Ben looked surprised, and displeased. "I'm just warnin' ye, and tryin' to protect me daughter. You shouldn't let folk like that near her." He nodded in the direction of Anthony.

Tobias' experience of Anthony hadn't been altogether great, but the man seemed pathetic rather than evil, and Tobias was appalled by Ben's behavior. He held up his hand. "And protecting your daughter is my duty now, and I assure you I do it with care. But I do not need you telling me what to do."

That caught Alice's attention. She looked up and glanced at her father's and husband's faces.

Ben drew a sharp breath and balled his fists. "As you say," he said, voice quiet with anger. "Alice was fatigued. Make sure she rests and drinks something before you set off, if such advice doesn't offend you." He put a hand on Alice's shoulder, glared at Anthony, and then turned and marched out of the inn. Tobias put a hands to his forehead, closed his eyes and frowned.