Flames ran up the walls of the building, furiously. The heat of the flames were growing, tongues of flames lashing everywhere.

Captain Barnette ordered his men to give up the hunt for the prisoners. He had them all filling up barrels and buckets to put out the fire that was nearly done burning one side of the building. The Guardsmen threw the buckets of water and barrels at the flames,  consuming the walls. The heat was unbearable. Those at the well,  trying to fill up the buckets and barrels with water, felt more relieved to be farthest from the flames.

***

You will pay Langstrom... This is just the beginning.

"Adar..."

A voice interrupted Adar and pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Yes, Melanie? " He looked over at her.

They were facing the now burning building, a great distance from it, on a hill.

Melanie bit down her bottom lip, her forehead creasing as well. 

"Where are you going ... now?"

Adar looked forward. He hadn't thought to much of it. His anger hadn't let him, only thoughts of Langstrom's rotting corpse at his feet filled his mind, that and the image of the burning body of his mother. 

A quick flashback initiated. His mother was lying down, the hungry flames were crawling over her body, like millions of ants on a corpse. He was helpless. If only he had been there to stop those men. If he had just stayed at his house instead of wander off.

Why did I leave the house in the first place? 

The thought struck Adar as weird. He couldn't remember why he left. He just couldn't.

He turned his face from Melanie, hiding a grimace of pain from the flashback.

He regained his composure then talked with a clear throat."  I don't know.  I don't have a home. I didn't think I would be... having company. "

Melanie crossed her arms and closed her eyes, a look of annoyance clear on her face.

"No one asked you to babysit me. And why am I the company? How is it you are not the company?"

"I'm older and I was the one who told you to come along," replied Adar. "If you wish, I could leave. "

"Wouldn't matter to me," said Melanie. 

Adar turned on his heel and began to walk down the hill, away from the building.

Melanie opened her eyes, turning around to see him walking away. She made fist with her hands,l at her sides. "You can't just leave me!"

"I thought you didn't want company," said Adar. 

"First you ask for my company, then you just rather not have it?" said Melanie. " You were begging for it while in the cells. "

Adar stopped. I thought she knew that was just an act.

Adar turned around to face her. She had her arms crossed once again. Her face, again, appeared annoyed.

Adar sighed. "Follow me."

************

Cane stepped out of the town hall building.

A look of triumphant on his face.

Norman stood beside the taller Seth. Seth held a lantern in his hand.

"What did the town council rule?" asked Seth. 

"They said they would help us with our hunt for Langstrom... If we split half of the bounty with them."

"Half! " Said Norman snorting. "We will be doing most of the work. "

Cane laughed. "Its cold. Let us go to an Inn, there may we speak."

***

Once in the Inn, the three began to speak of the plans to capture Langstrom.

Cane Sat at one of the table while Seth and Norman sat at the other end. No people seemed to be there, only the owner of the Inn.

"We've been to a few of his buildings before," said Cane.

Norman took a drink from his whiskey then put it down on the table. "I would say more than a few.  But the question is, will Langstrom be there? "

Seth nudged Norman in the rib with his elbows. Norman turned to see Seth looking at someone. A lady had just walked in. She had a pretty face with a bright smile

She strode past the table of Seth and the rest, and headed for the owner of the Inn. She smiled, embraced him, then kissed him.

Norman roared with laughter. "Aye,  you might want to think twice about setting you eyes on her, Seth. "

Seth turned back to look at Cane, who was grinning.

"Lucky for you we will be here only temporarily  ." Said Cane. " You'll forget her once we leave." 

Norman laughed and patted Seth on the back violently.

Seth hit Norman's hand away with his elbow. 

Cane stopped laughing upon seeing a man enter.  The stranger had a cloak on, But it failed to cover his face.

Well isn't this my lucky day, thought Cane.

The man walked up to the owner of the Inn,  who was a tall but lanky man.

The owner turned to greet the man.

The stranger pulled out a flintlock and pulled it against the man's chest.

"Give me every bit of money you have. "

The owner's eyes widened. He looked back at his wife. "Laura, go to the back room and get the sack of silver coins."

His wife nodded and hurriedly left, tears in her eyes.

The stranger laughed. "Lucky for you I am not taking your life as well." 

The owner stayed quiet, only looking the man in the eye.

Cane had already arisen. The stranger had left his back open to them. Cane nodded to Seth and Norman. Cane picked up his hilt from the floor and drew his sword.

The lady came back and threw the sack coins on the floor. "There take them, leave my husband !"

The man laughed. He bent down to pick up the coins, pistol still pointed at the owner. 

He picked up the sack. He nodded his head as he opened the sack. "I don't like this. Most of 'em are copper, not even silver."

"It is all we have. Please take it and leave," said the Owner

The man snickered. "You are lying! Tell me where you keep the rest of the silver coins!"

The owner shook his head. "We don't have any more."

The man laughed. "Then I'll have to take your wife as well. These coins aren't enough. "

He stuck out his arm, pointing the pistol at the lady's chest. "Come here or else I'll kill you! "

The lady shook her head. "I'll never go with anything filthy like you."

