Ehren watched Akira stand her ground against the beligerant drunkard of a man at the door. She’d obviously delt with him like this before. When she returned to his side, he could see the concern in her eyes. He watched as she put her hand then her lips to her brother’s forehead.

“Askel, you have a fever,” she muttered. “Has this happened before?”

Askel nodded slowly.

“Every time I have more than one episode in a day,” his voice was barely above a whisper.

He heard Akira curse under her breath.

Damn, he thought. This woman curses worse than any sailor I’ve known.

She sat back on her heels with a sigh.

“Everything ok?” he asked, though clearly it was not.

“Yeah, he just has a fever from having so many episodes today,” she replied rubbing the spot between her eyes. “I’d really rather not move him when he’s like this though.”

“Mum always said all I needed was a little rest,” Askel told her.

“That’s the problem, Kel. Mum never moved you did she?”

“No farther than my bed or the couch.”

“Exactly. We’ll be going from Greenland to home. That’s further than going to the couch or your bed.”

“What’s the problem, Akira,” the drunkard growled.

“Askel has a fever,” she replied standing. “I fear moving him from here to home will do him more harm than good.”

The man nodded and turned to Asena.

“What do you suggest sister?” he asked.

“The castle is closer than their home,” Ehren answered. “There’s a house in the garden that once belonged to the gardener. They can stay there. At least until his fever has broken.”

“He speaks the truth,” Ferros answered. “No one goes to that house anymore but it’s in good enough condition to provide shelter for the three of you until his fever breaks.”

Akira sighed again but gave a short nod.

“Oi, Kel can you get up? I can’t lift you myself.”

This was the third time Ehren had heard a hint of a Scottish or Irish accent to her voice.

“Aye, I can stand on my own two feet,” Askel snapped. “And I don’t need your help.”

As soon as he said that, he stumbled into Akira.

“Sure you don’t,” she replied with a shake of her head and roll of her eyes. “Grandpa Mavi, are you coming?”

“Not on your life,” he replied gruffly.

Akira rolled her eyes again and heaved Askel up into her arms. She looked to him.

“Ready?” she asked.

“So it’s just you two?” Ehren asked.

“Mavi, isn’t exactly on good terms with your father,” Askel replied.

Ehren looked at the both of them in surprise. Then he turned his attention to the old drunkard.

“You’re Mavi Eames?” he asked increduluously.

The old man rubbed the back of his neck but nodded.

“Father talks about you all the time!” Ferros exclaimed.

“I take it he still hates me?” the man asked.

“Quite the contrary,” Ehren replied. “He speaks very fondly of you.”

“S’pose he don’t remember what happened then,” Mavi sighed. “Guess that’s a good thing.”

“Grandpa Mavi, if the disagreement was your fault you know you should apologize,” Akira said. “Besides, if he still speaks fondly of you it’s quite possible he still considers you a friend.”

Mavi looked away and muttered something unintelligible to Ehren’s ears.

“Oi!” Akira snapped. “Stop being a bloody fucking arse! You made the bed now pull your knickers up and lie in it!”

Ehren smothered a laugh. Ferros, however, couldn’t smother his in time.

“Oi! You think this is funny?” Akira demanded advancing on Ferros.

“No, not at all,” Ferros said with wide eyes and his hands up. “It was something you said.”

Akira growled and rolled her eyes. She made her way past him and out the still open door.