[Lhunardawen]

Ginna went back to the kitchen after leaving food and drink and Rowenna with the two newcomers. So soon had some expressed interest in being the new innkeeper! Ginna took no thought of how they came to respond so quickly, but that surely they would be relocating soon.

She still could not help wondering, just like that morning, if Harreld already knew about it, and whether he would stay or leave. Well, someone had to stop speculating and start getting answers.

"Ginna, are you not hungry yet?"

She turned to Kara, who was taking out dishes for their use. "Go on ahead, I'll be right with you," replied Ginna, and hurried back out of the kitchen.

Rowenna was nowhere to be found. The little girl was in rather deep conversation with Thornden, and Harreld sat listening to them. He immediately sat up upon seeing Ginna approach him.

"Harreld, will you come with me? I need your assistance."

Thornden looked at Ginna, apparently overhearing her request. "Do you have need of another to help you?"

"No, thank you, one will be quite enough. Besides, someone needs to keep-" Ginna motioned towards their young companion.

"Fliede," the girl supplied.

"-Fliede company. A pleasure to meet you," Ginna added with a smile. "Please excuse us."

She led Harreld to the alder tree court, which she found, with relief, they had to themselves. Still, she kept her voice low, without quite knowing why she felt the urge to be secretive.

"I think you're already aware of what's going on, why Eodwine is looking for an innkeeper. Of course I will be going with him when he leaves. How about you? Do you think he would ask either you or Garreth to come with him?"