Her pleading gaze never leaving Wulfsen, Aislyn sat down. "Please, Lord Thornblade."

Wulfsen sighed. He really could not come up with a reason to force Lek besides his mother not wanting him to be a knight.

Aislyn was frantic and near tears. The cup of tea tipped, spilling on to the floor. "I don't want to lose my only remaining son."

Wulfsen looked at Mrs Buckley. She had already lot half of her children, he could not blame her for not wanting to let Lek go.

"I will take him on as my page." Wulfsen offered. "I will protect him."

Aislyn studied Lek. Realistically she knew she couldn't...shouldn't...hold him back. He needed to grow and it was past time for him to become a man. Her shoulders slumped. "Take good care of him, please."

"I'll protect him as well as I can." Wulfsen promised.

Aislyn wrung her hands in front of her, so tightly they were white with lack of circulation. She nodded solemnly, keeping her head lowered so Lek wouldn't notice her tears.

"I'll be okay, Mama." Lek said, slightly puffing out his chest.

"You had better be. You heed every instruction Lord Thornblade gives you and keep yourself safe," Aislyn said softly. Unable to resist, she pulled him in for one last tight hug.

"Mama!" Lek protested, blushing. Lord Thornblade was right there!

Aislyn kissed the top of his head before releasing him. "Come visit when you are able."

Lek was too mortified to speak.

"Kiss your mother!" Wulfsen ordered.

Aislyn stepped back so Nelek could speak with him.

Lek obediently pecked his mother's cheek.

Aislyn smiled and bent down to scoop up Kadelyn.

Nelek was still weak, but he managed to clap his son's arm firmly.

"You have grown into a good young man, I wish I had been there for you." Nelek said. "Be careful, and do what Wulfsen tells you to. We have already lost too much."

Lek's eyes shone. "I will Papa."

"Part of being a page is caring for horses." Wulfsen said. "So I want you to go clean the stables, each and every stall. The stable hands can show you what needs doing. After you've done that and washed up come find me, I'll have something else for you to do."

Lek blinked. He had been looking forward to learning how to fight so he could defend Pinja if she was ever in danger again. How could shoveling out horse stalls protect Pinja? But he nodded and headed for the stable.

Wulfsen smiled. "I'll work him hard for a couple days, see how determined he is to do this. When he sees that this isn't all fun adventures he may quit."

"Part of me hopes he does, truthfully, a large part of me. But he does need to learn how to be a man."

"Not all men become knights." Wulfsen said. "I hope you feel better Mrs Gerthrim."

"Thank you, Lord Thornblade." She turned and nuzzled her daughter.

"I'll be going now." Wulfsen said, determined to see his betrothed no matter where Sileas was.