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Jeffery said. “I would say you are doing fine, and take it there is a story there.”

One of the other came over and bowed, though not as deeply as Asalm had. “The table is ready Commander, if you and your guests would like, the servants have tea waiting.”

Charity shook her head. “Yes I will go get out of your way. Now lord Jeffery said some of kids likely would be setting up some tents. In spite of what you say I know a few of you will know how to make sure they will stay up, so kindly check them.”

He smiled. “All ready on it, and don’t worry they are letting the kids do the most of it. Just seeing they are getting it right. Don’t worry sir, the men will act with your young as they would with their own siblings around. They will not let them see or hear what they shouldn’t. But use being so odd to you folks they are going to have questions, better they get them answered now then be sneaking off so much latter.”

Jeffery nodded. “As I thought, and told them that they were not to be scared to talk to any of you. I trust you will let me know if they become a problem.”

He said. “Will do, but I can’t see that happening as finely mannered as your young ones are.” He smiled. “Now then I will let you go get the tea.”

Jeffery went to see if any of his family was ready, and told the others they could join them later, just try and stay out of the way. Then they started to the tables, which took them pasted a few of the tents. Jeffery said. “These tents look like they are more stable then what we have. I don’t think I have ever seen the like of them.”

Charity smiled. “They are from the far south, there is starting to be a bit more trade, but it is unlikely you would have.” She point at one of the tents “That one there is mine, I learned when I met these guys that they had decide to use this trip to see I had what they thought was a fitting tent. They have been trying to get me to since I took the tests, so it should have surprised me, yet it did.” She laughed as the picnic tables came into view. They had been moved so there were two clear rows and one table at top, just like the ones in the tent were arranged. There was even a cloth on the first table. Reminding her of that first meal in the camp, bring home again how different things were. “Table linens? Well I know where they intend for us to sit.” She led them over to the table. “Guests take the seats to the right of the center seat chair, if that helps sir. Though I would think it would be more appropriate that we were the guests.”

Jeffery said. “No, we are joining your camp so we are the guests. So how did you end up with servants?” He went and took the left seat, his family filling in next to him.

Charity was so wishing they would let her off, but knew better. She moved to the center seat which made him look at her again. “Well that is a bit hard to explain. In short a few of us from the Dragons, including Luke and Mike, got talked into accompany one of those trader caravans to the far south. It was just supposed to be a few months, and there really hadn’t been anything that year. So while we are not caravan guards we were interested in the trip. We ended up staying a year learning from them, both magic and there type of weapons work. When we left a few came with us, for they wanted to learn from us and continue our lessons. One of them, Asalm, was ordered by Jabari’s mother to watch us, and that is how he feels that purpose is best served. Though he does work in the medical tents as well, filling the place of second, which he hates, for all he aggress there is no one else who can do it.” Critern had come and was silently filling the cups. “He is with me now as I um went buffalo chasseing a few times when I got to the plains so they don’t want me to be alone on them. Cri, well, it is a traditional thing. He comes from the same lands as the soldiers and do to the lessons, and the tests I passed, by there laws I must have servant. No I have no idea just how they decide I was the ranking officer, but as they gave me the place when I first got into the camp I am unable to find away out of it.”

Kaneb said. “Come now, it is only fitting that you have that place and you know it. But I won’t bore are guests with all the reasons, so it will just have to come down to it was me or you and I wasn’t going to have it.

Garstern laughed. “Sound good to me. So Commander, how far are we?”

Charity shook her head. “Gar, I think you made your point earlier, you don’t need to keep repeating it. At this rate we will make it in about noon. However we might need to slow down a bit getting in right at lunch might be a bit to stressful.”

Eline said. “Noon is when they will be looking for us to get in. No matter what we do we can’t seem to get there any earlier. Latter is possible of course, but to much and they know we must be dragging our heals.”

Charity laughed. “Well then as long as De will be there by then I won’t delay us. However I can’t arrive before they do.” Critern sat a plate of food in front of her. “I think you will find this far better then you were expected, though the flavors are going to be a bit odd to you.”

