TravelingNorthCatrionaIndex | HomePage | GameLogs | MarshendGameLogs | Traveling North: Catriona Traveling North: Catriona(Thread continued from Morning Outside Marshend Hex and Gwendla) As Catriona began her long trek north, the direwolf beside her suddenly lifted her head, turning it towards the marshes to their left, as though she scented something there. A low growl came from her. Catriona glanced in the direction that worried Keir as she readied an arrow to her bow. She motioned for Keir to stay with her, and the two cautiously headed to the left, trying to catch sight or sound of whoever or whatever had disturbed the direwolf. Another noise again - and then a definite movement, as though two people were struggling together in the marsh grasses. Catriona flashed the guard hand signal at Keir, then circled around as quietly as possible until she could get a better view or sound of the tusslers. At the first sign of a threat, she intended to attack first and ask questions...or loot corpses...later. "Let me go!" she heard a panting voice say. "She's our *friend*!" And then suddenly, like a cork shot unexpectedly from a bottle, Callon burst out of a tangle of reeds, the Minstrel hard on her tail. As the Ministrel burst out of the reeds behind Callon, Catriona was tempted, just for a fraction of a second, to shoot first and apologize later, just for all the headaches he had already caused her and the others. Instead, she barked a command to Keir and lowered her bow to her side as Callon approached, her expression inscrutable. "You are our friend, aren't you?" Callon demanded. The Minstrel was looking extremely worried. "Yes, Callon, I am your friend," Catriona replied in a low voice, her eyes warming slightly as she looked at the girl before they hardened once more. "Keir, guard us," she ordered, not looking away from Callon and the minstrel. While the direwolf disappeared into the reeds, the hunter continued sternly. "What are you two doing out here alone? It's not safe. Thelbane heads north towards Clearwater along these shores." Callon shot a resentful look at the Minstrel. "He wants me to go to Clearwater!" she said hotly. "Those," said the Minstrel, "were the orders I were given. At Clearwater she will be safe." "Clearwater may well be a safe haven for you *if* you get there," Catriona began, opting for continued ignorance about the Minstrel's current claim to subservience to a higher power, "but the route to it is fraught with danger with Thelbane's movements, and the rovings of other sellswords." She leveled a hard glance at the Minstrel. "The two of you ran into enough trouble with bandits *before* the Brave Companions arrived in the area. You need to travel in the protection of others if you want to go north right now." One hand pushed back an unruly lock of hair as Catriona let out a small sigh of frustration. "And I'm the last person to take anyone to safety right now." She flashed Callon a quick grin. "It's not that I doubt my ability to guide you..." Her smile faded into a stony grimace. "But the consequences of failure are too high for me to tempt fate with an innocent. If Thelbane's luck of the evil holds, and he traps you with me...you'll be dead. Unpleasantly. I'll only live long enough for him to make me watch what he does to you." Catriona drummed her fingers against her bow. "Steward Thorne," she caught the Minstrel's glower, "now that he's been reunited with his sword, holds no grudges towards either of you. He's a good man, and true to his word. He will return to his duties at Clearwater as soon as he can. If you return to the Septa's cottage, the Steward and his men will keep you safe for now, and guard you on the way back to Clearwater." "That may not be for a while though, I'm guessing," said the Minstrel. "And it's imperative that we move on ... " Even as he was spreaking, Catriona became aware of something moving against the marsh grass. A warm gold against the green ... Like the tip of a shadowcat's tail, lifted high. Catriona scowled suddenly and muttered an oath. "Aerin! You and Shade may as well come out to join my merry band of misfits." There was a pause, and then Aerin rose from the grass and made her way slowly over towards Catriona, scowling. "How did you know it was me?" Aerin's scowl made Catriona smile in spite of herself. "When you can answer that question yourself, you'll no longer need my instruction." Callon moved back towards the Minstrel - and Catriona noticed, suddenly, that close together there was an odd resemblance between these two - perhaps no more than there dark colouring, perhaps noticeable in the shape of their jaws, the set of their lips. The Minstrel was frowning. "How is this?" he asked. "Because the Old Ones are laughing at me," Catriona replied with a glance towards the heavens and a shrug. "Aerin, what are your intentions?" the hunter replied with a frank stare at the girl. "Even with Shade, the marshes aren't a safe place to wander without a guide. The humans are only part of the danger." "You said yourself that I need your instruction," Aerin pointed out. She set her jaw determinedly. "I'm coming with you." Catriona stared hard at the girl, then ran her gaze over Aerin's gear before meeting her eyes again. "If that's your intention, drop your gear and unpack it. Your next lesson entails learning how to pack so you can travel as quietly and efficiently as possible when you wish." She glared at the Minstrel and Callon. "That goes for you two as well, if you want an escort north." Callon nodded eagerly. The Minstrel looked pained. "A question, Aerin," Catriona interjected as the girl laid out her supplies. "Does Steward Thorne...or anyone back at the cottage, for that matter...know that you've set off after me, or will your next lesson involve how to evade a search party?" Aerin regarded her limpidly. "I suppose that might be something useful to learn," she agreed. "And soon." It was clear she was carefully restraining herself from glancing worriedly backwards. Catriona resisted the urge to rub her temples. Somehow, she doubted it would alleviate the external headaches that stood before her. "Keir," Catriona called out. After a moment, a black snout poked through the grasses, accompanied by a disdainful snort in the direction of Shade's tail. The hunter pointed towards the south, back towards the Septa's cottage, and barked a gutteral word. Keir vanished once again. Catriona then turned her attention back to the group before her, whose belongings were now strewn upon the ground. Recognizing who would be most receptive to her input...and least likely to run off once repacked...she pointed at Callon's pack first. "Wrap any metal with cloth or leather before you nestle it together. That way it'll be less likely to clang together as you move. The same goes for hard wood, which might rasp against other hard surfaces at the wrong time." She then nodded towards the Minstrel's coin purse, which he clutched tightly, not showing its contents. "Stuff a small cloth in that and bind it tightly, then jiggle it. If I can still hear the coins jangle, it needs more padding, and to be tightened." Catriona bent down to look at Aerin's gear. The girl had packed an abundance of food, but unfortunately most of it was perishable. She reached out and set that to one side. "Your thought to be well-fed is a good one, but unfortunately most of this will spoil within a few days." She gave the girl an encouraging smile. "We'll bring this along, but need to eat it soon. I'd keep it near the top of your pack, and I'll teach you what food travels best as we go along." Aerin frowned but nodded. It was clear that, despite her manner, she was eager and able to learn. Callon, on the other hand, set to work with a will