They arrived that evening. Ruth tagged along after her parents as they found their apartment. Father had been here earlier, picking out a place to live. Since the family didn't lack for money, he'd been able to find a rather nice three-room place just a short walk from the marketplace. Ruth was in awe of the whole thing. She'd never before seen such towering buildings, much less a place where different homes were stacked upon each other like this. She would have preferred to stay out exploring, but Father had other plans for her.

"You were defiant and disobedient... you did exactly what we told you not to do... you tried to hide it from us by hiding yourself in the back of our wagon... and you lied and instructed your little sister to lie as well. Can you think of any reason why you shouldn't be in a wealth of trouble, young lady?"

Ruth fidgeted, but had to shake her head. "No, sir."

He sighed and ran one hand through his hair, then nodded towards the apartment's third room. "That will be your room, while you're here. And I don't plan on having you here very long. But for tonight at least, you're to stay in the room. Your mother and I have a lot to talk about."

Arguing didn't seem like the best idea, even though the last thing Ruth wanted to do was sit in her room all night. So she stifled protests and headed for the room, flopping down onto the bed. It was a nice room - small, but comfortable. And totally boring. But before long, Ruth heard something that might make things more interesting: a knock on the door. She peeked out of her room to see who'd arrived, but didn't manage to hide herself well enough.

"Hello, Master Colin... Mistress Grace Ann." the newcomer spoke warmly. Then he paused. "And who is this young lady? I didn't know you were bringing children."

Father looked back towards her and frowned. "That's our eldest daughter, Ruth. She hid in the back of the wagon and now she's being punished for it. We plan to send her away first chance we get." To Ruth, he added, "Get back into your room, young lady."

"It won't be easy to get her out of Trillagla." the guest didn't sound pleased about this. "Not many are fleeing to the countryside, these days. With the farms unruly and the city seeming chaotic, people think the only safe thing to do is shut themselves up inside their homes."

"Then she'll stay with us." Mother decided, calmly. "Never you mind, Ralph. We'll get her enrolled in a good school and we'll hardly hear a peep from her. Our Ruth likes her studies."

"Any more surprises?" Ralph wanted to know.

"No, none." Father assured him, quickly.

"Good."

"Don't worry." Mother added. "We'll take care of everything."

"I hope so." Ralph murmured, letting himself out the door. "I hope so."