Future Past PT 1.

Posted on Thu Jul 9th, 2026 @ 5:03pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Captain Kevin, Lord Kilbane of Sanquhar

11,798 words; about a 59 minute read

Mission: Delivering on the undeliverable.
Location: USS Thall/Earth
Timeline: Current.

The trip back to Earth had been run of the mill, the crew were told that it would be light duties and that suited them just fine as they'd basically been on standby or on a mission for more that eighteen months. As they made their approach, Finchley was informed and he told the helm to make a standard orbit then contact Starbase Alpha that they were ready to dock.

After about ten minutes they were given the all clear and soon they were inside the base and docked. Finchley gave a sigh, one that was audible than he'd meant it to be, but nobody said anything, he was entitled to do it, he was the CO after all. He stepped down from his chair and walked across to Kilbane, "That's us docked, have you had any thought on what you're going to do with your weeks R and R?"

Kilbane turned slowly to face him, "Go home, not that it's any of your business Commodore."

"I see" Finchley replied, realising that the person who had been his best friend was now not, more so, he didn't even try to hide it, "Well enjoy yourself, just be back here in seven days Captain."

Kilbane didn't reply, he simply nodded. With that, he left the bridge to go back to his quarters and collect the bag he'd already packed and messaged Milani, "Milani, that's the ship docked, I've got my bag, can you meet me in transporter room one, oh, and do my a favour, I need a little cheering up, wear something...sexy...please."

Milani sighed, she had already dressed in comfortable trousers and a loose top. Walking to her closet she disrobed and placed her comfy clothes in her sack. Choosing a bright scarlet halter dress that showcased her breasts that moved in the Tholian silk her nipples rubbing on the material. "Is this too short?" she asked herself as it barely covered her buttocks. Turning herself around in the mirror she decided she would have to wear panties which she hated, then deciding not too she took a matching silk thong which she put on creating a barely possible cover. To complete her outfit she placed her Betazoid royal collar around her slender neck. This glittered enhancing the colour of her eyes. Letting her hair down the golden curls cascaded down her naked back covering her buttocks. "Mm" she announced to the room as she placed a wicked looking knife in her bag. "Never be too careful." she said as she secured her quarters and left.

Arriving at the transporter room, he checked himself one more time. He'd decided to wear his black latex trousers, shiny crimson shirt and a pair of black ankle boots.

As sh walked into the transporter room she smiled as she saw him

His mouth fell open as he saw what Milani was wearing and he was sure that everyone in the room could hear how fast his heart was beating. He crossed over the room to meet her and took hold of her hands, "Well, I have to say, and I hope this doesn't come across as being seedy, you could tell me to do anything you want and I'd do it."

She gave him a light kiss on the cheek brushing the scarlet lipstick mark off his cheek and took his arm.

Kevin looked round at the Ensign at the controls, "Set the co-ordinates I gave...y..." and he saw that the Ensign too was standing there open mouthed looking at Milani. "Excuse me Ensign, eyes up and set the co-ordinates I gave you."

The Ensign snapped back to duty mode and at once did as he was ordered, "Co-ordinates set Sir, just as you asked."

Kevin nodded and then led Milani up onto the PAD, "We're going to make quick stop over in Main Street New York and have some dinner before we transport over to the castle."

"Sounds good, I'm already hungry" she said stepping up onto the PAD.

"Energise" Kevin said. The room around them dissolved and then a flash of white occurred and they were...in Castle Sanquhar. "What the hell!" Kevin said, looking around him, "I told the Ensign to set the co-ordinates for Main Street New York."

It was at that point that he realised that Harris was standing beside him, "Your Grace, like I said, there's a rather pressing matter I need to speak with you about."

Kevin was confused, this was the point where the holodeck programme had been saved, why were they back on the holodeck.

"Computer!" he yelled, but there was nothing, "COMPUTER!!!" he reiterated, but still there was nothing. He looked at Milani, "I don't understand, what's happening?"

Milani attempted to cover herself as Harris looked at her with disapproval written all over his face. Truth be known she felt slightly dizzy and grabbed Kevin's arm to steady herself. She shook her head as confused as him.

Kevin looked at Harris, "What year is it Harris?"

Harris looked slightly bewildered, but answered, "It's the year of our Lord, Eighteen hundred your Grace."

Kevin swallowed hard and looked at Milani, "This isn't the holodeck programme, that's set in Eighteen ten..."

She took her comm out of her bag, "Milani to Thall" she said to be confronted by loud static. Harris, in the meantime had taken a cloak down from the hall stand and draped it around Milani's shoulders.

"Just in case you are cold Milady." he said looking less disapproving as he noticed her distress. "What's going on Kevin?" she asked her fingers covering the knife in her bag. What happened to New York?"

"I'm not exactly sure" Kevin replied. He looked at Harris, "Harris, have the Lady or I been out of your sight since we returned from our riding?"

"No your Grace, you told me that Hamish and Maggie would be coming up to collect venison cuts, then I started to tell you about a pressing matter that needs your attention, you've been in plain sight all the time."

Kevin scratched his head, not understanding what had happened, then he remembered. Looking at Milani he said, "As we beamed out, there was a white flash, that must have something to do with what's happened, interfered in some way. Though why would that occurrence bring us here, and be set several years before the holodeck programme?"

"Arch!" Milani ordered and looked around not really expecting to see the equipment they needed to escape. "Well this is a problem. Have we gone back into the past a for a reason, because there is a problem with the holodeck and something or someone wants us to think this. Do you have a comm?" she asked. "I left mine in my quarters." She shivered, "do you think it is colder here than last time, the quality of the air also seems different?"

"Yes I do have my COMM" Kevin answered, taking it out of his pocket, "Kilbane to the bridge" he said, but there was nothing but static. "Kilbane to anyone, please reply" he then said, more urgency in his voice, but again there was only static. He looked at Milani, "Nothing. As for your other questions, I have no idea why anyone would want to bring us here to this timeline."

A harumphing sound brought his attention back to Harris, "Oh, yes, you wanted to speak to me urgently on a matter, what is it Harris?" Kevin asked.

Harris slightly nodded his head towards Milani and said, "Perhaps Lady Milani should go inside Sir."

"No, anything you need to say can be said in front of Lady Milani, I trust her completely and so can you" Kevin answered.

"Very good your Grace" Harris said, "I have it on good authority that the Earl of Westmorland is soon to march an army up to this area with the intention of taking the land for the King."

Kevin was stunned by the news, "Who told you this?" he asked Harris.

