Sand and Snow

"I don't know what you're talking about," Khaat said to her. "If you're going to work this business and work for me, you need to learn how to take a hit and roll with it. That's half the job." She looked up at Brian. "Let's send her to live at the farm and directly train under my father--for at least a week."

"Fine by me," Brian shrugged. "You think she's woman enough to handle a week in his hands?"

"I think that's exactly what she needs to know. Lets give her the chance to find out."

"I'll send the owl today, then," Brian said. He looked at Angus. "Get her ready. She ships out to the farm in the morning." He took Khaat by the arm and apparated back to the house.

Angus looked down at Cassidy and said quietly, "Let's go home." He touched her shoulder and apparated her back to the house to her room and laid her on the bed.

"First thing in the morning," Angus said to her. "I'd rest up if I were you. He won't cut you a break because you're a woman. And if you think Brian was asking a lot, then you have absolutely no clue about what its like to be Robert's sole project for awhile. There are a few who know--including Brian and Khaat both. Nobody ever comes back the same. He's never lost anyone, but you do need to be prepared that it won't be easy. Not at all. Understand this very clearly. Nobody's doing this to punish you. They're doing this to help you get past whatever impass you have. Its to make you a better fighter and a better guard. So, tell me, did you learn anything out there from watching Brian? Anything at all?"

Angus walked out to leave her to sleep. There was nothing more to be done there today.

Brian had returned back up to their room. "How did you know he was here, Khaat?" Brian asked her, sitting on their bed.

"I saw him from the window," she said softly, helping him to elevate his leg again. "How's the knee?"

"Fine," he said. "I'm fine. Are you really okay?"

"I'm fine. Do you think you killed him?"

"No. I don't. I wasn't intending to. I probably should have, but, no. I didn't. I only wanted to send him a message to get the hell out of here. I need to work with your father to set a different illusion spell to conceal the estate. His spells are stronger and cover wider ground. Its the only way we'll do it. By the way, wise choice back there with Cassidy. I think your father is a better teacher for her than me."

"You're a fine teacher, Brian. It isn't you. Its her. She has to learn from someone that will accept nothing less than utter respect. It's the only way."

"Khaat," he said, "Please. Don't go chasing Burke alone. Its my right to kill him as much as yours. If you're going to off him, I want to be there. I do trust that you can take care of yourself. Believe me, I do. I've seen you fight. I just want to be with you. Is that so wrong?"

"No," she kissed him softly and slowly. Then she sighed heavily. "I should get back downstairs."

"Why?"

"Daddy sent me a briefcase full of paperwork."

"It can wait. Can't it?" he asked. "I never see you anymore."

"And here I thought you were sick of me."

"No. Stay?"

"I guess I could--for awhile at least." She curled up with him on the bed and laid her head on his chest as he drew his arm across her.

"I'm hoping you packed a bag," Robert said, coming downstairs. He had been upstairs checking on Brian before he had attempted to bear weight on it. "You'll be staying with me for at least a week. By the way, Angus will be late this morning. I sent him to Paris on a mission for me during the night. He..."

As Robert spoke, Angus apparated back in, dressed in black from head to foot. Black slacks, black boots, a back shirt, his black leather duster coat, and his black leather hat. "You're back early," Robert frowned at Angus. "How did you do?"

"Better than I thought. I didn't have nearly the trouble I thought I would. Seems Brian left Gelding's household in chaos last night. They took Burke there. And evidently, they don't have a healer that has the best skills in regeneration. They brought someone in from Belgium during the night for him because, as the story goes, Burke nearly bled to death. Gelding is hot. He's tripled the bounty on Brian's head, and quadrupled it on yours."

"That's all?" Robert frowned. "I thought surely I'd be worth more than that by now. I ought to just pay my own ransom off and end all this."

"Ah, but here's the new rub. The price on Khaat? That's gone up too. Her death gets them everything Gelding's got. The whole works."

"He has lost his mind," Robert frowned. "That is not the news I wanted to hear this morning. Tell Brian. He'll want to know at once. Khaat's up and dressed. Well, she should be by now anyway. Anything else?"

"Yes. They're planning a raid on our Paris headquarters. They believe they know where it is."

"And do they?"

"Unsure."

"Well, then, I guess I have to go to Paris first thing," Robert said. "Lock it down here today. No one in or out. Nothing. Not until I return. Make sure you keep Brian fully updated. And don't ever let Khaat alone. She stays in the house. Got it?"

"Yes," Angus replied. He looked at Cassidy. "It smells like you made breakfast. Thank you. I'm sure Khaat and Brian will be down in a moment. Anything else I need to know about here this morning?"

"Very good. Thank you. Let's dish up the breakfast you fixed while we wait on not only Khaat and Brian but also on the rest of the dayshift to arrive," Angus said. He went into the kitchen and poured coffee and sent it upstairs for Khaat and Brian. He sent a mug of tea out for Robert and poured coffee for himself. After being up all night, the coffee smelled good to him.

A few minutes later, Khaat and Brian came downstairs. Brian still had to use his crutches, but he already felt better. The pain was much less now than it had been before the surgery. They greeted Angus and Cassidy and went to the dining room while Robert filled in Brian on the newest information that Angus had discovered in Paris. Brian's mind was working at light speed. He reached over and took Khaat's hand.

"You stay with me today, huh?" he asked her.

"I will. I have enough work to keep me busy all day," she said.