The Covington Manor, East Shroud, 1568
 The ticking of the clock was the only sound in the parlor, save for the occasional shift of papers each time the teenage Faye turned the page of the book she held above her face, reading sprawled out over the sofa. Her mother sat in the arm chair nearby, busy mending a busted seam in one of the girl's gowns.Â
The older woman suddenly paused in her sewing, casting a glance toward her daughter before releasing her breath in a huff and continuing, though she spoke as she worked the thread through the delicate fabric. "You really need to be more careful, Faye. I don't know how you keep destroying these dresses."
Faye quirked one blonde eyebrow, looking up from her book to peer toward her mother instead. "You and Father keep telling me to work on my conjury. I can't do that cooped inside all day. I have to go outside and practice."Â
"And you can't have some more grace as you practice? Honestly, darling, you're nearly sixteen years old. What gentleman will want a lady who can't even keep her garments intact? In a few more years, you'll be nearing the age that you will be no man's prime choice."
The girl's nose wrinkled derisively. "Then I suppose it's a good thing I haven't found any gentleman who I would want in return. I'm not in a hurry. I couldn't care less if I never marry," she protested, burying her nose in her book once more as she resumed her reading.
A look of offense crossed her mother's face, but before she could retort, the sound of approaching footsteps stole the attention of both women. Both straightened, Faye quickly righting herself, sitting upright upon the couch. They turned their heads toward Nicholas as he entered, shoving an envelope into the pocket of his coat.
"What do you think about the matter, dear?" his wife queried, hoping he had caught at least the end of their conversation.
"I think the issue of my daughter's marriage does not concern me until she at least finds a potential suitor. There are more pressing matters at hand," he replied, matter-of-fact. Faye offered him an appreciative smile before his full attention fell upon his wife. "I need to run a quick errand to Aleport. I'll be back before long."
"Wait!" Faye snapped her book shut without even bothering to mark her place, setting it upon the coffee table as she eagerly hopped to her feet. "Let me go. I'll do it. I'm sure you have more important things to be doing. I want to get out of the house for a little while."
Her mother scowled, answering before Nicholas had the chance, "Absolutely not! It's dangerous for you to travel so far alone. We'd have to send some of the servants with you, and that would just be more of a hassle than your father going."
The teen glowered at the woman. "I'll take my staff. I've been studying. I can use my conjury to keep myself safe, not that I will likely have the need. I can't just stay at home all day. I'll grow up to be a hermit. You always say Dad is busy. Let me do it for him."
Nicholas lifted his hand into the air, waving it dismissively to silence the two women and cease their bickering. "Let her go, Selene. She'll be fine on her own. She's practically an adult. If she's old enough to pawn her off for marriage, she's old enough to run a simple errand for me, yes?" He turned toward Faye, pulling the envelope from his pocket and offering it to her. "It's for Mister Dawn, the Roegadyn fellow. You remember meeting him, mm? Simply tell him it's from me."
Selene had no desire to argue with that, and Faye beamed victoriously.
![[Image: NCtCate.png]](http://i.imgur.com/NCtCate.png)