"I have it on good authority from Archie Ross your Grace, he got word from his cousin who lives on the border" Harris replied, "It's believed the Earl has amassed eight thousand soldiers and also has canon" he added.

Kevin took a physical step back, "Is there any kind of timeline that's been mentioned as to when his army is to march?"

"Archie said he thinks they could be on the way in as little as ten days Sir" Harris replied.

"We must send word to the locals and farms around the castle, there's no time to waste" Kevin said decisively, "and begin defensive preparations for those who wish to shelter in the castle." He looked at Milani, "Whatever brought us here, I think this has something to do with it."

Milani nodded. "Well we had better get into character, I for one am embarrassed to be here wearing this here. I would like to change, in fact we both should then." she said.

"It's not my fault we ended up here in this timeline" Kevin replied, "saying your embarrassed to be dressed as you are makes me think you think it is and that I did this deliberately!" he added, and looking at Harris he continued, "send Mrs Shepherd up to the Lady's room to help her change!", he then stormed off calling, "Harris, you're with me, it would seem I'm wrongfully dressed on purpose, let's not make me be an additional embarrassment!"

Milani stood, dazed, she had not blamed him for anything it was just that she had felt 'exposed' in the situation. She watched him storm off and walked upstairs to Mrs Shepherd who waited on the long gallery. Milani noted her looking askance.

"Milady why are you dressed for bed when it is nearly noon?"

Milani blushed but said nothing. entering the bedroom she remembered Mrs Shepherd opened up the huge wardrobe. What do you wish to wear Milady?"

Something small, unobtrusive, trousers of possible?"

Mrs Shepherd tutted. "Milady you will not wear trousers in this house whilst I am alive!"

Milani thought she would not chose to be combative. "No hoops then." she said.

Mrs Shepherd nodded and reached in bringing a plain gown edged in the collar and bosom with Kilbane tartan, "Milady?"

Milani nodded and in a few minutes was fully dressed the outfit finished by a soft pair of kid boots and a warm tartan shawl. "There" she said as she stood back pleased. "Now I had better get back to the kitchen to begin cooking for an army." She left and Milani stood there in the quiet. She felt naked without her communicator, this world was not yet hers and there was something terribly wrong. As she sat in the quiet she became aware of something that sounded like whispering from the corridor. "Hello....Mrs Shepherd?" she called and wandered out of the bedroom. following the whispering she walked down the gallery trying to hear what was being said "Kevin ...is that you?" she again asked.

Reaching the end of the gallery she opened the door at the end. Entering another bedroom she gasped at the cobwebs, the tattered and torn bed hangings that looked as though they were soaked in blood, the rolled up carpet and the wooden barriers on the windows, at least that was what it looked like she thought. the whispering had stopped and she turned to leave. As she turned she found a man in front of her. He looked old, the clothes he wore were ripped and torn. He smiled and Milani felt something cold slide into her. She stepped back horrified as a stiletto blade slipped out of her abdomen. Looking down she held her hand over the wound as she watched the man turn sideways and disappear into a flash of light. "KEVIN!" she screamed and fell onto the bed.

As he left his room, now changed into more suitable clothes for the period, Kevin heard the familiar voice of Milani shouting his name. He began running towards where the shout had come from and entered the room at the end of the galley. His heart jumped a beat as he saw Milani slumped on the bed, and running over he took her in his arms and began saying her name, "Milani....Milani.....MILANI!!!"

Getting no response he shouted at the top of his voice, "HARRIS, GET UP HERE NOW!!!!"

A few moments later, Harris ran into the room and looked at Kevin and then Milani, "Your Grace, what's happened?"

"I don't know" Kevin replied, "I heard Mila...Lady Milani...shout my name and when I got here she was slumped on the bed!"

"She's bleeding Sir, from the abdomen..." Harris pointed.

Kevin looked down, seeing the blood for the first time, and he immediately ripped her clothing around the wound. "It's a narrow wound, but it's deep" Kevin said.

"I'll fetch Mrs Shepherd, she knows how to deal with wounds and what to use on them" Harris replied, "then I'll send word for Doctor McPherson to come at once."

Kevin put his hand over the wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding but it didn't really work, so he tore a piece of his shirt off and started to staunch the bleeding. A minute later Mrs Shepherd appeared and hurried over to them and knelt down beside Milani, checking the wound once she'd removed Kevin's hand and the piece of torn shirt.

"It's a dagger wound, thin edges thankfully so no ragged tear when it was removed" Mrs Shepherd said, "Sir, fetch me some hot or warm water and clean rags, once you've done that, go to Lady Milani's room and bring me the wicker sewing basket that's beside the table at her bed. He didn't want to leave Milani, but he also knew that he was next to useless to deal with this wound with out a Starfleet emergency medical pack, something that wouldn't be invented for another four hundred years.

Gently lifting Milani and placing her back on the bed he said, "Yes, yes, warm water and fresh rags....sewing basket..." and rushed from the room.

Mrs Shepherd ripped a few pieces from her own white underskirt and began to staunch the wound again. As she worked, she began to speak to Milani, "Milady....Milady...can you hear me..."

Milani heard a voice that seemed very far away that she vaguely recognised. Coming back to consciousness she felt a searing pain in her abdomen and remembered. She attempted to put her hand over the pain and found it brushed away. Opening her eyes she saw Mrs Shepherd bending over her, she looked for Kevin and saw his concerned look. "I am fine" she said as she attempted to sit up and was pushed quite forcefully back down on to the bed. "Kevin what is this room?" she asked.

"This was the room of one of my ancestor, James, Lord Kilbane of Sanquhar" Kevin replied, "he was murdered on the orders of the then Earl of Westmoreland. James had invited the Earl up to this castle to try and bring an end to the border wars that had been going on for more than forty years between our two families. The Earl had bought the loyalties of a nearby crofter, Murdo Caunachy who then murdered James here in this very room. Murdo was never caught and the Earl on hearing that James had been murdered left the castle immediately and returned south. James murder was a catalyst for an escalation of the wars, one which still runs to this time."

"OW" Milani exclaimed as Mrs Shepherd began to stitch her up but then began to feel better. "Thank you Mrs Shepherd" she said.

"I will be finished soon milady but I think you should rest for the night," she looked around and shivered, "but not in here, this room should be locked shut."

Milani looked at Kevin, "I would say that perhaps our current situation correlates to this?"

"I believe so" Kevin replied, "but you haven't said how this situation happened to you, can you tell me please, but before you do..." and he turned to Mrs Shepherd, "Can you leave us now Mrs Shepherd, thank you for your assistance, leave the door open."

