Wakeless Weaver

“What do you think?” She leaned in to whisper to him.

“I dunno. I think it's lucky he didn’t do us in.”

She nodded. She was thinking the same thing. It spoke volumes that Jaehaerys had entertained them at all. It meant there must be some merit to what she was thinking otherwise he would have laughed them out of the room in the best case scenario. In the worst, he would be absolutely livid at the suggestion.

“I agree. Tomorrow I think we should keep our eyes and ears open. Don’t say anything to our brothers. I think its best we play this close to our chest for now.”

Shanda loved her brothers dearly but she didn’t exactly think they were too savvy at what her and Martyn got up to. Being the youngest her, Martyn and Royce mostly stuck to themselves. It was easier that way, less trouble anyway. Torrence was a lovely person but he liked scheming even less than her nosy husband. Especially the kind of Bracken scheming she got up to. It was why her father and Torrence never got along. He had a strict code of honor and her father, well, didn't. Stevron and Oswell were similar to her and Martyn but had less tact about things. Shanda was a woman so she was more cautious, had more to worry about if things went sideways. And Martyn had been born anxious and grown more introspective as the years went by. No, it was best to keep them out of things as long as possible.

“Do you think he believed us? What’s to keep him from suspecting us?”

There was Martyn’s anxiety, ever the worrier.

“Too early to tell. I think it's a good sign he listened. Even better is that he wants us looking into things. If he does suspect us then the more we give him the better for us.”

Martyn looked unconvinced but had no good rebuttal.

“What if we don’t find anything? Alysanne is absolutely pissed at us and I doubt Benjicot is going to be keen on letting you out of his sight.”

She shrugged. “When’s that ever stopped us? We’re not at home, Martyn. They can’t watch our every move. We just need to figure out who is here and willing to help us. We can handle the rest, we always have. And don’t worry, I have no intention of coming up empty handed.”

Martyn started to say more but cut himself off. Looking to see what had caused him to stop, she spotted him. Benjicot leaned against the wall up ahead very casually. He pushed off the wall and met them halfway.

“Martyn.” He nodded his head at him and held his hand out for Shanda to take.

She ignored him and hugged her brother. “Stay sharp. We’ll talk more later.”

As they pulled away from each other, she watched his eyes dart to Benjicot before he turned away and began walking towards his own quarters. She worried about him. She knew he was in for an icy night when he arrived back at his room. Alysanne had made her feelings abundantly clear on the ride over here, she was not pleased in the slightest.

Only after Martyn was gone from her sight did she acknowledge her waiting husband.

“Benjicot, how lovely to see you.” She tried but failed to keep the sarcasm from her voice.

“Mm, I’m sure.”

He wrapped his hand around her arm and all but dragged her back to their quarters.

“Must you—“

The look he shot her shut her up. Seems she was in for an icy night too. When they arrived he promptly pulled the door open and shoved her inside before closing the door behind him.

“I have never in all my days had to deal with such a pain in my ass. You beat all I’ve ever seen.”

“Are you quite sure about tha—“

“Quiet. I don’t want to hear a word from you. You’re going to listen and listen well.”

Shanda saw red at his words.

“I don’t know who you think you are but—“

He abruptly cut her off. His hand came up to cover her mouth as he pushed her into the wall.

“What did I just say? Be quiet.”

Her heart beat heavily in her chest. She’d forgotten what a brute he was. He hadn’t spoken to her like this in a very long time, since before they were married.

“I’ve tried to be nice and accommodating but it seems this is the only way you’ll pay attention to what I’m saying.”

He didn’t get her an inch of space as he spoke.

“I told you to stay put and you flouted that surely enough. I’ll admit I didn’t expect you to go over my head, to get the king involved. Props to you there, you certainly got me.”

She squirmed against him trying to free herself from his grip but he only leaned against her more, trapping her more firmly against the wall.

“Be still!” He thundered and she fell still.

What had gotten into him? What could Alysanne have possibly said to get him this riled up? Surely this wasn’t just the result of her going against his wishes. That was her bag after all.

“You are so infuriating sometimes. But I’m an understanding man. Let me in on whatever you’re scheming and maybe we can come to an arrangement.”

She glared at him. The audacity of him! Did he think he could bully the information out of her? He had another thing coming. He slowly pulled his hand away from her mouth and she wasted no time.

