I'd thought you'd spend an evening with your newly husband then rise early and discuss battle plans.

He accepted her offer sit down but before he sat down he went to the cabinet where he had hidden a good bottle of whiskey and got 2 good glasses then went back to the table and sat down. He opened the bottle of whiskey and poured 2 glasses with whiskey. He gave her one of the glasses and raised his as a toast.

Congratulations.

He downs his whiskey quickly. Then looks at her waiting for her to speak of the plans but he had remembered she asked him if the soldiers taken new positions.

After reviewing the soldiers looks like all but 4 have been placed in positions. Go ahead.

Molly remained paused as she waited for Majestics objections to be released. Smiling gently, "Ye know I hate being so predictable. Even to ye. Alrik will grow used to me, but then again it is how I am. It is part of me, love or hate it.I like to believe it brings a unique spice to experiencing me." Molly winks before nodding her head, and tossing back a whiskey as well.

"Foxy there is a small bed in the back. Please use the area to rest. This way ye be close to myself and Charles should we need anything in the night."

Molly now sat back hiding her wish to hiss to the burn of the whiskey. Likely her eyes would ruin her secret. With a slight clearing of her throat she pointed to the map with a single out stretched finger.

"Now I think everyone will expect us to go here, but I would like to go over here. Dividing the forces, and moving along these two paths. With the extra wood we received. I believe we can quickly gain the upper ground again, and continue on with the complete burning of our enemies lands." Molly paused as her mind had been working in its unique manner.

"I have sent a scout through the center here, and he informs me that as per the usual the path is clear all the way up and over to there. The problem will be the forked mountain pass there two days in. Do ye think we can over come this obstacle?"

Listening to Molly and the plans and nods all the while thinking as she spoke. As soon as she was done speaking.

Yes this army can go here like u say oh yes this is the path I remember this area when I came here meeting you. I will say this...its rough but travelable. We can do it I know we can. If I was able to we all can but it is rough and we need to warn our knights about it. However if I remember correctly there was a way through this pass was the way the stones were placed and had to avoid them. If you avoid them u will get through until over here *points* then it gets easier but downhill but not too steep. I did not go on that path but I did see it before coming down here. *points to the location*

He poured more whiskey in both of their glasses and then downs his drink quickly. He could see in her eyes that the whiskey was burning her throat.

Listening to what Majestic said Molly's mind drifted. Almost as if she could see the land scape in person. The image was crisp, and clear, and she could almost predict.

"Good thing we are lightening the load a little." Molly joins Majestic in the drink a bit. Only she took it down slower as her mind was occupied. So many thoughts, and plans all at once.

Then Molly did what was most unusual for her. She against stands, and straightens out her leathers. Finally turning. "Foxy please mind Charles. He sleeps for now, but I feel like a ride."

Moving back to the tent opening she waits for Majestic. "Come on we never both had a horse together since we raced to Seighen's royal court. Let us take some time off, and go for a ride. Shall we?"

Molly didn't care the time of night it was, but she just needed that release from with in herself. Before Majestic could respond Molly already departed to where her horse was being kept. A quickly grasped green cloak thrown over her shoulders, and wrapping around her for warmth. Almost not leaving Majestic an option, but insisting he accompany her on this ride.

Good glad to hear that. *hearing her that they were lightening the load a bit.* That is perfect. Each soldier pack a small provision and we should be alright.

Watching her go to the tent opening and offering him to ride with her. He chuckles at Molly but one thing it has been so long that they had ridden together. He took off his armor and left his uniform on and ran after her then to his horse. He helped her up on her horse like a gentleman would do then hopped on his. He nodded at her.

After you.

With that they both clicked their tongues and their horses trotted off under the moonlight. He could see the reflection coming off the ocean. It has been so long he was in the area.

Very relaxing isn't it?

Night fall upon the lands. A snow field stretching on for miles. Serenity of silence does capture a persons mind. Almost as if flying as a spirit parallel to the crisp white snow. Absence of all other life, except the lone prints traveling along their own path. Leading to where we will soon find out.

