Walter sat at the great table with his family. Elizabeth of Caranth joined them at Paige's insistence. His friends choosing to make themselves scarce and have dinner in the general dining hall while their Lord and his family reconnected.

Lord Walter looked at Linda as she collected the dishes, "Linda, please extend my compliments to our cook. The dinner was excellent."

Linda smiled, "It will be my honor my Lord."

Megan looked at her brother, "So tell us little brother, what happened to you after the storm?"

Paige had been looking at Walter as Megan asked and saw the minute changes in his facial muscles as the memories and the pain and loss surfaced again. She reached out and took his hand and gently squeezed it.

Walter nodded as he looked at his bride and smiled while squeezing her hand. He pulled their hands down under the table to rest upon his thigh. "Nothing too out of the ordinary, after the ship made it to port the story of what happened had reached the ears of Lord Weir. He took pity on me and took me in as a squire and eventually taught me how to be a Paladin along with all the tenants that cover our order." His right thumb was rotating his tenant ring as he continued to gently squeeze Paige's hand.

His eyes were distant for a moment before he mentally shrugged those memories back into the avenue of the past and buried them with the love he now had through his bride and son. "Everything I have gone through has all been worth it, as it brought this lovely soul and our son into my life." He brought Paige's hand up and kissed the back of it as he smiled at her.

Megan and Louise both smiled at the couple. "Well you got to tell us, since we're just farmers, what is it like being a Paladin, controlling all of that power and authority?" Megan asked with a grin.

Walter laughed, "A great deal of hard work, headache and discipline. Most importantly remembering it isn't my power but the wise Lady's. I've seen many knights who became too full of themselves thinking they were the source of all of it."

"Well it has to be pretty awesome having so many people to take care of your needs," Megan pressed.

Paige smiled, "Actually that is one of the many things that sets Walter apart from so many people of authority. The entire time we were venturing to and from Wheeler's Ridge he never once held himself above standing watches, washing dishes and clothes. And he always stood in between danger and the rest of us."

Walter smiled at Paige before looking at Megan, "No one here is forced to serve. Jobs are provided. People are paid a fair wage. Speaking of jobs, what was your plan since you didn't know I was the Lord here?"

Sean wiped his mouth with his napkin and sat it down, "We've got money from selling our sheep and farm. As I told your Mother and sister I had hoped that whoever the Lord was here they might have the need of someone to run a sheep farm."

Walter smiled, "If that is your wish. There is suitable land on the west side of Lake Athena I can designate for you to use. We don't have anyone raising sheep so the wool crop would be a real boon to the local tradesmen instead of having to import it in from outside of the lands. I'll have Raynold speak with you about the land and securing a flock once we get you a home built there. I'm assuming you'd want to live on the land. If not, you are more than welcomed to stay here at the Keep."

"I've got gold lad, I don't need a hand out," Sean became a bit defensive.

Walter smiled, "Father, I wasn't suggesting otherwise. But you can't own land within my territory. If I made an exception for you I'd have to make one for anyone who wanted to buy land and the next thing you would know is a foreign power could own more of it than I do. But if you wish to employ your own architect and builders to design and build your home and buy all the materials yourself you are more than welcome to. As well as buying your own sheep. I'd recommend going to Los Angeles for the sheep. You'll find the best price there."

"Oh I didn't know, in San Deggo the Duke allowed people to own their own land." Sean explained.

Walter nodded, "San Deggo exists within a well established area and if you fully read the land contracts he sells he can take them back at any time. But here most of the area to the west and north of my lands is wild."

"My Lord I was won-der-ing," Sylvester's voice trailed off as he stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes met with Megan's as he entered the great hall.

Megan smiled, "Well hello."

Paige grinned as she looked from Sylvester to Megan and back again.

Walter frowned, "Sylvester?"

Sylvester reluctantly tore his eyes away from Megan to look at Lord Walter, "My Lord?"

Walter looked at the young man, "You came in saying something about wondering and then stopped."

Sylvester frowned, "I did?"

Walter looked at Paige as he heard her giggle, "My Love?"

Paige smiled, "Later."

