Taala did arrive late, everyone was already gathered as she entered the grounds of the DawnHall, at least she could blame Rick Cobb for slowing her horse down...
She looked around at all assembled. “Nice of you to turn up Taala” Fiontann remarked sarcastically. The first thought that should have occurred to her was that she was late and had missed some training. But her initial thought was how prepared everyone looked in comparison to her, especially comparing her attire to theirs.
She dismounted and left Misty to graze as she surveyed the others. Many of the company were saying goodbye to their loved one's. Chaney especially looked worried and glum, it was clear how deep her feelings had grown for Fiontann. Some of the other Dawners had turned out to wave them off and for a fleeting moment Taala wished someone was there to wave her off...she looked towards her fathers grave, a lump in her throat as she raised her chin determined to make him proud. Her thoughts were interrupted abruptly when she felt a bag land at her feet. She looked up and into the face of Brammy who had unceremoniously dumped it there, a begrudging look upon his face. “A gift from Foxwin, he said they should fit” was all the information he would impart, his tone rather terse. Brammy disliked her immensely, he made no secret of the fact and usually only spoke with her to mock or criticize.
Taala opened the bag, and therein was a pair of splendid mountain boots of the highest craftsmanship and quality. Her eyes widened and she could not control the smile that crept about her lips as she kicked off her own inadequate boots and tried her new ones on. They fit her perfectly, Foxwin was a shoemaker befitting Théoden King himself! She studied the boots from every angle she could...it would seem someone had waved her off after all, well...in a fashion they had....and now she did have something of Foxwins to take with her..and bring her back too...
Soon the company mounted up, said their final goodbyes and filed out of the grounds, Dawners all, bar two other men, Rogue and The Grey Warden …
For what purpose had they come along?...
