***Disclaimer*** This is not my floor. It is the work of Ka Hmnd AKA Kenneth Hammond. I have not changed or edited this in anyway.


I took another sip of chocolate as I looked out over the public square. I had been in or with one military unit or another most my life. I was 20 five and had finally decided to settle down. That meant finding a wife and a job I could wait to outlast in. I was the young son of the untried son of a minor nobleman so the merely thing I got was a honorable Education Department and weapons teacher that were more than uncoerced to give me glob while they taught me.

Whitecliff was a large porthole city and seemed like the place to start up. I was trying to think of how I could get in to see the duke to see about a job as one of his officers in the city reserves. I shook my forefront and stood, the young serving fille appeared at my side and I smiled at her pretty face and handed her the money for the repast and coffee.

I crossed the square and walked quickly down a pocket-sized English street. At my small-scale set of rooms I stopped at the threshold, I looked at the undetermined door and pulled my dagger before stepping in. The inaugural matter that struck me was that my artillery were missing. My bag had been dumped on the bed and gone through as well.

I stepped out and looked around, several people working on the street seemed to ward off looking at me and I nodded as I memorized them. I turned and walked back to the second power and crossed to the City safety device building. I nodded to the guard as I entered and stopped at a desk with a sergeant behind it. I told him what had happened and he just looked at me,"What do you want me to do about it ?"

I looked him up and down,"How about finding the thief that stole my artillery ?"

He sneered,"You probably don't even know how to use them. Leave it alone kid, detect another line of products of work."

I looked at him for a minute and nodded to myself,"So you aren't going to look."

He growled,"Listen punk, the safeguard has better matter to do than appear for your toys."

I nodded,"fine, I will find them myself and on your head will perch the fallout."

I turned and walked out and back to my set of rooms. I crossed the street to a couple of hoodlum standing on the corner. I had seen their case before, yob and lookouts for the thieves guild. I stepped up to them,"You made a mistake."

The braggart one laughed,"beat it kid before you get hurt."

I was done talking, I kicked his kneepan from the side of meat shattering it and struck the other man in the throat. I knelt beside the man on the priming screaming and holding his knee. I drew my sticker and put it against his throat,"I will count to three and if you haven't told me where my poppycock is I will cut your throat and feel mortal else to tell me."

I looked at him as he glared at me,"One."

"Two."

He screamed,"The silver Swan."

I sliced both his cheeks,"If I ever see you again, I will kill you."

I stood and walked away, not even glancing at the back man as he died. I stopped a Jacques Cartier and got counselling to the flatware Swan. It was on a street that was poorly cared for, the front of the store was dirty and three men lounged against the door.

As I approached they looked at me and one of them stood away from the bulwark. I kicked him in the inguen and stepped to the incline as another pulled a obelisk and lunged. I grabbed his hand and distorted. I spun him into the former man that had just started to move.

I whipped his arm around and brought my former paw down in a strike that broke his arm at the human elbow. Taking his dagger, I stabbed the early man through the eye and then pulled the dagger back to cut his throat. I knelt by the one on the footing and stabbed him through both thighs.

I stood and walked through the room access and into the shop. The two men in the shop had been watching and held their bridge player up. I stopped a few feet from them,"Your guild stole my weapons. I want them back, now."

The one on the right had specialize eye, he looked me up and down,"Don't know what you're talking about."

My quick step as I closed surprised him, as did my dagger as it sliced across his stomach. He dropped to his genu screaming until I kicked him in the face. I looked at the other man,"My weapon, now !"

He nodded and quickly opened a chest beside him. I stopped him before he could reach inside. I reached in and pulled my weapons out and a small bundle that I recognized as mine. I turned and started walking towards the door. The man I had left was feeling braver,"The Guild will down you for this."

I turned at the threshold,"If they want to try they can, but if they do, you tell them I will do more than belt down a few replaceable punks."

I walked out and started back to my rooms. I buckled on my sword and slipped the other weapons into their place. When I got to my rooms there were ten safety device and that police sergeant across the street. When I stopped at my threshold and looked across the street the police sergeant was staring at me. He stood and gestured as he started walking towards me, I turned and waited for him. When he stepped close he gestured again,"Take his weapons."

I smiled as my script pulled the steel a match of inches free of the scabbard,"That wouldn't be wise."

He looked me up and down,"You killed a man, boy."

I nodded,"I killed three men. If you had done your job, I wouldn't have. If you want to take my weapons, it will be a lot more."

He looked at his men and could see none of them were going to try to take me. He looked back at me,"we'll be back."

I smiled thinly,"Make sure you tell the men that come with you, that it is an Armsmaster they face."

I turned and went into my room, in the little side room I stripped and washed. spinal column in the master room I put my twinkle padding on and lifted the mattress to withdraw the sword chemical chain shirt. I slipped one of my good shirts over that and replaced my weapons. I straightened up the bed and cleaned the room.

I sat at the board and pulled out a uninfected parchment and began writing to the duke. I had just finished when someone knocked on the door. I turned in the professorship and called for them to enter. The door opened and three men entered, the number one was a safety device deputy, the indorsement a captain and the third ... the third man was older and wore the adventitia of a depose man with the duke's top on his chest.

I smiled and gestured toward the bed,"I'm sorry, but I don't have anywhere else for you to sit."

The lieutenant and captain stood but the older man smiled as he sat,"It seems I have a problem."

I looked at him and he glanced at the captain,"My police captain and Lieutenant think they wouldn't have that much of a problem in arresting you. I on the early hand know what a trained Armsmaster is able of. So tell me, are you a capable Armsmaster ?"

I grinned,"Very."

He nodded,"So how do I resolve this ?"

I smiled,"How about with courtesy ?"

He blinked and glanced at my shirt, his eyes lingering on the small gold crown sown into the left berm. His smile was more relaxed,"My apologizes. I am Jonathan Whittel, Sheriff of Whitecliff and the besiege county. This is Captain Hurst and deputy Belet."

I nodded,"My joy gentlemen. My name is Charles Edward Simon the Zealot Winston."

All three men started and Jonathan smiled,"It seems I was right to come speak to you first. What is the highest regarded Armsmaster doing in Whitecliff ?"

I smiled and leaned back in the electric chair,"looking for for a wife and someplace to work away from the mercenary companies."

Jonathan smiled again,"Retiring already ?"

I nodded,"A postulation from my grandfather."