on her more austere possessions. The Minstrel worked without enthusiasm, although he looked back the way they had come. He made an rather smooth attempt to speak to Catriona privately. "What's on your mind, Minstrel?" Catriona asked, not allowing herself to be drawn out of range of her proteges. While Keir would alert her of an approach from the south, she did not trust that Shade would do the same if a threat emerged from elsewhere. "Do you really believe we'll be followed?" he asked softly. "Wouldn't it be best to leave the girl and her cat behind?" "Yes," Catriona held the Minstrel's gaze for a moment. "If not by those concerned about her whereabouts, then by *your* demons. These fens are deadly, and I'm not going to leave any innocents behind who don't know how to survive in them." She looked over towards Callon and Aerin. "Those two are innocents. As for you..." her shoulders shrugged. "You conceal more than you reveal. Something drove you to hightail it away from the Clearwater encampment with nary a farewell nor an escort, along a dangerous path. If knowing more is important for me to help get her to Clearwater safely, maybe you should tell me." The Minstrel hesitated - and then shook his head. "I'll not deny I have secrets," he said quietly. "But they make no difference to the task ahead of us, and should thus best stay with me. Let us take the girl then - and I look to you to ensure she does not delay us." Catriona nodded respectfully. "I shall." She glanced over to where the two girls were placing the finishing touches on their packing. "Looks like they're ready to move." Catriona pursed her lips and emitted the trill of a bird song. To those not familiar with the marshes, it sounded much like any marshbird. At the curious glances the sound elicited from her companions, she explained, "Keir knows that one and will rejoin us as she can." She strode over to where Callon and Aerin waited, and gave each of their packs a final inspection. "Much better," she decreed. And as she was saying this, Keir emerge from the marshes. The feather that clung still to her muzzle suggested she had been duck hunting (and dining) on her own account. "Shall we proceed onwards?" she inquired. "I'll lead, with Minstrel taking rear guard. Aerin, try to keep Shade near us if you can. All of you try not to wander off the path I take. Appearances are not always as they seem in the marshes. Move as silently as you can, with no talking. And if I tell you to do something, do it. No arguing. I may not have time to explain in the heat of the moment, but I will afterwards." They made good progress, despite the care that Catriona attached to moving secretly. But the strain on the two girls was showing by mid afternoon, and the Minstrel drew close to Catriona to suggest that they rested. Catriona responded with a nod. "Soon," she murmured. A short distance later by the hunter's standards, but a lifetime's by the girls', Catriona gave a quick signal for everyone to come to a halt. She pulled apart a tuft of marsh grasses to reveal a hidden island of dry land nestled amidst the weeds and channels. "Wait here and rest quietly while Keir and I scout to ensure there are no surprises lurking nearby," she said in a low tone. "No fire, just cold rations since we don't want to bring attention to ourselves. Drink only the liquids in your waterskins, since these brackish fen waters are more likely to sicken than quench thirst." Both girls sank down gratefully. Shade immediately went to Aerin, coiled around her and settled down, emitting a low growling purr. As the Minstrel passed onto the island she met his eyes, ensuring with a glance that he understood that he was to keep guard in her absence. Once her charges were hidden, Catriona obliterated the nearest evidence that a small group had travelled this way. She then readjusted the grip on her bow, and set out with Keir on a patrol of their surroundings. After an initial circuit of the area to ensure that no threats were imminent, she set about eradicating all traces of their passage in a wider swath of territory, as well as laying a false trail that would lead the unwary towards a more treacherous section of swamp. There were signs that people had moved through the area recently - perhaps half a day earlier. Niko and the other riders were easy to spot, but clearly a small band of men had headed north on foot. Her reconnaissance complete for the moment, Catriona and Keir carefully made their way back to the hidden island. Before passing within, Catriona paused for a moment to survey the immediate surroundings, ensuring that nothing untoward had occurred in her absence. Satisfied that all was as she had left it, she alerted the Ministrel of her approach with a bird trill, then slipped onto the island herself. Shade still lay curled around a sleeping Aerin, looking up enough at Keir's approach for an attempted snarl until Catriona's glare persuaded the shadowcat that the direwolf was beneath his attention. Callon was collapsed in a heap nearby, sprawled atop her pack. "Either of them stay awake long enough to eat?" Catriona asked the Minstrel. As the Minstrel's shook his head no, Catriona perched herself atop a small flat rock that provided a slightly drier seat than the marsh grass. Keir lay down beside Catriona, giving the illusion of resting, although from the set of the direwolf's ears, she was alert to every feline nuance in the clearing, let alone whatever lurked outside. "There's no imminent danger aside from the usual marsh threats," Catriona murmured to the Minstrel, "but we need to remain vigilant. A small group of men passed this way within the past day, and from their size and direction, I suspect that it's either Thelbane, or a similar ill-intentioned group of scum." Divulging the news of Niko's recent travels nearby to the Ministrel did not even occur to the hunter. Catriona knew the tale of the tracks, and the important news was of the dangers, not the allies. She nodded towards the sleeping girls. "They won't be good for much more travel today, and this is as safe a place as we're likely to find tonight. We can keep watch during the night, then set out again at first light." At the Minstrel's slight frown, she interjected, "Blundering through the dark without light in these marshes is begging for trouble, even without a band of cutthroats within a half-day's journey of us." "We'd better wake the sleeping beauties and get some food into them," Catriona continued. She moved over closer to where Callon and Aerin lay sleeping. Shade looked at her warily, but refrained from a warning snarl...this time. "Callon. Aerin." Catriona called softly. "Wake up." After the two girls had pulled themselves from grogginess, Catriona set them to distributing some of the more perishable rations. The four sated their hunger, with the Minstrel keeping watch as he ate, washing the cold rations down with swigs from their waterskins. Catriona shared a bit of dried meat with Keir, while Aerin distributed some dried fish to Shade. Once they had eaten, Catriona showed Aerin and Callon how to prepare a slightly warmer nest onto which to nestle their bedding for the night. "Without a fire it'll get cold, but you'll survive. You'll find yourself curling close to your companions whether you like it or not." After the girls had everything adjusted, she gave them further instructions. "Both of you need to learn how to take your turns on watch. Aerin, since you also have Shade's eyes, you'll keep watch with the Minstrel, while Callon will guard with Keir and me. We'll take shifts through the night. Anything suspicious, wake the sleepers right away." Callon looked a little crestfallen at the news that she would be sharing a watch, while Aerin appeared