Nalia had been waiting impatiently for Patricia’s return. Spending all evening with her great-aunt had forced her to accept the wisdom of Glaicas’ advice. She’d spoken to Captain Arat, too. He’d come to tell her that he’d be resigning as soon as the situation was under control. Nalia was more disheartened than ever by this news, but Arat did mention a possible replacement. The Captain listened to her problem intently, and agreed heartily that Nalia’s idea was the only available option. In fact, she’d been surprised at the degree of his admiration for Patricia’s ability. Arat wasn’t known for having a high opinion of anyone. If only Patricia would agree to her proposal! There was no other way she could see to salvage the situation, and her new-found stubbornness made her unwilling to give in to the Roenalls without a fight.

Anomen would have been better, but she knew the Radiant Heart would forbid him from accepting the regency without their approval, and she had no time to wait for their deliberations. Besides, he was single, and there’d be sure to be talk; they’d only end up being pressured to marry, and that’s what she was trying to avoid.

She finally spotted Patricia ambling down the corridor. “Patricia! Thank goodness. Can we talk before I go use this scroll?”

The other woman sighed faintly. “All right,” she said. “Come into my room.”

Patricia sat on her bed, while Nalia took the desk chair in the corner. Nalia found herself twisting her robes in her hands, a sure sign of agitation.

“Patricia, will you let me explain the situation here? I need to ask you a tremendous favor, and you have to know why I’m asking before you answer my proposal.”

“All right,” Patricia replied, with some surprise.

“Some years ago my father arranged a provisional engagement for me with Isaea Roenall. The Roenalls are a wealthy noble family who are always on the lookout for ways to increase their power. They are not good lords to their tenants, and I pity those poor people of Athkatla to whom they lend money at usorious rates. Father had to consent to the engagement as part of a business deal. Since I was underage at the time, no one had to ask my opinion on the matter.”

The girl looked down at her lap, and her voice faltered. “Now… now that Father’s… gone, the Roenalls will try to pressure the Council to have me declared their ward on the strength of the engagement. I’m of age now, so they can’t actually force me to go through with the marriage, but until I’m twenty they can act as regents. I’ve absolutely no doubt that Isaea, at least, will steal everything he possibly can during that time. He and his mother are rapacious as sharks, although Lord Farthington always seemed to be nice enough. The tenants will be abused in every possible way.”

She left unspoken her worst fears, the ones she refused to acknowledge even to herself, but they could be sensed hanging in the air between the women. If she continued to refuse the marriage, there would be many reasons for some tragic accident to befall her. Even if she consented, her life might never be completely safe. Once she bore a child or two, so the Roenalls could be certain of keeping the de’Arnise lands, Isaea could easily rid himself of her for some other heiress, preferably one with less independence of spirit. Outside of Delcia, she had no other close relatives who could raise any protest on her behalf.

Patricia cleared her throat and spoke calmly. “What does your aunt think about the engagement?”

Nalia told her, “Even she can’t stand that family. She hates them with a passion. She flew into a rage when Father told her about the arrangement, and they could barely be civil to each other for months. Lady Mielda and she are old, old rivals. My Auntie is all bark and no bite in comparison with that woman.”

Patricia looked at the younger woman steadily. “I take it there’s another option that somehow involves me. What do you want me to do, fake your death or some such thing?”

Before Nalia could answer, they heard footsteps in the hallway. One set stopped, then another, until finally only one still approached their door.

“Must be Anomen,” said Nalia. “His room’s on past this one.”

“Can we bring him into this discussion?” asked Patricia suddenly. “I’m not too familiar with all your rules of inheritance and such. He might be able to think of something we’ve missed.”

Nalia wrinkled her nose, but acquiesced. “If you really want to, I guess he can hear. It’s not like my situation’s going to stay secret.”

Patricia got up and stuck her head out of the door just as Anomen passed by. “Milord,” she called softly. As he turned in surprise, she said, “Could you come give Lady Nalia and I some advice for a moment?”

He seemed surprised, but answered at once, “Of course, milady.” He entered the small room and looked about awkwardly.

“Here,” said Patricia, “you come sit on the bed with me, Nalia, and you can have the chair, Anomen.”

The man moved with relief towards the safety of the hard wooden chair, while Patricia almost fully shut the door, leaving only a small crack for decorum’s sake. No need to get chewed out by Delcia if she happened to wander by.

Patricia smoothly took over the situation. “It seems there is a hitch in Lady Nalia’s inheritance. She was betrothed by her father some years ago, and the understanding was never formally rescinded, although she does not wish to contract the marriage. She fears that House Roenall will insist upon becoming her guardians until she is twenty and able to assume the stewardship for herself. This is displeasing to her. She was just about to tell me of an alternative plan she’s conceived when you came by, and I thought your input might be helpful. I know little of Amnish law on this subject.”

Anomen looked at them both with a nonplussed expression. “I will do my best, miladies, but I confess I am no expert either. Just what do you propose to avoid the proposal, Lady Nalia?”

The mage took a deep breath. “As I was just about to tell Patricia, Glaicas first brought the matter to my attention when we rescued him. He knew how much I would hate the idea of marrying Isaea, and he advised me to consider invoking the Right of the Defender.”

Anomen furrowed his brow for a moment, then recalled that ancient edict. It was rarely used nowadays, since Amnish society had become more well-regulated, but it had never been rescinded.

“Just what is that, Nalia?” Patricia asked. “What does it have to do with me?”

The Watcher answered for the mage. “In time of war or invasion, the heirs of a House that is left leaderless may choose to give the responsibility of defending their lands to a weaponsmaster. The Defender has complete power over the family’s resources unless and until the heirs publicly revoke it. I think I see where Lady Nalia is going with this. If you accept the position of Defender, or Regent, you will be responsible for everything that happens here until Nalia chooses to revoke it.”

For an instant Patricia looked aghast, then controlled her expression once more. “Nalia, I do not see how I can possibly take on such a responsibility. I don’t even think I qualify as a ‘weaponsmaster’. I’m a member of a scholastic Order, not a leader of armies. Lord Anomen, here, would undoubtedly do a much better job.”

Nalia shook her head vehemently. “No! The Radiant Heart won’t let him accept such a post without their approval, and I haven’t got time to wait!”

Anomen agreed. “I most certainly could not take such a step without my superiors’ consent, and it would be at least a month before any decision would be made. The Right must be invoked while there is still a threat of danger, and in a few days’ time Lady Nalia will be unable to make such a claim. The question is whether or not the rules of your Order of the Hand will permit you to accept the position here and now.”

“Well, I can’t remember any specific prohibition off the top of my head, but---.”

“Then you’ll do it?” cried Nalia. “Oh, please, please say you will, Patricia! Think of all the tenants whose lives will be made utterly miserable if you won’t!”

Patricia said desperately, “I don’t know how to run a keep, and I don’t know how to run an army, and I most certainly haven’t any farming experience! And I’ve got to find my sister before something horrible happens to her! Why are you trying to throw your troubles onto me?”

Surprisingly, it was Anomen who answered her. “Are you going to protect these people, milady? Are you going to rise above the situation in which you find yourself? You once said that you wanted to be a force for righteousness, Patricia. Are you going to try to become that which you say you admire, or walk away from the challenge?”

Patricia dropped her head into her hands as she heard her own words about Merton turned against her. “Please leave me, both of you. I am overtired and I need to think. I will search my heart, Nalia, and give you my answer sometime tomorrow.”