All the way down the hill, Kovaar was muttering to the Principal. "See what you get, not listening to the rights of proper position in society? Out of proper order comes order. You reap what you sow by not following the words of the Prophet. Children are meant to respect those who brought them into the world." The monologue went on and on. "What had happened to him? By giving up control of the Guilds, he had given away control of himself. He had to show his daughter her proper place in things if he had any hope to save her from what he had already wrought."
Sandon frowned as he listened. What was it that Kovaar was trying to achieve? Surely there could be no good to come from such words -- ever--but he was in no real position to say anything.
Edvin led them into the main rooms and brusquely told them to wait. It had been a long time since Sandon had last visited this place and he stood uncomfortably looking around, seeking familiarity in the large square room. He noted very quickly that most of the furniture was the same as he remembered, a few of the decorations and details might be different, but Karin had kept it much the same room that it had been in her father's day. So little had changed, that when Karin burst through the central doors with Edvin in her wake, it was painfully clear there was something new in the Men Darnak house.
"What are you doing here, Father? Didn't I tell you last time you came to see me? Yet again you turn up with a bevy of clowns and fools." Her face was livid, her fists held in tight balls beside her. "And what's this?" She waved in Sandon's direction. "Edvin told me, but I thought he was joking. What are you doing bringing that in here."
"Karin..." Men Darnak took a step forward.
"This is not a circus!"
Men Darnak held out his hands. "I have reduced the number of my men. What do you want me to do? I still have the needs of one in my station."
"Your station?" Karin stepped close to him. "What station is that? You are my father, nothing more. You gave up the rights to anything else when you gave up control of the Principate, and you'd do very well to remember it. The only reason you have anything is because I permit it."
Men Darnak looked at her aghast. "What sort of daughter are you?" he said, stepping back.
Karin followed, matching his pace as he retreated. "The daughter you raised me to be, Father. Would you expect anything less?"
Men Darnak finally stopped retreating and stood eye to eye with her. "Do you know what you're doing, child?" he said in a low voice. "Do you really know?"
She stepped back and laughed, her hands on her hips. "Oh, I know what I'm doing, old man. More than I think you know. What are you doing, running all over the countryside on some fantasy sliding around in the inside of your head? Whatever you have, you've brought on yourself. You're the one who sent Tarlain away. You're the one who gave up the Principate. It's time for you to truly give it up, old man. We've had enough of your meddling."
By this time, the portly Yosset Clier had appeared in the doorway. He stood, hesitating, watching the scene in front of him.
"Karin?" he said.
"What is it, Yosset? Not now."
"But I think perhaps -- "
She spun to face him. "You don't think, Yosset. Neither do you speak unless I ask you too. I'm talking to the old man. Now either shut up, or leave."
Clier clamped his mouth shut and stood where he was. She whirled back to face Men Darnak. "If you've had enough now, Father, I suggest you gather your men and your strange companions together and find somewhere else to go. You're in the way here."
Sandon gasped despite himself. Men Darnak's shock was evident. "You're no daughter of mine," he said, shakily.
"Oh, I'm very much your daughter. What are you going to do now -- disown me like you did Tarlain? Well, it's a bit late for that."
Witness Kovaar took a step toward them, but Karin waved her hand. "And you stay where you are too, Priest. You've got nothing to add to this conversation."
Men Darnak spoke, the evident anger building in his voice. "I've still got one child left. Roge has better sense than to treat his father like this."
"Go! Go running to Roge! See how far you get."