The man became infuriated. He turned and pointed his pistol at the Owner. "Then he'll die if you don't come. "

The lady bowed her head and began to walk forward.

"No. " began the Owner.

"She is doing it because she knows whats-"

The man Let out a blood curdling scream. 

He saw his pistol on the ground, his hand still gripping it. He looked at the nub where his hand should have been. It

was red with blood coming out.

He looked down to see a sword go through his chest. His eyes widened. The last thing he felt was hands on the top and bottom of his head followed by a quick twist.

Cane looked down at the pitiful body. Blood was spilling from the chest and nub of the deceased body . " Are you folks alright? " asked Cane,  looking up. 

The man nodded, tears flowing out if his eyes.  His wife ran to him and embraced him letting a sob out as she did.

Cane looked back at Norman and Seth,  " Lucky for us he is wanted dead or alive. "

Cane kneeled and picked up the coins , putting them back in the sack. He arose and handed them to the man. "

Seth had on long leather gloves that covered up to his Elbow. He dragged the body out.

Norman stood outside of the Inn,  laughing at Seth.

"I do not see why I have to do this sickening job."  whined Seth. 

"Do you wished to be paid ?" said Cane   eyebrow raised.

Seth mumbled something under his breath and continued on.

Norman gave a chuckle, then spoke"  Are the the town watch on there way? "

Cane frowned," Yes. But I have a feeling there are more of these thieves here. "

Seth had put the body in the back of a wagon and covered it with a sheet.  He pulled the leather gloves off and threw them in the wagon as well. He jumped off the wagon and came back stomping his feet.  " That is the absolutes time you make me do that! "

Norman and Cane gave a laugh.

" He was a former member of Langstrom's militia."  said Cane.

Seth nodded.  " What was he doing here? "

Cane smiled, " Telling us exactly where Langstrom is. They never wander very far from the location of the base after they leave the militia." 

15 men approached the Inn, coming from the road way. They carried their muskets.

The leader of the group stepped out.  He was by far the oldest. The rest of the group consisted of teenagers from 14 to 16, many of them green behind the ears . He himself was 39 .  He saw The three bounty hunters, their long black coats giving away who they were away, the signature dark apparel.

He noticed one bounty hunter having a white cross sewn on an arm of the coat. The cross was long, nearly going halfway,  reaching the elbow. The  width only touching the sides of the arms. The other two bounty hunters had no such thing sewn on their coats.

The leader approached the bounty hunter,  sticking out his hand, " Hello, I'm Randolph. I presume you are the bounty hunters? "

" My name is Cane. " said Cane taking his hand and shaking it. " We have dealt with a criminal. We will take the bounty to the nearest English official who will recognize the bounty. I believe there Is one in a town nearby. We will be back tomorrow evening. "

Randolph nodded. "Thank you. We will take care of the Inn and the Owner as well." 

Cane nodded and walked toward the wagon, followed by Norman and Seth. Randolph noticed the leather straps criss crossed on Cane's back, hilts for two swords.

That Is the duel wielding Swordsman Thought Randolph.  He is said to have a white cross on the right arm of his black coat.

"Who was that? " asked one of the watchmen. 

" That was Cane. " said Randolph." Be thankful he allied himself with us today and went not against us, for we may have not  seen our families again. "

" They say he hunts vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers as well. " said a boy from back.

" You'd be surprised to see what is out there."  murmured Randolph." You'd be surprised."

************

The woods seemed many time darker,  since the last time Melanie had been in them. The darkness seemed to be closing in on her,  branches seemed like gnarled arms reaching  out to pull her into the darkness.

Adar was in front of her, a tree branch in his hand. It was a makeshift torch, the flames seemed less controlled than it would on a torch.

"Are you sure this is Maryland? " asked Adar, once again.

"Yes. " Said Melanie frustrated, forgetting about the dark scary woods.

"I guess I'm going south then. I have to do something there. "

"South as in South Carolina? "asked Melanie. 

"No. " Said Adar,  " Just south of here  Virginia. I was in Pennsylvania when they took me." 

"Why Don't you go back? " asked Melanie, " Don't you have family that would be worried? "

Adar gave a snort. " I don't have any, except my father and brother.  And who knows where they are, one day my father just disappeared.  My brother said that father went across to England to find himself another wife. And my brother became a bounty hunter, leaving home at 18. He has been gone for a year. "

Melanie stayed silent, looking at Adar, who had stopped. He was gripping the branch hard. Melanie could hear the branch crack  from the grip of Adar.

"Come on we can't stay here.  We have to move on, no doubt they have sent some people to try to round up a few prisoners. "

Melanie followed Adar, who was using the constellations as a guide. 

"Could I ask you something, Adar ? "

"Yes. " said Adar." I'll try to answer to the best of my ability. "

"How did you manage to plan the escape ?"

