Lane's Battle Form

Audney looked at me in that way she had that could have made me feel sorry for her if she was telling me she just ran me through. "I remember nothing..."

I took her hand, as if it would help stop the welling of tears I already saw in her eyes, "My Darling, I will do anything to help you. Do not cry, my love. Every thing will be well."

"Tell me," she said looking at me pleadingly, "tell me anything."

"Of course." I said trying to sound reassuring, but not really knowing where to start on our nearly one hundred year history together. "I remember when we met..."

* * *

It was a heavy day in House Fallstaff, just recently the forces of House Marlain had used the absence of your father to stage an attack on the manor proper. Many of the Knights of the Panther had been killed in the assault. The word reached the high commander that Lord Falstaff wished his daughter brought to him, in his summer manor.

"Pay attention, Sir Lane." I remember him saying sternly, "You have a great task before you. The princess must be protected and arrive safely before her father."

"Yes sir," I replied trying to conceal my dissapointment at missing the battle to come.

"Very good, you will find her in the west sitting room. Leave immediately."

I left that room resolved to do the order and the House proud. Next time, I vowed I would not be looked over for the exciting positions. If I only knew then what I know now...

I arrived at the west sitting room, and knocked. You allowed me to enter, but I stood dumbfounded in the door way like a common peasent. You stood there in a black velvet dress, that seemed to cling to your body like a true coat of fur. I remembered then that I had never seen you this close before.

"See something you like?" you said, "You're staring."

"No, Milady... I mean, yes. umm..." I said intelligently. It was then that I first saw your smile. It was as if I had lived behind dark clouds all my life and had just now seen the sun. "Milady, I am Sir Lane, Squire to the knights of the Lynx, sworn protectors of house Fallstaff."

"Very well, sir Lane," you said putting your hand on my arm, and raising my temperature several degrees, "My father awaits, let us be off."

Before long we used several secret escape tunnels in the Manor to emerge behind the enemies lines. We walked in silence for a while, as I had nothing that I thought was worthy to say to such a lady as you. I noticed you looking at me, as if you were peering deep into my soul, "So you are a shapeshifter." you said.

"Yes my lady. I have mastered the beginnings of the art, as all Knights of the Lynx are required to do."

"Most impressive." I felt my pulse quicken at the praise. "I have yet to learn such things, my father believe that my Sorcery is more important."

"Your father is a wise man, Milady."

"But he treats me like such a child. He never tells me anything, and he always tries to 'keep his little girl safe.' I mean, after two hundred years don't you think that he would realize I am not a child anymore." you then looked at me a smiled. "I would even be insulted by this armed escort, if I did not approve of his company so."

My heart suddenly jumped into my mouth and held my tongue hostage. After a moment I said a clumsy thank you, and you laughed. At the sound of your laugh I knew my heart would never again be my own.

"Do I make you uncomfortable, Lane?"

"No milady," I began, then my eyes narrowed on some subtle movement behind her, "RUN MILADY! " I yelled drawing my weapon, and lunging past you. The attempted assassin, one of Marlain's, and I met with a flash of steel. I heard your footsteps going away and was able to concentrate totally on the battle. In mere moments I was turning to follow the direction you had gone in.

I rounded the next turn and saw you and several of Marlain's grunt troops in a nearby alley. The largest of them was holding you, and they had you gagged so as to not use your sorcery. I could not understand them as they spoke their house language, but the way they were pawing at you left no mistake of their intentions.

I felt the rage build in me. A crack of thunder from a comming storm brought with it my angry cry and my Battle form, "LEAVE HER ALONE!" I flew into the pack of them rending them apart with both claw and blade, the terrified look on your face driving me on to defeat them completely.

When the battle was ended, you ran to me, and I held you till you stopped crying, feeling both outraged at what had happened and joyously wishing that the moment would never end. Coming down from your near hysteric state, I learned that you understood the Marlain language and heard all of the horrendous acts they were to perform upon you had I not come. As you calmed down, it began to rain. I used my wings to shield you from getting wet. We walked to a nearby corpse of trees, as once they sheltered us I returned to my human form.

"Lane," you said, "I have never seen such valor."

"Milady..." I began,

"Please, call me Audney. You have earned that right."

"Audney," I said smiling, "I would rather die that see harm come to you."

"Ahh," you said seeming slightly dissapointed, "the ever Dutiful Knight."

"Audney," I replied taking you by the hand, "I would protect you even though it were not my duty."

"Why?" you said leaning closer to me. I could feel the heat of your body even in the cold rain.

"Because when I first met you, you took something very important from me."

"What?" you replied, slightly confused.

"My Heart." Smiling, you leaned forward and kissed me. I enveloped you in my arms and I know not how long I held you. It seemed like an eternity, but when it was over I knew it was far too brief a time.

"I love you, Audney."

"I love you, Lane" you replied, pulling me down to the soft grass under the tree. As I recall, we did not leave that spot till the dawn came.

The next morning I recall laying next to you and watching you sleep. I knew then that I wanted to be with you more than anything. When we reached your father, I suspected he knew what had gone on. He seemed glad that you had reached him safely. Upon giving him my report, or rather an abridged report, he told me he had a new assignment. I was to become your personal guard until your three hundered birthday, when you would be named heir to the house.

"I am sorry to tie you down to such mundane matters for a century, Sir Lane."

I bowed to hide my smile, "Milord, I am a loyal servant of House Fallstaff. I shall serve her as you see best."

"Yes," he replied in that manner he has when things go his way. "I am sure you will."

It was not until later that I discovered that it was Lord Fallstaff that had requested me personally to be your escort that night.

**Written by Josh Merritt**

Stephen's depiction of Lane being crucified by Deidre and her minions