Chapter 95: Silver Ash House (3)
Jenny said, "Jake, do not ask things like that."
Jake nodded behind her hand.
Lucard leaned back. "He asked a logical question based on poor evidence."
Celia looked at him sharply. "Do not analyze it."
Lucard looked at her flushed face. "Interesting."
"Stop."
Jenny closed her eyes.
Peter, outside the carriage, heard enough through the wood and decided riding with the guards was the correct choice.
Silver Ash House stood in the northern inner district, not far from the merchant square but far enough to avoid its noise. The house was surrounded by a gray wall with silver ash trees planted along the inside. Their leaves were pale gray-green, and under the evening light they looked almost silver. The gate was made of dark iron, simple but strong. A small Marovain mark was carved at the top, not large enough to draw attention from far away, but clear enough for anyone who came close.
Two servants opened the gate when the carriage arrived.
The courtyard inside was quiet. A stone path led to the main house. On one side stood an old garden with silver ash trees, low bushes, and a dry fountain. On the other side was a training yard with packed earth, weapon racks, and a small shed. Behind the main house, Lucard noticed a narrow path leading toward a back exit hidden behind tall shrubs.
Robi had chosen well.
The house was not too large. That made it easier to defend. The walls were high enough. The front gate was strong. The back exit existed but could be watched. The training yard could help Peter and Jake. The garden could calm Jenny. The servants’ rooms could hold guards if needed.
Lucard approved.
He did not say that aloud.
Jake stepped down from the carriage and looked at the garden.
"It has trees."
Celia said, "Silver ash trees. That is why the house has its name."
Jake walked closer to one. "Can I climb them?"
Jenny said, "No."
Lucard said, "Tomorrow."
Jenny turned to him. "He is not climbing trees after everything that happened."
Lucard looked at the tree. "It is low. He should start somewhere."
Jake looked very serious. "I agree with training."
Jenny pointed at him. "You agree with climbing."
Jake lowered his head. "Sometimes training and climbing are friends."
Peter stepped into the courtyard and looked around with a knight’s eye. He walked to the wall, checked the gate line, then looked at the windows of the house.
"This is defensible," he said.
Celia nodded. "There are two guard posts inside the wall. Lord Robi is sending more men by night. Until then, Orven and Malik will remain, along with four others."
Peter bowed slightly. "Thank you, Lady Celia."
"This is Lord Robi’s order."
Lucard walked past them and entered the main house.
The entrance hall was clean but unused. White cloth had been pulled off the furniture only recently. Servants moved quietly, lighting lamps and opening rooms. The walls had simple paintings of forests, rivers, and old trade roads. Nothing too rich, nothing too poor. It was a guest house made for comfort and quiet talks, not showing off.
Jenny entered slowly and looked around.
For the first time in days, she had a roof over her head that did not feel like an insult.
She touched the polished wooden railing near the stairs. Her fingers trembled slightly. She had not cried when Ravencroft insulted them. She had not cried when they left the inn. But standing inside a safe house, even a borrowed one, made the loss of their own home strike her again.
Jake noticed.
"Sister?"
Jenny smiled quickly. "I am fine."
Lucard looked at her and said, "Choose rooms."
Jenny turned toward him. "You should choose first. You are the one dealing with everything."
"No. Choose rooms for yourself and Jake first. Peter near you. I will take the room closest to the back exit."
Peter immediately said, "Young Master, that is the most dangerous room."
"Yes."
"That is why I should take it."
Lucard looked at him. "You are still healing."
Peter opened his mouth, then closed it because that was true.
Celia watched quietly.
Lucard was not gentle, but he was arranging the house in a way that protected them. Jenny and Jake would be deeper inside. Peter close enough to guard. Lucard near the back exit, where danger could enter or where he could leave quickly if needed. He did not explain it. He simply placed everyone where they had the highest value.
Jenny understood enough.
She nodded. "Jake and I will take the upstairs room facing the garden."
Peter said, "Then I will take the room beside the stairs."
Celia ordered servants to prepare those rooms.
Lucard walked through the hall, checking doors, windows, and walls. He touched the back exit lock, examined the courtyard shadows, and looked at the roofline from the rear window. The Marovain guards watched him with quiet unease. It looked less like a guest inspecting a gift and more like a commander deciding where enemies would die if they entered.
Celia followed him after a moment.
"You like the house?"
"It is useful."
"That is the highest praise you give, isn’t it?"
"No."
"What is higher?"
"Mine."
Celia paused.
Then she realized he meant the house becoming his property.
"You are impossible."
"You said that already."
"I keep finding new reasons."
Lucard looked toward the training yard. "Tell Robi I need wooden swords, training weights, basic writing materials, and books for Jake."
Celia blinked. "Books?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
"He needs to read laws, noble history, basic numbers, and military maps."
"He is ten."
"He can start with pictures if needed."
Celia stared at him. "You are turning him into a little commander."
"I am stopping him from becoming a frightened heir with soft hands."
Celia became quiet.
After a moment, she said, "And Jenny?"
Lucard did not answer immediately.
Celia watched him.
Lucard’s voice became calmer. "She needs knowledge of house accounts, contracts, noble law, and how to read people who smile while lying."