Naomi settles down at a leather chair in front of Raurlin's desk. Raurlin accepts a glass of whiskey poured by Jackson who is sharing one too. Naomi looks down at the papers in her lap entitled 'Naomi Hollands, Queen.' Seeing the word 'queen' splayed out in front of her is an unfamiliar sensation. The title has always been official, addressed to her, but not once until now has it felt official. Severe. Raurlin had insisted on her taking the lead with the record-keepers and Naomi initially thought it was to provide her with the freedom to discover her kind of ruling, but the trembling of his hands told her a different truth.

"The nerve of them!" Sarah spits out as she slides the office window open, inhaling the cool air.

"Couldn't agree more! Those vermin-"

"Raurlin."

"Sarah."

Naomi and Jackson caution simultaneously, sharing a smile between the two of them.

"I would like to have Stellan's input on this," Naomi announces. "That letter from the elder isn't sitting right with me. No record-keeper is above the authority of the king and queen. And the writing in of a decree with no prior communication or approval is just..." Naomi looks up at Raurlin who is nodding his head in agreement, before taking a slow sip of his whiskey.

"Delilah is upstairs with Soraya," Jackson explains, "we've not received word from Stellan yet but I am sure he will be in touch soon or home soon."

"My immediate concern is that Naomi and I are at a slight disadvantage here. They could raise things that we know nothing about. I don't want to look like a fool in front of those pretentious cloaks."

"I'm with Sarah on that one," Naomi confirms. "I do not want them in our home either. I don't trust them. But we need to be on the same page. All of us. If there is anything to be put on the table now would be the time."

"What do you suggest, My Queen?" Raurlin asks with a gentle smile.

"We can arrange accommodation for them closer to town. They need to understand that we do not harm the locals, interaction should be to a minimum. We take the rest of the day to read through their proposal, each in our own capacity and then as a group. If there is anything that comes up that we need to clarify or explain we discuss it in advance. We will have Horatio send word once we are ready to meet with him again. In fact, I think Horatio can arrange transport and accommodation since he is ever the event planner."

"He can probably hear you," Sarah chuckles.

Naomi shrugs, "he is not above our order either and he acted far outside scope. That is serious. Raur, I trust you can handle Horatio?"

"Of course. Leave it to Jax and I."

"I'm glad we have an agreement," Naomi announces, standing up. "I'd like to see Soraya now. Will someone speak to Horatio?"

"I'll do it," Sarah volunteers, "just until tempers have simmered. Naomi, why don't you carry on? I'll catch up with you. I think I'd like to complain with Raurlin a little while longer."

Naomi grins at her best friend as she stands up, carrying her papers with her. Naomi walks out of the office and as she does the door is pulled closed behind her. She jogs up the stairs and to Stellan's bedroom, where the door is pulled shut. Naomi knocks twice and the door is swung open by Delilah. Naomi steps into the room where Soraya is sitting in the bed, the blankets covered up to her chin.

"My Queen I had no idea-"

"Dee, I know. It's okay. I just wanted to come and check on you and Raya. Raya why are you all wrapped up in there? They couldn't have scared you that much."

Soraya shakes her head, her eyes falling to the bed in front of her as Naomi walks to the bed and sits down. Delilah steps between her and Soraya at a distance, her arms folded tightly against her chest. The air in the room, between them, is tense and Naomi frowns. She turns her attention to Delilah.

"Do you want to tell me what's going on?"

Delilah turns her back to Naomi, pacing up and down further away from her.

Naomi stands up, demanding "Delilah!" Her eyes pulse and Naomi knows they are gleaming ruby red. Delilah turns to face her, her eyes widening. "I won't ask again," Naomi cautions.

Delilah sighs, rubbing her eyes then running her hair through her hair. "There was an incident earlier today with Axel. We went down to that cafe with the rye bread sandwiches? I think...Axel is not as well as we thought he might be."

Soraya throws the duvet onto the bed and she scrambles out of the bed, rushing in front of Naomi. Her voice is a harsh whisper as she pleads "please, Naomi! My Queen! He didn't mean it! It was a mistake, it was only a mistake."

Naomi steps forward, moving Soraya's hair away from her neck. She takes hold of her chin, lifting her head and turning it slightly, examining the harsh red bruising along Soraya's neck. The skin is inflamed and swollen. Naomi drops her hand and she turns to Delilah. "You," she instructs, pointing at Delilah, "keep an eye on her. She doesn't leave this room."

