Who Is My Husband
Scene 45

The children that were all on the wagon had hopped off running from the loud crying sounds. The sounds were high pitched and frightening.

Kailee stood there frozen momentarily. This woman had mentioned her mother’s name and was looking where she used to live. That was not a coincidence. She leaned forward a bit as she was getting a better look. Instantly, Grum and Ty had grabbed onto her.

“Lance, you need to get Kailee back.” Grum said lowly in almost a growling tone.

Kailee shrugged both men off of her arms and glared at them. “That woman mentioned my mother’s name. I want to talk to her.”

“That isn’t a normal person, Kailee.” Will said quietly as he stared at her. “That is a banshee.”

Kailee looked up at the crying woman. “I’ve heard the name but I don’t know anything about them.”

“A banshee is part of the fairy world. It is said they can predict the death of their master and will also forever mourn their death.” Lance’s voice was quiet as he approached Kailee.

She looked over at the five men. Will, Phill, Ty, Lance and Grum all seemed uptight and tense. But there was something else… they all seemed to have knowledge on this creature. She had just found another puzzle piece. Will, Phill and Ty were also not ordinary men. They had the same defensive posture as Grum and Lance. Plus, earlier Ty had known they were being followed even with the men out of sight. And now when even the wagon driver ran in fear none of the men looked afraid. Instead, they looked ready for a fight. She half rolled her eyes. Really? Five men against one crying woman? Yeah, that’s manly.

“Calm down killers. She hardly looks dangerous.” Kailee tilted her head and smiled at the men.

“They can be dangerous, Kailee. They are magically strong.” Grum kept a fixated gaze on the banshee.

“Well, you can stay here and hide behind me then. Don’t worry Grum, I’ll protect you.” Kailee pushed forward again but was once again held back.

“I’m not asking kitten.” Grum said lowly.

“Neither am I. Who are you to tell me no anyways? You think you need to protect me? Fine, then come with me.” Kailee looked over towards the woman. “She isn’t bad. She is just sad. I… I think I need to help her.”

“We are just trying to keep you safe Kailee.” Lance said quietly.

“And protecting you means keeping you away from danger. It is our job to keep you safe.” Grum’s voice was slightly irritated causing Kailee to snap.

“BUT YOU CAN’T KEEP ME SAFE NO ONE CAN!” She yelled angrily and quickly raised her hand over her mouth as she gasped at her own outburst. She didn’t mean to blurt that out. But it was the truth she had kept hidden. If Bane revived no one could stop him but her. No one could keep her safe. And she did not know why. Why was Bane her responsibility? Why did she have this strength?

The men stared at her blankly. Grum narrowed his eyes on Kailee and growled out quietly. “What does that mean?”

Kailee shook her head not wanting to say anymore. “You can’t always protect me is all…”

Grum looked into her brown eyes and smiled. “That is where you are wrong. I will always protect you even if it means I die trying. Protecting someone doesn’t always mean victory but it means you will always be there to risk your life first.”

“We should protect each other then. Remember, we are all stronger together, right?” Kailee watched his eyes soften and he nodded his head.

“Alright Kailee. But let me lead in front.” Grum finally relented and reached out putting his hand on Kailee’s head. “You are the troublesome little sister I always wanted.”

“She is starting to rebel against us Grum.” Lance chuckled and hopped off of the wagon turning to extend his hand to help Kailee down.

Kailee walked to the edge of the wagon then turned around looking directly at Ty. Then to Will and Phill. “Sooooo are you guys all the same?” She smiled at them as she waited.

She could see the amusement flicker in Ty’s eyes as Will started chuckling.

“You are quite perceptive.” Phill grinned and shook his head.

Kailee shook her head. “Not really. You guys are just horribly obvious.” She then reached out to Lance who helped her down from the wagon. Grum jumped down beside her at the same time Ty did.

“s**t. Look.” Lance said, looking in the direction of phantom estates. A bright orange flame was piercing the darkness there as something was ablaze.

“We will go check that out.” Ty said, looking back at Phill. “See if we can discover the culprit.”

“I will stay here on standby in case I am needed.” Will said, nodding his head to Grum.

Kailee watched as Ty and Phill started walking off from the wagon. She watched as they both stopped a moment to turn back and look at her. As if they were contemplating if they should leave her. She looked up and could then tell that there was some type of communication happening. Some sort of secret mental meeting she wasn’t invited to. Then the two men stood there just waiting.

“Private meeting?” Kailee asked with her eyes raised and Grum just gave her a sheepish smile.

“They are going to wait until they see everything is okay here first. Stay behind me as we approach. Just in case.” Grum said as he turned to face the crying banshee.

Kailee smiled and nodded. She felt Lance put his warm arm around her shoulders as he held her protectively next to his side. She looked ahead at the banshee as they got closer. She had ivory colored skin and hair that was as white as the moon. She turned her head revealing her grey wet eyes as they got closer. Her eyes immediately landed on Kailee.

