[Elora]

Through the gathering dusk Vanwe hurried, newly cleaned skirts trailing behind her with her cloak in her haste. Her light pack was slung over one shoulder and she had not had enough time to rebraid her hair. One hand was tightly wrapped around something, and as she returned to the inn she seemed to be talking to noone in particular.

"He will think I have left!"

Her brow furrowed in consternation, she pushed on and came after far too long a delay to the stables. Vanwe had not planned to spend so much time by the stream, but time had slipped through her fingers and she rued what trouble it may cause before it had yet to bring any. She had to stow her pack back in the stables, where she was to hopefully make her bed if Derufin had not despaired of his new assistant and decided to replace her with more reliable help.

The elf slowed her pace, drawing the cooler evening air deep into her lungs when out of the shadows emerged a horse whose line was unmistakeable. She was not alone, her owner nearby and Vanwe paused as she sighted Silvanis. She slipped what was in her left hand into her battered pack and smoothed down pale hair sent into new disarray by her speedy return as best she could and stepped forward.

Nearby, the inn was lit with the evening fires and the scent of a meal wafted through the open door and windows. Vanwe approached, doing her best to smooth her features into something calmer than she felt and halted by Blackveil. The summer sky held the fiery rememberance of the sun still, mingling with the remoter glimmer of stars that were starting to spring out into sight overhead.

It was a beautiful sight that Vanwe paid absolutely no heed to as she studied Silvanis. He had not been alarmed by her appearance. Despite her elven light feet, she had made her presence no secret, for she needed to somehow come to an arrangement that could not be done if he left. Following him down the road was a possibility, but she sensed he would little favour whatever she had to say if he discovered her trailing after him.

"Good evening, Sir," she offered in a voice that held still the distinct accent of the south despite her elven appearance. Vanwe chose a deliberate courteous address, for the man before her merited that for many reasons even though he may not remember. Or perhaps he did, she thought, as she watched him.

"I wonder if I may intrude on your evening?"

Vanwe knew the position she was in well. Silvanis had many things she needed and had little of value to offer in return. He had her notes. He had perhaps news of the south, and may even know if her trail was free. He may even know of those she sought, her father and mother. Hope lit eyes blue that were trained on his face and Blackveil tossed her head.

"She is beautiful," Vanwe commented unaware that she was doing so, offering up her palm to be scented. Realising that she had spoken, her gaze returned to Silvanis who could easily brush her aside if he wished.