Drone

25 The Trespasser.

Stanfleda felt his eyes on her, and she ground her teeth in unrefined furry. Upon her return from the university, Erik, to her dismay, had renewed his resolve to become her considerate.

Sarah walked by Stanfleda's side, perfectly comfortable amid the drama.

"I don't understand your distaste for him," she complained. "I mean, he's quite handsome and a wonderful dancer."

Stanfleda clenched her jaw, "Could a man be more desperate or obsessed? No doubt he will one day make a very charming husband for some woman, but that woman is not me." She turned a corner. Stanfleda had had enough of his games, and she finally had the nerve to say no. No doubt her brother, Paramount Sledda, would have stern words for her about her refusal.

"You're being unreasonable, and yes, he might be a little pushy, but if you just give him a little time, you can reform him."

"Hah!" Stanfleda barked.

Stanfleda started down the stairs into the main garden but afforded a hasty glance to the balcony on the eastern wing. A shiver ran down her spine. Erik stood with both hands clutching the rail, still looking down at her.

"Ugh," she shuddered in disgust. "I am tired of that man looking at me like that. He's not a cat, and I'm certainly no mouse."

Sarah stopped trying. She was a romantic and would speak on behalf of any man, so long as he had a handsome face. To Stanfleda's surprise, Sarah seemed to pick up on the fact that Stanfleda was serious.

"What must I do to make him go away finally?" Stanfleda asked, mostly to herself.

"You could run away to a faraway land, or elope with the stable boy, or drink poison to truly test his love and see if he will follow you to the gates of death!" Sarah answered dramatically.

"That's childish," Stanfleda said. "You need to focus more on your studies and avoid novels ."

"Nonsense!" Sarah cried as though the accusation was personal and uncalled for. "I don't read enough novels!"

Stanfleda smiled involuntarily. As ridiculous as the girl could be, her light-hearted humor put Stanfleda at ease.

"It's too bad he is as good as he is at dueling," Stanfleda said. "It keeps most of the other men away."

"I'll bet some young prince is training his days away, waiting to strike Erik down to win your hand." Sarah took a few mock stabs and slashes in the air.

"If only," Stanfleda muttered.

"Intruder!" the alarm went out, and the guards and martial men poured out of the Manor and the longhouse.

Stanfleda scanned the garden. What could this be? Were the Rowans raiding at daylight? Did they have the nerve? Why were they so insistent on tearing her family down?

Sarah flashed pale. "Quickly paramountess," she cried. "Get inside where it is safe."

A Sharderin half-caste rounded the corner, grappling with and trying to throw three guards off of him. The man fought and thrashed like a lone tiger. This wasn't a raid. It was a gang beating. Stanfleda felt her face flush with anger. She had seen it before. Board guards and martial men from her garrison would find a local debtbond or street grey and put their weight into him just for fun.

Stanfleda wasn't actually in command of these guards. They were her grandfather's, Prime Paramount Alred himself. But the guards would respect her authority, and she had forbidden them from bullying debtbonds, street greys, or Leomen in the past.

Captain Awiergan appeared, tackled the Sharderin from behind, and growled as he produced a gleaming dagger.

That was too far! "Stop!" Stanfleda screamed as she ran down the stairs.