“I could see her death but couldn’t stop it. I was too late.” The banshee whimpered out keeping her grey eyes on Kailee.

“You knew my mother?” Kailee stepped to Grum’s side as Lance continued to stay firmly next to her.

The banshee nodded as she continued to quietly cry. “She was my master.”

Kailee frowned. “What is your name?”

“Elena.”

“Elena.” Kailee said quietly. She patted Lance’s hand and gave him a smile telling him it was okay. She then walked up to the girl and embraced her in a hug. “You don’t need to cry anymore for Meera. As her daughter I release you from your bond to her.” She then looked back at Grum who seemed to be communicating again. Probably letting Ty and Phill know everything was okay with them so they could go on ahead.

“Tomorrow night will be the anniversary of her death.” Elena said quietly. “I will mourn her death one more night and then I will be done.” She then pulled away to look at Kailee. “Thank you. Because of you, I can finally rest.”

Suddenly an orange fiery bird flew through the trees landing next to Kailee and Elena.

“Sparks! I was beginning to think you abandoned me. Or that you were really mad at me for how I spoke to you.” Kailee said quietly. “There is a lot I have been wanting to talk to you about. Also, I met my stewards.”

Noisy little men. Sparks squawked loudly. Sorry I didn’t visit you this morning. I was checking to make sure Cresha wasn’t going to pursue. She won’t be going anywhere. She is in no condition and may not even live through her injuries.

“I didn’t realize what I did was that bad. Not that she didn’t deserve it.” Kailee couldn’t feel bad since she had captured Trey. And was most likely involved in her parents and aunt’s death.

I know you want to talk. But this isn’t the time. You need to return back to Clover Estate.

“Why? What is wrong?” Kailee asked. Lance came closer to Kailee as he noticed how upset the phoenix was.

The forest is in unrest. Things are waking that shouldn’t be. We are out of time in that aspect. You are going to have to calm the forest and put the ancients back to sleep.

“I have got to do what?” Kailee was supposed to put the ancients to sleep? Ancient what? “What are ancients?”

Alistair will explain everything. Please for now go back where it is safe.

“Kailee, Sparks is right. You should avoid the darkness tonight. Your presence will draw unwanted creatures to this village. And you don’t want any of them getting hurt.” Elena looked down at Sparks and smiled. “It is nice seeing you again, old friend.”

Sparks nodded his head to Elena. Same to you.

Kailee looked back at the village. She didn’t want any of them to get injured because of her. If creatures were searching for her it would be best to lead them to the Clover Estate. “Alright. I will head back.”

I’ll visit you tomorrow night. Sparks flapped his wings causing cinders to fly in the air as he flew back into the forest.

“He must be really busy lately. He doesn’t spend as much time with me anymore.” Kailee said while Elena shook her head.

“He doesn’t have to worry about you as much now. So he is finally able to take care of the duties that had always been tasked to him.” Elena’s soft voice almost seemed like a whisper. She lifted her gaze up staring in the distance to where her master used to live. “I’ll go and pay my respects now.” She lifted her gaze to Grum and Lance. “Please make sure she gets back safely.”

Lance tugged on Kailee’s arm as he led her away. From the pieces of the conversation, he could gather it was important to get Kailee back home. So as the banshee headed in one direction, they headed in another. Grum ran ahead to fetch the carriage and soon they were rolling along back on the road.

“Why were you talking about the ancients?” Grum asked quietly.

“You know what they are?” Kailee asked as she sat more upright looking at Grum who sat across from her.

“The ancients are the guardians of the forest. The Sleeper, a large druid who rests as a tree. The Hammer, a rock giant who rests looking like a massive boulder. The Cloak, which is a creature that rests as heavy fog. And then above all of them would be the forest spirit. Said to be the lord of the forests that takes form as a white stag. Though their existence is mainly rumors. The stag hasn’t been seen for years and years. And the other three ancients are said to be in a deep slumber.” Grum folded his hands in front of him. “So what business do you have with the ancients?”

“Sparks said they ancients have awakened. Which is why I shouldn’t be out at night right now.” Kailee didn’t even know herself what she was supposed to do so she left out the putting them back to sleep part.

“You said you had to do something?” Lance asked, nudging her side.

“I’m not really sure to be honest. He said Alistair would explain it more to me.” Kailee said quietly.

“Oh Trey is going to love this.” Grum said and he leaned his head back. “I wonder if Reggie has managed to seal the deal.”

“I hope so. Can’t wait to ship Jane back home.” Lance said with a g***n leaning his head back slightly. Jane was a pain to have around.

Kailee smiled. She was glad they both didn’t like Jane. It was nice feeling a sense of unity between them. It would have been difficult if she was actually well liked among them. But she wasn’t. And they were just as eager to get rid of Jane as she was. She leaned her head on Lance’s shoulder. She listened to the soft sounds of clopping hooves and the wheels rolling on the ground. The sounds mixed with the crickets and tree frogs creating a lulling noise. She agreed with Grum. She hoped Reggie was able to seal the deal.