ready to protest more vocally. Catriona replied gruffly. "You both are exhausted and unproven. Once I'm confident in your skills, then I'll consider letting you keep watch alone. But not yet. Not here, this close to death." When the Minstrel shook her gently awake, it was to tell her that there nothing to report. The night was still and calm. He and Aerin settled down to sleep quickly, while Callon took up a place near to Catriona. She was watching Keir with some caution ... apprehension rather than fear. "How ... how did you come to have a direwolf?" she asked presently in a low voice. "I never heard of such a thing before!" "I found Keir when she was a pup, after unwittingly making her an orphan," Catriona responded in a matched low tone. "She was too young to survive on her own, although if she'd had her way she would sooner have taken off my hand than come with me." A smile creased her face as she stretched out a hand to scratch behind Keir's ear. "But her hunger won out in the end, and we've been training each other ever since." The hunter fell silent once more, letting the night sounds of the marsh serenade them. After a short while she spoke again in a low tone. "Listen to the night, and get familiar with its music. Oftentimes the first forewarning of trouble is an errant noise in the dark. Or the fading of the music of the night." Callon nodded, and was silent for a long while. Then she said, in a low voice, "I always believed that ... that I was like your wolf. An orphan. That's what they told me." Catriona had been letting her dark-adjusted eyes scan over the swamp, but at Callon's words she glanced towards the girl. "And now you believe you aren't," she replied in a low voice. Callon hesitated ... and then nodded again. "Something that he said ... it made me think ... he was taking me to someone ... related to me. And I always thought there was no-one!" Catriona said nothing for a time, mulling over how best to respond. "Families can be complicated, and sometimes your family is what you make it, Callon, not what one you're born into. All blood, even a lord's, runs the same color in the end." After a short pause she added softly, "Did you reclaim your packet from the Septa before you left? Apologies that I couldn't be there to give it back myself, but I knew Mariam would keep its contents secret and safe for you." "No," said Callon sadly. "I didn't have the chance. He wanted to hurry us on - he was afraid they would stop us ... because of the way he had worked with the brigands when that old Septa was hurt. But that was only to protect me!" "Mariam will keep it safe until either you or I can return to fetch it," Catriona replied in a low tone. Catriona glanced over to where Keir lay. So far, the direwolf seemed to be resting comfortably, with nary a care in the world. The hunter knew, however, how easily Keir would lunge into alertness at the first sign of something unexpected. At the moment, however, Keir was content to maintain her watchful doze. "You won't tell him I told you this, will you?" Callon asked anxiously. "Not if that is your wish," Catriona replied. "I keep my own counsel." Catriona stared off into the marshes for a moment, then added softly, "Down there in the south you probably saw a lot more than I ever would here. Ever see a ring with an eye etched on it?" Callon looked at her sharply. "What sort of eye?" There was a suppressed excitement in her voice that suggested that she had - and that it was important to her. "An open one," Catriona replied. "Sort of like the eye you'd see if someone had cut out the knot from a wallboard and was peering out at you through the hole." A slightly wry tone underlay her next words. "If we weren't sitting in the dark on watch it would be easier to explain." "Yes!" It was almost a shout of recognition from Callon - and the Minstrel stirred in his blanket, while Shade lifted his blunt head and regarded them with unblinking eyes. "Yes," Callon said again, lowering her voice. "That's it exactly. I saw it in the city - in King's Landing. When the Minstrel came to fetch me ... he had a token like that. He showed it to the old sow who had been taking care of me ... well, that was what she claimed to do." Catriona held up her hand, motioning Callon to silence. The night music of the marsh had stilled at the girl's raised voice, and the hunter wanted to ensure that nothing untoward had chosen to take advantage of the moment to slip closer. Keir had also stirred at the unexpected near shout. She quenched the urge to ask more questions, focusing instead on ensuring that the night stilled back into its regular rhythm...or in being prepared for trouble if the normal melodies of the marsh did not resume. The night stilled; there was no sound except for Callon's ragged breathing, and Shade, satisfied, lowered his head again. "I am sorry!" whispered Callon. "It was just that ... I was surprised." "That's all right," Catriona murmured in response. She clasped the girl lightly on the shoulder for a moment. "I should know better while on watch." "And I must try to do better," said Callon penitently. She was silent, but glanced at Catriona, obviously waiting to see if the huntress had any more questions for her. "Do you know anything more about the insignia? Or who sent him?" she inquired in a low tone, with a nod towards the Minstrel. Callon shook her head. "He just came one day with a man who wore a heavyy cloak, pulled right forward so I couldn't see his face. They looked at me a while - while pretending to be interested in other people. Then they went away. Next time, it was just the Minstrel, and he'd come to take me away." She frowned in sudden memory. "But there was one thing. The cloak - the way it lay on his head. The way it slid ... as though he had no hair." "Huh," Catriona murmured, lost in thought. She shook her head slightly from side to side. "I'm not sure what transpires here, but I suspect the truth is far different than what you or I have been told." She inclined her head in the direction of the Minstrel, adding in a low voice, "Has he indicated any personal intentions towards you aside from protecting you on your travels north?" Callon blinked at her and then her eyes widened. "Oh no ... no! He seemed at times to find me a nuisance. But ... no, never." There was no doubting her sincerity. "Then I take it I won't risk offending you on the morrow if I ask him a few pointed questions to try to separate the wheat from all the chaff he's spun both our ways?" Catriona answered drily. "Offend me?" Callon grinned. "Oh no! I've been wanting answers from him myself - ever since we set out. But perhaps you can help me get them." "Perhaps I can," Catriona replied, returning Callon's smile. "For us both." She squinted hopefully at the sky. "How long till Dawn?" "See that bright star over there?" Catriona moved so that Callon could sight down her arm. "Notice how it's about a thumb's length from the horizon? And how the sky to the east is just a little less dark than elsewhere?" At the girl's nod, she continued. "That tells us we have about an hour until first light. As the Guardian of the North disappears from view, the sun's rays will brighten the horizon." Catriona noticed the girl trying to stifle a yawn. The hunter could easily let Callon catch a little more sleep, for taking watches alone with only Keir as her companion was almost second nature to her. But she surmised that Callon would likely prefer to be treated as an equal, even if her training was suboptimal. And there was no substitute for experience to get a newcomer accustomed to the harsh realities of trail life in a dangerous world. "Keep watch on the Guardian of the North. When it's descended half the length of your thumb, we'll awaken the others so we can be moving again once dawn breaks," Catriona added. Callon nodded gravely, and then focused her intense attention on the star. Meanwhile, Catriona was aware that the Minstrel was stirring. How long he had been awake was impossible to say. Catriona ignored the Minstrel's stirrings until the first light of dawn peeked over the horizon. She motioned for Callon to awaken Aerin, then stepped closer to the Minstrel. She motioned the Minstrel off to once side, one hand slipping close to her chest. She let the light fall upon the object clasped in her fist, holding her palm open just long enough for the Minstrel to see what it contained before she closed it once more. He started, and looked art her sharply. "Tell mem what's really going on with Callon." Her words were in a low tone but underlaid with command, not question. He hesitated. "You have been kind to both me and to the girl," he said at last. "But ... there are matters her that might be most dangerous for you to know." He hesitated again, and then appeared to come to some decision. "Can you send the girls away a little, so that we might be quite alone? I have something I should show you." "Life itself is a dangerous business, especially here in the North," Catriona replied grimly. She glanced over to where Callon and Aerin were preparing for the day's journey. "The marshes, especially crawling with sellswords, are too treacherous for me to send them completely out of sight and sound. But I can give them something to divert their attention for a short while." While Keir lazed in the first rays of morning, looking much more idle than she really was, the hunter moved over to where the girls were packing the last of their gear. She inspected each pack in turn with a critical eye, finally giving both girls a gruff "better" as acknowledgement. "Your next task is to remove all traces of our having been on this island. The only traces I want to see left are Shade's." "The Minstrel and I will wait and keep watch just on the other side. When you're ready for me to inspect your work, let me know." The two girls nodded, Callon a bit more eagerly than Aerin. "Do well and I might even teach you a bit more trailcraft later in the day." As the girls set to their task, Catriona moved back to the other side of the clearing with the ministrel. As she approached, Keir positioned herself at her mistress's side. "That's the best I can do until we're somewhere safer." The Minstrel had pulled his pack close to him. As Catriona approached, he opened it and rummaged deep inside. Then he pulled something up. "Do you see this?" he said quietly. "Do you know what it is?" It was part of a garment - a heavy garment ... a cloak perhaps. A rich material ... silk? But the startling thing was the colour. It was white. Catriona just stared at the garment at first. Clothing as white as snow was not something that circulated in the circles she traveled. It was far too easily dirtied in everyday life, and far too difficult to clean. Even here in the North, where one was far more likely to spot the black that marked those of the Wall, tales from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms had reached Northern ears. Even the ears of one who preferred the solitude of the wilderness to the clamor of the courts of lords and ladies. Her gaze shifted to meet that of the Minstrel. Her mouth opened for a moment, then closed again as she thought better of her initial response. Finally she settled into bluntness. "If that's what I think it is, I didn't know Whitecloaks were bestowed upon mere minstrels." Even from her feverish haze, she had not been excessively impressed with the Minstrel's midnight swordsmanship during the bandit battle at the Septa's cottage. "They're not," said the Minstrel in a matter of fact tone. "Generally they're bestowed on peerless swordsmen. And, very occasionally, on men who must undertake important missions for the Crown." "Callon is my mission." "I see," Catriona replied, although what exactly she saw was not entirely apparent. "Regardless of who sent you, I was already committed to protecting Callon as one of my own. It's the least I can do for a girl sent out of her element for reasons she doesn't understand." After a pause, she added, "She's a person in her own right, you know. She has a right to know why her life has been completely upended and what awaits her. Even if she was raised in a brothel, King's Landing is the only home she knew." She shrugged her shoulders. "I can't give her those answers, but you can." His lips twisted. "If my oaths did not preclude me from doing so," he said. "Believe me, until she is at Clearwater - it's for her own safety." Catriona nodded in acknowledgement, understanding the importance of a vow. "I'll do my best to keep the both of you safe until we arrive at Clearwater then, so the girl's questions can be answered." He bowed slightly - a gesture of respect. "My thanks." And then he busied himself in seeing that they were prepared for the road. A short time later, Callon and Aerin popped through the sedge grasses, Shade sauntering along behind. Catriona inspected the girls' work on clearing the island. "Satisfactory," she declared to the girls. "You might be wetter behind the ears than newborn pups, but you're teachable." The rough praise brightened Callon like water given to a wilting flower, and even Aerin's usual glower lightened a fraction. Bored by human discourse that did not contain the word "Fish," Shade merely flicked his tail. Catriona inspected both the girls' gear one last time before they set out. Once again she and Keir took point, closely followed by Callon and Aerin. The Minstrel kept watch at the rear. Shade deigned to keep pace with Aerin. The hunter proceeded cautiously, taking care to minimize the signs of their passage and alert to any possible surprises. As the sun rose higher above the horizon, the land they traversed slowly started to transform. The sucking mud and still waters of the marshes gave way to more sustained sections of dry land, and the sedges yielded to the occassional tree. Finally they crossed over a small creek which fed into the marshlands, entering dry grassland punctuated by clusters of trees and rising hills. Off to one side, water glistened in the distance, meeting the hills right before they grew into mountains. After ensuring that no danger was near, Catriona allowed the group to take shelter under the nearest cluster of trees while Shade and Keir padded off in search of a respite. "Just on the other side of this hill lies the road to Clearwater," Catriona pointed. "We can either take it, or take the route through the mountains. The road will get us to Clearwater the fastest, but it is both better traveled and more open. The mountains will take us longer, but our passage is less likely to be observed." Catriona shrugged her shoulders. "I'm in no hurry to get to Clearwater. But the choice is yours." She looked to the Minstrel for his preference. "We'll take the road," the Minstrel said. "After our last experiences, I've no wish to dodge the mountain brigands again." Callon gave a shudder that seemed to express agreement. "The road it is, then," Catriona replied. "As we approach the road, Keir and I will check to ensure that no one lies in ambush. Stay quiet and out of sight. I'll whistle," she gave a distinctive bird trill that was easier to recognize than reproduce, "when it's safe for you to join me." Catriona searched for a place closer to the road where she could let her charges hide while she and Keir scouted. They found a suitable secluded grove with leafy willows. Once Callon, the Minstrel, and Aerin were safely hidden in the grove, Catriona gave her charges one last set of instructions. "Keep quiet and still. I'll be back soon with a report, or else I'll whistle an all-clear so you can join me." She looked directly at Aerin. "Whatever happens, try to keep Shade here with you. If he insists on roaming, though...don't chase him. He'll be able to run from danger, but if you chase after him, you'll draw attention to yourself." Catriona held the Minstrel's gaze next. "If you hear me call you with anything other than the whistle first, stay hidden, and escape in another direction when you can. I'm expendable." She motioned towards Callon and Aerin. "They're not. See them safe to Clearwater one way or another." With that, Catriona gave each of her charges a clasp on the arm and slipped quietly out of the grove, Keir alongside her. She kept the direwolf close beside her as they approached the road. After ensuring that no immediate threats were near, Catriona then gave Keir a soft command to "Guard away." The direwolf's head nudged her once, and then Keir silently paced away. Catriona knew that Keir would be searching alongside her, just taking care to keep out of sight of humans unless Catriona called her...or danger threatened. Catriona then studied the road nearby a bit longer before expanding her search. It seemed quiet enough. She could hear a cart approaching - from Marshend, heading towards Clearwater. And she could hear the sound of a lone rider, hastening in the opposite direction. But neither was, in itself, unexpected or worrying. Catriona stayed hidden until the cart approached, wanting to catch sight of its riders. There were two men mounted, in deep conversation, wearing the livery of a small but prosperous holdfast that looked to Clearwater and the Draupauds. In fact, a daughter of the old family had married the lord of the holdfast, although she was now dead. And she was somewhat disgraced, having made a first marriage to a man considerably below her in rank. Catriona stepped onto the side of the road with a call of "Hullo there!" Her bow was lowered at her side, and her stance was one of nonthreatening alertness. They looked startled and a little wary but then - seeing it was a lone woman - they relaxed a little. "Foul things stir in the North these days. I lead a small band of travelers who had a nasty encounter with bandits the other day," she began. "There is greater safety in numbers these days, even on the roads. May we join you on your travels northward for as long as our paths connect?" She nodded towards their cart. "The legs of my two youngest charges will appreciate the break from marching. I will lend my bow and swordarm to the defense of you and yours on our joint travels if you agree." They exchanged glances, and were grinning a little, as though the idea of a woman, whoever outlandishly garbed, being able to defend them struck them as amusing. Catriona stood stoically, unfazed by the grins, as she awaited their response. "You can ride with us, " said the younger of the two. "And your youngsters too." "My thanks," she replied smoothly. "I'll call them to us." With that, the hunter whistled the pre-arranged call sign to bring Aerin, Callon, and the Minstrel near. She avoided calling Keir to her side, preferring to keep her command to the direwolf to stay in range but out of sight in effect. In an offhanded manner, she added, "Oh, and sometimes a menagerie accompanies us. The shadowcat won't bother you unless you do something to rile him up." When the trio drew within range, she addressed her charges. "There's safety in numbers. We'll share the road while our paths intersect." Her eyes met those of the Minstrel briefly as she spoke. "I'm Cat," she said in a conversational tone to the two men. "What should we call you two?" She pulled up the hood of her cloak as if to ward away the chill...when the reality was that she hoped that would buy herself a little bit of concealment, just in case Thelbane or his men happened to be spying anywhere along the road. They would be looking for a woman and a wolf together, not a wolfless cloaked figure riding in a conspicuous group such as this. The delay in recognition might shield her just long enough that Thelbane's crew would let them pass unscathed...or give her a few moments of surprise in which she could try to turn the tables on the ambushers. There was no sign of the Thelbane ... the road seemed quiet and peaceful. In the back of the wagon Callon and Aerin were speaking in quiet tones - although she could not hear what about. Then suddenly there was the sound of rapid hoofs behind them. One rider, in some haste. And approaching fast. Catriona let out a short whistle to signal to Keir to be ready in case of attack. She followed her call with a brusque "on guard" to the others as she pivoted, nocking an arrow to her bowstring and drawing back in one fluid motion. She kept it at the ready, taking aim on whoever approached. If the rider had a weapon drawn and charged at them, she had no intention of letting the rider get close enough to harm anyone. If the rider wielded no arms, however, she would keep a wary eye, ready to loose her arrow at the first sign of treachery. "Be ready to stay on the far side of the cart from the rider." They all nodded agreement. The rider, when he appeared, was armed. But his sword was in his saddlebag - close at hand but not threatening. And he wore the uniform of Winterfell. "At ease." Catriona lowered her bow to her left side, raising her right hand in greeting to the rider. She did not signal the rider to a halt, choosing instead to let the Winterfell's courier decide whether or not a cartful of travelers was worthy of slowing his mission. He drew rein and called out, "How far to Clearwater?" The men in the cart exchanged worried glances - and then looked at Catriona as if hoping she would deal with it for them. "On that horse, a hard and steady ride will see you there before dusk," Catriona replied easily. He nodded and moved to spur his horse past the group. "My thanks!" The men on the cart looked at Catriona with interest. "Rider from Winterfell," the older one said. "Wonder what he wants." "Nowt to do with us," said the younger one. "And if we don't get a move on, we'll be too late for ale ... " They looked at Catriona, ready to continue. "By all means, let's continue," Catriona replied. It was several hours before they saw a large party of armed men riding towards them. The pennants of Clearwater blew overhead, and Catriona recognised the fair young man with Dothraki braids who rode at the head of the column with the stern-faced man who was clearly the leader of the group. They were, however, too far off for less well-trained eyes to identify. "Gentlemen," Catriona addressed the two men in the cart. "Our thanks to you for the ride, but I think this is where our paths depart." After the cart pulled to a halt, Catriona stood up in the wagon, and raised a hand in greeting to the oncoming party. "Our destination is apparently in motion." She jumped down from the wagon with ease, and waited for her charges to do the same. As the wagon pulled forward, she thanked the drivers once again, and again raised a hand in greeting to the party of riders. After the wagon had pulled a short distance away, she then pursued her lips in a whistle to call Keir to her side. When the direwolf appeared, licking the last traces of her most recent rabbit from her chops, Catriona gave the wolf an affectionate scratch. The hunter then lowered her hood so that Niko could more readily identify her. Catriona murmured to the Minstrel, Callon, and Aerin. "Clearwater approaches, with Niko and the Lord at the head of the line. Be at ease." She then started to lead her small party on foot towards the oncoming riders, her weapons stowed away but within reach should unexpected trouble erupt. Once within hailing distance of Niko's ears, she brought her group to a halt on the roadside at a respectful distance from the oncoming riders and called out. "Hail, Clearwater! It's good to see you, Niko." Niko's welcoming hail died on his lips as he noted Catriona's companions. 