Lucas had never been away from his family except for the summer month he had spent with Quentin and even though he had barely known Quentin, that was his brother.

Orsen had been a long time friend, but still he did not know Myrah or Logan that well at all, and he was somewhat nervouse about living under their roof as well as attending academy.

The building was huge, and a bit frightening he was not ready for such an over powering building. He found his masters hard but the studies interesting, one in particular was daunting.

Mr. Barrett, his math instructor. He was called up on the bench for a lecture his first day.

"Now laddy, I do not know where you were schooled but no where I know does 15 go into 463 31 times, do you not know remainders, this is simple math," Mr. Barrett scolded.

"Yes sir but . . ." Lucas said, thinking the man had said round up to the closest number he had said nothing about remainders.

"This is wrong, do it again," Mr. Barrett sighed.

"Yes sir," Lucas said, feeling very confused.

The food was horrid. Myrah was not the best of cooks, but her food was wonderful after the fare at school.

What is this Orsen?" Lucas asked.

"I think it is bangers and mash."

"Its haggis," one of the upper classmen chortled.

"What is that?" Lucas whisphered

"What ever it is it is dreadful," Orsen said, wishing he had some of his fathers wonderful meatballs. Or one of his mothers flakey meat pies.

The upper class were allowed to eat first, but we all had to tidy up, and do the washing up after ourselves, after all there were no females of any kind allowed at Rivers Edge Academy.

Lucas wondered who prepared the meal, possiably the ancient Scotsman he had seen taking out some rubbish.

Everyone seemed so eager to get back to class after the horrid midday meal, there was no break after it like there was in primary.

Lucas hated it, but he would try his best he had to for his father, who was so proud of him for being the first Warwick to go to the academy.

It seemed like mostly what they did was go over things that Monique had taught them in primary school.

Lucas found himself day dreaming.

"Well Mr. Warwick, what do you think the main theme was in Taming of The Shrew?" the master asked.

"Education is important," he said, he had been miles away riding one of Lissa's horses in an imaginary race.

"Interesting," was all the master said.

Lucas was very homesick he hated this school, he was glad he was with Orsen. But he missed his mother and father, he even missed that little pest Joseph.

He missed Maylissa a lot too, and Rafe who was a sweet child and his favourite of the younger children.

Back at home, Lissa made it a point to go by and check on the pony her father had given Delilah, who had came out a few times to visit their parents since she had the trap before it got too cold.

"Hello Lissa," Delilah said.

"Hello Delilah, have you been crying?" Lissa asked.

"Please sit and have some tea with me," Delilah said.

Lissa said nothing for a few seconds as Delilah made tea. This was the first time Lissa felt Delilah really wanted her here, and did not give her the rush.

"Oh sissy I think I am with child again," she cried.

"So do I," Lissa said smiling, she knew Julius was thrilled with Ross but sort of tolerated the girls like he did Rex. Had he made some kind of a threat about more children Lissa wondered, she did not like Julius if she was a man she would probably thrash him a good one.

"But you do not understand, Julius has not touched me other then a kiss or two in months." Delilah sobbed.

Lissa stared at her sister.

"This is my lovers child," Delilah sobbed.

"Your lover?" Lissa asked thinking her sister really was a stranger to her. Monique was seeing both Silias Timberlane and Alexander Swensen, both were aware of the other, but to have a lover when you were married.

"I can not believe you Delilah who are you?" Lissa snapped, she wanted to punch her.

"Oh Lissa." Delilah said, feeling very afraid, Lissa and her father both had this way of scaring her when they got angry.

"What will our parents say, oh Delilah they would die of shame," Lissa cried.

"I know that is why no one must know, but I am telling you because I don't know what to do, and you . . " Delilah said then broke down in tears.

"What can you do?" Lissa asked thinking about Lewis, "You will have the baby and hope it has your hair and not blond."

Delilah gasped, how did Lissa know her lover was blond.

Suddenly Lissa felt pity for Delilah the golden child, the one who had the promising marriage, here she was a lot worse off then Lissa herself, at least she loved Philip and he loved her.

