The door opened before Bęthberry could say what was on her mind. They all turned and looked expectantly. It was Gudryn with Giedd. Giedd seemed stoic, but Gudryn looked crestfallen. They came no farther than the door. Eodwine rose and went to them.
"How do you fare, lady?"
"Well and not so well, Eodwine. I-" she paused and lost her composure. Eodwine saw naked fear, which passed into a mixture of regret and relief. "No, I cannot walk with you in this new path, for 'tis beyond my ken and well beyond my strength. You can do better than I."
"I think not," Eodwine answered softly, "but I accept your gracious answer, and wish you well."
"Gudryn," Giedd said, her hand in the small of the girl's back, "go to your father."
Gudryn looked up, battling tears, took a reluctant step, then sprang toward him and threw her arms around him. He held her close.
"Goodbye, and good health to you, Giedd."
She nodded and left.
"There will be others, sweet Gudryn," Eodwine soothed.
"Not like her!" she whined, rubbing the tears from her cheeks.
"No, not like her, but as good and as kind and maybe better fit to share the road we travel. Come, let's get you some food. Have you eaten tonight?"
Gudryn nodded. "But I want something sweet."
"That sounds good to me too."
They returned to the table where Bęthberry, Ruthven, Falco, and Saeryn waited, watching while trying to seem not to watch. Eodwine knew better; they were too quiet. He sat down, Gudryn taking the chair to his right.
"Well, that's over. Time to attend to good food and strong drink! And my daughter would like some sweets, and the plate Bęthberry brought out is empty." Eodwine eyed Falco mischievously. "Ready for a third supper?"
Last edited by littlemanpoet; 11-03-2005 at 11:04 AM.
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