Large room in the keep inhabited by Liadan and Aron Buckley and their children. It even has a little furniture.

Liadan looked up from the chair she was dusting off. "What do they need to do?"

Ertzel was silent for a moment or two, then replied, "Sileas wants to sit with Uncle Shawn and Yehudit of course wants to be at her side."

Ertzel was too slow to answer. Liadan frowned.

"Is that all?" Liadan asked.

"Yes, they were afraid Olivia would wake up and cry and bother the other patients."

It was not what Ertzel was saying, but how she said it. What she said made sense but she almost sounded like she was lying. But Ertzel never lied, she was an honest girl brought up right.

"Okay." Liadan said.

"Thank you, Mama." She gave her a quick kiss then headed out the door for the other room.

Liadan had been sleeping lightly and woke quickly to Difyr's tap on the door. She quietly crept to the door so she would not wake any of the small children and opened it.

"Difyr, what is it?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but Mr Spenser was asking for Sileas. Is she awake?" Difyr asked.

"What do you mean is Sileas awake? Sileas isn't here." Liadan took a quick look around the room, it was just her younger children. "She and Yehudit are supposed to be with Shawn." Liadan frowned, remembering how slow Ertzel had been to answer earlier.

Difyr shook her head. "I assumed Sileas would be here with Yehudit... Well she's bound to be with Yehudit somewhere. Now where could they have gone off to?"

"Ertzel will know." Liadan said, stepping into the hall and to the next door.

Liadan crept into the room, trying to not wake her children or baby Olivia. Yehudit was not there. Liadan swore under her breath, where was Yehudit now?

Liadan went into the room she had claimed for her family and was surprised that Aron was not there. But all her children but Yehudit were there. She checked on Ertzel.
"How's it going?"

"Every thing is fine Mama. The little ones were getting hungry but I had some cookies Aunt Aislyn made before everything happened."

"Has your father been in?" Liadan asked.

"He was and then he said he was going to see about blankets."

Liadan looked around. "We will need more blankets." She mused. "I think they are cooking something in the kitchen."

"We should probably get the little ones there. Cookies won't fill them long, they only got half a cookie each."

Liadan scooped up Vikki and Lizbet. "You need to eat properly too, Ertzel."

"I know Mama," she said, taking the hands of her other siblings.

Aron entered the room with a stack of blankets. He peered over them, wondering where everyone had gone. Maybe out to the privvy. He started arranging the blankets around the room.

"Aunt Lia!" Lek burst into hte room, and his shoulders slumped with disappointment. "Oh, it's only Uncle Aron."

Aron eyed his nephew. "I believe I am insulted. I haven't seen Lia."

"We need her! Someone tried to grab Millie, now Sileas and Questa and Yehudit are fighting him." Lek panted.

Aron snapped to attention. "I'll find Lia. You find Lords Thornblade and DeVale."

"We were looking for them too." Lek fretted.

"Every one is probably near or heading for the kitchen to find something to eat. Hopefully there will be some."

Lek grasped Millie's hand. "Let's go there!"

"We need to hurry!" Millie exclaimed, already moving and pulling on Lek's hand.

Liadan stormed into the room, determined to make it secure so her eldest daughter would not go hobbling off with that flame-haired trouble seeker. She noticed that blankets had been spread around the room, making the refuge homey. Liadan felt herself tearing up. Aron had always been more domestic than her, he knew how to make a place a home and was always a better parent.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Liadan threw open the door. "WHAT THE **** DO YOU WANT?"

"If you are Mrs. Buckley, you are needed in the healing room. If you're not, please pardon the intrusion." They had knocked on a few doors en route, either to find them empty or to be told the woman inside wasn't Mrs. Buckley.

Something was wrong! Liadan sprinted to the healing room.

The one knight fell against the other knight as he was shoved out of the way.

Aron was very grateful there was nothing to pack as he entered the room. He gathered all of the children except for Yehudit, and he went off in search of his eldest.

Liadan was not yet awake, and was not having a good dream. She reached out, softly calling for Aron.

Aron was laying on the floor on the far side of the room. His eyes were closed but he wasn't asleep. He hadn't slept all night. Anger still pounded through his veins.

"Aron!" Liadan cried out.

Aron continued to feign sleep, his back to the family.

