Mystery of the Templars 9 - The Return Home

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

Dmitrii looked up at Willa as she returned… she had a look of triumph upon her face and he smiled at her. Pushing the plate of hoit food to her… “Eat luv… we must make way to the docks as we now have money for poassage home…” he laid the pouch of coin on the table, his hand upon it… “It will be so good to get home… May I ask you something?” then he smiled and blushed a bit.

“When we get home, shall yu reside in the castle… on yer farm, or at the manor with me?” His heart began to race as the question was asked… his hand put the pouch away, then laid upon hers. What would be her answer? Would it be positive, or not to his preference? The familiar, and charming, smile crossed his face.

She seated herself with a small toss of her hair over her shoulder. The plate was arranged just so before she started to eat again. The eyes flickered over the pouch of coins as she lifted a brow. She didn't remark on it currently but she would ask when they were alone. "I dunno… I s'pose I'lls has ta thinks on it. " She replied with a little devious grin. What? Oh... hmph… let him sweat it out a bit. Besides she still had to locate her father and her Aunt. There was far more going on here then lies. Willa was not going to live her life hiding and bringing those she loved in danger because of something that happened before her birth.

Think on it? Now why would she have to think on it? This and more went thru that warrior brain of his… He had laid with her, made love to her, and now he wished more of the same… With a humorous “Ok…” Oh there was that devious grin again… what an imp she could be… and he love it… and her…

Soon they would be back at home… able to spend time with each other… There is was… the bell of the ship, calling all passengers to board… Standing, he secured his meager belongings… “Come luv… we need to go… our freedom rings…”

She only chuckled softly as she finished her meal as they departed the tavern. Though as they were leaving the barmaid that had been so very friendly walked back in attempting to keep a kerchief over that bloodied nose. Willa only smirked a bit then followed her beloved. She looked around at the people in the port they were in. People seemed just like everyone else in most other ports. There were no looks of fear, no over whelming nervousness... which was a good sign really.

Outside they began to walk toward the docks… behind them, several hundred meters away, rode up a patrol of soldiers… With a glance over his shoulder, Dmi began to urge her onward… “Do not look back… continue toward the docks at a leisure pace… as not to attract attention…”

The pair moved towards the docks as she heard Dmitri's warning. Held onto his hand a bit tighter though she kept her steps slow and causal as she could, though she itched to look behind her. She bit into her lower lip as her eyes locked onto the ship and the plank. Home. With the steps that lead them closer still, she glanced to a passing clergyman as she ducked her head a bit further letting the blond hair to fall forward once more to help shield her face.

With a slip of Dmitri's hand from hers to the small of her back as he guided her up the plank she dared a small glance just passed his shoulder to the guards. Though her attention moved back to the plank as the blue eyes held her fear. They wouldn't be foolish enough to keep the pair together, not a second time. They simply could not afford that, no more they could afford being captured again. The very thought made her blood chill.

Up the gangplank they walked slowly, anxiously waiting their turn… Dmi continued to glance over his shoulder… In the distance men dismounted their horses… 3 went one way, four went another… and yet another 3 came toward the docks… In and out of shops and taverns, the men searched for something… or someone… most likely them… The ones at the docks halted the passengers behind them… checking their tickets before loading… what would they do for the ones already boarded?

The ship’s crew began to scurry about in preparation for departure… below decks, many men all in rows of 2 on each side of a walkway began moving oar handles… Dmitri guided Willa to a secluded area in the passenger hold… sliding down against a wall, sitting in the shadows…

Meanwhile… four men boarded the ship before the gangplank was moved… then the deckhands pushed the ship from the pier… below decks became a scurry of men as oars protruded from the side of the ship. Dmi looked at Willa… “So far so good my luv…” the Rus accent rolled the r as he spoke… the familiar scrunch of the beard into a smile as he tried to console her.

Willa walked as slowly as her nervous would let her as she kept her face cast downward. Not many would think too much on this as it seemed only a shy lass traveling with a gentleman. Her hand held onto his snuggly while they threaded the path to the back. She sank down in the shadows to wait as she glanced up to see the guards also getting aboard the ship. Her heart throbbed faster in her chest as the blue eyes flickered upward to that of her beloved. The small frown touched her face as her eyes darted back to the guard. Two were staying on the ship? or had she been mistaken? She shifted a little to lean against Dmitri. The sooner they were at sea, the sooner they would be home. Though part of her considered the fact they had gotten her once there… stole her and her heart so neatly that perhaps no one had noticed they were even gone? Would the Duke and Duchess be able to do anything, with the fact it would call the church's attention upon them and their homeland?

