[VanimaEdhel]

"Are you sure you’re all right? Can I get you something?" Aylwen asked, looking at Castar with concern. Castar looked at her for a second, feeling his head pound in time with his heartbeat.

"You are probably busy," he said, "I do not wish to trouble you, m'Lady."

Aylwen assured him that she was not, in fact too busy to get him a cup of tea. About five minutes later, she returned with the steaming mug. Castar thanked her, and rejoiced at the warmth between his hands. Aylwen turned to leave, but Castar called after her.

"Wait, Aylwen!" he said, flinching at his raised voice. She turned and looked at him expectantly. Castar opened his mouth to ask whether Aylwen would have any free time that day, but changed his words before he even formed them, "I was wondering if it would be possible for me to secure my room for longer? As I will be helping to rebuild the stable, I will need a place to stay."

"Of course," Aylwen said, "We would not put you out when you are performing such a great service as to neglect your other duties to help us build. Is that all you wanted to know?"

"Yes, Lady Aylwen," Castar said, flinching, this time not from the headache. Did she know what he had been about to say? Sometimes he swore that Aylwen's gender could read the minds of men as easily as they read poetry or prose in their native tongues. Aylwen looked at him once more, then bustled off to complete her other chores.

"Well, that went well," said a voice from behind him. Castar turned too quickly, and winced as the slightly diminishing throbbing gave a particularly hard pulse. Kalia stood behind Castar, looking slightly winded, but otherwise no worse for her long ride.

"Mistress," Castar said, standing, "Will you not sit down? I am sure you are tired from your long ride."

"Tinu did the galloping. I merely held on and guided her when need be," Kalia said, lightly sitting down and waving over one of the girls waiting on tables. Castar's new companion ordered a modest breakfast and some tea. "And do not worry," she said, as Castar opened his mouth, "I will pay. I stopped off at home before I came and Mother gave me some money."

"I can pay," Castar protested.

"No, no," Kalia said, waving away the offer, "If you are truly to be staying, as you say you are, you will need to keep all of your money to pay for the essentials. And do not worry, I untacked Tinu and put him in a stall. He was not too warm from the journey, but I put the blanket you had near him on him nonetheless. Your horse is in good condition."

"You did not have to do that," Castar said, "They have people to do that for you."

"I did not feel that there was a need to trouble them," Kalia said, looking at the breakfast happily as a girl put it on the table. She thanked the girl and began to eat. Castar noticed that she was no longer in her riding skirts.

"You changed clothing," he pointed out.

"Of course," she said, indicating to her new dress, a simple red one, "It would be improper to walk around in those skirts for too long. If I had need to wear them, I would do so."

"I did not take you for one to wear a typical lady's dress, Mistress, if it is not too bold to say so," Castar said to the girl.

"It is too bold," Kalia said, "But I do not mind. I may ride, but I am no shieldmaiden. My masculine skills, as they call them, extend merely to horsemanship. Do not worry, I have no ability to beat you in any physical sport, as Windheneb so often reminds me. Now, if you do not mind, I am starving."

Kalia began to eat her breakfast, and Castar sat, sipping his tea. He realized that he no longer had a headache. The room filled as more people awoke and the morning grew older.