Early the following morning, Old Gran attended Freya with tea.

“Dear, I feel like you’ve been through a lot recently and if you want to bow out of your completely voluntary act of charity, I don’t think that it will be a problem, Curse that poor rabbit for how she treated you last evening,” Old Gran said as she paced around the sitting room. “You’re a great friend, but this… this was a flagrant disregard of your friendship.”

Freya began to protest, “Just because she doesn’t want me talking to the rabbit she has eyes on—”

“It’s the principle of the thing, Freya. When our ancestors long ago made a pact to be one nation, before the birds and the moles, we all agreed that we would live as equal citizens.”

Kayli padded through the room, sniffing for snacks. Finding nothing she sat amiably in Freya's lap. Old Gran then tossed a biscuit to her which she started munching on greedily.

“It’s to benefit old veterans, Old Gran. It's a noble cause. You tell me all the time that we have to respect our warriors because we could all become them. Because there shouldn’t be a gulf between us and them…”

“Freya, if you’re sure… well I’m half convinced that I should be keeping you home just to eat the food your mother made for the event. You know that I had to stop Kayli about five times from opening the basket? See at least Bard is young enough that he likes to sit in his carrier all day.”

Freya grinned, thinking of the elder mouse playing defense against the furry arrow that was her cousin.

Bard cooed from the corner. Kayli cooed in response modulating her tone to sound more like Old Gran’s speech.

“Since you’ve been going through so much, I asked someone special personally to meet you there, as they were going to be going there as well. If something happens, they will mediate between you and Holly, or Abigail if she picks a side. And don’t forget your father is getting some sort of recognition… so he’ll be there as well.”

The door to the sitting room shook with a loud knock.

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“I wonder…if that special mouse has arrived.”

Freya had assumed that Old Gran meant Lady Raina, but realized that Old Gran hadn’t specified a gender. Lady Raina was a rabbit though and that meant...

More knocking continued.

Freya got up and looked through the tiny glass peephole.

With a gasp, she tore open the door.

“Hem?” she said, embracing her older brother.

“The one and the same, Nithe sis I’d think you’d been crying up all night the way you look,” Hem said. “Missing me, and all.”

The mouse in his travel cloak wore two short swords across his shoulders. His tunic was worse for wear and his boots had probably given out months ago, but he had the look of a mouse with a mission.

“Me miss you?” Freya said, punching his arm. “Nah, I was just concerned, I’ve been renting out your bed to some beavers and they tend to stink up the place.”

Hem and Freya giggled as they walked into the sitting room.

“Ah, Hem! Good of you to arrive on such an auspicious day. The Raven has granted us such a boon.” Old Gran held his hands, looking deeply into his eyes. Kayli clung to Old Gran’s skirts, wary of the intruder.

“What makes it such a fine day?” Hem said. “As I’ve heard Freya has made quite a name for herself in the society papers…”

“Hem! Today is the charity luncheon to benefit the elder war veterans home. Your sister, she is going to place her basket with the rest and perhaps, we shall find her deeply engaged with a match that will sweep her off her feet and—”

“Old Gran! That’s about enough,” Freya said, even as Kayli came to cling to her skirts. “And Hem, I’ve more than enough food if mother and Old Gran are to be believed for you to eat lunch with whoever bids on my basket and wins. And you can act as a chaperone, as well. There are a few mice I’d like you to get a feel for… just in case.”

Hem nodded.

“I’ll just freshen up then, and we’ll be off, is it?” he said, walking to the dining room.

“Yes. And do eat because it might be a while. I’ve got this new transportation system that I think will ruffle your fur a bit.”