There were a great many questions as she let her eyes slowly close. The warmth of Dmitri's body brought the more pleasant thoughts to mind but only for a moment before she drifted off into a gentle sleep.

Below decks, in the passenger hold, the pair of lovers, secluded from the rest of the ship, huddled together in the shadows… On the rowing deck, the oars went in rhythmic circles, as the oarsmen rowed the ship to open waters… the steady beat of a drum kept them in synch…

On the weather deck, the crew were readying the sails… then in a flurry of material, the sails caught the wind with a jolt to the vessel… the ship was sailing south by west… its destination would be to round the Isle of Scalpay, then sail north to thru the Sound of Raasay, then west to Turas Lan… a day and a half of sailing, should the weather remain as it were…

The four men, soldiers from an unknown army walked around the deck, asking questions of the passengers… thoiugh the ship was not large, the men had a tremendous task at hand, as many of the ships passengers were visitors from various parts of Skye… all doing business on Scalpay…

The roll of the ship as it sliced thru the waves, kept the pair of hidden lovers asleep for most part of the day… Being a light sleeper, Dmi heard voices on the opposite end of some crates… it was a soldier questing some passengers as to a man and woman who may have boarded the ship… With that known fact, he moved slowly allowing Willa to remain asleep… then he moved to the far end of the hold… his face hidden in the shadows…

It was his movement that made the guard follow him, to simply follow orders and ask all passengers the questions… Dmitrii looked back at the approaching soldier… and rounded a large stack of crates… Immediately upon rounding the crate, he bent over and took the boot knife in hand, and placed his back to a crate… the knife leveled at his chest…

As the soldier rounded the crate, unsuspectingly, came face to face with Dmitrii and the knife… Dmi grabbed the man’s strap and thrust the knife forward, the blade burying to the hilt in the soldier’s throat. Pulling the man fully behind the crates, the blade was twisted and yanked out… the man went limp, a gurgling sound was all he could provide…

Dmi wiped his hands and the blade off on the dead soldier’s surcoat… then picked up the dead man’s sword and sheathed the bootknife. Peering out from the crates, he stepped out, taking one last glance at the prone body growing colder with each second. He was a weapon master… a knight of the Skye court… and a warrior from the east… he would not sit by idly waiting for death to catch him and his beloved Willa… there were only four… three now… and he would take the fight to them… as for the dead bodies, he would dispose of them that night…

As he passed the sleeping Willa, he blew her a silent kiss and walked deeper into the passenger hold....

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

There was nothing she could do but sleep at least for a while… until the warmth of his body was missed. The baby blues slowly opened as she looked around with a small frown. "Dmitri?" she whispered into the darkness... but came no response. With that she slowly rose to her feet. The hand brushing down the skirts then attempted to make some use of her hair.

The near silent steps moved, stumbled some on as the boat swayed a bit in the water. Her hand lifted to catch a crate as her foot tripped over something there in the darkness. The small frown deepened as she peered back and managed to hide the scream in her throat. The wide eyes stared up at the ceiling as the dead man could offer no words of his killer. She stumbled back away as she wrapped her arms about her middle.

How one of the guards had slipped passed Dmitrii's prowlness was a mystery that she dare not think of as the voice came down the hall towards her. "You there... halt... I have some questions. " Willa stopped cold as she gave a little nod and made sure the door was closed firmly behind her.

Dmitrii’s search for the other man landed him right back to Willa’s area… Fearing for her safety as the guard made his way back, he veered toward her only to find her gone… fear struck his stomach… just as he was to move away in search of her, he heard the guard… then a soft familiar voice in retort… he hid behind the crate and listened.

The man stopped and looked her over with a small sneer but those stopped as they reached her eyes. She hated that look, she had gotten while in the port, and other places as she folded her arms over her chest. "Aye?" She asked with a lifted brow of bravado she didn't feel.

"Are you a passenger? " The man demanded as he puffed himself up. Willa canted her head a bit as she looked up at the man and shook her head.

"No sir... I work in the ships kitchens. " She stated with out missing a bit. "An I'm late fer me shift." She stated as she moved to walk passed him. The Lady above knew how fast her heart was beating as she managed to get caught… his arm as he blocked the way.

He could only smile at her quick thinking… “Smart lass…” he thought as she spoke of her employment… then he saw the guard block her and he gripped the sword in his hand, ready to pounce should he need to…

"What says you be a little later eh?" The man asked as he leaned in closer to her. She could feel his breath on her cheek. The young woman's elbow shot out catching the man in the ribs.