“You insufferable lout. I don’t have to tell you a gods damned thing! You think you can just—“

He slapped his hand back over her mouth and she raged. She pushed and kicked and did everything in her power to get away from him.

“Wrong answer.” He then hauled her up over his shoulder before throwing her on the bed.

A yelp escaped her at the motion. She scrambled to get away from him but he was on her in the next second.

“You can’t just—“

“Oh I can do whatever I want. You seem to have forgotten how the power balances in this relationship but I’m going to remind you.”

His lips were on hers before she could say another word and his hand came up to grasp her neck. He squeezed lightly and she bit him hard. When he pulled back from her shocked, she spat the blood from his lip back at him.

“You foul, loathsome, pathetic man. Do you think I’m just going to play along with this lunacy?”

He shoved her backwards by her shoulders before he climbed on top of her effectively pinning her to the bed.

“Yes, I do. Because if you don’t I’m going to make your life very uncomfortable. Now tell me what you talked about with the king.”

She lay there heart pounding, mouth dry and tried to think of anything else to say. She hadn’t expected him to lose his ever loving mind. But she had underestimated him. She’d grown used to his accommodating nature, forgetting that he was an animal. The man who’d tricked her into marrying him in the first place.

“What? Nothing to say? Let’s see if I can change that.”

His lips were back on hers and she writhed beneath him. Freeing a hand she tried to slap him before he caught her hand and pinned it again beneath his knee. Then he cut off her oxygen again. Her head swam and she couldn’t think clearly enough to do anything. When he pulled away from her she breathed in gasping heaves, head spinning.

“Let’s try again, shall we? What did the king say to you, hm? You are capable of relaying information aren't you? Or do I need to track down Martyn instead?”

She was a mess inside and he wanted to threaten her brother?

“He just wanted to talk! We didn’t talk about anything!”

She could tell that wasn’t what he wanted to hear as quick as a swallow he flipped her over. He pressed her into the mattress and she could hear him unbuckle his belt.

“Wait! Wait, listen I’m telling the truth.” She wailed good and truly terrified now.

“No you aren’t. But I’ll give you another chance before I turn you over my knee.”

He wouldn’t! She lay there breathing stuttered while he loomed above her. She took several deep breaths trying to steel her nerves. And then she relented, hating herself the entire time.

“He agreed with me. He thinks something is up too! He just asked me to keep an eye out and report anything suspicious, I swear.”

The world seemed to slow down for a moment as he sat above her silently. Then he turned her back over again.

“He wants you to keep an eye out? For what?”

“Whoever started the rumor that he was sick is out for something. Isn’t that obvious? Someone wanted everyone here and I plan to find out why. The king agreed with me. Or at least he said he did. Please, I promise that’s all!”

Tears prickled at her eyes and she angrily pushed them back down. She would die before she gave him the satisfaction. But a warm smile pulled at his face anyway. He pulled her up and into his lap, holding her close.

“That wasn’t so hard was it? You need to be honest with me. This place isn’t like the riverlands, I’m trying to keep you safe.”

Anger and indignation rose up inside of her. What he wanted was to control her. What he wanted was to remind her of her “proper place”.

“Oh please. Don’t try and sell me on that shit.” She hissed, trying and failing once again to free herself of his grip.

He squeezed her tightly. “Language. What have I told you about cursing?”

She ignored him, positively raging. He stroked her hair and rocked the two of them back and forth. She hated him at that moment. Did he think he could scare the daylights out of her and then comfort her as if he wasn’t the cause of her distress? It reminded her of old times, times better left forgotten.

“You knew who I was before you married me. I’m not going to change.”

“You’re different now. Now you’re a Blackwood and it's time you started acting like one.”

That only incensed her further. Wasn’t this exactly what she’d said to Martyn? Married or not she was still a Bracken. Benjicot continued to rock them, humming quietly under his breath. She felt emotionally exhausted from this encounter.

“I’ll always be a Bracken.”

He stroked her face and she jerked away from his touch. Undeterred he simply went back to stroking her hair. She hated herself for reveling in the feeling. There was something wrong with him though she was sure he felt the same way about her. He probably lamented that she was defective. In his mind women liked to be subjugated. Hadn’t he once told her she wasn’t a strong woman?

“You’re my wife. You will be my wife the rest of your life. Find a way to live with that.”