Mrs Shepherd looked at Milani, concern still on her face regarding the wound and how it was seeping a little through the stitches, "As you wish your Lordship, but may I reiterate that the Lady should not exert herself for the rest of the evening and night."

"Yes, thank you Mrs Shepherd, I'll make sure that Lady Milani does as you say, after all, neither of us would want to suffer your wrath" Kevin replied.

"Just remember your Grace, I used to put you across my knee when you were a laddie if you were impudent" Mrs Shepherd said as she stood up and gave him a scowling look, "please don't think you're that old that I won't do so now!"

"My apologies Mrs Shepherd, I was being flippant, I will try and hold my tongue in future" Kevin answered, giving her a small bow from the waist.

"See that you do my Lord, see that you do..." Mrs Shepherd answered, and with that she looked at Milani, "If you need me at any time Milady, just send for me and I'll come." With that she nodded, gave Kevin one more disapproving look, turned and left the room.

"You know, I've faced many people in battle and not been scared, but Mrs Shepherd frightens the living daylights out of me!" Kevin said to Milani, "Now, what happened here my sweet" he added, moving across and kneeling before her taking her hand in his.

"I an sorry this happened Kevin, I am usually in much more control but after Mrs Shepherd helped me into appropriate clothes I began to hear faint whispering, for a moment I though she had not left but it drew me into the corridor and down to this room. As soon as I had entered I knew there was something wrong." she shook her head, "I am so stupid, anyway I felt someone behind me, her was tall with dark hair, he seemed somewhat dusty, his clothes, once jewelled and expensive were torn and dusty. He was inches away from me when he smiled and I felt pain...then he was gone. The next thing I knew you were here." She smiled and reached down, "This hurts!" she announced. She looked thoughtful. "One thing I did feel was that he had something to tell me and that it has something to do with our current situation. Now help me up so I can go downstairs to the couch."

She moved herself gently off the bed holding her wound. "I could do with a dram of the good stuff my love?"

Kevin stood up and helped Milani up off of the bed, and when she mentioned having a dram, he heartily agreed. Taking their time, they finally made it to the library and Kevin helped Milani to a couch where she could sit comfortably. Ensuring she had cushions around her and a blanket to keep her warm, Kevin walked across to the decanter on the table, unstopped it and poured two large glasses of whisky then returned to sit beside Milani. "When you said he was gone, were you able to see how?" he asked her.

She shivered, "I have seen some odd things but this...he just.....sank into the floor." She took a sip of the strong drink feeling happy to feel is slide down warming her. " Can you remember your family history Kevin, in the year eighteen hundred did the Earl of Westmorland march here for battle?" The fire began to energise the room with it's warmth and Milani began to relax, a feeling she tried to fend off.

"Yes he did, and a large one at that, some eight thousand strong plus canon" Kevin replied. He looked a little lost in thought, "but there was a little confusion as to who led our army to meet them as the Lord of the castle was away at the time and....", then Harris rushed in.

"Forgive me hasty entrance your Grace, but I bring grave news, our scouts were ambushed by the Earl's advanced guard and only ten of our soldiers returned" he told Kevin.

"How far away did this take place?" Kevin asked.

"About two and a half days ride Sir" Harris answered, "and with the Master away, we have no-one of rank to lead the defence of the castle or it's land against Westmoreland and his army."

Kevin turned and walked off to face the fireplace, obvious concern on his face. Staring into the fire, his thoughts ran amok, he wasn't of this time, neither of them were, but somehow the accident had brought them here for a reason, and it looked like their two lives were now interwoven into the past of his family and it's history. He turned to face Harris, "I'll lead it, call the muster, get every able bodied man to come to the castle at once, tell them to be armed with whatever they have at hand they can fight with."

"At once your Grace!" Harris replied, turning and running back out the room. Kevin walked across and knelt down beside Milani, "It looks as though we're here for a reason my love, yet I can't explain it, I can't recall another Kevin ever being mentioned in our families history. As for your mysterious attacker, I have no idea what's going on there, it'll have to wait. I'll have Mrs Shepherd help you to your room, I must go and see to the maps in the study, find out where...or if Westmoreland and his army can be met."

“No Kevin,” she stood slowly. “I am with you in this, you need my skills both as a strategist and a warrior.” She gracefully sank back down into the chair holding her wound. “Just, maybe not tonight…I’ll lie down for a couple of hours.”

"You're right, I do need your skills both as a strategist and warrior, but I need you to be safe till you're able to heal" Kevin replied.

Mrs Shepherd hurried into the room her hand to her cheek. “Ohh my lord, my lady, I have never…oh dear..”

Milani took her hand. “Please try not to distress yourself Mrs Shepherd, we will get through this here, have a sip of this.” She handed her glass to the visibly shaken woman.

“Oh my, I’m not sure…”

Milani pressed it to her lips and she sipped.” Milani could not help smiling and Mrs Shepherd’s wide eyes.

“Now, I am sure that is better now go prepare my room.”

“Yes Milady.” She bobbed a curtesy.

“Oh and sort me out some men’s clothes, I, we may also need some armour.”

Mrs Shepherd left the room.

Milani took Kevin’s hand. “I’ve been thinking, I wonder if someone from your past has hijacked the holodeck and is trying to kill you. Someone who could not get to you any other way and, with the holodeck safety’s off are wanting to succeed. If only I could find an interface I could produce some fighters of our own.”

Kevin thought about what Milani had just said, "I'm not discounting the idea my sweet, but this...all of this...it just seems so real and not like a holodeck programme. The one thing I can't explain is the attack on you, whom it was, why they did it and how they managed to disappear through the floor...now that sounds like a holodeck situation, but the rest is to real to be."

He held her close, but wary of her wound he didn't squeeze her hard for fear of causing Milani pain from her wound. "One way or another, we can deal with this, but I need you to be at your best and strongest, so let's get you to your room so you can rest up and Mrs Shepherd can have a look at your wound."

"Okay I will get some rest but another scenario is that we were taken in mid transport to some laboratory somewhere and this is some kind of induced somatic. Maybe I was injured to assess your feelings for me." Milani sighed, "I would give anything for a good nights sleep. "

Mrs Shepherd knocked and entered and Milani had to laugh. The housekeeper held in her arms a bundle of male clothing covered in rattling armour, containing a breastplate and a helmet. "I found these Milady, I'm not sure if you can find anything that might suffice." she bristled as she dropped the bundle on the floor. "I never thought I would see the day a woman would enter battle."

Not to worry Mrs Shepherd I can actually ....... oh, I feel dizzy, I need to lie down for an hour or so Kevin, help me to my bed."