'Aerin,' he mouthed, incredulously. He quickly recovered his wits, and said "It is good to see you to, Catriona. How do you come to find yourself here with such ... an array of companions?" "The marshes are awfully crowded these days," Catriona replied drily. "Can't go more than a few steps without meeting someone." Her head inclined ever so slightly in Aerin's direction. "I'm not sure if I now have an apprentice tracker or if Shade just has a thing for direwolves." A trace of a smile flitted across her face with her words, although she was careful to return to a more neutral expression as Aerin glanced sharply at her. Catriona spoke more softly then, low enough that her words would reach Niko, but not much further. "My other companions need a word with his Lordship." Her head tilted a fraction towards the Minstrel. "That one bears the white." Niko was a little ahead but was now riding closer, as though to hear what was being said. "Are you... sure?" he asked, looking at the minstrel skeptically. "His ... demeanor would not seem to be one that they would abide," he added. "Aye," she answered wryly. "I never would have believed it save my own eyes. Southerners." Her last word was accompanied by a dismissive snort. At Lord Draupaud's approach, Catriona bent down on one knee, urging her companions to follow suit. Keir sat on her haunches, her tongue lolling idly to one side. "My Lord Draupaud." At his Lordship's acknowledgement she continued. "Two of my companions have traveled far to seek you, my lord. I know the circumstances are unusual, but this one," she inclined her head towards the Minstrel, "bears tidings for your ears alone. I am but a humble tracker, but I beseech you to pause briefly on your journey to hear him out." But Lord Draupaud was staring incredulously at another in the party. "Aerin? What is she doing here?" "She headed into the marshes with only her shadowcat by her side," Catriona replied. "Whatever her reasons for doing so may have been, I know not. All I know is that she has shown an interest in learning how to track. When I encountered her in the marshes, I could not leave her to face its dangers." Lord Draupaud stared hard at Aerin for a moment and then said abruptly, "Very well. I shall hear this man. Wait for us here." He nodded to the Minstrel and then rode some short distance away down the road before he dismounted. The Minstrel, grim-faced, followed him. "What's happening?" Callon demanded, looking anxiously at Catriona - and then Niko. "This ... he won't hurt him, will he?" "Nay," Niko said. "Lord Draupaud is a hard but fair man," he said almost grudgingly. Catriona rested her hand on Callon's shoulder for a moment. "The Minstrel is in good hands. As are you." She gave the girl's shoulder a light squeeze of reassurance, then shifted her hand to scratch Keir's head. "Thank you," he said to Catriona, "for seeing Aerin safely through." "To my surprise it was my pleasure," Catriona replied. "She and Callon are both eager students." "So you," he said, finally acknowledging Aerin directly, "decided to strike it out into the swamps on your own?" He grunted. "Did you learn anything?" "Yes," said Aerin with determination. "I learned that I wanted to stay with Catriona - and learn to hunt." One of Catriona's eyebrows flickered upwards for a moment before smoothing out again. "And is this something that you would hold to, or is it a passing fancy to be dropped when it becomes difficult as your sword studies evidently are?" he queried. As Catriona realized that Aerin's pride might prefer some privacy for whatever Niko was about to say, the hunter motioned for Callon to join her and Keir a short distance away. "We'll be over here if you need us." "And did you learn whether the lady would be agreeable to such a thing?" Niko asked mildly. "Or your lord father- had you forgotten about him?" "If this one has taught you nothing else, he would hope that the one lesson that would have made it through your stubbornness would have been that you should treat every decision as if it were a life or death one. For at the crux life is nothing but a series of decisions," he said, sounding deceptively old for his years. "Your decision to go into the swamp could have meant your death, if not for the charity of Catriona. And your decision to learn to hunt affects not only your life, but hers if she does take you on." "I had Shade at my side!" said Aerin, with something of her old defiance. But she sounded less certain than before. "She teaches me how to survive, Niko," she said more quietly. "I ... I need her skills, I think, if I am to have a life beyond Clearwater. And that I must have - because of Shade. How long before some brat in the town annoys him and he lashes out? Neither of us was made to live in a cage." Niko could only nod at the truth of that- and to even more. His comments had been biting for sure, but it was the only way to the core of the matter- her reasons, and how long she had thought this through. And he could see now that they were not as shallow as others would make them out to be. He was not so much older than she that he didn't know how it was to have those with more years doubt his decisions just because of that. More to his normal tone, he said, "This one does not doubt the truth of what you have said. But doubt, others will. And truth there is in the statement that the lady hunter will have to take you on. If she will not, and you cannot make your case to your father, then you will have to agree to let Shade be what he is, where he should be - without you. If he is truly your friend, and you truly care for him, you should see the truth of this." He crossed his arms, putting a bit of distance between them so that he could say what needed to be said. "If you go off alone, Shade will not be enough to save you. It is likely that you will die- and very possible that he will also trying to protect you. No true friend would want that," he said, with the voice of experience. Aerin looked at him, her lower lip quivering. "I would rather die in the wilderness with Shade than live trapped in Clearwater, and Shade far from me," she said. "You are cavalier with your own life... but what about the life of Shade?" Niko asked. Aerin glowered but said nothing. A little further away, Keir was leaning back again Catriona, relishing the good chest scratch that her person was granting her. Callon looked at her. "Do we still go to Clearwater, do you think?" she asked. Whatever the Minstrel was telling Lord Draupaud, it did not seem to be making him happy. "That I don't know, Callon," Catriona replied. As she spoke she shifted position slightly so that Callon would have to consciously pivot to see the exchange between the Minstrel and Lord Draupaud. "Ask me about the hunt, and I'll tell you true." She shrugged her shoulders, with a flash of her palms upwards to the sky. "But ask me of the whims of lords and ladies, and a donkey could answer better than me." Lord Draupaud was returning, his face set and grave. He beckoned to Catriona and to Niko - it was clear that he wanted to speak with them both. The Minstrel remained at his side. "Callon, keep an eye on Keir for me for a moment,please?" Catriona murmured. As she spoke she made a slight motion with her hand, to which Keir's response was to lean towards Callon for a scratch. The hunter then walked to join Lord Draupaud and the Minstrel. Niko said to Aerin, "Think... really