Hona finds herself in the fields where she was raised, but these lands are too dangerous for travelers now. A chance encounter sends her back to the south. From the Kingsfell watchtower to wherever her path may lead her next…
Wind was rough on the fields of the north – it was nothing like the gentle breezes encountered on the farms of Bree-land, or even the scorching gales which punish the lands beyond Bree’s western borders. This wind was a harsh, damp force, pushing down relentlessly on the grasses and threatening to sweep away the trees. Not even the houses could escape it – each crouching farmhouse ensnared in its fingers, wrapped in the chill.
This was the land of Hona Ashby’s birth – the open farmland north of the Greenway, where only the hardiest of Bree-folk may come to dwell. Now there were no more peaceful places to live here, with all of the denizens of these plains venturing south to Trestlebridge or even farther to Bree-town itself. Many of the houses sat forgotten, their fields untended. Sour-smelling tendrils of smoke rose from the orc encampment on the hill before being whipped away in the current of air blowing southward. At the top of one rolling hill sat a stone structure, which might at one time have been a building but was now little more than a collection of crumbling pillars, stuck jagged in the grass. Someone approaching on a particular evening might see that there was a dark-headed figure hiding herself beside one of the fallen canopies, a bow loosely grasped in her right hand. They would see no tension in her shoulders, her gaze fixed on the landscape beyond the hill.
Perhaps this was what the second strange figure, dressed in a long cloak and walking up the hill, observed as he moved towards that dark-haired person’s hiding place. He moved further into the ruin, his shield strapped across his back. It seemed as though he made no attempt to muffle the sound of his movement as he approached. Stopping at a collapsed part of a ruin, he set his boot upon it, adjusting his knife-sheath. As he took his foot down and walked further, he left a hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword. He whistled a short tune, perhaps to himself, or perhaps for the figure ahead.
Hona startled at the noise, so lost in her thoughts that she ignored the presence of anyone who might approach her from behind. The orc camp suddenly seemed far in the distance, her senses brought acutely to her immediate area. Fearing an ambush from an unfriendly visitor, she whipped her head towards the source of the noise. She brought her bow higher, ready to nock the arrow held in her other hand. Perhaps she was not entirely unprepared. She squinted in the dim light; the darkness of the night had fallen quicker than she expected. The cloaked man stopped dead in his tracks. In her faint view, Hona could see him raise both of his hands upward slowly, keeping open palms toward her. A soft voice called out, "Ho there friend. Best to save the arrows for the game roaming Kingsfell." From what was visible of him beneath his hood, he appeared somewhat solemn, neither smile nor frown on his face. In response to this, Hona lowered her bow slightly and allowed herself to relax. The voice did not sound like that of a foe, and the gentle tone was somewhat familiar – an old neighbor, perhaps?
"Well met," she ventured. Her northern accent sounded more pronounced in the silence of the hillside, even to her own ears. "I'm sorry to frighten you, if I did. This place isn’t safe to walk alone." She did not lower her guard completely, unable to see the stranger clearly even at his near distance. In the faintness of the light, she made out the movement of the man lowering his own hands in mirror to her bow.
"Well met indeed, if one could consider an armed greeting ‘well.’" He seemed to look around the ruin, scanning its cracks and crumblings for a brief moment. "No need to worry about frightening me. Perhaps I ought to apologize for arriving unannounced. But I do agree these parts can be dangerous – lived here most of my life." The words are those of a friend, Hona decided, returning her bow to the strap on her back and stepping forward towards the center of the ruin.
"The same for me, in fact," she told him. "Grew up in that farmhouse, just down there." She gestured down the hill to the west, her own gaze moving to where the shabby house would be seen, just out of view. It sat abandoned, now. The man also turned to look to where she pointed.
"I see, I'm surprised we haven't met before, but, a big empty land it seems to be these days. I live in a small cabin to the North of here." His head tilted upwards to the sky and then around the fields about them. "But I do love to wander down here whenever I get the chance." As his attention seemed to return to Hona, he inquired, "What about you? Out here for any purpose?" Hona came closer, to friendly speaking distance. She still did not recognize the man, his face hidden in shadow.
