Friends and Enemies // Chapter Twenty // A Sudden Departure

"So, Immer, what have you found?" Willow questioned as they strolled down the tree-lined lanes of Gorgamede.
   "Well," Immer began. "I've found that  though the Knight seems to pledge allegiance to the new king, he does not seem to be wholeheartedly following Tashmath's schemes."
   "In what way?" Teclemith asked. He was studying Immer as if he wasn't quite sure he could still trust her, but wanted to.
   "He has not implemented all of the instructions Knights are supposed to implement. He has not forbidden worship of the Author, nor closed the churches," she explained, pointing to a majestic church shimmering in the mid-morning sunshine.
   "Hmm..." Killian grunted, obviously only paying half-attention. Willow rolled her eyes and elbowed him.
   "Pay attention," she mumbled. He glared at her.
   "Interesting," Teclemith nodded. Willow turned her attention back to Immer.
   "Along with that, he has not collected all of the taxes Tashmath requires now," Immer remarked.
   "How do you know? Did you sneak into the Vault and read over the ordinances?" Teclemith challenged.
   Immer gave him a superior glance. "I listen. I know. Besides, disguising yourself as a servant is fairly easy around here."
   Willow giggled. "You do that? D does that all the time! She kind of has to with her job."
   Killian jerked back to the conversation and inquired, "Who is D? Your fiancee?"

   Willow gave him a disgusted look. "Oh for crying out loud. 'He' is a she and she is my... good friend."

   Teclemith looked amused. "What is her job?"

   Willow's eyes flashed for a second, so fast that they couldn't tell if it was anger or fear in her eyes. "She's in logistics. Sort of," she explained with a toss of her head.

   Immer cleared her throat. "Back on topic, if you please."

   The sudden approach of pounding hooves interrupted their conversation. Turning to see who it was, the group was amazed to see a messenger on his horse, pounding down the cobbled road towards them.

   "What on earth..." Willow muttered. But the sight of his face stopped her remark. It was pale and drawn, and his eyes were wild. He jerked back on the reigns and yanked his horse to a stop once he reached them

   "Ganymede requests your immediate return to the castle," he panted.

   The group glance at each other, wondering why in the world Ganymede would need them. "All right, thank you," Teclemith answered for them. "You may tell him that we will be there as soon as possible."

   "Why does he need us?" Killian inquired, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

   The messenger shook his head. "All he said was that it was urgent, sir." Then he galloped away.

   "Well," Willow shrugged. "We'd better go."

 *******************************

   Ganymede was pacing in the parlor of the castle when they - including Immer - arrived.

   "What's wrong?" Willow asked, cutting to the chase as soon as they stepped into the room. Ganymede glanced up, and he threw a questioning glance at Immer.

   "This is Immer, she's a friend," Willow explained quickly. "Now why'd you need us to come over so fast?"

   Ganymede cleared his throat and nodded towards a young woman seated regally in one of the non-upholstered chairs. She had darkish brown waves {not as dark as Willow's hair, though} and clear pale skin. Her grey eyes darted over each of the new arrivals, and her slender hands lay folded atop of her lap. Her neat white dress was spotless, and she had an air of confidence.

   "This is Princess Asharlah, cousin of Prince Emmeth," Ganymede introduced. "Asharlah, you already know Killian and Teclemith, and this is Willow and Limmer," he indicated each with a wave of his hand.

   "Immer," Immer corrected tucking a piece of her cropped hair behind and ear.

   "Princess," the guys acknowledged, politely bowing slightly. Immer and Willow nodded, not ones to curtsey. Asharlah nodded back.

   "I have important information for my cousin, Emmeth. Unfortunately, I do not know the way. I need a guide." Asharlah examined all of them with her piercing eyes.

   Killian raised his eyebrows at the group. I'll do it, Willow mouthed at him. He glanced at Teclemith for a moment, not sure. Teclemith nodded. He was sure Willow had a good reason to want to spend any time with the daughter of their enemy.

   "I will guide you, Asharlah," Willow stated, trying her best to look composed.

