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"It's fine," Triton reassured her not missing Yue's look, "It was very late at night, we certianly hadn't expected it."

That was an insane time jump as far as he was concern, he wondered what time it was when Elnara and Lore arrived to the Borderlands.

"We slept well enough, it'll probably just take us a day to adjust," Triton added.

Triton coughed a bit and nodded trying not to smile at that, since he had most certainly heard of that little bit.

"Yes actually, I had," he replied back, "Actually, uhm yes," he wondered if Atalya knew about this, and wasn't sure how to put this, "We're heading to the plantation to see Nadya."

At the mention of Elnara's name, Ruel pushed his chair back forcefully and left the room, leaving his wife and children staring after him with mixed expressions on their faces.

"Excuse me," Daeron muttered, his handsome face darkened with fury. He left the table, striding quickly after his father. By this time, he was sixteen years old, an adult in elven terms, and the age when he felt no hesitance in confronting his father's ridiculous behavior.

Luthien smiled apologetically at their guests. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I'm afraid he hasn't changed."

Donovan would have mentioned something about stick up someone's a**, but since he was talking to Luthien it was better off not to. Besides Yue just might kick him for it too, and unlike Kara, he kicked hard.

"Kid grew up," was the only thing he could say, since he made him kind of gleeful inside that Daeron was grown up, and obviously very well, he shrugged, "Hey, he didn't yell at us, no fight as ensued, we're good."

"He'll be all right," Luthien nodded. "Ruel's the one who isn't, though I wish he would ..." She sighed. "At times, I think the boys are more mature than he is. But enough of that. You said you were going to go after the same type of men who had taken Daeron from us twelve years ago?"

"And you were going to see Nadya about it?" the queen asked, leaning forward interestedly. "That's a good idea ... she would be invaluable. Are you sure you want to do this, though? The freebooters ... they're quite possibly more than you might be used to."

She said that more out of concern than actually thinking it to be true; she knew that Donovan and Triton at least were well able to handle themselves against those types of men. Depending of course on the number. Every report told her that the numbers of the men were increasing almost monthly.

Atalya showed no surprise at his speech, but that was only because she had long ago been trained never to show any. Indeed, she was rather surprised by his offer, and she took a few minutes to think about what he had said before answering.

"For decades," she began finally, "my people, more than just Serenity, have been haunted by these men. I haven't the resources to handle it, I never have, though my grandmother would have."

She paused to consider her wording before continuing.

"As to whether or not it would be legal for you to take care of these men, I assure you that it would be more than legal. Again, I have no resources for payment, we are still attempting to recover from the recent war. However," she added quickly, before he was deterred from his idea, "these men are known to carry large amounts of gold, and I would be willing, for your aid in eliminating them, to allow you to keep anything you wish that you recover from them.

"There is, however, one condition I would like to add," she said seriously.

"You must promise me," the queen said seriously, gazing directly into Donovan's eyes, "that if a situation arises where Nadya will be in danger, if you intend to take her with you as you claim, that your priority will be her safety."

She folded her hands neatly in front of her on the table.

"I do understand your desire to be of aid, but you must understand that Nadya has had no training in defense or in fighting of any sort, that I know of," she said sternly. "She has already made mention of the fact that she was going to be making a journey - I'm sure you know of her abilities - and I believe that this is the one of which she spoke. But I will not have her put in danger because of it."

At least, not more than was necessary.