Seriously? Why?!

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Morgan sat shuffling through old papers in the small attic above the cottage bedroom. She remembered having seen something about a protection spell somewhere in the miscellaneous piles of discarded parchment. She heard Linda calling to her just as she came across something that looked promising. Calling out a distracted response, she stood and came down the ladder, reading the paper. Looking up, she saw Linda holding a freshly baked loaf of bread, smiling determinedly.

"Jaysen took some men to scout the area, see if any kingsmen are nearby. I baked some bread and thought you might be hungry. Want some?" Morgan nodded, focused entirely on the sheet in her hand. She accepted the bread without glancing up.

"I think I found our answer," Morgan said offhandedly, rereading. "This is the protection spell papa put on the cottage and I think it might still work, if we renew it in time." Linda stood beside Morgan and read the paper, intrigued.

"But it says that it only works if it's just the two of us within the perimeter at all times. What about Jaysen and his men?" Linda was concerned, having grown a little attached.

Morgan shrugged. "I don't know. We'll have to discuss it with them when they return." With that she went back to reading over the spell, mentally making a list of things to prepare. Just then, they heard horses approaching outside. Morgan looked up as Linda ran to the door. Throwing it open, she saw Jaysen and one of his men dismounting. Seeing the dejected look on Jaysen's face, Linda hurriedly walked towards them.

Jaysen bowed, then said, "Greetings, M'lady. I regret to inform you, but the news isn't very good. The king has placed a small bounty on you and your friend for defying him. I'm afraid you may not be safe." Linda turned to look at Morgan standing in the doorway. Her face was grey compared to her normal rosy complexion. Linda knew she was blaming herself for this new annoyance.

She turned back to Jaysen. "Morgan found a spell that could be an answer to this problem, but we wanted to confer with you first."

"Of course, M'lady. Anything that helps to fulfill my promise of protection." Jaysen bowed, then looked imploringly to Morgan. She quickly joined him and Linda in the middle of the clearing.

Pulling out the parchment with the spell on it, Morgan handed it to Jaysen. After a quick glance, he nodded.

"Other than a few preparatory actions, I do believe that this could be the best possible solution."

"But you'll have to leave and won't be able to come back. Won't that worry you?" Linda blushed slightly; having Morgan speak so blatantly was slightly embarrassing, especially knowing she was speaking on Linda's behalf.

"But of course! I've never met anyone more kind and helpful, albeit stubborn, than you two. But the spell says we can't be present, therefore we shall leave if it means protecting you. That is our duty." Jaysen looked briefly at Morgan, then turned toward Linda. "We'll need to help you prepare some things, but other than that, it shouldn't take long for the spell to be effective." With that, he and Linda began discussing what needed to happen.

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