Silas yawned as he entered the house and dusted his feet. He could tell by the glow coming from the office room that his brother was up grading papers. "I'm home," he announced. He entered the office to find Reuben where he expected him.

"You're later than usual," Reuben said glancing at the clock.

"I'm going out again," Silas said. "Remember, I have a friend coming in by train tonight."

"Yes, yes that," Reuben said. He put down his pen and removed his glasses. "You know, Silas, I realize that we were never really close when Mother was alive. You were her baby boy and I was above it all."

Silas leaned on the door jamb. "That's what happens when siblings are born so far apart."

"I think I was twenty-four when you were born," Reuben said. "Children didn't interest me and I wasn't thrilled with Mother's new marriage."

"That was twenty-three years ago, it doesn't matter," Silas said.

"Well I've been thinking about it a lot lately and I'm sorry for being so cold towards you all those years. I suppose I was bitter that my father ran off and left me the way he did. But after that homeless boy drowned in the Narrow Lake that year I've come to realize I regret not getting close to you when it mattered."

Silas stood in the awkward silence that hung between them. "I think I turned out all right." He shrugged. He turned to go then stopped. "And, Reuben, none of that was your fault. You were aloof but you were a good son to our mother and I know she always appreciated that." His older brother gave him a weak smile and Silas left him to grade his papers.

Going to the back of the house he took out his keys and unlocked the white door to the backmost room of the house. He gently closed it behind him and lit the gas lamps in the wall until the room was bright. The hot amber glows reflected off the polished steel that decorated all four walls in the forms of blades going every which way.

Among them were paintings of knights in heavy armor and warriors bringing down prey with long deadly spears. He crossed the room to a narrow side table and picked up the sheathed sword that rested there. His fingers danced around the hilt as he pulled the cutlass from it. The light illuminated the designs etched into the blade.

He closed the blade with a loud scrapping sound and proceeded to change into his boots and cloak. Flipping up the large hood he fastened the sword to his belt. When he heard a noise he glanced briefly over his shoulder. Walking over to the door he opened it slightly and checked the hall for his brother. Seeing no sign of him he slipped out of the sword room and took the back door out of the house.

As soon as he was down the five steps he was running through the nippy night like a shadow released from the body that formed it. The cobblestones sounded beneath his feet as his boots struck them and a dog barked as he passed a wooden fence.

When he reached the dark park he slowed down and walked to the lake edge where is hardly visible reflection starred back at him. He couldn't help but think back to the antics of earlier that day and he had to laugh to see such a proper woman as Ladybird Winters soaked through.

"Is it you, Silas?"

Silas turned around and looked up the embankment at the dark figure that stood among the fallen leaves.

"It's me," he said joining the other person. "You made it." They shook hands.

"Of course I made it," the second man said. "I've talked of nothing else but this for years."

"Are they still sighing and groaning over your convictions at headquarters?"

"Very funny, Silas." He crossed his arms. "Does your brother know I'm here?"

"I told him a friend was coming in by train and that's why I had to go out again," Silas said. "I hadn't had to lie like that in a long time you know."

"You should have come with me," the man said, "But you wanted to teach."

"I wanted a different life," Silas said. "Besides I was just a messenger boy and you've filled that spot well. My loyalty is always with you but I...I don't know I just started wanting other things."

"A woman," the man said. "Nothing comes between plans like romance. It's just too bad you could never find one who would be willing to join us."

"It didn't work out," Silas said. "So...how is everyone? How is Maverick?"

"Ferocious with a sword, thanks to you." The man's attention was stolen away by the sound of a barking dog. He turned his head to the park entrance where a flash of red lit up under the tall gas lamps. "Red Herrings."

"What?"

"I thought I was being followed, come on!" He spun quickly and started running with Silas behind him as the red hooded men came through the gate. "Keep running," he said to Silas as they dove into the wooded section of the park.

Branches snapped beneath their feet and leaves rustled in the wind of their black cloaks. They stopped suddenly as two more men came running toward them ahead.

"This way!" Silas said.

"But won't that take us back to the lake?"

"There is a bridge." Silas led the way out of the wood. He could see the white painted bridge just ahead as they ran down the slope toward the lake. Their boots hammered onto the blanks and just as they got half way across two more men stepped onto the bridge ahead of them. Turning back in the direction they saw the four closing in coming to a stop on the bridge.

They both drew their swords and Silas his pistol as well.

"You put up quite the chase. Tennessee," one of the men said.

"What do you want, Napoleon?" Tennessee demanded. "I don't have anything of value on me for you to plunder." His dark brown eyes glared at the man.

Napoleon gestured for his men to stand down. "You EAK always think everyone is out to get you. You assume that you are the only ones who do good."

"Well I didn't see you come to our aid to take down Richmond," Tennessee said. "And you withheld information on the whereabouts of Kincaid that got Winters killed."

Napoleon tilted his head. "Is that why you've come to Massachusetts? For his daughters?"

"That's none of your business now why did you follow me?"

