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Yrill took the momentary opportunity to reclaim some of her arrows. Ceuro halted nearby, sword ready, poised for the unexpected. “All this area bears Lord Estarfin’s hallmark,” he said grimly.
They both looked swiftly around the nearby quays at the bodies and the blood.
It was hers. In the half-light the colour could have been mistaken for another, less experienced eye. It had been shorn with a sharp blade; another obvious sign to one such as he. The mingled blood and mud that caked the red hair? Of that he was less sure. He again felt the fear and anger wash over him, swiftly to be replaced with a feeling of helplessness. They were to be joined as one, he should be able to protect her as he would protect himself. As she would protect him. But he could not, had not. He had failed. His duty? Without doubt. His love? Doubly so.
Ceuro took the empty plate and goblet and headed back down from the lookout spot on the ridge. He had endured something of an onslaught from the angry Filignil. She was still on duty, and would be for another hour, and she was not at all amused that she had only just had the day’s happenings explained to her. The Housekeeper-come-Guard was a swift shot with a bow. None would enter Numenstaya without her knowing, and her permission.
She returned nigh midday, to find Estarfin speaking casually with the Dwarven workers about the wall building. He hailed her as she rode past him to the stables. Despite his earlier words, he did not seem particularly at ease.
She arrived at Duillond to find a group of guards having recently returned. "What news?" she asked the one who acted in charge.
The fair haired son of the Falas raised his head. There was blood on his thick leather gloves.
"And you are?"
"Yrill of Eregion, now staying at Numenstaya. I rode after hearing your Captains request for help. I appear to have two missing friends, so this matter is of personal concern."
Swan-Hoof had fortunately suffered no injuries, but she was restless and concerned, not only for Pelorian, but for Parnard and Danel. Both horses were tossing their heads, neighing and snorting. ‘Could the horses but speak,’ Yrill thought, not for the first time in her life.
Mirdanel took her hand and grasped it reassuringly, with unexpected strength. She had always wondered at how an elleth with such small hands could forge as well as she did. But then for a Mirdan, small hands were a benefit. Istuil had seen the Lady work on larger items too. Though she did not have the strength…nor the skills of a metal-smith, Mirdanel was far stronger than she looked.