16k sorry internet droped befor I posted. So this is yesterday.

Kaneb hoped that was meaning she was not going to fight to much when she learned of her commission in the army. “Yes we have a team, and there are few in the folks Gar brings to you. Mother saw that this was as complete as any merc company would be, and most of our scouts can tree walk. I remembered you saying the trees there crossed almost as much as ours do, so did what I could to see most with me have some experience with the high roads. We have a couple of Elementals among the mages, one is strictly a healer, and six adapts. Now those are mine. The ones assigned to you are all adapts and there are four more healers among them. So that should ease your worry a bit.”

Garsten said. “Commander the force I bring to you has members of all peoples in it. They are all sword and mage tested. Not knowing what is needed His majesty thought it best Your unit was made of those who had both skills, as you do. They will fight in the places you feel best fitting the need. Six, including my self, have passed the field Healing test and can take a shift among them, if you wish. Your force has the left hand of the tent, and of course there is a work area prepared should you need to see our skills.” Charity looked at him, and again he wished he hadn’t been the one appoint the task, but she had passed the test he fail, so he couldn’t have command but she could. The conclave had agreed that a unit of black stars had to be there from the start incase it was needed. Only made since to place under one who knew the area and could get in.

She shook her head. “I know that all here have pasted the tests with high marks. There is no question of skill. It will be good to have you with us. I fear we will need all your skills before this is over. Now then do you have questions about the Lands we are going to?” The rest of the meal passed with a discussion of Crater’s beliefs. The other two relaxed a bit.

When the meal was done Charity turned to them. “If you want to come with me we can go over the route I have in mind. I did my best to stay on the plains so travel time can be cut. That way we shouldn’t be more then a day behind De’s arrival. In the plains we are not forced to stay to the roads and can travel more directly.”

Garstern wanted nothing more than to run the other way. But it would be best to give her a chance to yell, and he needed to get used to see his brother kneeling at her feet. That was his place now. Heck the last two years Critern had been more likely to seek to his knees then take a chair around home, and in truth had been waiting on them since he was a boy. Still the ropes and leash were jarring. For all he had been in the since the graduation ceremony. Smiling and hoping his thoughts were not showing any he said. “Yes Commander it would be good to see what you have planed. Given the number of mages we might just be able to cut the time a bit more, if gating is allowed on the plains.”

Charity nodded. “It is and I was going to say that we did so part of the way, as that will explain how we miss the two cities I couldn’t find a trail to bypass.”

Kaneb shook his head and looked at them knowing he was missing something. “Now just how did you know we would have enough Elementals to fold? Nice cover though, and yes we should move this to your tent so they can see to the tables.”

Charity said. “I knew there would be a minim of two with you. After all it is easier for Elementals to make gates. That would enough to insure we could get there close to the same time. I said we wouldn’t be more than a day behind. Given the circumstance I feel we need to be in place and learning the land as soon as we can. They have a lot of blood and soul powered mages so I think it wise to expect a number of cloaking illusions. The more we know the area the easier we can spot when something is off.” Critern had pulled her chair back, as had the boys servants done with theirs. She stood up, not really wanting to, but knowing the kitchen staff would not clear the tables until they were gone from the tent. The longer they lingered the longer they would have to stay up cleaning.

Kaneb stood as well. “No issues that way, we have two sets of Royally orders to speed the trip. I am just glad you worked out an explanation. I was a bit worried.”

Charity untied Critern’s leash from the chair and saw it was sort then started waking. Glad that she had been made to lead a servant before, for all she hated it. “De likely wouldn’t have been trouble, but the priests would. However gates are a known magic and might be frowned on a bit but would be alarming, and I am going to do enough of that simply by being me.”

Garstern nodded. “Now you are sure that they can keep Jab from you father until you get there?”

Charity said. “No, but I do think he will be able to stand by his promise not to cause trouble that long. Father will be greeting them when they get there and by rights should likewise come out when we get there as well.” They got to her tent and she had to shake her head again. “I should have known he would pull this given the chance.”

