Barinthus stood in disbelief.  Doyle was unconscious on the 
floor.  Mortal Dread had been given over to Cel's camp.  Doyle was 
hurt bad.  A murmur of shock spread through the hall.  Barthinus 
glanced up at the Queen's dais.  She and her new lover were laughing 
histerically.

Barthinus moved to stand in front of Andais' throne.

"Your Highness?"

She looked down at Barthinus.  "I like that color of blue on you, 
Barinthus.  It goes well with your eyes and hair.  Wear it more 
often."

He inclined his head.  "Yes, Queen Andais."

"You did not come before us to speak of fashion, Barinthus.  What do 
you want?"  Kevames ran his hand idly up and down Andais' arm.  

"I wish to take Doyle to his room.  It is obvious he will not be able 
to continue to entertain you tonight."

Queen Andais looked bored.  "Very well."  She glanced at Cel.  "We 
will have to come up with something else to entertain us with 
tonight, and welcome you back, my son."

Barinthus inclined his head to Andais agian, and went to Doyle.  He 
did not care to hear what ideas would be discussed for entertainment.

Doyle was out cold on the floor.  Blood was slowly puddling at his 
side where it dripped from the wound.  Barinthus carefully lifted 
Doyle up into his arms.  

"Let me help,"  a soft voice said beside him.  It was Laurella.  She 
was known for avoiding a confrontation, and staying back in the 
shadows.  She was not even a powerful Sidhe.  Her power of hand was a 
skill some human witches had.  She could call the forest animals to 
her and speak to them.  They would do whatever she asked of them.

"Why?"  Barthinus was not sure he could trust her.  

Laurella shook her forest green hair out of her eyes.  Unlike other 
Sidhe women, she kept her hair short, barely at her jaw.  She blinked 
her tricolored eyes at Barinthus.  "For Doyle."  She loaded the 
crossbow she carried.  "Go.  I will be behind you."

Barinthus started across the hall with Doyle.  Laurella followed 
behind him, walking backwards.  They reached the hallway outside the 
feast hall without incident.

Once Barinthus had Doyle layed out on the bed in Doyle's room, he 
turned to Laurella.  She went to kneel at Doyle's bed.  She took his 
hand gently in hers.  "Why did you come back?  You were safe,"  she 
whispered.

"Laurella?"  Doyle whispered.  His eyes slowly opened.

"I'm here," she said, her green eyes filling with tears.  "Be still.  
Let Barinthus remove the knife.  Neither of us can heal you, but I 
will get my pack from my room.  I have herbs that will help it heal, 
and keep it free from infection."  She was quickly out the door.

Barinthus moved to Doyle's side.  "Do you trust her?"

"Yes.  With my life."  Doyle's reply was barely audiable.  

"You love her?"

"And she I, Barinthus.  If she goes with me tonight, will there be 
much reprocussions?"

"I don't think so.  The Queen barely notices her.  Now stay still.  I 
have to pull this out."  He gripped the knife.  Barinthus looked in  
Doyle's eyes.  When he saw Doyle was ready, he quickly pulled the 
blade out.  Doyle screamed, then passed out agian.

The knife was a wicked thing, designed to do more damage coming out 
than going in.  The wound was tinged green.  More poison.  Barinthus 
layed the thing on the dresser.

Laurella came back with a backpack.  She pulled out a few bandages 
and some herbs.  Quickly, she bandaged Doyle's wound.

"Laurella, if you could go with Doyle away from here, would you?"  
Barinthus asked as he watched her work.  

"Instantly," she replied.  She stood and began shoving her supplies 
back into her bag.  "Why do you ask?"

"Frost is coming to get Doyle tonight.  Earlier today, the Queen had 
him beaten.  The wounds are poisoned.  There is much more involved, 
Laurella," the sea god continued, "but the main thing is Doyle needs 
to be some place else to heal."

"I want to go with him, Barinthus.  I can help him with the poison.  
I..."  her voice trailed off.  She looked at Doyle.

"I love him," she whispered.  "I have been waiting these thousand 
years to see him free of the Queen.  He hates the things Queen Andais 
has made him do.  When?"

"We need to go now.  Do you need anything from your room?"

"No."  She looked up at Barinthus.  "Let's go."