"I am not going to say anything, but our babies should be born close together," Lissa said thinking she knew by her sisters experience her hunch had been right, she had been laying with Lewis. The two long blond hairs on the black velvet collar of her shaw were tell tale clues.

She did think she would talk to Quentin about doing something about Julius if he did not treat their sister right. If Julius was afraid of her father, he would be even more so of Quentin.

Delilah felt better now that she had unburdened herself to Lissa, and Lissa was right, what could she do but have the baby and love it and hope Julius was his usual preoccupied self and did not realize it had been almost a year since he had touched his wife. When he was home all he did was eat and sleep, and play the piano, and maybe complain about Delilah's housekeeping or the girls making too much noise.

Lissa wanted to say something sarcastic as she left, but she patted her sister on the shoulder and said she would be there for her. Even though in her mind she was thinking you made your bed now lie in it.

But at the same time she felt sorry for her sister too, she had never felt so conflicted about anything. She wanted to tell her mother, but at the same time, she thought Quentin would be the only one who would know the truth. Her father just might go after Lewis. But everyone knew Lewis he was like a dog in a way. You could not blame him any more then you could blame Shade for eating any food that Rafe tossed on the floor.

There came a heavy snow and Janette was worried about Oly, but he insisted going into the station anyway. He could not trust Neils these days to run things, he would go a couple of months sober, then he would fall off the wagon again.

Oly had drank himself a lot after Agatha died, he was so depressed, but then Janette had came into his life, and he had quit all but a bit of wine now and then. But Neils had driven Roland away and now he was making Alexander upset. He wanted Alexander to marry and the boy was not ready. Olaf would be the next one he picked at until he wanted nothing to do with with his father.

Oly loved his sons and felt he was a failure as a father when it came to Neils, he was so proud of Astrid for finding such a fine man as Lewis and picking up the pieces after John Landers died. Of course it always made Oly wonder about Lewis how he had taken the name of Landers but maybe it was best people seemed to forget he was not a Landers at all.

"Dear I am not feeling well." Oly told Janette.

"Would you like anything?" Janette said watching him push away his half empty plate. He smiled kissed her. But shook his head.

All he needed was some rest, so he decided to go lie in bed and read, after kissing all the children goodnight, his wonderful children. He had always wanted a large family, he missed Orsen but was so proud of him.

Ivan and Victor would be the next to go off to school next fall. They were twelve and thirteen, and Oly just wanted them home another year. He enjoyed his children so much.

Laim was nine and Kristen was seven, and he was concidering sending Kirsten to school with Monique next year, Janette wished it, and since Lewis had allowed his daughter to go and they were not Quakers Oly agreed.

Next to last was little Katherine named after Janettes mother. She was expanding again, and Oly did not care if the baby was a boy or girl. He truly loved children. Oly thought he was surely a lucky man. Four strong sons, and three beautiful daughters, only Neils had made him feel failure. But Neils had given him four good grandchildren. Maybe Neils would realise he was doing no good for anyone especially himself.

Drifting off to sleep, he dreamed summer, and his children, and dog, even the two dogs at the inn were in the dream, he was flying a kite. Then he started drifting up and up, and he laughed and waved at the children who were watching their father in amazement as the kite pulled him into the sky.

Janette was restless that night and could not sleep, Oly had the fire so high in the room, she guessed he was chilled but it was much to warm for her.

When she decided to go up to him, thinking maybe the room was cooler now, she found that he had passed away and he was smiling.

"Do not mourn me, you made my life so good Janette, I will always be in your heart," his voice said softly in her head.

She whailed and was so beside herself with grief, she felt like opening the door and throwing herself from the balcony.

Victor and Ivan in their night clothes raced into the room, and gaped at their mother.

She fell sobbing to the floor, and the boys looked at each other, what to do, it was obvious that their father was no longer living. Their mother was in no shape to do anything. They dressed, which gave Victor time to think and Ivan to calm down a bit.

"What would Orsen do?" Ivan said blinking his gray blue eyes huge.

