Roger Taylor: Caddoran

Hyrald was made Senior Commander of the Warding. He still walked the streets however, as did all the new District Commanders that he appointed.

Vashnar was given to the care of his wife who nursed him tenderly.

Nordath offered Endryk and the four travellers the hospitality of his house, and together with Hyrald and the others they spent several agreeable days wandering about Arvenshelm and discussing the trials and tribulations of their respective travels. It seemed that dark events had not been confined only to Arvenstaat.

Only Thyrn seemed to be ill at ease. He talked a great deal to Nordath.

‘There’s a skill – a gift – inside me, that I don’t understand. It’s something important – something that I need to learn about.’

He also talked a great deal to Endryk’s countrymen.

Then came the time for parting. They all rode to the edge of the city. It was early morning, hazy with the promise of a fine day.

‘Thank you for everything,’ Endryk said. ‘It’s been an honour to ride with you.’ He embraced his former companions in turn, Adren with unexpected and returned fervour, which caused raised eyebrows and cautiously amused looks from Hyrald and Rhavvan.

Following much heart-searching, Thyrn had decided to go with them. It was a decision that upset Nordath more than he chose to say, but he offered no word of reproach. Endryk’s companions had spoken to him also before agreeing to Thyrn’s request to accompany them.

‘There are scholars and learned men at home who can help him, bring him to the knowledge he needs. And too, they need to know what’s happened here; they need to know about that place in the mountains.’

Nevertheless Nordath could not fully trust himself to speak as he clasped Thyrn’s hand in both of his.

‘I’ll be back,’ Thyrn promised as he mounted his horse. He looked at the Wardens significantly and Adren placed her arm around Nordath’s shoulder in a silent promise of continued companionship.

The three Wardens and Nordath stood motionless for a long time watching the departing riders, Nals trotting beside them.

Then they were gone, lost in the bright morning mist.