Naomi leaned against the door and watched as the Bard set about gathering her odds and ends for the journey.  Her reasoning for leaving at such an hour made sense considering her desire for secrecy.  Naomi had no idea what the young woman’s relationship with the Duke was, nor did she much care.  The girl was obviously defying the Dukes orders or was running off with some valuable object other than herself, which if the rumors about the Duke were correct, would make the Bard a valuable commodity indeed.  The idea of the Dukes men giving chase did not exactly sit well with Naomi, but then she never was much of a supporter of Duchy Law considering the contraband she was currently carrying.  Besides, the possibility of facing off against some of the Dukes own was a tempting proposition.  It had been quite awhile since she had faced more than two opponents at a time and she had devised a few new moves that still needed testing.  Of course the new moves had worked splendidly in practice, but all the practice in the world was never a reliable substitute for the thrill, tension and rush of an actual duel.<br/><br/>Naomi shook the visualized duel from her head as the Bard hefted her pack.  She was amused that the Bard carried a rapier and judged its quality as being excellent.  One could always tell a good length of steel, even sheathed, by the design of the hand-guard, scabbard and frog and what the young Bard was carrying rivaled Naomi’s own.  The question was; could she wield it with confidence when facing a living person who was hell bent on killing you.  Naomi nodded.  She was certain the opportunity would arrive for the Bard to “show her metal” as the saying went.<br/><br/>In short order they arrived at the stables.  Naomi ignored the other “companions,” went straight to the stable-master, and spoke quietly with him.  He disappeared into a back room and emerged a short time later with her packed saddle bags, a spare rapier, boot dagger and two small cloth bound bundles which Naomi stuffed into her saddlebags.  She pressed three gold crowns into his beefy hands and thanked him.  The man gave her a gracious bow that seemed a bit overdone, but was nonetheless, sincere.<br/><br/>Her horse saddled and her bedroll, with the spare rapier rolled inside, and saddlebags secured, she tucked the boot-knife away, mounted and jerked the reins.  She spun the charger, a spirited Roan that had been a gift from her commanding officer for “services rendered,” in a tight circle and waited at the stable doors.  Darkness had descended over the city.  If her memory served there would be a full moon rising in an hour or so.  She smiled; a full moon would make traveling the roads after dark somewhat easier.  While she waited for the others, she touched the tiny blue vial to her tongue.  Even though her vision was already excellent, it never hurt to have a slight advantage in the dark.  The Roan snorted and bucked her head.  Naomi patted her neck.<br/><br/>“Patience Cassandra.  You’ll be stretchin your legs soon enough don’t you worry.”<br/><br/>Looking back inside the stables she leaned forward in the saddle and caught the Bard’s eye.<br/><br/>“Whenever you are ready Milady.”  She said with a slight bow.<br/>