29824! We are just a few short of being cought up!

The next morning there were a few upset looks but the fact that Henry was smiling so much helped. One of the younger ones said. “Your back looks bad, that has to be sore. Are you sure you should be out of bed? What caused that? And where is your shirt at?”
Jade said. “Henry was hit a good deal, and yes it is painful, but he understands why I did it and knew it would happen. It is nothing he didn’t agree to, and the wounds have been treated. They look bad, but he is better for them and is doing just what needs to.  He doesn’t normally wear a shirt unless the temperature is below freezing and he has to spend time outside. This is because he has sworn a Serpents oath and given up control to another. He needs it seen that he has and that it is enforced. I can see why it troubles you, but there will be others in town so I felt you all should see him first. That way we can talk about it here.” She took a bite and waited, ignoring the frowning from Fred and Violet. She was not going to lie about what caused the bruises.
“You gave them to him? You beat him? Why? That is not right! No one should hit people like that!”
Jade said. “Yes I beat him. He agreed to it when he gave his Oath. It is not something that should ever happen to those that have not given Consent. Yes it is harsh, and it is wrong to hurt those that have not agreed to it, and on Earth his agreement wouldn’t matter it would still be abuse. Here people can give others the right right to punish them as they see fit. It is understood that some need such punishments as harsh as they are to feel well. That not getting it harms them.  Once it was legal and accepted self harm and suicides decreased. Those stats I can find and show you, for all that is not enough to prove anything. What proved it to the people at the time would not help you so I am not sure what can be done. No doubt it is being worked on, and something will be found. For now all I can do is let you ask him how he feels. Herny you will answer what questions they ask you for the rest of the day. There now he will not look for me before speaking. It is going to be a bit harder on him then on others as he is doubly held. The others will answer if asked something, so talk to those in the house.” Fred looked at her. “For the next two weeks none will be under a silence order. Yes there are times that some can be. Hence I said those in the house as you will not know how to tell who can talk and who can’t.”
There were head shakes. “I can see he is smiling and he doesn’t look upset, but asking him now. Well if he said he was upset it would just anger you so he wouldn’t.”
Jade nodded. “That is why I said at anytime. I will see that he is with when I am not latter just so you have a chance to ask him away from me. However saying he was upset or didn’t like what was done would not upset me as bad as lying would. He knows that is something I will not accept as he has tried to before and paid for it. His back was a lot worse that time, and he was working harder after it.” She looked at Henry. “Yes, boy you may say what you want to. You do not need to wait for a question.” She shook her head a bit. It was going to take time to get used to this and remember she had to be clearer, but then it would help once the bond was set. As hard as that would be in other ways.
Henry shrugged. “I needed it said, the lovely welts make me need orders more. I will try and relax, but it is harder with new ones.  Yes I did and that is one mistake I will not repeat. For all I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. Running the track with a ten pound pack after being on the post was more than enough to make it clear that there is never a good reason for me to tell a lie. That my place does not allow for it. I do see why you would think that I would, but I want you to know that I asked for the welts just didn’t expect to get as many as did. For all it is a bit less than I wanted, it is enough to fix the need I was feeling.” He filled her glass, and took the plate away as she had pushed it back. Another came to take it from him and put it with the other dishes as it was not the place of a personal servant to do so.
Albert handed the other servant his plate even as it caused Henry to flinch a bit. “That sense of place is what has them needing the oaths and the enforcement of them. It is not something that can be put into words really. The closest is a drive to see to others. To see they are needing nothing, and yes it troubled Henry that I handed my plat over and saw to my own food.  He wants to, but can’t so is frustrated, yet happy that he is not allowed to see to me.” He smiled a bit and looked at Jade, she nodded. “We are going to be doing a sweep of Ford, so should be back to Staitation when Thonblood gets in so I will just come back with him. The rest will wait to see you until you come to the base if that will work, Captain.”
Jade said. “Yes that is fine, now the boy will be with me so you will be able to check with him when you need me. He will keep me posted on you. Have a good flight, and yes however you wish to.” Fred would rather I have him walk you out, but this time it is best you two say good by here. Just to get that out there. It needs to be known now or there will be problems to night.
Albert smiled wider, glad that she was able to go there. It was a lot to ask of her, but he did want this. Had been needing it as badly as Henry needed those lovely welts. It was hard to keep his hand off and said like that he could touch them a bit as well as kiss him goodbye. This was what they wanted just didn’t expect to get it so soon. Then everything had to happen a bit faster now. He stood up. “Thank you Sir.” He walked over to Henry and wrapped him n a hug, that Henry was fast to return, if a bit lightly. There was nothing genital about the kiss. He ignored the coughing when he moved back braking it and kept his hand on Henry’s back, tracing the welts as he could. “Now I expect you to see that she isn’t overdoing. Yes I know that is going to be hard, but you had best see she doesn’t look worn when you all get back here. I expect you to see that she is not able to get away with carrying her bags.”