"I'll not git whipped cause ya lookin fer a bit o' fun." She stated bluntly and with the toss of her hair she set off again down the hall. Right... the mess, where was it? She climbed her way back up to the worn deck above as she looked about a moment then set off at a pace that spoke of confidence.

Oh the arrogance of the guard, thinking himself capable to satisfy himself with just any female… but she wasn’t just any female, she was his… the woman that had taken his heart… Oh he would just cut off the man’s genitals for fun…!! Yep, smart lass… as she walked past the guard… Dmitrii watched his heart climb the stairs to the deck above… and the guard continue below…

The door was pushed open as she peered inside… the smells were about right as she slipped inside. The large man bellowed orders at the two skinny boys that served as his work force. His beady eyes came to land upon the small blonde that seemed busy pinning up her hair. "Who're ye?... and Whutcha doin in mah Kitchen?! " the man roared at her. Willa had become rather at home with such brutish sort of men. She placed a little smile on her face as she looked about that the meager kitchen. "Yer help, M'lord... now whutcha needs me ta does? " She asked with her hands braced on the narrow hips. The Cook humphed and tossed her an apron. He began spilling out orders to her as well as she slipped behind the narrow board that served to divide up the Hall. While Dmitrii saw to their safety, Willa made herself useful.

Just as the guard rounded the crates and saw his cohort on the floor dead, he glanced around for someone lurking… then bent down to check the status of the man upon the floor… Dmi snuck up behind the guard and as the man rose and turned quickly to see who was behind him, was met with Dmi face to face… the expression on the man’s face was of sheer agony… Dmitrii smirked as he twisted the blade and withdrew it from the man’s stomach… pushing the man atop his comrade, Dmi smirked… “Two down… two to go…” if he could simply keep people from seeing the dead men, he would be ok until night fall.

It felt good to be back in semi-familiar surroundings as she moved about, the young woman slipped passed the boys with a small nod as they seemed a bit unsure of this lass. She hummed softly as she added a bit of this and that when the Cook's back was turned. The Cook finally stated he would be a moment as he moved off to find out where this little lass had come from. Willa didn't seem to notice as she continued on with the work at hand.

It was a few moments later, the Captain of the vessel came in behind the cook as he looked at the lass with a frown. Neither said anything at all as the young woman went on with the work. She reassigned one of the boys to begin on the dishes, while the other was told to begin seeing to the tables and those that were coming in.

"Pardon Miss.. a word? " The captain stated as he lifted his hand. The young woman looked up from her work as she gave a little nod. The bright eyes looked up at the man as she folded her hands before her. "Mind telling me what you are doing here? " He asked crisply.

Willa offered a small smile as she looked down a moment then back up to him. "I be a kitchen lass in the Castle in Turas Lan, Sir. an.. I'd sooner be o' help den jus standin abouts. " She stated honestly as the man lifted a brow and blinked.

"I expect you'll be wanting compensation? " the Captain asked as she chuckled softly and lifted her shoulders to let them fall.

"Wella… why dun't we waits until afterin ya eat.. an ya judge fer yerself.. aye? " she challenged him with a lovely girlish smile. The Captain found himself looking down at her with a grin himself. "Alright.. "

"Tis a good boy... now shoo…" she stated with a light touch to his cheek and turned about to make her way back into the kitchen area. Both the Cook and Captain seemed stunned by the little woman's words and certainly her actions as they looked to one another.

Dmitrii could not figure out where Willa had made off to… but he still had a task at hand… he had to dispose of the bodies… Sitting down behind the crate… he waited… for hours… soon the cover of darkness set in, and Dmi made his way topside… Sitting down by the rail, he watched the men on deck as the new shift did as their tasks required… Noticing a set pattern, Dmi went below… then he hefted the first man atop a shoulder… and struggling under the man’s weight, made his way up the stairs… and to the stern of the ship… then with a heave of his torso, he let the man fall over the rail of the ship… his first gaze was to the crowsnest to see if he had been noticed…

“One down, one to go…” he muttered… then made his way back down below… Entering the hold, he milled around until some other passengers left the area… then he quickly went to the other man, pulling him onto his shoulder… “Heavy bastard…” he muttered as he struggled his way back to the stairs, retracing his steps once again to the stern… then with a heft of a shoulder, the second man fell into the sea…