   "And we will stay behind for a while, to fulfill our purpose," Teclemith put in, glancing warily at Asharlah.

   An annoyed expression crossed Asharlah's face. "My cousin trusts me. Do you not think you should as well?" she asked, her eyes sparking.

   "Of course," Willow interjected calmly. "Now if we are to leave posthaste, I will go pack my things." She turned on her heel and flounced out of the room, up the stairs, and into her room with drama.

   Stuffing her satchel with the couple of dresses she'd brought, Willow turned the situation over in her mind. So Asharlah's Emmeth's cousin. She must be Tashmath's daughter. She musta not been there when Teclemith and I were there last week. But ignoring all that, can she be trusted?
  
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   "Ready?" Asharlah inquired down at Willow, who trying to attach her satchel to her mare.

   "Imminently," she grunted, tugging at a strap.

   Asharlah heaved a sigh. "Cousin Emmeth said to report as soon as I could. This delay will not please him."

   Willow glared at Asharlah over the mare's back. "The prince will understand. And I'm sure whatever information you have for him will not expire simply because this stupid strap won't cooperate."

   Asharlah's eyes narrowed, but she held her tongue. Willow finally managed to get the satchel to attach and swung up onto her horse. "Ready," she reported. Her companion nodded and dug her heels into her horse. Willow followed suit and both girls headed for Essgarothe.

*************************

Ermergersh! I actually have gotten to chapter 20! 

FYI, that is an amazing feat for me, as I sometimes have commitment issues with writing. 

YESH!!!

Anywho, onto announcements, like D does.

As she said, there is a new page, Schedule, for those of you who aren't sure when and who posts when and who.

Also, D did a Q&A for her TWF {The Watchmen Files}. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to do the vlog. We did do some test reels, and maybe someday {because they're hilarious} I might post them on here.
So for those of you wondering how long this book is gonna be, I've got a rough estimate. To cover all of the ideas that I had, and to get the climaxes right, I'm estimating maybe up to thirty more chapters. 

Maybe. I'm kinda hoping for sixty chapters total, 'cause this book's definitely gonna be a novel. I hope to finish around the time D finishes her second book. But only time will tell. 

And if she's not done by the time I'm done, I'll be working on our huge FANFICTION of the HOBBIT! I actually will anyway, because Forgotten, the next book after F&E, has *spoilers* for other stories not yet written.

Be a friend, not an enemy,

Willow

Postscript // If you have any questions at all, please by all means ask!

The Watchmen Files // File One // Q&A // Answers

Good morning all!

   This is Darrion Marine with the answers to the question and answer session for The Watchmen Files, File One!

   So we got lots of good questions, and I did my best to answer them. But some of them would have been giveaways, so I couldn't answer directly. I'm so sorry about that, but what would be the point of reading the books if I told you?

   But they were all still good questions, thank you to everyone who commented and asked!

   Willow and I tried doing a vlog with my answers, but I didn't say everything I wanted and the way I wanted it, so I just stuck with the normal written version. Willow is much better at talking to a camera than I am.

   So, without further comments, on to the question and their answers...

Hope: Will we ever go back to Hans and Ava?

   Dr. Kruger and Ava's relationship is shrouded in mystery. What is Hydra forcing Hans to do, why is Ava there, etc, etc. They are very different people, and I think I would have a good time writing their interactions. But, since we have so many questions about them and Hydra, I think it may give too much away to have another one-on-one scene with the two of them. We have to discover that on our own. Though we are going to see them again, of course, but I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to write another scene with the two of them.

And does Sven have a potential to change?

   Everyone has the potential to change inside of them. They simply must cross over from death to life, and choose God. Though Sven isn't judge, juror and executioner, he is the executioner, and he goes along with what he knows isn't right and sins big time. Sven hasn't been introduced to Him yet, he hasn't heard the good news, but he does know that what he, his brother, and Hydra are doing is wrong. But yes, back to the point, he does have potential, you just have to wait and see what follows. 

   But you must note that Mason and Ava don't know what's going on in his head like we do, and all they see is some guy trying to kill them and ruining their lives.

