Sienna pulled Soren away, just in case he caught a stray punch or sothing. So people pulled Linera away, while others tried to pull Numia out from under her. Linera was a forr mber of the Falcon hunting guild, she could snap soone’s neck in a single breath.
At the mont, emotions were raw. It was best to keep her calm.
Byra, patted Linera’s back, while glaring at Numia. "Fool, you are a fool. Christo, take your wife away from here because she has no business in this eting."
Christo seed reluctant but Corven Junior was not. The young teenager had inherited the spine his father failed to develop. And, his grandfather had told him that their success or failure depended on not angering Sienna.
The boy was familiar with his mother’s mouth which sotis, got away from her. So, he dragged away by the hand, moving in the direction of the beach.
Sienna sighed. "Endure, eh!" she muttered to her mother.
Mrs. Miller smiled, still patting the heads of the girls that were yet to stop sniffling.
Sienna raised her voice. "Enough. Let’s focus on what is important. What do you expect from ? Food? Shelter? Or do you want to fight the falcon tribe elders on your behalf? If I pull the right strings, I can maybe, get you back into the tribe."
The air buzzed with murmurs. Cousins exchanged glances. Uncles shifted uneasily. Then Corven said, "I don’t know about the others, but my wife and I will not be going back. We gave our all to the tribe, and none of the elders voted to stop our exile. They showed no rcy. Even if we return, we will be subject to whispers, mockery. We will be the lowest of the low. I would rather die than return."
Linera nodded. "And I stand with my parents. We don’t need you to pull any strings, we want survival. A place to stay, even if temporary. A chance to rebuild. We know you have your own troubles, so we will try hard not to inconvenience you beyond what is necessary."
Soren grunted. "You have wrapped it in a bow nicely. But why should we help you?"
"Because you are blood." Dan piped up before the adults could respond tactfully.
Sienna laughed bitterly. "Oh dear, you are very clueless. Blood? Where was blood when my mother was raising us alone? When Paris changed his phone number so that my mother would not ask for any kind of support? Blood does not bind us as much as you think."
The Roclands wilted, losing hope imdiately.
Grandma Byra’s eyes shimred with tears. "We didn’t know, if we had, I would have reached out. You are my grandchildren, you are my blood. How could we not want you? Paris kept the secret well hidden. We are so ashad that this is how we have t. When we are outcasts with nothing and nowhere to go."
Sienna’s eyes softened for a mont, but her voice remained sharp. "I don’t know what you are all expecting but I don’t own a real estate company. All my cottages are occupied. The only available ones belong to my husband. Even if I allow you to use two of them, I have to be clear that it is a rental situation. I will cover the first three months and then you have to take over. If you are expecting to buy you a house, you are insane."
Uncle Jorik bristled. "We can work. We are falcon beast n so we can hunt. We are also good builders. We are not asking for charity, just sowhere to start."
Corven nodded. "I managed to hide so gold when our property was being confiscated. Six small gold balls worth one hundred fifty six thousand beast coins. We can use them to cover rent, buy so clothes and food and take care of so urgent needs for at least three months. You don’t need to give us free rent child, we can’t ask that of you."
"We will be loyal." Jan squeaked, "We will never betray you."
A promise of loyalty from a young girl who was barely twelve years old did not make Sienna a believer in the Roclands. "Okay, I have heard you and I have one final question. What was Numia trying to say? There are only too many secrets you can hide from ."
The Roclands muttered, asking each other if it should be revealed.
Grandma Byra sighed. "Numia is selfish, she sohow has it stuck in her mind that because Paris is..was your father, then you should compensate her financially for everything she lost."
Sienna scoffed. "She must be crazy."
"Yes." All the Rocland’s agreed.
"Please ignore her, we do not believe in what she is saying. It is nuisance, you don’t owe us anything." Corven said strongly.
Sienna approved, and so did Soren and Mrs. Miller. The Roclands had not co with unreasonable demands and spoon feeding expectations. She exhaled slowly. "All right. Here’s the deal. You can rent one six bedroom cottage for the price of five thousand beast coins. We are going to follow the law and you will sign a binding legal agreent. During your stay here, I do not expect any freeloaders.
You must earn your keep. Whether you find jobs in the inner city, or open up a beach side restaurant or supermarket is up to you.
The only jobs I can provide for you are farming jobs and caring for my bees and the hives. If you cause trouble, you’re out. Clear?"
The group nodded eagerly, relief flooding their faces.
Sienna added as an after thought, "Do not use your ties to or Elias to ask for favors here or outside. Do not mistreat the servants and guards while claiming to be relatives. If you want to build a relationship with and Soren, I recomnd taking it slow."
"But you will give us a chance to get to know you, right?" Grandma Byra asked, eyes desperate with hope.
Sienna looked at Soren and she sighed. "Slowly." For his sake, she would endure. As long as they didn’t cause trouble. "Soren, Kroton, go with so people and choose a six bedroom cottage for the Roclands."
The group was led away, with Soren already looking curiously at his cousins. They would all be close friends in a day or two, Sienna imagined.
Mira and Suri did not leave with the others, they clung on to Mrs. Miller even as she rose. The older woman smiled faintly at Sienna, "Thank you. They need this."
Sienna muttered, "We’ll see if I regret it."
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