Fin had gone to the barracks to see if his mother was checking up on the men there when he had first discovered his cottage was empty. Then one of the Knights informed him that she was tending to the Queen, so he decided to check on his kitchen aides. It was on his way to see them that the redhead noticed his mother had returned to the cottage, and was standing outside the door with her hands on her hips.

“Oh no.”

Fin had seen that look on his mother enough to know it was a bad sign. He debated fleeing to Annika's estate, and returning when she had cooled down, but didn’t like his odds over whether or not she would chase after him.

Slowly, with heavy steps, he began to move towards his cottage, his hands pressed into his pockets, and his head hung a little lower.

As soon as Fin stood in front of his mother, she turned and pointed to the empty cottage behind her.

The redhead let out a long sigh, then crossed the threshold into his house.

He strode forward and nodded to the windows and doorway to magically seal off the sound.

Kate stepped into the cottage behind him, and closed the door with enough force that the door banged.

“Have you lost your mind?” she demanded, her voice ragged.

Fin turned around with a small frown.

He didn’t think it was about him avoiding talking to her about the betrothal anymore… Was it because Jiho had ratted him out about blasting him into the woods?

“You’ve been staying with Lady Jenoure for almost a week!” Kate exploded when she could see that her son was obviously confused.

Fin’s face drained of color and he stood up straighter. “How did you…”

“The Viscountess told me herself!” Kate threw her hands in the air and began shaking her head. “If you want to marry that woman you need to be cautious! What in the world are you two in such a hurry for?! This could completely destroy her reputation, and Gods- what if there is a child conceived? Do you know the shame that-”

“When were you talking with Annika?” Fin interrupted, trying to keep track of his mother’s ramblings.

“Not even an hour ago in the Queen’s chambers. She came for a secret visit- which I think is another poor idea given that her brother is imprisoned for war crimes. Someone could spot her and try to harm her!”

“Wait… the Queen knows about Annika and I?”

Katelyn made a half groan, half shout, and began pacing furiously.

“Do the two of you never talk?! Her majesty seemed perfectly aware of what has been happening between the two of you, and she seemed to be having quite a bit of fun about it-”

“She wasn’t angry?” Fin asked seriously, the new information brought to light was far more important to him.

“No! Now I need you to listen to me. You have to be less of a naive fool and think! I know more about your betrothed’s day than you!”

“I haven’t even seen Annika since- wait. She told you we’re betrothed?!”

Kate laughed for a moment with a crazed energy moving her features.

“She did! Tell me, is this revenge? Because of Antonio telling you about the betrothal before I did?!”

Fin rubbed his face with both his hands.

It took a lot to make his mother fly off the handle, and to date in his life, Fin had only ever seen her so worked up a total of five times. Usually the best thing to do was escape and let her calm down… perhaps for a week…

But Fin was a little too flustered over learning Annika had told his mother and the Queen that they were engaged without discussing it with him.

“This is not revenge. I had no idea she was going to tell either of you about the engagement. I was summoned away this morning by mage Lee to handle some matters in Austice before we could discuss anything more. Now, I came here because your betrothed told me you were worried about my reaction to the news of your wedding. Which is also… happening… quickly.” Fin folded his arms and waited.

Kate’s hands flew to her hips, and color tinged her cheeks.“No. You do not get to switch this over to me.”

“Then ask me questions instead of accusing me,” Fin demanded, raising his voice ever so slightly.

Kate huffed loudly for several moments, just staring at her son.

“Mum, you knew I was pursuing Lady Jenoure. You knew it had gone well, why are you surprised over the betrothal?” the redhead tried again, more gently.

“Because it was so quick!”

Fin shot her a sardonic look.

“It’s different, we’re old,” Kate snapped irritably.

“-And I might die in the war.”

All color drained from his mother’s face, as her hands fell from her hips to her sides, looking as though she had just had her breath stolen.

Fin stared grimly at her. He hadn’t confessed his fears to Annika… hadn’t wanted anything to touch their happiness… but he needed his mother to understand. Needed her to be happy for him…

“The war hasn’t even started yet.” Katelyn’s voice was quiet, and didn’t sound at all confident, making Fin take a step closer to his mother. He knew he had to tell her then… even though he really didn’t want to.

“Aidan Helmer is the Chief of Military for Troivackia.”

She swallowed with great difficulty. “I know.”

Fin frowned, and then annoyed realization crossed his face. “The Captain told you, didn’t he?”

“Yes. I was going to ask the King to dissolve the marriage when your father arrived so that I could marry Antonio,” Kate confessed, her voice still soft as she regarded her son with such obvious love and fear.

“You know what he’s like. He will come after me. I’m just lucky that his ship was delayed by a few days. It might not be this time, but if I remember him correctly, he will find some way to punish me.”

Kate shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “No. No, we will not let him do that. The war could be another year or two away-”

“Mum… it’s already started. I can’t tell you exactly what is going on, but… I don’t think it will be long.”

The healer stood, clutching her skirts tightly, her spine rigid. For a long moment she didn’t speak or move her watery gaze from her son, and when she did, she sounded as though she hadn’t had a sip of water in days.

“I still don’t think you should be sleeping with Lady Jenoure before getting married.”

