Raven and I stood, Ash and Odin were seated as Echo entered the room. His immediate look showed he was afraid we had betrayed his attempts to our father. Once he realized the ease at which Odin was reclined, a brief look of relief washed over his handsome face as he sat down. Raven began the conversation.

“Echo, we ask you here because we have given great thought to your wish for position. We have thought long about it brother and have come to a solution” Raven declared. He then went on in great detail about how the kingdom would be guarded by the various stewards, who they were and what areas they would guard. I was actually surprised that Echo seemed happy with the arrangement. Echo jumped up to grab a mug of ale to celebrate when I stepped in front of him.

“We are not yet finished little brother” I said and he resumed his seat. starting to look ill at ease. “As a part of your stewardship, you must take to wife, Margaret, Daughter of William the Red” I said sweetly. He laughed, and then noticed no one else was sharing in his mirth.

“You, She, you can not be serious” he stammered looking from Me to Raven then back again. I started to speak when Odin stood up looking thunderous! “She is, and you will, within the month, you will wed William the Red’s daughter and after the wedding, a ceremony will be held to appoint the stewardships. So help me boy, I have been soft with you, a mistake I see full well now, you will do as your brother and sister, the King and Queen announce or you will not have the position you desire so!” Odin boomed, each word about louder than the next.

Echo turned various shades of red before bowing to Raven and I. “It is as you wish Majesty” Echo mumbled, bowing deeply. With that we excused everyone from the room. Now that we had an agreement it was time to advise the others about their upcoming appointments as stewards.

We spoke to William first, going to great lengths to ensure him his daughter would be well kept. William was one of Odin’s only friends. He was old, but not as old as I, he was actually about 15 blossoms my junior. He was a strong powerful man, one any warrior would be glad to call friend and stand beside in battle. He was not the most handsome man mind you. He was known as The Red, due to his fiery red hair and matching temper. He had one daughter and nine sons to his wife, Patience. Of those sons only six yet lived, three fell victim to the Black years. The oldest living son is Hamish, Emily’s betrothed. We made arrangements for Margaret to remaining here at the castle until the wedding. She would arrive in three days time.

The rest of the afternoon we spent talking to the other stewards. That evening Raven, Ash and Nicky had to go over building plans, and make arrangements for the stewards to be appointed a small amount of men and guards. I was going to spend some time in the nursery with Izzy, Neil and Hawk! No soon than I had advised Raven of this, that Hamish walked in dragging a crying nursery maid named Flora…Hawkins was gone!