As Nahi crested the hill that held the narrow pathway down to the ocean-view house known as the Dowager’s House, she saw the group gathered at the doorway: her stepfather, the two nurses who lived there, her cousin Hamdil, and strangers, though one looked familiar.
Nahilvi never liked to meet people on uneven footing, but there she was in her running clothes and nothing she could do about it. She slowed to a walk, neatened her ponytail, and calmed her breathing. Hamdil noticed her first and gave an apologetic look. Irenthalas and the nurses were all talking to the men there and Nahi tried to puzzle out what had drawn this to her doorstep.
Hamdil turned to the men standing there. “Magister, this is Lady Nahilvi Summerhold.”
The use of her title told her exactly what type of issue she was looking at, at least. Drawing on every ounce of stage presence and authority, she stepped forward, placing herself just ahead of Irenthalas, not to diminish him, but to shield him.
One of the men at the front, wearing the red and gold livery of the city guard with the higher insignia of rank, stepped forward as though she were a threat. She addressed him first. “Captain, is there something wrong here?”
A man in a Magister’s robe spoke instead. “Ah, Miss Summerhold. I was hoping to see you.” He did not introduce himself, merely looked her over with a superior look at her attire. With his power worn like a mantle, he positioned himself above everyone in social power.
She had seen him before, though the name eluded her. Hamdil recognized that she was at. Slight disadvantage and helped immediately. “Magistrate Palecrown and his retinue.”
City guards to give him weight, to make his words carry more authority. She inclined her head only as far as courtesy required. “Magistrate. Would you care to come in for tea?” Making it clear that she was a respectful hostess,not a threat, the guards with him relaxed at her offer.
“No. We are here to inform you that you are to cease and desist any action concerning the Summerhold estate.” That explained Hamdil’s apology. This had to have come from his father.
Her polite smile remained, chin lifting slightly, a warning to those who knew her well. “On whose authority? I am Lord Mianos Summerhold’s daughter. My mother was Aecandalia ‘the Diva.’ These lands were left to her upon my father’s death, after they followed Prince Kael’thas to build a power meant to protect our people.” Everyone knew how that had ended. “I was appointed by the courts of Silvermoon as her guardian when her health failed.”
The full explanation was for the crowd, not the man. He knew exactly who she was. She placed him now, Hoovanil’s ally, a fixture at noble functions, including some of those in Suramar she performed at, but not too many of those, the Shal’dorei could be selective in their invitations.
“No one questions that you are your mother’s daughter. But with her death, you no longer have the right to make decisions for the property, including who resides here.”
Hamdil bristled. “She is Uncle Mianos’s only child. The estate belongs to her.”
Palecrown’s lip curled, that was exactly what he needed to make the exclamation to show why he was there. “Ah, but that is precisely the matter in question. There is testimony that her father is not who she claims.”
The words struck her square in the chest, old rumors, finally being given some place to be believed. Her uncle had whispered this her whole life. The thought that he would weaponize it shouldn’t have surprised her, her polite smile never waver, she refused to let them see her true feelings.
The guards shifted as Hamdil stepped forward, fists clenched. “That is utter bullshit. She is as much Mianos’s daughter as I am Hoovanil Summerhold’s son. You can leave this estate immediately.”
Guards moved to intercept him, the Magistrate never took his eyes off Nahi.
“Hamdil.” Her voice cut cleanly, measured, and he stilled. Even the guards hesitated. “Fighting would only cause more issues. Ultimately it will be settled in the courts.”
“I’m glad you’re being reasonable, Miss Nahilvi.” Palecrown said with another sneer.
“With a pending case, your authority extends only to serve the papers, Magistrate.” She made an assumption as she didn’t know exactly his power.
His scowl told her she was correct. “Your guests may not remove property from the estate.”
“How would you know what they brought and what was here ready? Do you have and estate ratified inventory filed with the courts?” she asked sweetly. Nahi had done one as Fio suggested when she had made her Uncle Hoovanil and his family leave. Mostly so she could note what they took with them.
He did not have one, there had been no time to do anything of the sort.
“I will make sure to provide such a copy to the courts,” she continued, turning her gaze deliberately toward the Captain, softening. “The nurses cared for my mother until her death recently. They will take their belongings and personal effects, but this is the only place they have lived for a year, they came here with us after Dalaran fell.” Playing on that sympathy card was not above her, the intention was to garner a favorable outcome for those she cared for.
The Captain’s expression shifted, but Palecrown took control back. “They may take their things, but I expect you to provide that the list.”
