“My Lady,” he started, bowing. “Some guards are here, they say that they are here from the Lord Draycott. For the both of you.” He reported, than gave Dmitri a look as if to say ‘How dare you involve my Mistress.’

Judith sighed, she’d known this was going to happen after she had seen Mattief ride off like that; he never had been a good choice. A guard came in, followed by Mattief.

“Ah,” said Judith, “Guardsman Wayte, how is the wife? And of course, my very own rat Mattief.” She finished dryly.

The man she called Wayte spoke up, “Marianna is well My Lady. But I’m afraid I’m here on business. The Lord Draycott has requested the presence of both yourself and your guest. But upon reaching your home, you were not to be found.”

Everyone looked at him, Judith in surprise, Dmitri with curiosity and Mattief spluttering with outrage. “But she-” he started, but was immediately overridden by Wayte.

“Is not here. Your new position in the guards is tenuous is it not? It could be more than a little dangerous if you don’t choose the correct side.” He turned to Dmitri, “Now you, I suggest you come peacefully, I have no such thoughts about letting you walk free.”

Judith spoke to Dmitri, “It looks like our time is up Dmitri, but I might see you in England yes?” Without waiting for an answer, she walked through the door being held open for her by Wayte.

Dmitri was led downstairs, where some more guards were waiting.

“Where’s the woman?” one of them asked eagerly.

“She must have caught wind of our arrival. She has fled and left this one behind,” replied Wayte indicating Dmitri. “Besides, shouldn’t you be pressing your attention on a woman more willing?”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

The other guards laughed at the one singled out, so he spoke up, “Not all of us got married and grew to be weak and spineless you know.”

The other guards laughed again. Wayte turned to stare at the guard, “Birkett, I’m going to have to ask you to go to the captain when we get back. When you do, you tell him of this conversation and your apparent willingness to impose yourself on unwilling women. I’m sure he will find some way to discourage such an attitude,” he then looked around at the other guards, “Does anyone else have a problem with this? Are you ready to follow orders once more?”

There were murmured affirmations throughout the men and they started back towards the keep. Dmitri, who had watched all this unfold, tucked the information away, sure that it would prove useful in the future.

Approaching the keep, Dmitri suddenly experienced a sensation which felt as though a wet cloak was draped over his head. That he was able to see and walk around was contrary to this, so he felt out with his senses, but everything felt muffled. Reaching into himself for his magic, he found that it felt muted. Concerned by this, he felt determined to put it to the test as soon as he could.

Once Dmitri and his escorts reached the keep, the guards, having kept a careful eye on Dmitri, felt a bit more relaxed that Dmitri had made no attempt at escape and had grown complacent. Dmitri sensed this and felt that this was the time to put his magic to the test. He discreetly drew the glyph for air and used it to thump one of the guards in the back of the head. Or at least that’s what the intention had been. Instead, the guard turned to the one behind him and asked him what he wanted. After receiving a puzzled look, the guard reiterated, “Why did you tap me on the shoulder?” he asked.

The other guard, having done no such thing said as much. Soon enough, the two men were arguing with each other. Meanwhile, Dmitri, troubled at seeing his magic severely muted like this, started to ponder the situation. The arguing of the men was reaching a crescendo and as they were about to draw daggers and sort it out Wayte came over and demanded to know what was going. When they started to explain, which quickly turned into an argument again, Wayte turned to Dmitri, “It was you wasn’t it?”

Dmitri nodded.

“I’ve a limited amount of patience traveller, so make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

With no other choice when surrounded by armed and angry men, Dmitri nodded.