Aron pulled back on the reins and turned the team to go past Lia.

Again, Liadan threw herself in front of the horses.

The miller happened to be walking past. "You crazy bint! Get out from in front of them horses before they run you over.  Or worse, go wild and dump that family out and turn the wagon on top of them. Blimey. Use your head, woman!"

Liadan ignored the miller. She grabbed the reins of the closest horse. She was dragged a few feet but held on and got the horses to stop.

"Aron Buckley! The family is not being broken up as easily as that!"

Aron glared at her. "If you think this is easy, you are daft. I don't want to leave but I have to protect my children. Let go of the horses and move out of the way, Lia."

"I am protecting my children!" Liadan shouted back, not letting go of the horses. "There are more mermomzers out there than in here. They will want to hurt me by going after our kids! Where is your sense?"

"And why can't you see that staying here is making targets of them?"

"At least there is protection here. If you go out on the road you're an easy target." Liadan said. "I know how dangerous roads can be."

"And their king is here, being further antagonized by the day. Nay, the  minute," Aron said.

Liadan sighed. "Aron, I traveled a lot before we met. Staying in one place too long could get dangerous for me, but being on the road was even more dangerous. At least when I was in one place I could put my back against something to protect my back... Out on the road it's not like that. You can be surrounded and beat."

"And we're targets here."

"And you'll be an even easier target out there!" Liadan said. "This is a keep- a fortress! It's designed to keep people out. And all our family and friends are here. We are safer here."

"Fine. I'm going to take the children further into the keep, I'll see if there's a room near Wulfsen or Xavier for added protection. But you...you'll need to stay elsewhere. They see you, you'll lead them right to us."

Liadan was hurt. Those were her babies. Little Vikki began crying.

Aron turned the team of horses to return them and the wagon to the stable.

Liadan scooped Vikki from the wagon to comfort her a she followed the wagon. "It'll be all right."

Ertzel sat in the back of the wagon, her heart aching. She hated when her parents fought and it sounded like Papa meant it this time.

Liadan reached up to try to smooth Ertzel's unruly hair.

Ertzel bit her lip, hard, to keep from crying.

"Ertzel- what's wrong?" Liadan asked worriedly.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

"It's something." Liadan pressed gently.

"I don't like when you and Papa fight. And it feels like he means it this time."

Liadan's eyes brimmed. She knew Aron meant it, that their marriage was falling apart, a she had always thought she was a bad wife and mother. But she lied.

"We are just tired and stressed from all that has happened. We will all be all right."

Her daughter didn't believe her. Ertzel shrugged. "I told you it was nothing."