A/N: To those who celebrate it, Happy Easter!

Hammy: Are you asking how far ahead I am? Let's see...2 significant deaths. 1 is happening this chapter. You've been warned.

TheRanger'sDaughter: Brothers fight. It's what they do. Russ and Holt are actually both younger versions of Kane while Robin looks more like Talia with a few of Gabby's features...all are blonde hair and blue eyes. Holt would be the physically stronger one due to training at the battle school.

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.

Elizabet woke early the morning after Gabe left. She lay staring up at the ceiling for several minutes, finally taking time to process the last several days. Had everything gone according to plan, Gabe and Lorelei would have been returning from their honeymoon today. The two sets of newlyweds and Noah would have gathered for a meal with Sean and Kineta. Mason and Scout would be hearing cases in the court today, calling on another royal only if it backed up. They would have directed their son to hear lesser crimes as part of his training to take over and their daughter would be rising early for lessons with Jasmine. Maggie would have returned home with all the other Araluens after some long tearful goodbye to Mara and Jasmine, the playmates she enjoyed back when Daniel was their Ranger liaison. Sure, she'd been based at the Academy but Julia came to Roscrea so often to visit Scout the girls were the best of friends. Daniel agreed to the Commandant post in part so that his parents would have at least one grandchild to enjoy back home. Maggie herself hated moving.

She hated it to the point she took Mara's name as hers and acted in a way a quick thinking lady-in-waiting would have. Lady Carissa, though she looked nothing like Queen Scout, would have done the very same thing. Sweet Maggie, two years younger than Mara, acted in a way only she could. Her parents must have taught her those skills, purposefully or not. After all, Maggie was an only child who often traveled with one or both of her parents on their missions. They'd taught her to defend herself, but now it seemed she picked up on offensive tactics as well. Elizabet shut her eyes and tried not to think about what her captors were doing to her. If they still thought she was Mara, they'd be downright cruel in their attempts to break her. If they learned she wasn't royal in any way…that would be worse.

Elizabet felt Neil's arm slide around her. Falling asleep with her husband had come easily, but waking up with him? There were still moments she forgot she no longer had her own bed.

"Morning," he whispered, his eyes still shut. Usually he was awake before her, but since the fire and Maggie Elizabet's nerves never let her sleep long.

"Morning," she whispered back. She rolled into his arms and kissed his cheek. Part of her felt guilty, being married and having her spouse home safe while Gabe was out searching for the man who almost murdered his fiancé the day of their wedding.

They'd barely settled with the door swung wide open. Elizabet tensed with frustration, knowing exactly who the clicking heels belonged to. Lady Carissa never barged in on Mason and Scout unless it were truly important, and moreover she always wore flat, quiet boots so she wouldn't disturb them more than necessary.

Alicia gave them neither courtesy. She assumed all messages were to be delivered immediately and religiously wore the heeled shoes thinking they made her more important.

"Princess Elizabet?" Alicia asked, as though she weren't sure they were awake.

"What?" Elizabet grumbled.

"Lord Sean requests your presence."

Her father? Elizabet left Neil's arms, held the blanket over herself, and sat up in bed to give Alicia a confused look. "My father?" she asked.

"Yes, Your Grace."

Her father wouldn't send for her this early unless it was important. Even when he sent written requests, he made sure to write the time Alicia should deliver it on the outside of his notes to prevent moments like this. Elizabet looked down to Neil.

"Go ahead," he assured her. He gave her a grin and then turned back to stare into nothing at the ceiling. "Morning, Alicia."

Elizabet allowed herself the smallest of smirks. Being addressed by Neil while he was still in bed made Alicia visibly squirm. Elizabet waved to dismiss her and got out of bed to get dressed. Neil propped himself up on his elbow while Elizabet pulled her dress over her head.

"Isn't it Alicia's job to dress you?" he teased. Elizabet shot him a playful glare. He turned serious. "Do you know what your father wants?"

Elizabet shook her head. "I don't."

"You're still under guard, right? You're not walking anywhere on your own?"

"I'll make sure someone comes with me. Don't worry," Elizabet assured him, making a show of securing two knives as she tugged at the laces of her bodice.