Garstern said. “Sounds good, and no I don’t want to think what would happen if we were there first. We aren’t that far ahead surely?”

Charity said. “No, as long as there were no problems they should still be an hour closer then we are. I will check after super, and again around the time they expect to be in.” For the others she explained. “Luke has made it very clear he is to be there when I first get there. He is not as sure as I am that I am not expected, but still wants to see father’s face when he realizes who I am.”

Jeffery smiled. “I can’t blame him a bit for that. I fear he is going to be a good bit shocked.” He was studying her and the guys next to her, sure there was more then she was saying. They were to good, to well dressed and armed. Oh most wouldn’t think anything of it, but years watching troops had taught him a few things.

Charity said. “I wonder how Uncle Jim is, I hope he will let me in the copy house some. I miss it, even with the odd jobs I have taken over the years.” If he didn’t get the hint, well at least he should know where he could get some of the answers. She had sent Uncle a coded message, so if Jeffery was still involved he should know.

Now he knew there was something there. “He was well last I heard, and I am sure he will be delighted to, and I will point out the breach it would be should Feather think it won’t do. After all I recall he had to get help the last time. No reason to think the paper work will be less this time. Likely it will be a bit more.” He blinked as her servant filled her plate without a word.

Charity said. “And that is another thing that is going to upset them. Cri is not going to let others serve me, and as he will not know the people handling the food he will be tasting it before serving it. It is a part of his training, that is to say it is just instinct for him. I didn’t think of how odd it might be to you. Guess I have adjust a bit more then I thought, as Asalm has done the same thing every time he was in a place he could. Say if he called you all home there might just be a full house.”

Jeffery shook his head. “Nope, there will be plenty of room. You won’t get out that way. Officers must be given room in the house. He has had added on, the family rooms include the old east wing now, and there is new one double the size. The others also have a few more rooms added on, even the seldom used North.”

Charity shook her head. “As if it wasn’t a sprawling mess before, not that I knew it then. I just that that was how a governor’s house was meant to look. I was a good deal lost that first year, but then I expected to be. I had never been any further away then the village down the road, and only there twice, so I had a lot of adjusting to do. Luke and I did try and tell them what the house looked like. Mike just said you have to see it to understand. They should be in camp as well. I will check in on them then go. The longer I make Asalm wait on me the happier he will be. Now it is going to look like I am starting at that tree for a bit.” She looked at it, but was soon seeing Jabari and Warren. ‘Hi Love, I thought you’d be settling down as well. Just finished supper here and we should be in Clarkdown around noon, if that works. We can slow it down a bit, if need be. We will just blame it on the half broke carriage horse our escort somehow ended up with. That horse is a pain.’

Jabari smiled, she felt more relaxed then he had thought she would be, ‘Luke and Inspect Heanirc said we should be there about eleven. I didn’t think you were getting an escort as you were coming in the back way.’

Charity said. ‘Well it is us who are providing the escort, when he said Father was calling in all the family he meant it and Lord Jerffry doesn’t like to among the tress so much, though he is far better than he used to be. Yes he is family, but it is nothing to worry about. I assure you he would be very upset with his brother if he knew.’

Warren called out. “Luke what can you tell of a Lord Jeffery? It seems he is now traveling with Char. She said he was related.”

Charity laughed. “They should be there at eleven so we are good that way.” She turned and looked at Lord Jeffery so they would see him. “I just told them you were traveling with us so now they are asking Luke about you. I know my eyes look odd, the link changes them a bit. Hence the reasons I tend to focus on a tree or a wall. Jab usually stairs at a fire.” ‘See he is not a threat. That is his wife next to him, his kids are running around the tables for the most part. He told them not to be afraid to talk to us and so they are having fun asking bunches of questions about the road.’

Luke said. “He is a good sort. I do wonder what he is doing out there. He is a city guy.”

Charity said. ‘Tell him that he was rewarded with a Governorship and moving service.’

Jeffery said. “Now why would they be worried about us when you are surrounded by armed men? I assure you I pose no threat.”