Kaneb smiled. “Well it just makes sense that you have the type that you servant know how to set up.”

Charity laughed, as Asuim moved to hold the door open for them. “I believe that was tried before. Asuim seemed to have no problems once it was clear I would just set it up myself. This trip just keeps getting better.” She went on in, and then told them. “As far as I know Father has no idea I am married so that is going to be a fun conversation, should he be speaking to me.” She looked around the tent and smiled, it was amazing what they did. There was a table and eight chairs set up in the front part, with the sleeping area in the back, which had a raised padded platform to server as the bed. She knew the door to the right would lead to a bathroom for her. the one on the left was for servants. The center pole served double duty and so had chains on it to cuff the servant being punished. She hated it, but it was far easier to have then tied to a post. Having them stand free reminded her even more of the wood shed visits. “I see the maps are all ready laid out.” she looked at Critern and as she expected he was looking at the pole clearly wanting to be put on it. She tugged on the leash, making him come closer and then out her hand on him. Surprised at the need the touch caused in him, but the touch made sure the others would not here what she was sending. ‘Your brother doesn’t need to see you on there. Once this is done. But do not make it harder on him. Think of how strange it must be for him.’ “Not now, it is better to make you wait. It will be more effective that way.” She let go of the leash. “Go wash then return to my side. Do not fool around about it, you do not need to get yourself in more trouble.” He bowed and left, as she had not asked him a question he dared not speak where he was in trouble for speaking out of turn he need to show he could be silent or would add more blows. Though his smile spoke said all that was needed.

Garstern said. “You are doing fine, and no more than he needs you to. The first days are the hardest as the bonds are made, but it gets easier once you can see the need better. I can tell you he was wanting to serve long before he started the training. The train didn’t create the need, just gave him a way to cope with it.” Charity looked at him. “You were trying to hard to look at ease with it. Every new owner is upset the first day. I at least grew up knowing the rules and seeing the servants, yet still to take up that leash and the responsibility. For as much as they see to use we see to them. We become response for there needs every bit as they are driven to see to ours.”

Charity said. “It is just strange, and must be worse for you, having to bering him must have made it a hard trip. It can’t be easy to see him like that. Even knowing he is happy. Know then we have puzzled Kaneb long enough, come see what you think of my travel planes. Jab did help with them, so I do actually have planes not just a go north and then somewhere we will enter the road and come out at this gate.”

They lagged and moved to the table. Critern was back and at her side as she had ordered. She looked at him and shook her head. “I do wonder what Jab is going to say when I tell him tonight. He might need time to adjust, but if he wants I will pull you into the link to talk to him. Knell, before you make their legs hurt.”

Smiling he gladly sank to his knees, as he had been hoping she would have him do. Once he had she further delighted him by taking and tying his leash leaving him very little room to move, there by keeping him against her. The touching made it so he found it hard to be still, as his need for her grew strong by being so close. He looked up at her smiling, hoping it wasn’t bothering her to much to do this for him. How he wanted his lips on her ankle but even if she could his brother was upset enough. Charity shook her head, then taped her knee. He smiled and dared to whisper. “Thank you Mistress.” The kissed her knee, and did his best to stay still. It was nice to be deigned the ability to see the maps. It was easier not to know where they were as they traveled. To be dependant on the others.

Charity looked at him then at the other tow. “It must have been a long trip. I do hope It didn’t trouble over much. now then this is how they expect us to travel. See I put in some gates, and it does look reasonable when you don’t know the [lain here can not be ridden across as is sand under the thin coating of grass and on top  of that, well none live long who dare enter it. It is not a place we have ever been near so few in the company know that. Now this is what I am actually planning. I know we could go faster, but this is as fast as I can reasonably explain.”

