Ciri tried to eat, but the morning sickness was a bit too much today. She saw the worried look in Avallac'h's eyes. It was amusing to watch him want to call the healers every time she was feeling ill. The healers hauled him out after about the fifth time. He was threatened with being put into Reverie until the child was born if he kept it up. A reminder that she was not glass or some delicate maid went a long way to ease his fear.

"...You should rest." He said. "We have a long time ahead of us..."

"Yes." She said, going up to him. "As long as you do so with me."

That would bring a smile to his face, spooning together drifting to sleep.

Pen stretched, looking up at the rafters. Nuada lay still sleeping beside her. It was always good when he could stay for a little while. She got up, leaving her husband sleeping. The table next to the hearth was set for two with soup, bread, honey butter, and her favored ginger drink. Aethen was sitting near the hearth with his own bowl.

"Beef barely..." He said. "...must have been some cheaper cuts at the butcher's."

Pen smiled and sat down, serving up a portion of the soup.

"...The healers are finding much amusement in Avallac'h."

"I would too, but Ciri is becoming very annoyed."

"Were you not when Himself turned his attention to you during your pregnancy?"

"With Tam, it was an adventure for both of us." Pen said. "I would tell her to appreciate it..."

"Did you miss it with Dain and the twins?"

"I'd half expect that question from Ciri..."

"Fair enough." He said. "I bring news from our Spy mistress..."

Pen smiled, there had been a fight two days prior to seemingly over Rhiannon.

"...The two combatants were the two suspected leaks." He continued. "Arresting them was...fun. They near crapped their pants when we showed them the evidence of their crimes. One sang rather quickly...seems Ge'els isn't the only one who wants to know the weakness' of our court."

"I knew about the Viceroy." Pen said. "Its the one that doesn't sling words like daggers that bothers me. Daggers I can dodge..."

"Yes, from what we gathered, it is because you are a woman rather than the population of our environs. I almost let Rhi castrate him, but she declined in favor letting the court do it."

"Few things change..." Pen said, slathering a piece of bread with the sweet butter. "I hope the leak is significantly plugged."

"Yes, We've found no more." He said as he got to his feet. "I'll leave you to have some more time with himself..."

She smiled at his departure, as Nuada had awakened and come to share dinner.

Pen knew something was wrong when she saw half a dozen healers in the halls on the way to the guest quarters. She increased her speed. Dain met her outside Ciri and Avallac'h's room.

"What happened?"

"Navigator, and an assassin..." Dain said. "Looking for a random target most like, and considering the EMP emissions around the manor a stupid act." He sighed. "Ciri and the sage are unhurt...it is more the assailants. The Navigator...well...whats left of him."

Ciri was still sitting in shock, she had screamed at the sight of the intruders. Pen reached her, she was still splattered with blood. Pen took one look and turned green. She knew the elder power channeled through voice could do...that. It had been a while since she'd seen it happen.

"Get Lady Ciri cleaned up..." Dain ordered. "Avallac'h would you accompany me, I would like you to talk to our guard captain...to arrange a tighter guard."

The sage wasn't going to leave Ciri's side. Removing her from him would prove even messier.

"Better bring the captain here..." Pen said. "He's not going to move..."

Dain looked over them over his lenses and agreed with his mother.

Getting her guests resettled had taken most of Pen's day. Now she sat in her study, looking over the map of navigation points inside her manse. Aethen entered and set two shot glasses on the desk, and poured something that glowed green into them.

"Take the shot." He said.

She made a face before she downed it. It tasted nasty.

"What the hell was that?"

"...cucumber something or other." He said. "I asked a few of the students...came from their still."

"They need to work on that...and pray do tell why you brought me this nasty concoction?"

"Thought it would match your mood." He said. "It was this or sling you on a horse to bring you to himself...though I could just as..."

She lobbed one of the squishy balls she kept at him. His laughter was what she needed.

"If you did that, well I don't think Tin would end up very happy."

Aethen smiled, reminded of the vow he took. They were close enough that they could tease about it, but he had never crossed the line. She stood up, head too much upon the most recent incident.

"Let's go, I think the Orb Weaver is calling..."

He snorted, at least there would be fewer Orcs in it by night's end.