She was winning this polite battle, his support was fading making him look like a petty dictator lording over a family in mourning.
Irenthalas’s hand settled on her shoulder. She turned, genuine sadness in her eyes. “Pack some things, Iren. You can stay with me in the city.”
“Ah, yes,” Palecrown added smoothly. “The city residence you occupy was purchased while you managed the estate. It will be seized pending resolution as it is part of your mother’s property.”
That finally made foundation rock, stealing her breath for a moment. It made her feel truly shattered and she couldn’t hide it, even if it was a point scored for the Magistrate, yet she replied calmly, “I see, but yet again you have no ability to tell me what I can, or can not do in that time. I bought the house and everything in it.”
“Do you have records?”
“I do.” Nahi kept organized records, the legal machinations she had used to take care of her mother’s finances and the card of the estate had taught her that.
His glare deepened. He shoved the papers he had been holding into her chest with just a hint of force, but she acted like it was more letting herself stumble back. The Captain caught her arm to steady her.
“Thank you, my lord,” she murmured, meeting his eyes, then letting her gaze fall away.” The Magistrate hadn’t been ready for her defense of his little show, she was too good of a performer to let him steal the spotlight.
The Magistrate’s eyes burned. “The court date is three weeks from today. File your counsel’s name and your documentation within one.” Then he turned and began to stride off.
The guard captain dipped his head to her before following, it looked like he wanted to say something but his duty overrode that.
Nahi stood watching them until they disappeared over the hill. Only then did she take Irenthalas’s hand and led him back into the house. She glanced down at the papers in her other hand, then tucked them into her bag. “They can’t make you leave immediately. We have until the eighteenth.” Her jaw tightened. “I don’t know what the court will decide, so it’s best we prepare for every outcome.”
Turning to Irenthalas, she took both his hands and gathered what warmth and certainty she could. “I know this has been your home since Dalaran, but until the court decides, perhaps it’s best you don’t stay here. You can come stay with me in the city, or we can find you an inn. Whatever you need.”
He squeezed her hands and looked around the room, nodding slowly. “A break may help. There are good memories here, and bad. I’ll pack a few things. Once we’re out, we can decide.”
“That’s a good plan.” Her smile held, but her nerves were on edge, “I need to speak to my solicitors today. Three weeks isn’t far off, and I need to know our best path forward.”
She stepped onto the deck overlooking the sea while he went to pack. Hamdil joined her, jaw tight, anger radiating from him. For a long moment he said nothing, then the words came sharp and furious. “They’re going to call you a bastard. That’s absurd. Father’s lost his mind.”
“He passes rumors,” she said quietly. “Rumors alone won’t convince the court. They may sway Palecrown, but he wouldn’t bring this without something to support it.” Her mind shifted fully into analysis. “I don’t know what they have. The midwife is still alive, I think. There were staff present when I was born. I can find them.”
“I’ll speak for you,” Hamdil said immediately. “I was there.”
She leaned into him, grateful for the arm he placed around her shoulders. “You were a child,” she said gently. “You wouldn’t have known.”
“This is bullshit, Nahi,” he snapped, turning to lean against the glass railing, ocean at his back. “You don’t even want this place, and you’ve still cared for it better than Father ever did. They have to see that.”
“The courts don’t always weigh care,” she replied. “If they’re impartial, they’ll follow the law. If they’re not, it becomes harder to prove what matters.”
He turned back to her, rage simmering. “Do you want me to talk to father?”
She placed a hand on his arm. “Only if you want to, and only if you can do it calmly.”
They both knew that would be difficult. His father had betrayed him deeply. She didn’t blame Hamdil for his anger.
“He’s betrothed now,” she added softly. “That gives him allies. Noble marriages create leverage.”
Her shoulders sagged, just slightly. “I’ll figure this out. I always do. I just need more information.”
Irenthalas came down the stairs with a case, the nurses following behind. The eldest woman spoke first. “We’ll come back for the rest later, Nahi. Less friction now is best.”
Nahi turned to them with a grateful smile. “Thank you. Reach out to Hamdil when you return, they didn’t ask him to leave.” Likely his father’s doing.
She turned to her cousin, apology in her eyes. “I’m sorry. That leaves you managing the house.”
He met her gaze and nodded. “I’ll keep things running. I’ll reach out if I have questions.”
For a heartbeat, anger flared, she wanted to snap, to tell him to call his father since this was his mess but she swallowed it. It wasn’t Hamdil’s fault. She wouldn’t lose control now.
She softened her expression into something genuine. “Of course. I’m always here for you.”















