[Folwren]

Ginna’s mention of dinner reminded Saeryn that she was hungry, despite the pre-occupation of Rándver’s letter. As they stood up, she told Ginna she would go sit with lord Athanar and lady Wynflaed. Ginna nodded and replied that she would see that food was brought out to her.

At the door of the kitchen, they parted, and Saeryn went towards the hall. She entered and looked across to where the lord and lady sat. Her seat beside Wynflaed was empty, but she was surprised to see the chair by Athanar not occupied by his oldest son, but by Thornden. Strange. He had been sitting with the men earlier.

She had not crossed half the distance to the nearest table before she saw Athanar rise in anger to give his reply to Thornden’s last rebuke. She heard only half of his words, but she saw the anger in his eyes and his whole being, and saw him draw his weapons before leaving. All her annoyance and anger and mistrust of Thornden caused by Rándver’s letter was swept out of her mind as worry for him replaced it. Whatever else was true, Thornden had been a rock and a steady foothold during this period of turmoil, and she felt to lose him now that Degas had gone again would be too hard to bear.