Ansel waited outside the Ring of Nine meeting hall. Griffa had said they would be done by mid-afternoon. She wanted Ansel to take her to his home to look for more information about protector’s magic. Ansel didn’t really care for his home, but he checked on it regularly. Maybe one day one of his descendants would use it when they visited Abscon. Maybe, happier memories than Ansel’s would be made there.

Ansel had grown up as the only child of Barin, the protector before Ansel. Ansel’s life growing up in a house with his father was not something Ansel like to think about. His father was usually displeased about something. It might have been Ansel’s mother not being able to give Barin more sons. It might have been Ansel’s lack of concentration during training one day. It might have been because the sun was too bright or the day too cold. Barin was always in a bad mood, and he usually took it out on Ansel.

Ansel was taken out of his dark thoughts by the opening of the door of the meeting hall. Ring members walked out in pairs or trios talking. Griffa came out last with Hector. Their heads were close together as they talked. Griffa spotted Ansel and waved. She and Hector walked over together.

“Gryphon tells me that your meetings with the magical forest folk have gone very well, Ansel,” said Hector.

“They have. I think most are convinced that action must be taken soon. How they will participate is still up in the air, but I think they are open to many possibilities at this point,” replied Ansel.

“Hopefully, we can convince the powers in the Valley as well,” said Griffa. “Talon seems receptive, but we will have to win over the rest of the council. They may fall under the ruling of the Ring of Nine, but they also seem to do as they please most of the time.”

“We will get there, Gryphon. They will come around,” said Hector encouragingly.

“Probably not without a trip there, but we will discuss that later. I wish you a good afternoon, Hector. Ansel and I have some work to do,” said Griffa as she grabbed Ansel’s hand.

Hector nodded, bowed, and then walked away. Griffa and Ansel walked towards his home.

“You think you will have to go to The Valley soon?” asked Ansel as they walked.

“It is seeming like it. They want me there in person to talk over things. Talon is particularly adamant that I come. I hopefully won’t have to stay long, but we will see. I hate to be away from you,” said Griffa.

“Why would you be away from me? I will of course come with you if you travel that far,” said Ansel looking at her as they walked.

“You don’t need to leave Max unprotected. You can send a couple of guards with me. I have been to the Valley many times. I even have a small house there. I will go for probably a couple of days or at least no more than a week. I’ll be back before you know it,” said Griffa squeezing his hand.

Ansel didn’t like the idea of Griffa traveling that far alone. He didn’t want her to be gone that long without him. He physically felt ill at the idea.

“We can talk about it when it is arranged, but maybe Max should go as well. He needs to meet other magical folk. The Valley is almost as large of Abscon. I’m sure if you took the king it would help you in your discussions,” said Ansel as they arrived in front of his house. They turned to walk to the front door.

“It is something to think about. I’m a little apprehensive about having Max outside of Abscon after the last time in the forest. Perhaps we can let down the magical travel restrictions here in Abscon for a short time and talk the Valley into doing the same. That way we wouldn’t have to be unprotected in the forest here or in the mountain pass there.”

Ansel nodded as he performed the charm to open his door. The walked into the small entry way. The house was dark and cold, but it was clean and in good condition. Ansel had a married couple come by once a week to see to it. Griffa looked around.

“I haven’t been here in a while. I guess the last time it was when I fell off my horse behind your house in the field when I was seventeen. You carried me in here even though I said I was fine.”

“You weren’t fine. I think Chiron said you had a pretty decent head injury, maybe that’s why you don’t remember. He fixed you right up, though,” said Ansel guiding her through a door and into the small parlor.

Ansel waved his hand and a nice fire started burning in the fireplace. Griffa walked over to warm herself. She took off her cloak and put it on a nearby chair. She looked on the mantel at the portraits that rested there. Ansel had taken all portraits of his father away, but had left portraits of his mother in their place. Griffa studied a portrait of his mother taken not long before her death.

“Your mother was a pretty woman. She looks sad and tired in this portrait though,” said Griffa.

“She was sad and tried. My father made sure of that,” said Ansel standing behind Griffa and looking at the picture.

“I’m sorry to bring you here, Ansel. I know your memories in this house aren’t the happiest,” said Griffa turning around to look at him.

