The Branchalite Legionnaires

Chapter 7: The Windsrun River Ambush

Michelle had decided to risk staying the night in their current camp. She sat to one side, disconsolate and stared numbly down at her hands in her lap. She had yet to change out of the gown, nor had she even touched the food Fandy had prepared when they returned. The tankard of warmed mead sat nearby, unsipped. She looked up, after a long while, and managed a sad smile. "Okay," she said, "we need to make a few decisions." She looked at Ailea and Gilleana first and swallowed down her emotion. "First, please let me say how terribly sorry I am for your loss. If you can give me the time, I would like to learn more about Solarinas. Pay him tribute by learning from his life. His actions marked him as an elf of honor and stern valiance."

Ailea answered for them both, as Gilleana was still too distraught. "Gilleana has expressed an interest in traveling with you, one who so nearly gave her life for our family. I am happy to do so for a while, but I must eventually return to my post in Missing City."

Michelle nodded, giving her a little smile, and then turned to her fellow Legionnaires. "Steven: could you summarize events outside the manor for me?"

"We ran into none of the knights of the Lily. The entire talon was deployed in the Manor House. However, we did eliminate three patrols of squires. One of which had archers." He shifted unconsciously at this part, rubbing at his left shoulder. "However, we have now replenished our supply of arrows. We heard the violence in the manor wing and were able to move to a position under the window. Ailea and Gilleana retrieved their warhorses from the stables and followed us to the camp when you got out with Solarinas. The squires at the main gate appeared to have abandoned their post, so we were unchallenged on exit."

"Thank you Steven," Michelle said. She turned to Fandy then. "How are our supplies, quartermaster?" It was a new title for the Aghar and she perked up significantly when it was used.

"Fandy think we still good for a while. Doubt we get trip to town any time soon. Fandy use the magic sticks during fight with patrols, but they still mostly charged. Perhaps the baron might help with some supplies?"

Michelle thought about that and then shook her head. "We don't know how many Nerakans are still on the Estate. Best to move on in the morning." Then she turned her regard to Sarah, giving her a half-smile. "Are we brave or stupid now?"

Sarah laughed at her. "Brave," she told her sister coming over to give her a hug, "always brave." She was wearing her medallion of faith again, and had taken some time to patch up her own wounds, but she was still wearing the ball gown. "Although, if I might add, I'd like to think you're the crazy one. That.. that was a talon of Lily knights."

"You were there too," Michelle reminded her sister, hugging her back. She took a deep breath and then reached for her tankard. "Thoughts on direction for the morning?"

Steven shrugged. "You've heard my thoughts before – we go south, as ordered, to Swiftwater."

Michelle's eyes went to the carriage, where Solarinas' body had been left. She looked over to the grieving Gilleana and then to Ailea. "What are your burial customs?"

"Gilleana would prefer to bury him in Ahlanost," Ailea replied, "but I doubt we will be able to get there."

Michelle looked down at her hands for a while, her sister sitting next to her with an arm draped over her shoulders companionably now. "North then," Michelle said in a quiet tone. "We brave the forests of Wayreth. Perhaps the mages will reclaim him themselves. If not, we may see that Gilleana gets her wish."

"Fandy could do some good trade in the Tower of High Sorcery," Fandy said, eyes lit up at the prospect. "Wizards have many good trinkets to trade with."