While Ailene and Blackthorne talked, Thorburn was conferring with his brothers to see if there was anything they might do, from joining their soldiers, investing the Manor in a siege, and sending for help from the King's armies. Everything imagined would take too long and allow too much harm to come to Ailene and Teárlag. Frang asked the magistrate, "If we sign over our lands to Blackthorne, could we get it reversed because it was coerced?"

"Possibly, but it would take years and in the meanwhile, Blackthorne will hold your property and you'd be bereft of funds. With the wealth he held and your lack of funds to fight it,...