Taking Milani's hand, he gently guided her to the bed and helped her lie down. Once he saw she was comfortable, he leaned down and kissed her gently saying, "You rest well my sweet, I'll come back in a little while to see how you are."

Milani's eyes closed and she slept. Mrs Shepherd looked at him. "I hope you don't mind but I put a drop of Mr Harris's sleeping draft into her drink, not much at all mind but I had the feeling Milady would not rest. Now please come downstairs Sir I have some cold cuts laid out in the dining room, you need to keep up your strength."

Kevin smiled at Mrs Shepherd, "That was a good idea Mrs Shepherd, hopefully it will help her as you say." With that, he followed her down to the kitchen area where the food was. Sitting down, he suddenly felt the weight of the situation they were facing and he let out a long sigh as he reached for some bread and cold meat. As he ate, Harris entered the room and came over to him, "Your Grace, the word has gone out to the local people and they'll begin gathering here at the castle shortly. If I may be so bold, we have little in the way of artillery, just a few cannon with a handful of balls and powder to fire them. We also don't have many men who have fired such cannon, and it's to late to begin full training others, it's a difficult situation we face."

Kevin looked at Harris bid him to sit down. Harris unaccustomed to such things sat down rather awkwardly across from his Master, folding his hands in his lap and awaiting a reply.

"Like many things in this world Harris, people who have a sense of duty learn quickly and adapt" Kevin began his reply, "Whilst we march, we can drill the firing orders into our soldiers so they at least have the basics, and once we reach our destination to meet Westmoreland and his army, we can go over it again only this time in practiced action, but not fire the cannon so we keep what little we have for the fight."

"Aye your Grace, like your Father before you, you have a sensible head on your shoulders, that's a very good plan" Harris replied. A sullen look came across the man's face and Kevin asked him, "Is there something bothering you Harris, you know you can speak freely when it's just you and I?"

"As your Grace knows" Harris said, "I'm not exactly in my first flush of youth, but I still want to do my duty by you and our kinsmen and women, I would like to ride along with you and the others your Grace, I would feel terrible staying here waiting to find out what's happened."

Once again, a smile came to Kevin's face, "I wouldn't have it any other way Harris, you've helped my family for many many years and we owe you much, I would be honoured to have you with us."

Harris himself actually smiled, then realised what he was doing and set his features straight again. Slapping his knees, he stood up and almost in a fluster replied, "Aye, well, we can't have you gallivanting off to meet Westmoreland and his bunch without me there to keep you straight and true to our troops!"

"No, that's true" Kevin answered, glad that Harris still showed his honour of serving the Kilbane's, even though he was advancing in years. "If you'll excuse me your Grace, I'll be away to see to those who gather at the castle before you come out to meet them."

Kevin nodded and watched as Harris left the room. Having people like Harris, alongside the other people who would be fighting for their land, gave Kevin an immense feeling of pride. He ate little of the food Mrs Shepherd had prepared for him, instead he walked the halls of the castle and planned how they would set themselves out for the upcoming battle. He feared that it would be a bloody day, and his fears also turned to Milani, even though she was injured, he knew she wouldn't let that stop her from taking her place alongside everyone else for the fight. It had been a little over an hour so he went back up to her chamber, gently opened the door and moved over to the bed.

Sitting next to her he said, "How do you feel my darling?"

Milani opened her eyes and, on seeing him she smiled. "I was dreaming Kevin, we were riding on a dragon, so high we could hardly see the earth." She put her hand on his, "I know what we might be facing but I need you to know I am with you, whatever you need me to do I will do and," she smiled once again, "I might be able to level our playing field a little..." she paused. "I remembered I had brought a small article with me, I always carry it in case I am attacked. It is with my clothes and it emits a forced polaron pulse that causes momentary unconsciousness. If it works maybe it would help." Milani sat up grimacing and swung her legs out of bed.

"I know you are Milani, and I wouldn't have it any other way" Kevin replied, smiling back. As he watched Milani swing her legs to the side of the bed, he moved to stand up, giving her more room. He'd noticed the pained look on her face but said nothing, knowing that to mention her pain would dampen the determination she had to be helping in the upcoming battle.

"That's a good idea" he answered, regarding the polaron pulse item, "but we'll have to disguise the use of it so that we don't make our people think we're witches or warlocks" he laughed. "Harris has said that the word has gone out for those who are able to help fight Westmoreland to come to the castle as soon as possible so we can work out a plan of attack. I think we should go down to the courtyard to see who's arrived, we may get as many as fifty or sixty which, though not many in number, is a good start, we can pick others up along the way as we march."

Milani tightly bound her wound and pulled on a cotton top and a tied leather jerkin on top of thick moleskin trousers. "I need to look at the weapons in the great hall." she said, "I will feel better with balanced steel at my side." she slipped the polaron pulse into her pocket

Taking her hand, he helped her across the room and down the stairs, then out through the doors that led to the courtyard. As they both stepped out side, Kevin's heart felt like it skipped a beat...there were about three hundred people there, men, women and youngsters. The pride in his heart knew no bounds as he looked around those gathered there, and he turned to Milani, "This is why I love this land so much, our kin have shown us they're willing to stand beside us to fight for what is sacred to them and us."

Milani smiled and squeezed his hand. "I will feel better when everyone has been sorted as to what they can do. " Then, for a moment she looked into the crowd and saw the pale figure of her attacker standing stock still pointing at her. Her breath caught in her throat and, as before she got the distinct feeling he, whoever he was was trying to tell her something.

Kevin heard the sharp intake of breath from Milani and turned to look at her, "What is it Milani, what's happened?" he asked.

Milani pointed, "Look Kevin, don't you see him, the man...ghost...whatever who wounded me, he looks less ethereal, more substantial, he is pointing at you now, trying to speak..." a sharp pain in her side accompanied the look as she set off through the crowd.

Kevin, looking at the figure Milani had pointed at, suddenly saw she had walked off into the gatherers and he rushed after her. Catching up with Milani just before she could reach the man, he brought her to a gentle stop and stepped in front of her to protect her just in case she was attacked again. Facing the figure he said, "State your business, what do you wan...", and he stopped speaking.

He looked closer, memories from long ago now beginning to come forward in his thoughts, "Wait, you're...no, it can't be...you're Torin MacFinlayson, I remember you, you were a friend of my Father...but you've been dead nigh on thirty years, you were killed at the battle of Auldgirth, fighting the Kings army!"