Liadan woke up, shaking all over and tears running down her cheeks. She looked around and saw Aron laying on the other side of the room. Liadan hunched her shoulders miserably and closed her eyes.

Little Vikki went to her father and began pulling his hair.

Aron wrapped his arm around her and cuddled her close. "Come here, you little dumpling."

Vikki punched her father in the eye.

"Owww!" Aron exclaimed.

Liadan finally made herself get up and go over to her husband and Vikki.

"Vikki, you know better than to hit your Papa." Liadan said, trying not to look at Aron and let him know how hurt she felt. It was the first time since Ertzel was born that she had one of her nightmares and Aron was not there comforting her when she woke up.

Aron rubbed his eye. He felt off this morning. Just an uncomfortable feeling and some random pains. He pushed himself to his feet.

"Aron..?" Liadan did not know what to say.

"What?" he replied, shuffling over to the pitcher and basin to rinse off. A few grunts and groans escaped him.

"We can work things out..." Liadan said, frowning at the groans.

"I don't think we can, Lia. I don't see how we can."

"We've lasted this long. Remember how scared I was when we first started?" Liadan offered Aron a towel.

Aron accepted the towel and dried himself off.  "But it's not that I'm scared. I feel useless. And unable to protect all of you. And when I do make a decision, you scoff at it. I'm supposed to be in charge, dammit."

"You protect us, we're the only family that hasn't lost-" Liadan narrowed her eyes. "We work together, neither of us is supposed to be the only one in charge."

"Well it's not how it works. I might as well turn into my father and spend all time on the inn." He paused. "If we still had an inn."

"We can get it back, rebuild." Liadan said. "Before we met I had less than we have now."

Aron absently rubbed his left arm. Why did it hurt so? "All of my attention would be devoted to rebuilding and running it, not you and the kids."

"Then don't rebuild the inn... I don't care if we have an inn or not as long as I have my family and we're safe." Liadan frowned. "Is something wrong with your arm?"

"Running an inn is the only thing I'm good at." He sighed. "It's sore, I think I slept on it wrong last night."

Liadan almost made a comment that he slept wrong by not sleeping with her, but bit her tongue. "Let me see."

"It will be fine. Let's just get the kids ready and get breakfast," Aron replied.

"If it hurts you it's not nothing." Liadan fussed.

"It'll wear off as I move about," Aaron declared, despite not being entirely certain.

Liadan folded her arms. "Difyr can fix it in minutes."

"It will be fine, Lia."

"It will after Difyr treats it." Liadan said.

"No."

"Aron..." Liadan said warningly.

"NO!" He stormed to the door and practically ran out, slamming the door behind him.

All the smaller children burst into tears and began wailing. Liadan wanted to cry herself. But she tried to comfort Vikki, Lizbet and Geoffrey.

Liadan was trying to get the children ready, but Vikki was being impossible. Every time Liadan turned around the child had found some way to make herself dirty. Dirt, paint, sweets...

"Aron, help!" Liadan cried after Vikki smeared chocolate all over her nice dress.

Aron had just finished with the boys. He turned toward Lia and Vikki. "Vikki!" he admonished.

Vikki blew raspberries and pelted her father with a fistful of chocolate.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 01:00, Wed 27 Sept 2017.

Liadan winced. Vikki's behavior had been terrible lately. Almost enough to distract her from Yehudit's strange behavior. Liadan could not get a straight answer from Yehudit, who seemed to be avoiding everyone these days. Liadan worried about all her children especially Vikki and Yehudit. She felt like a failure as a mother.

"Come here, you little monkey!" Aron exclaimed, making a grab for her.

Vikki deliberately ran into an end table, knocking down a glass and breaking it. She giggled.

Aron sighed and gave chase.

Vikki dove under the bed in a cloud of dustmice.

Aron went under with her, hoping Lia had another dress for her to wear. He cornered Vikki and started tickling her.

Vikki stomped her little foot squarely on Aron's nose.

"OWWW!" Aron exclaimed, rubbing his nose.

Liadan knelt next to Aron's legs. "Aron, are you all right? What happened?"

"The little monkey kicked me in the nose!" he exclaimed.

Liadan sighed. She did not know what to do, none of her children had ever been this badly behaved. She wondered if it was because things had been so bad between her and Aron lately.

"Is it bleeding?" She asked.

"No, it's just throbbing."