"Get help," Victor said starting to cry despite his resolve his beloved papa was gone.

"Do not cry," Ivan ordered.

"Ivan we can not just leave him there, our mother, oh God," Victor whailed.

"Shut up, you will wake Laim and the others, help me we will dress him and take him to the mausoleum, and as soon it is day light I will go fetch Clive Martin he will know what to do, then I will ride over to Rolands," Ivan snapped.

He tried to keep a good front, but he longed for Orsen. All he could do was think what Orsen would do, he would not want his fathers body in the house where his mother could see it and break down.

The boys carefully dressed their father in his new suit and wrapped him in the bedding and then carried him out to the mausoleum.

Here they placed him and went back inside, they found that their mother had locked herself in the pantry with a bottle of wine.

"Nothing we can do but check on the children, and I will go saddle a horse, it is six of the clock," Ivan said.

Victor went to his fathers balcony and looked out at the church.

"Curse you God, Damme your eyes, how could you take our father, we are only boys, good Orsen, oh what should we do," Victor sobbed, how he hated God he would never go to church again.

Victor had always felt so warm and loved, his papa, his mother, his big brothers especially Orsen, Ivan had always seemed more like a peer then a big brother like Orsen. Now he felt cold and lonely.

He was really feeling so bad and lonely and wishing he knew how to deal with this, his father hadn't even been sick just a little cough.

"Wheres papa and mama?" Liam asked.

"Oh Liam," Victor cried.

Victor sighed and hugged his little brother, Liam felt so warm and soft in his arms, he didn't want to let the boy go.

After Clive assured Victor he would take care of everything. Victor rode to Rolands, he did not want to go to his brothers, Neils had never really been in their life, but Roland was more like a brother, and he was actually a nephew. He was surprised when he found both Roland and Alexander at Rolands house.

"You are out early," Roland said, then realized something was wrong. Alexander had been staying with him looked at the boy with concern.

"Come in and sit," Alexander said.

It took all he had to tell the two men he thought of more as big brothers then nephews, what had happened.

"Ivan you want me to go home with you?" Alexander asked

Roland nodded, he thought it was wise Alexander go there.

Ivan nodded, he could use a man in the house, he was scared, he might be almost a man himself but he never felt more like a child then right now.

Two days after the service for Oly, Niels called a family meeting, and was upset when Lewis showed up.

"What the hell is he doing here," Neils asked a bit tipsily.

Oh God, he is drunk as a lord, Roland thought, both he and his brother Alexander bowed their heads and Roland wondered if Alexander was praying their father would not make a total donkey of himself.

"He is our brother in law," Orsen said he was so grateful to Lucas for keeping up on what Orsen would need while he missed classes, but he wondered now if he would go back to school.

"That cockeral," Neils snorted, "He is no Swensen, he sleeps with anything with a skirt."

"Shut up father aunt Astrid sent him here," Roland snapped.

"I don't want him here," Neils growled.

Roland grimaced, that was why he had insisted they meet at the pub's back room so his father couldn't dictate who attended by saying it was his house.

"Who is that and what is he to any of us?" Neils asked, pouring himself another drink.

"Father you don't need that." Alexander sighed. All of Olys sons and grandsons over twelve were here.

Ivan and Victor looked at each other they wished Orsen had not made them come, but he felt they needed to be here.

"You whelp, I have had it with your sharp mouth, you are my son, I am your father, respect your edlers lad," Neils snapped.

"Let us precede with the will and the business at hand," Roland said, it was all he could do to keep from punching his father in the mouth.

"This is Mr. Handover our fathers soliciter," Orsen said looking at Roland and Alexander, he noticed how Alexander looked ill.

All three of Olys other sons looked as if they wanted to cry, they were just boys.

"What the Hell you say," Neils said, then took another drink.

Lewis sat down, for some reason both he and Jamie had felt they were on Neils black list for some time.

"First I got to sit with this cockeral now I got to sit with a soliciter," Niels snapped.

