Marriage is Murder

"I think most of us are fine with the heat, but we do need to think about the fact that we are feeding kids too," Khaat said. "Do make some without the heat because the babies are not going to like them. So far they like almost anything we give them. I'd like to not stop that simply because we like the heat and they don't."

"We'll make sure that they don't get anything hot," Brian reassured her. "Alright. Finish that brandy. You've been up long enough for someone who was to be in bed tonight. Finish up so I can take you back upstairs."

"I think I can make it myself," she said.

"Never mind," Robert said, finishing his own brandy. "I'm going that way myself. And so is your mother. She has to fix breakfast for about two dozen people. I think we still remember how to make sure she gets to bed, Brian. Goodnight, everyone." He got up and so did Kate. Robert waited for Khaat while she and Kate said goodnight, and then he escorted the women upstairs.

Jack and Steven said there good nights and watched Robert go . Steven was the first to speak after " I'll make two batches one with heat one with out for the kids theirs will be a slightly sweet sauce " he said and saw Jack yawn " sleepy mate?" he asked and Jack looked at him.

" yeah afraid so " he said and Steven chuckled " well I'm gonna say night too" he stood up and smiled as he aperated to the cabin and Jess who had just put the kids down to sleep. Steven looked at Brian and Khaat and finished his Brandy.

" ok good night to both of you and I'll see you both on the start line tomorrow " he said and chuckled as he aperated to his cabin where Cassidy was sat in front of the fire reading she smiled seeing him and stood up placing the book down on a small table next to her. Steven lead her to the main bed room to sleep.

The next thing that Khaat knew she felt Brian toss back the covers and get up, yawning. She woke up briefly.

"Should I go with you?" she asked sleepily.

"No," he said. "Its just a run. Go back to sleep, Sweetheart. We'll be back before the kids wake up. I promise. Just go back to sleep." He kissed her softly, and she slipped back into a deep sleep. He was glad she was able to shut out the ugliness of yesterday enough to really rest. He dressed and went downstairs, taking his winter coat with him, and now smelling fresh coffee.

"You have 2 minutes," Kate said, handing him a coffee mug. He took in the deep, heady aroma of fresh french roast and took the time to get a single cup of coffee before they went out.

Steven woke early before sun up and was out on the balcony stretching Cassidy was sound asleep still that was until one of the twins woke and cried. She sat up but Steven walked over to them and quickly changed James settling him back in his cot. " I got to go run now, I'll see you later at the main house " he said and kissed her gently before smiling and aperating out of the house.

Jack woke and stretched as Jess walked in with a cup of coffee smiling at him," morning" she said and sat with him on the bed " you have that run to do " she said and he nodded as he took the coffee and drank it one arm around her waist.

"Nice coffee and yeah I know " he said placing he cup down he slipped from the bed and dressed in his sweats and trainers before returning to his coffee finishing it he watched Andrew walk in in his toy story pajamas's smiling.

"Morning daddy." he said and climbed up to sit with Jess on the bed as they both saw Jack aperate out as he spoke.

" Morning son see you later" he said as he disappeared.

Robert finished some last minute correspondence and put on his running shoes and went downstairs and gave Kate his empty tea mug.

"Everything alright?" Kate asked him.

"Meh. The St. Mungos Gringotts account is off by about ten galleons. I'll find it when I get back. I refuse to not have the accounts balance," he said. "Have you seen Lee yet?"

"Outside giving his men their morning briefing. He said he'd meet you outside," Kate said.

"Sounds fine. Let's go, then," he motioned to Brian and they went outside. They said god morning to everyone and began to do a few stretches to warm up.

"You guys ready to go?" Lee came over, ready to run.

"I think so," Robert said. He turned too the others. "You all?"

Steven moved and stretched as he saw Lee walk over and he smiled standing with Robert. " I am, what about you Jack, you ready?" he said Jack smiling and nod.

" yes I am bring it on" he said and chuckled his arms across his chest as he stood looking at Lee " you ready to eat my dust?" he said and smiled knowing it was meant in jest nothing more he would not use his wear strength or speed in this run it was all human in this from now on.

"You all sure you're not just going to give up now?" Lee asked.

"Why should I give up when I trained all these guys?" Brian asked. "I need to find out if I still measure up."

"Very well, then," Robert said. "The track is set. This race is about endurance, not your best time. This will take more than running. It will take your management of the cold as well. It is a long course. Its a 5 K course. You should be able to do it in an hour, no longer than 90 minutes. Speed will gain you nothing. Not this time. This is about how long you can hold out. If you become unwell at any point, for any reason, apparate back to the house and then send up sparks so we don't keep looking for you. If you get lost on the trails, stop and send up sparks so we can find you. But for now..." he drew his wand and flicked it. The lights on the trail lit up and he sheathed his wand again. "Stay on the trail. You can begin whenever you like. When you reach the end, you will end up back here. Go inside and get warm and Kate will send up green sparks for each one that reaches home until we're all back. The run has officially begun."

Steven looked at jack and together they took off down the trail following the lights once or twice Steven lost his footing but Jack caught him and held him up so they both ran on looking around they could not see Robert but they both knew he would be some place ahead of them and so kept running not wanting to lose to Lee or any of his men. Coming to a large tree Jack jumped up then offered his hand to pull Steven over it then jumped down the other side. Steven jumped down and ran on Jack close behind him. Soon they both returned to the grass in front of the main house both out of breath they both looked for Robert and Brian.

Lee and his running partner came out from the house with coffee mugs. "Welcome...wait...Brian and Robert aren't with you?" Lee frowned. "They're not here. They're still out there someplace." He summoned his men quickly and then he gave them one very simple order. "Go find them. Now." He looked back at Jack and Steven. "I've run with them before. They'd have been back by now. Something went wrong."

Meanwhile, Robert was kneeling with Brian off the trail, down a steep hill in the snow. He was working helping Brian. Beside Brian laid a huge wolf that looked a great deal like Cara but had been vicious. The wolf had attacked Brian, lunging at him and knocking him off the trail and sending him and the wolf both tumbling down the hill while the wolf began just mauling him. Robert had killed the wolf to save Brian. And now he found Brian had dislocated his knee. Robert used a spell to create a splint and had set the knee. Then he took the pain away from him. "You feel like you can get up?" Robert asked. Brian nodded, but when he tried to get up, his leg would not begin to hold and the pain tore up and down his leg. "Wait" Robert said. He picked up a large strong straight stick and handed it to him to use as a staff. Then he helped Brian to his feet. "You're bleeding all over this lovely white snow," Robert managed a smile.

"And I'm sure that's worse than the wolf carcass," Brian sighed.

Steven and Jack looked at Lee and ran back out this time walking the path of the run rounding a corner they saw Robert and Brian. " what happened ?" he asked but a crow passing over told him " that dam wolf Cara told me about him , good thing hes gone means Cara's mate is pack leader now" said Steven and Jack moved to Brian looking at him.

" want me to carry you back yo0u look pretty beat up " he said looking at Brian and Robert " I'm sure Lee will understand about the run" he said hesitating on picking Brian up as Steven spoke to an owl letting it take a note to the main house to say they had found them and Brian was injured and to be ready.