Liadan felt like this was a bad idea, but she crawled under the bed next to Aron.

"I'll get the feet, you get her arms."

Liadan nodded to Aron. She got slapped a few times but managed to get hold of Vikki's arms.

Vikki kicked out a few times, but Aron was quicker and got hold of her feet. "Got her."

Liadan awkwardly scooted out backwards with their squirming daughter. Vikki was filthy head to toe. She would need a bath. Liadan was dusty herself.

Aron followed with her feet, just as awkwardly as Lia. He thought he spotted a small tear in his tunic.

Liadan looked at Vikki and Aron.

"Maybe we should just have Ertzel go ahead of us with the other children."

"If you think she can handle them on her own," he said, looking Lia over.

"Ertzel is very responsible. The only one that doesn't listen to her, besides Yehudit, is Vikki." Liadan said.

"All right. Probably a good idea."

"Ertzel?" Liadan called her second born over. "Could you take the others down to the feast? We're going to be held up for a little longer and there's no reason everyone should be late."

"All right Mama," Ertzel replied. She gathered the others around her and headed out the door.

"Thank you Ertzel!" Liadan called to Ertzel as she left. She looked over Vikki to her husband.

"What do you think about wet clothes? It's quite warm today, it may be quicker to just dunk her in a tub, clothes and all."

"If we weren't going to a feast, I would agree with you. But she should be somewhat dry, if not presentable."

"She has one clean dress left. It's one I patched myself while Millie was away in Portside." Liadan said grimly. "Wet clothes might be better."

"How badly did she dirty up the other dresses?"

Liadan counted on her fingers.
"Paint, chocolate, you know those people that let their dog wander around all the time and never clean up after him? Paint again... They're all really bad."

"How did she find paint?"

"I don't know. Someone must be painting something. Two different kinds of paint too, orange and purple. Hideous looking. I Hope it comes out in the wash." Liadan said.

Aron wrinkled his nose. "Orange and purple??" he shuddered.

"You see why a wet dress could be better?" Liadan asked.

"Yes, I suppose so," Aron agreed reluctantly.

"If I was a better mother...." Liadan sighed. Not in front of the children, even though even Vikki must know what a failure she was.

"Children will be children. Take heart, Kady is far worse behaved."

"Kady always has clean clothes, and when Aislyn mends something it doesn't wind up with extra arms." Liadan said.

"Trust me, Kady does not always have clean clothing," Aron said. "She's in far too many food fights for that to happen."

"She has something clean and dry for today." Liadan said.

"Only by the grace of God," Aron said.

Liadan sighed and dunked Vikki in the tub, clothes and all. She thought Aron would be happier married to someone else, a better wife and mother than herself.

Vikki splashed her father's shirt.

"Looks like we'll all be wet."

Liadan sighed. "Hopefully Sileas knows better than to expect more than this from us."

She lifted her dripping by cleaner daughter from the tub.

"She should be used to this out of us and expect it even."

"Yeah." Liadan sadly looked at Aron and wondered what other people expected, or didn't expect from her and Aron. Liadan shook herself. "I think Vikki kicked her shoes onto the shelf."

Aron looked around at the shelves. "Aha!" He went over and grabbed the shoes...from two difference shelves."

Liadan hugs Vikki to herself so Aron can put the shoes on their daughter.

Aron managed to get the shoes on the squirming feet. "It's a shame we don't have some sort of glue," he joked.

Liadan had spent her life barefoot before coming to Buckley Village and becoming more civilized so she could understand Vikki wanting to be barefoot.

"I think we're ready to go."

"All right. Let's go."

Liadan walked next to Aron, clutching Vikki to herself so the kid would not go running into more mischief. She watched Aron for a moment, hesitated, then wrapped her hand around his.

Aron held her hand tightly as they left the room.

Liadan squeezed Aron's hand. Maybe there was hope for them.

Aron absently traced his thumb along Lia's hand as they walked.

"I love you." Liadan whispered.

"Love you too, Cupcake," Aron replied.

Liadan smiled and squeezed Aron's hand.

Aron leaned over and kissed her temple.

Liadan beamed. She wanted to kiss Aron back but was already awkwardly holding Vikki, she knew if she tried she would probably fall sprawling with her daughter in her arms.

Aron grinned at her.

"I wonder if Ais would watch the kids after the feast for us." Liadan bumped Aron with her side flirtatiously.

