Marriage is Murder

Jack took his hand hard and shook it " ah a man after 
 my own heart. " he said grinning at him " yep another load should do it." he said and moved back outside grasping the axe he swung at a log and split it in one blow. " so how you liking it here Marcus?" he asked as he placed another and hit it hard splitting that one nor first time but second as it stuck to the axe.

Jess looked at Khaat as she lifted her hand off Khaat's shoulder. "Feeling better?" she asked in a general way" okay I have to check on the children." she said and smiled at them both as she pasted them both.

Marcus followed Jack outside. Marcus took off his formal suit jacket and loosened his tie and then picked up a second axe and began to split wood right along side him.

"I'm still trying to figure it out a bit," Marcus said. "Let me see if I've got this right. Looks like it was an ambitious bachelor pad for an outdoor guy that's just morphed bigger and bigger. Looks like the feminine touches have been added afterwards to fit in with his tastes. But, by the fact that he's put a flower shop's worth of roses all over the house, it does rather look like a guy who planned on being single forever who ended up tail over teakettle for a woman. Not sure how the platoon of kids came in, but obviously they came a bit all at once.

"So--should I take it that there is generally always someone up and awake? I admit I've been concentrating on making sure Khaat is comfortable with me. I haven't made any big reaches to get to know anyone else yet."

Jack listened as Marcus spoke as he chopped. " yep sounds about right that." he said chuckling as he swung the axe over his shoulder and brought it down hard."Ah well three are Jess's and mine, three are Steven and Cassidys, but Abby, Dakota, little Michael and Little Robert are Khaat and Brian's." he said bringing the axe down on the log." There's a second axe over there." he said as he pointed to the tool shed. " And to answer your question, yes , Angus is first up he likes to make breakfast for every one hes more than a cook his a heck of an Auror, usually I'm next  don't sleep too well especially if its a full  moon" he paused as he looked at him wondering if he would work out what he was, but he said nothing and would not if he said nothing.

"When Robert interviewed me, he told me you were dealing with the curse," Marcus said, working as he talked. "I am a British citizen but I've been working for the Bulgarian Minister, specializing in personal protections for a long time. Remember there are some more remote parts of Bulgaria that are steeped in regional tradition--a bit more old fashioned. Therefore the risk to the Minister and his family and guests are definitely more escalated. Hence the need for a protection unit.

"I was sent here on another diplomatic errand, but that business appears to be concluded. And since I was on assignment from the Bulgarian minister, I needed to check in with Minister Lupin from my first arrival.

"I suppose Minister Lupin talked with me, perhaps a week or two ago. He told me of the seriousness of Khaat's injury then and the seriousness of the werewolf problem you're having. Sounds like you're trying to do a lot with a small number. Perhaps if I can concentrate on keeping Khaat out of the battle, at least while she has her magic on the fritz, then I would guess your odds in dealing with this strange pack might well be better.

"But I understand what you mean about not sleeping well. I haven't slept well for so long, I don't even remember what a full nights sleep feels like," Marcus smiled. "But compared to how stubborn the Bulgarian Minister is, this assignment should be a bit of relief," he laughed. "She sounds stubborn but not without reason. My usual client isn't so predictable."

Jack listened to Marcus and nodded " yeah we had several battles with them, the last one was a big one" he said continuing his chopping " I guess Robert didn't tell you all about these particular wears.."he paused and looked up at him. " I'm related to them..by blood" he continued with his chopping. " that's something for another day" he said. Soon they had a large enough pile and he stopped. " that should be it he was about to pick them up when he stopped " what the.." he saw Brant returning on the horse or rather the horse return with him clinging to it he could not help but laugh out loud "seems our other new member found out he doesn't know how to ride a horse " he said as Brant dropped to the floor and sat looking disheveled.

Jack walked over to him and helped him to his feet he glanced back at Marcus as he spoke "Marcus, Brant here is our resident potioneer and is still finding his feet" he said as he felt Brant's legs give out under him.

Marcus saw the man being dragged by the horse, and he knew that men had surely been killed by far less. But before he could step in to help, it was over and Jack was helping him up.

But Jack' remark left Marcus confused. Brant was the potioneer? Wasn't Robert also a potions maker? Marcus seemed to remember reading newspaper articles about Robert. He hadn't seen anything on Brant.

He didn't make a remark. He only made a mental note to read the dossiers that Robert had agreed to provide for him. Marcus had requested them, not to spy on his new housemates, but rather to help him fit in a bit more quickly and to try to get his facts straight in such a large household.