He again looked at my tip,"To far away to be in the line."

I nodded,"My grandfather and I have always been close. I think he just wanted to know I wasn't in the middle of a battle every other week."

Jonathan grinned,"I think I understand, but that brings us back to what has happened here. You killed three men."

I nodded,"Yes. I asked the precaution for help and was told the Guard had better affair to do than determine thieves and stolen property. The sergeant told me to leave it alone and find another blood line of work."

He looked at headwaiter Hurst,"Who was the police sergeant ?"

maitre d' Hurst's face was red but I don't think he was angry with me,"Harris."

Jonathan sighed,"aim his flight strip and have him walked to the edge of the duchy. We don't need that sort of man."

He looked at me,"Are you looking for the Armsmaster's job or something else ?"

I smiled sourly,"Armsmaster Joseph Henry has been with the duke for a long prison term. I won't try to campaign him out. I was thinking of an Officer posting."

Jonathan looked at the captain and police lieutenant,"Would you gentlemen let off us for a arcminute ?"

He waited until they had closed the door behind them and then looked at me,"Armsmaster Winston, have you submitted your letter yet ?"

I handed him my varsity letter, he read it through and sat back looking at me thoughtfully,"I know you aren't trained as a city sentry go but how would you like a job ?"

I smiled,"As one of your Guardsmen ? I don't think so."

He smiled,"How about as the Duke's Kristin."

I looked at him in surprise, Kristin was an old term. It meant Judge and fact finder and a lot more,"Why ?"

He knew what I was asking and smiled,"The Guard is expert for what it was meant for, but now we are getting new eccentric of stealer and violent death. one that take someone that has a dissimilar outlook I think."

I looked down at my hands thinking, it wasn't what I expected and not really what I had trained myself for. I looked at Jonathan,"will I be working alone or do I get someone to help ?"

He sat forward,"Charles, listen to me, some of these people have to suffer had inside knowledge."

I nodded,"Do I get help ?"

He nodded,"Fine, I'll put anyone you want in uniform."

I shook my head,"give my letter to the duke and if he agrees then we can talk."

Jonathan stood,"Some of the Guard were not felicitous about the way you threatened them."

I grinned,"They would have been a lot lupus erythematosus happy if I hadn't."

He smiled and turned for the threshold. I rose and opened it for him, there were six guards standing outside the door waiting for him. He turned,"It was a delight to meet you Armsmaster and I hope the duke sees thing my way."

I nodded and watched as he walked off with the sentry duty around him. I shook my head, Jonathan was something else, something I hadn't figured out yet. I walked out and closed the door before walking back towards the square. I sat at one of the little table in the open air front of the tavern.

The jolly girl from this morning appeared just as quickly as she had this first light. I ordered a ignite repast and another burnt umber. When she brought it I stopped her and got focus to a banking house. When I finished eating and stood, she appeared and I smiled,"You wouldn't be ace would you ?"

She grinned and an older man at the side by side table laughed. She shook her mind,"Sorry."

I sighed,"All the good girlfriend are taken."

She laughed and I started off to the banking house and then it was to a tailor and rush God Almighty. I was walking back across the square towards the tavern when the attack came. When I felt a man suddenly move towards my back, I turned and then side stepped his lunge.

I struck his throat with a knife hand blow and the crowd around me cleared to reveal a dozen men with daggers. I drew my fighting knife and my other hand made a throwing movement and a man fell back with a small obelisk in his pharynx. I drew my steel and smiled as they backed away,"William Tell your guild I will hail for them."

I sheathed my blade and they turned to take the air into the crowd. One man turned quickly, throwing his dagger. My fighting knife knocked it away as my other bridge player flicked out. The man stumbled and fell with another small-scale dagger in his throat. The 12 guardsmen that broke through the crew caused the men to disappear into the crew faster.

Lieutenant Belet led the guardsmen and another captain joined him shortly, as well as another half dozen guards. He walked up to me,"The guild has decided to square off the score."

I smiled as I put my tongue away and walked with him and the new headwaiter,"apparently so. Would you wish to take care of it or should I ?"

Lieutenant Belet smiled crookedly,"I wish I could, we don't have any idea who is running the guild."

I knelt and pulled my small obelisk out before moving to the former man and removed my other dagger from him as well. I stood to face him,"I could let some of your men tag along I guess."

He grinned and looked at the maitre d' and back at me. In a trashy voice,"maitre d'hotel Able, this is Charles Edward Neil Simon Winston, Armsmaster."

captain Able smiled and bowed,"Armsmaster."

I looked around and gestured to the tavern,"Would you care to join me for dinner ?"

The captain nodded and looked at a nearby sergeant-at-law,"Sergeant, have this heap cleaned up and direct the sheriff a message about the incident."

The sergeant started giving orders as we walked towards the tavern. When we reached a table and sat, the same missy was there to get our society. She didn't seem too happy though and kept looking at the senior pilot. I looked at him,"I think she wants to address to you."

He looked up,"Tess ?"

She frowned,"William ... Teresa is missing. We thought she went to her classes this forenoon but she never arrived. Could you have the guards flavor for her ?"

Captain Able nodded,"Of course dear."

He stood and called to one of his guards nearby. I looked at lieutenant Belet,"love ?"

He smiled,"Their married."

I smiled and nodded and pulled a small scrap of sheepskin out of a scoop,"Tess ? Would you ask your Captain James Cook if he or she can make a small pot of coffee using this recipe ?"

She took the parchment and nodded,"Of form. I'll have your dinner sent out."

skipper Able returned to the tabular array with a frown,"That is the one-sixth girl today. I didn't want to say anything to ti, but this is happening more often. I doubt if we will find these girls."

We ate quietly and Tess brought out a small pot of coffee. She grinned at me,"Momma said to tell you thanks for the recipe. She tasted it and fell in love, she said that if she were single, she would bear grabbed you up just for this recipe."

I sighed,"The news report of my life."

Tess laughed, but there was still a shadow in her optic, I poured a cup and sipped. The square was getting dilutant so I saw the chemical group of guards enter with the sheriff in the middle. lieutenant Belet sighed,"William, time for me to be off. I have a young lady waiting."

The maitre d'hotel nodded and stood as the sheriff approached. Jonathan smiled at me and sat in Lieutenant Belet's seat,"Charles, it seems affair have escalated. The duke is on his way here. One of his daughter has gone missing. She has been missing since this forenoon. How they could not escape her for this foresightful I don't know."

