[Bêthberry]

Relief and Aftermath

Ruthven had been more than a little relieved to find her fears proven groundless: Madi's liveless body had not been found among the charred and fallen timbers. She had stomped through the last flickering embers and smouldering timbers with this new fellow Olav, who was a capble and reliable hand. Animals they had lost, yes, but there was no loss of human life. Ruthven had ultimately shrugged to herself and recognized with a silly, silent grin that she should have known Madi could play more tricks on her than she had assumed. What would become of him she did not know but at least he had not been lost to the flames.

After clapping the fellow Olav on the back for his final efforts at stomping out the last remaining embers, and stepping over charred timbers and around puddles, Ruthven had left the ruined stable and walked away from the commotion. It was a costly tragedy even without loss of human life. Several horses, all tack, saddles, reins, supplied, the stable itself were all lost. She was sure this would create hardships for Bethberry, since rebuilding would be costly. Yet there were eager hands about to rebuild. Edoras still had a community. Then Ruthven spied Aylwen having her hands full with those flirts, Windheneb and Castar. Heh, she thought to herself, Community might not be the motivation here.


Rounding the corner of the Inn, Ruthven came upon two bedraggled men who were being stared down by Olav and Ragnar. More trouble for The White Horse? she wondered. Bethberry would not be pleased to have it said that The Horse had become a place for common brawls. Yet all of these men had been instrumental in helping to put out the fire.

A quick survey of the scene convinced Ruthven that Olav and Ragnar were not ready to extend the fisticuffs. They looked cheerful and accommodating and for that she was thankful.

"Olav, again my thanks for your quick attention and that of your friend. The Inn itself was likely saved by your thoughtful efforts."

Olav turned to the old woman and smiled. "It was nothing. Just something which needed to be done."

"Are you looking for work in these parts?"

"Maybe."

"I heard the Assistant Innkeeper, the young woman Aylwen, say that she would be needing carpenters and builders. Would you and your friend be able to spare a hand and some time?"

"Likely," Olav replied. "Ragnor, what say we saunter over to the other young lass and see what her plans are?" In all this, Olav of course had Sigrid on his mind.

Ragnor grinned. "Sure," he said, knowing very well what was prompting Olav's desire to get him away from Sigrid. "Let's see what the three of us can offer Miss Aylwen."

As they moved off, Ruthven turned her attention to the other men. About them hung the air of tragic loss; she suspected they had lost horses in the fire.

"You've paid a harsh price for the fire?"

"Aye," answered Findur, slowly and painfully. "That we have. Aldor has lost his Byrn. I have my Braelin, though."

"It appears you two have nearly lost your heads as well. You are a sorry looking lot, you are, bloodied and beaten like wild men or Dunlanders."

Aldor looked up at her out of his misery; he could hear her better than he could see her. He went to open his mouth, but the burns about his face cracked and pulled and he winced with pain. Findur leaned over, favouring his side and breathing with difficulty.

"A horse is a valuable thing, and dear companion," whispered Findur with regret tinged with shame. "I could not save Byrn."

"So is a peaceable community. And your friend has lost a goodly amount of skin and hair as well. Come, it won't do to be found here in a cheap brawl. You're likely to be removed from Edoras for it and your aid with the fire ignored. I'll find you a place where you can recover with few questions asked."

Ruthven was hoping that Bethberry would return soon. That woman could set bones and mend burns without having to report them. It would do the men no good to be sent away without aid or healing; it might even lead to their death, although Ruthven knew from sombre experience that such a concern would matter little to some of the powers these days in Edoras.

[ 11:54 AM November 28, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ]