Coryn made his move on the camp of Saban, he came alone, thinking he would not need Beaver and his renegades to subdue the two men.

Jamie had given Quentin a musket, but Quentin did not like the gun, he prefered bows, when someone had taken it he had not minded now that the threat of General Harding had been taken care of, and Ferrin had been promoted to General as Harding had gone back to England.

"Prepare to die," Coryn said pointing the musket at Saban.

Coryn why do you do this?" Saban asked as Quentin put himself in front of Coryn so he would be shot. But he did not think the gun was loaded.

"Because I should have been chief not you, you are weak," Coryn said.

Quentin saw a flash and realized that the gun was loaded, and Coryn knew how to use it.

But then the gun exploded, a ball clipped Quentin's shoulder knocking him to the grown.

Toma, Lobo, Kivak, and Lunan stepped from the bushes.

"He breaths no more. He would have killed Saban, Quentin would give his life for Saban," Lunan said, going to Quentin to see how badly the young man was hurt.

"I told you Quentin was loyal to you brother," Kivak said smiling, as he saw Quentin sit up and look around.

"I had no doubt, Jamie and Quentin are friends, but now Coryn is dead and should his family be shamed for his dishonorable death?" Saban asked.

"No the other men said in unison

"It is no fault of theirs, we should bury the body deep and none tell," Quentin said, as Lunan cleaned his wound, which was not bad.

"What do you say Toma it was your arrow that killed the traitor?" Saban asked.

"I agree his family is innocent, and while not knowing if he will return will be a hardship it is the kindest way," Toma said.

"I will tell them I saw him die in a vision by the claw of the rogue bear we have seen, It will be the truth for I dreamed it nights ago," Lunan suggested.

The men all agreed, and Quentin would tell everyone the gun discharged when it dropped, which was also the truth, because Coryn had dropped it as he fell with Toma's arrow.

Jamie and Octavia had talked hours about what to do about Julius and Delilah. Octavia had came to the conclusion that there was nothing they could do. Not until they came to them for help. But Jamie did not like that idea, but she was correct in her thinking that if they interferred Delilah would be upset. She probably didn't even know they had witnessed the furniture being removed.

"But I have to do something," he said aloud, thinking a good ride would help him think and he needed to think deeply.

Dancer barked and ran into the woods, and Jamie sighed, the dog was even tired of hearing him talk about it.

The dog returned with the tail of one of Olys kites in his mouth like a prize and Jamie sighed, it was the kite that Tristen crashed while helping Nicholas fly a kite, and poor Nicholas had cried and cried over the loss of the kite.

"Oly, might have some ideas, he is so good dealing with people," Jamie said, thinking how much he missed Neils and Seth's advice. Neils seemed upset with him and Seth was busy with trying to find a replacement for constable and helping train the new Captain that Ferrin had sent.

The next evening Jamie arranged to go by Oly's station to see him, he was in his office,

Jamie was glad Neils was no where to be found. He did not feel up to dealing with Neils. Who seemed to be angry at him ever since the kite incident.

"Come on into my office Jamie," Oly said smiling.

"Thank you for seeing me so quickly I know you are a busy man," Jamie said.

"Not so much really, that is what a good manager is for, I spent the afternoon fishing and swimming with my sons," Oly laughed, "So tell me what is bothering you so much young man, you look like you are carrying a peck or two of trouble on those shoulders," Oly said looking at the smaller and younger man.

"Well I need your opinion, I don't know who to turn to, Neils is upset with me, and Seth is occupied, and I know Lewis and Jack would not have a clue of what to do in this situation," Jamie sighed.

"Please tell me what it is if I can not help maybe I can at least point you in a good direction to take," Oly said smiling.

Jamie blurted out the whole story about the gambling, and how he feared his daughters marriage was doomed.

"Ah I was afraid of that," Oly sighed, "Olga told me that those children were just given everything and taught little about the world in which we live. I think I have a solution." Oly said thoughtfully.

He pulled a cord near his roll top desk and in a few seconds, his manager appeared.

"Yes sir?" the man asked, very seldom did Oly summon him.

"Have you hired a new clerk for apprentice yet?" Oly asked.

"No sir, I have asked several of the better educated drivers as you suggested but none of them are willing to give up driving to clerk, did you wish me to go put an advertisment in Roland's paper sir?" he asked.