The man stood and looked at Kevin for a long time before answering, "Tis true, I fought at the battle of Auldgirth alongside your Father, and yes, I was struck down near the end of it...but I did not die" he replied. "I was close to death, as close as any man could be, but I was taken off the field by some of the Druids who had accompanied us to the battle. Your Father drove off the remains of the Kings army, chasing them out of our land for three days. By the time he returned, all of our fallen kin had been taken and buried and your Father presumed I had been too. In truth though, the Druids kept me alive and nursed me back to health over many months. When I was strong enough, I thought of returning home to see your Father and tell him what had happened, but something stronger inside me stopped me from doing so...I wanted to become a student in the ways of the Druids, They agreed to help me learn their ways, both good and evil. I studied for many years with them, but I still had an eye kept on your Father and his lands, just in case I needed to return. When he passed away, I mourned long, but I knew that you becoming the new Lord of Sanquhar was a good thing so I kept an eye on you. When I heard of the Earl of Westmoreland invasion of our lands by order of the King, I decided to return back here to the castle to help you, that's when I came across the Lady who's standing behind you. When she entered my old room I believed she had found out somehow about my return and was trying to kill me, so I struck first."

He looked down at the ground, then back up at Kevin, "I'm ashamed of what I did", and he looked round Kevin to Milani, "Forgive me my act of rashness my Lady, I apologise most sincerely for what I did to you and will make any reparations needed to show my apology is a true one."

Milani stood straight despite her pain, having been taught pain can show weakness. She nodded, "forgiveness given." she said. "Now what are we going to do about all this?" she asked hands on hips.

"Thank you my Lady, you're most generous" MacFinlayson replied.

"Right, now that we have that out the way, let's get down to how we sort and train the people we have here and those we meet on the march to meet Westmoreland" Kevin said, beginning to move off.

"If I may your Grace" MacFinlayson interjected, "I've heard that the Earl has some eight thousand soldiers plus cannon, you cannot expect to gather a force that strong, even with those we'll have adding to our number on the march. However, I may have an answer to this, but..."

"But what?" Kevin asked.

MacFinlayson looked down at the ground, then brought his stare back up to meet Kevin's, "But we could get additional help from another quarter, one that's...not of this realm."

"Explain!" Kevin demanded.

"As I said, when I was injured and the Druids helped heal me, I took it upon myself to stay and study with them, both good and evil ways" MacFinlayson answered, "The help I'm talking about would not be of this worldly realm."

Kevin turned to look at Milani, "Have you any idea what he's talking about?" he asked her.

"Damn I knew it!" Milani explained looking at MacFinlayson smiling. "I felt it the first time I saw you but disregarded it when you stuck your blade into me." Putting her arm on Kevin she continued. "You may not know this" she said turning her gaze onto MacFinlayson but you are from a race called the Q. I know this because part of my heritage from aeons ago is that of a watcher...."

MacFinlayson again looked at the ground then back up to Milani and Kevin, "You're partly right M'Lady" he said, "I've never told anyone since my return, but now is probably the right time, and it's right that you should both know. When the Druids took me from the battlefield, as I've said, I was very close to death. They did their very best to heal me, but it wasn't quite working, I hovered between life and death for days. I was lucid sometimes, other times I was ranting like a madman. During one of my more lucid moments, the head Druid brought someone to see me, they were different, I couldn't really say how I knew, I just felt it. Anyway, the head Druid told me they had done all they could for me, but that they believed I was to badly injured to make a recovery but there was another way to try and heal me. He told me that his 'brother' could help me but it would be at a cost to me personally. In the condition I was in, I didn't want to die so like a drowning person clutching at a straw, I told them that whatever it was I would happily do whatever it took to keep me alive. On hearing that, this mystery man knelt beside me and placed his hand on my chest and there was a glow that came from it, unlike anything I'd ever seen. I felt a surge of warmth go round my body, almost as if I were in warm water, then I passed out. Many days later I woke again to find my wounds healing and strength returning to my muscles, I was amazed but also frightened as I didn't know what this person had done to me. I was finally able to get up and went looking for the head Druid and his 'brother' and on finding the asked what had been done to me. Much of what was explained to me I didn't understand, but what I do know is that this 'brother' was called Q and the way he managed to heal me was by giving some of his life blood to me. In the following weeks and months, as I healed, I was told who this Q person was and how his intervention with me had changed me. Now, because I was given just a small amount of their life blood, I'm not able to do what he does, but alongside my Druid studies in spells, I can do certain things...and this is where I can be of help to you your Grace. True, you most likely won't be able to raise as many people as Westmoreland has in order to fight him, but I can give you...others to help you fight the Earl."

Kevin was captivated by what MacFinlayson was telling them, but at the mention of 'others' who could help he asked, "Who?"

MacFinlayson drew a deep breath before he answered, "The dead..."

Milani sighed and nodded, "not the dead again!" She exclaimed a small smile splitting her scarlet lips. "However we should not look a gift horse in the mouth Kevin because clearly we have not enough troops to win this. I would just like to know who is behind this whole thing. MacFinlayson where have you been until now?"

Kevin turned to look at Milani with a quizzical look on his face when she'd said about 'not the dead again', but chose not to say anything at that moment.

MacFinlayson turned to Milani, "As I said M'lady, I studied with the Druids...then I went with a party of them to study oversees. What we experienced within other cultures, who broadly had the same beliefs as ourselves, helped me learn more about my calling and how I could stretch myself to do more. I've only recently returned back home again, coming to the castle yesterday."

Kevin listened to MacFinlayson as he answered Milani's question, it only brought up more for himself but now was not the time to ask them as there was much to do in order to march southwards to meet Westmoreland and his soldiers.

"You're a canny leader my Father told me" he said to MacFinlayson, "Go and sort out the people who have come here into fighting groups and make sure you have some people in the groups with experience, they can help those without learn how to handle swords and weapons."

MacFinlayson tugged on his forelock and bowed his head as he replied, "Of course your Grace, straight away." He turned and left Kevin and Milani, shouting out orders to those gathered. Kevin then turned to Milani, "Can I ask what you meant earlier when you said 'not the dead again', it wasn't quite what I expected to hear?"

The smile left her face, "I will tell you the story another time Kevin, suffice to say I have met the army of the dead a long time ago. It's an experience that never leaves you. Sometimes I wake in the night ice cold, my eyes dead and my body withered. This is when they can take you. Make you one of them so you can never give in. Kevin I would rather we did not have to use them, I am not sure I can resist them again, you might loose me," she laughed and shuddered. they will take anyone who is elderly, feeble of mind, this is how they raise their numbers."

