<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ashburne - Amberthorne</strong><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/05/Graham_Ellery_1.jpg)<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Graham Ellery</strong></span></div></div><div class="floatleft">(http://)</div><strong>"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Meg... Though I wish it were under better circumstances,"</strong> Graham listened closely to what the young woman relayed, though he quickly realized the holes in her story were there intentionally. He didn't blame her for trying to obfuscate the whole truth, after all, why should she trust them anymore than she would the men that had been chasing her down with hounds? For all she knew, she had just traded one prison for one that was significantly worse. It still wasn't the smartest move for her to think he would not notice, and the brief glance he shot towards Asher told the other man enough. There was far more to this than met the eye. This wasn't the manhunt for a small sum of money or a tiny slight. This was significant, and the more Graham heard - or didn't hear - the more he began to regret having a conscience and not having been able to just turn a blind eye and let the men take her. That wasn't his nature though, not then, not ever, as much as his pragmatic side wished it were.<br/><br/><strong>"You'll be safe with us for now, my lady. I will make sure a room is made available to you. I'm sure you'll want to rest first, but I will provide food, water and a bathing opportunity. Use those as you see fit,"</strong> the girl was terrified, so he wasn't going to rail her for answers right then and there. He had priorities, but he wasn't cruel. She had nowhere else to run, so her sneaking out in the middle of the night was a significant off-chance. Any questions he had could be posed in the morning; and they would. Still, for the rest of the ride back to his mansion, the young lord was rather silent. Another problem on the heap, but for some reason, this one took precedence before all others in his mind. His territory's monetary issues suddenly seemed a distant problem. It was the injustice of it all. He'd think they were all still living like savages, judging by those that had been hunting her.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Upon arrival at the Ellery grounds, they would be greeted by some of the house's staff. While Graham's domain would seem like impossible luxury for the common peasant, anyone of status would recognize that it only cemented the family's position near the bottom of the noble social ladder. A mansion of decent size was surrounded by gardens that lacked exotic plants, but had was exceedingly well-kept and retained its lush nature, despite the humidity of the wetland soil that covered much of Ashburne; which often caused rot to settle in the roots of plants not normally grown there. Around the grounds were reasonably thick and high walls that discouraged intruders and would be able to ward off a minor offensive. But, it was all far from a massive castle that required an army to run efficiently.<br/><br/>Upon entry, everyone dismounted and their horses were handed off for care in the stables. As per custom, Graham offered the young woman his arm as he approached his butler. The man immediately pulled his nose up at her, as he seemed convinced they'd found some commoner to bring home with them. A relic of his father's reign, the man was a complete bastard, but there were none better at their work than he. He had opinions and judgements on anything and everything, but he kept them to himself even if his expression betrayed them. He'd have been kicked out long before then if he did not work for much less pay than he deserved and kept the household running as smoothly as humanly possible.<br/><strong>"Ricard, inform the head maid that the lady here will be requiring a room, a meal and a warm bath drawn. Give her the bedroom opposite the master suite,"</strong> there was a reason for that proximity. What better way to make sure Asher could keep an eye on any excursions she might be thinking of making? After all, the man slept in Graham's room far more than anywhere else...<br/><br/><strong>"As you wish, sir. Will you or master Bray be requiring anything?"</strong><br/><strong>"No, thank you, we will tend to ourselves, just make sure the lady finds comfort and time to recompose herself. Roland, post a guard down the hall from her,"</strong> when the orders had been given, Graham wanted to personally escort the young lady to her quarters, another glance at Asher making it clear he expected the bodyguard to follow. He needed him to hear anything that was said. A second pair of ears were needed to get a second opinion on everything.<br/><br/>Double doors were opened for them at the peak of the steps leading up to his mansion. Inside, the decorations were tasteful, and nowhere near as decadently lavish as one would expect from his counterparts. Much of the decor hearkened back to better days for the Ellery family, depicting moments of glory and triumph of a variety of ancestors throughout centuries of history. Plant pots, drapes, carpets, everything even remotely decorative had some story behind it, giving everything a bit of an eclectic feel as well. But, it worked to establish a place that immediately felt like it was someone's home, not just one of several abodes scattered across a massive domain. The main hall immediately gave a view of a large set of stairs that would guide them to the second floor.<br/><br/><strong>"Tell me, my lady, how did you manage to elude capture for so long? Judging by your garb and your fatigue, you muts have been running for quite some time,"</strong> he just did not get the sense from her that she was some experienced trailblazer. She must've gotten help. If that help were now coloring the swamp's soil red with their blood, those bodies needed to be found. If nothing else, it would help a vigilante case.</div>