Elizabeth left Adam to his rest, and looked in at the sleeping bodies of Gus and Millie as she set her bowl on the table. Lucius sat at the table, restlessly twanging the string on his bow, and she motioned him to come outside with her. They walked outside, squinting a bit in the sunlight, and saw Gerald and Sam standing together. The two men faced each other, and by the way Samuel was clenching and unclenching his fists, Elizabeth knew Gerald was about to be pounded into dust.

"Go play, honey." she said to Lucius. "Stay where we can see you." As Lucius ran for the trees, Elizabeth ran to place herself between the two gentleman. "Well," she said brightly, "Adam looks well. Nasty cuts, though.."
The two men glared at each other a moment more before Sam finally acknowledged her. "Yes'm, Miz Dolly. At least he has a safe place to stay while he recovers."
"Yes, but for how long?" snapped Gerald. Sam took a step forward, but when Elizabeth firmly placed her hand on Samuel's arm, he gave her a pained look, then nodded and walked back towards the cabin.

She watched Samuel walk off, then turning, she linked her arm through Gerald's. "Come, let's go sit down, shall we?" They walked to a patch of meadow grass and flowers and rested. Elizabeth finally spoke: "You didn't believe that old woman did you?" she asked.
"Of course not!" he barked. "What do you mean? Mythical garbage, that's all it is. Useless nonsense.."
"So," she asked, "You aren't afraid of her, just her garbage?"
"Elizabeth!" came a scolding voice from behind her, and she turned to see Tom standing at the edge of the clearing. He came over and sat beside so that she was flanked by the two men.

"I am sorry," Elizabeth said to Gerald. "But you do have to admit that there have been some strange goings on.."
"If I have any discomfort, Missus Miller, it is not from that old woman." Gerald leaned low and hissed at her: "It would more likely be from the fact that some person crawled up to me in my sleep and painted on me in blood. That is the thing we need to fear right now. The men following us? The fact that they feel secure enough in their hunt to toy with us."
Shocked at his outburst, Elizabeth stared at the ground. Her skin flushed, she picked at a flower in a subconscious game of 'he'll kill me- he'll kill me not' as tears began to well in her eyes.
"Gerald," said Tom, "That's enough. You are not giving us any new information, Missus Miller knows..." Gerald glared at him for a second, then quickly rolled to his feet and left them to go and play with Lucius.

They watched the two at play for a while, Elizabeth occasionally sniffling, when Tom asked uncomfortably, "How's Adam?"
"Lucky that cat didn't rip his throat wide open." she sighed. "Abigail gave me a wash to clean it up, I think he'll heal all right."
"We can't stay here much longer, Elizabeth. We aren't safe yet."
"I know." she replied, and dropped her head to watch her hands begin mutilating flowers once again.

Tom reached out and brushed away the hair hanging in her downturned face. "Then what are you thinking?"
"Don't be foolish, Tom. You aren't and idiot and neither am I." she glared at him, "Our brave knights are in trouble. One physically wounded, and the other..." she drifted off to look at Gerald once more.

Tom stared fiercely at Elizabeth, until he saw the mist gather in her eyes again. Somewhat uncomfortably, he put his arm around her and let her fall for a moment before he said: "Now, now. No tears. Everything will be just as it should be. You heard old Missus Mumbo-Jumbo in there" he motioned toward the cabin, "nothing to worry about..."
Elizabeth hiccuped a small laugh as she sat up and wiped her face. "Be quiet!" she chuckled "If she hears you, she's liable to turn you into a toad or something.." Tom smiled at her and she continued, "Oh yes, it would improve your personality immensely, but it doesn't bode well for our travels north, now does it?"

The two sighed, and looked up from their conversation to see Lucius looking concerned. "Miz 'Lizbeth? You all right?"
"No fear, young man" spoke Tom. "Your fair damson is a bit bruised perhaps, but still as sour as ever." He tried to look innocent under Elizabeth's withering glare, and stood to place his hand on Lucius shoulder. "Where is Mister Owen?"
"That's what I come to tell you Mistah Eaton. Mistah Owen done lef'. He tole me to get back here, that it wasn't none of my business, but he din't look right."
"I'll go find him." said Tom. "You two get back below and tend to Adam, all right?"