Bregeswith, Gaeded, Fiontann and

    Fiontann rode through Chetwood alone. That gave him a lot of time to think about what had happened in the last two days and what should be done in the . The attack on Hamglen was heavy. The Barracks were burnt and heavily damaged, but at least no one was wounded.

A few days after my visit to Northgyth concerning the apothecary, a letter was delivered to our door. My reading was progressing so that I could clearly see it was addressed to Waelden. Of course it would be, as most folk thought I had no written words at all.

A father's first promise is to protect their children.
You broke that promise, as you broke me.
You promised your wife that you would love and hold her dear,
You broke that promise as you broke her.
You promised, my dear, to love me tenderly.
You broke that promise as you broke me.
I promised I would come back and see you, mother.
I broke that promise as he broke you.
You promised to protect me, mother,
Like a bear.
He broke those promises you spoke,
Like a child overpowered by an ox.

Annedyl drew her cloak more tightly around herself and shielded her torch. True, the wind was brisk for the season…but she was used to far stiffer winds at sea. No, this chill was a trick of the mind and not the wind. The entire city of Linhir was on edge. A town girl had run off.

Bedraggled and stunned, the company returned to Calidis’ home in Rivendell each shattered by the strange ordeal in Imlad Gelair in their own way.

For the Lady Arahen, it had been a shocking realization of just how vulnerable even havens such as Rivendell had become. She had been reminded that the wise too often overlooked that the war waged in many places, in many ways.