Lucius had prepared for hard negotiation, but no explanation was even needed when he invited Felicia vi Raymi to the manor. She was staying in a different neighborhood that had essentially been converted into a colony of Rackvidd. Every single room available for rent had been rented to soldiers that had fought for Lucius in the rebellion and they were in the process of convincing the rest to leave. The brewery Lucius had been in when Aisha went into labor was on the periphery of that enclave, making a clear line that sympathizers should not cross. There were, however, gaps in control, which meant Felicia expected to stay the night.

The manor was soon to be packed, which was a delight to little Alexander. Felicia very nearly snubbed Lucius to get past him and see the baby.

“Wine?” Aria asked, pouring herself a glass as the two of them watched Aisha and Felicia.

“Only a bit. Will Mother be offended to learn I’m doing the cooking?” he asked as he headed to the kitchen.

“That’ll be the least of her concerns,” Aria said as she followed and gave him a drink. Prices were still extortionary, but Lucius had acquired an entire sheep. It was hardly larger than a lamb, but there would be many mouths to feed. Much of the meat had been relegated to a stew simmering away and he had packed what he could into the kitchen’s hearth for roasting. “How are you going to tell Felicia?”

“Tell me what?” Felicia asked, walking into the kitchen with Alexander in her arms.

Lucius braced himself with the wine and turned from the food. “Felicia–”

“Call me Liz. We don’t want your mother thinking we’re distant,” she said with a smile.

Lucius was able to relax slightly. “I’ve been ignoring my mother’s letters for over a year now. Aria kept her satisfied for a while, but now she’s come to check on me directly.”

“Of course. You just became one of the most eligible men in the kingdom. Enough that nobody is even willing to gossip about your son. I swear, every girl at the academy is at least considering you, especially when you get compared to someone like Jules Feugard. They see a war hero, or perhaps a crazy man willing to get in a fight with an angel because you won’t back down when protecting those important to you. It certainly helps you’re a man who keeps his promises.”

“That helps both ways,” Lucius said. “It means people know how dangerous it is to cross me.”

“You lose points for threatening the king, though.”

Lucius scoffed. “He shouldn’t even be king. The crown should have gone to Kassie.”

Aria poured herself more wine, her cheeks already flushed. “That’s more dangerous talk than sympathizing with the coup. I’ve heard some people say you might try to marry her and take the crown.”

“I’d have to fight Acheliah if I did that.”

“And you said you would,” Aria countered.

“Well, that’s at least one problem I can put an end to,” Lucius said, setting his eyes on Felicia. Before more could be said, the front door was opened.

Leomund’s voice bellowed out, “Announcing the arrival of Lady Solhart and company of five.”

Lucius squeezed past Felicia. He called to Aisha to have her take the baby and had barely rolled down his sleeves when he stepped into the foyer and laid eyes upon the mother of the man whose identity he had stolen so long ago. Her cheeks were gaunt. Her slender frame was covered up by a voluminous fur cloak she needed assistance to get out of. Her hair was streaked with grey and tied back in a bun clad in a pearl net. Rouge lips wrinkled in a purse as she appraised Lucius. “You’ve grown up, son.”

“It has been a while since we’ve seen each other,” Lucius said as he looked over the four men and one woman who had come in with her. The men were armed, three young and one old. He of course recognized none of them. “Not to be impolite, but I would suggest a precaution first.”

“Quite a doorman you have,” Lady Solhart said, glancing at Leomund. A year prior, he would have scowled at her, but now the swordmaster remained stoic.

“The city is dangerous,” Lucius said. “Leomund, could you show two of these fellows around back?”

“Certainly,” Leomund said, and when the old man gave the nod, he opened the door once more. “Come on then, don’t mind the cold. We’ll get some mulled wine soon. It’s good to have more eyes and ears,” Leomund said as he coaxed two of the guards back out of the manor and winked at Lucius.

Turning away with a sigh, he called to Lupa for her to begin mulling some wine, then brought his attention once more to his mother. “Food will be ready soon. The drawing room is this way.”

“Do you not have a bath prepared?” Lady Solhart asked.

“I drew water for it this morning, but it’s quite cold at the moment.”

“Rose, it seems you’ll have to help my son be a proper host,” Lady Solhart said, gesturing to the woman she had brought.

The maid gave a quick bow. “Your manor seems rather small. Is there a maid I should inquire with?”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“We chose security over luxury. The bath is beyond the kitchen,” Lucius said, gesturing down the hall.

His mother huffed. “You’ve been keeping your sister in such conditions?”

Lucius patience began to fade as the maid left. “As you may recall, mother, from Aria’s letters? The last maid we had tried to kill me.”

It was the old guard that responded. “That won’t happen again, Sir.”

“Good, because if there’s someone in this house that I don’t trust, they won’t leave it alive.”

The man smiled, but the words shocked Lady Solhart. “Of course, Sir. You are the lord of this… castle,” he said, giving the other guard a glance until he too bowed.

“Enough of this,” Lady Solhart said with a shake of her head. “There’s work to be done. Let me see the little one, and then let me see the hopeless one.” She strode past him and into the drawing room. She made no comment on the look Aisha gave Lucius, but set her eyes on Alexander. At once, her face softened and she bent forward. When the babe smiled back, she declared, “Adorable. Befitting the family. Not officially of course. I’m sure one of your subordinates will have a daughter appropriate eventually. Don’t let him grow up spoiled. He’ll have a lot of little sisters to take care of in time. And nieces and nephews if I have anything to say about it. Aria! Where are you, girl?”

