[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn felt a chill in the room as Nahai hurried up stairs after a parchment and quill. The hairs on the back of the woman's neck lifted as if someone were staring at her. Annalaliath was chattering excitedly about all the trouble she'd gotten in as a child, and all the trouble the three of them would be able to make together.

Not wishing to alarm the girl, Morwyn listened with half her attention, while nonchalantly trying to survey the room. Her eyes wandered over elf and hobbit and man, but nothing seemed amiss. The chill persisted however, and she gently lowered the flute to the table. It rolled a few inches from her fingertips and she sighed.

Annalaliath looked up startled, as the story she was telling should have been extremely funny. Morwyn, realizing that her sudden fear was quite silly attempted to laugh. The giggle escaped her lips, high pitched and nervous. Annalaliath's expression became even more confused. Morwyn turned in her seat, half hoping to see hostile eyes behind her. She knew full well that she was being ridiculous but she couldn't help herself.

Just as she was about to settle back down, she met the eyes of a bedraggled creature sitting at a table near the door. His leg was bound as though it were injured and his face was heavily shadowed by the hood of his cloak. Morwyn gazed at him raptly, not able to tell if he were man or elf.

In an attempt to hide her nervousness Morwyn groped for the flute. Her fingers found it and she held it in front of her, as though she were going to play. The stranger's eyes locked on it. Annalaliath's puzzled gaze became frightened. "Morwyn? Who is that?" she asked. "Do you know this man?"

Morwyn shook her head in surprise. "No. I've no idea." The stranger stood and began to walk toward them. Morwyn clutched the flute like a weapon and hoped Nahai would hurry back.