They sat in silence, each watched the other and knowing they were thinking the same thing. ?He?s been pushed too far.? Kieran finally spoke their thoughts.

?I have no idea all that he has taken on there, but, yes, I believe he has.?

?I do not like the idea at all, Via, but perhaps it would be best if you returned and took matters in hand.?

Sylvia shook her head, ?I do not wish to undermine him.?

?I have too many problems to deal with here, than to concern myself with whether a good friend and servant has decided to take matters into his own hands.? Kieran griped, his fingers rubbed violently at the carved arms of his chair.

Sylvia?s violet eyes widened, and she laughed, ?Did you just snap at me, my lord??

He laughed as well and stood from his desk so he might bring her into his arms, ?Yes, but you?ll forgive me, won?t you??

?Of course,? she kissed his cheek and shared the hug, then turned to his desk and the other notices and missives that neatly lay out for view. She set her hands upon the edge of the desk and leaned over the array of parchments, seals broken, and inky messages too often scrawled in haste.

He matched her movement, so they stood side by side over all that faced them, their loved ones, and their land. ?It is happening again,? Kieran stated flatly.

?Then I should go, as you say, to Rhydin and settle our dealings there quickly.?

?Careful as you go. I will bring the boys to visit as often as I can, or send Miriam with them.? They shared a kiss and she left him to continue viewing the disturbing news at home and abroad.

"Your Excellency!" Darien gasped as he spied Sylvia walking up the path leading to Yearling Brook. He rushed towards her to take one of her satchels, but she waved him off. Uncertain of what to do now, he shuffled into step behind her, "We were not informed of your coming, Your Excellency."

"Sylvia," she corrected him with a smile. "I did not send word, so you do not need to fluster about me so."

She stopped on the steps of the main building entry and turned to face the young guard. "Where is Master Corinsson?"

"I will get him for you."

"That did not answer the question, Darien."

A flush rose in the young man's cheeks. "He is sleeping, my lady. He has been very busy of late."

Sylvia smiled cooly, "I will wait to hear from him. Let him rest." She nodded to Darien's bow, then stepped her way inside and up the stairs to her room. The travel packs were dropped unceremoniously on the floor. Sylvia counted down, "Seven, six, five...," hurried steps heard coming from the hallway, "two, one -"

"My lady," Misteress Ilena burst in breathlessly without knocking.

"Right on time, as always, Ilena," Sylvia grinned. "Anything I should know?"

Mistress Ilena blushed at Sylvia's greeting then shook her head, "Nothing, I am sure, you do not already know." The cook lowered her eyes for the space of a breath, then looked back up. "Will you be joining us for dinner?"

"I do not know," Sylvia checked her appearance and the silver dagger at belted hip. "Is the Lady Rhian on the grounds?"

Softly spoken, "I believe she was out on errands, but she should be back soon."

A short nod, "I'll be touring the grounds. I may see her on her return, but let her know I am looking for her just in case I miss her."

"Of course," Mistress Ilena curtseyed and exited the room more quietly than she had arrived.

The door was left open for Sylvia, but she turned towards the window and looked out over the manor land and buildings, watching the few people in residence here about their daily routines. A strange flutter of anxiety caught in her chest. A feeling she had not had for years since her days as a mercenary. Things were, as Kieran had said, happening again.

She spied the rusty blonde head of Ewan coming out of the barracks. So, Darien had woken him anyway. Sylvia smiled and trotted down the steps and out the door to hail Ewan as he crossed the yard, ?Ewan!?

He stopped and turned, moving in that easy gait of his towards her, and bowed, ?I had heard of your arrival and came to speak with you.?

She laughed in spite of his formality, ?Because you knew I came to speak with you.? He stood in silence, but she saw his knowing smile teasing the corners of his mouth. ?You look like death half warmed, Ewan. Come walk with me.? One hand lifted to indicate the path that lead around back towards the forest.

It was, perhaps, fortuitous that the conversation with Ewan would happen first. She could be more direct and less worried about hurting feelings with him. ?I trust with her father?s refusal you have halted further intentions with Lady Rhian??

He only gave her a nod, so she continued, ?Are you in love with her??