"I don't know. She's being free tonight. She and Nelek might want time alone themselves."

"Oh, yeah." Liadan missed the inn. There was always someone on hand to watch the children so she and Aron could go to the honeymoon suite if it wasn't being rented. Liadan sighed and leaned against Aron.

"Maybe we can watch Kady tonight and they can take our kids tomorrow night?"

"Sure." Liadan said, hoping they were still getting along tomorrow night.

"Good, it's a date."

"C'mere." Liadan beckoned Aron to bend. "I want to kiss you."

Aron bent down to her height, minding where Vikki was, squirming.

Liadan kissed him, and probably would have kissed him longer if Vikki didn't yell "Get a room!"

Ah, why Vikki was still the youngest child.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Fri 29 Sept 2017.

Aron managed to bite back the laugh that threatened to escape.

"Where did she pick that up?" Liadan asked Aron, blushing as she realized he was struggling not to laugh.

When Aron felt it was safe to speak, he shook his head. "I don't know, probably one of the older kids."

Liadan sighed. "She talks like a streetkid."

"Kids repeat things they hear. She'll grow out of it."

"I hope so." Liadan said.

Then Vikki shouted a couple curses and swear words common in Liadan's repertoire.

"And I think we know where she got those words," Aron said.

"I'm a terrible mother." Liadan said.

"Oh, you think this has never happened to any other mother in history?"

"Well, no, but they're terrible mothers too." Liadan said.

"So all of you are terrible then?" Aron teased.

"I warned you that I'd be a terrible mother." Liadan said. "You married me anyways."

"And I have told you repeatedly that you are not a horrible mother. Parenting is a job you learn while doing it, we all make mistakes. Every last one of us."

Liadan was not convinced.

"Let's go to the feast before we're even more late."

"I'm in agreement with that. I'm famished."

The ice bit into Liadan's back. The hands clasped on her arms and shoulders were like iron. Her nose and split lip were bleeding, her mouth was full of blood. She had to squint through two black eyes to see the third man hovering over her, waving a knife. He had straight black hair and cruel blue-gray eyes. Liadan spat in his face. The man wiped the blood and saliva from his cheek.

"We'll beat that out of you." He said, swinging a backhand into her face and sending her head banging into the hard ice.

"ARON!" Liadan screamed aloud, tangling herself in the bedclothes.

Aron was nearly rolled out of the bed on to the floor when LIa grabbed the sheet. He blinked and sat up before realizing what was happening. "Lia? I'm right here, Lia," he said softly. "You're safe."

"No! Stop! ARON HELP!" Liadan lashed out with her fists and kicked.

"Lia, I'm right here." He knew better than to try to touch her. "I've got him, Lia. He can't hurt you anymore."

"Kill the &*(#@ momzer. There's two more-" Liadan punched the wall so hard it hurt and she woke up. She wildly looked around, confused until she saw Aron and realized where she was and that she had just had a nightmare. She was trembling all over like a leaf.

"Aron." Liadan whimpered, reaching for him.

Aron quickly gathered her into his arms and held her close, kissing the top of her head. "Everything is all right, Cupcake."

Liadan buried her face in Aron's chest and sobbed.

"It's been so many years but that nightmare was as clear as if it happened yesterday." Liadan whispered.

"I worried about that...I had trouble reaching you," he whispered.

"It's been a long time since the nightmares were so clear." Liadan sat down on the bed and tugged Aron to sit beside her. She pressed her head against his shoulder. "I could even make out the color of the momzer's eyes, every pore on his nose, crumbs of something he had eaten in his beard." Liadan shuddered.

"I wish I had been there to protect you that night," Aron said, wrapping his arm around her to hold close. "They're all dead now and can't hurt you or anyone else."

"If I hadn't fought with you and stormed off I wouldn't have run into them to begin with." Liadan said. "They're dead but they still haunt me."

"I wish I knew a way to take all that away from you. But then we wouldn't have Yehudit, either," he said softly, stroking her hair.

"I wish you had fathered her, or at least that we were already married and I could pretend you had fathered her." Liadan still shook.

'If you hadn't run, and had come to me...or Aislyn....we could have done just that. You know I couldn't love her more if I had fathered her, right?"

