They need to be vetted

Mary enjoyed the lunch, when the owner came by their table to talk to them once they had finished, she even dared to ask a few questions about the dish. The owner immediately called out the chef to answer her questions. Mary felt a bit embarrassed that he needed to interrupt his work on her account.

But with some encouragement from Kopa, and with a light blush on her cheeks, she talked to the cook. He was more than happy to answer her questions and she ended up walking out of the restaurant with a small pouch of his special herb mix.

Kopa told Bettina and Mary to start heading out while he played the bill. The two women stepped outside and stood there waiting for some time.

“Honestly, he has been caught up in some conversation again” Bettina said, faking annoyance. Mary could se that she was more amused than angry. “You wait here, and I will go drag him out”. Mary nodded.

Mary hadn’t stood there for long when the three young grey riders came laughing out of the restaurant. One of them, a tall blond man, with a happy smile and eyes as blue as a summer sky, looked at her and stopped in his track.

“Hello miss” he said in Salamis, walking up to her.

“Hello” Mary answered, also in Salamis. She didn’t feel comfortable with the attention she was getting, the mans both comrades had now focused in on her as well. But they stood a bit further away.

“My name is Roan, may I know what your name is?” the blond man asked.

“I’m not as fluent in Salamis I’m afraid, may we speak in common?” Mary asked, in near flawless Salamis.

“I apologise, I should have known from your clothes that you weren’t local” the main said, switching to common. “Let me introduce myself again. I’m Roan, a grey rider. May I know your name, beautiful lady?” he continued with a smile.

“A pleasure, my name is Mary” Mary said. She didn’t return his smile but bowed her head slightly as a greeting.

“So Mary, as you seem to be new to the city, may I show you around? As a grey rider I know this city well and I can be trusted. Do you know what a grey rider is?” Roan continued smiling and stepped half a step closer.

“I do know what they are, but I’m not in need of a guided tour. But I thank you for your offer” Mary said, turning around to try and see where Kopa and Bettina were.

“Don’t be like that Mary, at least don’t turn me down in front of my friends. They will tease me forever” the last part he said in a whisper. Mary looked over to his two friends, they were smirking.

“I think Mary will have to do with my wife and me” Kopa said, he had just stepped out of the restaurant and was glaring at the young man.

Roan paled and immediately stood in attention looking at Kopa and then at Mary.

“I didn’t know she was your guest sir Teeran. I wouldn’t have suggested she come with us if I knew” he quickly said. Mary saw that his two friends also stood in attention, their smirks were gone.

“She’s my daughter and is off limits, do I make my self clear?” Kopa said with a stare that could have killed.

“Your daughter? Yes, of course, perfectly clear sir” Roan said, saluting Kopa.

“Off you go” Kopa dismissed them. Mary and Bettina watched as the young men quickly disappeared.

“Are you okay Mary?” Kopa asked.

“I’m fine”

“Of course she’s fine. Everything was just fine until you barged out scaring the poor boy” Bettina said with an accusing tone.

Kopa grunted and steered them to start walking.

“Kopa, Mary need to have a social life” Bettina said, a bit more kindly.

“She can have as many women friends as she wants. But no men, especially not if they look at her as he did.” Kopa huffed.

“Honey”

“No, this is my final word. Mary aren’t allowed to speak to any men unless I have approved of them” he said, and Bettina sighed and smiled at Mary.

Mary looked at both of them. She was used to other people making decisions in her life on her behalf, so she didn’t even think of interjecting her own opinion.

“That’s nice and all sweetheart. But it might prove to be a tad bit difficult for Mary to live here if she can’t communicate with half of the population.” Bettina chuckled and gave Kopa a comforting pat on the arm she was holding.

“Mary my dear. You can talk to whom ever you want. But if a man wants to take you out and you agree, then you bring him home so Kopa and I can have a talk with him” Bettina leaned across Kopa and looked at Mary as she spoke.

“Take out?” Kopa raised his voice as if that idea was the most horrible thing he had heard in years.

“I don’t know why this is such a big thing. I don’t think men will talk to me at random and if one were to ask me out, I would say no. I’m not cut out for that sort of thing” Mary said quietly.

Bettina gave Kopa a look that clearly said, ‘look at what you done’, and tutted while shaking her head.

“Mary, that nice young rider today came up and talked to you. And there will be plenty more. You don’t need to turn everyone down” Bettina said, looking sternly at Kopa.

“No, no, of course not. Just most of them” he responded, earning him a sharp poke of Bettina’s elbow. “Okay, Mary, we don’t want you to be alone. You are allowed to have friends” he corrected himself and after a look from Bettina he continued.

“And even men that want’s to court you” he said it as if he had a bad taste in his mouth. “I just need you to have a bit of patience with me little one. I want to protect you, keep you safe. I may have a talking or two with some young men. But I promise I will listen if you tell me, you really like someone” he finished.

“I know you do, and you don’t have to worry. I’m not interested in being courted” Mary said giving him a smile.

Mary knew that love in that way wasn’t going to be part of her life. She had two experiences with it. In one case she had had her hart broken so completely that she doubted that it would ever fit together again. In the other case she had broken the heart of someone she loved and cared for.

No, Mary had decided that love was not something she was going to entertain. Especially now that she knew that she wasn’t dependent on a man in her new home. She could live with her new family as long as they wanted her and then she could stand on her own two feet.