Nathaniel looked on, he had been driving the cart for a few hours now. The sun was barely coming up, rays of light shining through the clouds. They were on a path taken by those who used carts and carriages.

He looked back and saw Melanie sprawled out near Adar. Adar looked to be resting, completely out of it. Melanie was there, it seemed, out comfort for her than for her necessity.

So it's decided Thought Nathaniel. We are headed to Virginia. John decided we had to take them to the Willis's.

Nathaniel looked to his left, John rode on the horse. John's eyes were red with dark circles around them. They seemed to have bags under them as well. 

" Been a long night hasn't it John?"asked Nathaniel, grinning as he did.

John gave wide smile." I've had longer. "

"I'm sure you have. But I must say last night was unique. I've never encountered anything like that before. Was there not another person there?  I shot at the one, but after that I never saw another. I could have sworn there was another." 

John looked ahead." If we let one get away then we have become older. We are losing our touch, you for not getting him and me for not being able to see him. "

Nathaniel chuckled.

"What are we going to do about the hunt? "

asked Nathaniel.

"We''ll have to wait." Said John." Langstrom will only be loose a bit longer." 

Nathaniel shook his head." We were close this time. We might even be on a hot trail. Why not let me go on my own? "

John glared at Nathaniel. " You know that you would never make it. Langstrom is a trained man. You have seen that first hand."

Nathaniel flexed his jaw. "I was still a lad." 

John turned to look back at the road. It was many years ago... whatever happened to you Langstrom?

¤¤¤¤

It was in the summer, In England.

A few serial killers had been turned in. A large bounty that had been on their heads were collected.  They were captured by none other than the three hunters;  the archer, Nathaniel, the duelswordman, John, and the blade fighter, Langstrom.

"I will have to wait." Said Langstrom." My wife and children are awaiting my return." He was wearing a low ankle dark coat. His sword was sheathed and at his side. He was sitting down and eating.

Nathaniel nodded." Grace will be happy when she sees you." 

"I hope so as well. She has been getting a bit angry since the last few bounties. She claims I am away to often. She may be right. But I will need to make a stop before I can get there. You and John, on the other hand should get there early." 

John walked into the inn. He was tired and in need of sleep, bags forming under his eyes. His hair seemed ruffled, even more abused than his unclean face.

He walked over to the table Langstrom and Nathaniel were sitting at.

"Well Gentlemen, I must needs get my sleep. I cannot indulge my self with food as you are." 

Lansgtrom shook his head." Well, John, then you need to go slumber. We will not bother you."

John gave a crooked smile." Langstrom, honestly when will you not bother me about anything?"

Lansgtrom gave a laugh.

Nathaniel and John went the next day to Langstrom's house and gave the news that made Grace and her daughter's glad.

In a such a happy mood, Grace had sent Nathaniel into town to retrieve some ingredients for a delicious home cooked meal. John had decided to do some yard work and went to cut the grass with the scythe.

A group of men approached the house. Six was the count. They had on robes that were blue, all of them bearded and tall. John had asked why they were there. One of them came forward and then two others followed. John felt the danger and held his scythe defensively. A blow came to his head and he was sent crashing down.

When he awoke, he was tied to a chair. He was in the house. Four men stood in front of him. They had Grace bound and gagged.

"Please leave Langstrom a message for us." 

They then exited the house.

John managed to free himself with a knife he kept in his long sleeve.

He went running out and saw the men loading Grace onto the back of a cart. One of the men came off the cart and went head on for John. John cut the man with his knife before he could initiate a strike. John grabbed his fallen enemies sword and ran forward. Two other of the robed men charged at him. John parried the first opponent's strike then horizontally cut his chest. The man fell down, blood flowing profusely. The second man received a sword through his chest. John ran forward and attempted to climb the cart. The three remaining men pulled out their swords and simultaneously stabbed Grace, who was lying down in the cart. Her eyes widened and she screamed.

John had killed the three remaining men swiftly, beheading them all.

He climbed onto the cart and examined her wounds. She had three wounds, one to her chest, leg, and abdomen. John drove the cart into town. John looked back as he drove and heard her give struggling breathes and cries of pain. When the town came into sight he checked on her once more, only to find that she was not breathing. She didn't make it to the town doctor. John was not a Physician at the time, but a mere bounty hunter with the gift to wield swords, not save lives.

If only I had been able to save her!  Thought John. If only I had not fallen that day. If I had been a physician that day.

Langstrom arrived one day later... and things never were the same.

¤¤¤¤

Black. He had never seen so much of the color and never had it appeared as it did that day.

Cane stood over the black ashes of the house that was once his.

Cane's vision was blurry. His blood was boiling inside of him and his chest seemed to have a never ending pain that only worsened.