Kevin was full of concern for Milani, but there was a chance that the upcoming battle with Westmoreland and his soldiers could be evened up and it's one he couldn't let pass. "You know I would do everything within my power to protect you Milani, but this land and it's people..." he said, raising his arm up in a sweeping circle, "...this land and it's people also need protecting, and I have to use whatever it takes to do that. As much as it balks me to resort to what's effectively something unholy, if it means my people come out of this alive and we hold on to what is dear to us, then I must use it."

At that point, Harris arrived beside them and looked at Kevin, "My Lord, it's time."

Kevin nodded, then realised Harris was dressed to fight. "What are you doing Harris, you don't have to come, you've done more than enough for our family over the years?"

Harris swallowed hard, "My Lord Kevin, I served with your Father when he went into battle, and he was gracious enough to offer me a position in his household. I know I don't have to come, but it's my duty to protect the Kilbane family honour once again and I would count myself privileged if you would allow me to fight alongside you as I did your Father."

Kevin put a hand on Harris' shoulder and replied, "The privilege would be mine Harris, thank you for your kinsman ship and support. Go and find MacFinlayson and help him with what he's doing." Harris nodded once and moved off, Kevin watching him go, "That's another reason for taking what help we can, loyalty such as that" he said to Milani.

Two horses were brought to them and Kevin asked Milani, "Which one would you pr" then efer my love, they're the one's taking us into battle?"

Milani nodded and puller him to her kissing him deeply. After a moment she pulled back. "Just in case things go wrong, Kevin I love you, there I've said it. Help me up?" she asked as she took the reins of the black horse she had ridden earlier shortening them. "I will need a sword."

Kevin returned Milani's deep and passionate kiss, his heart filling with the love only those of coming together as one could feel. It was when she spoke afterwards he realised that there was real chance that one or either of the may not return from the upcoming battle. He helped Milani up onto her horse and as she asked about having a sword, Harris returned and said, "Your Grace, if you'll allow me?". Kevin nodded and Harris trotted off to the doorway that led from the castle out to the courtyard. Reaching inside, he picked up an bundle and trotted back to Milani. Uncovering the bundle, he reached up to hand her a sheathed sword, "It's the 'Lady Misneachail', it belonged to Lady Ailis, his Grace's mother, she always took it into battle with her husband."

Kevin smiled at Harris, "That's absolutely perfect Harris, thank you" he said. Harris in turn bowed to them both "Your servant as always your Grace, my Lady, then turned and walked off to find MacFinlayson again. Kevin looked at Milani as she held the sword and said, "Misneachail means showing courage, being strong in the face of fear and Ailis means Noble, which by all accounts she was. I couldn't think of a more noble and courageous person than you to wield such a sword."

Milani balanced the sword on the cantle and placed the coif and hauberk over the chain mail vest. She took the sword in her hand and tested the weight and balance in her hand, moving her hand enough to test her use of the sword before sheathing it. Nodding she looked at Kevin her face full of something she could not tell him. "I'm ready my love, whatever happens when the dead come do not look them in the face. They can then take you and.." her voice almost broke. "I' don't want life without you."

Mounting his own horse, he saw that Harris and MacFinlayson had grouped together those who had gathered at the castle. Gently kicking his horses flank, he trotted forward to the front of the large group and turned his horse to face them. "Nobody here asked for this fight, Westmoreland has invaded our land and we will meet him with everything we have to force him back to his own country. Many of you haven't fought in battle, but the one thing you have in you is courage, courage to defend this land we hold so dear to our hearts and will shed our blood for. Yes, your scared, and I won't deny it, so am I because if we lose this battle, we lose all that we've toiled and worked for, and I for one WON'T allow that. As we march to meet this foe, we'll be joined by more of our brethren and together, God willing, we'll route this vile army from our cherished land. Take heart, what we do today will mean freedom for ourselves and those who come after us, they'll have the same freedoms you have, the same comfort that we've defended our part of our beloved Scotland. Be brave, be true and above all, be fearless in routing out this disease that's come to try and take what doesn't belong to them, IT BELONGS TO US!!!"

With that, a huge cheer and shouts of defiance came from those gathered. Turning to Milani he said, "It's time my true love, to victory..."

Milani urged her horse forward feeling the sword in its scabbard waiting.

It had been two days since they'd all set off to meet Westmorelands army. Along the way, more and more people had joined their ranks, swelling them to around four thousand, but Kevin knew this wouldn't be enough without MacFinlayson's help. When they stopped for the night, he, Milani, Harris and MacFinlayson helped train those who were less battle experience so they at least stood a reasonable chance of coming out alive.

Scouts had been sent ahead to find out where the opposing army were and now they had returned to report their findings.

"Your Grace, Westmoreland and his troops are a day and a half march away" one said to Kevin. He nodded his head, "Thank you for bringing this to me, go and get yourself and the other scouts some food and water, then rest up."

"Thank you your Grace" the man said and turned round and walked off. Kevin sat pondering, a day and a half wasn't a lot of time, they needed to have more. He looked at Milani with a glint in his eye, "How do you feel about you leading a 'hit and run' party to try and slow Westmoreland's army down?"

"I would enjoy that very much, I am so very ready to get some action." She nodded to the bow on her back with a full quiver of arrows. "I was given this last night by our grooms boy. He insists on coming with us." her horse began to dance as if he had heard the words 'hit and run'. She brought him under control and patted him. "what do you want me to do my love?" she asked.

"Take Harris and twenty of our people, ride down the edges of the root that brings Westmoreland's army this way" Kevin began, "Like us, he'll more than likely have sent a scouting party ahead of him to gather information on us...find and kill them all, we can't afford to have any of them get back to report what they may have found out. After that, start laying traps like pits with staves in them, trip lines that release bent tree branches with sharpened sticks attached, lay nails point upwards in the mud so that any soldier who steps on them get badly injured. Unfortunately this may affect any horses who tread on them, but this is war and we have to stop that army at all costs. Use any other trap ideas you can think of to slow them down, but most of all, don't get caught, we don't have the people to mount a rescue and also fight a battle. Be safe my beautiful sweetheart, come back to me...all of us...so we can finish this once and for all and send Westmoreland and his army packing."