Walter frowned but nodded. "Father, Mother, Megan, Elizabeth, this is Sylvester. He is my sorcerer/alchemist. Sylvester, these are my parents, Sean and Louise, my sister Megan and the Lady Paige's friend Elizabeth."

Sylvester smiled as he softly said, "Megan."

Ralph looked at Sylvester puzzled.

Sylvester shook his head, "I'm sorry, I meant to say it is very nice to meet all of you."

Megan was smiling, "You know, I haven't really gotten to see very much of your home here little brother. Perhaps Sylvester could show me around?"

"I'd be honored," Sylvester said quickly and a bit breathlessly before anyone could object.

Walter looked at Megan, "You forget, you don't really have the strength to walk around the Keep yet."

Megan turned and glared at Walter, "I think I can manage little brother."

"That wouldn't really be a problem my Lord, I can use a spell to make it much easier for her." Sylvester volunteered.

Megan smiled, "Really? Like real magic, and not some charlatan's trick or magician's sleight of hand to fool people?"

Sylvester nodded as he reached into the bag on his belt and took out a white dove's feather. He gestured towards Megan and spoke words and the feather dissolved and Megan felt herself lift up slightly off her chair. Megan smiled and she pushed back against the table and as the chair came out she rose up a little higher. She pushed up with her hands and she kind of bobbed in the air for a moment before her feet touched the floor gently. She found most of her weight was displaced and she was able to step out and walk across the floor. Megan never took her eyes off of Sylvester as she walked right to him.

Sylvester held out his arm and Megan put her arm around his as he slowly led her from the great hall.

Sean had started to say something but Louise quickly put her hand over his mouth as she smiled watching Megan and Sylvester leave the hall.

Paige was grinning from ear to ear as Walter looked on confused.

Sean looked at his wife, "Now why did you do that dear? I had a few questions to ask that young man. Who just ups and acts like you don't exist and walks off with your daughter?"

Louise waved him off. She reached over and caressed Ralph's hair, "So tell me Walter, Paige, do you plan anymore children?"

Walter smiled at Paige and she retuned his smile, "We hadn't discussed it before we got married but we did a few weeks ago. Paige is interested in another child or two. I am happy with leaving it in her hands as well as the wise Lady's."

Louise found his answer a little odd, "How long have you been married?"

Walter kissed Paige's hand, "A little over a month now."

Ralph was eating his dessert as Louise looked at him, Walter could see the question on her mind. "We can discuss it later," he said firmly.

"We've heard that Ralph is also your squire, does that mean you are going to train him up to be a Paladin as well?" Sean asked.

Walter looked at the young man, "Originally that was his desire, and he has a natural talent for it. With little training and mostly only observing me he was able to do things fully trained knights have a hard time doing. But Ralph also has an interest and talent in jewel crafting. So at least for the next six years he'll be schooled and given defense training. Then he can decide which he wants to pursue."

Paige looked at Ralph, "Ralph, I think it is time you went to your room. You still have your reading to do and don't forget to take a bath."

Ralph looked disappointed, "But I wanted to spend some more time with Grandma and Grandpa."

Walter looked at Ralph sternly, "Ralph, you heard your Mother. You can spend more time with your Grandparents tomorrow."

Ralph swallowed, "Yes sir, I'm sorry Mom."

Paige smiled as he came around the table and kissed her. He looked at Walter, "I'm sorry Dad."

Walter smiled and pulled him up in his lap, "You already apologized to your Mother and that is enough. You are my son and I love you." Walter hugged him tightly and kissed the top of his head before tickling him. "Now, scoot."

Ralph smiled and ran over to his Grandparents and hugged them and then hugged Elizabeth before running off for the stairs.

Walter looked to his parents, "Ralph might not be my blood son but he is my son and no force in this world will ever change that fact."

Elizabeth reached over and squeezed Paige's other hand and nodded with approval.

Walter had used his Lordly voice which told them he wouldn't brook any contrary discussion of the topic. His Mother just nodded in acceptance, his Father's thoughts wandered.

Sean had seen a table over by the fireplace with what looked like some kind of liquor on it. "Perhaps we could have a drink to our many blessings before we part for the evening?"

Walter smiled as he looked at Paige, "Are you up for a bit more my Love?"

"Oh, I was hoping we'd have more time to spend together tonight," Louise said with disappointment.