Seth stood a few yards behind, along with Norman and the others.

Randolph was baffled." What was once there? "

Seth gave a shakey sigh." His mother's house." 

Norman looked on as Cane began to rummage through the ash.

Cane grabbed a handful of ashes and brought it up against his chest. They slid through his fingers like sand.

Cane looked over and saw something in the middle of the ashes. It was a sliver knife.

He picked it up and brushed it off with his sleeve. He saw a blood stain on it. He gripped the knife and held it.

She might still be alive Thought Cane. He might have taken her prisoner.

Cane looked over at Seth and the group.

"We cannot stand here all day. We have a man to capture. "

Seth nodded. He turned around and looked at Ralph and his group. "You heard him we must keep going. "

Norman nodded and walked towards Cane. He felt the difference in Cane as he approached him.

"Cane, this does not mean anything." Said Norman as he placed his hand on Cane's shoulder. Cane violently pulled his shoulder away and looked back at Norman. His eyes were full of revenge now. An animal had taken Cane's place.

"You're wrong, Norman, this means everything."

Cane walked past Norman and headed towards the group to where his horse was.

He mounted his horse and looked forward, a new determination gleaming in his eyes.

Cane's expression looked deadly as he began to move forward on his horse.

"He is in pain."  Said Seth as Norman approached." Let him be for now." 

Norman sighed." This is not good. How will he think with an unclear head?"

"He will manage."  replied Seth"  He always does. I see that it is different. This time his mother is involved." 

"Do you think she... " said Norman hesitating. " Do you think she is alive? "

Seth looked over at the large pile of ash.

"I fear my answer. Cane must fear his own as well. If anybody can come up with a legitimate guess, it's Cane." 

Norman walked to his horse and mounted. He looked at the crew of young men." If you wish to live, men, I suggest you not bother Cane. Simply obey his orders for the next few days and I can almost guarantee you'll make it."

Many simply nodded, fear and sadness in their eyes.

Randolph spoke." Is there anything we could do that would help? Should we suggest he mourn a day or two?"

"That would infuriate him, highly." Said Seth." He still believes, if only a tiny shred. That shred is what drives him right now. It is what he is living on." 

Norman looked at Randolph." It will still take a few more days to get to Maryland, since Cane decided to take the longer route."

"Was his mother the only one living here? " asked Randolph.

"He spoke of a bastard father, and he did mention a younger brother. Said that he was always getting in the way."

Adar... Thought Cane. I know at the very least you are alive!  Where are you headed to now? 

Cane leaned his head backward and looked up at the sky. The sun was already up, but the clouds were beginning to form.

Cane reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out the silver knife he had found in the midst of ashes. This is a knife used by the Militia Thought Cane. We have yet to figure out who the supplier is... and why silver? 

¤¤¤¤

An 11 year old Cane came running inside. His younger, 7 year old brother, Adar came in shortly after.

"Give it back!" yelled Adar.

Cane had ran into the kitchen and was on the other side of the table.

"Catch me if you can." 

Adar ran underneath the table, headed straight for Cane.  Cane laughed and went to the other side of the table. Once Adar appeared on the other side, Cane had managed to be on the opposite side.

"Give it back!" yelled Adar.

Cane laughed and threw the necklace back. It was the necklace Adar had given his mother. She didn't always wear it, and that day she hadn't. Cane had been jealous. He had always weaved necklaces for her but she never wore them as often as she did Adar's gift.

"It's ugly anyways! " yelled Cane.

¤¤¤¤

Cane chuckled at the memory. Memories... it's what he could call his. Nobody could ever steal them.

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

Adar awoke and felt a head ache coming on.

"What... Where are we? "

Melanie was leaning over him already. Her hair was around her face like a curtain and blocking his view of the sky.

"You're awake! " she smiled." I was waiting for you to wake up. I did not expect it to be this fast." 

Adar put his hands down flat against the wood and pushed upwards using his elbows.

"Calm down, Adar." exclaimed Melanie, putting a hand on his chest." There is no need to sit up so fast."

"What happened!? " asked Adar as he sat up and leaned against the side of the cart. He immediately felt great pain from his chest as he leaned against the side.

The sky was orange, the sign of a setting sun.

The path they were on was a dirt road.

"How long have I been asleep?" asked Adar.

"Two days." replied Melanie.

"Well afternoon." Said John turning back to wave at Adar.

Adar nodded." You're the one who helped us I presume? Are you a doctor? "

"Don't forget me as well! " said a voice Adar didn't recognize.

Adar looked past Melanie to see a man on a horse, riding beside the cart. His hair was blonde and cut above his ears.

He looked similar to the dark haired man driving the cart.