After they left Charty untied the leash and stood, pulling Critern to his feet, she then got him undressed and on the post. “Now then you are going to wait there a bit. You need to get adjusted to the fact that I truly am going to cane you, and if I don’t check in with Jabari soon he is going to start worrying, and that will upset Asuim more than my putting you on that post has. Asuim I am sorry, but you know the training. He needs me to do this. I don’t like it any more then you do, but it has to be done before the need makes him ill. This is just so strange.”

Asuim bowed. “I know that he needs it, I also know you go out of your way to not be there when I need it. That is what has me upset, I wish it wasn’t needed.”

Charity said. “I didn’t think I was being so obvious. Yes I hate it, but I can use the canes. I knew this would be necessary when I set out, which is why I so quickly had a reason Mike and Luke were both needed with De. Now then I really had best check in, I can see from your shoulders he is getting upset. Will you see there is some tea? They are in Crater now and touching those wards make me a bit chilled, as silly as it is.”

Asuim bowed. “I will have a cup to you shortly Mistress.”

She nodded and looked off across the table, but saw Jabrai and a camp fire. ‘Hi Love, sorry we reached the plains at supper time to find the set up and waiting. After supper I was going over travel plans with Kaneb and Garstern, and of course that had to involve a few glasses of wind and a hand of cards. You know how they are. So how are things there? I take it you have met up with your escort, looking at the tents.”

Jabari smiled. ‘And the increasing stress in Asuim finely had you kick them out so you could call me, with out them worrying because you wanted a warm drink. I should have known. Yes we met up with that Lord Knight Heanric, and another young priest your brother and Mike have been talking to most of the evening, someone they were in school with I think it was. How are things there? You seem a bit stressed.’

Charity smiled and hoped she found the words. ‘Those to placed me at the center of the head table, in a full dinging hall. Marking me as the ranking officer in the camp. So not right, but not much I could do. Then those few people he was sending is a full black star unit, now under my command.’

Luke said. “How’s the wife Jad?”

Charity laughed. ‘Tell him I am well and might as well tell them about the troops. Your mother sent six mages, all ranked strong.’

Jabari said. ‘Better yet let me pull him in, he is truly worried about you, he has been looking increasingly stressed all day.’ He held out his hand. “Here, ask her yourself, she says to well you she is well, but you will relax more hearing it from her.”

Luke sat down and took his hand. “Now you know I am going to have to explain this once one of the priests turns this way.”

Charity said. ‘Just tell him the truth, that you are talking to Jab’s wife and I want to know if he can have a Priest to meet me at the Wise Gate in a week and a half. With luck we will get to Clarksdown about an hour and a half behind you. Those few guys are an elite unit made of duel mages and fighters. The added mages lets me make the gates cover a bit more land. There are none below Master level in the party, six are going to De and are high masters to low adapts. So that will help.’

Luke said. ‘That it will, and I hope you have healers. There is a full field hospital and real barracks in the North filed, but the hospital is unstaffed, and very few healers are with the regs. Gess they fear getting tied to a chair so refused to work with us. Though Inspector Heanric is sure there will be more soon. Yes Inspector. They promoted him just so there would be one there we wouldn’t gag and toss in the closet right from the start. He finds it funny, and I was hoping to thank you for the promotion.’

Chairty said. ‘It was one guy, not the whole team, and if he would have just stayed to his side of the tent I wouldn’t have tied him up. Besieds it was either that or we ended up with another person to treat. And why did you toss the soy in a closets? I just meant for you to take him out of the room as I couldn’t be sure the shields would keep him from sending a message out. However Kaneb’s folks are made exactly like your typical company would be, and that included a full medical tem. One of whom is and elemental mage. Then there are six in my unit that have passed the field healing test. Which is more then I could have done when Chad let me tend people.’

Jabari laughed causing the others to turn. “She didn’t?”

