Sileas plucked out a piece of meat and a piece of cheese. "Mmm, this is really good."

Lek went to his Uncle Aron's table. "Uncle Aron?"

Aron looked up from his food. He smiled at his nephew. "Yes, Lek?"

"Could you protect Pinja while I'm away?" Lek asked.

"Of course, Lek."

"Thank you." Lek smiled sadly.

"Aunt Lia can help," Aron added.

Liadan paused in her eating. She shot a look at Aron, then looked back down at her food. "I will try."

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 139):

Aron sighed and turned his attention to his food.

"Thank you." Lek said again, really uncomfortable now. He retreated to his sister.

In reply to Aron Buckley (msg # 140):

Liadan sighed and leaned against Aron. "I hope that boy doesn't expect me to work some miracle so he'll come back to Pinja wanting to be courted by him."

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 142):

"All he asked was that I protect her. I only suggested your help because I know she's not going to let me near her."

"He has high hopes." Liadan said.

Aron remembered being  in a spot much like Lek was in. Only Pinja wasn't as strong as Lia. He couldn't see it ending well for Lek. "He does indeed."

In truth, Liadan was reluctant to talk to Pinja. She was not looking forward to what might be brought back by talking to the girl. She sighed and leaned even more heavily against Aron.

Aron slid his trencher over so they could share it.

In reply to Aron Buckley (msg # 147):

Liadan resumed stuffing her face.

"Fine, I'll take the wards down, but now that half the people are drunk this will be the best time for a demons to attack." Bai scowled and released the wards with a snap of his fingers.

A knight hurried inside. "I need Shawn Spenser to come to the gate."

Shawn barely heard his name over all the noise. He kissed Brie, "I'll be back. For some reason I'm needed at the gate. He made his way over to the knight and Bai. "I'm needed at the gate?"

"Some man at the gate claims to be your father." The knight said as several revelers shoved past him to find relief outside. The knight's eyes roved over several of the ladies' necklines.

"I know Papa wanted to be here for the ceremony but he didn't think he would get here in time." Shawn took off at a run toward the gate.

The knight sidled up to a young brunette who looked sad. "Hello beautiful, dance with me."

Millie blinked in surprise. Then she rose from her seat, deciding it was time to live a little. "Certainly," she said, offering a shy smile.

The knight smiled and led her to the dance floor. He held her close as he began to dance, he had good rhythm. "My name is Edgar."

"I am honored to meet you, Edgar. My name is Millicent, but my friends call me Millie." Thankfully she was not totally useless at dancing because she was used to dancing in her room, even though she was alone."