Da was indeed in a rare mood tonight, and Gerrick could see it without his best friend's empathic help.

The torches in the sconces on the stone walls and pillars were lit, and the meat pie, neeps, and tatties were served. Conversation went on at the horse-shoe shaped table as usual. Gerrick looked across and saw Aifric Fraser blushing as Sine doted on him with a kerchief and whispered promises. Malcolm brooded in silent thought at Da's left hand, and his wife, Mary Gray MacBoon, looked on in concern. Donald Ban jovially called for another ale, seemingly oblivious to the mood. His new Vesturian lover smiled at his humor, but refused a cup when offered.

But the key players at the head were uncharacteristically serious. Da, Ma, Duncan Fraser, Michael Scott the family mage, Margaret, who was Gerrick's older sister and Michael's star student, The Commodore, and the General, all spoke in quiet tones and wrinkled brows. Only Michael and Ma looked natural with such expressions. Da looked positively out of place. Almost as tall as Malcolm, and built like a king: Ale-gut, barrel chest, a body full of warrior's muscle and king's fat, a head full of Highland hair as unruly as his clan. Da's face was accustomed to joy, even if it was gallows humor.

Today, he was worried.

Something toddled into Gerrick's peripheral vision. When he looked, Mary, his younger sister at half his age, smiled up at him. "Who's yer new friend, brother?"

Gerrick smiled. "Mary, this is Fearghas O'Toole. Fearghas, this is Mary MacBoon, me younger sis."

Fearghas smiled. "Hello, M'Lady."

Mary blushed, and curtsied in her plaid skirt, but then turned her attention back to Gerrick. "Why is Spider ootside? Should I invite 'im in?"

Gerrick kept his smile, but the question was a bit...jarring. Spider, one of Gerrick's first friends, was standing out in the rain. Of course he would not be invited in because of his...unusual state of affairs. It tended to put people off.

Gerrick nodded. "Tell ye what, Mary." He glanced across to where Aifric and Sine sat, laughing at one of Aifric's sister's jokes. "Head across tae Sine, an' ask her that."

Mary smiled. "Alrigh'." She turned to go.

Ansley leaned over to Gerrick. "Whaddya figure Spider wants?"

Fearghas looked curiously. "Who's Spider?"

Gerrick glanced to him. "When ye see 'im taenight, doon't comment."

Fearghas squinted. "On what?"

"Ye'll know when ye see him. He's a dear friend an' he hasnae got long left. We love 'im, so treat 'im right." Gerrick saw Sine's brow wrinkle in predatory focus as Mary asked her question. She looked across to Gerrick. Gerrick nodded once, and gestured with his eyes and a tilt of his head to the great hall doors.

Sine nodded, gave Aifric a quick whispered excuse, then stood up to tend to Spider.

Gerrick watched her go, but was interrupted by his Da's voice. "Gerrick!"

Gerrick looked. The patriarch of the MacBoon clan was smiling again, but Gerrick just bet Jonas was going to tell him he was putting on the face of the Hamish MacBoon everyone knew, for appearances sake. Gerrick matched the smile. "Yes, Da."

"I havenae seen ye today. How's yer day been? Galavantin' off wi' Jonas an' Ansley no doobt."

Gerrick smiled. "Just enjoyin' the weather." He put in a small test question. "Maybe thinkin' a' takin' the Glacier oot fer a wee if it keeps up." The Glacier, his personal sloop, was not well armed, but was the most maneuverable airship in the family fleet.

Gerrick saw the flash of alarm as his Da got control of it and smiled again. "Tell ye what, lad, stay in fer a wee, and I'll go through some trainin' paces wi' ye and Jonas tomorrow. How's that soond?"

Gerrick smiled. "I'd love that, Da."

Ansley picked up the thread. "Can I watch?"

Donald raised his pint. "Likes tae see her boy get good and sweaty Highland style, aye?"

Ansley grinned devilishly. "Aye, that I do."

Hamish laughed, as did some of the other guests. Gerrick just smiled. An old legendary bard once said, if you're going to bother to whip it out, you might as well knock something over with it. He said, "Aye, but she must be bored a' that by now."

More laughter, and then from Malcolm, "Braggart!" He gave Gerrick a grin, eliciting even more laughter from the gathered guests. He smiled more warmly, lifting his glass to Gerrick.

Gerrick laughed with his oldest brother, and quickly glanced to see how Aifric was taking it. Aifric had long ago accepted his sister's relationship with Gerrick, but it was good not to rub it in too much. Aifric smiled, taking the whole thing in good humor. Gerrick quickly changed the subject to take the pressure off him. "So will I get tae hold the hammer this time?"

Hamish shrugged, thoughtfully, reaching to his side and bringing out the large Gift of the Mother of the Hearth, an oversized war-hammer like a scepter, a fitting emblem of the Laird MacBoon. He hefted the implement in both hands, his face mocking deep consideration. "Mmmm...Maybe." He looked slyly at his youngest son.

Gerrick grinned. Ansley gave him a hug from the side.

Ma raised her glass, but her face was a careful, studious expression behind her diplomatic smile. "So who's yer new friend, Gerrick?"

Gerrick smiled. "This?" He gestured to Fearghas. "This is Fearghas O'Toole. He helped me with a little project earlier taeday." He glanced at Malcolm, who looked away in humorous exasperation.

Malcolm snarled playfully. "Yer pranks are gettin' right up ma kilt, little brother."

Gerrick grinned.

Jonas leaned in and whispered, "He's trying to hide it, but he's really annoyed with you. Something's on his mind."

Gerrick nodded once. "Well...maybe I'll lay off a wee, Brother. After all, ye were merciful this time. Whaddya say, a month?"

Malcolm looked surprised, but nodded. "Aye. That I could do."

Donald raised his glass. "So what'd ye do this time, little bro?"

Malcolm shook his head. "Wee bastard sent his little troublemaker in tae steal money from me tae distract me while he went after sommat else. I dinnae even ken what he took yet."

Da boomed with genuine laughter. "Aye, that's me son, a right thinker, he is. It's scary sometimes." Hamish nudged his wife. "He got yer brains, lover."

Ma nodded. "Well he dinnae get 'em from ye, ye great ox, that's fer sure."

The gathered feasters--Da included--laughed uproariously. Gerrick raised his glass in gratitude at the acknowledgment.

Donald went on. "Tell ye what, bro. Whatever it was, I'll ransom it back for Malcolm, as a gift." He looked to Gerrick, then to Malcolm, who looked visibly relieved.

Gerrick grinned. "Alright. I accept."

Some of the gathered guests cheered.

and then, Sine returned. She leaned down to Gerrick. "We got a problem, mate."

Gerrick nodded. "Da, may I be excused tae tend tae sommat? There's a problem wi' me horse."

Hamish waved impatiently. "Aye, aye, alright, just hurry back."

Gerrick nodded in thanks, and stood up. Ansley and Jonas followed. Gerrick signalled to Fearghas. "Come on, laddie."