"That was easy. " Said Adar. " I started to fight for Rum. I gripped a few in a lock, during the fight, and whispered in their ear my plan. The one you treated the other day, the one whom I broke the nose, was supposed to work with me. I had won the fight and I poured the rum out.  He then fought me furiously. I still managed to beat him, but I was afraid the plan wouldn't spread because I had angered him. "

"But how do you know that I treated him ?" asked Melanie. " Weren't you in your cell and how did you manage to plan everything according to the way it turned out? "

Adar smiled,  " He told me you treated him and some other vulgar stuff about what he wanted to do to you. As for according to the way it turned out I memorized the shift of the guards. The day they took me out to a meeting , I saw the sun and calculated what time it was. The guards in that day were on a 5 hour shift. They always complained about it being too long and that they rather spend it with women. Which later I found out they had a cellar for women. "

Adar stopped in front of Melanie, " Careful Melanie. There's a small stream here.  "

Adar looked right then left, then forward,  then back at Melanie. "I don't walk to all the way around. " Said Adar. " I'm going to cross."

Adar kneeled. " Climb on my back, Melanie."

" climb on your back? " asked Melanie. " Well- "

"Do you wish for me to carry you the way a prince carries her princess ? I am terribly sorry but I do not do that."  Said Adar, Sarcasm drippings from his voice.

Melanie felt her cheeks flush. A strange sensation coursed throughout her body.

"I was going to say that I could cross on my own. " replied Melanie, flustered.

Adar got up and turned around.  He picked Melanie up with one arm, the other arm still occupying the makeshift torch. Then He placed her on his shoulder. She gave a shriek of surprise.

"What you do that for!?" Screamed Melanie.

Adar turned around, facing the stream.  He gave a leap over the stream.  Melanie gave another shriek. Adar then put her down, chuckling.

"We could have fallen in the stream! " said Melanie," Or you could have caught my dress on fire!"

"Your welcome. "Said Adar.

Melanie brushed the front of her dress. She looked at Adar, face serious, then broke out into laughter.

"Are you ok? " asked Adar.

Melanie stopped laughing. "I'm sorry,  Its just that is  the most entertaining thing I've done in years. It was fun for me."

Adar raised a brow, "I've done crazier things.And that wasn't what you would call a barn burner. "

Melanie smiled, " Well it was fun for me. "

"I guess you're not the princess I thought you would try to be. " said Adar.

Melanie gave a frown, " What would make you think that. I'm far from it. I guess you're not the monster I thought you to be. "

Adar tensed." Why would you think I was a monster? "

Melanie smiled," The guardsmen told me horror stories about you,  making me believe them. Said you talked to demons. I was afraid of entering the cell to treat you. "

Adar chuckled. " Easy to scare, aren't you?"

"Not always. "

"We have to keep moving ." said Adar  "We  need to get far away from here as possible."

Melanie nodded and followed after him.

Soon they we're in an opening in the woods.  The moonlight shone in on the grass. Adar sat on a stump. He had gotten a new tree branch. The old one had burned up already.

Melanie sat on a fallen tree, near Adar.

"What are you going to do once we go into Virginia? " asked Melanie. 

"I don't know exactly. " said Adar. " I just need to do something. "

Melanie felt a cold breeze and she shivered.

Adar looked at her and noticed her shiver.

"We''ll camp here tonight. "

Within minutes, Adar had a fire going. He and Melanie sat around it, warming their hands.

"How did you end up with those men in the building? With Langstrom's militia? " asked Adar.

" I was kidnapped. " said Melanie. " And I was apprenticed to and apothecary."

Adar sighed, " Langstrom has hurt to many people. I need to put and end to it."

"You've seen Langstrom?" Asked Melanie.

"They took me to him, yes. I tried to kill him and failed miserably. "

Melanie stared at Adar In disbelief

It's him ?

"Have you met him before? " asked Adar. 

"Yes. He was the one who kidnapped me."

"Why would he kidnap you? -"Adar didn't finish the rest of sentence. There was only one reason a sick man would kidnap a girl. 

"That is not the reason if your assuming what I think you are.  " Said Melanie. " He wasn't that kind of man. He didn't lay a finger on me. "

Adar looked Into the fire.  " What happened to your parents?"

Melanie hugged herself and looked into the fire. " I don't know,  But I'm sure they're out there..."

Adar looked at the half moon. It was getting colder. 

"Why didn't Langstrom  put you in a cell as well?"  asked Adar."Couldn't you have escaped? "

"I could have left, but I couldn't leave all the girls and women there on their own. "

"You're a brave girl, Melanie. "

Melanie gave a sad smile. "Sometimes my luck is horrible. "

Adar smiled.  "I don't believe in Luck. "

"I see. Then you don't have that to worry about. "

"Melanie,  get some rest. " said Adar.

Melanie nodded." I'll try. "

"Adar ..."

"Yes, Melanie ?"

"Don't leave me here alone . When I wake up, Don't be gone. " said Melanie.

It sounded like a plead.

"I promise I won't. " replied Adar.

Melanie smiled and lied down. She fell asleep quickly. Adar looked at Melanie sleep, she seemed at peace.

                      End Of Chapter

HEY GUYS TELL ME WHAT YOU WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE CHAPTER.  THR NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE CALLED SECRETS . SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO WRITE THE NEW CHAPTER.  I WAS BUSY THIS WEEK .