Chapter 4

Carolyn wandered through her chambers, touching this, touching that, relishing all the small mementos from her time here. She couldn't help but feel that once again she would never see her home again.

Elizabeth stood in the doorway for a moment watching her daughter. "Carolyn, the carriage is waiting. It's time to go."

Carolyn turned away from the shelf of dried flowers she was standing next to and walked slowly to her mother, taking her hand. "I'm ready," she said with the best smile she could muster.

"Carolyn," Elizabeth said pulling her in for a hug. "You're not leaving forever. Whatever happens you'll be back at home in a month. That allows for traveling time there and back and a fortnight as Sir William's guest, and you can always come home early if needed."

"I know, Mother. Father has been over all of this with me already."

"I just want you to know that we'll still be here when you get back." Elizabeth replied letting go.

Carolyn reached out taking Elizabeth's hands in hers once again. "I love you."

"And I you."

Taking one last look around, Carolyn guided Elizabeth out of the room shutting the door firmly behind her.

"There you are!" Charles said from the foot of the stairs from where he was pacing, "I thought I was going to have to send Sir Thomas out to find you," he said taking Carolyn's hand as she reached the bottom step.

Placing her hand in the crook of his elbow, he walked her slowly out of the hall and into the courtyard where one of the smaller carriages was waiting, her luggage tied to the roof.

"Geoffrey will be driving you," Charles began as the older man gave a tug of his cap in her direction. Carolyn smiled at the man before turning her attention back to her father. "Lord William's messenger will be accompanying you back as well." He said as he nodded towards the man already mounted and waiting near the courtyard gates.

Charles turned his back so that the man could not see what he was doing and handed Carolyn a leather pouch. "There are two sets of papers here, one with my seal and one without. You show Lord William the set without and you keep the set with, hidden. You are not to present those for his signature until Thomas and the carriage are ready and waiting to bring you home. Do you understand?"

"Of course, Father, but why?"

Charles looked at his wife over Carolyn's head and she gave a slight nod.

"If at any point you decided that you don't want this marriage, you burn the official set. Once he's signed them, there is no going back." Charles told her heatedly as he grasped her shoulders.

"But, I thought you said…"

"I've done some research," Charles said cutting her off. "It's an old law, but it's valid."

Carolyn threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Father."

Charles gave her a quick hug before setting her away from him. "Now, it's time to go."

With Charles' help, Carolyn climbed the carriage steps feeling lighter of heart than she had all week and settled herself in as he shut the door. Carolyn blew her parents a kiss as Thomas set the horses into motion.

Realm of Furya

"Richard," James said striding into the room, "What's this I hear about you refusing to take even Teddy with you to the Senate?"

Riddick smirked as he looked over his shoulder at his friend. "Being a bit dramatic aren't we, James?" he asked as he turned back to his packing.

"This is the first time you've been called to the Senate as the Lord of Furya. Don't you think you should have some support?"

"I'm a big boy, James. I think I can handle myself at the Senate just fine. Besides, Teddy will be of more help to you." He said shoving the last of his things into the bag. "I don't like this any better than you do, James, but I need you here looking after things. Besides," he continued picking up the bag and heading out the door, "It's only for a month, maybe less. I do my duty, I come home."

He listened to James grumble the entire way down the stairs and into the courtyard. Handing his bag to a groomsman to attach to the saddle, Riddick took his cloak and gloves from Teddy, slipping them on.

"James, enough brother. Both our fathers and their fathers before them gave their month of service to the Senate and I'll be no different. The sooner I'm away, the sooner I'm back."

James pursed his lips but nodded, slapping a hand down on Riddick's shoulder. "I'll do my duty as well, Milord."

Riddick grinned, swinging himself up onto his horse and galloped out of the courtyard, quickly making his way through the village. He wasn't lying to James. The quicker he did his duty to his country, the quicker he could come home.