Laurien and Antoine arrived together. They were a year apart in age, as close as two brothers could be and were both attending the same university in the south of the country. When they arrived Josephine was alone into greeting them, nervous and annoyed with Evelyn who had taken the children out earlier that morning. She'd promised they'd be back in time.

She hugged them tightly as they walked into the house, two men following them with their bags. She was genuinely glad to see them – it had been over a year since her wedding but despite Evelyn's assurances that it would be alright she couldn't help the nerves bubbling up inside her.

"I am so sorry!" A loud voice came from the top of the stairs of the vestibule. "I thought we'd be back down in time to greet you.

Evelyn came down the stairs in her Inquisition finery, one of her largest great swords strapped to her back – one that glittered and had a name that Josephine couldn't remember. Benoit also had a sword on his back and she frowned. He was far too young to have a sword in her opinion but she'd never flat out told Evelyn he couldn't have one. Thankfully Louisa didn't have a sword as well, instead she was holding a paintbrush, waving it around. Josephine hoped it was clean because that was one of the little girls finer dresses she was wearing.

"Serahs," Evelyn said, smiling as they reached the two young men. "It is good to see you both."

"And you Lady Trevelyan," Laurien said.

She shook their hands, putting a little extra squeeze in it for the elder Montilyet brother, Josephine noted. Subtlety was never her strong suit.

"May I present out son Benoit Montilyet."

"Pleased to meet you," the boy said, bowing, the sword unbalancing him a little. Evelyn steadied him and smiled.

"And our daughter Louisa Montilyet."

"Hi!" The little girl cried waving the paintbrush.

"They're gorgeous," Antoine said, but Laurien didn't comment.

"Where were you?" Josephine asked.

"Oh you would not believe the morning we have had my darling."

Josephine held in a snigger. Evelyn only ever called her 'darling' when she was in trouble and she was definitely in trouble. And causing it.

"It was terrible mama," Benoit added and it seemed her son's acting was no better than her wife's.

"Some upstart in the market was disparaging the Montilyets. You, the children, the business."

"Who?" Antoine asked.

"Didn't catch his name. I challenged him to a duel."

"Oh Evelyn, you didn't," Josephine said.

"Well, not in front of Louisa. She's been in the studio with your father."

Josephine gasped her surprise genuine.

"Father hasn't let anyone into the studio for over a week. No one. Not even Yvette."

"He wouldn't let me in either love," Evelyn said, "but he took Louisa and I got my sword but..."

"He forgot that Antivans use rapi-yers," Benoit said. "Not great swords."

"Rapiers," Evelyn corrected, beaming proudly at him.

"Anyway, we had words and I borrowed a rapier and fought him to the death."

"To the death?" Josephine asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Fine, first to yield," Evelyn said. "I won, and the Montilyets have been avenged once more."

Josephine chuckled, she took her daughter from the warrior, settling her on her hip.

"Please put your swords away and I'll have lunch served."

"Laurien and Antoine haven't seen the new rooms! The training room and my weapon collection and the armoury. Come this way messeres."

Josephine was amused by the way her wife was using more and more Free Marches words and sayings as she spoke to her younger brothers.

"Mama has some great swords. She has the sword she used to kill Coryff.. Coryff?"

"Corypheus," Evelyn helped the boy. "Come this way, and then we'll have lunch. You gentlemen handle any weapons? I have axes, swords, daggers, mauls..."

"Swords mostly, one handed, and shields," Antoine said. "I've never used anything bigger."

"Well, great swords are pretty standard in Ostwisk. I'll show you some, see if you can handle it. What about you Laurien?"

Josephine didn't catch her pale-looking brother's response as they headed off to the armoury Evelyn had put in almost as soon as she'd moved into the estate. If she was trying to scare her brothers into behaving Josephine was sure it was working.

Evelyn may not be subtle but she was effective.