"No!" Soraya attempts at a scream as Naomi walks towards the door. Naomi pulls the door open and as she Soraya grips onto her free arm, tugging her backwards. Soraya's grip is painful and fierce, despite Delilah's urgent coaxing for her to release Naomi's arm. Naomi turns to face Soraya and as she does a snapping pain followed by a tingling and numbness running down Naomi's arm.

"Raurlin," Naomi calls out, taking hold of her arm that is hanging lowly. The tingling turns to a sharp searing pain. Almost instantaneously Raurlin is at the door, stepping into the room. "What the hell happened?" He demands as he turns his attention to Naomi. Naomi bites down hard as Raurlin steps towards her, looking down at her hanging arm. His eyes flush bright and claws extend from his finger nails.

"I said what the hell happened?" Raurlin booms just as Jackson and Sarah are rushing into the room.

Sarah wraps an arm around Naomi's neck gently and she ushers her to the bed. Delilah steps in front of Soraya holding her arms out, looking fiercely at Raurlin. "She's a child!" Delilah shouts. "You get away from her!" Naomi looks from Sarah who is examining her arm to Jackson who is trying to shove between Raurlin and Delilah. The commotion turns to a single screeching in Naomi's ears, she squeezes her eyes shut, a single tear running down her cheek.

"Raur!" She hears herself shout above the noise, "I need you." The room around her falls silent and Naomi slowly opens her eyes to find Raurlin, kneeling in front of her. He gently takes her uninjured hand and he holds it carefully. His eyes have returned to the soft hazel that Naomi knows them to be, with the golden halo.

"Jax," Raurlin calls over his shoulder, "can you have a look at Naomi's arm please."

Sarah steps back allowing Jackson to step beside Naomi. "It's definitely dislocated," Sarah mutters, "not sure if it's broken."

Naomi's eyes follow Sarah as she walks to Soraya and sits her down at the other end of the bed, she gently smooths Soraya's hair away from her neck and she examines her neck closely. Raurlin reaches up and turns Naomi's face to his.

"Jax is going to need to put that shoulder back into place. It is going to hurt. But I'm right here and we're going to do it together, taking deep breaths okay?"

Naomi nods, her heart drumming in her chest. She mimics Raurlin's deep inhales and exhales as Jackson presses around her shoulder, lifting her arm and moving it around slowly. The pain is hot and Naomi's eyes fall closed again. On an inhale the shoulder is pushed back into place and Naomi forces out a loud, long exhale. She opens her eyes and Raurlin is reaching up, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry," Raurlin tells her quietly. Naomi offers an attempt at a reassuring smile.

Naomi turns to face Jackson saying, "thank you, Jax."

"It will still hurt for a little bit but some blood should speed up the healing process. For both you and Soraya."

Naomi turns her attention back to Soraya whose face is twisted with pain, battling back crying. Soraya glances at Naomi then turns her head away. As the tension in the room is about to reach its pinnacle Stellan steps inside, confusion on his face. His eyes scan the room then land on Naomi.

"What's happened?" Stellan questions, pausing beside Naomi.

"I'm guessing Naomi came up to check on Soraya after dealing with the record-keepers and she saw Soraya's neck. Then I think Naomi tried to come down to let Raurlin know what happened at which point in time Soraya tried to stop her by pulling her back into the room and she pulled her arm right out of place. Naomi called for Raurlin who came into the room and completely lost it. Then Delilah was just about ready to sacrifice herself for Soraya, trying to protect her from Raurlin. Jackson tried to separate them. Naomi managed to get Raur's attention then Jax popped the shoulder back in place. Then you walked in."

Stellan watches Sarah wide eyed as Sarah falls silent. Stellan peers down at Naomi. "Are you okay, love?" Naomi nods her head, forcing a smile. Naomi watches as Stellan walks forward, tugging Delilah in a tight but short embrace. After releasing her, Stellan squats in front of Soraya. "Neck's very bad," he mutters then looks up at Sarah asking "is there anything you can do for Soraya?"

Sarah looks at Naomi and Naomi nods quickly. "Of course," Sarah confirms, "come Soraya, let me take you to my room. Jax, can you come too?"

"I'd like to help as well," Delilah insists, pleading for Stellan's approval. Stellan sighs and Delilah follows closely behind Sarah, Soraya and Jackson out of the room. Once they are out of sight Stellan shuts the door gently. He pinches the bridge of his nose.

"I am terribly sorry about this, Naomi. I should have sent a warning about what had happened. The record-keepers are here?"