<strong>Lady Marie d'Astineau</strong>, Library of Avonleigh [Sylria the Elf, Lillian Montague, Marie Archambault, Lady Marie, Dee, Lady Kat]<br/><br/>Marie regarded the nettle from Lady Kat with brusk contempt in her eyes for her naivete and where it would lead her. She knew many tales of the wickedness of such ruthless men and would never willingly grant them to any manner of control over her.<br/><br/>"I would hasten to draw back those who can fight, Lillian. The smoke south of here attests to how easily they will burn the grounds if there is no one to stop them."<br/><br/>Her eyes did not relent in their seriousness, as Marie thought of the soldiers impeding her return to her ailing father, the thought clutching her viciously. She did not want to risk overt rudeness, but Lillian simply did not grasp the imminent danger.<br/><br/>"We should protect the estate now and hold off on entertainment until the 'able-bodied' men," here a slight thinness came to her voice, "have been fetched and returned. The Falkovnians are mounted and could be here long before the militia arrives."