Now the tears that had threatened to fall came back with a vengeance, trailing down her cheeks.

“As if you ever gave me a choice in that matter.”

The venom in her voice was offset by the tears falling down her face. He reached up and brushed them away.

“You made your decision the moment you crossed the boundary line. If you had just stayed put none of this would have happened. You only have yourself to blame.”

That wasn’t true and she knew it. But right then it felt true. Guilt and shame welled up in her and she slumped against him defeated for the moment.

“It’s okay.” He cooed at her. “I’ll help you. You don’t have to do this alone. You can lean on me.”

He added insult to injury by nuzzling into her. She hadn’t been alone. She had Martyn and he’d taken him away from her. She cried while her husband wiped away the tears he’d caused. She seethed while he held her gently with hands that had threatened her moments before. He rocked them slowly while she grew soft and tired. He’d won this time but she was going to get hers next time.

“Come on. You need to bathe and eat.”

Shanda and Martyn shared a look of dubious innocence between them as Alysanne slammed a scroll down on the table.

“Oh nothing to say?”

Shanda had plenty to say if that scroll said what she thought it did. And based off of the furious look on Alysanne’s face, it said exactly what she thought it did.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to give us something to work with, Alysanne.” Martyn said, saving her the trouble of trying to come up with something.

“Oh you two!” Alysanne paced furiously in front of them, near pulling her own hair out. Grumbling all the while.

“Of all the stubborn, irritating, fish headed people in the riverlands I had to get saddled with you two!”

The scroll definitely said what Shanda thought it did.

“Are you going to clue us in on why we’re fish headed or must we make a game of it?” Shanda spoke up at last.

She watched in quiet fascination as Alysanne turned sharply to stare daggers at her.

“Oh but of course! It isn’t as if this wasn’t all your plan anyway!”

Martyn stood now and his wife only laughed at him.

“Don’t bother. I’ll read it in full as I’m sure you’ll both want to hear how you received a royal invitation to King’s landing, personally signed by the old king's hand himself.”

Martyn sat again and Shanda tried not to look over the moon with glee at her words.

“To the lady Blackwood and her brother, Martyn. It has come to my attention that neither of you have answered my summons. I would lay eyes upon the two who helped bring a semblance of peace to the riverlands. I will not have my halls filled with the entire realm and not have you, who have caused such a stir, absent from the celebrations taking place. I expect to see you within the coming days. Word has already been given to the guard over your delayed arrival, see that you do not keep me waiting any longer than necessary.”

Alysanne read the message in a scathing tone, not even bothering to hide her obvious displeasure. Martyn had shrunk down in his chair but Shanda was nearly preening at how well her plan had worked.

It had been quite a simple feat to write to her brothers and set the plan in motion. Torrence might have his head screwed on tightly but there was absolutely no way Oswell would read her letter and let it slide. ‘Brothers think now of how the Blackwoods will talk and boast of fixing the riverlands. While Martyn and I are left at home. Are we not the ones who set this entire ordeal into motion? I cannot set aside what my husband has ordered for me to do, stay put. But if you were to spread the word yourselves, well who is to stop the realm lamenting our absence? Make it known it was Bracken’s who fixed the riverlands with the help of Lord Tully. Do not allow our part in this to be thrown to the wayside.’

Shanda had no doubt in the few days her brothers had been in King’s landing, they’d made it abundantly clear how incredible Shanda and Martyn had been. She did have a vague fear of dealing with their exaggeration later but that was a problem for another time. Right now all she could think was, they’d won. Finally she would get out of these accursed halls and into some action.

“It seems we have some packing to do.” Shanda said in the wake of Alysanne’s rage.

She thought the woman might combust at her words but instead she drew herself together, sighing.

“I don’t know how you did it.” She admitted. “But this will not be like River run. The capital is vastly different from the riverlands and we must be careful!”

“It seems we both have some secrets then at last. Isn’t that right, dear wife?”

Shanda glanced at her brother, his tone sharp and prying. He sat up straight now looking more determined than she’d ever seen him before. The air was tense between them as she watched Alysanne’s hand twitch. The lady had no bow upon her back and no arrows to draw right now. But Shada had the feeling she would’ve shot Martyn dead in that moment if she had.

