The rest of the trip to Riverhead was uneventful. The Kings patrols had managed to keep the high-road clear of danger, and the early fall weather ensured it was a beautiful couple of weeks. The Andersons were pleasant company, keeping the tedium of travel at bay.

Rebeca seems to be having fun, at the very least. Nita thought watching her and Lip cuddling. Too bad that would come to an end soon. They asked around about the Tinker, in the few hamlets and towns they passed, but no one knew more than the gentleman’s first name, Jason, and that he traveled with his wife and kids. It was sad but these things happened in these border regions. The Troll kingdom and Orc tribes were always raiding, and goblins were always more common where there was conflict.

Riverhead was the quintessential example of a boom city. With the new keep under construction and the permanent garrison stationed here, it attracted all the vices you would expect. As well as Merchants, traders, slavers and other such ilk. The war effort brought in new slaves and money making this a very prosperous place to be. Thus, why Cid’s father finagled his way into power here.

Nita watched troops assemble in a mustering yard, just outside the gates of the unfinished keep, as they approached, the wagon wheels creaking loudly over the din of the city in the distance. The keep sat on a large hill with a commanding view of the surrounding plane with the river Syra running north of the keep, which was in the process of having a moat dug around it, flowing from Syra lake half a mile north of the new city, before continuing on to the sea. Looking to the base of the hill, Nita spotted the large slavers guild and auction house towering above the surrounding buildings in the city proper. A building which seemed to be present in every significantly big town or city in Walcester.

“Ah, home sweet home. Do you think Ed will be back?” Nita cheerfully asked Cid. Dismounting to lead her horse, jumping up and down a little to get her blood flowing back to her legs and ass.

“Probably, we have been gone for two months. Talking the Countess of Nenever into a trade deal for our new iron supply wouldn’t have taken him that long.” Cid said raising an eyebrow; before dismounting himself.

“Great! I need a good workout!” Nita chirped.

“Workout… Right. Workout. Is that what you are calling it now.” Cid drawled.

“Shut it you troll! I… It only happened the one time! Besides he’s married now! Gah shut up!” Nita spluttered. “He’s the only swordsman other than Master Grey that can beat me. Most are too slow!” She recovered.

“Sure. I know he’s married, but I’m sure he still holds a torch for his favorite ‘Flower’. Tell me that’s not the real reason you chose a flower for your mark!” Cid said egging her on.

“It was Moms favorite.” Nita mumbled quietly, looking away. Pretending to take great interest in the ships docked at the quay. A few Frigates a Brig and a couple Schooners and Sloops, their crews busy loading or unloading.

Cid stiffened, then said gently. “Your mom?” Nita never talked about her family. In the 6 years since she mysteriously appeared in their home, she had never once, willingly talked about her family. Every time someone asked her anything about them, she would clam up and not talk to anyone for days. Cid figured there was some significant trauma there, she often had bad dreams. His father just thought that it was her way coping with being trapped in a new world with no way to return home.

“Yeah.” She replied tersely giving him a level look and every indication she was unwilling to elaborate.

“Fine, fine! I won’t ask.” Cid said defensively raising his hands to ward off her look.

“Anyway… we need to get everything sorted with father first.” Cid added after a long pause. They were nearing the mustering soldiers, and the two slowed to let the others catch up with the wagon.

“We will leave you here. Thanks again for the recommendation.” Philip Anderson said as they approached, holding up the letter Cid had provided him. His family had gathered their stuff and were waiting patiently behind him.

“No problem. Good luck Mister Anderson.” Cid said, shaking Philip’s hand.

Nita approached and gave each of the Andersons a big hug. “It was nice traveling with you all.” She said in farewell. Rebeca and Lip gave each other a heartfelt kiss goodbye, their hands lingering together as Lip turned to go. Rebeca gave a tug on his hand and drew him into one final kiss before letting go.

Nita frowned watching their farewell. She knew there wasn’t anything she could do about slavery, she was only one woman with a weak power, other than treat them well and maybe buy some that were treated badly or. She didn’t know, she just felt powerless. Maybe I can sell her to the Andersons if Cid’s father allows it? Who am I kidding? she technically belongs to the Galloway’s, I would need the money myself, or the Andersons would, and they would need to buy a brand for Lip as well. That is unlikely for the peasant family, and I’m not that rich. Besides, is it what Rebeca wants? Or was she just having some fun. Shaking her head, Nita’s mood fell, and she trudged past the soldiers in the yard with her head low. She approached the guards on duty with a strained smile. Fake it till you make it. She thought to herself.

