Vearra sighed and slumped against the wall and sank into a chair. She drew a weary hand over her face, the wrinkles already there deepened by the long night. She had been able to help two of the injured guards, though one was still in critical condition. A third died in the night. Yet another was already dead an unnaturally cold as ice by the time she found him. He’d been exactly where the first guard said she’d find him, lying on the floor of Zargodon’s wrecked house. The place was in complete shambles, tables overturned, drawers and clothes strewn everywhere, and books and papers scattered . Splinters of wood dotted the floor where that crazy child had broken…well, who knows what; there was nothing left of it but shards.
The old woman grunted disapprovingly remembering the scene. Slowly she rose from her chair and went to put the kettle over the embers of the fire. She put some logs and smaller wood on the dying coals, grumbling about the lack of healing knowledge around here. Returning to her chair, she let herself nod off.
She awoke to the sound of the kettle whistling briefly before its shrieks died down. She opened her eyes to see Ramield pouring the water into a pot. The elf looked over and grinned. “You set out some ginseng, but I feel you could use chamomile instead. You really need to rest.”
The old woman groaned as she sat up, cracking her neck. “Eh, who needs it. I’ve got’ta keep an eye on those guards, make sure they don’t get any worse. That girl really did a number on ‘em.” Regardless, she accepted the chamomile tea, cooling it and sipping gingerly. “It’ll be on your head if that one gives out while I’m sleepin’.”
Ramield gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder before fixing herself a cup of tea. “Don’t worry, I shall look in on them from time to time; however, my first priority is finding Ulfban. She was not at her own house, nor does it seem has she returned to Seargildin’s. After checking her house, I kept watch near his cottage, watching the road in and out of Hookworth and seeing if she would return to the village or his house. I’m glad he is off with Leothross to Angmar; I fear what she would try to do to him and what he might have had to do in return, though with her rage, I cannot say what the outcome of such an encounter might have been.”
“Eh, both those cotton-heads would deserve what’s coming to them. I just wish Zargodon hadn’t taken that elf lass with’im; I could really use her help with those two down at the barracks.”
Ramield put her cup down. “You know she could only make the situation worse. She might have ended up on a bed beside those men rather than tending to them. As much as I fear for her and what harm might come to the group in Angmar, I am glad she is not here. You know she would only blame herself.” She picked up the cup again and took a long sip before replacing it on the table and leaning back against the wall. “That’s all Ulfban seems to care about now, placing the blame on someone and getting revenge.”
“And where do you think the blame lies?”
“Nowhere and everywhere.”
“You don’t think anyone did wrong?”
“Not exactly; whether it be a hasty decision, falling in love with the wrong person (in several accounts), or placing unnecessary blame and a thirst for vengeance, everyone had a part to play in this outcome. Even you and I could say, ‘I could have done this to prevent that’ but that does not put us at fault. Anyone who knew them could say the same, but the blame does not lie on all.” The elf huntress shook her head. “No, placing blame in a matter such as this will get her nowhere. Hethan’s death was a tragic event, but it was no one’s fault.”
“Would you say the same at Fornost?”
“That was different; this is a matter of emotions, not strategy.”
“So then is this more like the situation with Malka?” Vearra took a sip of tea, thinking. “I see, so that’s the case then.”
Ramield nodded. “I was able to see clearly then because I did not let my emotions rule me. I only hope I can show her that before it’s too late.” She grabbed her bow and picked up her pack. “I will check on your patients before I go, but I need to see if I can find Ulfban before she kills anyone else on her rampage.”
“Be careful,” Vearra warned as she stood. “Remember how you were after Fornost. That girl feels no less justified in her thinking.”
Ramield nodded, finishing the last of her tea and belting her long knives about her waist. When she was ready to go, Vearra gave her a hug. “Take care, my friend, and go find that crazy girl” she said, releasing her. Ramield clapped her on the shoulder with an encouraging smile and walked out the door. Vearra sighed heavily. The whole situation was draining. Lying down on her bed, she settled down for some much needed rest.