Returning her gaze to him, she answered, "No, no purpose, except to see what has become of my family's home in the days since we moved south. I also am surprised we have not met, although it is rather dark and there is something familiar about your voice. No matter - I'm Hona Ashby," She extended a hand with a smile she hoped was suitably open and welcoming. The man took her hand with his own – gentle and still unfamiliar, Hona thought – and shook it firmly before retreating back into the warmth of his cloak.
"Moved South did you? Probably for the best. Been trouble around here of late. But familiar? Perhaps you met a member of my family at one point or another, difficult to tell. Holtun Haymoor, a pleasure." He smiled a small smile that Hona could make out, though certainly nothing that she would consider joyous.
"Haymoor? Yes, I think that might be a family-name I've heard of in this area." It’s not a lie, although it sounded less and less familiar as she thought on it. Regardless, it wasn’t safe for anyone to walk alone here, unless they counted orcs and goblins among their traveling companions. She quickly turned her tone to a more serious one. "As I said, it's probably not well to walk alone here. I’m glad we came upon each other instead of the orcs I've been watching this evening." The man’s shoulders shrugged.
"Plenty of my family around,” he said rather cryptically. “So perhaps, but you talk with plenty of confidence. If I hadn't arrived, think you could handle yourself on your own?" He tilted his head at her slightly before pulling down his hood. His youthful features were apparent, along with his dark black hair, his grey eyes looking at her with brow slightly furrowed. A memory began to form itself in Hona’s mind, rising up slowly at first, and then all at once - of those grey eyes that had looked at her with such compassion, some time ago.
She could not keep the surprise out of her voice as she burst out, "Oi there, I know you! You're Sigfread's friend, aren't you... Tur--- Turc--? Turchiron?" The name sounded foreign on her tongue, but it sounded right as well. She furrowed her brow as she grumbled, "I knew there was no such thing as a Haymoor family around here..."
Turchiron let out a sigh, responding with a slight nod, "Foiled then I suppose. We have met before, apologies, it becomes habit in the wilds I suppose. As for the Haymoors, a Bree-land family… I met one of them in my travels, quite liked the name." He looked up to the ruined pillars towering above them, growing darker as the sun set. "You were born here, yes? You know what all of this once was?"
Hona nodded, enthusiasm welling up within her. A new memory, that of sitting with a book by the fireplace and enjoying a cozy evening, replaced the memory tainted with the fear of that horrible day. "Yes! The kingdom of Arnor. I read about it once - it was all throughout this area, down in Bree-land and even farther to the north of here, hmm?"
Turchiron walked past Hona, toward the ruin, running a gloved hand across its weathered stone. "It was Arnor long ago,” he told her, the name of the ancient kingdom rolling much more effortlessly off his tongue. “After Arnor broke, the realm of Arthedain took its place here. The mountains to our east mark the border with its sister nation, Rhudaur." He removed his hand from the pillar, looking up to where the circling pillars gave way to open sky and stars beyond. "This once stood as a sort of watch tower, keeping a gaze across Kingsfell for any potential threat roaming the fields. Little good did it do when Angmar sent its denizens from the East. This area was one of the first to be assaulted after Rhudaur's corruption… A sad tale." Hona watched the ranger as he moved, following his gaze upward. In her mind’s eye she could almost see the domed roof above them, much more elegant than the houses dotting the landscape.
"Hmm. It's difficult to imagine what these lands were like, in those times. Perhaps not so different, but also very different." Her thoughts were vivid – she felt almost as though she could look to the horizon and see all the way to the shining towers of Annuminas, so far away but still part of that majestic dominion found only in imagination now. She felt a frown make its way to her lips. "These ruins are what's commonplace now. You're right - it is sad." As for Turchiron, he continued looking up to the ruined dome. In the darkness, it seemed as though the longer he did so, the more sadness was visible on his face.
