Sydney couldn't believe his ears. It was unbelievable that a child would be taken to La Force for being the daughter of an Evermond... and a self renounced Evermond at that. He almost felt a little sick. This is a child. She is innocent. How could this possibly happen? It seemed like a bad dream. Almost immediately Sydney snapped into alert mode. He knew that he was going to have a fight on his hands. The republic was not reasonable. Charles' trial years ago flashed in his mind. He knew he might have to play his ace again.
"I have to be honest," Sydney said, "It's going to be a long hard battle. It won't be easy to win but it's not impossible"
He wanted to tell them it was going to be alright but he respected them too much to lie. He loved them. False comfort now would be heartbreak later.
"This is not going to be an easy battle," he said firmly, "But it is one that needs to be fought. You must stay where you are."
"BUT SHE IS IN LA FORCE," Charles exclaimed, "And she's alone."
"And probably frightened," Lucie added.
"Yes," Sydney said, "and likely she is in secret. If the republic catches you they will kill her for sure. I will ride down there and get the privilege to stay with her. I am not from the Evermond family which will be to our advantage in both the short and the long run."
"I'm afraid I'm not understanding," Charles said.
"Think back to your trial," Sydney replied, "and what set you free."
Charles nodded though still confused.
"Stay here," Sydney said, "at my place. I will ride back as soon as I can. As soon as you're able to come up... as soon as you can come to France I will come to get you."
"I feel like I'm abandoning her," Lucie said.
"I know you do," Sydney said gently, "But you're not abandoning her. Going now would make it much more difficult because they would be looking at you as more of a reason to guillotine her."
He hated being firm but this was about Lucie and Charles' child and her life would be at risk more so then it was now.