When the night was at it's darkest she arrived to the timber gates of Forlaw, guiding Gewind slowly up the hill. The wool clad woman offered the reins of her beloved horse to the guard by the gates, her both hands gripping his as he held the tethers of her steed. While holding the young man's hand tightly she smiled silently, bowing her head in vast gratitude. He had allowed her in and out without informing the reeve who had stated she'd be exiled if she'd leave the town. Yet she still had a few friends among the guard and the man in front of her was one of them. The fact could be read in his smile as he looked at her.
They exchanged no words. The guard took her mount to the stables while she rushed across the town, silently in shadows. Opening the creaking old door of her father's house proved to be the most difficult of tasks, yet eventually she managed inside. Snoring and wheezing shadows of three farmers and their families were scattered across the dark rooms, resting upon spare furs. Few days ago her father Radwine had gathered the families who farmed his lands and lead them inside the safety of their walls.
She sighed silently, before navigating her way through the sleeping refugees with soft steps. When she reached the stairs that lead into her room one of them moved. The woman froze, turning slowly to look behind her. A small girl stood there, staring up at her wide-eyed across the darkness. Faerhild closed her eyes briefly, before smiling warmly down at the child. She raised slowly her forefinger against her lips, "Shhh." The girl, rubbed her eyes, blinking before returning the smile and miming the woman's gesture about staying quiet. The woman outreached her hand to stroke the girl's golden curls briefly, before turning to sneak up the stairs.
In the safety of her room she frowned anxiously, her arm lacing to embrace her waist. The wound ached still whenever she moved and she had done nothing but that the last three days, scouting in the woods with Yrminas. She looked over her shoulder and down the stairs. The girl will not tell. She sighed, stepping to sit on her bed as she slowly pulled off her boots. And even if she will... It was worth the risk.
They had found such valuable information about the orcs that had infested Framburg, The border of their territory, their supply route, their acts in the woods and perhaps a clue about their master. Yrminas had by now probably informed the reeve of their findings. Some part of her wished she could have been there as well to hear the discussions and speak her mind, yet she was in no position to do so. Her future was hanging from a feeble thread and all she could do was to move silently in shadows.
Her father's words echoed inside her mind.
In the end, if you are found guilty of treason, I will have no choice but to disown you.
She closed her eyes and let out a trembling breath. The girl will not tell.
And even if she will...It was worth the risk.
She placed her hand on her bed, looking down at it and then around the home in which she had grown up.
It was worth the risk.
