Masin

 Aunt Carri is back.  Finally!  The first I knew of it was when Karlie almost threw a plate of food she was carrying and dashed toward the door. I recognised the voice responding to Karlie's excited chatter immediately and confess that I too, felt an immediate sense of relief.

Peering over the low stone fence while keeping herself well-hidden, Xanderian of Belfalas noted two men, each heavily armed. The larger of the two was loading supplies onto a wagon, his face brutish and rough, two ill-kept horses pulling nervously at their bridles. The smaller man, with a cruel gleam in his eye, leaned back against the wall of the ramshackle cottage, observing the labor as well as keeping a sharp eye on the road beyond. A naked sword was already in his hand.