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Elfride was not a coward but she had no bloodlust eitherand did not attempt to be foremost as the group burst in to the cottage. She had not expected the onslaught to be so sudden, thinking that they might have scouted the area out and waited for Hama's reinforcements to arrive. forced Samuel men to negotiate. But that thought she realised was unrealistic. Zach's companions would have warned the others and they could not risk the effect further delay might have on Sandrina. The sooner they were all out of this dismal place. Though day had not yet ended in the open world, the fastness of the forest and the shadow of the haunted mountain meant night came early.
While Elfride feared that Samuel's men might take a dreadful toll in blood on the party she knew that such a small building could contain no great garrison and hoped their small number would be enought to contain them, and that they would be able to return Sandrina to her son. Only that justified the risk she was taking. She thought of her own son. She knew her brother loved Elfthain scarce less than his own children but the realisation that her son still needed her struck her as heavy blow. As she entered the room, sword drawn, she thought If I survive this, I will go to him - why did it take the risk of death to make me realise I should not be separated form him by choice, not yet, while he is so young?.
She her way over to the far corner where Thomas knelt by Sandrina, "Thomas - why don't you go and help Mayonette and I will take care of Sandrina?"
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