He looked at the captain,"How many written report of missing girls so far ?"

sea captain Able frowned,"septet with the duke's daughter."

Jonathan reached out and pullulate coffee into a cup that te set down as she picked up denture,"Would you like something to eat ?"

He smiled up at her,"No Tess, my married woman is waiting dinner on me. If I ate here she would lock me out."

She smiled and moved off. Jonathan took a sip and looked at the cup, he looked at me,"Your formula ?"

I nodded and filled my cup and sat back,"Tell me all you can about these missing girls. While I am out… visiting tonight, I'll look into it."

Jonathan smiled and looked at skipper Able, the captain shifted in his derriere,"There's not a lot to tell. We never find where they are taken from. No one sees anything and we have never found a single girl that has gone missing."

tellurium gasped from behind him and he turned quickly and went to her. I looked at Jonathan,"tellurium's sister is missing."

He slammed his bridge player onto the table,"Damm it, Charles. I want this to be a priority."

I sipped my coffee and watched as a XII militia entered the square toes and change steering from the urban center safety construction to us. Jonathan stood as they approached and Captain Able turned towards them as well. Jonathan bowed and the captain knelt. One of the reserves safety stepped towards me,"Kneel."

I smiled,"I'm not one of the duke's issue yet."

He started to carry another stair when a richly dressed noble stepped out of the crowd of sentry go,"Jacob ? I wouldn't push it. The Armsmaster is correct and I don't feeling like finding someone new to spar with."

The guard froze and then hesitantly bowed,"My apologizes Armsmaster."

I nodded,"accepted."

The duke sat in Jonathan's chair,"Jonathan said your grandfather wanted you to move back from the mercenary caller. Did he tell you to come here ?"

I nodded,"Yes, I don't know why, he was so… cryptic."

The duke looked over his shoulder at Jonathan and back to me,"What do you roll in the hay about my family ?"

I shrugged,"Not much, we never worked in your duchy so there was no intellect to find out. I do know about Armsmaster Henry."

The duke nodded,"most Armsmaster's know about Henry. The reason I asked was that I have one son and four young unmarried daughters."

I sighed and shake up my head,"Grandfather is playing matchmaker. I am pitiful my noble, I had no idea."

He smiled,"I believe you. Your grandfather is a very sassy and subject man."

He looked at Jonathan,"I have seen sufficiency. I'll schedule his oath for the morning."

He looked at me as he stood,"Jonathan should bear told you about my daughter Samantha. Find her ! The Oklahoman the better."

He turned and walked off with his safety device surrounding him again. I looked at Jonathan,"Would you like to accompany me to beak some guard duty ?"

He shook his head,"clock time for me to get home. transmit a offset if you find out anything. Be here tomorrow morning and we'll walk up to court of law together."

I nodded and finished my chocolate. Standing I looked at headwaiter Able,"I'll need a few men."

He looked at Jonathan and he nodded,"He's the duke's new Kristin."

police chief Able's heart widened and he nodded,"I'll see he gets whatever he needs."

I gave Jonathan a little bow and started for the guard duty building. The police chief matched stride with me and the sentry go opened the door as we arrived. When I walked in this time it seemed like a different atmosphere. I stopped inside the door for a minute and watched all the guard duty. Finally I walked over to a dark haired thin man,"Tracker ?"

He didn't turn towards me, only giving a unretentive nod. I looked at another sentry duty about five substructure away. He was short circuit but very compact, he was sharpening a dagger that was already shrewd."Hunter ?"

He gave me a glance and nodded. I looked at a guard across the room, he seemed to just blend into the surroundings. He was leaning against the wall and after a minute he nodded. I glanced at a huge blonde guard duty sitting alone at the next mesa. After a moment he sighed and turned towards me,"No half ways Armsmaster."

I smiled,"It's Kristin and I don't do things halfway, you know that."

The guardroom stilled as all the guards looked at me. The man I was talking to brook and take the air to a weapon system stand along the wall and pulled a wear out sword belt down from above it. I looked at the captain,"Send runners out and severalise all your sentry go. I'll be leaving a trail a subterfuge man could travel along. Have stolon fix at your sentry duty confluence places."

I started for the door and the four men fell in with me. Once outside I looked at the men,"If you need to speak, call up me Charles."

The Tracker nodded,"Dett"

The Hunter was scanning the foursquare,"Edward."

My assassin shrugged,"Chris."

The large man only returned my smile,"serjeant joule sent word you were coming."

I nodded,"It wasn't a occult. It's been awhile Peter."

He nodded,"Mona will want to say hello."

I laughed,"Did she get on with the militia ?"

He grinned,"She's a sergeant."

I nodded,"This is going to be a dirty, no holds run. I need a starting place, do you know of any guild family or hoi polloi ?"

Peter nodded,"Dett ? Let's film it to McSire."

Dett smiled thinly,"My pleasure."

As soon as we reached a street I signaled and our chemical group seemed to dissolve into the shadows. All except for Dett, he walked on as if unconcerned. He stopped at a door and we melted out of the trace. I nodded to peter and we followed him through the doorway as he kicked it out of its frame.

I slammed the first man that I came to into a wall and let him fall to the story. Chris followed me in and Edward followed him. I let them read the lead, they knew this McSire and I didn't. There was only one woman in the house and seven men, three were still active when we stopped, two men and the woman. I knelt by a struggling McSire,"I need information and you are going to give it."

He spit at me,"I know the law, occupy me to the goal."

I smiled,"Unfortunately your guild declared war or me so that is out. You also messed your bed when you took the duke's daughter and that is treason."

His face went pale,"We didn't touch her."

I pulled a revolting looking knife from the small of my back,"To bad we can't learn your word for it. I will come out off by removing your manhood and then I will start asking questions. Each motion you can't or won't answer will be another persona of your body. hired hand, invertebrate foot, arm, and so on. I'm sure you get the picture."

I looked at Peter,"Would you cut his apparel off please ?"

Saint Peter the Apostle's grinning was very sinister,"Want us to tie him up ?"

I shook my head,"I don't have time to be fancy, just cut them off so we can get on with it."

He pulled his dagger and McShire screamed,"time lag ! I'll tell you everything."

I looked at him as I tested the blade of the tongue I held,"Where is the guild master and where are the little girl being kept ?"

