[Folwren]

Javan

The four boys’ talk came to abrupt halt as both Javan and Léof turned their heads at the sound of hooves in the courtyard outside. The sound stopped abruptly and a minute later, Falco stumbled in through the door, shouting like mad for Léof to get every horse saddled. Léof moved towards him at once, asking what was wrong. From where he stood, Javan saw the bandaged head and he heard the fear and anxiousness in the hobbit’s voice.

“He is back at the ruins!” was Falco’s answer to Léof’s question concerning Lord Eodwine. “Surrounded by outlaws! They tried to pressgang us! Rilef is wounded! Hurry! I’ll go round up some riders!” And with that, he had turned about again and run back out.

“Outlaws! They’ve got Lord Eodwine? Can we go, too?” Javan asked at once. Léof turned back towards the three waiting boys. His face was grim and worried.

--

Thornden

The door burst open and crashed upon the wall behind it as Falco came in, his eyes wide and his face pale. Thornden’s head jerked up and the conversation between him and the general came to an abrupt halt as Thornden unceremoniously leaped to his feet.

“Falco!” he cried, but didn’t get any farther before the hobbit interrupted him.

“Every man that can ride a horse! At once! Lord Eodwine has need of riders!”

A look of confusion crossed Thornden’s face. Eodwine was in danger, that much was clear, and Falco had been hurt as well. Immediate action must be taken, but Falco needed help as well as Eodwine. He turned partially as three women entered the hall from the kitchen.

“Kara, Modtryth, go as quickly as you can and gather all the men about the place. Hurry! You, girl,” he regretted not remembering Ginna’s name at the moment, “run back into the kitchen and tell Frodides to prepare hot water and whatever else she’ll need to fix Falco up.” The three of them disappeared with immediate obedience and he turned towards Falco again. “We’ll go out, but you’re already hurt, and you need to stay here and get your head tended to.”