“The Count was expecting you yesterday!” One of the guards said to Cid as they approached.

“Oh, hi Jacey. Can you have a runner sent to let him know we’ve arrived?” Cid asked the woman.

“Already done milord.” Jacey responded with a nod.

“Are my brothers here? And lady Elena? Father said he had something important to announce in his letter.” Cid asked.

“Aye milord. You’re the last to arrive. Sir Edward returned a week past; on the Mary Anna.” She said nodding towards the docks.

“Thanks” Cid said to Jacey as they moved passed into a courtyard then turned to Nita and said. “Told you he would be back before us.” As the wagon with the others was quickly searched and the brands on the slaves checked.

Nita just nodded mutely, still frowning. Cid shook his head at her dower expression. Nita was usually a cheerful person, but when she got like this there was no telling how long it would last, and she was prone to mistakes when like this. Probably thinking about her family again. Damn me for prodding. Cid thought to himself.

“Whose brand is the flowers?” Jacey asked looking at Lilly and Kits marks.

“Mine.” Nita muttered and went for her saddle bags to dig out her documents, giving her horse a pat as she passed its head when it tried to nuzzle her. She didn’t want to expose her back to a courtyard of soldiers.

“There is no need as long as Cid vouches for your mark.” Jacey said to forestall her, giving Cid a questioning look, to which he nodded.

“What’s wrong with Nita? She was happy a few minutes ago.” Kit whispered to Cid coming up behind him.

“Never bring up her family.” Cid replied quietly, giving her a reproachful look.

“Okay.” Kit replied tersely. Turning back to join Lilly and Rebeca at the wagon.

Once they were cleared a sinewy straight-backed old man approached in perfectly tailored clothes and lead them into the keep itself. There was quiet the bustle as workers were coming and going constantly, and they had difficulty bringing the tinkers wagon around to where the family was now staying in the east wing. Stable hands quickly came out and got everything sorted and promised to take care of the horses and keep an eye on their new acquisition.

“We did a full inventory on the way. Here is the list Corten.” Cid said handing a list to the old man as they walked toward the family rooms.

“Thank you, milord, it will make my job easier.” Corten said nodding once to Cid then ducking his head to start reading the list.

“Do you happen to know where Ed is?” Cid inquired looking back at Nita who was now trailing slowly behind the others.

Corten followed his gaze and nodded. “He should be in the training yard with the Captain. She’s in one of her moods again? You’re hoping Ed can cheer her up? You do know the Count wants them to be kept separated, he’s worried about Lady Hayley. She knows there was something between Ed and Nita.”

“I don’t care what my father says on this. She’s useless like this. Her family was brought up again. We need her responsive before we go before father, you know Ed’s the best at getting her back to herself. We can’t wait for days.” Cid explained.

“Damn.” Corten said with a wince, when Cid mentioned Nita’s family. “Okay I’ll send a runner.” He said turning to look at a gangly youth that was lingering in the next cross hall, crooking his finger at the lad, he quickly whispered in the boy’s ear; the youth took off at a sprint.

“So how was the trip? I see you’ve picked up some new slaves. I take it that the flower mark is Nita’s. How did you finally convince her to get a Mark? The bunny is a lovely specimen, from the collar I take it you bought her. The Catkin looks fearsome. Does she have any useful skills other than fighting? The orc is tall for a woman, and she looks quiet young. Pretty too, so room to grow there.” Corten started asking. The rapid-fire questions and observations where typical Corten. It was one of the reasons the Count found the man so useful; he was a genius at acquiring information with his extensive network of spy’s and gossips.

“Lilly, that’s the ‘half-orc’, is a Necromancer. She woke to the power a few days ago. Hells, I’ll Just start from the beginning.” Cid said pausing with a smile for his father’s advisor. “Well the trip was uneventful until Nita’s complete distraction let us be completely taken off guard by an ambush.” Cid said with a smile warming up to the telling. “Did you know she was talking about moving her heart to a different spot in her chest? I had to talk her out of it! Anyway, she reacted quickly, and kept me well covered after her blunder. Then…”