“They aren’t, but they are in the past. Let’s go to the study and see what we can find that might be useful to you,” said Ansel turning and walking to the right.

Griffa followed him as he opened a door to a small study. It held a large desk with two chairs and bookshelves filled with books. Ansel waited as Griffa entered the room. She went to the shelves behind the desk as Ansel walked in behind her.

“So, any idea where what I’m looking for might be?” asked Griffa as she studied the shelves.

“I know the journals are at the top there just to your right,” said Ansel pointing. Griffa looked up as Ansel raised his hand. Five old books slowly made their way down and Griffa grabbed them out of the air. She took them to the desk and sat down.

“These look very old,” said Griffa carefully opening a book and studying the writing inside. “Some of the writing is very faded, but I will be glad to take them home and see what I can make of them. That is if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not, take whatever you think you might need. There are a couple more books over here that my father had me read when I was younger. They are about the duties of a protector,” said Ansel walking over to a shelf on the left side of the room. He grabbed a couple of books and brought them over to the desk. “You are welcome to take these as well.”

Griffa looked over the books while Ansel looked around the room. He remembered the many times he came in here to be told off and punished by his father. Ansel still felt uncomfortable in the room. The smell of it alone brought back many unpleasant memories. Ansel went to the desk and sat down in one of the chairs that faced the desk. He watched Griffa as she read.

Ansel wondered what his father would make of Griffa. Barin had never known her beyond the very young girl Barin had seen maybe once or twice. Ansel thought his father would probably think Griffa too bold and outspoken. He would have warned Ansel away from her, saying she would never make a proper wife despite her excellent family. Ansel didn’t care. If his father was still here, Ansel would tell him he would make his own decisions.

Griffa would be his only choice as the woman he would spend the rest of his life with. One day he would ask Griffa to marry him. If the gods were good, she would say yes. He would spend every day proving he was worthy of her. Griffa looked up at Ansel.

“Have you ever read these journals, Ansel?” asked Griffa.

“No, I wasn’t allowed to touch them when I was younger, and my father was alive. I didn’t spend much time here after his death,” replied Ansel.

“You should read them. They might be helpful to you, especially when Max becomes king”, said Griffa closing the book, and standing up. “I’m getting cold. Perhaps we should warm up a bit in the parlor and then head home?”

Ansel nodded his agreement and gathered the books for her. He carried them into the parlor and laid them on a side table as Griffa came in and stood in front of the fire. Ansel walked over and stood behind her. He placed his arms around her, and she leaned into him.

“I’m sorry to bring you to this place. I know you don’t feel comfortable here, but I’m glad you keep it in good repair,” said Griffa looking at the fire.

Ansel moved his hands to Griffa’s arms, kissing the side of her face. “I don’t mind being here today, not with you. I finally have you all alone. I feel like we keep getting interrupted every time we have a moment together at the manor.” Ansel moved his hands up to her shoulders. He looked at the buttons on the high neck of her dress.

“I know,” said Griffa not taking her eyes off of the fire. “It feels like there is always something to do or somewhere to go. If I have a free moment, you have something to do. If you’re at home, I have a meeting.”

“I have nowhere to be now,” said Ansel as he hovered his hand over the back of Griffa’s neck.

The top three buttons became undone on her dress. He exposed the back of her neck and started placing small kisses on it. He heard Griffa sigh, and he wrapped his arm around her waist drawing her against his body. He used his other hand to magically undo a few more buttons down her back. He left a trail of kisses down her neck and upper back that made her shudder.

“Griffa,” he whispered in her ear. “What are you plans for the rest of the day?”

She then turned around and put her arms around his neck.

“I have nowhere to be but right here,” said Griffa looking up at him and smiling.

Ansel returned her smile and kissed her. He brought her over to the old sofa. It seemed he would finally have a good memory of his house.

A few days later, Ansel was sitting in the parlor with Max and Issa one late afternoon. Max and Issa both had their heads buried in large books on blood magic, while Ansel made what he could from an old journal of a former protector. He was reading the journal of a Protector named Warner. He was the protector of the Queen Valerie. He had come to an entry that Warner had made after his wedding.

