was not that keen on Ti’s adventurous streak though. To her, adventures were things that got you into trouble and caused all sorts of problems with the schedule. She didn’t care for them at all, and had no tolerance for Tiberius seeking them out.
She walked straight up to him and pointed a finger at him. “Just what did you think you were doing! How dare you go off cavorting with witches! First you run off with the militia when you’ve no right, trying to get yourself killed. Then you wind up dancing about with some naked witch! Don’t you have any consideration for my feelings? What were you thinking?”
“Now wait a minute,” Tiberius answered. “You’ve got this all wrong. I wasn’t cavorting with anyone! She attacked me!”
“Don’t you lie to me!” Marybeth replied in indignation. “Everyone is talking about how you were dancing around with some naked witch.”
“Who’s everyone? Did you ask Mr. Okubo? He was right there when she clawed my face,” Tiberius replied.
“Ha! Now I know you’re lying! Your face looks fine,” Marybeth stated.
Marcus, who had about bust a gut laughing, finally chimed in for Ti’s defense.
“He’s telling the truth, Marybeth. Dallen did some magic to heal his cheek. He was worried about poison. If that was Ti’s idea of courting, he’s got a lot to learn about women. He knocked her down flat with a solid right hook.”
“You hit a lady?” Marybeth asked, shocked.
“She was no lady,” Marcus answered. “He should have just tackled the witch the moment he saw her, but my idiot kid brother thinks he’s got to be all polite about it and just grabs an arm and asks her to stop. Course she wheels about and gives him what for across the cheek. That’s when he decked her. You should have seen Mr. Okubo in action. No messing about there, he just flings a couple of them to the ground and ties them up, quick as you please. He was a work of art to watch, let me tell you.”
Marybeth was somewhat mollified, but still unconvinced. “Was she pretty?” she asked.
“Everyone knows witches are ugly,” Tiberius answered with more diplomacy than truth. “She was like some sort of wild animal.”
“She was covered in dirt and animal blood,” Marcus added. “I think even my brother has more taste than that. She wasn’t exactly singing his praises after she came to either.”
“After she came to? How hard did you hit her?” Marybeth asked.
“I might have hit her a little harder than I planned,” Tiberius admitted.
“Little brother has got a pretty solid right hook; I can attest to that,” Marcus added.
“Look, she attacked me! What was I supposed to do?” Tiberius said.
“Don’t give me that,” Marybeth continued. “You had no business going out there and trying to get yourself killed. You’re too young for the militia. You had no business being out there.”
“I was only doing my duty. You don’t want your kids growing up around a bunch of witches do you?” Tiberius said.
“No,” Marybeth said thoughtfully. “But it’s so horrible. I hear those witches were doing terrible obscene things!”
“You got that right,” Marcus interjected, earning him a withering look from his younger brother.
“SO! You probably went out there just to ogle those horrible witches. I guess I’m just not good enough for you.”
“Now, Marybeth, don’t be like that. I don’t care about a bunch of foul ugly witches. I swear I was just trying to protect you. I thought you’d be pleased,” Tiberius said.
“Pleased? I’m pleased when you’re home safe taking care of the printing business. How do you think your going to earn a living for us when you are off having adventures? Don’t you want a family?” Marybeth pleaded.
“Of course I do, Marybeth,” Ti answered weakly.
“Well, the next time they call out the militia, why