How long until we know if Ava is safe?

   Very near the end of the book, which isn't too far off. But don't freak out, I'm expecting about ten or less chapters before the end. When we finally find out is kind of like the deadline, it all leads up to this. I can't tell you specifically, but it'll be a hair raiser.

Will we ever meet Conner's family and hear his background story?

   I'm very glad you asked that question, Hope! Conner's family was very fun for me to develop and to write. They are good people, but they are also very... interesting.
   Conner's back story is a reflection on why he is so gentle and why he went to the Watchmen in the first place. And as you can tell from what he has said (and hasn't said for that matter) he seems to be hiding something, and he is, it's a big something. But he could be hiding them for other reasons than we may be thinking.
   So yes, we will see his backstory at one point and we are going to meet Conner's family. I love his family, they're great in a certain sense. I can't really tell you what that sense is, you will just have to wait until the second book and see.

   I think I should explain a little further on what I meant by 'second book'. There is the first file, which you are reading now, then there is the Holiday Special: The Christmas Edition, and finally, there is the Second File in which we will meet his family and hear his back story. The second book will focus much more on Conner.

   Great question, though! I was waiting for someone to ask more about him :)

When will Hans and Mason meet?

   I can't exactly say. There are just things that I cannot tell you, or what's the point of reading the books? I'm sorry I can't answer this one.

When will Doctor T and other characters come in? 

   Ah, someone has been following my Pinterest boards! So Doctor T (Dr. Terrence) is a really great character, but will not be in this file. I wish, but it cannot be so.

   Nice questions Hope, thanks :)

Sarah: 1: Are we going to read about Connor’s sister? Like is Connor going to go home for Christmas break or anything like that.

   Yes, we are going to see Conner's sister, Bernadette, in the second file. She is a great character, she's kind, she's gentle, a lot like her brother whom she cares for a lot. She is worried for his safety and health, and he is equally worried for her's, but not only physical, but emotional as well. He does anything and everything he can to protect her heart.

   But no, he doesn't go home for Christmas break, and that's part of the short story. He has to struggle with not being with his family at Christmas for the first time in his life.

2: Is there going to be a fight scene in the future? Like with guns, good people, and bad people.

   Yes, there are going to be a few fight scenes. The Watchmen use stun guns, but Hydra couldn't care less. Many of the chapters after chapter thirteen have that sort of thing, though fighting isn't my specialty, I prefer emotional scenes.

3: Is there going to be escape scenes? I would love an escape scene.

   Yes, every book needs an escape scene! I will have at least one, hopefully two. If you want running away, go read Willow's story, 'Friends and Enemies'. It's chalk full of escaping, running away, that sort of thing. 

   Willow: Hey! Runnin's not bad! Haven't you ever seen Doctah Whoo?

   Darrion: Will, this is my Q&A. Go get your own! *sigh* Anyway...
   Willow: I did! There weren't that many questions though. I'll probably do another one soon, and vlog it...

4: Are you going to publish The Watchmen Files in the future any time?

   I don't think so. I don't deem this book publish worthy, and I just don't think it would sell. I don't know anything about publishers or the like. Plus, I'm not jumping at a chance to get my name out there. I'm starting small, a little blog I share with my sister and friends, I'm practicing and experimenting with writing, but maybe someday I'll re-edit it and think about sending it to a publisher, but just not right now. Some people have great writing, and I think they should shoot for it, but I'm just not ready.

Rebekah: I want to know if Jessie, Mason's old girl friend comes in. I've seen pins on your Watchmen board that say Jessie underneath.

   Aw man, you weren't suppose to see those :) I started pinning before I knew that I was actually going to write it, so I just pinned all the pins I thought I could use. Yes, at one point she may. But it will take a while, don't hold your breath.

And, does Sven always stay bad?
Love the story! :)

   Erm, I can't really say. You will just have to wait and see. Great questions! Thanks Rebekah :)

Caleb: Which trainee leaves the Watchmen?

