The night came and Shilla made her way through the west gardens, into the small woods and towards the back gate. She wanted to open it, but felt a presence behind her. She turned sharply, but a hand covered her mouth.

"You are the maid, yes?" a male voice asked and Shilla nodded.

"Lead the way," he said and she turned back into the woods. Though she did not feel the person following her, she knew he must be close. This must be the person her lady asked her to go bring. How he entered, she could not begin to wonder. She approached the lady who sat on a bench in the dark with only a lantern and Mrs Muburg by her side. Before she could open her mouth, a shadow flashed and a figure was kneeling before the lady.

"D'huile, you've taken time with your sister, I hope. You've been watching Walter's progress for me, but don't forget to take time for yourself," Lucy commented.

"There was to nothing see there. She is fine," the man said. Though it was dark, the lantern reflected on his hairy chin and muscular frame.

"I will soon send you away for a while, you may not get to see her," Lucy said.

"She will be fine," the man said with the same unfeeling tone.

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"The boy, Walter. After he marries, you will accompany him for a while," Lucy said.

"Should I make myself known this time?" he asked.

"Yes. It'd be best that way. Your job is to make sure he does not die. Obey, but don't interfere in his actions," she said.

"Will I be reporting back as usual?" he asked.

"No. he will report to me,"

"I accept your order," he said mechanically.

"You may leave," she said and he vanished into the night.

Lucy returned to her room and dressed for bed. She asked Mrs Muburg to return for the night and kept Shilla behind.

"My lady?" Shilla asked, staring at the lady tuck into bed.

"The king wrote that the wedding will take place midday tomorrow. You must be the one to hand him his wedding present. Tell him I want to see him," she said, "I will be sleeping in tomorrow. Handle all that is necessary,"

"Yes, my lady," Shilla curtsied before she returned for the night.

Though she had left, Lucy had not slept. As soon as the lantern lowered, hooded figures appeared in her room. Without opening her eyes to look at them, she sighed.

"You are not satisfied with my decision?" she said.

"We accept every decision, my lady. We only wonder if you intend for that boy to lead us?" a voice asked.

"You may have to join him later after you are done with your task; but, I'm not sure about it. For now, I have work for you," she said and the figures in the room knelt.

"There will be some fight at the border if it has not started already. You need to go and give the king of Northern Lan's men support in secret. Make sure that old man and his people don't enter the capital till after the wedding," Lucy said.

"We accept your order," the shadows chorused and vanished into the night.