Mustering what strength he had, Allen stood slowly and again looked about himself. Not a living soul was around. All that was left were dead bodies burnt or mutilated beyond recognition. Off in some distance the sound of running horses came to him and he thought for a moment before quickly dropped back to the ground. He laid still with his eyes squeezed shut and listened to the hoof beats as they came closer.
"You two men check here for any living that we can take as hostage." A deep angry voice bellowed out. "We'll bring them to town and show those foolish town people what can happen to them should they decide to try to set a battle plan to stop us. We will rule the entire country side soon and no one will stop us!"
With that said the rider spurred his mount on to a quick departure signalling the rest of the troup to follow him.
Allen could hear the two men tallking as they walked among the dead bodies.
"Oh damn!" One of the men groaned loud. "Poor bastard."
"Hell Luth don't go getting all wimpy on me now." The other man broke in. "If you don't want to look at their faces just give them a good hard kick. If they're alive enough to bother with you'll hear them groan."
Suddenly, Allen heard footsteps come to his side and a heavy boot connected to his ribs. It took all he had left in him to stay limp and silent, but the results were good. The man walked away from him.
"I don't see any live bodies here. Lets get out of here."
Allen let out a sigh as he heard the sound of hoof beats rushing off to catch up with the others. He opened his eyes and looked around.
Strumming his guitar and singing as he walked through a busy street, Allen smiled at the people that passed him by. He smiled at a particularly pretty young girl as she chatted with another young girl. They both looked at him and rushed off giggling and whispering in each others ears.
Grinning to himself he thought, now this was the life. His freedom, mingling with good people, and playing his music to anyone that cared to listen. What more could life have to offer. He figured what ever it was he would take it all in stride as it came to him. Thinking back on that nightmarish balttleat Scarlendale, he shuttered. It was well over a year since that episode of his life took place, but it still haunted his dreams and made nights sometimes long and lonely.
Moving down the busy street he smiled and strummed his guitar. A gay little tune came to his mind and he began to sing it as he played it's tune on his guitar.
"Young man," A voice broke in.
Allen looked to his side to see a middle aged man standing with a look of worry upon his face.
"I was wondering," The man spoke. "if yoou would be so kind as to come to my home and perform for my daughters small birthday party. She is going into her sixteenth year and her mother wishes to give her a special day. I would gladly pay for your time and preformance."
Not needing time to think on this, Allen smiled and nodded. "Why I would most happily perform for such a worthy deed."
Following the man down first one street and then another, they made their way to the home of the Velvetys. A small crowd ambled about chatting and laughing. Children ran about chasing a dog, and young girls gathered around a table chatting and gigling. When the man made the announcement that he had found a minstrel, everyone clapped and cheered for the music to begin.
A very pretty young girl came forward shyly and smiled up at Allen thanking him for coming. It was the young girk that had smiled at him in the street earlier. A that very moment his heart was stolen by her beauty and gentleness, and he knew she was to be his love of his heart.
As the day went by he sang every little love melody he could think of to her as he watched her dance about with her cousin. Later that night he talked with her, but again her couson was with her and he found it quite intriguing to see her so shy with him but yet so dauntless with her cousin. Together they taunted and teased him bravely, but as soon as her cousin stepped away, Mary became shy and quiet.
As the days passed Allen was never any further then a mile from Mary's home. Often spending hours with her and her cousin. The threesome became close friends and were always seen everywhere together.
Angel, reallizing the couple needed time alone found errands to run or chores to do about the home that she share with her uncle and aunt and their daughter, Mary. On these rare occasions Allen would find himself alone with Mary and he would try to steal a kiss from her.
Finally the day came when Allen approached Mary's father and asked him for Mary's hand in marrisge. John looked at Allen for a long moment and then smiled slapping the young man on the shoulder.
"I would be proud to have you as my son-in-law Allen. And as an endowment I'll give you a portion of land to build that cabin I've heard you speak of."
