[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/246624086/0/0]Table of Contents[/url] “This is it,” the gunman stated, stopping Derik in front of one of the houses. Derik glanced at him, then approached the door and knocked lightly. They only had to wait a few seconds before the door opened, revealing a man a few years younger than Derik. “Derik Magnate,” the young man beamed, “Nice to finally talk to you. I’ve seen you a few times, an’ my pa’s told me a lot about you.” “Um, you must be Saul,” Derik guessed, accepting an enthusiastic handshake. Saul noticed the guard and released Derik’s hand, “I thought Gan would be here.” “Gan’s comin’,” the guard assured, “I’m just droppin’ Magnate off.” “Oh,” Saul blinked, then squinted, “I know you, right?” “I’m Ritford,” the guard replied. Saul’s brow furrowed further, and Ritford reiterated, “Savannah’s husband.” When Saul’s befuddlement only seemed to increase, Ritford lost his patience, “We live down the street! With three kids!” Saul’s eyes widened with realization and he opened his mouth to speak, but the guard cut him off, “Light strike you down, just go get your father!” “Okay!” Saul yelped, retreating back into his home. Derik and Ritford were left waiting at the door. After a minute, Derik leaned close and asked, “So, do we go in or…” Varse Chanely suddenly appeared in the doorway. “Derik,” he greeted with a pleased smile, “So glad you could come! And Ritford! Where’s Gan? Will you be eatin’ with us, too?” “Gan’s comin’,” Ritford explained, “I’ll be leavin’ when he arrives.” “Oh, good,” Varse nodded, “But please stay! Lucy has cooked a grand meal. There’s enough for everyone.” “Thank you, Mr. Chanely,” Ritford said, “But I’ll need to fill in for Gan. With any luck, I’ll be able to get home early an’ give Savannah a break.” “Alright, then,” Varse accepted, “Savannah’s home today?” “We closed shop for the day,” Ritford chatted, “Decided there was no point closin’ late if customers could jus’ come earlier.” “That’s nice,” Varse nodded, “So you haven’t had to worry as much about gettin’ someone to watch the kids?” “Not at the end o’ the day,” Ritford corrected, “It’s workin’ out so far-“ “Hey,” Gan greeted, appearing behind them. “Gan,” Varse returned cheerily. “It’s time for me to leave, then,” Ritford farewelled, “Have a nice night, Mr. Chanely.” “You, too,” Varse returned as Ritford departed. “Come in,” Varse invited, “We’re still settin’ the table.” He led Derik and Gan inside and around a corner to a table, where he had them sit. Then he rushed to the kitchen, where the sounds of cooking could be heard. Saul quickly joined them, taking his own seat. “So…,” Derik attempted to make small talk, “Your dad tells me your family’s pretty close to Lady Avery.” “What?” Saul blinked, then puffed up with pride, “Oh, yeah. My grandfather helped her become the Warlord of Hilton, you know.” “Don’t let it get to your head,” Gan advised. “So,” Derik went on, “Are there other people that are that supportive of her?“ Gan gave Derik a questioning look, “Why you askin’?” “Well,” Derik said, “I know it ain’t normal for anyone to have a good opinion of a Warlord, but Lady Avery seems to have a good followin’ here. I’m just curious about it.” “You’ve got a point,” Gan admitted, “Ain’t many people that support a Warlord. That includes here. Warlord’s a Warlord, you know? Even Lady Avery, though we’ve got the Traveler’s blessin’, havin’ her in charge. You know who supports Lady Avery? Me an’ her gunmen, some of our families, the Chanely’s, an’ few others. You have this conversation with anyone else, you’re liable to get a black eye, kicked outta the household, or worse.” Derik nodded knowingly. “She’s careful to keep everyone happy, though,” Gan finished, “But she keeps her guard up. Ever notice that she’s got an armed man behind you at all times?” Derik turned to Saul to see him staring at his lap quietly. “So you’re sayin’ she’s a good ruler,” the outsider asked, “But she still has a lot o’ enemies in town?” “Yeah,” Saul confirmed slowly, “Most people don’t like the idea o’ one person havin’ all the power.” “But you do?” Derik inquired, his curiosity piqued. “Things were a lot worse before Lady Avery,” Saul claimed, his mood picking up with passion, “She ain’t ever done us wrong. They just don’t realize how bad other Warlords are, an’ how good she is.” “And you?” Derik asked Gan. The guard shrugged, “I don’t mind a monarchy or dictatorship or whatever you want to call it. As long as the leader ain’t bad.” “I don’t approve of Warlords,” Derik expressed, “But for now, I have to agree that Lady Avery seems to be doin’ well. Is that how all her supporters see it?” “As far as I know,” Gan shrugged again, “Most people don’t talk about it, naturally. Tense subject an’ all. Us, her gunmen, guards or whatever, I think we’d all do just about anythin’ she says.” “Why’s that?” Derik pressed. “We trust her, I guess. That’s why she chooses us. I think she’s worth followin’.” “Trust?” Derik echoed. “Well, I can’t speak for everyone,” Gan denied, “I’m like Saul here. Runs in the family. She’s been good to us.” “My grandpa helped Lady Avery take Hilton from Lord Chril,” Saul repeated, full of pride. “There’s other cases,” Gan added, “Some interestin’ stories. Tanaka, for example. Samuel Caen was a bit of a legend, before he died. Then there’s Brenon. He’s practically-” “That’s enough talk of politics,” a woman scolded, stepping into the room with a plate of steaming food in each hand. She was as old as Varse, with graying hair and deep wrinkles. “We are having dinner with a guest,” she said, “And this is not decent talk for it. I won’t let a soul eat who talks about that nonsense. It starts nothin’ but trouble.” “But, ma,” Saul defended, “We were just-“ “But nothin’,” she hushed, “If your father started talkin’ about the rules o’ Warlords, he wouldn’t stop ‘til tomorrow morning!” “Yes ma’am,” Saul mumbled. “You’d best listen to her,” Varse advised as he came in, holding two more plates, “You can talk about Samuel another time.” “Oh, he was such a sweet man,” the woman sighed, “Traveler bless his soul.” “Derik,” Varse introduced, “This is my wife, Lucy.” Derik stood, “A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” “Oh, finally, a gentleman!” Lucy praised, “About time there was one in this house!” “Hey!” Saul exclaimed indignantly. “Darlin’...” Varse chuckled. “Oh, except for you, Gan,” Lucy amended, “Nothin’ wrong with you.” The couple placed the food on the table while Derik sat back down, then Varse went back to the kitchen. Lucy sat down next to Saul, who awkwardly watched his plate. Derik looked to Gan, who also hadn’t touched his plate and was eyeing the outsider. Derik got the message and waited for permission to eat. Varse returned with his own platter, sitting at the head of the table. Saul immediately shoveled food into his mouth, and Gan began taking measured bites. “Gan,” Lucy chided, gesturing at Gan’s armor, “Why are you wearin’ that nonsense at the table?” Gan swallowed before indicating Derik with a finger, “I’m on duty, ma’am.” Lucy studied Derik briefly and argued, “Well he doesn’t seem like any trouble to me.” “I agree,” Saul said through a mouth full of food. “Lady Avery would disagree,” Gan countered. “To the Darkness with that woman if I have a guest shot dead in my home!” Lucy swore. “Now now, honey,” Varse soothed, “No need for that. It’s just that-“ “I don’t need to hear it,” Lucy interrupted. Her anger quickly melted away and she looked to Derik, “Go ahead and eat, dear, before it gets cold.” Derik gratefully took his fork and began to eat.