66,652

They were all looking a bit stunned, and of course Stive sized the chance to have a go at her shields, using the emotions of the room to fuel it. Making her aware of just what they were feeling.. Feather was still mad, and her speaking had just made it worse. The inspector was at a lose as how to save anything Patience was embarrassed at the breach and worried about the guests. De was waiting to see if they had an answer and Charity was just wishing she didn’t know what they were feeling. She was trying hard not to make things worse. It was a disaster without anyone knowing of the actual attack, even though no real harm would come from it. Finally she sent a small pulse back at him, just enough to distract him from his rhyme then cast a mirror around him so any spell he cast would bounce back to him, for a few hours. She then turned to go see to the others, and find out just what they had been talking about.

Palmer said. “I am sure he in way meant to break Hospitality, his anger overcame his common sense. I assure you that the welcome stands.”

Charity took a breath, knowing Palmer was desperately trying to save face. She wished she could let him, but this went too far. “I know it was an empty threat, and he will regret his words once he realizes what he said. However that can not change what he said. I can not let it go this time, not when said in such a manor.”

Inspector Heanric said. “Thank you for seeing no blood was spilled. It was more consideration then the words deserved. I will see he understand fully just what you did for him. It is not only a breach against you, and it will be dealt with. As will the other. Clearly both need reminding of what the Welcoming means.”

Charity paled, she had not meant for it to go for judgment she had just involved him so it would be clear she didn’t mean to pull out of the fight. “I know not what was said to get him in that state, but we are not blameless. We have been trying to get him to see what he refused to, and that would feed his anger.”

Heanric shook his head a bit, in wonder that she still defend him. “All the circumstance will be looked at. However you were acting with a care unexpected for your youth. It is not your fault he failed to see or hear either of you clearly. I heard the conversation the lads were trying to get out of it before he went too far. Yes they could have said some things differently, but he was the one that pressed.”

Charity shook her head. “I never thought it would go this way. I thought when he let me in he would be able to handle me being here. I am sorry for this good folks.” She had no idea what more she could say. The harm was done, and she could see no way to even start to fix it. Why couldn’t he have at least waited? She started back to the wing, shaking though she wasn’t to sure just what she was feeling. She was relived to see they were all there. Warren was pacing, and likely the only reason he was there was that Gar was standing in the door. Mike was holding Luke, and Jab was poring wine. Hoping she didn’t sound as upset as she felt she said. “Kaneb, if you don’t mind there should be some food in my room, we should drink without eating something.” She had been walking to Warren as she spoke and now wrapped her arms around him. “Dear, you need to hear me. I an fine. He is not going to do a thing. In a bit he is going to upset he said anything, but he will not even try and seek me to vent his anger on. Beth will see the servants are out of the way, and that he goes to sleep early. You need to relax. He is not a threat.” She had carefully been disarming him as she spoke, and Gar took the weapons as she got them. “Asaim and Cri are gathering up the things we left behind, and making sure that no one touches anyone. Cri will have them if they try. De is just trying to reassure everyone that we are not offend enough to leave then will be. Luke I am sorry, but there will be follow up. War, love why don’t we try sitting down here a bit. Your pacing has those that weren’t there on edge, and we need them to know that they don’t need to be taking out there swords.”

Luke said. “Sis you have no reason to be sorry. There should have been an investigation before this and you know it. What he said is not your fault. I just. I am sorry. I we really were trying to leave. I just said we were tied together. Nothing he should have already known. He had no reason to think I was coming back here to live. I told him clearly that my home was not here. I truly thought it was clear that we were tied. I didn’t think it would be that big of a shock.”

Charity looked at the others. “None of us is going to break hospitality. No blood has been shed, and we will not do so. That said, the own of the house broke his side when his anger took over his tongue. He made a threat he will never follow through on, but as it is made those tied to me will be move up to the field, as that is the best way to respond.”

Chad said. “That has to be the most diplomatic way to say your father just said you should be killed I have ever heard. All of us will be moving. Things will be tight for a bit, but there is lumber for more barracks, and the Inspector will see there are hands to speed the building.”

Kaneb said. “My folks will use their tents, and be more comfortable for it. So that will help some.” He handed the plates of food around, so Mike relaxed his hold on Luke,, but kept an arm around him. Jab took the place on Charity’s other side as close as he could and put his arm over Warren’s around her.

Charity nodded. “We will as well, that should help see I am fully safe. As I know they will see my tent is in center. I didn’t mean to have everyone leave. Guys com on we need to eat with that wine. I am not going to move from here with out you. come on and take the plates.”

Chad said. “Char you are one of us. The only way to prevent them seeking revenge for those words is to see that contact is limited, as I am in hour at most all will know in full just what he said.”

Charity said. “I fear not just here. This is going to spread as the other guests leave. Never mind it was said in anger. I don’t know what more can be done to defuse the harm he did. My saying I know it was said in anger and that nothing will come of it did little to change the effect of the words.”

The wards flared a bit as Palmer crossed them he said. “I am honored to hear you are worried about it. That shows you are the better person. Forgive my intrusion, but I came to see if you could accept an alternative that is being looked into. Given the fact that Father accepted your welcome at the behest of the Chosen, it was accepted in his name. Therefore he needs to go before him to answer for breaking it. The Inspector and I would like to know if you could see fit to stay in the house where he will be leavening?”

Luke looked at him and knew he was in hard place, and hated that he had to make it worse. “Char it is your place to say, but I would ask that it only be considered once we can be sure he and Stive are gone, that we do not shelter under the same roof as they are once the sun is up. Yes Sis, I know he has been picking at your shields since we arrived. I was willing to let you handle it, but the threat changes that. It was said in anger, but that doesn’t change the feelings behind it.”

