Dark Worries|Clan Fira | Naurorod

[Northen Light36]

Tres contains herself until she gets to her hut, sending a scout to fetch Damien and asking one of the minds in the clan to request Thelon visit her.

Once inside her hut though, with the door closed and curtains drawn, Tres begins to shake even as Flame wails for her next meal. Feeding her daughter and trembling, Tres waits for her husband and friend.

[Kender Bard]

Thelon is quick in coming. Tres takes priority over many things, though he does have one of his men ready to alert him to any of the needs his councilors might have. Spotting Tres, he approached to hug her close. "Tres, Tres, dearest, what's wrong? You look so upset."

[Northen Light36]

Damien and Ann aren't far behind Thelon, both being so fond of Tres that they'd dropped everything upon receving the message.

"Elder Tres?" Ann asks. "What's the matter?" Tres looks up, her eyes bright with fear.

"I think Fira may be in trouble," she sighes and explains what happened. Damien is swearing by the end of the tale, knowing damn well Char won't take the insult lightly.

"This isn't good, Tres," he says bluntly. "What were you thinking?"

"He threatened our clan first, Damien," Tres replied, leaning into her husband's embrace. "If I had backed down, Fira would look weak. Eventually Char might set their sights on us. I couldn't risk that."

"Damned if you do, damned if you don't," Damien sighs. "Tres, I'll do what I can, but if this erupts into conflict, you know Ann and I can't help Fira." Tres shivers, thinking of how poor Fira's chances of winning a battle against Char are.

"I know," she whispers.

[Kender Bard]

Thelon stroked Tres's hair, contemplating his options carefully. "I can," he said slowly. "But don't get too excited. I can't put my people into a clan war. They would resent it too much. But I can offer my own services, as a three mind, and as a leader of another nation. Surely the man isn't so prideful that he'd risk the ire of both Fira and Sensatia?"

[Northen Light36]

"I hope not," Damien sighs. "I really hope not." He puts a hand on Tres' shoulder and says soothingly, "Ann and I will ride for Char in the morning. With a little luck, Charminei and Alexian will at least have cool enough heads to realise this isn't worth a fight."

"Thank you, Damien," Tres sighes, calming slightly from Thelon's stroking and Damien's words.

"It's my job," Damien replies with a smile. As Tres closes her eyes and leans back against Thelon, Damien gives the other three signer a grim look and thinks, "Look after her Thelon. If this comes to a clan war and Fira loses, the best fate Tres can hope for is excile." Hoping the other man heard his thoughts, Damien takes Ann's hand and leads her out of the hut.

Flame, sensing the tension in the room or maybe her mother's fear, begins to sniffle.

[Kender Bard]

Thelon releases Tres and goes to take Flame into his arms. "Tres, you are always safe with me around. I'm not a warrior but I know enough about preservation that I can, at the very least, keep our family safe always."

[Northen Light36]

"I know, Thelon," Tres replies, watching her daughter being comforted by her husband. "I just don't want you hurt... Or my clan... Or even Char, as much as I think their pride could stand to take a few blows." She sighes. "I just hope this can be sorted out peacefully."

[Kender Bard]

"It probably can," Thelon says simply, and carries Flame to her cradle to set her in, as well as setting down a teddy with her. "But come on, Tres. Damien is going to sort things out. He's not the best diplomat the world has ever seen, but he handles the clans masterfully. So let's go curl up and forget about this for now."

[Northen Light36]

Tres smiles, getting to her feet and taking Thelon's hand. Kissing his cheek, she murmurs, "I think that's the best offer I've heard this week. Thank you, dear."