Fin managed a small embarrassed smile. “I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”

“I’m sorry that Antonio told you before we talked.”

Nodding, Fin opened his arms and raised his eyebrows in question.

With a small sob Kate dove for her son’s embrace, and clutched him tightly to her.

“Don’t you dare let that man take you from me.” She wept quietly in his arms, as Fin gently soothed her, rubbing her back gently and kissing the top of her head.

“I’ll take him with me if he does.”

A knock rang out into the cottage, startling both mother and son out of their embrace.

Dabbing the tears off her face with the back of her wrist, Kate opened the door and was surprised to see Captain Antonio standing there with a line of Knights standing further back.

“Sorry to interrupt, lass.” He gazed warmly down at his betrothed who blushed and sniffled. “I take it matters are sorted?”

Antonio turned his gaze to Fin, who gave a somber nod of affirmation. “What is the matter, Captain?”

“We spoke to some of the prostitutes and believe that we have found another possible hideout. I wondered if you would like to join in the search. After all, there is talk of having you knighted soon.” There was a twinkle in the Captain’s eye that gave Fin mixed feelings.

“Do I have to wear armor?”

“You’re not a Knight yet, Ashowan!” Antonio laughed. “No, we’ll have you fitted with a leather vest, and if you want an old sword or spear you’re welcome to it. Come now. You started this madness.”

Fin gave a slightly grim smile as he stepped out and the Captain clapped his shoulder amicably.

As he took a few more steps closer to the line of Knights who were all eyeing him warily, Fin could hear his mother worriedly whispering something to Antonio behind him.

The redhead waited for the Captain to join him at his side before asking,“What was that about?”

Antonio’s good mood had disappeared and it was obvious that something was wrong.

“Your mother said she heard that your father’s ship was delayed… she also said that he used to send a messenger to her back before he left you both, saying he would be late returning home, then come right on time to make sure she wasn’t healing the Islanders.”

Fin’s blood ran cold.

He knew his mother had taken some of the abuse quietly, but he hadn’t known that particular cruel trick.

“So that means…”

“Your father is probably coming right when he first said he would,” Antonio growled.

“Oh Gods.” Fin stopped in his tracks and turned to face the Captain, who wore an equally severe expression. “That means he will be here tomorrow.”

*

Norman stared at the two men and felt his blood simmer at the news.

“Mr. Ashowan, I am sorry to say this because of your blood relation to the man, but your father is-”

“An ass,” Fin finished for the King darkly. “I’ll go to the kitchen immediately and have them start preparing for tomorrow. I can try and find Ruby as well so that they have the rooms prepared.”

“Captain, I want you to go to the property you found by the harbor and empty it of any and all Troivackian soldiers. Fin, you can go with him, but once you are finished I want you to come see me. I want to discuss the possibility of you protecting her majesty and my children.”

“Would it be possible your highness, for that discussion to happen in the kitchen? There will be a great deal of work to do and as much as I wish my father to try whatever new recipe my aides have invented, I’m sure not all of his entourage is deserving of such cruelty.”

Norman managed to give a small laugh. “Yes. Send one of the Knights up to me and I will come down. I need to firm up Zinfera’s army before Mr. Helmer leaves, so I will be in council meetings regarding Sir Harris and Lady Marigold Iones for the rest of the day.” Norman addressed Antonio then. “Have a squire bring me your records on Sir Harris’ performance while here at the castle, and inform him to be prepared to be summoned.”

“Sire, we… I mean I, wonder, if we should talk to Lord Jiho Ryu about Lord Nam. There’s a chance that he isn’t as prime a candidate as the Zinferan Emperor wants us to believe either, and we could use that as a bartering chip.”

Antonio looked to Fin both surprised and impressed over the political insight. The redhead knew Annika had intended to talk to the Zinferan, but everything was changed now…

“A fine idea, but do you honestly think he will give us information that will put his Emperor in a less than favorable light?”

“I think he will, your highness. Especially if perhaps we say we found out the information from elsewhere… The trade proposal will be good for them. Besides, the sooner they agree to help, the likelier it is that fewer lives are lost. If we can strong arm Troivackia into backing out it will be to Zinfera’s benefit as well,” Captain Antonio jumped in hastily.

Norman let out a small sigh and nodded. “Very well. I will summon Lord Ryu, though I suppose should that notion be rejected, we can always insist that he marry Lady Jenoure.”

Fin’s face paled, but he somehow managed to hold his tongue.

Norman straightened his shoulders and glanced over his shoulder at his closed chamber door where Ainsley slept soundly, unaware of the chaos brewing mere steps away.

“I don’t know why, but I have a bad feeling about this… even if we manage to stay on top of everything and catch Troivackia’s Chief of Military in his deception… I just feel uneasy.” He shook his head.

Fin and Antonio glanced at each other, a wordless understanding passing between the two of them.

They felt the exact same way, and it wasn’t just because the rain and thunder had resumed outside.

There was something dark on the horizon, and try as they might to fight against it, it seemed like it would descend upon them quickly.

Both Fin and Antonio bowed to the King, then turned to complete their assigned tasks. With each step, the sober weight of reality began to press down on the redheaded witch.

It would seem his happy carefree days were coming to an abrupt end, and it was time to brace for the storm.