When Borit demanded the warrant, there was a murmur between the guards. None of them seemed to know what to do.

'They don't have a warrant.' Sean thought grimly. 'They don't plan to let me live past the next hill before they silence me.'

"My soldier seems to have misplaced the warrant. I will provide you a copy after we have taken this criminal to the nearest prison." Borit informed Alexis after a time.

The determined woman shook her head sadly, "I am afraid you have things out of order, Lieutenant. When you show me the warrant, I will hand over my son. Until then, please release him."

Borit moved his horse away from the woman and toward the rest of the village. "You would let this woman put you in danger? She defends this murderer at your expense."

If he had hoped for a willing audience, he was quickly disappointed. Only looks of contempt greeted him as some of the farmers tightened their grips around their hoes and pitchforks. Borit had not been expecting a fight, but Alexis garnered a fierce loyalty that mere words could never break.

"Fine." He said, motioning the guards to release Sean. "I will return with the warrant, but do not be surprised if he burns your town to the ground in the meantime." He clicked his heels into his horse's side and rode off into the woods.

In an orderly fashion, the soldiers filed out behind the lieutenant as a great sigh of relief came over the townspeople.

"Great work, Alexis!" one of them called.

"You have a smart woman there, Gareth," another called.

The rest waved their support or spoke other kind words before heading home. When the family finally made it inside for dinner, Sean threw himself into a chair at the table. His heart was too heavy for words. Gareth patted his shoulder gently while Alexis served him some bread and vegetables. They ate mostly in silence.

"This is my fault," Sean said bitterly when he could take it no longer. "I have caused a huge problem. He will be back, you know."

Gareth leveled his gaze at his son. "If he comes back, we will deal with it. He is nothing but a bully."

"A very powerful bully. You have not seen him in action. Borit is vicious. I saved his life from that fire he mentioned and rather than thank me, he murdered me, or nearly did. He and his mother threw me in the river to finish the job. Now that he knows I am here, he won't give up..." Sean looked down at his plate. His stomach churned as he forced down the delicious food.

Alexis could sense his thoughts. Her son was about to bolt. Her heart sank. "You do not have to leave, Sean. We will figure something out. We love you. "

The young man winced. "I know. I love you too. But none of you are safe here while I am here."

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"Then we can all go." Gareth said without a second thought. "We will head out first thing in the morning. I always fancied farming out west. These forests and foothills are hard to plow."

Sean nodded slowly. "Ok. If you are sure."

"Good, it is settled." Gareth took Haven and bounced the baby on his knees, making her laugh. Haven's happy exclamation broke the tension.

With a determined look, Alexis stood, "Well then, I ought to give you these before we leave. They are New Year's gifts, but I suppose now is our new beginning."

Returning from her bedroom, the slim lady carried many wrapped parcels in her arms. She passed them out among the small party. Gareth opened a fine wool cap. He placed it on his head and turned each direction to model it. "Thank you dear!" he said as he kissed his wife. "My hair is getting a little thin and this will surely keep my noggin warm. How did I ever get such a beautiful and clever woman?"

Alexis laughed, "Your hair may be thin, but your compliments are thick as ever!"

Sean and Haven each had two gifts. The young man held up two fingers and raised his eyebrows in question.

"There is one present from us and one from Hanna. She actually dropped hers by earlier today." Alexis gave a knowing look.

Sean helped Haven unwrap her first gift. It was a rag doll with blue eyes and short, sandy blonde hair, just like the girl. Haven grabbed at it eagerly and clung to it. Instinctively the babe brought it to her mouth to taste it like everything else. She let out a happy squeal.

Alexis laughed, "I'm glad you like it, sweet girl. My sewing skills are not perfect, but I did my best." Her face shone with pride.

The second gift for his sister was smaller than his palm, and Sean's hands gently released the ribbon that tied up the waxed parchment. Alexis gasped as Sean lifted a silver fairy necklace. The delicate lines of the wings gave the illusion of flight. It was a masterpiece.

"It's beautiful." Gareth granted, poking it with his finger as Sean let it dangle in the air, "quite a work of art."

"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, but why did she give it to a baby? Hanna's lost her mind. This could be worth a small fortune!" She turned to Sean. "Will you hold onto this for her, please? She can't have this until she is much older."

Sean started to object, "But…"

"Please? I know it will be safe with you." His mother pleaded. She had made up her mind.

Sean shrugged. "Very well," he agreed at last. The young man placed the necklace around his neck and tucked it in the well-worn tunic. Now it was his turn. Opening the smaller package, he revealed a fine leather belt, the finest he had ever seen.

Garett lifted his chin proudly. "We had the tanner over in the next town make it. Now you have a place for some of your knives and such that you like to carry."

"This is far too nice for the likes of me," Sean said admiring the craftsmanship as he slipped the belt around his waist. "Thank you."

Looking down at the final parcel in front of him, Sean made quick work of the wax paper. Inside was a long black cloak. Sean reached for the cloth and felt a tingle of electricity up his arm. This was something special.

"I guess Hanna knew we'd be making a long journey. This will be wonderful for travel! Try it on," Gareth urged.

Sean lifted the garment and draped it over his shoulders. "A perfect fit," he announced, surprised. He touched the fabric, noting the sturdy yet soft material. It was unlike anything he had ever seen even when he had stolen from fine houses.

Sean couldn't quite describe it, but the cape felt almost alive. Marveling at the gift entrusted to him, Sean pulled up the hood over his head. Alexis and Gareth audibly gasped. Sean threw back the hood. "What's wrong? Do I look terrible?"

"It's not that. Put the hood up again." Alexis requested.

Sean obliged and Alexis went and retrieved her small mirror. It was one of the few fine items she owned, and even ladies at court would have envied it. She held it up for Sean. The outline of the hood was very clear, but where his face should be, there was only a dark void. "What? How?"

"Good questions." Gareth said with a guffaw. "That Hanna is a tricky one. Always said she had some magic about her."

"Coo!" Haven added.

"It's amazing." Alexis wondered at the implication of such a gift, but she kept her thoughts to herself. She made a note to try to find Hanna in the morning before they headed west.

There was something that Hanna had said when she brought the young man that had always bothered her. Looking at the boy's cloak and silver eyes, Alexis wanted to know if the crazy old woman had meant it when she called the boy a 'Guardian.' In the pit of her stomach, Alexis was worried for her son's safety. She needed answers.

The mother made an exaggerated yawning motion. "Well, time for me to head to bed. I better get this little one to sleep before I drift off too." Alexis lifted Haven, who was still clutching her new doll, from Gareth's lap. She placed a hand on Sean's head, and he dipped neck to allowing his hood to fall away.

Tears filled Alexis's eyes. "I love you, no matter what," she kissed Sean's cheek.

The young man hugged his mother. "I love you too. All of you." Sean gave Haven a small kiss on her head and slapped his sitting father on the shoulder. "Goodbye," he said more solemnly than he had intended. "Sleep well."

With that, the silver-eyed young man slipped out of the doorway and into the night. Only the moonlight caught the tear that dripped silently onto the ground before the cloaked figure entered his small cottage for the last time.