[Tevildo]

Dorran had responded to Brand's suggestion by urging his animal forward, letting Brinn take the bit in his mouth and cantering speedily down the trail. After several more moments had gone by, he was rewarded with his first sight of Incana and Vaenosa. The two had drawn up by the side of the road and seemed to be having sharp words with each other. From the look on Incana's face, Dorran guessed that the young woman had not found Vaenosa any easier to deal with than he himself had earlier that morning.

Dorran drew up his mount and then shook his head in dismay. Someone like Vaenosa could do a great deal of damage to their small band. At some point on this journey, their lives could well depend on their ability to trust each other. Brand did not mind having the two women come along, especially since they were strong riders. But he could not accept the fact that one of them seemed wholly intent on showing just how nasty and self centered she could be. How had this young woman ever managed to survive in a farm family, where a premium was placed on cooperation and the willingness to set aside personal feelings for the overall good of the household? How and why had Aldwulf ever agreed to let Vaenosa come along? Had he been totally unaware of her shortcomings?

Watch it now, he sternly reminded himself. He had never been the type of servant to go questioning the decisions that Lord Aldwulf made. Better watch his tongue or he would end up doing as much damage as Vaenosa. Dorran sincerely wished he were older and stronger. He might try and discipline the girl for her churlish behavior. But as the youngest of the party, an outsider whose family background was clouded in shadow, he certainly lacked the clout or standing to do anything as presumptious as that.

Glancing over his shoulder at Brand, and wagging one thumb in Vaenosa's direction, Dorran commented with a straight face, "This one defintely seems to be high spirited. I had a run-in with her this morning myself."