He swallowed,"The… the guild master is in Hermon's. I'm not sure where the girls are. I heard they guide them to one of the Inn's on the docks."

I looked at Edward IV,"Tie them up."

I stepped to the incline with Chris,"Go to one of the meeting stead and send a runner. I want a platoon of militia just back from the docks, not guard. Met us at this Hermon's."

Chris nodded and left at a Trot while I looked at St. Peter the Apostle,"Is there someplace close we can put them without anyone finding them ?"

XX minutes later we were in the shadower across from a tiny unsung tavern. Chris slipped out of the fantasm and we crossed the street. Edward VII drifted to one side of the building while Dett went to the early, St. Peter the Apostle didn't even slow down at the room access. It splintered and flew across the elbow room as we entered.

Edward pushed two old adult female out of the kitchen as he came in and Dett shoved a astonied Brigham Young man into the room from a back door. There were six men in the room at the only two tables. I pulled my steel,"gentleman's gentleman, the guild has committed high treason by taking the duke's girl. I want the social club lord and I want him now. If you don't give him to me or tell apart me where he is, I will start cutting pieces off you until you do."

A man that was a little sound dressed than the others stepped away from his table with his hand on his dagger,"The safeguard doesn't have the authority to do that."

I smiled,"I am not the Guard. I am the Duke's Kristin and if you don't remove your script from that sticker, I will remove it permanently."

His bridge player jerked away from the obelisk as his grimace paled,"I didn't know this was a lodge house."

I walked up to him and touched his hand with the tip of my sword,"These narrate me you are lying."

My blade swung up to his face and touch him next to one of his eyes,"These tell me you are lying. Which would you like me to polish off first ?"

He shuddered and glanced at a man across the table,"The guild original left. The night original knows where he went."

I smiled and pushed against his chest with the point of my sword. When he had stepped away, I faced the man across the table,"talking !"

He smiled,"I am not as green as he is."

I walked around the table and kicked him off the bench. I stepped on his wrist joint as Chris knelt on the other slope. I knelt, pulling my fighting knife and cut his fingers off. While he screamed, I looked at the men,"I will have the guild master, the duke's daughter and everyone else that had a hand in it or you will be in belittled spell when I leave."

I slapped the night victor,"Where is he !"

"The Sharks Fin !"

I put the knife at his throat,"The girl."

He swallowed,"She's there too. They have a dispatch going out in the break of day though."

I looked around the room,"If you are in the city tomorrow your lives will be forfeit."

I looked at Chris and tilted my foreland, he left without glancing back. I looked around the elbow room,"If word of this gets there ahead of me, I will track down you down and use you as bait."

I turned and walked out. Outside I looked at Dett,"We need to get there as soon as possible."

I looked at the others,"When we get there, no one goes in and no one comes out."

Dett turned and started off at a trot. I stopped when we came to a ball carrier,"I am Armsmaster Winston. Go to the sheriff and no one else. William Tell him, The Sharks Fin and the Militia. Now go, run."

I didn't even wait to see him off. I turned and started after Dett and the others. They had slowed but did not stop. Five minutes later Dett was pointing out a rundown two story tap house across the street. I signaled to Peter about a man leaning against one corner of the building and he slipped away.

Dett and Edward slipped along position the building and then around back. I watched as the man leaning against the rampart suddenly jerked back into the shadows.

"About sentence he started using his skills."

I smiled,"You know why he stopped."

Mona stepped forward and put her hand on my shoulder,"I know. I just don't like admitting he was right."

I turned my pass and smiled,"Anglesea, you were always a bloodthirsty bitch. If he didn't love you so practically he would induce gone back to the farm we found him on."

She grinned,"It goes both way Charles."

I nodded,"We are going to take a lot of society soon. I want this settled before they get here. Split your people and don't let anyone get away. Make sure they watch their rear and the windows."

I watched as they split up crossing the street to skirt the tavern. I nodded to Chris as he stepped out of the shadows,"You four hold the briny base, I'll take the upper floor. play the militia in if you need them."

I walked across the street and opened the room access, Chris was right-hand behind me. The way fell dumb as I continued across the floor. A bombastic man stepped in movement of me at the stair, I didn't hesitate. My knife swept up and across and I continued up the steps as he fell to his knee trying to block the rake that flowed from his cut throat.

Peter and Edward IV stepped in the dorsum threshold before I was halfway up and I heard Dett chasing multitude into the room from the kitchen. At the top of the stairs another man stepped out, this one I stab through the gut and shoved out of my way. There were four men in the hall and then there was none.

I walked to the end and opened a threshold, a declamatory man was raping a struggling girl. I quietly stepped following to him and grabbed his tomentum and cut his throat as I threw him onto the floor,"Stay where you are girl and be quiet."

That was the way it went until the endure room. When I stepped into the last room a man was crouched next to the bed holding a dagger to the girl's throat,"Let me go or she dies."

I smiled as I stepped further into the room,"You would be the guild master. I am afraid you aren't going anywhere."

He tilted the sticker,"This is the duke's daughter, let me go or she is dead."

I pulled my sword,"I'll make you a better deal. You let her go and I will kill you spry and painless."

I was moving from side to side in such a way that he didn't even realize I was moving closer until my sword struck and his dagger fell. I twisted the vane up and away and since the brand had pierced his hand it went with it. I stepped forward as he fell to the floor. He glare up at me,"You don't know who you are dealing with."

I smiled as I struck him with the pummel of the sword knocking him unconscious,"A dead man."

I looked at the female child, she had bruise on her face and body. Even though she had been beaten there was something else there,"Samantha ?"

She nodded and I smiled gently,"I will get you home as soon as I can."

She shook her head,"No."

I looked at her,"Why not ?"

She looked down as dumb tears fell,"They used me. I am no longer fit to be my father's girl. Just leave me."

She looked down at the obelisk on the bed next to her. I stepped closer and took the obelisk,"You are still your father's daughter and it is his decision to make that choice."

I called down the step and Dett appeared at the top,"All done ? We have a platoon of Guards here all of the sudden. The Militia have kept them back, but Lieutenant Harris is getting mighty anxious."

"Lieutenant Frank Harris ?"

"I don't reliance him and half the men with him aren't even supposed to be on duty."

I looked at Samantha and back at Dett,"I need you to watch over this girl. I think she will try to…"

Dett nodded,"I'll watch."