I am happy to have found a good wife who understands my vow and my commitment. Though I care for her, my first responsibility is always to my queen. We will have a short wedding trip as my magic and mood suffer when I am too far from my queen for long. I would not go, but my queen has commanded it. I do hope that Queen Valerie’s reign continues to be peaceful and quiet. I would not want to have to choose between my own wife and growing family and my queen as I know what I would be forced to do.

Ansel stopped reading and watched the fire. He could understand Warner and his concerns. Ansel had sometimes wondered what he would do if he had to choose between Max and Griffa. Would he be forced to choose Max? He re-read the passage about his magic and mood suffering when Warner was away from his queen.

Ansel wondered if he suffered the same way. Since collecting Max, he had not been apart from Max long. He wondered how all the protectors before him who did not know their king or queen fared. Was their magic and mood affected because they could not be close to their king or queen? Did it only matter if a king or queen was crowned? Ansel had many questions. He marked the passage to share with Griffa later.

“I wonder if Griffa will be home soon?” said Issa putting down her book and stretching. “It feels like she is rarely at home these days.”

“I know,” said Max putting his book away as well. “But I guess being the leader of the Ring comes with a lot of responsibilities. I do hope she comes home by supper tonight. I wanted to share with her our findings from this week, Issa.”

Ansel turned to Max and was about to ask what they had found out, when Issa broke out in a big smile, and said, “Griffa!”

Ansel turned to see Griffa coming in the parlor door. She had snow in her hair and her cheeks were very red. She smiled at Issa as she moved to the fire for warmth.

“We were just talking about you,” said Issa, getting up and going to stand by Griffa. “It feels like we never see you anymore.”

“I know. I’ve been busy. I’m afraid It’s not going to slow down,” said Griffa turning to Ansel. “I will have to go to the Valley. I need to go next week.”

“So, you will be there for the mid-winter celebration,” said Ansel looking up at her.

“Yes, I will probably be there for at least a week, maybe two. Talon wants to talk to me personally.”

Ansel rolled his eyes, “Of course he does. Why won’t he come here?”

“You know why, Ansel. He loves to put on a show. Don’t look at me like that, he’s not a bad fellow. He has been a good friend to me for years,” said Griffa looking down at Ansel.

Ansel knew how good of friends they had been. He knew Talon was clear where things stood between Griffa and Ansel, but that didn’t mean Ansel enjoyed the thought of Talon and Griffa spending time together.

“Is anyone else on the Ring coming with you?” asked Ansel.

“Helmer offered, but I told him I’d rather he stays and helps Hector lead things here while I’m gone. I’d rather not have to deal with Helmer on this trip, criticizing my every move. I told them I can handle this. I need to handle this as the leader of the Ring,” said Griffa.

“I don’t want you going alone, Griff. I should go with you like I said earlier,” said Ansel. He couldn’t stomach being away from Griffa for as long as two weeks.

“You can’t leave Max here by himself,” said Griffa.

“He can come. We can find a way to travel without having to leave the safety of either here or The Valley. Surely we can turn off the wards for two minutes?” asked Ansel.

“I want to go,” said Max. “I’d like to see Talon again. I’ve heard you both talk about the Valley since we got here. Ansel is right Griffa, you shouldn’t go alone.”

“I would like to go as well, if that is possible,” said Issa. “I know mid-winter is coming up and I don’t want to be here without Max. Nora will probably want to come as well.”

Ansel looked at Griffa and smiled. “Your house in The Valley can fit all of us, can’t it?”

“It’ll be tight, but yes, we can find room for everyone. I’ll have to go and talk to at least Helmer and Hector tomorrow to see about the wards and tell them about Max. I don’t want to make that decision by myself,” said Griffa.

“I’ll bring a couple of guards from Abscon. There is a group of guards in the Valley that has been training as well. That should help them feel better about Max. He needs to be seen in the Valley. This is a good time to do it before things get more hectic,” said Ansel.

“I hope you are right, Ansel. Right now, I just want to eat dinner and have a quiet evening,” said Griffa getting up out of her chair and heading to the dining room. Max and Issa followed as Ansel stayed behind for a moment.

He was glad Griffa had not argued with him about this trip. He knew he should have been happy to stay with Max in Abscon while she went, but he didn’t want to be without her. He felt like he should keep her close.