"You know even if I hadn't run I wouldn't have let you touch me after what had happened." Liadan squeezed Aron's hand. "I know you love her as much as all of her children... But this thing about being a child of Molech..."

"I wouldn't have expected you to allow me to touch you, Lia. But I would have protected you." He sighed. "I know. I'm hoping against hope that this Bai finds some way to help her. It does explain a lot about the rages though."

Liadan ran a thumb over the familiar calluses on Aron's hands.

"Pinja wasn't the only woman to be abused by the raiders. I try not to think about it but I can't help but wonder... How many are pregnant and are going to pretend the baby is their husband's? Can they convince themselves? Are they better off this way?"

"I think it will depend on the woman. And the relationship she has with her husband. If Brie would have...I know she would have told Shawn and he would have raised the babe as his own. Just like if it would have happened to you,  I would have accepted the child. Hopefully those who don't want the child will put it up for adoption rather than doing something drastic. We also don't know how many may have asked Difyr for the herbs."

"I overheard that the raiders had stolen the herbs from Difyr's store. She had to get more from Portside." Liadan said. "The raiders wanted this... And if they're serving Molech..."

"Then Bai is going to be outnumbered. Do you think we should send for help from some of the Bishops in the area?"

"It will be years before they can be dangerous." Liadan said.

"It might take us years to find any help. Best to have the help in place before it breaks bad."

"They are going to be children." Liadan said. "We don't even know if Bai can do anything."

"There has to be some way to stop it. It would be nice to have a chapel anyway. Or a friar."

"Yehudit is a good girl... How bad can all these other children be?" Liadan asked.

"I would think it's going to depend on how their raised and their life experiences. Yehudit has a good family that loves her and supports her. A family that doesn't abuse her. Not all of these children are going to be so lucky."

Liadan looked up at Aron, worried. "Not all husbands are as understanding as you, and I can see even the mothers taking it out on them..."

Aron nodded. That was exactly what he was worried about.

"Any child that grows up being abused is likely to be a... a monster." Liadan still clutched on if Aron's hands but she shifted away a little, probably a good thing to finally let Aron get some air. "Aron, we have to find out how many are going to be born nine months after the raid, what their parents will be like... We have to do something."

"How would we know if it's a child of the raider or a legitimate child between husband and wife? Do you want to speak with Shawn and Brie about this? I'm sure they'd be willing to help, I know they're taking in Pinja's babe. And maybe Nelek and Aislyn too."

"Difyr and Aalyssa could help... They could probably tell if the parents are happy about having a baby, or if they're, well, upset in more than just the usual worry and anticipation." Liadan said. "Ais, Nelek and Brie... How would you feel about having another baby if it came to that?"

"That's true. And I think I overheard Bai saying about looking for some mark." Aron smiled. "The more, the merrier."

Liadan smiled back and kissed Aron's cheek. She was still trembling a little but not as badly as she had been. "You're a good father."

Aron smiled and kissed her forehead. "It helps that I love my wife and being a father."

Liadan wrapped her arms around Aron's neck and kissed his lips long and deep.

"Aislyn has to return the favor and watch our children tonight." She said when she finally broke off the kiss.

"Bet she doesn't even realize it. They didn't really bother asking, they just sort of nudged Kady over into our kids."

"She only had eyes for Nelek. It was like old times, only without Nelek even bothering to feign a headache." Liadan sighed as she thought about old times, like the honeymoon suite at the inn and how she and Aron would spend a night there almost every week while their kids stayed with Ais, until Yehudit was old enough to watch them. Ertzel was probably old enough to watch her siblings now, but Liadan did not want to leave them without an adult. Not with what happened and was still going on. "We should make sure our children are up and clean and dressed... I don't think we should bother putting Vikki in her good dress until a few minutes before the wedding."

"Yes, I suppose we should. I agree about Vikki." He grinned. "Our little terror."

"Poor little thing takes after me." Liadan said.

Aron grinned. "That doesn't explain Kady though.  She doesn't take after Aislyn or Nelek."

"Maybe she was switched at birth." Liadan said.

"She was born at home!" Aron denied.

"Changeling." Liadan said.

"Hm." Aron didn't know much about such things.  "That can't be good."

"Nah, compared to Yehudit Kady's a saint." Liadan said. "Ais and Nelek are fine."

Aron chuckled. "I guess we should be getting dressed."