Aisha stood in shock. “Nice to meet you too, Lady Solhart.”

She dipped her head a fraction. “My apologies, dear. I understand you’ve befriended Kassie. My son could have done much worse with a mistress. Aria! Does your brother have you in the kitchen like a servant?”

She emerged as Lucius slipped next to Aisha. She had a fresh wine bottle in her hand and a pair of glasses. “That’s where he keeps the drinks,” she said, her voice beginning to slur.

“Oh, wonderful,” Lady Solhart said, taking one of the glasses and a moment later both of them were seated with drinks. Her attention was wholly fixated on her daughter. “What are you to do?”

“Exactly what I’ve been doing. You know, the king’s plan here isn’t without… usefulness. The professors here are much better than the tutors you’ve cycled through.”

“As they should be! In group settings it’s harder for them to dishonor themselves with the staff. But I’m not worried about your education, dear. You can just hire somebody for the family finances. I’m asking who you plan to marry. Who even is left? I can’t make heads or tails of the rumors after so many were killed. Your brother here will surely make a fine alliance for the family but you need to snare somebody and not one of your letters has even implied you’ve made such inroads. Who’s this? A wetnurse?”

Lupa flinched back from the kitchen doorway, but restrained herself from speaking her mind. “Lupa,” she said.

Lucius cleared his throat. “She’s been with me since my mission to the wastelands.”

“A savage? I thought her complexion was Skaldish,” Lady Solhart said, her tone continuing to be imperious. “Son, don’t tell me you’re also sleeping with her. Trophies are only popular with men.”

“I’m not a trophy!” Lupa snapped.

“Mother,” Aria said before the women could respond. “Lupa has kept me safe countless times. Her trustworthiness is beyond doubt. Or would you rather have Leomund accompanying me when I’m with other ladies? Perhaps you’d prefer I have a trollkin like the princess has?”

Lady Solhart grimaced. “That I can understand. However, she should be in a dress.”

Lupa stayed only long enough to see Lucius’ reaction. No words were needed to see he was thinking favorably of the proposition. When she retreated to the kitchen, the conversation resumed on Aria’s prospects among her classmates. The mere mention of Jules Feugard caused the entire room to reject the idea, but it was clear that Lady Solhart was grasping for an option. “What about those knights assigned by the king? It would be below our station, but such ties to the king have honor.”

Finally it was time for Lucius to speak and he cleared his throat. “The first point I’ll make is that not all of the Warden Blades are men, and further I don’t think she’d be able to approach them. Need I remind you that they all believe I helped kill the former king? If ordered to, their job is to kill me and everyone associated with me.”

Silence weighed on the room as Lady Solhart stared at Lucius. “Son, you didn’t conspire with insurrectionists, did you?”

“If I had, it would have worked.”

She shrugged and finished her wine. “Then, in time this issue will be resolved. If one of these knights is handsome and wise, I don’t see why it should be ruled out. And for that matter, you’re not exempt from this just because you’re the talk of the kingdom. I understand you were invited to the Ashe family’s table. Which of the daughters has her eyes on you?”

“Neither, the invite was to snub Gabriel for being a punk,” Lucius said.

Lady Solhart shook her head. “Nonsense. They could have picked plenty of people but they chose you for that. Which did you find prettier? Not to mention you saved them.”

“I saved more than them,” Lucius said as he rose. When he put his attention on the hall door, everyone else looked as well.

Felicia vi Raymi lifted her skirt and bowed. “A pleasure to see you again, Lady Solhart,” she said with a radiant smile. She would have captured a crowd at even the most elegant of balls, and it was clear she had been held up adjusting her makeup until just that moment.

“Oh, my poor dear,” Lady Solhart said, changing the mood in the room instantly. She rose, her face dark as she rushed over and threw her arms around Felicia. “I’m so sorry about your father.”

Lucius’ fist squeezed firm enough that the guards tensed as well. It was the shocked Felicia that stood within Lady Solhart’s embrace and asked, “Did something happen to my father?”

“Did the news not reach you?” Lady Solhart asked, holding the slim girl by the shoulders. “The roads have been just dreadful. Those mountain men have turned to open banditry. I’m not surprised the letters haven’t made it.”

“What happened to my father?” Felicia demanded.

“He’s sick, my dear. When I left, he wasn’t able to leave his bed.”

Felicia hung her head and pulled out of Lady Solhart’s grasp. The rest of the woman’s words were ignored. When Lucius approached, she shook her head. “I have to go.”

“No, you don’t,” Lucius said, reaching out to her.

Just jumped away from him, then bolted from the room. She flung open the door and ran into the city as the sun set.

“Oh dear, I didn’t think she’d take it so poorly,” Lady Solhart said as she poured herself another glass of wine. “You still haven’t answered me about the Ashe girls.”

“Shut your mouth!” Lucius snapped. He called for Lupa as he ripped open the closet door and retrieved a dueling saber. It wasn’t his preferred weapon, but it was the closest at hand. When she appeared from the kitchen, he tossed her a dagger. “You’re in charge until I’m back,” he said, glaring at the room and letting the guards know perfectly well he had just allowed her to kill them all if she needed to.

Alexander began to cry as his father ran into the night.