Wulfsen gently lifted Sileas's chin. "It will be all right. I'll come back as soon as I can."

"I know that will be your intention. Everybody always thinks they'll come back," Sileas replied.

"You're afraid I'll get killed like Larrigan or Max." Wulfsen stated.

Sileas nodded. "The day we were raided was the first day that Larrigan stayed behind at the forge. The first day since we had met that we had been truly apart," she finally said, rubbing her arms.

"What can I do to make you feel safer about me leaving?" Wulfsen asked.

"I...I don't know..." Siles said honestly. "Don't go? Send Xavier?"

"Xavier doesn't have the authority I do. If I don't go Aalyssa will die." Wulfsen gently squeezed Sileas's shoulders. It was tearing him apart to leave her. He hoped he got back all right, she wanted her child to have a father instead of being branded a bastard like he was. At least his father acknowledged him, but it was not easy.

"Oh! I can come with you! It will take Bai a while to find anything useful in the books, I'm thinking. Plus he has to set up the area," Sileas said, wanting to guard him.

"It might be-" Wulfsen realized telling Sileas that it might be dangerous would only make her want to go more. "Don't you have to help prepare for our wedding?"

She started to say no but closed her mouth. If she left her mother and Aunt in charge, they would dress her in something disgustingly frilly. Sileas let out a breath. "I would be more useful having your back."

"You have to be careful. It's not just you, or just you and me." Wulfsen said. "You have a child with you."

Sileas' shoulders slumping, the truth of his words slamming in to her. Still, she was unwilling to give up the fight just yet. She couldn't do this all alone. "I know how to be careful," she said in a small voice, even as her mind pointed out that the baby was an unexpected miracle. "What if Difyr says it's safe for me to go along?"

"It's not if you're healthy enough, it's if we're ever in any danger." Wulfsen said.

"Which takes us back to me having your back," Sileas said stubbornly. Even now, though, her hand splayed protectively over the precious life she carried.

Wulfsen sighed and kissed her cheek. "It's up to you."

"That's hardly a good idea. I'm not known for making the best of decisions," Sileas pointed out.  "If I go, I can protect you. If I go, Mama and Aunt Aislyn will make the wedding a frilly concoction of...something frilly and frothy."

"You'll still look beautiful." Wulfsen said.

Sileas blushed. "But I despise ruffles enough to go into a Yehudit style rage," she said.

"Well, there's bound to be a chapel along the way. We can go get married in whatever we're wearing and then you won't have to wear anything frilly."

Sileas was quietly thoughtful for a few moments. "That sounds wonderful to me, but Mama would be sorely disappointed to not witness my wedding. I might, however, be able to find a dress somewhere and that would negate anything they pick out."

Wulfsen nodded. "I'm hoping to leave within an hour, you need to pack quickly."

Sileas got to her feet. "I also have to explain to Bai what is going on." She sighed. "How am I going to keep Yehudit from following?"

"Tie her up and lock her up?" Wulfsen said, only half serious.

Sileas snorted. "The idea would have potential if I wasn't worried about her flying into a  rage."

"Maybe we can slip out without her knowing you're going." Wulfsen said.