"You want me to come with you?" Neil asked.

"No," Elizabet answered. "You promised you'd take Noah fishing this morning."

Noah became a top priority for both of them. Elizabet insisted on private family dinners every night they didn't eat with the larger family, just as her parents had done when they adopted her. Neil involved Noah in plans to convert a flower garden near their apartment into a food source Noah himself would take charge of once everything was planted. He'd have to decide what charity his crops should go to and everything. It was partly a project to keep him busy, but also to keep him connected to what he knew as a farmer outside of Claymound. Neil also committed to taking his brother fishing twice a week for brotherly bonding.

"Noah getting to fish is important, but your safety is more important," Neil said seriously. "If anything were to happen to you Elizabet…"

"Don't worry," Elizabet said again. She sat on top of the blankets and leaned down to kiss him. "Enjoy fishing."

Neil smiled. Elizabet tied her hair back with a single ribbon. The style was perhaps a bit childish for a woman her age, but she didn't have time for anything more elaborate. She left the bedroom. Alicia fell in step beside her, as usual, as they walked down the hallway towards the courts. Two guards fell in behind them. Usually, the castle and Roscrea in general were safe enough the royal family could walk freely. Since the attack on Lorelei's bridal suite, they had no such luxury.

"Do you know what this is about?" Elizabet asked Alicia.

"No, Your Grace," Alicia answered, making Elizabet cringe that much more as she said 'Your Grace'. She brought out the tiara Scout had passed to her long ago. With the attack Elizabet hadn't gotten to debut the new one that matched Neil's. Perhaps she'd have to wait another year to pass this tiara to Mara afterall.

"Who brought the message to summon me?"

"Garson."

Garson…a Scribe who worked in the courts. Elizabet searched her mind trying to remember which cases were his specialty. There were those who were simply people coming to request an audience with a member of a royal family, seeking help after some disaster or bad luck. There were those of petty disagreements that somehow made it past the system of local magistrates. Those the royals tended to subject both sides to some form of punishment due to lack of ability to settle the matters themselves. The most famous petty argument was a couple who wanted to legally divorce, but the wife wanted her husband's wedding ring back while keeping her own. Her husband agreed to give her the ring only if she agreed to leave Hibernia as an exile. Mason just happened to be on duty for that one. He listened to the bickering for all of ten minutes while he reviewed their file and then took possession of both rings, granted them an immediate divorce, and banished both from Hibernia for the period of two weeks effective immediately.

Whether or not the two actually left Hibernia they didn't know, but that didn't matter. They both went into hiding and, whether or not they avoided each other for good, they never came back to the royal family over a simple wedding band. Elizabet had a feeling that wasn't the case if her father were rousing her so early. The only other type of case was criminal, people who offended the crown itself. Elizabet was sure, however, Garson worked with the petty squabbles. He was young and that was where Scribes went to earn their stripes.

Elizabet entered the office attached to the room her father had been hearing cases in. He stood near the opposite door, the one that led to the actual room.

"What is it?" Elizabet asked the moment she entered. Sean waved Alicia way and crossed the space to take Elizabet's hands.

"Sweetheart," he whispered, using that tone he used so often when she was little and he had to give her bad news. "There's a woman out there I want to put in your charge."

Elizabet blinked several times. "What?" she asked. She'd taken charge of people who came through the courts before. Sometimes it was to ensure they held their end of a charitable service agreement working in one of the charities she oversaw. Sometimes it was to simply give them a new start in life, making sure they had enough resources to start fresh once they were escorted to an escort who would get them to a different part of the kingdom.

Both cases could have waited until Elizabet left bed on her own terms.

"Her husband tried to silence her when she threatened to report him," Sean went on. "She's fragile. She needs safety I think only you can give her."