"No I think I found someone for the job, so keep it open until further notice," Oly said.

"Very well sir," the man said.

"Now then, I will write a letter offering young Julius this job and a house here, also I wish to purchase the house they own now, for my daughter Myrah she and Logan are to be married and Logan will be taking the manager job in Rivers Edge, so they will need a home there. This house I am offering them here in town is Neils old house, Roland and Amelia are moving into their new home near me." Oly said smiling.

"Sounds like a good plan I will take the letter to them tomorrow, Neils old house will be fine for them they do not need such a big house with only them and the baby." Jamie said.

"Yes well I am giving Myrah and Logan this house with strings attached, they have to board the little brothers and my grandsons when they go to academy in Rivers Edge. It is a good plan for everyone knows how young men are when they get out of beneath their fathers roof," Oly laughed.

Jamie nodded.

Jamie knew this would not be easy, he decided to take Julius out for tea at the pub that Todd was planning on buying. Todd had asked him what he thought of the place and this would be a chance to see it.

Slowly Jamie let Julius know there was no choice in this and that if he did not do this Jamie would have no choice but to take Delilah home with him. This of course was a bluff, he could not force Delilah to go home, but he would try to convince her.

Julius read the letter from his uncles father, and sighed, what choice did he have, Jamie was right, it was a chance to start over. The idea of really having to report for a job chaffed him but how hard could it be to clerk and Paul had suggested he charge for playing music at events. Once that caught on he could quit that pence pinching job.

"Have you seen this house?" Julius asked.

"Many times, Roland lived there while he was building his new house over on Swensen Road." Jamie explained.

"There is room for my grand piano?" Julius asked.

Jamie shrugged, "Should be."

Jamie thought when Roland had first moved there he had the printing press set up there.

"Delilah is not going to like this," Julius said.

"You are the man, you are to make the decisions," Jamie said, "Once you have children you will have to decide things together, but for now, The house is yours and you need to work to support the family you are to have."

"Yes sir," Julius sighed, Jamie had him, right by the short and curlies, he had to do this even if it was for a short time. He had paid off the loan maker. But it had left them with nothing much. The bedroom, babies room, and kitchen left, one wagon should move it.

Jamie thought the pub would do well will a bit of decoration and a good menu. He hated to see Todd leave, but he was wishing to marry Susanna and her father said if he bought the business he would agree.

Ivan could be a bit of a hand full, but he was not a bad child, just very full of energy and usually very cheerful.

But about the second week of school he seemed to grow moody even grouchy in the afternoon, and Monique did not understand. Orsen was just as puzzled, and he told his teacher he did not understand it and he knew Ivan was trying no keep his temper in check. Ivan and Lewis's two children Thoren and Ingrid were both puzzled by their uncles behaviour as well. The five children all were picked up by a driver of Olys and taken to their homes.

Lucas, Tristen, and Adam had no idea why their friend was suddenly grouchy in the afternoon, after one fight with Ben Martin, and Ben had accidently splashed him. Monique was sure that it had been an accident and Ben had not started it. She kept him after school which really made Ivan angry.

"If mother is in town tell her to come out here please," Monique told Lucas, who with Adam and Tristen would go to the inn.

"Of course Miss Warwick," Lucas said carefully.

She smiled at him, she loved her little brothers they were all such good boys, and Olys boys were good too that was why she didn't understand Ivan's change of disposition.

So now she gave him a little lecture, but just a little kind one, and asked him to write I will not hit others on his black board.

Octavia was an experienced teacher and mother, and Ivan's behaviour puzzled her.

"Ivan I need you to tell me why you are acting so mean? This is not like you," Octavia said sitting beside the boy.

Ivan sighed, and said, "I do not know why I hit Ben, I just lost my temper."

"You are sorry you did it aren't you?" Octavia asked.

Ivan nodded and winced slightly.

"I will be right back," Octavia said, and went next door to Monique and Annabelle's house.

Ivan seemed to be brooding and this puzzled Monique but she hoped her mother could figure out what to do.

Octavia returned with a plate of food, and then took Monique outside after telling Ivan to try it and see if he liked it.