"Try the mare next time," Marcus suggested to Brant, pointing at the light tan colored mare that was walking peacefully back towards the corral. He knew that Brant needed a moment to get past the shaking up he'd taken. He figured he'd give the man a moment.

Brant took a deep breath in and stepped away
from Jack composing himself. "yes I am a potioneer, but Roberts the best of the best, he's, well... all I can only say is hes like Dumbledore where potions are concerned." he said brushing the dirt off his trousers. He looked at the mare and chuckled "Ah, right, yeah if I get back on one that is." he said rubbing his numb bum.   

Jack glanced at the mare Marcus had suggested and nodded " nice choice Marcus, shes very mellow and forgiving for a beginner" he said as Steven and Jim rode up quickly. Steven jumped off his horse and walked over to them as Jim dismounted and took the two horses to the corral.

"You okay?" he asked "He got spooked by something and  just took off." he said and breathed out seeing Brant unhurt but dirty. Turning to Marcus he held out his hand " Steven Walker" he said and waited for him to shake his hand.

Marcus listened to Brant clarify his position. That did help him. He was also hoping the potions maker would take a riding lesson or two before he got back on.

"Marcus Belby," Marcus said, shaking Steven's hand. He noticed the very tall old man come out with them. He didn't remember being introduce to him yet. "Let me ask a question," Marcus said. "Are there any cardinal rules I need to follow?"

"Discipline," the old man said. "Robert and Brian call the shots here, and they are very military minded. They're early risers, they expect physical fitness, promptness, loyalty, and skill. If you can bring that..."

"Not a problem," Marcus said casually. He normally worked out at night, but if the expectations were morning, then he would meet that. "But it is refreshing to see an organization that wants more of its aurors than merely men who can fire a wand. I respect that." He looked at the man who had answered him, "Have we met yet?"

"Edward Donohue," Edward said, "Friend of the family, grandfather of Angus. I've had some experience with werewolves."

"Donohue..." Belby thought. "Your name preceeds you. You have more than a bit of experience. An honor, Sir."

"Edward," Edward insisted on a lack of formality.

"Thank you," Marcus said. He was interrupted by a sharp whistle that seemed to be their direction.

"That would be our commander in chief," Edward laughed. "I do believe that is our summons to go get the little ones and get them set for dinner. They must be ready. Belby, you might want to go see how your skills of persuasion are with women and see if you can talk your client into coming to eat." Marcus looked at him questioningly. Marcus didn't have difficulties with women, but he wasn't sure why Edward thought it was needed. She didn't strike Marcus as the type.

Steven was about to answer Marcus when Edward did it for him. " He's right, that's all they ask." He said and turned to look at Edward. " Brant , I'd suggest lessons before you ride again." He saw Brant nod as they then both listened to Edward.

Brant looked to Edward some what puzzled and folded his arms, feeling some what left out, since Edward hadn't mentioned he was part of his family too."Please excuse me Marcus, I need to change, ow, I'm Brant Crawford, Edwards nephew." He added as he turning he walked to his room to change his clothes. Jim shook his head and walked over to them.

"Forgive Brant, hes still wet behind the ears." Jim said to Marcus and looked to Edward as the whistle went. " ah time to help the ladies. " He said and excused himself to help Jess and Cassidy bring down the children to the table for dinner. Steven chuckled and looked back to Edward and Marcus.

"Go ahead, I need check on the stallion." he said " ow,nice meeting you Marcus." he walked to the barn leaving Jack and Marcus with the wood pile. 

"Okay, you helping with the wood or am I carrying it all by myself?" he asked smiling at Marcus as he picked up an arm full of wood." ow and he's right, Khaat's like Robert and Kate combined if she doesn't want to do something , no way in hell will you or any one else get her to do it, so yeah , good luck" Jack said and smiled at him.

Edward was irked with Brant, but he kept a very straight, emotionless face. He said nothing. He excused himself with Belby and headed into the house. He found Robert, had a very brief word with him, and then headed upstairs. Robert sighed but then regrouped and went to help get the kids to the dinner table.

"Yeah," Marcus said to Jack, "I've got it." He picked up as many pieces of firewood as he could possible muscle and carried it into the house to put it beside the fireplace. He glanced towards the dining table, seeing Michael and Angus setting the table with large platters of pot roast, huge bowls of salad, baskets of bread, and pitchers of fresh strawberry lemonade. It smelled good.