Eventually he spoke quietly. "There's always a chance it may be again. The grandeur of Arnor would have truly been something to behold. You don't see structures similar to this in the likes of Trestlebridge or Bree-land." He looked back down to Hona. "But enough of dwelling in the past. How have you fared since last we met? And Lady Lieta?" Honory found herself forcing a smile she didn’t truly mean. The time between their horrific tenure in Oatbarton and the present time stretched out like an endless chasm, with so much perhaps to tell.
Instead, she settled for, "I am well, thank you. But Lieta... something terrible happened. She was stabbed... they don't know who did it, at least as far as I know. She was walking home from Bree-town when it happened," She furrowed her brow, the worry washing over her, before adding, "She is well-enough now, but it was a long recovery. She has only just recently begun to feel better and I am glad of it."
Turchiron looked to the ground at her news, his face partly hidden from view. "I see. I can only pray the man who did it is brought to justice. The Guardsmen ought to be doing their jobs, but at the very least she is safe now." He looked to the farmhouse Hona had pointed out prior. "What condition is your old home in?" A cold lump seemed to settle in Hona’s chest. She shrugged her shoulders.
"It doesn't matter, I suppose," she told him. "The house was badly damaged in the fire. My parents are too old to look after it, so they moved to town. I think they're happier there, truly." It wasn’t a lie – not entirely.
Turchiron nodded before saying, "It is much safer for them there. Neither you nor I could deny that. It is always sad to lose one’s home, my people know that more than most. I am sorry for it, but in this current state, you ought to move on south soon enough as well. I don't want anyone else to be hurt up here."
Hona looked back up at Turchiron, deciding to push those stony thoughts aside and put on a brave face for now. "You are kind to think of it," she told him, making her voice light. "But please don't worry – I’ll be safe here, even if I walk alone. I used to travel these roads often! And they are not so much worse than they used to be," She smiled again, though her face does not quite work as she wishes it to. Turchiron folded his arms.
"Even with your confidence, something ill could still befall you." He shook his head as he looked away briefly before returning his gaze to Hona. He stated firmly, "It is our duty to protect all the good peoples of Eriador - my kinsmen roam far and wide, we keep eyes on most, even when others do not return it. So, it is my duty to worry, about you, about your friends and all other common men and good folk of the North." For a brief moment, Hona found herself annoyed with the man’s proud and condescending words. But instead she felt her heart lighten.
"Ah, now you seem more like that kind and noble ranger I remembered," she said. "If you hadn't already revealed your identity, I would have known it at once!" Pushing aside her mind to argue, she bowed her head to concede. "Well enough – I’ll return to Trestlebridge, if you wish me to."
Instead of reacting with the positivity Hona had hoped for, Turchiron let out a wearied sigh, "I do not wish to remove you from your family home, but it will keep you safe and in the end, that's what's important. Houses crumble and can be rebuilt, cities can burn and be refounded, but lives are sacred. I pray you'll listen to me, many have agreed to what I say yet act otherwise."
The words felt like a slap across the face. Hona frowned. "I wouldn't insult you by doing that," she replied, surprising even herself with how deadly serious her tone sounded against the gusting of the wind around them. Disconcerted, she stammered out, "I’m an honest woman - I keep my word." Truthfully, lying to Turchiron by ignoring his warnings hadn’t even occurred to her. It hurt to think that it might be someone else’s first instinct. But she kept that to herself.
The ranger raised an open palm to her once more, his hand now not so unfamiliar as it was the first time. "Apologies, a habit when dealing with common men. Most are insufferable and dishonest, but I mean no offense. It’s my personal experience."
Hona took his hand in her grasp, shaking it firmly. “I find the same more often than not.” Then, teasingly, she added, "I only hope that I might be... sufferable and honest, perhaps." She could not help it as she cracked a grin. She half-expected Turchiron to be annoyed by her joke, but he only nodded slowly with a slight smile on his face.
"Sufferable, for now. I haven't met you long,” he said. “But if Oatbarton was anything to go by, you'll be finding yourself in more trouble in the future."