For a second Milani held his eye and then she stood in her stirrups. "I need twenty volunteers to come with me, we will need to be quiet so no unnecessary talking." she sat and waited for a group to begin to form round her. "Thank you." she said. "We will be walking north to those woods in the distance, it seems to me that this will be the place that Westmorland's men will make their camp." She turned her horse and left Kevin without a look back as she could not bear to see his face again until after the danger was over. They walked in silence for what seemed like a long time small giggles leaking from the lips of several boys of the probable age of thirteen. She smiled inwardly and prayed they would be able to giggle on the way back or loose their childhood forever. Despite the fact that she though they might still be a trick of photons and the lights of the holo deck she felt that she was unwilling to take the chance.

After about an hour they entered the broad canopy of the wood and Milani stopped and waited for the stragglers. When they were all gathered round her she began to speak. Turning to a young woman she had noted earlier she smiled and asked her name.

"I'm Mary meLady." she said in a thick brogue.

"For the love of the gods Mary why would you bring a babe with you?"

Mary looked down "Milady I..."

"Don't bother to lie Mary I can hear her...my hearing is excellent and your baby snuffles."

Mary nodded, reached into her dress and brought the little bundle out. "I am sorry meLady but I wanted to help and there was no one to look after her."

Milani dismounted and handed the reins of her horse to someone. She pushed the cloth out of the way of the little pink face and looked at the angelic smile as she quietly ate her thumb.

"Her name is Ann Madam," Mary said.

"Mary I want you to back to the Laird and tell him where we are, then go to the castle and tell whomsoever why you are there and they are to give you shelter, go now and take care." Milani walked back to her horse, mounted and looked around the group. Seeing what she wanted she crooked her fingers at the three boys. "It is very quiet in here, do you know why?" she asked.

"Milady it's the birds....they,"

one of the other boys pushed him, "Ye silly dunnet of course it's the birds." He looked at Milani "Thing is Milady the birds don't come into here because thee branches are te thick, there is no food for them and they canna perch."

Milani nodded, "I expect the three of you are really good at climbing?"

They nodded in unison. "I want you to find the three tallest trees you can climb, climb as far as you can and look around for any sign of the enemy encampment, be careful not to be seen or you will give us all away. This is a very important job I am giving you, now wait a minute." She turned and addressed the group in a low voice. We not only face Westmoreland's army we face another danger that will be fighting on our side but can still hurt us. If at any time you begin to feel cold, the coldest you have ever felt...and it will be immediate I want you to lie down flat with your eyes fast closed. Do not move, do not look until the warmth seeps back into your limbs. If you peep even a little your soul will be taken but your body will still be alive in a living death. This is the reward that looking into the eyes of one of the dead will bring you." She looked at the boys, "now go, no talking and climb carefully." They slipped away.

"No I need the rest of you to look for anything that can be sharpened into a weapon, collect as much as you can and who has a knife raise your hands. Several of the men and women raised them. She nodded, "good, I also have a knife if needed." she sighed. "We may need to kill, killing someone changes you forever and you never forget..... but.....we fight for our freedom, our way of life and our family friends and neighbours." She fingered the pulse weapon in her pocket. now lets go and search." she looked around for the boys who were nowhere to be seen and the group moved out.

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The tent flat was pulled back by the sentry on duty, the officer before him removed his hat, bent slightly and entered. Once inside, he moved towards the table at the end of the tent and stood in front of the wooden table over which a seated man studied a map. The seated man didn't look up or even acknowledge the presence of the officer before him till he was ready to speak.

Finally, after a few minutes, the seated man spoke, again without looking up, "Your report Captain Jensen."

Jensen cleared his throat and replied, "Your Grace, the camp has been set up, sentries posted, scouting party sent out and scavenging party's have been sent out also, just as you ordered."

"What news of this supposed 'army' that Kilbane has amassed, do we know anything about it?" Westmoreland asked, finally looking up.

"Information from our informants, brought to me a day ago, it would seem he has perhaps two to three thousand people...mostly farm labourers, crofters, peat cutters and the like, but also it would appear they have their womenfolk and young with them" Jensen replied, looking straight ahead of him, not daring to meet the Earl's gaze.

Westmoreland sat back in his chair, "And he intends to meet us with so few, the majority of which are peasants...I'll give him one thing, he has spirit. What about any ordinance, do they have cannon or such?"

"Not that I am aware of from our information, they are mostly on foot, some with horses, and carrying crude weapons" Jensen answered.

Westmoreland put his hand on his chin, looking thoughtful, "Surely Kilbane knows he stands no chance against us without heavy guns, not even he would be so stupid as to do battle with us without heavy guns."

"I know not your Grace, I don't know the man, nor what kind of tactics he uses" Jensen said.

"If he's anything like his Father, he'll have a trick or two up his sleeve so we need reports back from our scouting party as soon as possible" Westmoreland said.

"As soon as they're back I'll bring their report right to you your Grace" Jensen replied.

Westmoreland removed his hand from his chin and once more bent over the map in front of him, "This damnable country, it's all hills and bog, how do they manage to live here!"

"Is that a question your Grace?" Jensen asked.

"No, it's a statement" Westmoreland answered, "The maps we have are sketchy at best, however, we proceed with our orders, the King wants us to take these lands, come what may, and I shan't be the one to disobey that order. Thank you Captain Jensen, you may go."

Jensen clicked his heels together and bent from the waist, turned and left the tent. Westmoreland once again sat back in his chair and looked at the map in front of him, "What are you hoping for Kilbane, some kind of miracle, you can't possibly think you can win with so few in number" he said to himself.

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After a while two of the boys climbed down and returned to Milani who was seeing to trenches of the crude stakes deep enough not to be seen until on top of them. They would be deadly to men running holding weapons and wide enough to become troublesome to horses moving at speed. She had arranged for the trenches to be dug between the trees. She wiped her forehead as the boys approached, "well boys?" she asked.

"We can see what looks like their camp, lot of tents flying pennants. Lots of soldiers, none of them are currently marching Mam." they said almost together. She smiled, "now I have a very special job for you to do, you see those caves I expect there are plenty of bats living there?" the boys bobbed excitedly. "Yes plenty we watch them at night...."

Milani cut them off..."That's good, I want you to take some baskets and collect bat droppings, as much as you can and bring them back to me. " About an hour later they returned with two baskets full.

There were now six trenches a few yard apart with rows of sharpened sticks. Milani approached one of the med who had just finished his job. He touched his hat as she approached, "Milady?" he asked. "What is your name?" she asked. "Kilbody, Alistair Kilbody Milady. She smiled and he melted. "Alistair I want you to take someone else and return to the camp. Talk to the Laird and ask him to supply as much oil as we have along with as many terracotta pots and jugs as he can supply. Tell him I want to try to make Greek Fire. Also tell him we have eyes on Westmorland's camp they seem to be taking a meal, there appears to be several hundred men and the same on horseback Now go, hurry we may not have much time." He touched his hat once again and ran off. Milani walked to the caverns alone and, when she had checked there was no one else around she took out her weapon and began to scour the walls.