Luke nodded. “Sorry we are just chatting with Jabari’s wife, the contact lets me him get me in the link he has. I was explain the lack of healers and she said it was just one she tied so they shouldn’t be scared of her. I don’t know that many know it was her, after all she had been ordered not to be in the camp by then. I wasn’t there but Warren was. As to the inspector, I have no idea how he came to be in a closet I was told they left him on the bed. Anyway inspector Charity wants to know if you can have a priest waiting for them at the Wise Gate in a week and half. As she doubts they will let them in without one there. There are more mages then expected so she can cut another day as they can share the gate costs. The Olive knights have a full healing team, and then those few soldiers that were going to come have fun has turned  out to be a full unit of highly trained fights with trained mage gifts. Six who have some medical training.”

Jabari nodded. “I knew we should have asked more questions when my uncle said he had a few bored soldiers he was going to send to Char and I for a bit so they could have some fun. Sorry De, I turkey didn’t think it was more then a dozen or so.

De said. “I have no problems, like I said the extra hands will be welcome. Though I bet Charity is hating it if they put her in command of them.”

Charity had to laugh at the inspectors face. ‘Luke that is not what I meant. You now have him completely confused.’

Luke said. ‘Warren is coming with the coffee and will ask about you when he does. Perhaps that will help. That doesn’t look like your tent? And what has you so upset? I hate to tell you but according to the inspector Father is holding a family gathering around the time we are do in. his wives are already there, he just stayed back to escort us. I mean it sounds like he called in everyone. I guess we really should have practiced those table manners.’

Charity shook her head and laughed. “Seems father is holding a big gathering right around the time we are do in. That means a lot of kids and formal events. Say I should see if they brought there formal ware or can get it. Asiuim, did you get Jabari and my full outfits in the bags. If I end up having to sit through them might as well have some fun.”

Asuim bowed. “Yes Mistress, with the crowns as well, I heard you say there might be. I checked with the Princes servants and they do have theirs as well.”

Charity smiled. ‘What you say Love, it will truly be more commutable then what I would be expected to wear. As to the tent, well they used this to see I received a fit tent and I have no idea what they did with mine. I take there are some smaller ones as well.’

Jabari said. ‘Now who is being mean. Though I must say it does sound like fun. Might want to leave of the crowns though, we will see how things look close to the time. I didn’t even think of the tent, but should have. Well as the troops are coming from my relatives it would just make since they would want you to have one of there tents as they worry about us out here. Or some such.’

Warren handed them each a cup, and sat down on the other side of Jab. “So how is Char tonight? Were the others there? How much longer must she be away? I hate here being alone.”

Jabari said. “Move you hand a bit more, you have to do more the brush me before I can pull you in love, I’m not Char.” The inspector coughed and then turned a bit red as Warren put his hand firmly on Jabari’s leg, a bit to high to be casual. “Yes that is much better, there you go. She is well and accusing us of being mean them wanting us to put on the formal wear from home for one of the meals.”

Charity said. ‘I am not alone. Honestly guys you don’t have to tease him so. Do remember local customs, boys. Next thing I know you will all go to the same tent just to see what he does. Yes I did have Asuim share my sleeping bag a few times, and the servant they sent is fully trained, in spite of what was agreed to.’

Luke said. ‘This is our campfire he is at Sis, they told us to keep to our customs at our fire and not worry about offending them. I can’t help it if he failed to fully realize what that meant. It is tempting, but I just can’t go that far. Doesn’t bother me a bit to have Warren bouncing between us, but I just can’t share the tent with your Husband. No more then you will take Mike into yours.’

Heanric said. “I am getting the idea that Charity and Jabari are married? Is that what you are getting at, or are they just in the same place?”

Luke said. ‘See it didn’t take him long. I wonder if he will help Father figure it out?’ “Yes sir, that is it. Was a bit shocking, but they fit will. They met when we were down South. I do wonder how long it will take Father to get it. I know it is a bit mean, but we wanted to see him when he found out. Besides which he never asked if she had anyone so I saw no reason to tell him she did.”