"Maybe you're right," The wall she had built in her mind around the events at Northcotton Farm had remained strong - that day seemed far away, but oddly close still. It haunted her only in her dreams, now. Hona thought for a moment before she said, "I do hope not... though, I don't know what came of that little village, once we left, you know? I hope next time I might prevent some of those terrible things from happening," It sounded idealistic, even to Hona herself, but it managed to bolster her spirits slightly. However, it didn’t seem to have the same effect on her companion. Turchiron shook his head, bringing a hand to rub his brow.
"The Halflings are a hardy people, though they may not seem it,” he told her. “My kinsmen let them down, We should have been more watchful. I won't live that down, but I won't fail them in the future. We shall be keeping a closer eye on the situation in the Shire. You just ensure you and yours are safe.”
Something struck a nerve there, and before Hona realized it, she was saying in an even tone, "Well, there's still a difference between lending aid to those who need it, and trying to shoulder the burdens of the entire world - only one is helpful, I'd say," It sounded like another platitude, so she willfully softened her brow. "I will. But what about you - it's safe for you to walk alone here, then?" Turchiron nodded. quickly and briefly.
"It is. You may have grown up here, but so did I. I have roamed these lands all my life, I know its hidden paths and many secrets. Although I am never truly alone - you may not see them, but my kinsmen are around us, even as you speak now and---" he tapped the sword in its sheath by his side, "---I am more than capable at protecting myself." Honory crossed her arms. She felt bad for implying that he – a ranger, of all people – couldn’t look after himself. Frankly, she felt stupid.
"Well, don't whistle at strange figures you don't recognize, I'd say!" she told him lightly. "If I never see you again...” She paused, feeling as her mood grew heavy once more. Something about the atmosphere of the darkened, rolling fields around them, coupled with her stewing mood of the past several hours, was keeping her from feeling quite like herself. “Well, never mind. It's not something to joke about." At that, the ranger shrugged again.
"You clearly weren't an Orc. Regardless of common men's ill intent, I prefer to talk before conflict. As I said, all life is important. But there is every chance this may be our last meeting. The road ahead of you is dangerous, and my and my kin’s war never ceases." He looked to the ground once more, retaining his saddened disposition. "It is difficult, but we best not make friends with common men as a result. I can at least spare them the pain upon hearing of our deaths, never knowing what we've done for them." Hona couldn’t help but feel that she was included in the group that Turchiron spoke of. The group that could not get too close to others without fearing for their safety. She recalled the strange man who had visited her cousin’s house – how had he found her there? It put everyone into danger, she thought sadly.
"Perhaps you're right," she mumbled.
Turchiron looked to her after a brief moment. "It's what I believe. But you best get a move on - come morning, all sorts will wake and begin roaming these fields. You can use the cover of dark to your advantage. I advise staying near the roads, but not on them directly." Reaching down to pick up her bag of belongings, Honory shouldered it before looking back up to the ranger.
"Thank you," she said with an earnest smile. "Well, no matter what you say, I hope we'll meet again. At least so that you might see I made it home safely." She meant it. Turchiron pulled his hood up once more. Hona could have sworn that he winked beneath it… but surely not.
"I'll be closer than you think. Safe travels." And with that, he wandered back off into the fields. Honory smiled to herself before heading back towards the road herself.
The road back to Trestlebridge was a smooth one, and Hona kept herself hidden just as she had promised to Turchiron. As she traveled, she found that her sour mood continued to simmer within her. The friendly closure to that chance encounter seemed at first to focus her mind and she felt clearheaded. However, it wasn’t long before creeping thoughts began to invade her consciousness. First of all, it troubled her greatly that the ranger believed that she would willfully ignore him without cause - it was an insult to her pride, not to mention the volumes it spoke on Turchiron’s own memories of their incident at Oatbarton. Searching her mind, she struggled to remember what part of that day might have induced Turchiron to think her disobedient in any way, but the churning up of those old memories was an additional weight on her psyche. By the time she found herself walking across the Trestlespan, her mind’s eye was filled with the horrific scenes, sounds and even smells of that day.
