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Drabbles
01. Sir Lionel of Trebond
Bloodhound

May 247
Port Caynn
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Sir Lionel awoke to the screams of a maid. It took a moment for his senses to adjust from slumber. When they did, he realized that the sound was coming from across the hall from the bedchamber that he shared with his wife.

"The nursery!" he said to no one in particular. Lionel jumped up, grabbing a dagger off of the bedside table as he rose. He barged into the nursery, blade raised and fingers sparkling with his purple Gift. His wife, Betrice, was just behind him, wielding a candlestick.

Lionel scanned the room, but nothing seemed to be amiss, apart from the screaming maid and the crying children whom she had awoken.

The night relaxed his posture, moving to her side. "What is it, Agnes?" he said, grasping her shoulder. His touch seemed to break her of her manic. She pointed at the pillows on the beds.

"I wanted to check if Little Ralfe had wet the bed again, and I found pearls on the babies' pillows."

Lionel felt his insides twist. Ignoring the cries of his children, he dug through the bedding, looking for the pearls that had been misplaced in the commotion. At last he spotted them. "Pearl Skinner," he said, showing them to his wife.

Now she screamed, gathering the children and pulling them close to her.

"She was here? In my babies' room while we all slept?" When Lionel had married Prince Baird's eldest daughter, she had been carefree and spunky. That had all changed two years ago, when they'd lost their first son to the Sweating Sickness. Now Betrice was nervous all of the time, and she'd become fiercely protective of her remaining children.

"I swear, mum, I only left for two minutes to use the necessary," Agnes cried. "I don't know how she could have had time to get in."

"Oh, Agnes, please calm down. You're scaring the children," Betrice told her curtly.

"Skinner likely sent one of her cronies to leave the message," Lionel said. "Agnes, run downstairs and fetch the master of the guards. I have questions for him, and I will need extra guards posted around the bedchambers for the rest of the night."

"I'm bringing the children to our bed," Betrice informed him when Agnes was gone.

"Of course, my dear," Lionel said, inspecting the window for any signs of tampering. Agnes returned quickly, and when she did Lionel went in the hall to speak with the guard.

When Lionel reentered his bedchamber, his wife was right behind him. "Is Agnes with the children?" he asked.

"Lionel, you must do something," Betrice demanded, ignoring his question. "I will not bury another child. My heart can't take it."

"If I do anything against Pearl Skinner, she'll kill both of them without a second thought," Lionel said stiffly. Something had caught his eye- a small box on his wife's pillow. He was sure it hadn't been there when they ran to the nursery.

"Resign, then. Let my uncle find a new Deputy Provost- someone who doesn't have a family to threaten. Take away the Rogue's power."

Lionel whipped around to face his wife, showing her the pearl choker that he'd discovered in the box. "I do that and she'll kill you too," he hissed. His wife gasped, her hand unconsciously touching her throat. Lionel saw the terror in her face and softened his tone. "My hands are tied, Betrice."

"What are we going to do?" she asked, tears pricking the corner of her eyes.

"In the morning I want you to start packing. I'm sending you, Ralfe, and Maibel home. You'll be safe at Trebond."

"What about you?" Betrice asked, a hand on his arm.

"I will have a much greater peace of mind, knowing that my family is sheltered. My younger brothers are at Trebond, as are their families. You will have protectors, and the children will have playmates."

"We want you," Betrice said softly.

"I'll visit when I can," Lionel promised, pulling her close to him.

"I don't know I'd go on if she murdered you," Betrice mumbled into his chest.

"She won't murder me if I don't cross her. I have no intention of being killed," Lionel promised. He turned and dashed the pearls into the fireplace. "You'll be safe at Trebond, and I'll stay safe here."