Seeking Sinold's Safety

[Halethala]

Lady Beren had been right, her own premonitions also bore witness ~ there were so many things that seemed to be telling her to stay within the safe walls of Windstorm, and yet . . she did as Nicholas had suggested, washing herself clean of any scent, curious as to what scent it might be. Perhaps the daffodils she’d cradled so closely still clung to her, the pollen dusting her clothing and face. Dressed warmly, knowing what a chill the sea breezes could blow inland, she made her way down to the stables, still uncertain as to whether she would truly ride with, or merely wish Nicholas a safe journey. It had been by her request that he was venturing off on it . . if indeed he was. Would his superiors look favorably upon him doing so? She still hoped that there was something set into motion already to see that Sinold was not in grave danger at the beach there alone . .

Pahhh! If she had not been born a woman, she would have more freedoms . . She almost cursed her fate, then stayed the words . . there were reasons for everything one endured, of that she had become firmly convinced. Even if not always evident, they sometimes revealed themselves in time. Sighing, she sheathed the borrowed sword she’d been carrying since hers had been lost, and set off to at least speak with Nicholas again . .

She missed that endearing Norseman more than she cared to admit . . it had not been the same since he’d left .

[Nicholas]

Maybe it was God's will that Nicholas was in the great hall last night, after his usual round on Windstorm's ramparts. Usually he didn't venture inside the castle. He was a simple ranger, content to be with his comrades who all were as simple in manners and attitudes as he was. No need to mingle much with those lords and ladies who were dressed so finely and conversed so eloquently. He knew the captain of the guards and Lord Loxley enjoyed such, and they were good at parley. Nicholas wasn't.

Yet, he had been cold and the fireplace in the great hall the closest place to warm himself and thus he had taken a short break after his watch was over, strolling into the hall to seek some warmth.

And there she was, lady Halethala. Nicholas almost didn't know what to say, and simply had smiled at the lady. She looked tired and worried and the two of them struck up a conversation. Something Nicholas had wanted to do for such a long time…. But then she started to talk about that Norse.

With a great, if suppressed, sigh Nicholas had listened to her worries about the man. It seemed he had left windstorm for a while, the harbour most likely. He had damaged Edfeil's boat and… ah, the details weren't important. What seemed important, however, was the fact that Sinold's life was likely in some danger from the men who called Darek their mate. Halethala was concerned for him and asked Nicholas to go to the harbour and see if everything was in order or, if not, to organize help for the stubborn Norse.

Loxley, and likely Hawkmoon as well, would plug him alive, Nicholas knew, but how could he refuse her request? Even when she voiced her desire to come along. She cared so much for that thoughtless, brutish man…. Nicholas couldn't quite understand it, but eh would help as much as he could.

Waiting patiently as he saddle his horse, Nicholas went over the many things that Loxley would likely do with him should he return from this little outing alive. Skin him… break a few bones… nail him to the main gates of windstorm as a deterrent. He chuckled…. Maybe it would be better not to return.

Finally, Halethala arrived and they were ready to go. She had dressed according to his wishes, simple, and he also couldn't detect that fine scent on her any longer that had been so alluring back in the great hall. He sighed again, then took a bit of the freshly deposited manure and rubbed it into her long riding skirt.

"They will think you and I are stable hands… harmless." He made sure his short bow was well hidden underneath his cloak, and his sword well covered underneath the blankets on his horse. "Although it also hides your loveliness and …" he bit his lips, and turned to face his horse, mounting up quickly before he forget who he was, whom she loved. "We better go now. Keep close, it will be a short ride but we better keep our eyes open."

Nicholas waited until Halethala had mounted her horse, and then they were off in silence.