She managed to rest at her parents’ house as the sun rose over the pine trees, casting the small and decrepit town in morning light. But when she awoke, she found her mood to be much the same as it had been. By the mid-afternoon, she felt she was ready to return to Bree-town to continue watching her cousin’s house once more. Her parents begged her not to leave so quickly, but she refused their invitation.
Damn Lyra, leaving me for so long in town… I hate it, I do, Hona thought sourly as she guided Bruno down the Greenway into the south. Not to mention I must worry about her, too.
This ride, similarly, was uneventful. Hona kept to herself on the road, keeping away from large groups of travelers and the caravans that she passed. Perhaps in doing this, she was hoping to prove to no one in particular that she was indeed able to travel safely on these roads. It wasn’t long after she reached the front gate of Bree-town that the unfortunate news reached her ears. Despite The Black Steel company’s desire for secrecy in their activities, rumors still traveled quickly. Hona was often recognized as one among the company, and as such, she was quickly informed by a number of sources that The Black Steel had been involved in some sort of ‘kerfuffle’ the day prior.
“Unbelievable!” Hona exclaimed, brow furrowed as she received the latest of these reports. “No, I don’t know anything about it… sounds like someone’s telling stories, to me. You’d best forget it.” Forgetting it was something she herself had no intention of doing. As soon as she confirmed that her cousin Lyra’s house was in good nick, she proceeded at once to find out what had occurred in her absence. Soft white smoke emerging from the chimney at Gaeded’s house was the only signal she needed. Trying to calm her mood once more, Hona made her way to the doorstep and knocked firmly on the door.
"Come in!" Gaeded’s voice came from within. Hona twisted the doorknob, finding the door unlocked. The dark, slightly smoky interior of Gaeded’s house greeted her. Hona’s eyes scanned the room before falling on the two women at the table. Gaeded sits facing her, and across the table sat Athlenah. Stepping forward, Hona greeted them.
"Hello, friends," she said, her voice muted in the chamber.
“Hey Honory,” Athlenah replied. The woman’s face was pale and tired, Hona observed. Gaeded smiled in her direction.
"Hello there,” she said. “What brings you over here?"
Honory returned the smile as she looked between the two again. She couldn’t help it as her eyes lingered on Athlenah a moment longer – the woman truly looked in bad condition, though it was difficult to pin down why. It seemed to confirm Hona’s suspicions, that the reports in town were factual. "Nothing, especially,” she replied. “Except that I heard word that the rest of my company was busy without me," Making a joke in her current state of mind turned her stomach, that was for sure, but she forced a smile anyhow.
Gaeded smiled a little in return. "Not that busy actually. Unless you mean finding more about what happened at Oatbarton… yea, we have been quite busy," Her voice was full of joking sarcasm. Athlenah remained silent – she looked not really in the mood to crack jokes, perhaps.
"Yes, perhaps that is what I meant," Hona’s voice lost its joking mood as she continued, "Really though - all is well? I am sorry for my absence these past days. I was visiting my family in Trestlebridge." It sounded so mild. It sounded so lazy. Hona kicked herself.
In Hona’s peripheral vision, she saw a flash of white bandage as Athlenah scratched. Gaeded paused. "It's been better. We've had moments of good and bad times, but, now things are getting a little bad again." She sighed, looking over at Athlenah with a knowing look. At that, Hona also directed her eyes to Ath.
"Are you well, Athlenah?” she asked, feeling concerned for the woman. “You seem as if you feel badly... is that a bandage, there?"
In a quick motion, Athlenah hid her arm under the table. “I have no idea what you mean,” she said.
Gaeded sighed again. "Athlenah got wounded yesterday,” she explained. “She's going to see Sigfread about it and then it should be fine." Hona’s heart drops. She hoped dearly that it was nothing too serious, though her friend seemed to be in bad spirits.
