About ten minutes later, Edward arrived, followed surprisingly by Peter, but not Braden and Brielle; they must have stayed at Edward's with Cristabel. William was still unconscious and I was beginning to get worried.

"What happened to him?" Asked Edward.

"I can't really explain it. All I know is that he was generally shocked into unconsciousness."

Edward cocked and eyebrow. Then he and Peter lifted William off the floor and laid him down on the four-poster.

"Mary, really, he was shocked into unconsciousness? Please, enlighten me on the situation. I don't see how something could startle him so badly."

"Edward, I shouldn't be the one to tell you what happened."

"Why not?"

"Because it is too damaging and not in my place to say."

Edward scoffed.

"Really Mary, what could be so destructive?"

"Never you mind; just wait until your brother comes to."

Two minutes passed. William stirred and came to, moaning softly.

"What's going on? Where am I?" He asked weakly.

"Hush William." I said walking over to the four-poster. " You're in our quarters; Peter and Edward are here."

William sighed, closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again, as if trying to clear his mind and focus.

"Will, are you alright? You look deathly pale. What happened?" Peter asked.

"He's alive… Alastor is alive.."

Edward's face paled and Peter's eyes widened.

"You're mad Will." Said Edward quietly. "He's dead…"

"No Edward, he's not." Replied William swallowing hard. "He came here this morning."

Edward scoffed.

"There's got to be some mistake."

"There is no mistake Edward! This wouldn't have happened if he wasn't here!" Said William angrily, trying to rise from the bed, but I forced him back down, glancing back at Edward.

"Edward, you brother speaks the truth. I was there; I saw you father."

"Mary, it's been over twenty years since we last saw our father; and you haven't see him at all. What makes you think that he would be recognisable?"

"Because Edward, he looks very much like a Tavington. Unmistakably like a Tavington."

"He could be an imposter." Edward retorted.

"You don't understand, do you?! Edward, your own brother recognised him after twenty eight years!" I cried. "You can't deny it any longer!"

Edward's face contorted into a look of fury, which slowly turned to a look of shock and confusion. Peter turned white.

"What do we do?" Murmured Edward.

"Well we have to tell Thomas." Replied Peter.

"Yes of course; but then what?" William asked.

"I don't know; put up a front and hope he leaves?"

"Peter, you know it's not that simple." William scoffed. "Nothing is simple anymore."