<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>Much like Asher, Graham was certainly impressed by the fortitude the young woman displayed. IT was rare to see someone from her background grow courage and backbone more commonly found among those who toiled in hardship from day one. It wasn't fair to judge a book by its cover, a thought that was certainly reinforced by the showing she made. She looked an absolute mess, there was no other way to describe her state of dress. But that didn't seem to matter much, because she still carried herself with dignity and when she proclaimed that she would never have surrendered to her pursuers, even Graham's ever-present skepticism and cynicism had to back down and yield to the fact that she probably never would have. It was impressive to see, and it was only by virtue of the presence of other individuals that Graham was able to suppressed a slight smirk of amusement and bemusement. The smirk would have been doubly inappropriate though, given the tale she had just recounted for them. She'd lost her family and her livelihood.<br/><br/>If anyone could relate, it was the young lord.<br/><br/>Asher cut the conversation short, though the appearance of Sara certainly added to it. The intimidating woman would have their heads if they caused their visitor any further distress with their questions. He shot a glance back at his old friend, a look that implied the intense curiosity that the Ellery heir always had. But, he knew when to give up. Sometimes, Graham could come across as cold, and overly calculating. He had to be, though, even if it was just a facade. Sometimes, he simply struggled with putting himself in the place of another, with imagining what it was like to not obsess over details and want to resolve any given problem immediately. He sighed internally before turning back to Meg. She needed to be cleaned up. She needed to eat. She needed to sleep. All of those were base necessities for anyone to function. Asking for more from her was cruel.<br/><br/>He took a step forward and took her hand gently. <strong>"I will send out patrols to find out what became of your mother. Maybe she yet lives,"</strong> it was a fool's hope, and he knew that she was aware of that. But, he was not going to potentially condemn survivors to the harshness of the swamps at night, not when they were ill and perhaps injured on top of that. <strong>"If you and yours have been unjustly persecuted, than these men will answer for it. I promise you this,"</strong> his hold on her hand tightened slightly, in a comforting gesture rather than a threat. <strong>"But do not lie to me. Only the truth will help you at this moment,"</strong> was that a threat? Slightly. He would not harm her himself, but if she was not forthcoming with everything that had transpired - painful or no - a case for her would be hard to construct, and the executioner's axe might be the only thing in store for her.<br/><br/>Having said his piece, he brought her hand up to his lips for a bow and a kiss, before letting her be ferried off into the room with Sara. <strong>"Good night, lady Meg,"</strong> after the door closed, Asher's words were mirrored by a heavy sigh from Graham.<br/><br/><strong>"Just what we needed, isn't it, captain?"</strong> with a shake of his head, he turned away and headed towards his chambers, which were indeed merely across the hall from where they had found some lodging for their surprise visitor. Already, his mind was obviously working overtime to figure out how to tackle this issue. He wanted to muse over her behavior and words with his confidant, immediately spinning an equal number of schemes and solutions. But, for once, he caught himself in the act. Stressing over this was only going to make his headache worse, and his joints act up even more. The day was over and done with. Time for rest. Or an attempt. The next day was going to show whether concerns were going to keep piling up.<br/><br/>There was always a guard stationed outside of his quarters. At least, whenever Asher wasn't present anyway. A few words were exchanged to have the man leave his post for the night. He could inform his superior officre that some scouts were needed to head out into the swamp looking for a carriage matching Meg's description and near where she had been found running. It was unlikely they were going to find anything but the wooden frame, robbed of bodies and belongings. Her hunters knew she had the protection of house Ellery, so they would have backtracked to clean up after themselves...<br/><br/>Standing outside his bedroom door, he left his hand on the handle of the barrier and turned to his dearest guardian. <strong>"I need a bath. I might get lonely though,"</strong> the offer was obvious, despite hushed tones. He fully expected Asher to follow him in as he opened the door into his private bedchambers. From the perspective of the observer, it appeared as though the master bedroom was his, and his alone. But that wasn't true. Those keen to spotting details would be able to recognize Asher's influence. The arrangement of some of the furniture to better benefit Graham's protection, the presence of a trinket or work of art that was to Asher's taste and not his lord's, as well as some clothes stashed away in one of several closets. They shared that room, almost daily.<br/><br/>Graham did not like hiding what they had, but both men understood why it was important to do so. House Ellery did not need another blemish, even if such relations behind closed doors weren't really frowned pon anymore. But, Asher was not of noble blood, which compounded the issue into something that could prove problematic to Ellery's already strained political connections. They were one setback away from complete poverty and famine. They did not need any more reasons to fear starvation.<br/><br/>As he crossed his bedroom towards his private bathroom off the side, Graham undid the buttons of his jacket and tossed the garment in a random direction, not really caring where it went at that point. <strong>"I got us involved in something bad, Asher. I can feel it in my gut,"</strong> he was going to relax, but that didn't mean he could shut up about business completely. This was as good as it was going to get. <strong>"There is more to this situation than meets the eye. This all seems like a great deal of trouble to go through for that young lady,"</strong> he wanted to get the bigger picture, but he needed to wait.<br/><br/>They did not have to have buckets of water ferried over. Plumbing was an expensive endeavor in their times, but those with enough status could have the luxury of being able to pipe hot water to them. The running stoves would do just that, and a hot bath was being drawn. It was more than large enough to fit both grown men. Provided they got comfortable with a little contact. Graham then moved to sit on the edge of his bed, reaching for his knees with a wince and a sigh. He felt weak. He always did when they acted up. What he wouldn't give for the intimidating frame of his uncle...</div>