?I do not know, Sylvia.? His using her name was a good sign that they wouldn?t be dancing around propriety in this conversation. ?I had hoped the time in courting would give us the chance to learn more of each other. I,? he looked sidelong at her, and she saw uncertainty in his eyes, ?don?t particularly care to discuss it with you, but I thought there was a chance for something more.?

She kept her silence for some moments as they walked on in the far field between orchard and forest. ?Perhaps, and I won?t fault you for seeking that hope, but it is done now. I will hope you are not under the influence of this land and thinking of doing something rash.?

?I can promise you that I have not given thought to that pressure,? Ewan was convincingly sincere.

?But you have felt the pressure,? Sylvia did not let him reply, but continued, ?In fact, that is why I am here, or one of the reasons.?

Kieran walked the length of his study, hands clasped behind his back, and head tilted back while he seemed to investigate the beams of the ceiling. He did not need to look where he was going. The Baron knew this room very well, since he was a child and it was his father's study. Now, it was his, and he walked it slowly as he thought on the latest word from the north.

Connor and Eadric, his brothers in law, both well respected lords in a northern baronies of his peers, had not minced words in their most recent missives. Strangers were seen deeper into the northern baronies. Stores of food from various warehouses and granaries stolen. It was the usual forays into preparation for war. Kieran had done as much himself in the last war, though not as much, and he was a bit more justified in that his enemy had no people to feed but its invading army.

The stones beneath his feet had long ago been trod smooth from his father's pacing and now his in turn. He had tried to consciously select another length of floor, and he always had a brief smile when he thought of Via's teasing that he would pace right through and land on a long table in the hall below. Kieran stopped pacing and crouched down to run a hand over the stone. How long would the supports of his people hold up if another war began so soon?

Both hands rubbed over his face harshly as he sighed. He needed more information. He needed more answers to his questions. Who exactly was doing this? Why? What did they want? Perhaps then he would be able to answer how to avert the rising tide of war.

Sylvia's voice came cold as the sharp edge of ice, "If that is what you think we demand of you and how we treat you, then you are welcome to depart at anytime without our leave."

Ewan opened his mouth to retort, she could see it in his eyes, but she cut him off, continuing the cool, slow tone, "You should know now, Ewan, that you walk the edge of our friendship when you cast about accusations so easily. Not because of the words themselves, but because you prove our point by saying them." Her hands moved from her lap to grip the armrests of the wingback chair. "If you have closer ties here than to your homeland, then that is, of course, your choice to make. Neither Kieran nor I will dissuade you."

She watched Ewan in his deep consideration, not unlike how he often looked. Sympathy she held back took note of how pale he looked from spending most of his waking hours in practice halls or walking the tunnels and streets at night.

Kieran spoke more gently, "Ewan, there are others who will help them. Good waxes and wanes just as evil does. I am not denying your helping them. I am asking you to evaluate how much of yourself you can give before you have nothing left. And of what you have to give, who you can give it to. If not to us and your homeland, then Sylvia is right, you should depart, for we will demand of you more than now you might be able to offer."

Sylvia gave a soft smile to her husband. He still had more tact than she in such things. Her temper flares when she takes things too personally. Kieran must have caught her look and the meaning behind it, for he smiled to her before they both turned their eyes to Ewan and awaited his decision.

?The boys and I will be returning to Yransea tomorrow,? Kieran said as he joined her in the parlor. She watched him ease into the wingback chair across from her.

A saddened smile for him and she accepted the statement, ?Of course.? She drew the warm, meadow green blanket up closer to her shoulders. The fire warmed to the room well, but still she felt a chill. ?Then we should speak on the next steps to take.?

?The gift from Sid will remain here, but we will use it,? he spoke with assurance. They worked well together in this manner, neither hedging words to protect another?s feelings. ?I want you to make suitable clothing for yourself, for Ewan, and the boys.?

She did not contradict him, but the list was incomplete to her mind. ?Who are you sending north in Ewan?s stead??

?I was thinking Cathal would serve,? his tone seeking her advice.

?I do not disagree, but I would urge you to ask the Circelus to send someone as well.?

Kieran shifted in his seat, a finger ran across his mouth as he thought, ?I am not sure the Circelus will be willing to send one of their own. With Kiema?s death-? Sylvia opened her mouth to correct him, and he must have noticed, because before she could do so he said, ?Supposed death and disappearance, I am not sure they are keen to offer up another to us.?