It was then that the guard commanded… “Halt…” It was the third of four men looking for him and Willa… In the ensuing conversation, the guard became leary of Dmi, due to his accent… “Lemme see yer ticket…” the guard demanded… “Aye Milord…” Dmi responded… “tis in me boot for safekeepin’…” then when Dmi leaned over… instead of a ticket… Dmi withdrew the bootknife and shoved it in the man’s chest, thu the opening of his armour plate… with the other hand, he grabbed the man and twisted his torso, flipping the guard over the side… The man fell…. and with him took Dmi’s boot knife… Dmi looked around… then once again looked to the crowsnest… He was relieved to find no one noticed… then he muttered as he made his way below to wait on Willa… “Three down… one to go…”

The young woman waited as she watched the sailor and other passengers eat their meal. The blue eyes flickered here and there taking in expressions of what they thought of their meals. The blonde absently tapped her fingers against a table as she glanced to the door each time someone openned it… Waiting… hoping to see her beloved come in through the portal. The sigh came as she rose from the chair to begin making a plate of the meal for Dmitrii. The Cook grunted to the girl a bit begrudging that the little suggestions that were offered seemed… spice up the meal a bit.

The Captain seemed somewhat surprised as he glanced up towards the lass. He said nothing as he began talking with another. With the nod given to the Cook, she slipped off with the meal wrapped in the light cloth. She hoped he had made it back to the Hold, and that the one guard wasn't still lingering there waiting on her. The light steps carried her down as she called softly into the shadows. "Me heart? Ya there?" She asked softly as she walked slowly, her eyes averting away from the crates.

“Fear not, for they are not there…” he responded to her gaze to the crates… His clothes now had a dark stain upon them, the blood transferrence from the men, now dried. Attempting to cover it with a robe, she would notice it, as he stepped from the shadows, before he could cover them. With the following expression, his baritone voice calmly reassured her… “This? pay no heed, my luv, tis a problem solved…” he pauses… “Three down and one to go…” the Rus accent thick… “They now swim with the fish…” his voice a mere whisper… his expression demonstrated no remorse… for he is a warrior ready to kill thousands to protect her…

His hand slips to her back… “And what have yu been doing with yer time?” Guiding her to the shadows with him, his eyes averting to the cloth covering something… but the aroma of food caused his stomach to growl… and he responds merely with a smile.

The blue eyes fixed themselves on the dark stains as she frowned. The small nod was given as she felt horrid. This was her fault. Men were dying because of her. It wasn't their fault they were following orders… nor was it Dmitrii's fault for wanting to keep her safe. She leaned in and placed a gentle kiss to his bearded cheek. "I figured I couldna sits about doin nothin.. sae I went to helps out in the kitchen." She spoke softly before nodding to a place where they could sit down. "I brought ya some dinner, love." She spoke softly as she offered him the plate. Her own appetite had wanned until well… she didn't think she could stomach food at the moment.

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

The Return to What??

Hours passed and the ship continued to roll with the waves… Willa passed the hours in the kitchen, and Dmitrii remained below. It was near midday, when the crowsnest sounded “Land Ho…” and the sheets began to tack the wind as the ship sailed into the deep waters of Turas Lan harbour… With the sudden lean of the ship and words uttered from the crowsnest, Dmitrii left his hiding place and peeked out of the hold… “Glory to God…” he whispered softly to himself… “Home at last…” ….it had been the longest two days…

The deck was a buzz with the scurrying of the crew readying for port, and the crowds of passengers, waiting eagerly to see loved ones, merchants, ready to sell their wares… and the couple, who had been lost for so long… What waited their presence in the city? Would it be as before? Probably not… at least until Dmitrii and Willa could get some answers. No more eating where rats laid… no more hiding…!!

The call brought the young woman's attention up as she blinked and smiled. The Cook gave the girl a nod as she scampered to the door. The lass caught up the worn skirts in a hand as she moved to the rail. Her eyes drank in the sight like a starving woman. Home. She turned and caught the sight of her beloved just peeking out as she shook her head. No more hiding... was exactly it as she moved towards him and captured one of his hands and gave a tug. The hells with the rest of them… the stains on his clothing… she didn't care... there were almost HOME.

“Come on… lookit!" She stated with the smile that would have shamed the sunlight that spilled down. Upon impulse she threw her arms around him, holding him snug to her before placing the soft kiss to his lips. "We made it my Dmitrii." She turned about to look at the port again. Home. so many emotions mingled with that as she couldn't help but think even the air was sweeter then before. Home.

