[Amanaduial the archer]

Aman had been vigorously working (and hiding) in the kitchen since she had fled the stables, and had ventured out only a few moments ago to clear the tables. The Innkeeper wasn't entirely sure what she would have done if she had seen Snaveling...her gaze furtively flickered once around the room, then settled back on Cree as what the latter had just said sunk in.

"You would leave your crow-" Aman paused, looking hard at Cree in confusion, fairly sure she hadn't heard right. "Cree, why would you leave Avalon in the Inn? She is...your friend."

The woman swallowed hard, blinking a few times and Aman saw that she had accidentally hit a soft spot. The woman's fingers came up absentmindedly to the crow on her shoulder and the bird nestled against the finger with superior fondness, then transfered it's gaze to the Innkeeper's face. Aman was taken aback: she had not really looked at the white crow before, or not in great detail, only to note that it was an exceptionally well-behaved bird and it's unusual colour. And of course there was the episode some time ago when it had shown such an uncanny bond with Cree when the woman had had a spate of collapses some time ago. But now, in those eyes, there was such an intelligence that bot shocked Aman, and intrigued her.

"Of course Avalon is my friend. And a...a wonderful friend." Cree's voice was soft and she paused her, her eyes soft as she smiled gently at the crow. She took a deep breath and her gaze returned firmly to Aman. "But I must leave her. There are factors here that...well..."

Aman laid a hand on the woman's shoulder as she trailed away miserably and nodded, touched. "Aye. Aye, I reckon Avalon could make himself useful around about, once in a while - although most of the time I don't suppose he would object to some leisurely rest." She grinned at Cree. Looking up at Avalong on the woman's shoulders, her eyes slipped to the tall, dark figure who had just come in the Inn door behind them and her smile took on a very slight determined edge. And whether you like it or not, I think that you and I shall have to talk as well, Master Snaveling...