think, on what you have heard, and talk we will again later. Perhaps you should join your friend while we talk?" With one last nod towards the girl, he followed Cat to where the others stood. Lord Draupaud greeted them with a nod. "Something has happened," he said shortly. "I must go back to Clearwater with this man and his charge. But there is urgent need for a message to be carried to Lord Stark. May I entrust you two?" "Of course," Niko said without pause. "Aye, milord," Catriona replied. "Tho' if you wish for me to get there at Niko's speed, I will need to borrow a horse. I lost track of mine when bandits burned one of Marshend's inns." Lord Draupaud smiled faintly - with effort. "You may choose the best horse here for your own use ... saving only mine and Niko's." "Thank you, milord," Catriona answered with a slight bow of her head. "Keir will help me choose. Whichever horse is least threatened by the presence of a direwolf suits me best." Aerin moved forward. "You won't leave me behind!" As Aerin's voice neared from behind, there was the slightest tightening of Catriona's facial muscles at the girl's approach, noticeable only to Lord Drapaud and Niko. She raised her hand slightly to both men, as if asking them to wait for her to talk with the girl. The hunter took a slow steady breath as she turned to face the girl. Niko looked to the woman nodding slightly his thanks- as much to thank her as to reassure Lord Draupaud. He knew he had sometime moved from friend to authority figure in Aerin's eyes, and this needed someone whom she would truly listen to and heed. "Aerin," Catriona replied. "Please, walk with me and Keir as we check the horses." At a snap of her fingers the direwolf left her comfortable spot near Callon to rejoin her mistress. Catriona then proceeded to slowly and leisurely walk among the horses of the Clearwater retinue, Keir keeping pace alongside her. A few of the horses visibly shied at the direwolf's approach. Nervous whinnies came from some, while the nostrils of others widened, but their riders kept them in check. Catriona kept walking past those steeds. "You want me to accept you as my apprentice, is that correct?" Catriona said to the girl as they walked. After Aerin's acknowledgement of that, she continued. "You do show promise as a tracker, Aerin, and there is much I could teach you. I had not given thought to taking on a student yet, but..." she shrugged her shoulders, a half-smile flitting across her face. "Sometimes the Old Gods seem to have other plans for me." She brought them to a halt near one of the supply wagons, to which a sturdy dappled mare with a slight sway in her back was harnessed. The mare looked up briefly from her opportunistic grazing at Keir's approach, but then immediately returned to her quest for fodder. Catriona motioned Keir closer. The horse continued grazing. "Before I can teach you more, Aerin, I need your help," Catriona stated bluntly. "I've given my word to see Callon safe to Clearwater. If I'm to play messenger with Niko, I need someone I can trust to watch over Callon. She has no friends this far north, aside from the mysterious minstrel. Can I trust you to guard her in my stead until I return?" Aerin hesitated. It was clear that her desire was to go with Catriona - and equally clear that she was fighting her own nature to acquiesce. Finally she gave a curt nod and then said, a little breathlessly. "But I want you to promise something. Please!" She looked from one to the other of them pleadingly. Niko just looked at her expectantly, awaiting her question. "If it is in my power to promise, I shall," Catriona replied. "That you won't just leave me there and forget about me," Aerin said with a rush. "That you'll come back for me ... " Her eyes looked huge in her face as she stared at them. "I vow this by the Old Gods and the Children of the Forest," Catriona intoned. "I will not forget you, Aerin, and I will come to Clearwater as soon as my duties allow." "Thank you," said Aerin. Her face crumpled suddenly, but with an effort she brought it under control. "And I ... I will do as you ask." Then abruptly she left them, without a backward glance, walking over to Callon, who was in earnest conversation with the Minstrel. "And this one thanks you as well," Niko said after she had retreated. "She needs more than this one can give, but there has been none other." He motioned towards the horses as he began walking that way, keeping pace with the huntress. "Not that anyone expects you to take that burden unless you wish. In the heart, Aerin knows this also." "When my time comes to journey to Clearwater once more, I'll see where things stand. Both with Aerin's desires, and my own circumstances," Catriona replied. "Fate has a way of twisting life to its own ends." As they walked close to where Aerin, Callon, and the Minstrel spoke, Catriona paused for a moment. She laid a hand lightly on both of the girls' shoulders. "Take care of yourselves, my friends, and remember what I taught you. I will come see you when I can." Then as quickly as she had stopped, she fell back in step with Niko, heading towards the horses. "Since we need not get back at the same speed I came, you can use my second horse if that will do for you," Niko offered. Handing the reins to Catriona, he mounted his own. "My thanks," Catriona replied. She allowed the horse to become accustomed to her scent, then gently stroked its neck before motioning Keir closer to test the horse's reaction. To her relief, Niko's horse was well-trained enough to follow her handler's lead, rather than her instinctive distrust of a large black direwolf. After mounting up, Catriona checked that her horse would be comfortable with Keir alongside. Again, the horse's training shone through, as she tolerated the direwolf's presence even with a rider upon her. "And my compliments on your skills at horse training, Niko. Most horses won't accept Keir's proximity until I've exerted much more time and effort." Niko smiled, pleased. "This one is glad that it meets your needs." But the smile fled from his face as he thought of their destination. He sighed, voicing his concerns. "But a heavy task this one has been given in Marshend, and Aerin would not be content there, and Shade would have the same problems amongst people for too long." "Aye," Catriona replied. "Even a well-trained shadowcat would chafe at the restrictions of living in captivity." He looked askance at Catriona, asking, "Ready?" He looked not only to gain answer to his query, but also to see if he might discern her thoughts on deeper things. "Ready," she answered, allowing her horse to follow Niko's until they disengaged from the larger party. Once the road was clear, she gently encouraged her mount to move up so that she could ride beside Niko for a time. Keir kept pace alongside them. "I know you're a much better horseman than I," Catriona said casually. "I'll follow your lead. But if we end up in a scrape, if it's to be a fight rather than fleeing, I'll be much more useful afoot." She gave Niko a wry grin. "Else from horseback I'm more likely to hit myself with my weapon than the enemy." Niko smiled back at her remark. He knew that she was overstating the case, but in a fight it is better to be where one is comfortable for whatever reason, so he merely nodded his understanding. They made good time that was, and saw no-one of the road but a few save a few small farming folk, taking the produce of small holdfasts up the road to Clearwater. The first night was clear and calm; they had made good time, and were on the edge of the marshes. They were taking the long road by the marshes, almost within sight of the cottage when they came across a tree - with a man hanging from it. The buzz of insects