?Perhaps not, but I would have you ask all the same,? she sighed. ?Assure them we will offer as much protection as we can. The gift can assist us in that.?

His open consideration turned his mouth downward, ?Should I tell them the details of the gift??

Sylvia also thought on this. They sat in silence for some time until she nodded, ?Yes, at least the leaders should know. If the Changlings cannot be trusted with secrets, there are none who can.?

Kieran gave a nod as well. ?Most of them at the least, but I will not say all about anyone.?

?Jaded.?

?Cautious.?

They grinned at each other, then Kieran turned his gaze to the fire and said softly, ?Ewan has lost another friend.?

?He does misplace them frequently.? Sylvia dredged up humor to avoid pity.

?Via,? Kieran softly chided, but did not linger on her transgression. ?He said he would not add other projects.?

?You expect him not to look into this?? She could not believe that.

?Of course I expect him to, but the true question is how much more his body is going to take.? Kieran leaned forward, taking the poker from the case and urging some fresh life into the fire with vigorous pokes to shift the wood.

?Emotionally or physically?? she queried, for it was the question in her mind as well.

?I would tend to the former than the later.?

A strangely dreadful feeling drifted through Sylvia?s thoughts, ?It?s peculiarly and morbidly interesting to watch how far he will go.?

The look on Kieran?s face, he rose slightly and moved to her side, ?Via?? Her words had worried and disgusted him. It was written in his eyes.

?He?s going to die, Kieran,? Sylvia felt the tears well up and sting her eyes. ?He?s going to kill himself for them.?

?We won?t let them. We won?t let him.? He moved his arms comfortingly around her and let her weep.

Kieran looked up from his desk and the missives and maps that lay upon it at the sound of a knock at his study door. The hour was late. His small heating brazier in the corner had long gone to cooling embers and the scent of ash filled teased the air. ?Come,? he pitched his voice to carry so whoever was on the other side of the door could hear him.

Colwyn, who looked like he had tried to hide his roused from bed appearance, stepped inside ushering another man in with him. Gaerwyn Caisson had taken no time to clean up his travel dirtied clothing and face, which caused Kieran?s jaw to tighten with concern, not over formality, over the need to meet him so urgently.

With an abrupt bow, Gaerwyn said, ?Your Excellency, I beg pardon for the late hour and my appearance.? The man?s breath rumbled through a dry throat.

Wine requested by the subtle signal to Colwyn for the man and Kieran motioned to a chair opposite him, ?You have important news, then.?

?Aye, my lord, that I do, or rather my lack of information on some news is important ? my thanks,? he offered as he took the wine for Colwyn and wisely drank only enough to wet his mouth and throat.

Patiently Kieran waited, though the man?s words darkened the Baron?s countenance and his fingers gripped more tightly the arms of his chair. Gaerwyn continued, ?Cathal Finlasson is dead. In searching him out when he did not report to us, I came across his camp. He lay there as if asleep, but when he did not stir when I made call to peacefully enter and share his fire, I tried to rouse him. I saw no sign of injury nor poisons, but some poisons, as you know, my lord, kill without traces.? He took a sip of wine, and reported on, ?I brought his body back as fast as I could so the chirurgeons could look before he is laid to rest.?

?Good,? Kieran sent a nod to Colwyn who would see to the details of the matter. ?Did you learn anything of his excursion, or any information he had gleaned??

?No, my lord, his journal was empty. Pages torn out as I found a remnant at the stitching. His pack still only contained a change of clothes and travel gear.?

The men all let moments pass in silence, until Gaerwyn cleared his throat. Kieran refocused his eyes on him as he drew his awareness away from the mysteries and frustration of not finding anything to the man across from him. ?Begging your pardon again, my lord, but it might be best to bring my cousin in now. If anyone can find something, he would be the one to do it.?

?Your cousin is currently in Rhydin,? Kieran had to smile as Gaerwyn?s mouth soured at the name. ?For now, I would like you to rest a few days and then go to Rhydin and speak with Ewan. See if your cousin can help at all in the matter without having to return himself. I would rather not put him into play until I absolutely have to.?

Gaerwyn could understand that and he rose to bow and set his cup on the corner of the desk. ?Of course, Your Excellency.?

The man departed and Colwyn followed after. Kieran sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers before him, resting them lightly against his lips as he contemplated this latest turn.

