I sat relaxing in bed a bit after Hiila left, trying to control my thoughts and feelings. I wasn’t sure what to do about the strangers. Since it seemed everyone thought I was asleep, I opened the door to the closet and enter my castle. I needed to speak to Emily. I found her laying in her apartment reading something. I didn’t have much time, so we discussed things quickly and decisions were made. I ordered in the council, decrees were wrote. I rushed back to Echo’s keep.

I arrived back in the room I left from. I stood looking around a bit. The room was comfortable but not as lavish as home. Echo’s main keep, Thistleback, was still being built, for now they were residing in what was more like a longhouse. It was one level with the great hall in the center, doors on both sides lead to bedrooms, the kitchens, a washroom, and Echo’s study. Several small buildings out back held the laundry, and servants quarters. I wondered briefly if the lack of grandeur was what had Margaret looking so gloomy, but then the home she came from was similar to this yet smaller. I would try to take time today to speak to her.

I left the room to search for Raven. He was in the hall with Echo, Ash and Nicky talking and laughing. They all turned as I entered the room, no one stood as would be appropriate when the Queen entered, there was no audience here, now I was only sister, friend and wife. “You look much refreshed dear, come sit, tell us what you think” Echo said. I pulled up a seat next to Raven and reached over to steal some tart from his trencher. “I sent food to your rooms sister, did you not enjoy it?” Echo asked. I shook my head yes, chewing up the sweet pastry. “Don’t mind my wife, brother, she carries our next bairn and eats more than all of us this early on” Raven said with a chuckle. I finished chewing and glared at him, he winked and grinned in return. Damn man, I hate it when he grins at me like that, makes me forget that I would like to throttle him.

“Gentlemen” I said sarcastically. “I have spoke to Odin, Hiila, and Emily, I have held a council meeting as well. While I’m and not yet sure of the fate of Echo’s guest, much has been decided. They can not be allowed to go back. They have been here too long and pose to much risk to us. There is also the matter of the doors. Mother has placed a weave on the doors that can not be undone. The doors will only close upon the birth of my next daughter. We must be prepared for more wandering in. It has also been brought before me, that we should limit our risk by bring people over from the dying lands that are ancestored to this land. Those who have the most memory of this place must come first. It is our best protection until the doors are sealed. It is also only right. Some are meant to return here, it is their fate. New decrees have been put in place for those coming from the dying lands. They must swear a blood oath to remain here and live by our ways and laws. We will have each fostered with a village family to learn our ways. They can not bring their beliefs here. They can not bring their technology here. To break a law means death. They will be given this choice to stay, if they refuse they must be put to death, they can not return to the dying lands.” I declared.

All were in agreement with what I said.