Charity smiled. “He just needed to be sure. See other then Luke he has met Stev and Max thanks to their running the trade caravan, and I fear that has him a bit worried when I say someone is family. Why anyone would ever let Stevi in a trade caravan at all, little own run one is beyond me. He ends up in the guard house most runs.”

Warren passed on her message and Luke nodded. “So for his part in the warning he was sent to one of the domains on the border. Well that would bother him more then the encouraged donations to the war effort the others made.”

Warren said. ‘Loves I will go let De and the rest know you expect to be in at noon. Char, don’t keep him to long, I will see he gets some rest, you get some to, and it will be fine.’ He withdrew from the link, he did his best to see they had some time just for them. Even though he needed to hear from her every bit as bad as Jab did. It was odd to be so in love with them all, yet it was right. For all he was sure this was not at all what Mike in Luke had in mind back when they started pushing Char and I together.

Jabari said. ‘Now how bad is Asalm?’

Charity said. ‘Jeffery was there so he didn’t have to talk, but he was riding next to us. You might need to take him for a walk, though I will give him a bit. I also told him he would be tied to a post in the med tent so he couldn’t run after us. Which given the blood magic does need to happen.’

Jabari said. ‘I have already spoken to lord Heanric about it. He frowned a bit, but said he was sure something could be worked out. Chad just nodded, and likely was already planning on it. Asalm really did scare him when you took that blow in Feather.’

Charity nodded. “I understand he was half way out the door. never mind I was casting a healing spell myself. See you tomorrow Love, now get some sleep. You won’t be getting a lot tomorrow night.’

Jabari said. ‘That is just evil and I can’t wait. The way Warren has been looking at the other two I think he is planning on us being alone that night.’

Charity said. ‘That sounds like him, he always vanishes when you and I have been apart. It is going to be interesting, but at least it shouldn’t be noticed who is sleeping where as long as Luke can stay out of the family rooms. Sleep well I will check in around eleven and let you know where we are, Love. Stop worrying it will be fine.’

Jabira said. ‘I know it will be. Can’t wait to see you. This month has been way to long.’ The connection faded.

Charity looked at the others, and check to make sure the kids were not close. “I told Jabari that I would check back around eleven so we can confirm each other is on schedule. Though that close Warren will have scouts out and watching.”

Kaneb said. “Sounds good, it will be nice to see how he is doing. He said he ended up in charge of the mages, which had Mom laughing. I bet he hates it every bit as much as you do.”

Charity said. “In truth he wasn’t that upset about it. However him and Warren took turns claiming me as there second. Much to De’s amusement I ended it but put putting Mike in second for the mages and then leading a bunch of scouts onetime when I was trying to both jobs. It has stayed that way since. Now then I need to go see to Asalm and then try and get some sleep tonight.”

Garstern winked. “Yes, as I can bet you won’t be getting much the next night.”

Charity laughed, but didn’t disagree. “Critern, bring a pot of tea when you come.”

He bowed. “Yes ma’am may I bring you a slice of cake as well, please?”

Charity said. “I had best say yeas, as Gar will just tell you to anyway.”

Garstern laughed. “I don’t want Dad, or your brother yelling at me for letting you get by without. You know full well they would. Jab would just declare me an unfit escort and see I was never trusted with the task again.”

Charity shook her head. “Sad thing is he is right. That is how it would go, though I am not clear just how his Father would know, I can bet he would.” She left and went to her tent. Hating what she was about to do, even though he had asked for it. As she thought he was naked and kneeing facing the pole. “Stand and raise the arms. Now this will just be light. Jabari will deiced if you need more tomorrow.” She moved over and cuffed him to the post.

Asalm groaned, hating that he was putting her through it, but extremely glad she was doing it. He had been trying so hard not to he knew that seeing to Critern had hurt her. For all she had done her best not to let them see it, That was why she had sent him out that night. But today was just to much. “Thank you Ma’am for the needed correction I am about to receive. I am sorry I am so week as to need it, and am grateful you are willing to see to me.”