Napoleon looked from Tennessee to Silas who looked ready to defend himself. He pulled back his red hood. "I'm not here to rob you," he said with a mild Chinese accent. "On the contrary I've came to warn you. The EAK is well aware that little remain of the splintered groups from Richmond's treasure hunting party. His sons have been stopped, Kincaid was drowned and he took out most of his enemies before then."

"So that just leaves you," Tennessee said with his weapon still brandished.

"No. That leaves me," Napoleon said, "but that also leaves the elusive band." He noticed Tennessee shift with curiosity. "They are mercenaries led by a man that calls himself January Frost. He's better known as Weeping Eyed Jack in the South. He calls his band the Windstalkers and they are bounty hungry men, no different than Richmond and Kincaid. I followed you hear to warn you because New England is their backyard."

"By that you mean they have eyes here?" Silas asked.

"You'll be surprised how far they can reach. That's why they are called Windstalkers," Napoleon said. "Currently we have eyes on the inside."

"And how can we trust you?" Tennessee asked. "You're a Red Herring after all."

"We are not much different than you."

"No," Tennessee said. "You formed because you wanted more of what Richmond showed you. We formed in spite of ones like you."

"You can take my warning or leave it, Tennessee," Napoleon said. "I shan't feel guilty if you don't. Let's go." The Red Herrings filed off the bridge and disappeared into the woods in their red cloaks.

Silas and Tennessee put their weapons away.

"Can we trust him?"

"I don't know," Tennessee said as they stood together in the dark night. "It doesn't make sense that he would warn me. He's never cared for the Mercy Treasure."

"Mercy Treasure?"

"That's call it," Tennessee said. "The last part of the map talks of two guardians and three mercies. I've never been able to understand it." He turned and looked into the dark water below the bridge.

"Why did you want to see me?" Silas asked.

"We were a good team, Silas," Tennessee said. "You went where a colored man couldn't and I went where a white man...shouldn't."

Silas sighed. "I can't go back to that."

"Can't you?" Tennessee said. "I said nothing about dressing the part." He nodded to Silas' clothes and sword.

Silas blushed. "I was a silly boy then who didn't know which way to go. My mother was so proud when I came home to stay. My brother and I actually get along." When he thought back to his conversation with Reuben earlier that night he shook his head. "I can't do it. I'm leaving for Europe with the family that employs me."

Tennessee sighed. "Well I can't stop you."

"Look, just because I can't go with you doesn't mean I can't help." Silas said. "I know the Winters sisters very well. I could introduce you. They would trust you better if you came with a friend."

Tennessee smiled and slapped Silas on the back. "I knew I could count on you for something."

Silas smiled. "Welcome back, Tennessee."

/

Beatrice swung her legs as she sat on the fence waiting for her sisters to join her. Ladybird was hooked on Philemon's arm as he talked to a couple and Wysteria was just behind with her foot turned in staring at the bottom of her shoe. Sunday had come too quickly and she was not looking forward to the rest of the week.

When the trio finally started toward her she jumped down from the fence. "There was a stranger in church today," she announced.

"Oh?" Ladybird said. "I didn't notice anyone."

"I saw him too," Wysteria said. "He sat next to the Candlewood brothers."

"Maybe he is a friend of theirs then," Ladybird said.

"I'm always cautious about strangers," Philemon put in. "You can't trust just anyone who strolls into town. Even if they do attend church."

"We're not children, Philemon, we know," Beatrice laughed. "I thought it would be polite to welcome him but I didn't see him anywhere after the service."

"Sounds suspicious to me," Philemon said as they stepped onto the path leading into town then started up the sidewalk. Since summer he had gotten into the habit of walking Ladybird home. "Did you notice your grandmother watching us today?" Philemon asked as they went through the front door. He took off his hat and hung it. "She treats us like a royal couple." He sat himself in the parlor.

"The Grandmother would rather you two be married already," Beatrice said sitting down on a stool.

"Well she'll have to wait until March like everyone else," Philemon said, "Though I am getting impatient myself." He looked at Ladybird who smiled.

"Do you know yet where you will honeymoon?" Beatrice asked.

"Beatrice it isn't your business," Wysteria whispered to her sister.

"No it's fine," Philemon said. "I've been dreaming of a cabin in the woods where we could spend the whole two weeks. A quaint little cabin overlooked by the Swiss Alps."

"Switzerland!" Beatrice gasped. "You're going to drag Ladybird, a country girl, all the way to Switzerland?"

Wysteria picked up Breakfast when the cat skipped into the room. "Maybe it only seems far because we have never been."

"I've seen it on a map in class and it's halfway around the world," Beatrice said then turned to Philemon. "You might as well go all the way to Russia and see the Tsar."

Philemon laughed. "That could be an option if Ladybird here doesn't object to Moscow or St. Petersburg."

Ladybird chuckled and shook her head. "Russia's too far for me," she said. "Kentucky is too far for me."

"You could go to Florida," Beatrice suggested. "It's warm there in March. You can sit on a beach chair and sip delicious juices while you watch the sun come up."

"I'll have to think about it," Philemon said placing his hand over Ladybirds. "I just want you two to know that your sister is going to make me very happy. She already has."