Camilla suppressed a low whistle, she might not know the name of every local Baron in the Empire, but she certainly knew who the Count of Middenheim was. Instead she forced herself to sketch a rough curtsey to Jiselle in the Brettonian fashion. It wasn't much in the confines of the boat but the girl brightened immediately at the familiar gesture.
[b]
"You have my and my uncles thanks Herr Reiner,"[/b] she said, "The Knights of the White Wolf will surely toast your deeds."

[b]"Aye,"[/b] said the swordsman, Jory, and he seized Cydric's hand in a reluctant but strong grip, "And my thanks as well by the Winter." His voice remained unenthusiastic, despite what was clearly high praise. The moment was broken when the boat ground onto the bank of the river to Camilla and clearly to Gilbrecht's great delight. It had been a near thing to going under.

The two sworsdman wasted no time in carrying the girl ashore, clearly eager she not get wet. It seemed an absurd precaution, seeing they had soaked the girl when they dragged her into the boat and she was filthy besides.

The peasants too thumped ashore eagerly and look set to disappear into the trees.

[b]"Wait,"[/b] Camilla called to them climbing out of the boat and wading ashore. Most of them didn't but one, a tall fellow with lanky blond hair and a pock marked face turned to look at her as she waded onto dry land.

[b]"Who was that priest, and why were those pirates hanging people?"[/b] she demanded, shivering at the memory of the men falling from the gallows.

[b]"They were enemies of our Lord, we were taken to the island because our Lord willed it. To ensure that you came to take back the Lady of the Mountain,"[/b] the man responded as though the words were the most matter of fact thing in the world. One of the swordsman stepped infront of the girl, sensing something was wrong, even if he didn't understand quite what.
[b]
"You knew they would take you? They killed some of you yet you went willingly?"[/b] Camilla asked incredulously. The lanky man shrugged as though her confusion was perplexing.

[b]"We needed you to come and take back the Lady of the Mountain. It was important the advesary didn't have her,"[/b] the fellow went on in his maddeningly reasonable tone. He smiled at her encouragingly as though she were a particularly bright child putting together the pieces of a puzzle.

[b]"The Fisher King we have been hearing about, he sent you didn't he,"[/b] she said in a soft voice, her eyes cutting to Jisele who's eyes immediately widened. The lanky man's smile was like the dawn.

[b]"Of course,"[/b] he said simply and then turned and disappeared into the treeline, following the others. The stomach fell out of the bottom of Camilla's stomach as he did.


END OF CHAPTER TWO 
[@POOHEAD189]