A thick looming plume of fog is ahead. Almost nothing can be seen through it. Pillowed, and billowed, no form in mind. Entering it, the weight is heavy upon you lungs. Do you only think it is? As the cool vapors skim along your cheeks and chin. Forming up to droplets of water that will soon release dropping below you.

It wasn't fog at all, but instead steam. A lot of steam in this place of no where. With only a soul set of prints leading in. Now you can no longer see the prints, but continue on the same manner and direction you had been. Before long the steam is thicker, and heavier. Still you come across a sizable creature. Having a saddle and bridle. Why it's a horse, but how did it get here, and where is it's rider? Was there a rider?

Parallel with the earth you continue forward. Almost immune to the cold. Coming across places that are darker in different shapes. This is where the steam comes from the earth to the cold air of middle heaven. Where we all live causing the steam to plum high into the air.

Passing many of these you continue to follow a single row of steps finding smaller than usual foot prints. Each walking in the same direction into endless space of snow and night. Coming across a small rag gown laying, just dropped into the snow, upon the ground.

Where could that have come from? Soon a small blanket lays, pulls from corner to corner as it fell, on top of the frozen snow. Loosing sight of it through the steam soon. A tiny wooden toy lays a ways later. Heavy enough it digs it's self half way into the snow as it fell. Soon all traces will disappear into the winters cover of these items, once treasured, but now released from loves embrace.

To whom did the horse belong? To whom the clothing? To whom did the small blanket belong? To whom did the toy?

A young and tired pigeon arrives to a batter, but prideful war camp. With a special message sent to a knight in the Swedish ranks. It is addressed to Grundal Mcginis, and not another form of identification is shown.

A plain papered parchment is bound and sealed by a simple wax dropping. No markings or seals are left as show. With in the letter the following is written in the plainest and most simple of scripts.

QUOTE:
"To my brother,
Grundal Mcginis,

It has come to my attention, and that of our sister that you are our brother. To inquire more find secure means to correspond through Hamburg in Saxony.

Signed with hopes.
Little sis"

..You always lose by holding back"

Vision floats along following the confusing trail. Only with time the answers would be found. A mound upon the snow with a large fur framing the body of Molly laying upon her back. Looking to the clear sky above the steam. Wrapped in the fur her left arm holds her new son. Both their clothing lost in the snow behind them.

The child stares quietly with his mother to the heavens. Almost as if he could feel the joy in her heart that once was. Molly with hair fallen loosely behind her. Red locks frame her tear soaked face. She is in agony and joy battling for her heart.

It was war in which she first met him. His words gave her strength to carry on even in his absence, but now those words have grown so distant. Now as Molly battles in a far more cruel war, and only her second. She seeks for once was. Her heart, forgiveness, and love. Something she thought she could never loose. Something he taught her.

Her green eyes used the stars and plumes of steam to remind her of the great and loving man now gone. The man who meant so much to her. Molly sought the love she only barely expressed in letter before he passed away. She sought Janus in the heavens.

He was always her confidant and confessor. Always there from the beginning for her. As much as many have tried. The same touch of elegance and ability with out fear had not been for her. More tears flow, as she considers Alrik who always wants to repair with action. Greg in all his wisdom and caring he tried so hard for Molly. Still the innocents at which Molly had with Janus couldn't be replicated. The Vatican proved to be with no approach. No understanding. So much had happened and Molly never thought she would survive, but still she didn't give up.

Her green eyes glistened with the water of her salty tears. Sparkling with the stars above. Molly again found herself weak with the need of Janus's words. Only they were pure memories. The feel of his blessed kiss upon finger tips. The reflection of his face just past her reach.