Charity shook her head and ran her hand down his back before moving away and piking up the cane. “I don’t know about you boys. A touch of the wood and you both are eager. Yes I will see to that after this is done. Then you will spend the night at the foot, you and Cri can take tonight to get to know each other. Tomorrow I will find the ropes and see you both have a long night watching. That will help you as well. If someone had of told me.” She swung and he grunted, as she said she kept it light, but did see there would be a few bruises.

The next morning Charity got forced them both into the softer shirts and then tied them in. “I take it that this does help a bit? I don’t want to make the lak of the other ropes worse.”

Asalm said. “Yes Ma’am it helps both with the ropes and the fact that the shirt is soft. It helps that you are making me wear this, and see that I stay dressed this way. That I am tied in mean I need to depend on you to get undressed, not as much as with the full ropes true, but it makes it easier. Thank you.”

She nodded. “We are not yet facing any major threats, therefore your weapons stay on the packs. That will further hamper any effort to get out of the ropes. Also remember you will spend this night unable to touch us, or each other. That should help you get through the day.” They were each grinning and bowed low, clearly liking the idea of having a rough night. Charity shook her head and reached for her own clothes, and took her time getting into them. Might as well get it started as they wanted it so badly. She paused a bit then put on the riding dress, it was a southern one and so was different in design and then it was gold colored but it was full, and should be decent. However she now worried it might be more upsetting then if she was in pants, for she would have her sword on.

She finished dressing then left the tent, letting Asaml start repacking the few things as Critern followed her to sever her breakfast. Kaneb nodded when they reached the tables. “That is the one I thought you would go with. That color is perfect for you, for all you grumbled about it.”

Charity smiled. “Well this was the sixth dress in this color and I don’t think there is a one of the rest that doesn’t have a touch of it. All the gold was getting a bit much, but this dress is my favorite of them. It just felt right to show up in dress for all I was in pants when I left. Now though I wonder if I should. That is does it look more troubling to be armed when in a dress then if I was in pants? It doesn’t bother me, I have fought in both, but Lord Jeffery what do you think, is this worse to the local eye?”

He said. “I think it will be fine, in truth I didn’t even see the sword until you said it was there. The dress hides it well. That color is odd, it does look well on you.”

Garstern winked. “That is because it is her color sir, just as mine is red. We all have one, that is one of a teachers tasks, to help the child find there path, there color. A lot may look to be the same, but few truly are the same. Though you will find hints of those tied to you in yours. Sorry, my father is a teacher, so the mysteries were often talked of over super. Wingsis I must agree Misa out did herself on that dress, it is easy to miss the blades, I was ready to yell at you for thinking of going unarmed today. As it is necessary the other two do so.”

Charity said. “I am having them keep their weapons on the packs, so not to bad. Critern will be able to have his in moments, Asalm will be a bit slower, but if there should be need they can have them. Not that there will be, but perhaps now you will relax a bit. It is not like I have a drawer full of death threats.” That made him laugh which let the others relax a bit. “Cri you may go see to the tent now, then get your breakfast, and tell Asalm I said he was to eat this morning as well. Lunch is going to be a mess for both of you today.” He bowed low and backed from the area before standing and turning, she shook her head a bit. “I don’t know that I will ever get used to that. That is another thing I have to watch. That level of servitude is going to be a bit alarming.”

Jeffery said. “It is a bit startling, but not many would even notice, servants truly are not watched.”

Garstern nodded. “As I keep trying to tell you, that said he will adapt to what he sees the other servants doing. He is just being formal here, as he needs the reassurance. It is his way of nervous pacing. He is worried because he knows you are, and knows enough that he doesn’t like it. Then there is Jab, it is not going to be easy on either of them until they can work it out.”

Charity nodded. “Jabari is going to take him for a walk tomorrow so the can. Don’t worry, they have it all planed. I didn’t think I was so easy to read. It is just strange. I knew of course I would be back, the Tower, the empire, would be back, they had just tasted us, seeing how we would size up. When they attacked I would have to come. We have to do what we can to stop it here. There is not much hope of it after the mountains until they have taken over way to much. They have destroyed too many as it is. Still it is strange to be riding back there. Well it looks like they have the tents down. Shall we get this show on the road?” She stood up and the others followed. Soon they were on the road.