caden.  You go wake Kiera, Peter and little Nick.  I will then wake Ty, Chris, Kinley , Bryan and Yoduf.  We have to leave immediately!”

                Kindle went to Kiera’s room and woke her, and Peter up telling them of the vision that both Bytor and she both received.  Kiera acted fast and grabbed little Nick while Peter helped Bytor wake up the rest of the men.

                The party sans Anthony met down by the stables with everything they could carry.  This time Bytor insisted Max take Anthony’s horse so they could gain more ground faster.  Yoduf understood and got the horse ready. 

                Bytor contemplated on going ahead and killing Anthony but decided to let the townspeople take care of him.  They were a proud people and did not like traitors.

                Bytor thanked the inns-keeper with some coins then explained the situation to him.  The inns-keeper understood and wished them well on their way.  He assured Bytor that Anthony will never tell a soul that they had ever been there.  Bytor knew what he meant but refused to mourn his friend.

                As the party set out for the flats, Bytor had a sinking feeling.  If Anthony could turn on them then who else would do the same?

                The three moons were brightly lighting the sky for them as they made their way to the Flats.  Bytor prayed silently that Alia would protect the people of this peaceful, small village.

                “I can’t believe Anthony would turn like that on us, Kindle.” He stated.

                “I had that feeling from the beginning.  He was acting way too nervous which is why I put Sleep on him back in The Outlands.  I read his mind and he was willing to turn us in to Ryanne and Carum.  The price on our heads are way too great to pass up unless you believe in the prophecy.  Anthony did not believe in the prophecy and his friendship to Carum is way too great.”

                Bytor wondered aloud “Are you still in love with Carum?”

                Kindle was not surprised at this question, so she answered honestly “A part of me still does yet my love for you is growing stronger each day.  You tried everything to get to me when he raped and beat me.  I still cannot believe that the Myriad held you up for so long.  If you were able to reach me quicker…” She never finished her sentence.  Bytor knew what she was trying to say.

                With the sun finally coming up, they could see The Flats on the horizon.

                “Do we stop here for the day or venture forward?”  He asked Kindle.

                As she looked back at the tired and weary group, her eyes fell on Kiera with little Nick in his makeshift swath.  She looked so tired and worn out that Kindle’s heart went out to her.

                “I think we should stop for a bit and rest.  Kiera is very tired and everyone else looks worn out.  We can set up camp just beyond that hill in the distance.”  She finally said.

                Bytor called back to the rest of the group “We will set up camp just beyond that hill.  It is the safest place to be here in the flatlands.  Maybe there will be a watering hole so we and the horses can get something to drink and to wash up a little bit”

                Ty finally asked the question Bytor and Kindle had been dreading “Where is Anthony?

                Bytor hung his head low then answered “He has turned traitor and will turn us all into Ryanne and Carum.  We had to leave him behind in Kronfeld.”

                Ty was not really surprised.  He told them that Anthony had heard that Carum and Ryanne are to be married by next week.  This confirmed Bytor’s fears about Anthony.  He had been keeping in touch with Ryanne and Carum all along which also meant the nervousness Anthony felt was due in part to that he was the chosen one to kill Kindle.

                The group still silent made their way to the hill within the middle of the flats.  They were all thankful to have a place to rest and just as Bytor predicted, there was a small watering hole for to drink and bath in.