   Well, nobody actually leaves the Watchmen. It works like this: there are nine guys in one training squad. Inevitably, one of them is not going to fit in with anyone. So, the Watchmen send him (after training about half-way finished and the others have picked their teammates) to another group, which is often scorned upon by the other boys. They like to make fun of the cast offs and call it the naughty squad, where the bad boys are. But we will find out who gets sent there soon enough, a bit later in the book. Though I have a feeling you won't be surprised on who it was.

Does Duke get any worse? Or does he change?

   You will have to see for yourself. Duke will continue to come up throughout the series. He likes to think of himself as the tough guy, though really he is just a bully. If he changes or stays like that is for you to find out. Good question, though.

Does Dr. Kruger go back to the Watchmen when he gets out? Or does he not get out?

   Again, I cannot straight out answer this question. I'm so sorry about that. Patience, and you will get your answers.

Does Conner die? (Rebekah says, I don't know why he asked that, please don't get any ideas.) 

   Um, actually, I was considering it... though I'm still not sure. He would be a great character to kill, the more I think about it. I'll give it some thought *evil writer's maliciously happy face*

Autumn: Will there be anymore characters from The Hobbit in your story? Like how Thorin, Fili, Kili, and Dwalin are Hans, Conner, Mason, and Graham.

   I've been thinking about putting some more characters from the Hobbit cast in the Watchmen Files, but I'm still not sure. I do think Lee Pace would be a good bad guy, though.

Also, will there be any animals in your story?

   I've never really thought about putting animals in here before. I know that there will be a dog or two later in the series, but I'm not sure about this book. Good idea.

Oh, and I didn't really understand is the Watchmen base a ship or a building? I know there's and apple orchard so I'm kind of confused:\

   T. Facility 24 is a building, not a ship. They flew from the submarine, the Liberator, to the coast where the training grounds were ready and waiting. Sorry if I didn't get that across in the chapters, I'll work on that when I go through editing everything.

Ammelia Gabriella: #1. Are you and Willow in this story?

   No, not in the first file. But you can watch for us later, we may show up sometime :)
   Willow: Yehaaah! I can't wait till we do! D's really strict about letting out spoilers, so I better not spill...
   Darrion: Willie, stop trolling my post! I'm letting you on to edit spelling errors, not comment on random things!
   Willow: *long sigh* Fine. Sue me.
   Darrion: Sisters. Anyway...?

#2. I'm with Rebekah, does Jessie come in sometime? Do they 'hook back up' or what?

   Like I told Rebekah, Jessie may show up at one point. But it will take a while, don't get too excited.

#3. Do we ever find out what happened to Mason's mum?

   Good question! Not in this book, though she will come in later, I think. But again, that's is a while. Thanks for the questions Ammelia!

Daelyn Huber: 1. What is your favourite character? 2. And, like Sarah, do we get to meet Conner's sister?

   My personal favorite character is Conner J. McKee, who seems to be quite popular with the readers. Conner is just such a great character to write and someone for me to strive to be like, actually.

   Yes, we will get to meet Conner's sister Bernadette in a later file, more on that in the answers to Sarah's questions.

Mary B: I have the same questions as everyone else seems to have. Do we get to see Conner's sister and Mason's girl friend?

   Again, we do get to see them both in later files. You can check out the other answers for more on the two of them, though I can't reveal very much at this point.



Well, I think that's all of them. Again, I would like to thank everyone who participated! And I will take this moment to thank all of you readers for your support! You're awesome!

Oh, and I think some announcements would be in order...

We have a new page on the blog, called 'Schedule'. That is where we tell you when we will be posting our chapters and whatnot.

Willow has a new chapter of Friends and Enemies, called Immer's Story (that's chapter nineteen, btw). I think I'm going to like her (Immer, I mean), she seems legit.

And I've got some questions for you! Who is your favorite character and why? What would you like to see more of in the upcoming chapters? What is your favorite and least favorite thing about this story? If you could answer any of these questions in comments on either Pinterest or on Blogger, that'd be great :)

Have a good rest of the week, guys!

Always watching,

Darrion