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Quin
Quin had been in search of the man, Winglaf. None of the soldiers he had questioned new where he was to be found and after looking about the hall to no avail, he headed back out towards the courtyard. There was a strange, tense atmosphere about that he could not explain. There was Athanar with five men behind him. Stedford, Athanar’s steward, was approaching him, a large leather bound book under his arm. Hilderinc was also drawing near, but he did not have the old man with him.
Outside, Captain Coenred stood with the other men-at-arms. The men were not standing in ranks, but as Quin passed them, he saw uneasy glances being sent about. Coenred stood in an apparently nonchalant attitude, but his hand was on his sword hilt, and his face was set in a grim expression as he surveyed the courtyard. He back was towards the door of the hall and his sweeping glance could see every other door opening into the area of the courtyard.
Quin hurried past and rounded the stables and the paddocks to Léof. Léof was mounted on his horse and he was riding her up and down behind the line of horses.
“What’s amiss, Léof?” Quin asked coming forward to meet him. “Everybody is suddenly uptight and you look like you’re on patrol duty.”
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