Henry smiled. “Yes sir I will do my best. Mistress will have a full lunch, and I will see there is a snack worked in. Getting her to rest might not be possible, we will be in the mall most of the day, but I will see that she is not waiting on herself. Have a good day, Sir and clear sky.”
Albert smiled a bit. “Rex can handle Ford just fine, but yes I will watch the navigation. Don’t worry we will have someone fit soon and he will be gone. Now I will see you when you get here.” He kissed him again and left. It was hard on them, but it was far better than if Henry hadn’t been with her. She truly shouldn’t be seeing to herself, but it was always a fight.
Oliver said. “Let me have that recording and I will see to it so you can go tell the guys and let them know she is ready and willing” He hid his smile at Al jumping, knowing that he had no idea that he was there.  All to the good though as he was thinking on what he should be this time.“If Rex is drunk again call over and Sara can fill in, her team is on the ground. There is a navigator with the folks do to arrive tomorrow that I think will fit, and one that. Well he is better Rex, but not for the Knights, no matter what he thinks now.” Al looked at him. “No you are not pushing her to much. She is the one setting the pace now, as it should be. Yes they are likely a bit upset over that kiss, but it was what she wanted you to do. You have to be able to tease Henry tonight or folks will worry, so best they saw it now.”
Albert nodded. “That yes, but well . Telling him to take care of her was a bit much. I just. She is looking better, but she was so sick and still isn’t well. No matter what she says. I know why and that my hovering is just going to irritate her, so I am trying, but. That was just me hovering through Henry.”
Oliver said. “Yes but they both know what you meant and she didn’t look upset by it. Not like she would have. As hard as the year was it helped her, now run on. They will be waiting impatiently for news. Even though you called them, you know they need it in person.” He held out his hand.
Al handed him a disk and a piece of paper. “Not the best, but I made an attempt at transcribing it so Dillion could have something more than the recording ready. For all I know the clerks will get right on this. It is just to good. Of all the people. I wonder if Fred even knows? Thank you and see you tonight. I will see that he gets some of the yelling done before we get there.”
Oliver nodded. “I know you will, but there will be some for me. Don’t worry, he will watch what he says to Jade about it. He won’t push to far, but he will be placing people with you. As well as the wings of fighters, but she expects that. Just the brass I need to make sure that know she will have a half filled ship at the start so no they can’t count on her taking twenty wings, not that they have them.”
Albert laughed. “Good luck. It is going to be hard for anything less than a lighting to be able to work with us, and it will be hard on them at times. If I am right about the ship she is trying to get, it will come with eight full wings of lightwings. Sis has always been after remaking the Ghosts.” He took off.
Oliver looked after him for a bit then turned to go the other way. Wonder why e was so surprised that Al knew what ship she had asked for and from whom. I do wonder what the rest will say about the Scarlet being back in service, and unlisted men making up a part of her command. Then they should expect it, as they know he connection with the runners. Not the fist time she has had them in her crew after all.
For a bit after Al left no one said anything. Then Fred said. “Really? You could have let walk outside. No one needed to see that! Making out at the table of all things!”
Jade said. “They both needed that, they are going to be touching each other more because they are not used to being apart. It is good for them, for all it is madding. Yes this time they could have left, but not the next time and it will go a bit further when we get back. Albert has to show that he will tease the boy even though it can go no further at this time. You know how it is. So best it get settled now. It needs to be understood as much as possible. How the Black Knight companies are formed is going to be total new and upsetting. I am not the only Capitan of one in the family so best it gets explained before the others are here. There are four weeks to Remembrance and, yes everyone will be here.”
Frank frowned but nodded. “Yes I am aware of that, but there is no help for it. Yes you are right. Best it get seen. As distasteful as it is there is no way that They will show any sense of Manors. Never has. And not like we can leave.”
Jade shook her head. “You carry on like they would be striping each other or something. There is nothing wrong with kissing or a few swats, and you know for well that will be it. If the children even see a swat. Everyone knows that Earth did not have bonds like ours, and will take that into consideration, but not all can wait. However, I will see the house in Herton is opened and you may make use of it, so you need not feel trapped here. Yet as you are living here is it not better to see they are able to adjust to our way of life than to hide it from them?”