"I don't think it's the one from the dungeon... Mrs Gerthrim seemed doubtful a first. Now... Well, she has accepted him." Wulfsen said. "Mrs Buckley had something to do with it, she told Mrs Gerthrim that Nelek was in the healing room."

Shawn frowned. "How did Lia get a Nelek?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I hope Aislyn is not only certain but correct. I've had about enough of this merman nonsense. That was really bad timing for them to make themselves known at the same time we were being raided."

"At least we know now. They had been working at this for years." Wulfsen said.

"I shudder to think about how many women were taken in by them and how many be in the keep right now, posing as family men."

Shawn fell silent for a moment. "Wulfsen, I know this is a bad time, but I would like to tender my resignation as guard captain." He hoped Brie wouldn't be upset, they'd not had a chance to discuss it.

"Resigning? Why? Why now?" Wulfsen did not relish the thought of looking for a new captain.

"There are actually several reasons. For one thing, I pushed myself too hard after I was injured and it's catching up with me. I want to spend more time with my family, and quite honestly...I feel the raid was my fault. I went after Jack to protect Pinja and the lax security provided by men I chose to guard him allowed him to escape. It's my fault the village was decimated and that Aislyn and I lost most of our children. And what happened to Brie. Not to mention that we never managed to catch Andy for what he did to Sileas either time, and it ended up causing grevious harm to Yehudit." Shawn closed his eyes. "And forced Sileas to take a life to protect her. It's time, past time, that I...I do what my father taught me to do. Farming."

"That wasn't your fault. Jack wasn't working alone- he practically had an army break him out, you didn't have enough men to keep them from breaking him out. And Andy had magic on his side." Wulfsen said. "But i understand wanting to spend more time with your family... I just hate having to replace you."

"I understand. I will help as I can until you find a new captain," Shawn added.

"Thank you." Wulfsen said. "I don't know who I'll get to replace you. Do you have any ideas?"

Shawn shook his head. "My men were lost during the escape and raid. I'm not very familiar with the surviving men from the village."

"There must be someone who could make captain." Wulfsen said.

"What about Juniper? She seems capable and has enough men to make a fine guard force."

"She's strong too." Wulfsen said. "I'll ask her."

"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a wife in need of my attention. I need to go find her."

"I think I saw her in the healing room. She didn't look sick or hurt though." Wulfsen said.

"She may have taken food down." Shawn frowned.  "With Aislyn under house arrest, I guess I'll end up pressed into service in the kitchen."

"For her own safety... With her husband back she probably will be feeling less stressed and better before too long." Wulfsen said.

"You might think about putting some guards in the common areas. Sounds like there's been more than a few problems with antagonizing people."

"Everyone must still be under great strain." Wulfsen said, massaging his temples. "I'll see that at least two of my men are in those areas at all times."

"I'm sure they are, and being trapped with people they don't know or like adds to it. That's a good idea, maybe things will be able to be controlled somewhat."

"At least prevent more killings... justified or not." Wulfsen said.

"Yes, along with a lot of emotional pain can be stopped."

"If that's all,  you must be eager to see your wife." Wulfsen said, dismissing Shawn.

"Yes, I am. Thank you, Wulfsen." Shawn stood and left the war room and headed for the kitchen.

After Shawn left, Xavier spoke. "Who's Juniper?"