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Maercwen studied Jesia carefully. No, she could see no evil in the old woman's eyes. What concerned her uncle so? "I will tell Hearpwine thus," Mae said, taking the bracelet back and looking at it with some interest. "I still do not understand what this circlet is, though. I would beseech you to put it more clearly."
Jesia shook her head. "If you have a mind to think, use it," she said. "I have explained it clearly enough, but you have not given yourself time to muse over what I might mean." Maercwen nodded doubtfully and slipped the bracelet back into her pocket. Jesia's eyebrows raised slightly when she saw this. "Why do you not wear it, Mae?"
The girl blushed slightly. It seemed very foolish, what her uncle had said, but she did not want to disobey him. "My uncle bid me not wear it." She blushed more at Jesia's chuckle. "He was doubtful about it... I do not believe he thinks it holds some curse, but he does not like it." She would have said no more, but an urging to question further fell upon her. "Do you have any idea of why he does not like it?"
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Asad's song ended, and Liornung nodded approval as he stepped into the Hall once again. He saw Hearpwine standing by the young man who had just sung, but he did not let his stare linger there long. His eyes moved over the Hall, seeking Maercwen... and not finding her. He grew worried. Perhaps she had been at the horse events but he had not seen her? Impossible. His eyes were too good to miss her, and he had searched the crowd many times. Where else could she be if she were not here? Could she have gone back to the Inn? No, he would have seen her in that case.
He moved skillfully through the crowd in the Hall, hoping not to attract the attentions of anyone but Hearpwine. He touched the young man's shoulder softly, but hesitated when their eyes met. Was it wise to tell him now when he was so concerned with the Contest? "Good Hearpwine, I beg you not to fret yourself," he said, "but I cannot find Maercwen. I do not call upon any action from you, but I thought it unjust to refrain from telling you."
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