"Safety?" Elizabet replied, becoming even more confused. Those in need of safety were sent towards literally any other member of the family aside from her. She didn't provide 'safety'. She never trained for the military or in anything beyond personal defense when it came to 'safety'. She championed conditions at the ward, schools, and medical facilities. She coordinated soup kitchens to feed their hungry and organized distribution of the taxes set aside for society improvements. What she didn't do was protect women from abusive husbands. At least, not to the degree they were 'put in her charge'. She'd done her share of stocking carts and providing a horse out of her own purse to get abused women away before. Kineta revolutionizing how Hibernia viewed women did wonders for those in such vile situations. Many found the strength to advocate for themselves, and now that Hibernia had a strong system of force it was far easier, and safer, to escape such marriages. Why did this woman have to come to the crown to do it?

Sean kissed her forehead, as he did when she was a child, and offered her his arm. Elizabet took it, still thoroughly confused. "I know you'll do the right thing," he whispered in her ear. He opened the door to the court and led her inside.

"Presenting Her Grace Princess Elizabet O'Carrick of Hibernia!" the bailiff shouted. Sean waved him back and led Elizabet to the landing of steps meant for whomever was hearing the case. Advisors lined the sides of the steps, each holding ledgers they used to secretly communicate with whomever was posted in the seat above. They'd have to write large letters, but it could be seen easily with just a glance from the chair. Illiterate children hovered nearby in uniforms and comfortable shoes, ready to ferry the papers to fire the moment they were signaled by an advisor. The floor was lined with a zigzag queue. Judging by most, this was the court where people came seeking actual help. An abused wife would definitely be directed here by the clerk outside.

A woman stood at the front looking more than a little nervous between two guards. They held her arms as though she were a prisoner, but upon closer inspection they were actually holding her up. She was weak. She needed medical attention. One of her fingers stuck at an odd angle. Both eyes were bruised, but one had swollen shut. Her lip was split, the blood dry. It was a woman Elizabet knew. She released her father's arm and rushed down the steps. Sean followed with a grim expression. Everyone in the court leaned in, wondering why this woman evoked such a reaction from their princess.

"Aunt Tammy?" Elizabet whispered. She pulled her into a hug, taking her weight from the guards. Tammy moaned, bringing her hand to her ribs. A couple of those must be broken too. Elizabet dropped her tone. "Did Calvin do this to you?"

"Not here," Sean ordered them. He got his arm under Elizabet's and lifted Tammy up. He started up the steps, something Tammy couldn't have lasted if she tried herself. Elizabet rushed ahead and got the door. Sean set Tammy down in the most comfortable chair the office held. "Will you take charge of her, Elizabet?"

Elizabet nodded. "Of course."

"Good."

Sean returned to the court. Elizabet rang a bell, summoning Alicia. She ordered a warm meal and Gabby be brought in immediately. Alicia took one look at Tammy, likely not recognizing her, and ran off. Elizabet brought a chair next to Tammy's and sat so she could face her.

"What happened?" she whispered. "Did Calvin do this?"

Tammy peered through her good eye, swaying a bit even sitting in the chair. "Not all of it," she answered in a tight voice. "Lizzie…" she paused to press her hand to Elizabet's cheek. "I'm so sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Elizabet begged. "What happened?"

The door opened again. It wasn't enough time for Alicia to have done all that was asked of her, so Elizabet turned. Warden joined them, holding a small cup of broth and a basic medical kit.

"I just wanted to get the basics tended as quickly as possible," he explained as he set the kit on the desk in front of them. He held the broth to Tammy's lips, coaxing the warm liquid into her. It wouldn't be enough, but it did wonders for her focus. Just that made her far more alert. She held still while Warden worked on patching up the obvious. He rest her hand with the clearly broken finger on the desk for a proper healer to examine later and instructed her to hold a cool cloth to the swollen eye while he tended her busted lip.

Elizabet would have to remember to thank him properly later. He had such a large role in her staying connected to Calvin and Tammy growing up she could never repay him, and now he was helping with that connection again.

"What happened?" she asked again once Warden finished. He remained sitting there, making no motion to leave them in privacy. Elizabet was thankful for that. He was trained to see things she wasn't, and he was a personal friend to her family. He wouldn't take what was happening as gossip to spread around others in their service.

"I left Calvin," Tammy whispered.

"Good," Warden said to end her following silence.

"He did this because you left him?" Elizabet pressed.