Pulled from his hiding place, his beloved wrapped loving arms of joy around him… her reaction made him smile, that familiar scrunch of the beard, as a smile formed upon his face… “Da, Durogaya… ih doma…” [yes my dearest, Home!] he responded in Russian… as strong arms enveloped her and pulled her close.

She smiled.. for the first time since this whole thing had started... HOME... she leaned against him... safe… Or so she thought.

“Nay… so fast miLord… milady… stand fast or die…” cold words came from an unfamiliar voice behind them… “Yae shall return to Raasay and stand trial…”

His arms tensed around Willa, as the smile vanished as fast as it appeared… his steel grey eyes narrowed as he glanced over his shoulder. The fourth soldier stood behind him with sword drawn demanding them to surrender… But Dmitrii saw Willa’s expression… then with lightning fast reflexes, pushed her away and spun… grabbing the man’s wrist, twisting it til a snap was audibly heard… then with his free hand twisted the sword in the man’s own hand and shoved it into his stomach at an upward angle… the tip protruded thru his chest and out at the neck… “No more… none shall molest me wife…” said in force as he shoved upward on the sword… then pushing the soldier back and watched him fall to the deck… then he turned and wiping his bloody hand, extended it to Willa… “We are free now my dear…” as he pulled her to her feet… “We are home…”

The people aboard ship turned their focus to the soldier as he spoke… and when Dmitrii killed him, the yeoman summoned the Captain… The Captain looked to Dmitrii, then to his temporary cook… then glanced to Turas Lan in the distance… His attention focused on the man upon his deck, as the yeoman checked for vitals… with a shake of the head, the Captain’s attention went from the yeoman to Dmitrii… “Sir, yae shall answer to the Duke… til then Ah must place yae under arrest…”

It had all happened so fast as she spun away from Dmitrii and fell backwards to the deck. The blue eyes wide as she didn't get so much of a cry out. The eyes flickered to his hand as she pulled him up. Then they turned to the captain that approached. She shook her head as the Captain spoke... "No... Dmitrii…" the fear and upset was there in her eyes and absolute in her voice as she moved to step before him.

Dmitrii looked at Willa… smiling… he nodded to her… “I shall be alright… when we get to shore… you see the Duke and Duchess… tell them what has transpired… you shall know where I am…” his hands slips to hers in reassurance…

Dmitrii was bound, hands behind him and chained by the ankle to the mast brace for the remainer of the voyage… the dead body of the soldier taken below as evidence… Willa was escorted back to the kitchen to be allowed to complete her tasks a free woman.

She held his hands as long as they would allow as the large Cook who had come up in the ruckus gently pulled her away. The tears fell down her cheeks as she gave a little nod to Dmitrii. It had reopened the wounds in her heart as she watched them lead her love away. She pulled away from the gentle guidance of the Cook to look at the Captain. The eyes held a deep well of betrayal there. Of course the man had no idea what was going on... or how long it had taken them to get here… She sat below waiting…

With a thud, the ship settled against the pier… passengers were allowed to exit the ship… save one… As a covered form was unloaded with the cargo, the dead body sent to Blue Castle for identification… it was Dmitrii who was escorted by ship officers and Gryphon soldiers to the dungeons of Blue Castle…

Imprisoned for murder aboard ship in Turas Lan harbour… Dmitrii was bound by law to stand trial… if guilty, the Duke could either put Dmitrii to death… or sentence him to spend his life in prison…!!

As the plank was put down against the dock, the little woman darted off with their few meager possessions in one hand, and the skirts in the other. Her feet ached from the abuse they had taken in the last few weeks, the muscles protested but she ran. Darting here and there through the crowds, ignoring looks and calls behind her. Her eyes fixed upon that single spire ahead of her.

There was a shadow of course, that followed after the girl, attracting no more notice because of the girl's flight. Smooth and steady did the one eyed man walk. It was when Willa ran full force into the chest of one of the guards, did Victor stop among the people that milled about the castle walls.

"Whoa there lass..." the guard got out as he seemed somewhat amused. Though the blue eyes and the language of the girl's body spoke for her.

"I need ta see da Duke and Duchess… NOW." She demanded as she tried to slip passed as it took a moment for the guard to see the little pastry thrower for who it was. "Be a matterin o' life an death... " She blurted out as the man frowned but gave a nod as he meant to lead the way... however Willa knew the castle's ins and outs... as she blurred passed him.

"MY LADY... MYLORD... QUICK.... " She cried out as she burst in through the doors. [/color]