A Few Home Truths
Chaney and Taala would pull their horses up just prior to riding into the homestead. Taala would motion for Hofgaer, the strange man that Chaney had met earlier in the Prancing Pony, to ride on and inform the others that all was well and they would arrive soon.
Chaney felt herself warming to Taala as the two spoke at length for the first time since they had met so many weeks ago. It would be the things she spoke to her about that would have a sudden and profound change of heart by Chaney.
Taala would mention that she knew how Chaney felt, about rules, about orders. But also about how she herself had been taken in by the Dawn and given a second chance at life. About how the way she felt of losing her father Hardoleth, without having the chance to meet him, and find out whom he was.
How Fiontann and the others had given her this chance to make something of her life. Chaney would listen and remember her own father and how his life was taken from her all those years ago right in front of her eyes.
How she felt now about others, the distrust that she had felt for others, the hatred toward so many. She now also started to feel that another person, this woman, Taala, was taking an interest in her, looking to give her a chance, just has Fiontann had.
Chaney finally relented the wall she had built between herself and Taala, and motioned for them to ride on, she had even offered her a smile. Something she had not done since the first time she had smiled at Fiontann.
At length they pulled their horses up to the posts outside the Dawn Hall and dismounted, and tied them up. They walked together as if friends, up and inside.
There Chaney would be greeted by a hall with quite a few folk in. She briefly felt the uncomfortable troubled feeling of being round a lot of folk again, but it was brief and over within seconds. She thought to herself that she were going to overcome this feeling and try and allow herself to be around people again.
At one point there was an altercation between two men that Chaney did not know. However, she saw how other ‘Dawners’, as they were called, rallied round to almost protect the ‘Dawner’ whom was in the potential fight.
Chaney had even felt herself, with lightning reflexes, reach for the hilts of her daggers to come to any aid for this man. Was she actually beginning to believe she were a part of this company whom stood up for each other, whom looked out for each other, whom treated each other like family?
The situation was quickly diffused and no need for altercation or violence for that matter was needed and the hall settled into a sort of friendly chatter amongst folk.
Later the Grey man whom Chaney had seen on a few occasions now stepped out from a closed door at the back of the hall and was soon followed by Fiontann. Chaney eyed the man, again in her usual manner, with a cold stare, and then she switched her attention to that of Fiontann, whom had asked for a word outside alone.
The captain, Hyrien, had even graced the hall with her presence that night, and Chaney had offered her a polite nod as a greeting. Perhaps in roads were being made as regards to her attitude with folk. Certainly the talk with Taala earlier had made a lasting effect.
So without further ado she would follow Fiontann outside for a discussion of some kind, and something more than both of them would have ever bargained for.
It would certainly be a night to remember……………………..