I walked downstairs and out the front door. A Guard lieutenant was yelling at Anglesey Island as she stood there calmly listening. I stopped following to her,"Lieutenant shut up. I am Kristin Winston and this is my business."

He sputtered and turned red reaching for his military officer steel. My sword came out in one move and took his hand off,"You guards listen close ! I am the duke's Kristin and I am an Armsmaster ! You will break this up and go away right now or you will pay for your treachery with your life !"

The police lieutenant was on the ground holding his arm screaming. I looked at Mona,"serjeant-at-law ! If these men are still here after a minute of arc is up, suffer your men kill them."

Mona smiled and snapped to attention,"Yes SIR ! PLATOON !"

The guards looked at one another, turned and ran. Mona laughed,"Damm, Charles I missed you."

I smiled,"The real guard will exhibit up soon enough, along with the sheriff and probably the duke."

Mona groaned,"Great."

I looked at her and she shrugged,"I don't let him win when we spar."

I grinned,"The righteous suffer for their virtue."

She stuck her tongue out at me and turned to her people,"All right the show is over, get back in place."

I walked back inside the inn. Everyone was sitting quietly at the board. I nodded to Peter,"When the Sheriff and the others get here send them up. Hopefully maitre d'hotel Able will be with them."

I walked up the stairs and in the first way I grabbed the consistency and pulled it out into the hall. I looked at the little girl,"I'll get you home as soon as I can."

She had wrapped the blanket around herself but nodded. I found Tess's sister in the third elbow room. After I took the body out, I stopped succeeding to the bed,"Teresa ? Tess sent me, as soon as we get the rest period of this place straitened out and get some answers, I'll get you home."

She was a lot like Tess. she sat up straight,"Tess sent you ? Maybe I can help ?"

I looked at her,"Do you know if there are any former young lady ? We heard something about a shipment."

She nodded,"It's a ship, The Yellow Minnow. They were taking us to Shermerez."

I smiled,"Thank you."

I finished the suite and went back into Samantha's elbow room, Dett nodded and left. She finally seemed to hail to a decision and got out of bed. She didn't even bother to underwrite herself as she walked up to me,"What's your epithet ?"

I smiled,"Charles."

She looked at my physical structure closely,"Are you married Charles ?"

I shook my head and crossed the way as the society maestro began to budge. I used strips from his shirt to stick to him before I gagged him. I heard the flutter from downstairs and tried to get Samantha to put her clothes back on but she would have none of it.

The sheriff and the duke appeared in the doorway. There was a tertiary man that I recognized from the way he moved. I nodded to the Duke and handed him her garb,"You talk to her."

I stepped out of the elbow room as the startled duke held the dress. He held it out to Samantha,"Put it on."

She shook her point as she cried quietly,"I can't daddy. They… I'm spoiled."

He tried to hug her, but she stepped back,"No."

He was very quiet,"Samantha it doesn't matter."

She turned,"Yes it does. I am Charles Frederick Worth nada now. You could consecrate me to that commoner… Jacques Charles and he could refuse."

The duke sighed and looked at me. I looked at him and shrugged,"Fine, I except. Samantha Fargrove, under the king's law, I except your offer."

I walked to her and turned her storm grimace to mine,"And I am not a commoner. I am Baron Thrustin's grandson, an Armsmaster and if your father still wants me, his Kristin."

I turned her to her father,"you know the law, tell him what you have to do."

She looked at me still surprised, she shook her head and her middle narrowed. She looked at her surprised father and back at me. Her berm straightened and I groaned as I sat down. She smiled,"Nice try Armsmaster. Fatherhood, he accepted my offer. He thinks I won't do it, he's wrong. I have to stay with my husband to be until I am pregnant or rise unable to bear a child."

The old man in the hall laughed,"hold until I tell this one."

I glared at him,"Very funny Henry."

The duke looked at me thoughtfully and then grinned at Henry,"This is the first time I have seen anyone out fox one of you maniacs and it was my daughter. Elizabeth II is going to vanquish me insensible until she thinks about it though."

I sighed and stood up,"Very well my next wife, but you will have to expect a month before you get to dun me."

She looked at me and I kicked the man at my invertebrate foot. She blushed and nodded,"Very well, but I will still continue with you."

I shrugged and turned to the duke,"I apologize my Lord. I thought that after her… trial, she would back down. We have another composition of business organisation tonight."

I bent and stripped the club master's pants from him. I pulled a startled Samantha to the bed and made her sit. I bent and pushed her legs into the bloomers. She tapped me on the shoulder joint,"What do you think you are doing ?"

I looked at her,"You wouldn't wear the dress and I am not parading my married woman all over townspeople raw. You will put this on or I will spank your rear end black and blue."

She smiled and bent her principal timidly,"Yes my husband."

I shook my headway,"Why do I get the touch that there was something you didn't say."

All three men laughed and I turned to Armsmaster Henry,"If you would be so variety, see if one of those shirts managed to get away getting bloody."

I looked at the sheriff,"There are more girls aboard a ship called the Yellow Minnow. It was the transport for all the missing girls and was supposed to sail in the morning."

The three men were silent as Jonathan and the duke looked at each early. Finally the Duke sighed,"Do it Jonathan, if he comes complaining tomorrow, I'll helping hand him his balls."

Jonathan nodded and left, Henry handed me a shirt and I helped Samantha put it on and absently buttoned it while she watched me. I looked at the duke,"Do you want me and my team to help with the ship ?"

He shook his head,"Why don't you take all the female child home. We'll hold it from here."

He looked at the social club original on the level. I cleared my throat,"If you don't kill him let me be intimate, he owes a debt."

The duke smiled,"You won't have to worry about that."

I stepped into the hall and got all the girls wrapped in blankets. When we went downstairs, things were really subdued. Captain Able looked up from talking to a lieutenant. He crossed the elbow room and hugged Teresa,"Teresa !"

She cried and held him, I signal to my men and when Captain Able finally pulled away from Mother Theresa I touched his shoulder,"I am done for the dark. The duke asked me to subscribe to them home."

He smiled,"te is going to jazz you for this, not to advert her mother."

I looked around the way,"Don't let any of these… hoi polloi sweet talk you."

He shook his heading,"I won't, go ahead and get these girls home."

I turned and only took one whole step before turning,"William, I want these four men assigned to me permanently."

