Elin wanted to lament at the unfair situation. Again, she bit her tongue. Walter recently opened up, as a man should, to his future wife. They needed time to cement those feelings, to grow close, and to twine themselves together. Their home waited empty again; they journeyed to assist Prince Peterby, the dispassionate schemer, to secure his loveless political marriage.

"Fire to fire, water to water," Elin mumbled to herself. "I did ask him to make the decisions."

She anticipated these situations after the war with Rangville, but she didn't expect so little downtime. Even the military at Camp Wolf planned for rest against the tireless undead. Not a single noble family, seated or unseated, was this active.

Then Sister Lora added to the growing list of problems.

The moment Elin told the nun they would travel with Prince Peterby, Sister Lora blurted out, "I'm going with you."

Elin explained, repeatedly, that Laira required a guardian. Each time, Sister Lora continuously denied her and repeated herself, and then said she'd ask Walter.

"Place Laira in Priestess Evelyn's care or take her with us. I'm asking for a favor, and please don't ask why."

So, Walter decided, after Elin informed him of Sister Lora's wish to travel, to bring the entire household since it was small enough. Chatter spread.

"Lord Walter, may I wear my original clothing for the trip?" Rebecca asked, wearing a stained tunic.

"How do you want to secure the barn?" Erik asked, "There's a lot of valuable stuff in there."

"Do I have to go?" Duan asked.

"I want candy," Laira tugged on his cloak.

Walter, annoyed, dragged a hand over his face, and Elin covered her giggle. She resisted chiming in.

Walter answered Duan's question, the easiest, first: he didn't have to go but warned him their return might not be immediate. This sparked an argument between Duan and Sister Lora. She called him lackadaisical, and he called her an instigator. If Walter asked Elin, then Elin would encourage a penalty against Duan. It was true that he only worked when supervised. It was also true Walter didn't sign them solely to work, but as a favor, with Sister Lora included. Reevaluating Duan's work ethic could mean reversing Sister Lora's good fortune with the cottage.

"We need someone to watch the property," Walter said. Sister Lora breathed through her nose but kept silent. Erik seemed satisfied with Duan as a guard.

He looked at Rabecca, and she held her breath. "Yes, you can." She raced to retrieve her witch's clothes.

Finally, he extended a piece of candy to Laira but pulled it away when she reached for it. "You're a kid, and kids don't demand. Say, please."

She pouted. "Please?"

He handed it over.

She chuckled, "Pft. Too easy."

"Can I take this damned collar off?"

"I empathize, but no," Elin said. "You're a slave. The law dictates you wear one at all times, and Walter is responsible, legally, for your actions as a bondservant. If I catch you tampering with it, then I'll assign Sister Lora to discipline you."

"I understand, and I'm grateful you helped. I could have ended up as someone's plaything," Rabecca lowered her voice, "Lord Walter isn't dragging it out, is he? I thought I'd earn my freedom by now."

"By Gaia, no! What possesses you to say such a thing? Besides, being a maid doesn't pay much."

"Yes, but my magic?"

"We explained the circumstances. We are prohibited from employing you for adventuring and do not need your service as a guard. I believe Walter wishes for you not to injure yourself, as well."

"Does he care about me that much?"

Elin stalled in the middle of tightening the luggage strap, and she stared at Rabecca.

Rabecca held up her hands. "I'm sorry! That came out wrong! I just thought I could be properly employed during the trip!"

Minvera, bless me, I do not understand where erotic women find the gall to challenge me to my face. "I will discuss it with Walter." To get rid of you quicker. "Why are you standing idle?"

"I'm sorry? Usually, I'm not busy, and the guards and servants--"

"Go, and collect luggage. Next, check with the prince's cook and see if he needs assistance. Do not tarry, because you will be busy on this trip. After that…"

Rabecca jogged to keep pace with Elin's punitive directives, lost her poise, and gasped from the effort. The petty revenge felt more satisfying because Rabecca, unlike Prime Minister Asibridel, didn't act like she performed something honorable. Until Elin realized the guards gawked at the witch's bouncing chest.

"Don't run! Walk!"

Rabecca power-walked. Now, her chest bounced, and her hips swayed. The men peered with less self-control.

"Forget it! Go rest in the wagons!"

"Lady Elin," Rabecca panicked. "The tasks aren't completed. I don't understand!"

"I changed my mind! Leave my sight!"

The witch realized this might be her only chance to escape, and she sprinted away.

Elin wanted to pull her hair out.

My breasts are ample, so why did I get jealous?! I refuse to do this again!

Elin felt nostalgic working with the guards, and she remembered her service at Camp Wolf. Everyone there performed like the cogs of a windmill, meshed together and moving in unison, and they toiled towards the same purpose. So, she lifted luggage alongside them and secured it to the wagon frames, and prepared the horses. She missed it. Duty felt like a rusty gear.

After the unfortunate miscommunication with Rabecca, which Elin promised herself to apologize for later, she noticed the soldiers and servants gazed upon her, as well. Their eyes exposed their separate superficial categorizations for the women. None dared to be open about it, as they acted with Rabecca, so Elin needed to pay attention to see it.

They feared Walter's reprisal if they insulted her.

When Walter passed by, reading his records, they stopped talking and kept their eyes straight ahead or down. After he participated in the battle, he developed a quietly reiterated reputation, whispered in the dark, as if to avoid catching the attention of an ultra-predator. The coup at the Sanctuary inflamed their chittering. Which nation was next? Did Walter intend to bring Rangville to heel? Elin picked up snippets as she worked, and some of their confusion made her smile. None could understand how Prince Peterby remained calm in Walter's monstrously overbearing company and lauded him for the endeavor.

A reputation like this should serve him well. Others will be more apt to obey him.

"Prince Peterby? Can I ask your advice," Walter said without looking up from his records.

"Of course. I am at your disposal, Lord Walter."

"Can we talk on the trip? I need some suggestions on who to hire as a farmer because I have no idea what I'm doing."

Elin's diaphragm skipped with laughter while she held her breath, and she retied the luggage strap. The absurd disconnect between Walter's reputation and his current behavior made the soldiers double-take in confusion.

Well, he was bound to reveal himself sooner rather than later.