Childrens Lesson Room

Cassie smiled at her Son as he finished writing out the final line of his letters.

"Very good Liam, you are getting this quickly" Cassie priased.

Liam hugged his mother "Thanks Mother" he said with a smile.

"Now Son you are due for a Archery lesson with the master. Get a move on, you know he is annoyied when you are late"

Liam nodded "Yes Mother" he kissed her cheek and went to get is things before leaving.

Desdemona was looking desperately for her sister, clutching a letter tightly in her hand. She could not believe it... It was too terrible to think about... her marry... marry the Baron!?

"Cassie?" Desdemona said entering the room. She couldn't keep the distress in her voice hidden. "Might I have a word?"

Cassie nodded detecting the distress in her sisters voice.

"Of course Des, We were just finished" she said.

Liam nodded to his Aunt, " See you later Aunt Des, I am going to Archery" he said with a note of excitiment, oblivious to his Aunt problem as he ran out of the room.

"What is wrong Des?" Cassie asked motioning for her sister to come to her once liam left.

Desdemona was too miserable to even attempt to smile at her nephew. An oddity in itself. She usually doted on her niece and nephew and took every opportunity to spoil them.

"Father sent me a very troublesome letter..." Desdemona said approaching Cassie.

As she got closer she sat down and all of her resolve, dissolved. "Is it true Cas? Am I to marry the Baron Yorick!?"

Cassie sighed and sat beside her little sister, "Oh Des, I told him not to.... I told him you would be meserable with him, but as usual father would not listen to me it seems" Cassie said putting her hand on Des shoulder.

"I will try and convince him to chance his mind Des... I promise, I won't let you go with the old brute of a man" she said hateing seeing her sister upset.

"So it is true then!" Desdemona exclaimed her voice near hysterics. "The fact that he told you only verifies it! How long have you known? How long has he been planning this?"

Cassie put both her hands one her sisters shoulders, " I am so sorry I didn't tell you, I only found out he had been planning this since 2 week ago, he mentioned Yorick as a candidate and told him not to even think it, that the Baron couldn't be trusted. I thought he might have trusted my word.... I so sorry Des... Father has lost his mind" she said pulling her self closer to her sister.

"I am so sorry I will talk to father in person this time if I have to, or I will go with you and you can talk to him?" she offered.

"Oh can you Cas? I don't think I could go there alone... Father never listens to me." Desdemona conceded approvingly.

"But how could he even think that me and the Baron..." Desdemona trailed off unable to articulate her words but her meaning was clear. What in Merlin's name was Alastiar thinking?!

Cassie nodded, "Yes, sister, I will talk to him, I was arrange to go there as soon as I can" she said.

She sighed, " I am not sure what is going through his head Des, but I will try and find out I promise. Now try to calm down ok?" she said rubbing her sisters back in a soothing motion.

Desdemona shook her head. "I don't know if that will help much Cassie, when father makes up his mind..." Desdemona closed her eyes. "I can't marry the Baron, I can't!"

Cassie sighed, "We will think of something Des, there got to be a way... I won't give up Des.. you shouldn't yet either. I swear Des, I will do everything I can to protect you form that man... Okay?" she said rubbing her sisters back.

Desdemona didn't know what else to say. She believed Cassie would do everything in her power to help her... but once their father made up his mind...

Desdemona nodded slowly. "I hope we will be able to change his mind..."