Instead she simply said, “Yes, well. Your sister is right, we should all prepare ourselves.” Before leaving the great hall in a hurry.

“Martyn, I suppose we should figure this out. Let’s take a walk, shall we?”

Her brother's eyes are tired but she can see the spark trying to light behind them.

***

Alysanne wasted no time packing or even pretending to. She sat immediately to write to her nephew. She knew Benjicot would be wroth at the news of his wife going behind his back to get her way. She shouldn’t have been surprised but still found that she was. She was honest with Martyn when she told him of her suspect feelings about his sister. But she’d really expected Shanda to ask her to take them. In fact, she was so confident about it that she’d begun planning countermeasures. All of that was ash in the wind now.

Martyn was not wrong in his assessment of her and her nephew. They were trying to keep him and Shanda apart. The fiasco at Riverrun had shown them exactly the kind of person she was. Slippery and conniving, unconcerned with the outcomes as long as they suited her agenda. They’d had many long talks between them about how to avoid another scenario like the last. Sure, the riverlands were experiencing a tentative peace but it was not because Elmo Tully had finally cracked the code via mass marriages. No, it was peaceful because everyone was biding their time. Old wounds only festered under the facade of peace and the trials had only stirred up new ones.

Alysanne did not pretend she played no part in the ensuing chaos. She understood she’d done her own part to stoke the flames of strife but she was doing damage control wherever she could. She hadn’t insisted they move out of Stone Hedge simply to escape the insufferable Lord Bracken, though it was a massive benefit. She’d spent the last two years brokering deals over supplies and trying to keep an eye on the other houses. Benjicot had done his best to help her in that regard with the assistance of Elmo. But none of it would be worth anything if his impulsive wife started scheming with Alysanne’s fool husband. So yes, they had conspired to keep them apart as much as possible. Something even Elmo had agreed with them on. In the two times they’d been back to Riverrun, all three had worked hard to keep everyone busy and away from the two.

The last thing any of them needed was Shanda and Martyn in King’s landing where every lord in the realm was gathered. If River run had been a disaster this could be something far worse if not managed correctly. But the stage was set now and like it or not, she was going to have to play with hand dealt to her. She couldn’t very well ignore the king’s summons. She would have to hope Benjicot was doing his own version of damage control there now. She had no idea what Shanda had done to gain such an invitation but she was sure it would not benefit her.

She could bury her nephew in the Red fork for causing this entire mess in the first place. He’d forced everyone’s hand the moment he marched Shanda into Raventree hall that fateful night. She only hoped they might spend more of the time shaping the narrative this time around. This would be either a great opportunity to cement the peace they’d been working towards or send them head first into a calamity the realm hadn’t seen in some time. And she didn’t even know what the situation was like at court. There would be all kinds of problems and schemes that were unconcerned with the riverlands all together to deal with. Please let Benjicot keep his head about him, she thought, writing furiously.

***

“Your wife has undone us, nephew and I hold you personally responsible.”

Benjicot read the scroll three times over before letting the words sink into his consciousness.

“A personal invitation from the old king himself was here not three days after your departure from Raventree.”

That he did not find surprising but it did fill him with a queer sense of pride. Shanda was smart even if she was a constant and ever growing pain in his ass. What could she have possibly said to gain the King’s attention? That was where his concern was. Meddling in court here was not like meddling in the riverlands. His mischievous wife could end up causing a great war if she played the lords against each other. Which was exactly why he’d ordered her to stay home. But he hadn’t ordered her not to get invited to King’s landing so she had him there.

“Robb. It seems my wife will be joining me here shortly. I need to arrange a few things but in the meantime I want you to watch.”

Benjicot gestured out the window towards the rooftops of the castle where nestled on every balcony and shingle, were a thousand birds all staring back at him.

“If they move a single feather I want to hear about it. Follow the damned things if you must but I want to know about every move they make.”

The birds had followed them all the way into town and he was not very optimistic about that. Whatever reason they had for being here didn’t sit right with him. Birds do not follow a man for miles and miles unless they aim to watch and whisper. Something foul is afoot of this castle and Benjicot planned to figure out exactly what it was. Right after he figured out how to maneuver his unpredictable wife.

Benjicot sighed. “I’ll be back shortly.”

