One Week Prior
Crowley and the Baron arrived at the small cabin on the edge of the meadow. Halt was near the side of the house and lifted his head as his visitors came to a stop and dismounted.
"I know why you are here and the answer is no" he said flatly with a slight lick of hibernian accent.
"Oh come on Halt" Crowley said "she is a lovely woman."
"I don't need a lovely woman I just need you to quit skipping over me when dishing out missions 'till I say yes" Halt said shaking the axe slightly.
The Baron chuckled "you would rather go off and potentially get killed than get married?"
"They are both equally hazardous to your health" Halt mumbled.
"You are a kings ranger like it or not that comes with status and that makes you an eligible bachelor" the Baron said.
"Why don't you marry her then?" he said indicating Crowley.
"Her family inherited that big plot of farmland near Redmont it's purely based on convenience besides you are the one with the reputation behind you. Anyway, even if you did go, what are the chances she chooses someone as jovial as yourself" Crowley said flopping down in a chair on the porch.
The Baron made a gesture of agreement at that.
"If I go will you quit pestering me?" Halt asked.
"Yes" both the Baron and Crowley said at once.
"Fine" Halt said exasperated.
"Good man" the Baron said clapping him on the shoulder and that is pledge of farmland to Redmont when she marries one of you gentlemen" the Baron said moving back to his horse mounting the beast.
"I said I would go I didn't say I would marry her" Halt said.
"Course not such a talkative man like you she wouldn't get a word in edgewise" Crowley jabbed mounting his own horse setting off with the Baron under Halt's scowl.
Once out of earshot the Baron turned to Crowley "He does understand that if he agrees to go and she chooses him he is bound to marry her or it is very serious insult correct?"
"I doubt it" Crowley said "but now is not the time to tell him that."
"And when do you suggest we do?" the Baron asked.
"After he returns their request and about 10 minutes before he has to meet her" Crowley said "besides they simply wanted 4 suitors to appear lenient and work in their daughters favor what are the chances she actually chooses Halt?"