It took almost two hour to get all the girl home. Besides Sam, ( Samantha ) Theresa was the final stage. When I opened the doorway into the Guard tavern, it was wide-cut of subdued clatter and a centre aged man and woman turned as we entered. The adult female cried out and Teresa stumbled towards her. I quietly pulled the man aside and explained what had happened to his daughter.

He was raging, until I told him the 1 responsible were already absolutely or on their way. I finally broke give up and we stepped out of the tavern. I sent my men home with directions to fall at midmorning. I took Sam's handwriting and we walked the few pulley to my set of rooms. At the door I hesitated and looked at a nervous Sam,"You know as well as I do, that you don't have to do this."

She smiled a petty sadly,"Yes I do Charles."

I looked at her and then open up the door, I stepped in and moved to the board. It took a second but the small lamp finally started and Sam came in and looked around. She frowned,"It could be worse."

I nodded,"You could still be in that room, servicing men, or you could be on that ship headed south."

She nodded,"Yes."

She shuddered and I crossed the room to fold the door. I pulled her to the bed and sat her down. In the slope room, I pumped some water into a magnanimous pot. I pulled out the dry wash basin and pitcher. I filled the pitcher and walked back to Sam. I stood on the president and lifted a board in the ceiling.

I pulled down a small satchel made of flabby leather. I walked back into the small room and returned with a cup of water. I took a theme parcel out of the satchel and poured it into the piddle. I stirred it with my finger and handed it to Sam,"Drink this, it will assist with the pain."

I took a little glass pot out and set it on the table. I pulled the table and chair closer to the bed and had Sam sit in the death chair. I set the basin in her lap and hang her forward. I put my towel around her shoulders and gently washed her hair. When I was done I brushed it for her, I took the basin and emptied it.

I removed her borrowed clothes and gently washed her with the warm water. Treating each of her bruises and abrasions with the subdued pick in the glass pot. I took her to the bantam bathroom and helped her wash herself and brought her vertebral column to bed. I pulled out an old cushy shirt and helped her put it on.

Another search in the satchel and another cup of water supply. I put the herb into water and held the cup,"Sam ? I know you are not all here, but try to take heed. I need you to make a decision, these herb are very potent. If you are already pregnant, it will kill the baby and end the pregnancy. I can't ca-ca this decision for you."

Sam looked at me, her eyes dazed from the botheration medicine. She looked down at the cup and whispered,"I would have a fresh start."

She looked at me,"If I am not pregnant ?"

I smiled,"It won't hurt anything. We still have to await for your next cycle."

She looked into my heart,"If I do this, what sort of mother could I be ?"

I smiled,"Sam, what they did to you was not your pick. It was done against your will. There is no break to you and you are not to blame."

Sam looked down,"Maybe not at first… but later…"

I reached out and lifted her face,"Sam ? That is a natural reaction. low you felt pain in the neck and gradually it became pleasure. That does not mean you are to blame."

She looked at the cup and into my face,"What about how you will feel."

I caressed her case,"Sam, I am an Armsmaster. I started training when I was three. I offer this to you so you will accept the option. If you are pregnant it is not even a infant yet, only a man's source and your egg."

Sam looked at me,"But you want me to take it."

I sighed, looking at my own feelings and finally I nodded,"Yes, I guess I do. It will give you and I a fresh start. Even though I did this to get you to go back to your Father, the longer you are with me, the Thomas More I like the idea of you being with me. I have been alone a long prison term Sam."

She looked at me and slowly took the cup and drank it down. I took the cup and set it on the table before I moved the mesa and chair back and put the lamp out. I removed my weapon system and chain shirt and walked back to the bed. I eased Sam into the bed and lay beside her and held her against me,"Sam ? Do you feel me holding you ?"

I could sense her trembling,"Yes."

I gave her a svelte squeeze,"zip can hurt you while I hold you."

It was a minute before she seemed to relax,"Charles ?"

"Yes."

"Is it always like that…"

I kissed the back of her cervix,"No Sam. When we are set, I will show you how it should be."

Slowly her ventilation slowed and she slept. She woke before break of day crying uncontrollably. I held her against my chest until she had cried herself out. She stirred and looked up,"I have to…"

I caressed her face,"Go ahead, its light enough to see."

She slipped out of bed and walked to the tiny lav. When she came back she climbed timidly into bed. She hesitated and then moved closer and held me. I looked at her tense up fount and caressed her,"It's finally started."

She looked into my face,"What ?"

"The fear and loathing. The tactual sensation of not being clean."

She looked at me for a minute and then nodded. I sighed and caressed her font,"Sam, this is the theatrical role I can't helper you with. I will hold you, when you let me. I will try and make up sure no man touches you. But this is a fight you have to take a crap to yield your life-time to something that you will be able to live with. Face your fears my Sam."

She put her head back on my chest of drawers and we watched the light grow in the one tiny window. I sighed and slipped out of bed, I looked at her facing away from me,"Sam, turn around and catch me."

When she had turned, I slowly undressed the balance of the way. I looked at her,"This is my dead body Sam, the one you will take in to take on if we are to tie. I will not pressure you to accept me. This is the veneration you have to face. The fight you face is yours, but in the end it is for both of us."

I walked into the humble room and returned with the drainage basin total of uninfected water supply. I sat in the chair and washed with her watching, when I started shaving she stirred,"Carolus ? Can you show me how to do that for you ?"

I smiled and held out the razor. She came to me and after a few untrue startle and nicks, she finished. When the bleeding stopped, I dressed in my unspoiled clothes and then looked at Sam thoughtfully and she smiled,"What ?"

I smiled at her,"Unless you want to walk around the city wearing nothing but my shirt, we need to regain something for you to wear."

She looked down at the pants and shirt she had worn the dark before. I shook my head,"You are not putting those rear on."

After digging in my pack, I found what I thought would work for now. I sat her down and started to serve her put them on. When I touched her, she started shaking and I looked into her side,"function of fighting the fear is learning to swear ; yourself, me and others."

She nodded and I waited, after a minute she relaxed and I finished. I was going to get her a raw shirt, but she said she liked the one she already had on. I looked at her feet and pulled the only piece of leather I had out. I outlined her feet and sat down to cut it out. When I started sewing she stirred,"I can do that."

I showed her where to sew and a little while later they were finished. I put them on her,"This will have to do until we can get you shoes."

She smiled as she stood,"I like these."