"His lordship Oly Swensen had left quite a complex will I shall not read it verbatum unless you require it. Basically shares of the company are divided equally between all male children, with stipends for all female children. Grandsons Roland, Alexander, Justin, Todd, Thoren, and Olaf will also recieve an equal, and their sisters good stipend. A fund has been set aside for any unborn children. To Mr. Jamie Warwick I leave . . . ." the man started.

"He left Jamie something, he is not even in the family." Neils said.

Lewis sighed, he felt for Olys younger sons having to put up with this drunkard, he wished he knew how to shake Neils.

"Father close your mouth and allow this man talk." Roland sighed.

Oly had left a bit of money and personal items to all his friends, including Maylissa whom of his friends he gave the largest amount to, which shocked everyone even Roland. But Orsen knew Oly had really liked her as a child and was always talking about her and her horses, and what a hard time she had being kidnapped by pirates. She always came by and brought him a little decanter of wine and some cheese she made.

Neils was muttering something about his father being a sentimental fool, and Ivan felt sick.

Feeling bad for the boys Lewis said, "Oly was one of the best man I know."

"Now the one that is to manage the company, must be a married man, and he must be agreed upon by a majority of my children and grandchildren or their guardian or representitive." the solicitor read.

"I run the company I am the oldest, none of these cretians know anything about about running the company," Neils said and with that got up and left the room and the others waited until Mr. Hanover finished and left.

"What are we going to do, father is in no shape to run this company," Roland said."I have a paper to run."

"Justin and I have other interests," Todd said quickly.

Justin nodded, and thanked Todd for speaking up. He sure didn't want to leave the farm they were showing the best profits since his father was alive.

"Todd," Lewis hissed, he wanted his son to be more then a pub owner. But Todd shook his head he liked the pub business.

"Well I would do it, Grandfather had been teaching me for the past year," Alexander said.

"But the will said you have to be married," Orsen said, "I guess I should quit school . . ."

"No I will marry Monique Warwick if she will have me," Alexander said, he cared a lot for her, but did she love him enough.

"That is perfect," Roland said looking greatly releived.

"Monique is one fine woman," Orsen said thinking fond thoughts of his teacher.

Everyone agreed that Alexander should run the company, Roland would sign everything and be the figurehead until Alexander could step in for good.

Once Orsen finished is education if he wished it he would sit at Alexanders right hand, and be an equal, but Orsen was not sure he wanted that. He just did not want a drunkard running the company. Lewis thought Neils was going to be furious, but he knew that Astrid would stand behind Alexander. He was smart and had done a lot in the company particularly the shipping division something Neils knew little about at this time.

Monique had closed the school for three days partly because of the snow partly because of Oly's death.

"You look good, have a seat, I was so sorry to hear about your grandfather, he was a wonderful man always helping out the school," Monique said, thinking he looked so good, she had not seen him in a few months he had been in Portland working for his grandfather.

"Yes and he left a foundation for the school, but I came here on a personal matter, I know this will be awkward, but Monique I love you and I hope that you feel the same," Alexander said.

"I do love you Alexander," she said breathlessly, she had always been refered to as the homeliest of the Warwick sisters, Alexander was more handsome then any of her sisters husbands. "I wish to marry you but because of the recent death it will have to be a small ceremony with just your parents and my brother, your sister as well if you wish, would that bother you?" Alexander.

"No, of course not, I would marry you any place and any time," she said, "But there is a problem I would need to find a teacher to . . ."

"No, we could live here and you could continue to teach until you decide that you wish not to any longer, you see until I get grandfathers company sorted out I will be gone a lot. Having the school will give you a wonderful outlet, you will not miss me as much." he said.

"Oh you are the most wonderful man, I love you with my whole heart," she said, thinking she would have to tell Silas, but she already had known he was not the one, but he deserved to know. As kind as Silas was he would find someone new without a problem.

They kissed and she could not believe this was not a dream. He was happy as well, Monique was a smart woman, and she adored him, looks would fade, what counted was mind and heart.

Before Oly had passed away Octavia had painted his portrait, she gave it to Orsen, not knowing who else to give it too, Janette was in seclusion. Oly had insisted on smiling for it.