Walter shook his head, "Our time in the blighted area took a toll on my Love physically and I will not allow her to become stressed.

Paige smiled, "I think I could stand a glass of some juice my Love."

Walter nodded as he pushed back from the table and then pulled against Paige's chair after he stood when she pushed back. He took her hand and walked with her to the chairs by the fireplace and kissed her before she sat in the chair he held. He rang a small bell as his parents stood and walked over when his Mother sat down.

"I should go so you all can spend some time together," Elizabeth said as she stood up from the table.

"Nonsense," both Paige and Louise said in unison.

Paige smiled at Louise, "You are my dearest friend Elizabeth, please stay with us."

"And you were there for us during our trip up here from Los Angeles. You are family and you belong with us," Louise told her.

Elizabeth smiled, "If you are sure."

Lord Walter smiled with a nod, "My Lady has given you her wish, will you not fulfill it?"

Elizabeth nodded.

Walter poured four glasses as Linda came in, "My Lord?"

Walter smiled, "Do you know what juice we have available?"

Linda nodded, "Orange, apple and prune my Lord."

Walter shuddered on the prune juice, "Do you have a preference my Love?"

Paige smiled at the face he made, "Apple would be fine my Love."

Linda nodded, "I'll be right back my Lady."

Sean looked at Walter, "Might we have a word together while we wait for the juice son?"

Walter nodded as he bent over and kissed Paige before walking to the far side of the hall with his Dad.

"Given how much time has passed, perhaps I don't have a right to say anything. But as my son I feel I need to say something. I hope you know what kind of wagon you've hitched yourself to Walter," Sean told him as he looked up at Walter's face.

Bobo still sat upon Elizabeth's shoulder as she sat talking with Paige and Louise and suddenly his head swiveled and looked over at Sean.

Walter looked at his Father puzzled, "How do you mean?"

Sean took in a deep breath, "I understand she was wrongly accused of murder and I accept that. But you have to know what kind of people Bards are. They are of loose morals, partying and indiscriminate casual affairs and you are a Paladin of the wise Lady. Your marriage to her could represent all kinds of problems as well as cast a bad shadow on you. I just hope you have considered all of that."

Bobo's eyes went wide and he clicked and chirped and whistled shrilly.

Elizabeth's eyes went wide and her brow then furrowed in anger as she looked over at Sean.

Walter's expression went stony instantly before his face darkened like a storm cloud. "If you were anyone but my Father I would have your throat in my hand and your feet dangling off the floor in a split second." His voice was low and eerily calm for the anger reflected in his face. "How dare you presume to judge the love of my life. I knew she was the one for me before Athena herself revealed to us that she had chosen Paige to be my bride."

Sean grew upset, "Well what does it prove if the boy isn't your blood son? Who's the father? Was she married or just some trollop for another man?"

Bobo's eyes went wide as he emitted a sharp screech.

Paige looked over at Walter and his Dad where Bobo was staring.

Walter's hand flew out like lightning and grasped his Father's throat and just as quickly Sean found himself dangling in the air unable to speak except for strangling noises as his feet flailed about and his hands tried to beat at Walter's arm since he couldn't reach his face.

"Walter," Paige screamed as she jumped up and ran over with Louise and Elizabeth.

"Put your Father down, now Walter," Paige demanded.

Louise was torn between the man she loved and the son she had just gotten back and she was frozen in indecision.

Walter brought his hand in so he was nose to nose with his Father, "Let this be the last time any negative word about my Love ever crosses your lips. Do so again, especially in my presence and you will learn first hand how bad my temper really is. Is that understood Father?"

Sean nodded as best he could as he tapped on Walter's hand. Walter opened his hand and let him fall to the floor coughing and choking as he grabbed his throat.

Louise was finally able to move and dropped down to help her husband while Paige grabbed Walter's tunic, "What was that all about? He's your Father, Walter."

Walter nodded, "He is. And his words make me wish he was still dead to me."

Paige stared at him in disbelief.

"His words were truly offensive my Lady," Elizabeth told her.

"I don't care, there was no call for what Walter just did," Paige said stubbornly.

Greetings, hope you all are doing well. To the Adventure! -Tim