Houses and Heraldry

[Raven]

"On the plus side, your letters get through now," Ryan said.

[Gifted]

Roseanne giggled. "Yeah, no kidding! Whoever Adam had stopping them must still be at the castle. I'm definitely grateful for that."

[Raven]

"I'm hopeful that soon, we won't have to deal with anything like that again. There's nothing that will keep me from stepping in any longer, and I'm sure Hemlock feels the same."

[Gifted]

Hemlock growled in agreement.
"Yeah. Things will cool down once we win." Roseanne smiled. "And then we can get to helping the people here."

[Raven]

"Absolutely. It's about time someone did - I know you'll do great," Ryan said.

[Gifted]

"Thank you for keeping so much faith in me. I haven't exactly got a great track record as of yet. But I'm certain we'll be able to change things."

[Raven]

"You've had a lot stacked against you - you haven't blamed me for not keeping you safe," Ryan pointed out. "You've done what you can, and sometime soon, that will be more."

[Gifted]

"Thanks, Ryan." Roseanne smiled.

[Raven]

In a matter of days, Cassandra's confirmation came, verifying that the spy's information was true. "I told you we weren't being misled," Kenny said to her, though he seemed a bit relieved as well.

[Gifted]

Roseanne nodded. "I still feel we ought to be cautious, but it does seem like she is still on our side after all. I wonder why he didn't pull her if he's not giving us help anymore." She wondered idly.

[Raven]

"I'll think on it," Kenny said. "But I'm not entirely sure." It was reassuring, though. He felt it was a sign that Rodrick would help him again as soon as he could.

[Gifted]

"Well, it's good we still have her." Roseanne nodded.

[Raven]

Kenny nodded. "Yeah." It had occurred to him that if Kinsey had planned to feed them false information, giving them a first, easily verifiable truth would be a quick way to gain their trust before exploiting it, but as he didn't believe Rodrick would do that, he didn't mention it. "We need to set up the supply lines before the first storms hit, though."

[Gifted]

Roseanne already knew that, but figured it was something she could deal with periodically checking personally. She wasn't about to push the issue when it was very clear Kenny didn't take the risk seriously. "Right, we need to work on where the new supply line will be and have it set up as soon as possible."

[Raven]

Over the next few weeks, they got the lines set up, and the weather got steadily colder, making things harder for them as they had fewer supplies. Ryan discovered that dragons, unlike most reptiles, were not cold blooded - which he supposed made sense, since they breathed fire. They hunkered down, and with the first snowfall, a hard attack by Adam's forces came once again. It left them discouraged, though there thankfully hadn't been much damage done. It was very shortly after that that a letter arrived from Cassandra, addressed to Rosanna.

My Dearest Rose,

It has been made evident to me exactly what we're fighting here, Rosanna, and clearer still that this is not a battle we have to choose. I know that you wish to help rule the people of Clark land, but I urge you to think of the fact that that is the land of the man who nearly destroyed you. The boy you fight beside is just that - trusting, naive, and far too inexperienced to hold his own, possibly even with you at his side. If he wins this war, it will be a miracle. For that reason, I encourage you to give up on this endeavor. Winter has set in, and with it, Kenny Clark has a distinct disadvantage. His people will freeze and face hunger, and with only a few well-placed attacks, Adam could wipe out any hope that his brother has. He has counsel and forces greater than you think. I urge you to abandon the ideas of becoming an adviser for the Clarks, and instead come home to learn to rule Dragon's Keep. I know you will make a better Lady than your brother a Lord, and it would please me to name you as my heir.

Come home, Rosanna.

Love,
your mother.