Reaching the camp they found Kevin. "Milord we have a message from Milady Milani." Alistair then told him what she had asked for.

Kevin smiled, only Milani could think of something as dangerous as Greek Fire, and at once he detailed a group to find as much oil and and as many terracotta pots as they could lay their hands on. A little time later they returned with five urns of corked oil and twenty terracotta pots. Turning back to Alistair he said, "You and the group take these things to Lady Milani and stay with her in case she needs help."

Alistair nodded, replying "Of course your Grace, at once." He motioned to the group to follow him as he picked up one of the oil urns and moved off in the direction he'd arrived.

Milani was just returning from the caves with her saltpetre as Alistair and someone else returned with the oil and pots. She pulled the baskets of guano over and give her jacket to Alistair. “I want you to rip it into strips about ten inches long and a couple of inches wide. They stood watching her. “I would ask you to retire a ways, say to those trees as this is very dangerous. What I am going to make is called Greek Fire and it is a very old method of a weapon. I will fill the pots with oil and then a mixture of the bat guano and the salt I scraped off the wall of the cave. I will also add a wick. Once lit the wick will burn off, before then the pot must be thrown as far as possible into the enemy. One the pot breaks the oil will react with the heat and the other materials and explode. Whatever it touches will burn and not stop. They will not be able to extinguish it.” She began her work. Now, walk away and continue with the staves.”

After a couple of hours she had made all the pots and waved them back over. “There that’s done, take them all back to the Laird, he will know what to do. I will have one last look at our enemy and return.”

Alistair said, “my lady I don’t think you should do that, they are so near.”

Milani looked at him. “I will be fine, I know what I am doing now go.”

He shrugged his shoulders and went off muttering the rest of the helpers carrying the pots at arms length. Milani laughed and passed her arm across her forehead. Mounting her horse which had been contentedly munching the spring grass and headed through the trees. She was nearly at the edge when her horse shied. She was so tired she fell off straight into the arms of an enemy soldier. She kicked out and round kicked catching him in the crotch, as he went down so did Milani as another soldier knocked her out.

“Get up stupid!” He said to his comrade, unless you want me to tell everyone a woman took you down…..now, help me with her, we’ll get her back to camp and see what we can do with her.” He laughed as her horse turned and galloped off.

Kevin watched as the party he'd sent out returned. He was a little concerned that he couldn't see Milani so he approached Alistair and asked where she was. "Lady Milani decided to stay and take one last look at the enemy camp your Grace, she told us to come back here with these pots of Greek Fire and that you'd know what to do with them."

Kevin looked away towards the direction of the path the party had come back along, an uneasy feeling now coming over him, "Right, take the pots and store them in the woods over there, away from everyone, just in case something should happen to them and they go off. Once you've done that, come back here, I was to speak with you."

Alistair nodded and said, "Immediately your Grace" and turned to nod to the group with the jars to follow him. Returning to Kevin, he stood before him, eyes on the ground, "You wanted to speak to me your Grace."

"Yes, we're returning the site you were at with the Lady Milani, I can't understand why she'd do what she's done and I want to know that she's alright" Kevin replied. "Of course your Grace, I'm your to command."

The two of them set off back along the path, and not to long afterwards saw Milani's horse trotting their way. Kevin eased it to a stop and took hold of the reigns, the uneasy feeling from earlier now returning but now escalating to fear that something had happened to his beloved Milani. Looking at Alistair he said, "Run back to camp, get Harris, MacFinlayson and two other swordsman and hurry back to where with the Lady Milani before you returned to camp. I'm going to take the horse and ride there now, see if I can find out why Mil...the Lady Milani's horse is returning with out her riding it, now be quick!"

Alistair nodded his head and ran off towards the camp as fast as he could, Kevin mounted the horse and turned it around to gallop back the way it had just come. His fear for Milani's life was growing by the minute, what had happened to her...

Milani woke being carried over the smelly shoulder of an enemy soldier and listened to them talking.

"Whoever she is she must be aligned with our enemies, keeping a lookout for them."

"Of course she is stupid." the other soldier intoned. Sargent Potts will know what to do with her."

"That old bugger wouldn't know what do with something like this," he slapped Milani's bottom.

Milani knew she could reach down and grab his sword, or what looked like some kind of sidearm. Slowly, ever so slowly she reached...and then....stopped. Why don't I let them take me to their camp, perform a requisition find out what is going on. She remained still.

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"What there?" a strong voice sounded as the three of them entered the camp.

"We found this woman on a horse back there between the trees sir. Thought she might be a spy Sargent Sir." Milani snorted with laughter turning it into a moan. If this was the lot of tis army they would easily win she thought.

"Bring her to Captain Jensen, he will know what to do with her, and remove your hand from her buttocks, she is a lady can't you see, dolt."

The took her a little further and dumped her gently on the ground.

"Oh where am I?" Milani moaned and sat up.

"I will ask the questions Madam." Captain Jensen said as he gave her a cup of water.

She took it, grateful for the drink. She stood and looked around. A large white tent stood in front of her. An older man in a fine uniform and a tri cornered hat exited. "What the devil is going on here Jensen?" the man said.

"Your Grace this woman was found on horseback in the copse, the men brought here here in case she knew anything."

"Bring her inside Captain Jensen," his Grace said.

Milani giggled. "what a funny hat he has on!" she announced. "Is is teatime?"

Her arm was taken and as she entered she was surprised at the luxury inside. Jensen pointed to a chair for her to sit on, "I think she might be an idiot your Grace."

"An idiot on a horse, I do not think so." Westmorland said. "Now my dear who are you?" he asked her.

Milani giggled again. "The moon is cheese today and it is teatime." she noticed a table covered in maps. "The sun is butter!" she announced and giggled again."

"Madam who are you?" Westmoreland said again in a louder voice. She giggled again touching his buttons.

"Shiny." she said.

"Captain Jensen take her outside and tie her up I will question her again soon."

"Your Grace." he grabbed her arm and took her outside tying her wrists together. "Watch her" he grabbed a soldier cleaning his rifle and left. The soldier looked at Milani and she looked at him. Smiling she licked her lips and giggled as she undid her tied hands. He smiled at her. Milani looked around, they were at the back of the tent, away from others. She made up her mind and with her foot took him to the ground with a round kick. Using an neck pinch she rendered him unconscious and crawled under the tent.

TBC

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