"What if one of Alexander's supporters are already in the keep?" Liadan asked. "They could let in enemies."

Aislyn stiffened. "That should be mentioned to Wulfsen so he can verify all his men are loyal to him."

"There's already one that messed with Millie, there's bound to be more momzers." Liadan said.

Aislyn nodded. "Sadly, though, we may need to deal with some momzers for protection if they're loyal to Wulfsen."

"Just kill 'em all." Liadan said.

"Save your bloodlust for Alexander's men. We need all the fighters we can get."

Liadan shook her head. "I have always survived well enough without knights protecting me."

"You've never had the entirety of the king's army storming you. Tens of thousands of knights, plus mercenaries."

Liadan scoffed.

Brie rolled her eyes and studied Sileas. She wondered exactly how much danger her daughter was in now.

Lek entered the War Room, looking worse for wear but at least he was alive.

"Lek!" Nelek gasped, aghast by how bloody his son was looking.

"Lek!" Aislyn shrieked, nearly knocking over the heavy chair when she got to her feet. She ran to her son. "I knew this would come to no good. I forbid you to be a knight. You need to see..." she noticed the bandages and cleared her throat. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with being a woodworker like your father!" She wrapped her arms around Lek and pulled him close.

Lek was mortified- Wulfsen was right there! He squirmed uncomfortably. "It's not as bad as it looks."

Aislyn tightened her embrace. "I don't care, you are not going to go through with this folly. You're not a fighter."

"But I won!" Lek burst out. "That knight assaulted Millie and insulted Pinja and I beat him!"

"Where is this knight? He hurt my babies and I will have vengeance on him!" Aislyn exclaimed.

"I will deal with this knight." Wulfsen said, feeling for Lek's embarrassment.

Sileas got  up from her chair. She had to go to her old rooms and find her weapons of choice.

Wulfsen watched Sileas leave, not knowing where she was going but enjoying the view.

"Wulfsen, I want your promise that this knight is dealt with harshly. And I hope it doesn't leave you in too much of a bind if I forbid Lek this foolish notion of his to be a knight."

Wulfsen sighed. "I won't go easy on this knight, but Lek is of age- he can become a knight if he chooses."

Aislyn sighed. She knew Wulfsen was right, but Lek and Millie were her babies. They would always be. Aislyn turned to her son. "I don't know that I can bear to see you hurt worse."

"I couldn't let him get away with treating Millie like he did." Lek said.

"But you're my baby boy. And you've always been sensitive, never showed any interest in fighting before. This is such a change. It's like you are someone completely different."