suggested he was already dead. Catriona let out a short whistle. At her signal, Keir disappeared into the underbrush, patrolling for signs of trouble. She surveyed the scene for a moment, ascertaining that there were no imminent threats. Niko did likewise, turning in the opposite direction to watch Catriona's back. Catriona then manuevered her horse closer, taking note of the dead man's appearance, and looking for any signs of who did this, or why. As they moved, Catriona noted that the tinkling of the bells that had punctuated Niko's every move had stopped, though she could hear his horse moving behind hers. She pulled her horse to a stop, then dismounted to inspect the area for tracks or other signs. "I'll see if I can learn anything more from the trail signs," she murmured to Niko. Niko merely nodded, knowing that her woodcraft was much better than his non-existent skills. His hair now tied back with the necklace that had been around his neck, his features looked less feral- only his coloration marked him as any different from any in the seven kingdoms. He took the reins of her horse in hand, still alert and looking out for danger. There were faint tracks, leading towards the fens. As she drew close, she realised that the corpse bore a marked, carved on its exposed chest. Closer yet - and she could see what it was. A stylized depiction of a dragon. A look of puzzlement creased Catriona's features. "This mean anything to you, Niko?" Her confusion was evident in her tone. "I don't know what this means or bodes given the gathering in Marshend." "This one is not sure..." he started, then stopped, musing. "Targaryen," he blurted, snapping his fingers. "Though their heraldry is that of a three-headed dragon," he added doubtfully. "But that still says nothing about why this was done," he admitted. Catriona's look of perplexity only deepened. "Whoever did this is gone, but there's enough sign here that I can track them." She indicated the tracks leading towards the fens. "If this is a concern, I can scout the fens for more trouble while you deliver Lord Draupaud's message." Niko looked doubtfully at the Fens, then back to Catriona. If it were any other, he'd balk, but having seen her handiwork with the bandit, and his time over the narrow sea had caused him pause. "He sent both of us I think because of the dangers of the road- to make sure the message gets through. But then again, this he could not have foreseen." He shrugged. "The call is yours, but they shall have to pass this also, and are not that far behind. Though the trail will be colder, this one would leave it to Lord Draupaud to decide whether to send someone from his company." "The Septa's lands begin just on the other side of that rise," Catriona added in a thoughtful tone. "Steward Thorne and the rest of the local Clearwater contigent are near. Perhaps they know something of this corpse." She shrugged. "And if they have no knowledge of these grim tidings, the Steward has men that can reinforce our numbers. If the Steward or Marian wishes me to learn more of those who did this, what's left of the trail will still remain for me to track in another hour." She motioned back towards the road. "Shall we ride for the Septa's?" "Bide a moment," Niko said, thoughtfully. "Though we do not go to the fens, perhaps the man has more to tell." Niko dismounted, ready to do the more noisome searching himself. He questioned himself as he did, to remove his emotions from the task, and apply only his reason. "He may bear something on him that marks him. Something that tells who he was allied to perhaps? And maybe that could be the beginning of the why of this tale..." Catriona nodded, and she and Keir kept watch for any signs of danger while Niko searched the dead man. The marsh seemed calm and peaceful, at variance with their find and Niko's task. A quick examination told him that the man was used to fighting - probably a sellsword. And he had been killed with a very thin, very fine blade, inserted into his chest and then his heart with meticulous precision. His presence on the gallows, it appeared, was meant to serve as a warning to others. "Right then," Niko said at last, moving to the dirt a ways away from the man and using a generous amount to clean his hands. "Killed that one was before he was gibbeted here," he said, still vigorously rubbing his hands. "Not in combat either- unless I miss my guess, and this one is pretty sure he does not, he was too skilled a swordsman to be taken easily with such a wound." While he was in the dirt, he scribed a reasonably good imitation of the Draupaud heraldry and an 'N'. In fact, much too good for a simple sellsword, if Catriona had any idea of heraldry herself. Catriona briefly glanced at Niko's artistry, then turned her attention back to watching the fens. Perhaps one of these days she would have the desire and patience to learn her letters. Maybe. He stood and shook off his hands, turning finally back towards his companion. "A long blade- thin and fine it was. Inserted into his heart. Killed like a maester might do, performing one of his experiments." It was obvious he was troubled by what he had seen. "A warning that one was. But for who? The amount of fighting he has seen marks him most likely as a sellsword- so who would care about such a thing?" Catriona looked thoughtful for a moment, then shrugged. "Perhaps one of the locals is tired of sellswords mucking about the fens. The Old Ones know sellswords have caused enough trouble in these parts the past few weeks. Mariam or Derron might know something of this. And if not, after we reach the Clearwater contingent I can circle back with Keir to scout briefly." He shook his head, approaching his horse and mounting. "Let us be away from this place- if that is any omen, ill times lie ahead." "Agreed," Catriona replied. Her eyes were on Keir, who was sniffing cautiously around the area. When Keir stepped close to the dirt in which Niko had drawn, the hunter whistled sharply. The direwolf stopped suddenly, her head snapping up and back to look at Catriona, who motioned her back. "With me. Now." As Keir loped to join her mistress, there was a least one large wolfprint pressed into the dirt, though fortunately none had blighted the heraldry sign. Once Keir was at her side again, she nudged her horse onwards, matching Niko's pace as they headed down the road towards the Septa's cottage and Marshend. They came eventually to the point in which a road, descending from the west, joined the road that led south. It would have been clear to far less skilled trackers than Niko and Catriona that, since their journey north, a large number of men, disciplined men, had ridden south. "Looks like Winterfell or another pack of lord's men are ahead of us," Catriona mused. "Or maybe the Watch." Her nose wrinkled in distaste. "Or maybe some sellswords. Though the ones I've seen infesting the marshes have been more disorganized than these tracks indicate." "Well, in either case, this one would think that we would find the truth of things when we reach the cottage of the Septa," he said as they rode on. "Hopefully it was not trouble, but it seems that Marshend has become the focus of more attention that it is used to." It was not too much longer before the whitewashed cottage came in view - and one of the guards, on northernmost sentry duty, was lifting a hand in greeting. Catriona waved back to the sentry, and proceeded onwards to the cottage. Niko was focussed on more than pleasantries- noting the positions of the sentries and the evidence of wariness in their stances. He waved and passed the sentry wordlessly, sure they would get the story of recent happenings once they reached the cottage. And soon they stood before the door ... |