The trip to King’s landing had been long. The three of them sat together, none of them happy about it, as rain and wind whipped against their carriage. The fog had died down only as they arrived in the city. In the distance the red keep rose up from the gloom, glinting like the scales of a dragon against the weak sunlight. Despite the less than ideal weather the city was alive with music and dancing. Everywhere bright banners flew against the breeze accompanied by merchants shouting.

Shanda craned her head against the window trying to get a better look and sighed wistfully at the various people going about their day. Sometimes she envied the small folk, no one was telling them how to live their lives. No one was watching their every move. Dread and anticipation coursed through her the closer they were to the castle. It would be really exciting to meet the old king and hear what he had to say. On the other hand, she would have to deal with her wroth husband and that was not something she relished despite popular opinions.

As they passed through the city she couldn’t help but speculate on who would be here and despite herself she found herself wishing Bellena would be present. While Bellena was sometimes annoying and over the top, no one knew how to work a crowd like her. Shanda would need a lot of help while at court if she hoped to get to the bottom of things. She couldn’t just wing it like she’d done at River run. There were too many eyes and too much at stake to run in with no plan. Too bad she hadn’t thought of that before she wrote to her brothers.

Across from her Martyn looked positively green. She knew he was much less confident about coming here than she was. Which was truly saying something as she was hardly confident at all. She just couldn’t stand being ordered to stay home like a good little wife. Benjicot should’ve known her better. When had she ever stayed put? Never to her recollection but perhaps he figured he’d been doing such a good job at keeping her still that nothing would change once he was out of sight. A naive notion for sure.

At last their carriage came to a halt and the three of them exited excitedly. No matter what came before them now it would be better than being stuck inside that damnable box. A set of guards met them outside and much to her dismay so did Benjicot.

“Ah here you lot are. I was beginning to think you got lost in the fog.”

No one replied. Alysanne quickly vaulted up the steps and grabbed his arm before walking off with him. That was perfectly fine to her. She looped her arm through her brothers and pulled him along.

“Come on Martyn, we’ve made the King wait long enough. Best not to dwadle now.”

Shanda turned to their accompaniment and asked that they lead them on. She had work to do after all.

***

King Jaehaerys had met them immediately after arrival. Though frail and older than anyone she’d ever seen, his grace was in good spirits.

“Come, come. Don’t stand in the doorway, come in! I’ve waited a long time to meet the two of you.”

Shanda had to pull Martyn along. He was still green and now sported a sweaty brow. Gods don’t let him puke on the king, she thought as the two moved in the room.

“You’ve caused quite a stir here. Elmo tells me you have a penchant for mischief.” Jaehaerys raised a brow at her but kept a warm smile on his face. “Sit please, I’m sure you’re tired after the long journey.”

Shanda couldn’t help but return his smile as she pulled out a chair and seated herself. Martyn all but collapsed in his.

“I don’t know if I would call it mischief. I just like to have a good time and I don’t like being left out of things. My brother and I are problem solvers. Some people would rather cause trouble than fix it. I suppose we rub them the wrong way.”

Martyns eyes nearly bulged out of his head at her words but she paid him no mind. She wasn’t going to lie about who she was or why exactly she’d gone out of her way to get here. That wouldn’t do her any favors with the king.

“I see. As you very well know, I too prefer to root out problems rather than let them lie. It’s why I’ve invited the lords and ladies here after all. Rumors are easily spread and hard to dispell. But I’ve decided to put the current one to rest. As you can see, I’m doing just fine.”

That much was true. Despite his advanced age, Shanda could see no issue with the king. He looked just as spry as one could be at his age. It only made her more curious about the rumors. Who was spreading it and why? What was there to gain from insisting the king was ill if he was not? Someone was plotting something.

“Too true, your grace. Forgive me if I’m speaking out of turn but…”

She glanced at Martyn wondering if she really had lost it to be bringing this up. Jaehaerys looked at her expectantly urging her to continue.

“Well, its just that I can’t help but be a bit suspicious. If you’re well and fine, and we can see you are, then someone obviously has something to gain by saying you aren’t. I can’t help but think maybe this was the plan all along.”

A frown graced the kings brow for the first time and Shanda’s heart rate spiked. “How do you mean?”

“Well, what if whoever started this rumor knew you’d want to dispell it? Perhaps they were hoping you would invite everyone to court. After all what better way to scheme than out in the open surrounded by everyone? Its harder to cast doubt when literally everyone is present. Easier to hide when something’s going on. No one could find a bigger celebration than the one going on right now.”

