Presently, everyone sat around the Dining table eating in silence sending everything from flirts to threats with eye contact and mouthed words; it was like this from hand wash to appetizer to entrée only the sound of forks hitting plates until a child who would never know her place spoke. “I’m sorry father, but may I interrupt this hefty conversation?” Vessuillus expression strictly said, no. she continued being the only one aside from his wife who had ever obviously disregarded his direct command. “Who is this man to demand an audience with you, father and even sit so casually in your presence, any of our presence?” it was her other half that whispered across the table. “Gabby he is King Victoriaon Akkrim Vladamin, our neighbor to the North, second behind father; Alda Cassidy’s father and Elaine’s Husband.”

“Oh” she was speaking only to her brother but loud enough for three lands to hear. “I thought she was just an unmarried whore.”

“How dare you Gabriella Bellafor Fangaria,” her face still hung where Cassandra’s hand left it. Cassandra put her hand to her face in disbelief as if feeling her daughter’s pain. She has never physically disciplined any of her children.

"STOP!" all heads turned to Stryard in complete shock. Vessuillus leaned back more proud than the rest of these children. Gabriella couldn't move her hand. Styard stood up and walked to the end of the table, behind his baby sister. "Sit." he said, and she did. "Who the hell do you think you are? You're just a fuc-"

"suffocate." he smiled, and she instantly began grasping for air. now this displeased Vessuillus. "Seth!", but he did not respond. "Stryard I demand you STOP." Alex shot and he frozen in place. "I'm very sorry mother," Stryard and Cassandra exchanged bows before he returned to his seat.

"okay now that you have ignited a show. Tell us in detail what you want, or you and your child slave may leave."

"my friend, as I said earlier, I obviously will not live forever and as hard as it may be to believe I only have one heir and you seem to be holding her hostage. give her to me and let me raise her or I will take this outside of our world -to the courts."

Vessuillus smiled then turned to Alda Cassidy "Do you want to go with your daddy?" he asked the girl directly and she began to cry, shaking her head back and forth. "well?"

"I'm not finished. I also want your dog, that with my time here I know is that boy and I want him!"

"Stry-Seth," Vess corrected. "why?"

"insurance. I'm not stupid. if came to it i would not win a fight, but with the boy......"

Vess didn't have the chance to answer before Alda Cassidy cornered him. "I'll go only if Big Brother goes."

"Well" Victor crossed his arms very satisfied. It was a game of smiles and hidden messages and no one played by the same rules. everyone looked across the table at everyone else, some knowing, some confused. Alda Cassidy and Stryard engaged in a silent conversation. Alex, Vess and Victor engaged in their own silent conversation. Gabriel and Gabriella playing a much too intimate game of footsies. Elizebeth observing Seth and spiting Gabriel at the same time. while Cameron spaced out everything, mindless stabbing at his food. cursing himself. What is wrong with me? he thought. Did I do that to Seth? Does he hate me? What about Annamarie? What about me? Will they tell? Will anyone care? Did I hurt them? Should I apologize? His mind raced attacking himself then defending himself, over and over again.

The thick silence was broken by a single "okay" from Vess. "but every five days you must let him come home."

Alda Cassidy jumped down from her seat, walked over to Stryard. "not Seth will you protect me?" he looked down at the girl put both hands on her head and traced them down the side of her body. " I put a spell on you. P R O T E C T." he whispered. " are you scared." she shook her head. "not Seth will protect me."

"looks like I just agreed to my own personal spy. when can I take them."

Vess sighed, "your child you may take later today, but the boy as you so gently put it can leave in three days."