Disturbance

It was not common for Ryheric to receive letters these days. Few who knew him had any idea where he was. So, after a long few days out at the lumber mill near Combe, it was with a wary sidelong glance he accepted a note addressed to him at the bar.

The companions he'd grown close to over the last two years were far away in Gondor. A lurking numbness formed in his gut. The warrior's calloused fingertips found purchase on the warm, chalky paper. That numb feeling rode the expectation that someone he cared about had died.

No sentiment.

He unfolded the note. It was blue. Strange, given who it was from. Ryheric would not have expected any act of random kindness from Lotherwen, the crass one from the bar several nights prior.

A large part of him relaxed. But as he read through the note, he realised he had over-stayed in Bree. The very mercenaries that were drawing too much attention to themselves, had now become directly involved with the horse healer. Ryheric had made a quiet agreement with this healer several days before, on behalf of the black colt currently being kept at the Hengstacer farm.

With his sword and his skin colour, he could not afford that sort of violent association here. He'd engaged the help of a healer for his horse - not a band of mercenaries. Now they were hand in hand.

He considered the letter for some time. Then, he prepared to head to the Hengstacer property to collect the colt - irregardless of his condition. If there were horse thieves nearby, it was no longer safe for Son of Mouse to stay. Ryheric was never comfortable leaving any of his few possessions under care of others, in the first place. This incident was more than enough to convince him to take the injured colt back with him into the wilderness.

When he collected Son of Mouse, he stayed in the vicinity of the farm for a few days, wearing his armour (for the first time since he'd returned to Breeland) as a precaution. 

Perhaps the odd forester would still be there at the farm, so Ryheric could fulfill their agreement, take his opinion on the colt's prognosis, and be on his way.