"Why must we always stay behind?" remarked Allira's eldest, who stood beside her. Allira gave a resigned shrug in answer as she turned to go inside. She always felt she should have named this daughter Echo, not Bruna. Even before Bruna developed laran, it seemed she was able to speak Allira's mind before Allira spoke it herself.
"Lady Alton?" said a voice behind her as she stepped onto the threshold.
"Yes?" she answered, turning back.
Cathal di Asturian stood in front of her, a step down so she could look at him directly. "Lord Alton gave orders to keep a man on watch at all times," he said, "and lock the gates. I would not plan on going out riding until he returns."
Allira nodded. "I doubt, though, if you will have anything to deal with, except boredom. Baldric is too far away to do much harm to us."
"Baldric is not the only bandit in the hills, lady," Cathal replied.
"We've not been bothered by bandits in a long while."
"Nonetheless, Lady...."
Allira waved his objection aside. "I know, I know, your orders."
"Yes, lady," Cathal said, bowing and descending the stairs.
"I should've cut my hair and put on Kennard or Gwynn's clothes," Bruna muttered behind Allira when Cathal was out of earshot.
"Your father allowed us to learn to handle a sword so we could defend ourselves if need be. I doubt if following him is what he had in mind," Allira replied in an ironic undertone.
Bruna crossed her arms and nodded toward the retreating line of riders. "If I were a man, I'd be heir to Alton and would be riding with them."
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