"Since we're going to a wedding I guess we should." Liadan stood up and strode over to the chest of clothes.

Aron got to his feet and stretched. At the washbasin, he washed off and then went to find his clothing.

"$&*#)( buttons." Liadan cursed.

"Language, Cupcake," he reminded. "Little ears are not far."

"Do these buttons make any sense to you?" Liadan asked.

Aron walked over and set about fastening her buttons. "You do realize this is the opposite of what I should be doing."

"If we didn't have to watch Kady and our own kids all would be right in the universe and you would be doing what you're supposed to be doing with those buttons." Liadan said.

"I still think we could have trusted Ertzel with them."

Liadan shook her head. "Not with all that's going on."

Aron sighed. "It always seems like something going on."

"It's not safe right now." Liadan squeezed Aron's arm. "With Sileas's wedding going on, Galina would try to ruin that."

Aron sucked in a breath. "Don't even think on that. Sileas deserves today after everything she has been through. One day of nothing but pure happiness and joy."

"That's why I'm taking no chances." Liadan said. She tried brushing her hair but it made no difference. "Let's get the children."

Now Aron was worried. He was hoping Bai might be thinking the same thing so he could monitor the wedding and the festivities. He followed along after Lia.

Liadan walked around the curtain and rescued a lit candle from Vikki.

"Lia? Can you handle getting the children ready? I wish to go find Bai and have a word."

"Uh, sure." Liadan said.

He kissed the top of her head. "I'll be back as soon as I can." He squeezed her hand and then left.

Aron returned to the room. "Is everyone ready to go?"

"Almost- Vikki hid one of her shoes." Liadan sighed.

Aron muttered under his breath. He crossed the room and peered under the bed.

"No Aron! Vikki's-"

The top of Vikki's head flew out from under the bed and into Aron's nose.

Aron sat up abruptly, bumping his head on the bottom of the bed while rubbing his nose.

Liadan sighed. "I'm beginning to think Vikki should just go barefoot."

"If her dress is long enough, no one will notice anyway."

"I just always hoped my children wouldn't have to go barefoot." Liadan said sadly.

"It's not like it's because she doesn't have shoes." Aron sighed. "Despite the fact we can't find them. But I think everyone knows children that age...they prefer being barefoot."

"I never had shoes until I came to Buckley Village..." Liadan watched her youngest come out from under the bed, covered in dust bunnies.

"I only know that when Aislyn and I were that age, we never had our shoes on. Brie either."

"All I can remember from that age..." Liadan's eyes teared up. She did not have a happy childhood.

Aron pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "That's all in the past now and our children are in good condition."

Liadan tucked her head under Aron's chin. Too many things had not gone as she had hoped for her children.

Aron hugged her closely.

Liadan sighed and stepped back. "We should get going... with our barefoot daughter."

"Aye." Aron scooped up Vicki and made sure all the children were accounted for before leaving the room with his brood and heading for the main hall.

"Aron!" Fiercely affectionate, Liadan pounced on her hapless husband.

"Oof," Aron exclaimed as the air left him in a whoosh. He wrapped his arms around Lia and pulled her in for a kiss.

Liadan kissed him hard, her fingers digging into Aron's tunic. "I hope you barred the door." Liadan mumbled.

"I can't remember," he said, holding her tightly.

"If someone bursts in here I'll never kiss you again." Liadan said, kissing him again.

Aron trailed kisses down her cheek. "Then I had best check the door."

"Be quick about it." Liadan said, reluctantly releasing Aron.

Aron kissed her nose and hurried to the door to make certain the bar was in place. Seeing it was before going all the way over, he hurried back to Lia.

All light suddenly vanished from the room.

Liadan rested on Aron's chest so she could feel his heartbeat. She had other things she was supposed to be doing, something in particular she had been procrastinating for months. But she felt so safe here.

Aron wrapped his arms around Lia and kissed the top of her head.

Liadan sighed lazily.

Aron smiled, just content to hold her.

Liadan finally swore.

"What?"

"I have to talk to that girl." Liadan said moodily. "I've been putting it off but I said I would talk to her so it's always in the back of my mind."

"Then you need to get it done and off your mind."

"I was hoping you'd give me an excuse to put it off some more." Liadan said sadly.

"I could, but you would keep thinking on it."

Liadan muttered but got out of bed and hunted down her shoes.