"Thank you."  said Adar," I am forever indebted to the both of you." 

" I only performed the cleaning of the wounds." Said John smiling."  You're friend, Melanie did most of the work. She was able to help us by making a Lamb's ear and she also gave me honey to stop the infecting of your cut." 

Adar looked forward at Melanie, who was kneeling a few feet in front of him. She was still wearing the same blue dress, parts of it still stained with blood from the battle of when they escaped. Her hair was the most messy it had ever been.

"I believe this is the second time you have helped me. I need some way to repay you, Melanie." 

Melanie shook her head."I should be the one thanking you. You risked your life by fighting those men." 

Adar's mind went instantly to the battle. He had killed three men after escaping. The last battle he had was the one he lost. The way Hughes had moved at the final second, dodging the sword, had almost cost Adar his life.

He looked down and saw that his shirt was unbuttoned. He felt the large bandages wrapped around his chest and back.

Why did I not notice this before? Thought Adar.

He gritted his teeth and lowered his head.

I failed! I almost died back there!  How can I hope to exact my revenge if I can't even kill a single soldier! 

A warm hand instantly was on his shoulder.

"Adar." Said Melanie softly." Do not be frustrated. You kept your word. You did not allow me to be captured, to go back."

Adar looked up into the blue eyes of Melanie. He felt the burden of his failure lift. She had made it out, that is what mattered.

"Who was the one who shot the arrow?" asked Adar.

"That was me."  Said Nathaniel, grinning at the fact that Adar had seen it.

"You should not be sad, Adar." Said John," you dealt with those men fairly well. I am surprised you are even up and talking now."

"I fear what would have happened if you had not been there." Said Adar.

"It was fate." replied John.

Adar went for the necklace his tied around his arm. He felt nothing. 

Where is it?!

A sense of panic overwhelmed Adar and he began to rapidly move his hands around body, despite the pain, searching for the necklace.

"Adar! " Exclaimed Melanie." Stop moving around so fast!  You're going to hurt yourself!"

Adar shoved his hands into his pocket." I need to find my necklace!"

Melanie reached over to John's supply box and pulled out the necklace, holding it over Adar's head.

"Is this what you were looking for?"

Adar's head turned to look at the necklace. For a second he forgot about everything and was relieved to see the necklace. He quickly snatched it out of Melanie's hand and held it against his chest.

Melanie gave a baffled look." I'm sorry I did not know it meant so much. I noticed it tied around your arm and I took it off to clean the blood off.

Adar apologized." I'm sorry for behaving like a child, but this necklace means the world to me. I gave it to my mother. It is all I have left of her."

Melanie saw Adar relax, then his eyes saddened as he looked at it.

"We will be camping soon." Said John."  It will be dark in little bit." 

Nathaniel looked up at the sky."  I hope it will not be cold tonight, it hasn't been for the last two nights, thankfully." 

"You must be hungry." Said Melanie."You haven't eaten for two whole days." 

Adar heard his stomachs growl before he could respond, almost as if on cue."A bit." He said, a sheepish grin escaping him.

¤¤¤¤

"Cane! Come here! " yelled his mother.

Cane gave a whine as he marched over to his mother.

"Apologize and give him a hug." 

"Do I have to? " Said Cane, anger in his voice.

Adar was standing two paces away from him. He had the necklace gripped in his left hand. His right hand was wiping the tears from his eyes.

"Yes." Said his mother, a stern look on her face. " And then you will continue by giving your brother a hug." 

Cane was ready to bolt, but then he felt fingers pinching his ears.

"Cane." Said His Mother." We can do this Mother's way or the hard way." 

Cane swore he heard his mother's voice darken as she emphasized the word' hard.'

Cane turned around, with a frown on his face, and preceded to do what his mother told him to do.

"I'm sorry. " said Cane bitterly.

"Please don't do it again."  Said Adar.

Cane only nodded. He took a step forward and was surprised that Adar was the first to initiate the hug. Adar had hugged him and burried his head into his shoulder. Cane's arms were spread out widely. He slowly felt his own arms wrap around Adar.

"Cane, it is better if you hug him back as Well." Smiled his mother as she finished placing Cane's arms around Adar."It's as though I have teach you to hug. It should come naturally, babies do it all the time."

Cane smiled slowly and nodded.

¤¤¤¤

                    End Of Chapter

HEY GUYS, SORRY IF THE CHAPTER DOESNT SEEM TO MEET MY USUAL STANDARDS. I WAS BUSY AND FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO WRITE THIS CHAPTER. ANYWAYS... VOTE AND/OR  COMMENT IF YOU LIKED THE CHAPTER. WHILE A VOTE IS GOOD, A COMMENT ALSO TENDS TO MAKE ME HAPPY!