Athlenah interjected, “Sig is not around.” Gaeded looked to her with surprise.
“You said to me that you were going to see him,” she scolded gently.
“I said, if I see him. The wound is just infected.”
Gaeded pushed farther, it seemed. “You need to see someone who can get rid of the infection,”
Athlenah scoffed. “Like I said… healers are expensive.”
“Then someone else. You need to find someone, or this could get very serious.”
“Who? I am not going to show my face at the lodge.” Athlenah’s pride seemed hurt, Hona thought. She wondered what had happened as she listened to their exchange, worry painting its way across her expression.
“Just see someone about it, okay?” Gaeded frowns deeply. Athlenah settled down deeper into her chair, looking like a scolded child as she muttered her agreement.
There was a moment of silence in the room.
"Can I have the coin back, Athlenah?" Gaeded spoke up suddenly. Athlenah withdrew a coin that she handed to the Rohirric woman. Even in the dim firelight of the room, it was possible to make out the bright red color of the coin.
Gaeded said, “Thank you. I will show it to Fiontann as soon as possible.” Hona peered at the small object in Gaeded's grasp. Upon closer inspection, she could see the initials CB engraved onto its surface.
"What's that?” she asked. Gaeded motioned to Hona to sit before placing the coin on the table in front of her.
"I found it yesterday. The people who attacked us threw it at us and I was able to grab it before we lost it,” she explained. So it was an ambush, it seemed. Hona settled into the chair beside Athlenah, propping her elbows on the table.
"I see," she replied. “Strange. After all, it's not like they would purposefully tell you who they were, so what was the meaning of it?" Athlenah began taking off the bandage, revealing a long wound at her under arm. The skin around the arm was red and irritated as well.
“They actually did tell us who they were,” Gaeded said. “They shouted their name at us as they threw the coin. I was too busy going after the coin to really hear it properly though, and have forgotten who they said they were." Honory raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Even more strange! Hmm. Who all was there, then? Fiontann? Lieta?”
“Me, Athlenah and Fiontann only. The people who showed themselves were three men, in robes. One wore red robes, the others wore brown ones.”
Honory nodded. "I see. Perhaps Fion heard what they said, if he was nearby," she suggestted. "I don't think I would recognize them, from that description."
Gaeded frowned softly before nodding in agreement. “Yes. He might have. Did you hear, Athlenah? What they said?”
Athlenah shook her head. “I was too busy praying for the fallen hunter,” she explained.
Gaeded nodded sympathetically. "I understand," she said.
“Anyhow I don't like it,” Athlenah sniffed.
“Nobody does.” Gaeded’s brow was worried, her face grim.
“What if they are still hiding out in the Old Forest?”
"That's where you encountered them?” Hona interjected. She thought of the dark boughs and the twisting trails within the wood before she said, “I don't think the forest is a good hiding place, but those are only my thoughts. They may have a different idea. We might never be able to find them again if they are hiding there.” It was disappointing, but it was the truth. Hona sighed heavily.
“We need to get our numbers up first,” Gaeded replied. “We seem to have been lacking recently. Whoever they are, we know that we were far outnumbered yesterday.”
Athlenah scratched the skin near her wound, only making it worse "New members means we have to train them," she muttered.
“I mean get back those who are already with us and yes, get new members. Though, if we cannot get enough in time, we will have to go with what we have got.” Gaeded sighed once more, looking down at the table top.
The pitiful aftermath of her companions’ seeming defeat moved Hona’s sympathy. "I am truly sorry I was not there to aid you both yesterday. It was irresponsible of me.” She felt Gaeded’s eyes on her face and looked up to meet her gaze.
"Don't worry. As long as you are here now,” the Rohirric woman said.
Athlenah, too, spoke up. “Don't worry Hona, it’s alright.”
Still, Hona’s guilt was not appeased. She shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "Yes, I suppose.” The words of Turchiron replayed themselves in her mind – you just ensure you and yours are safe. “I was speaking to a friend of Sigfread's yesterday... one of his ranger kin, I suppose,” she tells them. “Perhaps you remember him, Gaeded – Turchiron. He was at Northcotton,”
Gaeded nodded. "Yea, I remember him.”