"He is not eating his midday meal for some reason, we must find out why, is someone taking it? I know Oly and Janette would not send him to school without a lunch and his brothers have it, I will come tomorrow and help you watch when they take lunch. Not having food would be the reason for his short temper and grumpy disposition, also makes it hard for him to think with his stomach rumbling.

"Oh mother poor Ivan, I should take him home now, it is too long of a ways for him to walk," Monique said, she wondered if she should be a teacher, her mother had figured out the mysterious problem almost instantly.

"I will take him home, my horse is already hitched to my rig. See you tomorrow," Octavia said, she had forgotten how much she missed the school room. Now she felt glad her daughter was teaching. Jamie was right she was mature enough to handle this. Calling her in to consult was a sign of that maturity.

The next day neither Octavia or Monique saw who stole the lunch out of Ivan's pail, Octavia came up with an idea, after she slipped the extra lunch she had brought into Ivans pail.

The next day she took Ivan's lunch and put red ink made out of berries that Quentin had taught the boys to make while they were spending a month with him.

Then they settled in for lessons when it was lunch time, Lucas invited Ivan and his brothers to lunch with their mother, and Monique saw at once who had stolen Ivan's lunch.

She allowed him to eat it. It was Daniel Chastaine the poorest boy in her class, she took him to the wood shed and asked her mother to have who ever had reports ready to read to the class.

"Why did you take Ivan's food, and if you had no food why not ask me?" Monique asked.

"Because last year I asked Mr. Havern, he told my mother and her man whipped me for begging. Ivan is a bit fat I figured he could do without some lunches. My mother is not allowed to give me lunch because her man says I am careless because I lost my lunch last year," he sobbed.

"Well your mothers man sounds mean, so I won't say anything but I will give you lunch but you can't tell anyone," Monique said feeling sorry for the boy.

"I promise I will never tell now you better whip me for taking Ivan's lunch," Daniel sobbed.

"No I think I can think of a better punishment, I will let you know what it is later, I think I will have you do some work around the school that needs done, now wash up and get back to class." Monique said thinking that whipping a boy that always got whipped would not do any good, she also thought she knew that Ivan knew who was stealing his lunch and it was why he hadn't said anything.

The next day she would fill the empty lunch pail Daniel kept at school with food and he would not steal anyones lunch

She wished she could do something more for him, but she knew he only barely was allowed to come to school, she had seen Haverns notes that he had to almost threaten the mother to get the brothers in school. The older brother was twelve now and could legaly leave school, as he was working age.

Less than a week later Oly sent some of his men and wagons to move them and a covered coach for Delilah to ride to the new home in.

Delilah was not thrilled when she saw the house they were moving into, she did not know this was Oly and her fathers doing, she thought it was all Julius's idea to take the job and trade down because they had lost the horses, most their furnishings, except of course that bloody huge piano of his.

"And what on earth did Roland do to this front yard it looks like a battleground." Delilah sighed.

He kept his horse in the yard," Julius said, "Spring we can plant a garden

He had dug up a table and chairs, that had probably belong to the servants, now not only was she pregnant but she would have to do all the work, there was no money to pay the servants. As soon as they were in the new house he started kissing her before she could complain about the piano taking up the whole room.

"I know it is not as nice as what either of us are accustomed to but we have to make sacrifices. Because of my poor judgement. I love you Delilah," he sighed.

"I love you, I guess if Amelia put up with having a printing press in here I can have that thing in here." she said.

He looked hurt, he loved his piano, and music was his life. He was giving up a lot to be with her. He could be in Europe with his parents, perhaps playing for the court.

That winter was a especially hard one on Amberly.

Delilah was glad the house was snug they easily stayed warm, while Myrah had told Oly the house they had was a bit drafty.

That winter Delilah had twin daughters, and she was thrilled with them, one had green eyes like her mother. She named them Rochelle and Rosalee.

She heard from her mother that Lissa had her baby named Angelique, after her husbands deceased mother.

Deliah could not wait until spring and the social life started up again.

Meanwhile Neils was concerned with the nonprodutive young clerk they had hired. Oly sighed he did not know what he was going to do about that young man.

He thought it best if maybe he called Jamie in and his father in law lit a fire under him, he had not made any bad mistakes he was just slow, and the other two clerks had complained to Neils about doing their work and about a quarter of Orphingtons work.