Her right arm raises seeking to touch him. Touch him as she never could do before. She knew when he passed away both had regrets, but Molly kept the regrets. Her shivering lips turned down into a frown unmistakable of the pain she felt inside to his loss. "You were never supposed to leave me in this world. I forgive you Janus. I know you would want me to remember, but I need reminded. Why did you leave me?" She shook a bit with her hand dropping beside her. The arm and hand realizing the frailness of her wishes.

The fur covering part of her arm with warmth. The rest exposed to the sever cold about her. Tears now travel along her neck, and curling, landing upon the small indent at the top of her chest where the collar bones nearly meet. Puddling as a diamond settling softly on her skin.

Her heart is broken from all the horror in the world, but she knew her answer. She knew what she must do for herself. Still she lay there her painful frown slowly turning upright into a smile. Her chest raising and lowering with her breaths. Smaller less thick plumes of her own breath caused steam above her. Blending with that of these natural springs around her. Molly in the sorrow of those around her had slipped so far that she no longer recognized herself.

For this moment she did. For this moment she finally could see his face again. His words recalled in her mind brought her great comfort. Though she couldn't stop loving and missing him. Each time she swallowed it felt like razors traveling down her throat. Each breath like her chest was to explode. "Our son we always dreamed of. The depths of secrets dreams. Confessed only to each other. Do you see him?" Her left arm moved slightly to draw attention to her son.

She couldn't stop the trembling inside of her. Even the trembling out side of her. The world had changed so much from the beauty she learned. The beauty had almost disappeared. It needed to return. Then Molly's eyes closed. The tears that had built shot from her eye lids. Caressing her cheeks as they eventually slowed dripping back into her red locks of hair. "I forgive them all. They will not deny." She then fell into sleep. A sleep of which soon was joined by her son.

QUOTE:
You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back. ~ Barbara De Angelis
It is better to lose your pride with someone you love rather than to lose that someone you love with your useless pride. ~ unknown

72 days of incarceration...

Most of the time passed with Molly and probably the others passed out as well. Sure there were niceties that were included in the incarceration. Viking courtesy and daily tea after all. How little could one know of their opposition?

Indeed Molly was graced with a private room. With four walls, a ceiling, and floor. Also that was lacking was any form of window (To prevent outside communications.), or any ventilation at all. (As communication could occur through these.) Still it wasn't so terribly bad, oh wait of course it was. This was after all viking courtesy the same courtesy that locks up over thirty Irish knights at the same moment. A complete waste of money and integrity in such an act.

I mean they were obviously only trying to pay back Molly for her decisions. While attempting to be clever, and noble. Sadly they would achieve neither. The wisest course of action would have been to imprison Molly, and allow the others to leave with a warning to remain away, or face the same fate as their soon to be former ruler. Sadly one thing no one could every accuse any viking of was wisdom. So instead they attempt to murder an entire nation single handily and with out any real viking honor. As these are not deaths of a battle, but of a coward. Oh well Molly always knew the vikings of the north were a joke of what they claim to be.

Time seemed to pass by with neither a bed or furnishings of any kind. There was not even a pot to piss in, nor any manner to expel body waste any where but right upon the floor. After so many days it began to spread, and create rather toxic breathing conditions. With no furnishings to rest her legs Molly had no choice but to rest in her own excrement.

The simple plain clothing might as well not have been included as Molly soon became covered in filth. She wouldn't be recognizable to any after this long period of no contact. No contact well of course except the daily tea. Served to her with in a shallow wooden spoon. Hardly an amount to even moisten her tongue with. Served by a filthy guard who at least placed a crooked smile upon his face. Of course this was a smile of someone who had been up to something.

It was just as well that there was so little provided, as Molly couldn't intake this so called tea at all. Being as it had been brewed in urine like, likely from that of that crocked smiled guard.

The hours and days passed with Molly becoming more emancipated and famished. Her hair beginning to fall out in steady handfuls. Of which Molly utilized in passing the time. With no candle or windows to provide light she felt with in the darkened chambers. Weaving her own hair. While singing three lines with in her head in hopes with no sound the guards will stay away from her.

"Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying"