After saying their farewells, Alistar led the girls back to Caedmon's estate where they were quickly summoned to dinner by a frowning house servant. Although none of them were hungry, they made their way to the dining hall with collective apprehension. During this walk, Alistar resolved to take quick action in order to assuage any anger that his cousins might have been harbouring toward him.
The only people in the dining hall upon their arrival were Edmun, Calum, and a few house servants. His uncles, including Caedmon, were currently walking through a distant hallway, having just left a more discreet sitting room that was rarely used by the inhabitants of the house. Alder and Mr. Albeck were also on their way over from the library, while Lessa's parents were just being admitted to the estate by Rayson and Herald. Johan and Priscilla were sitting on a bench in the outer gardens, with no indication of movement.
