[Bêthberry]

"Eh, eh, what?" mumbled the old bag lady as Saeryn shook Ruthven awake. "There's a noise outside. Trouble I fear."

The old woman rolled over, her grey hair whisping over her eyes and her body protesting the movement. She had heard nothing, but then the ears of the young are more inclined to want to do things than the more sage ears of the elder. She sat up, took a deep breathe, and then tumbled out of the cot. Or would have had not the younger girl caught her.

yes, Ruthven could clearly hear the falcon now, but he was far away, not at the window. Still, it would not do to ignore matters. She pulled on her boots, wrapped a heavy shawl around her, and ventured out the door, with Saeryn bolting it behind her.

Her eyes accustomed to the dark, she saw that the hall was empty. Marching to the door of the proud heroes of this adventure, she listened at it. Rhythmic snoring was all she heard, punctuated by one or two other bodily noises no doubt arising from the quantity of brew imbibed. Ruthven's attention was drawn away, however, by the sound of a scuffle outside. She turned and quickly made her way downstairs, to knock on Bethbery's door, and then to follow the sound.

Out the back door, beyond the kitchen she found Wyrd, his wings fluttering him up and down, as if he would beat a large, dark creature at the mound of compost. Ruthen jumped back, afraid of herself being attacked. She bumped in Bethberry, who had hurriedly risen to answer the knock upon the door. The older woman shrieked.

"It's just me," replied Bethberry.

"And it's just a bear, come for the garbage."

"When did the bears start coming down out oif the mountains into Edoras?" asked Ruthven.

"When their food was overhunted and depleted. People have ignored the warnings from the Golden Hall, but warnings do little to fill empty bellies."

Bethberry whistled lightly, and the falcon let off his attack upon the burly creature, who pawed and snorted her way through the pilings of vegetable peel and bone. Yet once she was satisfied, she rolled off, a large piece of some offal in her mouth, Towards the apple trees, she walked, where two darker shapes , little ones, awaited her.

Ruthven cackled with a mischievous grin. "She's left a trail. Come, let us rearrange it a bit, so we can give our heroes something to ferret out. "

Bethberry looked at her good friend. "You joker. What shall the two do if they discover your trickery?"

"Oh, we shall laugh. Over a pint," she grinned.

"Well, it is your tale. Set it up as you like, and let the two enjoy the sport." Checking that no other sound or creature, fell or fair, was around the Inn, Bethberry left Ruthven to her devices.

~~~

Rain woke the inhabitants of the Inn later that morning, once the sun rose.. Bethberry had seen that the fires were well stoked and the kitchen readied for a day of business when she saw the soldier arrive and order his ale. A strange drink for so early in the morn. That one might bear watching, she decided, despite his uniform.

"An empty belly in the morn needs more than ale, General," the Innkeeper said as she approched him. .


Meanwhile, Ruthven awoke and went to rouse the sleeping Eodwine and Falco. She had to knock several times at their door, louder and louder each time.

"Get off with ye," yelled a voice at her, not too terribly hospitable.

"A fine how-do-you-do is this," retorted the woman. "We've had strange visitors last night, the Inn was under attack, and now we have rough looking men sitting in the great hall drinking at this hour and you cannot rise to the situation."

"Eh, what's this? "called out Eodwin.

"There's tracks outside, as well as we can make out, from the rain. And gouges at the door of the back, near the kitchen. Someone tried to break in. Wyrd alerted us but you were lost in your sleep. Come out now, and see to the girl's protection."

Whereupon Ruthven retreated to the kitchen herself, to bring a tray up to the girl and Saeryn, for a private breakfast. It was a hearty breakfast she prepared, for the girl at least would be hungry and likely able now to take more food.