A cry carried through the morning air to Herebrand as he sat idly polishing off an apple he had discovered in the hay, discarded there apparently by a errant stable-boy. His head went up and he threw the core to the ground as he sprinted toward the sound. Ohtaredan! It had to be! Herebrand rounded the corner of the House in time to see his comrade and a young girl, Jesslyn wasn't it? standing near the front door.
He stopped as he took in the girl's pale face and pained, vacant expression. She looked as though she had been stunned and was about to collapse. Ohtaredan cast a look his way and flashed him a smile. Herebrand wondered briefly if he looked as careworn as Ohtaredan did. "Be ready to catch her! She looks none too steady on her feet there." He strode to his friend's side and clasped his shoulder. "Have you seen any of my men? Are they alive?"
Jesslyn swayed where she stood and braced herself against the wall. Both men put out their hands to steady her and though she tried to push them away, her shoulder wouldn't let her fight them too hard. Herebrand held her steady as Ohtaredan winced at the sight of her head wound. "She needs help, let's get her inside." he said, then opened the door for Herebrand to assist her inside.
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