Today I asked Lord Tindir if he would stand down the guard at his observation post by Estarfin’s door. He leaned forward, and without his usual jovial manner, earnestly told me that the guard was thought to be necessary, and that is just the way it is. My concerns and opinion did not seem to amount to anything, because the plain fact of the matter is that Estarfin is no longer trusted by his superiors.
It is true that the warrior is naturally of a very impatient temper, and the turns of his mind are sometimes utterly unexpected. When I last saw him, Laurelindo had tied dressings and plasters over his wounds. Estarfin complained of difficulty moving his fingers on the left side, and his grip is very weak there. Yet he seemed determined to get out of bed, though I told him to lie quietly and stop moving about.
“What was your plan?”
On receiving this question, the lord gave me a surprised and indignant look at my supposed audacity. But I was affable and smiled at him, to encourage him to talk, and not waiting for a reply, very meekly stated that I was glad he was returned safely. To which he scoffed, and replied that he had to do something. I told him it was commendable, but perhaps he should not have done something alone, or, at the least, he should have thought things through and left word before departing the Valley. “It is not my business, but I think, lord, you learned a good lesson from the occasion.” I do not think he was listening much, as then he complained of a great pain in his chest, and bid me go away to fetch Laurelindo. As ever, Estarfin is mistrustful of anything where I am involved and is accepting his injuries with a very ill grace. He cannot always be a warrior!
And there is still talk of arresting Estarfin for disobeying command and risking his life for a blockhead’s idea of something. Let him try to explain himself to Lord Veryacano, and see what happens! I shall not drag myself into more trouble getting betwixt the Hammer Lord and his men.
Yet my conscience will not rest until I see this medicine of mine given to Estarfin, and I would see it done myself, but I must content myself with giving Laurelindo a strict charge to see him ‘take every bottle to the last drop,’ and I promised the healer that I would be checking back in two days’ time.
Danel’s eyes are getting some better but I do not dare to hope that her sight will return.
