Staring at the doorknob leading into the house, Zandrianna shook her head to clear the fog that seemed to fill her mind. The past couple of days had been hectic, and the already tired woman was on the edge of exhaustion from lack of sleep.
Three nights ago, she'd stayed up most of the night, speaking with Desiare about the assignment she was sending her on, the two women carefully detailing the map so that it was clear what she should be looking out for and avoiding.
The next day had been long, with Zandrianna helping Desiare to pack, before returning home to tend Althessia and help prepare for dinner. With Desiare and Rossiath coming over, and Immalaine already there, the young mother knew she'd have her hands full.
That early evening, as everyone gathered for the stew Immalaine had spent the day preparing, Zandrianna had talked with Desiare further about the assignment, her daughter assuring her that it would be handled and she would leave at first light the next day. Desiare soon departed with Klauss who, concerned when she mentioned a broken window on her house, had insisted on seeing it while it was still light out. The others had sat around, talking about various subjects as they ate, Immalaine seemingly distracted and rubbing her eyes. Zandrianna had worried about her, but the girl seemed to merely be tired so, shrugging it off, Zandrianna said she had to run Rossiath back to the house and she'd return shortly.
Zandrianna and Rossiath had taken a leisurely stroll together, with the women discussing the widow's problems and worries. Once again, Zandrianna assured her that if Rastellion was not interested in the mill, then she had someone else in mind for it. This seemed to ease Rossiath's worried expression and Zandrianna gave her a hug, before leaving her at her doorstep to return home.
Finding Immalaine sound asleep on the bed, and Merithele in the living room sleeping before the hearth, Zandrianna had stretched and yawned, turning to take to her own bed. It wasn't long after she had dozed off, however, that she was awakened by a terrified scream and, grabbing her dressing gown, she had rushed to the other bedroom to shake Immalaine awake. For the rest of the night she had held the young woman, crying as she listened to her tale, the torturous things she had been though, and the troubling news that the man responsible for them was in Bree and following her. They had sat on the bed until the sun rose and planned out ways to keep Immalaine safe. But Zandrianna shook with fear at the thought of what might happen.
That morning, Zandrianna had welcomed the extra strong coffee that Immalaine brewed for her, drinking deeply from her mug as she sat and looked over the map she'd given to Desiare. Rolling it up, she had tossed it on top of her bag to take down to Bree to show Rastellion and headed out of the house, only to run into Rhianonn looking rather panicked. Klauss had been injured in a fight, protecting a young lady and needed tending. Nodding, Zandrianna had run back into her house for her bag, tossing the map on top before she rushed out the door and ran up the road to find them.
While tending to Klauss' blood loss, Zandrianna got to meet the young lady that he was defending. Ann seemed to be a delightful and courteous young woman who was rather taken with Klauss. Seeing this, observing her for awhile, Zandrianna finally came to a decision, making a mental note to talk to Desiare when she returned home from her assignment.
Some hours later, Zandrianna went to the Pony to pick up a parcel for Immalaine, running into Rhianonn who, taking note of her tiredness, suggested that she watch the baby so Zandrianna could get some sleep. Agreeing, Zandrianna stopped to talk to a young hobbitress she had met before, a lovely young woman named Balomera. To Zandrianna's distress and embarrassment, she collapsed in front of the other woman, who gently tended her until she was strong enough to return to her feet and make her way home, forgetting the package at the Pony as a result.
Her strength, however, didn't last. She made it as far as her husband's desk, before sleep and illness finally claimed her and she passed out on the carpet. Immalaine tried her best to rouse Zandrianna, to no avail. When Rhianonn arrived, she took one look at the situation and, sighing, she instructed Immalaine to help carry the exhausted woman to her bed, giving her herbs to take for sleep and to regain her strength.
Strength, it seemed, that she would sorely need later ....