Hona lowered her eyes. “He told me it was important to look after those who are close to me, in the coming days. To make sure they are safe, and supported. I suppose this is what he meant.” Gaeded made a ‘hmm’ sound from across the table.
“I believe that to very much be true," she said
Looking up at her companions, Athlenah piped up. “Turchiron? He is the leader of the Green Company, our allies.”
Hona did not know what to say. “I didn’t know,” she stammered. Gaeded also looked surprised.
“Leader? Really?”
“Yes! He is powerful as Fiontann - Maybe even greater,” Athlenah proclaimed. Gaeded’s brow furrowed before she spoke.
“I will still follow Fiontann's command over his. I am Fiontann's shieldmaiden,” she stated.
“He is truly humble, then,” Hona said, half to herself. She finds herself astonished by this new revelation. “To think of how kind he was to me and Lieta that terrible day.” Somewhere outside of her thoughts, she heard Athlenah inquiring something of Gaeded. But her own mind was tumbling again into memories she had nearly forgotten until that moment.
“Right, need you on your feet… a trick of some kind… You still with me? Focus on me now if you can and it'll be alright. We have to keep moving, no good to us stopping here, we'll get you to safety… Whatever it is affecting you, you just have to try to get past them, focus on following me instead, call me Turchiron… Now can you help me get her on her feet?” He had been so kind to us and I had nearly forgotten. I remembered it clearly but something about it was missing. How strange.
“Didn’t you hear what happened at Northcotton Farm, in Oatbarton?” Gaeded’s voice pulled Hona back into the present moment. “Orsonn told me what happened while I was down watching over the camp.” Hona felt the woman’s gaze move to her, but she hastily shook her head.
I can’t forget - I have to remember. It’s what helps us to move on, isn’t it? And she let the wall come down then, and thought of everything that had happened that day, without pushing any of it away. It was fear, she realized, that had kept her from thinking of it – or even recognizing that it happened, perhaps.
“Let Gaeded speak of it,” she said, surprised by how unsteady her own voice sounded. “I don't think I have the strength to right now.” The memories were too near now – she felt sick.
“Orsonn was shadowing the whole thing… he saw everything,” Gaeded told Athlenah. “But he was commanded not to join in, even if he desperately wanted to.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “I don't think I should tell you. I couldn't give justice to what actually happened. I fear I would tell it wrong."
“I am sorry for Orsonn, that he had to witness it," Hona said quietly, looking at the fireplace.
Gaeded nodded. "Yea. It was bone-chilling to hear what happened,” she said darkly.
“Well let’s not talk about it anymore,” Athlenah interrupted. Her expression was one of mild annoyance. “There are plenty of more cheerful topics to occupy our time,”
“Yes, I agree,” Hona found herself saying, as she returned her gaze to the faces of her companions. Turchiron was right… she hadn’t realized because she had done nothing but try to forget, ever since Northcotton. She let herself get tangled up in less important matters – but no more. She was going to have to take better care from now on, not just of Gaeded and Athlenah, but of the whole company. That was her duty – that was what she had committed to. It’s just as good as anything, she thought. To help. That’s what I wanted to do, after all. No matter the cost.
The three of them stayed together for most of the afternoon, joking and laughing and speaking of lighter things. When the sky became stained with red from the setting sun, they finally parted ways. Hona grabbed her bag from the stand beside Gaeded’s door, slinging it over her shoulder once more. The walk to Lyra’s house was quiet, not another soul in sight. The clicking of Hona’s boots over the cobbled road, the chirping of birds in the trees above – Hona breathed in deeply, smelling the summer grass warmed by sunlight. It was a far cry from those northern fields she had run away to not so long ago. Still, with the new resolution she had made, it seemed like a short lifetime. The memories were still close to the front of her mind, as horrific as they were. But for now, she had found her place among them and was content to be at peace.