Jaehaerys was silent for a moment and she wondered if she’d overstepped. Perhaps her loose lips had finally said too much to the wrong person.

“You are as keen as your brothers said. I’ll admit I was skeptical. You must forgive me but I’ve seen and heard it all throughout my years. Bragging Brackens are predictable by this point.”

No offense was taken as Shanda knew her own house better than anyone. She was well aware of the things said and done by her kin.

“And if she’s right? What happens then?”

Martyn finally found his voice in the wake of the kings words.

“Then its a good thing I sent for you two. If there’s mischief afoot than I need the two best trouble makers on my side.”

***

“You have got to get a handle on her.” Alysanne hissed as the two of them made their way to Benjicot’s quarters.

“I have no idea what she did to get invited here and that doesn’t work in our favor. We’re already behind and I’ve only just arrived!”

Benjicot pinched the bridge of his nose already feeling a headache forming at his aunt’s words. She was right of course. She nearly always was but she spoke as if he didn’t understand the situation.

“I know, Aly. But we can only start trying to catch up. It won’t do us any good to get worked up over this. We’ve got to keep our cool.”

Benjicot arrived at his door and pushed it open. Robb was gone and he felt relief at the sight. He didn’t have time to explain to his aunt that he had bigger fish to worry about right now. Though his absence was cause for concern. Robb would've only left if he’d seen the birds leave. He pushed the thought aside for now, he would deal with that mystery later.

“Not get worked up? It’s the king for the gods sake, Benji! This could be disastrous for all of us! Nevermind petty drama in the riverlands, this is the court we're talking about. You know what's at stake here. You need to find out what she's up to!”

Benjicot sighed heavily before pouring himself a drink. As he knocked it back he fell into a chair exhausted. He hadn’t had enough sleep for this mess.

“I know, okay? But you’ve met her, if I pry too hard she’ll clam up even tighter than she is right now. What about Martyn? He seems like the easier of the two. Have you tried talking to him?”

His aunt's face turned even more sour at the mention of her husband and he felt his heart sink at the sight.

“Martyn doesn’t trust me. And I’m starting to think he doesn’t even like me. Believe me when I say you have a much better shot at getting any information out of Shanda than I do out of Martyn.”

“Doesn’t trust you? Why not?”

Alysanne sighed and walked over to the table he was seated at before pouring herself a drink. He waited patiently for her to drink it but she slammed it before pouring herself another. That was a troubling sign.

“He’s onto us. There’s not enough space at our place yet for me to hide things from him. He’s seen us writing to each other and while he doesn’t know the contents, he knows enough. I fear we’ve kept them apart a little too well. And if he knows then undoubtedly Shanda knows now too.”

That was the last thing Benjicot wanted to hear. He’d been so careful with Shanda. He’d kept her busy and tried to be as involved with her as possible just to avoid this kind of mess. She’d been angry with him when he left but mostly because he’d told her to stay put. Now there was no telling what state of mind she was in. He would have to put all his effort into cooling her off.

“Well there’s naught to be done about that now. I know how to handle Shanda. But you should at least try to get on Martyn’s good side. You can’t shut him out and then wonder why he’s disinterested in being around you. Relationships are give and take, Aly.”

She shot him a nasty glare and poured herself a third drink.

“I know. I’ll be on my best behavior while we’re here. It's not like I’ll be able to avoid him here anyway. We’ll be spending more time together here than either of us wants but I’ll make that work to our advantage.”

He rolled his eyes at her. “To your advantage, Alysanne. He’s your husband. You’re going to be with him the rest of your life not just here at court. Give the man a chance, you might actually like him if you give him a fair chance.”

“Yes, yes I heard you. Just make sure you make good on your end. The two of them are meeting with his grace as we speak, gods help us. Let’s hope they don’t stir up any more trouble than they already have.”

He raised a brow at her. “And you think that’s possible with the two of them? You know three more of them are here as well?”

Alysanne sat up at that. “Amos didn’t come himself?”

Benjicot shook his head. “Couldn’t be bothered I suppose.”

Alysanne poured a fourth drink. “We really need to figure this out then, gods save us. The last thing we need is five Brackens on the loose.”

“On that we can assuredly agree.”