"If it does, we'll stand against it," he says, on the heels of that. Susan had told them not to press, but this isn't, Cuthbert decides, just making some things clear.

"To defend her and this place and you all three. I think the danger's more from within than without, but we can't be certain. Either way--"

He touches his hip and the weapon there. "--I swear on the guns of my father to do all that I can and more to keep you from harm."