"I hope that things will carry on peacefully for a long time to come still. I enjoy the time I get to spend with you and I would miss it if something happened. So bringing our houses together appeals to me for more reasons than just the good of the house, though I believe that the houses and the people in those houses would benefit from working together in things." Looking away as she replied at first, Emily then cast a glance back at him at the question about the young halfling lad at the meal as well.<br/><br/>Emily looked at Tehr seriously and then gently touched his hand with her own once more, looking at his face as she spoke. There was a bit of reluctance in her voice though, and she looked away, seeming to find the topic a little uncomfortable but at least trying to answer. "The young man is related to me. Cousin thrice removed, I believe. His father and my mother were cousins twice removed. The man had a minor noble position in our house, for his skill in battle. He became a land-holder near our eastern border, watching over the road, and the lands where a lot of the old outrider families lived."<br/><br/>She drew a deep breath, swallowing and continuing. "The boy's dad decided to start charging money for the use of the road. Tried to get the outriders to charge a toll. Given that the Family already receives a fair payment for keeping the road safe, and the Outriders are treated like humans have treated their knights and squires, the thuoght didn't appeal to that many. They revealed the truth of what was attempted, and the main family took action."<br/><br/>She swallowed and then looked at Tehr a bit more guiltily. "Punishment was carried out swiftly. The man was completely unrepentant however. The family decided on the punishment, but the man tried to fight it, and challenged the house Matriarch. Ultimately, he lay dead. The son was taken in for teaching and care, to learn honor and to redeem his lineage. We consider his dad one bad apple, but the boy has a chance. Unfortunately, one thing he inherited from his father is already there. He is a skirt-chaser without care for others feelings, but also possessive bastard and jealous. So he's not exactly popular, but I think he's been trying to get close to the 'help'."<br/><br/>She took a breath again, before sighing again. "But I mentioned that you might be wanting to take a few people back to Londinium, and well, he seems to be taking it out on you that the Applemane girl smiles to you but serves him with a stiff lip and straight back, and as fwe words as possible."