I took my satchel when we left. We started walking towards the square and I was thinking all the way. Sam finally reached out and took my deal, I smiled but didn't say anything. When we got to the square, there was a blood of posts with dead men hanging from them. I saw the Guild Master and the Guard police lieutenant on the centerfield posts.

As we crossed towards the tavern, I saw Mona sitting at a table. She grinned as I got to the mesa and gesture for Sam to sit,"Armsmaster Joseph Henry told us what happened. I was going to mail a letter to the company."

I smiled as I sat down,"You're so thoughtful."

I turned as a serving girl stopped. She was an older interpretation of Tess and Mother Teresa,"How is Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu this morning ?"

She started,"punter. Afraid to let… you're Armsmaster Winston ?"

I nodded,"Yes, tell her I asked about her and said to let patients."

She smiled,"I'll separate her. Momma said you only have bread and cheeseflower with coffee ?"

I nodded and looked at Sam,"If you have it, Sam could use a orotund breakfast though."

She looked at Sam,"We heard… of course."

Mona looked at Sam,"You don't have to let him state you what to do. He may be an Armsmaster, but he is only a man."

Sam looked at her shyly and Mona grinned,"Of form, he has given me more bruises and lump then I care to count, but at least he knows I am my own person."

I grinned,"Care for another lesson ?"

She shook her head grinning,"I don't think so, the live on one is still fresh in my mind."

I watched the Guard edifice as Peter and Captain Able came out. I frowned,"I thought I sent Peter home."

Anglesea glanced over,"He stayed to help out, all those guard that tried to interfere concluding Nox, left."

I looked at Anglesey as she watched Peter walk towards us,"When are you going to return him what he wants ? Don't give me that, I'm not a farm dame bit. We both know that is just an excuse."

She looked at me,"Charles I, it's none of… ok, maybe it is your concern in a way."

She looked up as shaft and the senior pilot joined us. When she looked back she sighed,"I wouldn't have the sentence and with being in the militia… I don't think he deserves the heartache."

Out of the turning point of my eye I saw cock open his mouth. I held up my deal to barricade him, this was something between Anglesey Island and I. pecker, had taken two arrows meant for me and I owed him a debt,"That is an excuse Mona. We both know what the problem is."

She looked away as the serving female child brought the nutrient and a small pot of coffee berry. When she left, Mona nodded,"Since we left the company I have thought about it, but I am not… I wouldn't know how…"

I smiled,"beingness a married woman would not change who or what you are. It doesn't have to have in mind giving up your life for his. I don't think he would want or accept that."

Anglesey Island looked down,"I'm in the militia, Prince Charles. What about the danger ?"

I looked at Captain Able,"You have an opening move for a lieutenant, right ?"

He looked at Anglesey Island's surprised grimace,"I met the serjeant-at-law last nighttime. She seemed a subject leader."

He looked at me,"From the way you have been talking, you know her background. Do you cogitate she could do the job and more importantly, are you giving her your recommendation ?"

I smiled,"Yes and yes."

He nodded and turned as we heard a group of multitude enter the public square. The sheriff only had two guards, the eternal rest seemed like clerks. He left the clerks and crossed to us and sat in the last hind end and gestured for his guards to sit at the side by side table. He looked at Sam,"Changed your creative thinker ?"

Mona and dick both grinned as they tasted the coffee. Sam looked at the sheriff,"Why would I interchange my mind ? For the place I am in, his was and probably would always be, better than anything I could expect."

He looked at her and then at me, I shrugged,"I opened my mouth one to many times already."

He grinned,"You have no musical theme how the duke's militia reacted to this."

I nodded to Mona,"Yes I do."

He grinned and maitre d'hotel Able cleared his throat,"He just recommended her for the lieutenant's spot."

Jonathan looked at Mona and grinned again,"We could do worse. The duke will like it, she won't be tossing his noble bu… backside around the salle."

Sam laughed suddenly and looked at Mona,"You were the one ? Wait until I tell momma."

I looked up as Te and the woman from close night, her mother, stopped at our board. Tess went to Captain Able and hugged him. Her mother hugged me,"I don't know how to thank you."

When she released me, she saw Sam,"Oh, you misfortunate thing. Why didn't they take you home ? You come with me and we'll get you out of those man's cloths."

Sam pulled back shocked,"schoolma'am, Wait !"

When she stopped pulling, Sam moved closer to me,"I have been spoiled. No noble would look at me now, my sire would be shamed. The Armsmaster has accepted my offer of unwashed law marriage. He thought to scare me back to my beginner, but I have accepted my fate and him. He is a respectable and form man and… and I don't deserve him."

Tess's mother looked at her, wringing her hands,"But it wasn't your fault. You don't have to… to do this."

Sam sighed,"schoolmarm, I am a Lord. It doesn't matter if it was my fault. This match is in effect than I could have hoped for and now better then I deserve. My… my husband to be will learn me what I need to know."

Tess's mother looked at the sheriff and he sighed,"Maria, she is probably more properly then the Duke and I realized at the time."

She looked at me for a tenacious time before sighing,"If you need anything let me know."

I coughed,"Now that you offer. I was wondering if you had a set of rooms you could let us ?"

She blinked and looked at Tess,"The big suite of rooms next to you is empty."

She looked at me, I knew she was thinking of just giving them to me,"Would two amber pieces a month masking it ?"

She shook her head,"I couldn't."

The sheriff broke in,"Maria accept it. The duke will pick up the broadsheet. He is going to be the duke's new Kristin."

She smiled and nodded to me. I looked at the sheriff,"When is the duke expecting me ?"

Jonathan grinned,"When you get there. He said to stir up him, we didn't get much sleep."

I nodded,"How did it go with the ship ?"

He stirred,"It was bad. We took the ship without electric resistance. The daughter that were being held there were… they were not in unspoilt shape. The duke ordered the crew hung right there on the ship. He would have ordered the ship burned if it hadn't been at the dock."

I thought about what the fille might have gone through and quietly squeezed Sam's hand,"What did he do with the ship ?"

Jonathan shrugged,"nada yet."

My smiling was thinly and Mona chuckled. putz laughed out tacky and both headwaiter Able and Jonathan looked at us funny. I looked at Jonathan,"takings the ship and put it up for sales event. Split the money and pass on it to the fille for a dowry."

Jonathan and maitre d'hotel Able both laughed and Sam squeezed my manus,"Do it uncle Jonathan."

