[Folwren]

Saeryn looked down at Falco and hesitated. Then, finally, she nodded. “If you like,” she said. She glanced about. People were moving slowly, with unnatural quietness, sending covertly obvious glances towards them. Some, like Leof, stood openly staring.

“I am willing that we go up to our rooms with them,” she said, her voice quiet.

Eodwine hesitated for long moments. He was trygin to find the best thing to say, and many choices flitted through his mind before he hit upon one. Faclo and the others grew restive. Finally, he followed Saeryn's lead and kept his voice low.

"I do not need others with us in our rooms, and would that it were just you and me. But if you would like them with ..."

Saeryn took that as a consent and without another word, turned and stiffly led the way up to their chamber. Saeryn entered first, her head high and her back rigid. Somehow, even with Rowenna there as she had requested, she still felt she would not win the argument and it would be a hard and possibly futile task. She turned, and faced about as Eodwine entered last and shut the door.