"No," Tammy replied. "We've been…struggling a long time. He moved back to his apartment above the jail weeks ago."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Elizabet asked.

"You were getting married. I didn't want to upset you," Tammy explained.

"That's fair," Warden said. "Please, continue."

"I…I stopped working at the jail. It was too…difficult. Calvin promised to keep helping me financially until I could get a new job. I tried, but…it's hard there. Everyone thought…I did something to him and…he's so well-liked, I just…" Tammy stammered, unable to fully collect herself.

"You couldn't find a job in Claymound," Warden said for her. She nodded and continued.

"I went to Calvin after your wedding…I asked him for enough gold to leave. I…I planned to write you and let you know where I was when I settled. I just…I couldn't stay there. I know I asked for a lot, but he had it…I know because I'm the one who saved it. It was meant to get him a horse, but…I just…I thought if I could get away and find work elsewhere he wouldn't have to support me and could make up the money in no time. I even offered to send him repayment as soon as I could. He got so mad at that…he thought I was trying to rob him or something. He put me out that night."

"That's it, though?" Elizabet asked. "He just put you out?"

"He shoved me a few times…nothing as bad as he's done before. I just…I…I didn't know what to do. I started back here. You know I'd never ask you for anything, Elizabet…really. I just…I thought I could find something in Roscrea and…this way I wouldn't have to give you up even though I'm no longer with your uncle…"

"I'm going to help you," Elizabet assured her. "Tell us, who beat you?"

Tammy lowered her eyes to the ground. "A man. I found him with a girl who he claimed was his daughter, but that was a lie. It was Maggie…Julia's daughter. I knew I couldn't outfight him, but…I tried to get him to take me along. He did at first. I made up some story about being lost and perhaps three traveling together would be better than two. He agreed and insisted we pose as man and wife. I agreed because…well…"

"Understandable," Warden assured her. "Go on."

Before Tammy could continue, the door opened. It was Alicia carrying a tray of food with Gabby holding her arm.

"Your Grace…" Alicia began, but Elizabet, frustrated beyond belief her lady-in-waiting was so dim she didn't see they were in the middle of something so important, cut her off.

"Thank you Alicia," she said behind gritted teeth. She stood and took Gabby's hand from Alicia's arm. Gabby's chin tilted slightly, as though confused by the abrupt interruption but she remained silent. Unlike Alicia, she knew when to stay silent. "You're dismissed."

Alicia seemed to fume but she'd never explode in front of the others. She knew Elizabet was upset with her but, as usual, couldn't figure out why. She spun on her heels and left without a curtsy. Elizabet ignored the pang of guilt she felt over offending her lady-in-waiting and led Gabby to the chair.

"Go on," Warden prompted Tammy. Elizabet let Gabby sit. She stayed close enough her arm brushed the physician's.

"He was dosing Maggie with warmweed," Tammy continued. "He put it in her water. It was like her body was there but nothing else. She hadn't been on it long and I could just see he was forming a habit for her. I began swapping the water. I think she may have still gotten some traces because I had to continue using the skin of water he saved for her, but…she truly woke up after three days. Luckily he wasn't with us when she did that. I did my best to explain to her what was happening before he came back. I told her when we reached the next village she was to keep an eye out for anyone with a uniform. A guard, a magistrate, a constable, an agent…anyone, and she was to run to them and tell them who she was immediately. I'd hold off this man while she ran."

"And did this happen?" Elizabet asked.

Tammy nodded. "To an extent, yes. Maggie ran, but…it wasn't at the next village. We came across a Courier on the road, and…she decided to run then instead."

"What happened next?" Warden pressed gently, using that tone he'd used to question Mara and Jasmine right after the attack.

Tears began falling over Tammy's cheeks. "He killed the Courier."

"Then?"

"He tried to kill Maggie…I tried to stop him. She grabbed the Courier's pack and made for the woods. I don't know where she is now. I found her so far away from here…she's been in Araluen so long…after being drugged I'm not sure she knows her way back."

"I assume he tried to kill you too?" Warden went on, his tone dropping once more. Tammy nodded. "And?"

"And now I've killed two men."