The messenger, dusty from his run up the road from the gate point, gave a hasty bow from the doorway of the parlor that also served as her study. Sylvia motioned him in and accepted the small parcel of letters with a smile of thanks. ?You will have some rest before you take these messages down to the Yran Wren. It will not depart until tomorrow morning.?

?I also have a letter for Master Corinsson to be delivered quickly to him.?

?I will see he gets it,? she reached out to take the letter as well and added it to the stack.

?Very well, Your Excellency,? he sketched another bow and turned. She watched him take a left hand turn towards the back of the main manor building. A grin surmising the young man went in hunt for the kitchens. ?Mistress Ilena must be missed back in Seansloe,? she mused as she flicked through the stack to find the one from her husband. Two letters had her husband?s hand to them, and she opened the one meant for her.

Violet eyes sharpened over the words and she took up the other letter meant for Ewan. She knew he was being summoned home, and here is where the testing of her own loyalties lay. Would it make such a difference to delay a day or more? Three it would take if he just missed the Wren. The Lark not expected until three days after since it was exploring the southern coastal waters of Rhydin. It would have to refit. She could spare Ewan five days here if she delayed his receipt of this letter by just one. Just one day to give him time.

But had he not had enough time to severe his ties, and he was only being entrenched deeper? Still, he had no reason not to since he never knew when he was to be called away. With the warning, would it be enough for him to break away without breaking?

Could she defy her husband and her adopted homeland just this one bit for the sake of a friend? Even a day might make a difference, her mercenary mind warned her softening heart.

?Sylvia? Any messages for me??

Ewan startled her from her thoughts standing in the doorway. Any messages for him. ?Not as yet.?

?Well and good, I will be heading into town then.?

She gave him a smile and nodded before he vanished into the foyer and out the door.

One day: the many differences it can make.

He had met with the Tunnelers and his other informants in the city and its near regions as often as he could in the past days since finding the letter requiring his return to Yransea. They had all taken the news well, and were as prepared as they could to keep up the information and providing it to those who might be able to do something with such news as they found.

There had been many conversations with Sylvia and Kiema as well, for what he might expect to face him when he ventured north. ?But, of course, you will not be going alone,? Kiema flashed her impish grin his way.

He had his concerns on that account, and his mouth turned downwards, ?I think it is too early for you to travel as I will be traveling. Does The Circelus not have another they could send??

?And ruin our chances at learning something that might help both our lands? That?s highly unlikely.? She shook her head, the smile softening, ?Your concern is noted, Ewan, but not necessary. I am, miraculously, quite well.?

?You will have to explain that to me,? he smirked.

?We will have the time,? she rejoined.

?And now if you two are done,? The Baroness interjected, ?I expect you both to be on the Yran Lark at sundown tomorrow.? She turned violet eyes on Ewan. ?Do you think Lenika will join you for the journey, because if she does, I would like to know??

?I told her she could join upon the docks, so if you have something to say to her about traveling to Yransea, you might wish to seek her out before hand. However, to answer your question, I do not think she will.?

Sylvia sat in quiet contemplation, and Ewan glanced to Kiema who serenely sat watching the other woman. Finally, Sylvia spoke, ?I think I will try to find her and speak with her anyway, on the chance she decides to go.?

Kiema rose from her seat and took up the vihuela she had nearby putting the strap over head and shoulder so the instrument hugged her back. ?I will be onboard at the appropriate time.?

The other two room occupants gave nods as the minstrel departed, but before Ewan could rise Sylvia raised her hand, ?One moment more of your time, Ewan.?

?Of course,? he sat again and leaned forward with elbows upon his knees.

?Take great care in this endeavor. You know you are a weapon of our Barony and the Kingdom, and a finely crafted weapon that we would not wish to throw away heedlessly. But for all that, you are also a dear friend. I have heard that there would be a few more than Kieran, your mother, and I distraught at the losing of you.?

Ewan rose and bowed to her, ?I have the intention of living some time longer.?

?Good intentions?? she warned solemnly, without her usual sarcastic cheer.

?Are all I have. Well, that and the outfit of the cloth granted you by Sid. I will see you again tomorrow, I am certain.? With that he took three easy steps back before he turned and left the parlor and on his way into town. He had to test a few theories and gather a few items not found in his homeland for the journey.