I looked at maria,"Maria ? How meddlesome does your tap house get ? Could you use all the little girl that were saved ? Maybe instruct them cooking, cleaning, sewing. With the safeguard across the square they would be safe and it might aid them get over what happen to them. I think I will ask some of the other workshop keepers to help too. The baker and sartor and the comparable, I have money and could pay you for their meals and anything they might need."

She opened her back talk but Jonathan stirred,"No Charles, it is a form and generous thing but the duke will want to do that. He was trying to find some way to facilitate them."

Maria smiled at me and then looked at Jonathan,"Have them brought to me. They won't want to add up, but create them come anyway."

She straightened and looked at atomic number 52,"When you and William head up to bed, wake Mother Theresa and post her Down. If the duke's own girl can face the illumination of day and what happened to her then she can too."

Tess nodded and pulled the maitre d'hotel to his fundament,"We'll send her down."

I looked at Mona,"You've had metre to think about it. Do you want to talk it over with putz ?"

She looked at Peter,"No."

She took a breathing spell,"well lover, will you take away me as your wife ?"

His face lit up as he smiled,"Yes, but I get to send the notice letter to your father."

He paused and grinned as he looked at me,"And the company."

I grinned as Mona groaned,"I knew there was a cause I was avoiding this."

I stood,"Jonathan ? If we get Mona sworn in with the duke, she can get to the important stuff. Like teaching putz she is still the one in charge."

Everyone laughed and stood, I tried to hand Maria two silver part but she waved it off. I held Sam's paw as we walked and after a spell Mona sighed took tool's helping hand as well. I kept my mouth shut, pretending not to mark his smile. When we got to the duke's manor, the militia guards opened the door as we walked up.

The duke's chamberlain showed us into a small study and said the duke would be there shortly. Sam had seemed to move closer to me as we came in. We were only in the elbow room a few moment when the door opened and an senior translation of Sam came in. A fast tone and she headed straight for Sam,"Samantha, what is this folderal. You come with me this instant."

I felt Sam trembling as she held my arm,"No momma."

The Duchess stopped in front of her,"Samantha !"

Sam shook her head,"You know I can't momma, please don't. I love you, but I can't."

She tapped her foot and looked at me,"You're the one that started this ?"

I shrugged,"I didn't kidnap her. I thought that after what she had been through she would… I guess in a way I am. I didn't think she would go through with it, but to distinguish the truth I am glad she did."

She frowned,"You know she is the shoemaker's last in line to inherit ?"

I smiled and shrugged again,"You could remove her and I would be glad. After watching my grandfather and my uncle, I think being a noble is more trouble then it's worth."

She blinked and then smiled,"I like you, you seem to have some sense."

She sighed and looked at Sam,"At least let me check you."

Sam's fingerbreadth tightened on my arm,"I… Charles already…"

I looked at Sam and then at Jonathan,"Jonathan, would you give my apology to his state of grace ?"

I looked at the duchess,"Where ?"

She looked from Sam to me and finally nodded to herself,"This way."

The way she took us to was a belittled bedroom. ( Sam's bedroom ) After she closed the door, I led Sam to the bed. I quietly unbuttoned her shirt as she blushed. After I had slipped it off, I got a skilful look at all the contusion. I shook my head word and pulled my satchel off,"The lighting here is much better. Hold still Sam, this ointment will find cold."

Her mother watched as I gently rubbed the same pick I had used the night before into the bruises on her pep pill soundbox. I removed her bloomers and started on the fresh bruises I found, when I finished I looked into her cheek,"better ?"

She smiled and nodded as her female parent cleared her pharynx. I turned to her blushing, she was not the only one there. I couldn't believe I had been so cark as to not note the duke coming into the room,"Sorry, I was distracted."

The duchess smiled,"somehow I think you just did a better job than I could have."

She looked at the duke and sighed,"You were right."

Getting clothes back on Sam proved as difficult as before. I finally put a plosive speech sound to it,"sufficiency Sam, put the pants and shirt back on and have the dresses sent to our elbow room at the Guards tavern. Do it or I will put you over my knee and spank you right now. I don't have time for you to reason and neither do your parents."

Sam stopped suddenly,"Yes my husband."

Her mother looked at me and I just shake up my head. The duke walked us back to his study, the sheriff was still waiting with Anglesey and peter. The duke accepted my oath and had just sworn Mona in as an officer when a gimcrack parameter broke out on the other side of the doorway. The doors were thrown open and a man dressed like a southerly noble strode in with two bodyguard following,"What do you imagine you're doing !"

My reactions were western fence lizard, my fighting tongue came out and around, stopping at his throat. His safety device reached for weapons and I pressed harder,"twist them and he's dead. You two get out now or I won't delay to see if the duke wants to speak to your lord."

They hesitated and then backed out of the way as More of the duke's guards arrived. When the door closed, I looked at the noble,"I don't like southerners. You threaten his thanksgiving again or so much as rustling disrespectfully to him and I will send your head back as a warning."

I pulled my knife back and slid it back into its cocktail dress. He glared at me,"You're dead."

I smiled,"Some of your kinsmen said that once on the champaign of Albia."

He paled as he looked at me, his whisper was to himself but everyone in the room heard."Armsmaster Winston."

I nodded to the duke as he stepped tightlipped,"What do you want prince ?"

The prince looked at him and glared,"You boarded one of my ships and murdered its crew."

The duke looked at him,"Your ship and work party were role of a slavery ring. The ship has been confiscated and will be sold to correct the women."

The prince puffed up and I turned to him,"One of the duke's daughters, my wife, was taken. If I find out it was more than the bunch of your ship…"

He paled,"Are you threatening me ?"

I smiled a melt off grin,"If you are involved, you can take it as a threat. If you aren't involved then you can need it is a warning. I have been hearing about your veiled menace to the duke. I will be sending substance to some… Friend. If you want to get aggressive here in the north, you go right ahead."

He blanched as the duke suddenly smiled,"You can leave now prince, before my new Kristin changes his mind."

We watched as he left, shoving his men out of his way. The duke looked at me,"You know he will send messages south as well as to the king."

I smiled,"Let him, cypher will come of it. transmit a letter to the business leader explaining what happened."

I looked at Sam and back to her father,"If you will excuse me, I have some shopping to do."

I looked at Mona,"You're done playing your fast one on his Grace, but now I am going to use your special… accomplishment to teach Sam, Samantha."

Anglesea grinned,"It will be my pleasure noble Kristin. ”