A Lantern in the Dark

Jade shakes her head no.

"Go speak with the princess. I'll escort everyone to the manor. Report what you learn to me when you're back.

“Wait—afore ye go,”
Edgar called out, raising a hand.
He shifted the weight of the satchel from his shoulder and let it drop with a solid thump at his feet. Crouching down, he opened the flap and began rummaging through the contents with a practiced hand, carefully pulling out bundles of neatly folded fabric, each tied with simple twine.
“Zinna sent a few things… said they’d need these.” 
He rose and stepped forward, holding out the first bundle.
“For the gentleman,” he said, handing it with a respectful nod to the older man, his tone steady but kind.
Then another. “An’ for the lady,” he added, offering it to the older woman with the faintest smile softening his usually stern features.

He reached back into the bag and drew out two smaller bundles, followed by two soft, hand-stitched toys—one a patchwork fox, the other a plump little hare, both lovingly made, well-worn but clean. He crouched again and turned toward the children, who lingered near the older woman, clinging to her skirts with wide, uncertain eyes.

Edgar lowered himself to their level, one knee on the floor, and softened his voice as he held out the toys.

“And these are for ye, wee ones,” he said, offering each toy with an open hand and a quiet, reassuring smile.
“No’ much, but they’ve waited just for you.”

The children hesitated, then slowly reached forward—one taking the fox, the other the hare—still quiet, but their fear visibly easing under Edgar’s calm presence.

He gave them a nod, then stood again, lifting the last of the bundles into the older woman’s hands.

Straightening, Edgar slung the now-empty satchel over his shoulder again and cast a glance around the room, his expression somewhere between duty and quiet sympathy.

“It’s no’ much,” he admitted, “but Her Highness insisted—said a warm bath an’ fresh clothes might go a long way after what they’ve been through.”

He looked to each person in turn, his voice softening just a touch more as he addressed the older woman directly.

“There’s herbs in each bundle, for tea… and a proper soak, if ye like. Calmin’ ones. Meant to ease the body and the mind, aye?”

He gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, turning back to Katalina. "If there’s anythin’ else we can do, just let us ken."

Jade smiles at the gifts.

"Thank you both. Please tell yhe princess I always appreciate her kindness. And as always you both are welcome at the Umbris embassy any time you wish to visit. I'm sure you know I have Vesta staying there at the moment."

Katalina watches as Edgar passes out the bundles and when he's finished, she turns to him. "Thank you, Sir Edgar. I cannot express what it means to have your assistance." She steps up beside him. "Please, allow me to accompany you as I wish to get more information from the Princess." She looks back to Jade. "I shall report back my findings, Baroness. Safe travels."