Lek tried to stand taller. "Maybe if I showed more interest in fighting sooner less people would have been hurt when the village was raided."

"Oh, sweetheart, there was nothing you could have done any differently. The raiders managed to defeat Uncle Shawn and they killed Larrigan. If anyone should have been able to hold them off, those two should have."

"I can keep it from happening again." Lek said.

"Why? Why do you want to cause me all of this worry?" Aislyn demanded, tears streaking down her cheeks. "I didn't lose enough of my children already?"

"If I knew how to fight I could have saved them!" Lek said, also tearing up.

"That doesn't help me keep you, Millie and Kadey safe," Aislyn, feeling like her legs were about to give in. Her son simply didn't love her enough to do his part to keep her from worrying and being fearful.

"I protected Millie tonight." Lek said.

Aislyn turned to Nelek. "Our son doesn't care ifi he causes me to worry myself to an early grave," she wailed.

Sileas returned to the war room and quietly reclaimed her seat.

In reply to Aislyn Gerthrim (msg # 202):

Nelek sighed, wrapping his arms around his distraught wife.

Aislyn's tears soaked his shirt as she clung to Nelek.

Wulfsen felt incredibly uncomfortable.

"I'll be all right, Mama." Lek said awkwardly.

"There are always going to be threats and battles. You can't promise that, Lek."

"I have a better chance now than I did before." Lek said. "At least now I know how to fight."

"Even seasoned warriors can be critically injured in battles, or worse. Don't make promises you cannot keep, Lek."

"And raiders killed people in their own homes. I'll do the best I can." Lek said.

Aislyn leaned into Nelek. There was nothing more she could say that might convince her son to give up his foolish notion.

"Listen here, Lek," Wulfsen turned the boy to face him. "I forbid you from dueling until you are a full knight. Breaking your mother's heart is more than enough reason to not risk your neck in duels, but with what is going on now I can't afford to lose you."

Lek blinked and looked around.
"What's going on?"

"My half brother has decided to size the throne. We are preparing for a siege and flight."Wulfsen said.

"Oh."Lek said, surprised and feeling more than a little foolish. "What do you want me to do?"

"Go find Xavier and find out what's keeping him. I had sent him to double the guard on the walls a while ago." Wulfsen said.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Sun 31 May 2020.

"Yes sir." Lek said obediently and headed for the gate.

Wulfsen sunk back in his chair, an arm going around Sileas. Of all the rotten timing, today, on his wedding. He felt selfish for wishing this had been delayed one more day but he had been looking forward to today.