Charity wished she could deny any of it. “The feelings behind the words are not a surprise, and Stive tests are nothing to worry about. He like Feather wants to know who is behind my shields but refuses to believe the truth. However my being here is hard enough on those bound to me so I can’t agree to anything less than Luke has asked for. I know it is going to make planning harder, but there is justification for their concerns. I thought it was safe, but clearly he has no hand on his anger, and so it is not safe for anyone to have me here.” Palmer looked puzzled Charity closed her eyes, whishing it wasn’t needed. “Talk to Beth, your cook, ask her why there are now so few servants around.”

Palmer said. “I never thought.  I thank you for even considering to stay in the house after this. I see nothing wrong with those terms. In fact it is wisest because I doubt it will be easy to get Father on the road as the Inspector images. He has never been here when Father was thinking of going anyplace. Feel free to strengthen the wards as much as you want to. There is no reason for any of us to enter this portion of the house without your permission. I should have asked myself, and failed to, after all this is your portion for your stay here.” He shook his head a bit. “Luke I shouldn’t ask, and you need not answer, but I would love to know just what caused the yelling this time. The Inspector will just say he reacted too strongly to a connection? Does he mean you and Mike?”

Luke said. “Actually I don’t think Feather has yet realized that, though how he hasn’t. No, it is the fact that I have given Charity my oath, and that I will not ever be living here. That it is I who will be living in Charity’s house, not her in mine, as I am more content to leave mine in the hands that now run them.”

Palmer shook his head. “Of all the. Good grief. I saw that when Charity got here. Just the way you looked to her and relaxed once you saw her. How was he so blind as to not see you are sworn to her? I can’t see the energy and recognized it. I am sorry. He was total out of bounds, no matter what, but to go off over that. Heck you watched over her since she was a baby. He should be surprised that is still the case. Thank you for telling me. I can see that Stive comes no where near here, and will do what I can to see someone is watch Feather until he leaves. Charity I am sorry about this. Do not listen to him. You are not meant for life here, but that is because you are need for bigger things not because you are unfit.” Charity looked at him shocked. “I have done some growing of my own these last years.”

Charity said. “Thank you. I do hope that everyone can stay clear of him, he is going to be looking for someone to take his anger out on.”

Palmer looked at her, but didn’t ask. “Thank you for the warning and I will talk to the servants. Now I had best go tell them your answer before they fear I got lost.”

Charity watched him leave then slowly reached for her wine glass wondering just what had changed him from the boy to hit her for copying a paper, to the man who didn’t even blink at his brother holding on to another man and saying his sister was in charge. She took a sip of the wine savoring it. Then turned to Luke and to smile, sure his expression was mirroring her own as he looked at the door.

Luke said. “Palmers new wife must really be something. She is visiting her family just now. Feather called them a bunch of boldly heathens. I told him they sounded like people I should meet. Now I truly want to. If they had even a fraction to do with the change in him. He truly does intend to find out just what has been going on with the servants, why you were so worried about them.”

Charity said. “Asaim has been going over Beth supplies and seeing they improved, and has plans to request a couple of the House Servants for helpers in the Filed Hospital so he can see the get a bit more training. Somehow I think those tasks will be easier.”

Cri came in and looked worriedly at her and the food. “De told us to stop hovering around her. Asaim went to the kitchen and sent me to you. Said I was to tell you he would see all was safe there and join you sometime tomorrow. He will be stir a few house boys to help with the move to keep them out of sight, Ma’am.”

Charity nodded. “Thank you Boy, the basket can just sit there for now, come kneel here. The wine is from Gar stash. Kaneb got the food from my room and he tested it, but go ahead.” She handed the plate to him, and saw he took a few bites, and then held the glass to his lips so he would take a drink. Shaking her head a bit at how silly it was. A unwanted child like her feeding a prince who was kneeling at her feet. “Jab see if Asaim can find out if a servant is going to Hope’s room tonight, and if so see that he has some Safforn tea. This tension is going to make her hurt. I do wish there was a way one of you could check her, I think more could be done then the joke of healer has.”

Jab smiled. “No problem love, and you know the only reason he starts so when you reach out to him is because you don’t do it enough he loves it when you tell him to do something.” He kissed her.

Cri kissed her knee lightly and held the refilled plate up for her to take. At least she wasn’t quite as angry now. She reached for it as the ward flared, causing Warren to jump a bit. “It is just De and the Inspector. You are to agree to handle being near him aren’t you?”

Warren flushed. “Yes Love, I’m sorry, but I am. I. If I could I would be after him now. Which is why you disarmed me and have Gar watching the hall”

Charity nodded. “Good you are getting over it a bit, as you can admit it now. Why don’t you take the scouts out in the morning? That will give you plenty of time and work. I will be perfectly safe. If you make it a mid morning start there will be time enough for you to check out where they put my tent and give all the ones staying in the camp a good speech before you go.”

De said. “That sounds fine. I will go over it and we can decide who is going in bit. Then you can drag her off to bed. You will be able to see he sleeps?”

Charity smiled. “I should be able to. Gar and Kabe have set a watch for the hall and made sure we are not on it, and Black Wine is good at hiding the taste of the sleep foot that Gar put a leaf of in the glasses. So all of them should sleep a bit, it is not strong, but will see they are relaxed at least. De I didn’t mean to make you all leave, but force them to was the only answer I had. I am sorry.”

De shook her head. “As I told you when they gave you the oaths I am glad you have them. They prevent more trouble then they cause. To be honest he wouldn’t be safe is we all didn’t move out. You did the only thing you could do under the circumstances.”