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Elfride went to the door as soon as she heard the first muffled hoof beats on grass, by the time the horses' feet were making a sharper sound on the yard's hard surface she was standing on the threshold her tall figure shrouded by a grey mantle against the night's chill.
Only four so far, Cordelia, Thomas, and the two of he young men she had first
met that evening - Leoflic and Edhener. Where were Cordelia and the blondone?.. Garnae ... yes that was his name. And where was Hama...this venture would be a rather different prospect if he had changed his mind. Elfride was anxious suddenly feeling more responsibility settle on her shoulders and disquiet at theospect of having armed men she hardly knew in her house. Bredon her steward, aided by one of his grandsons, a lad a little older than Elfthain were coping with the horses so shemoved to guide her guests inside.
Hearing Leoflic's instructions she said "Your horses shall want for nothing, indeed the hospitality they shall receive may exceed that which you will, since the barn is well supplied with the best hay, straw and fodder yet to my human guests, with short notice I can offer little more than bread and cheese". She ushered the quartet through into the Great Hall.
"Your rooms are not yet ready but if you would like to warm yourselves by the fire and make yourselves comfortable while we wait for the others."
A sideboard was already laden with platters, goblets, a cured ham and a truckle of dark yellow cheese, creamy butter and a bowl of fruit. Elfride brought bread from the kitchen and jugs of wine and ale from the cellar and once she was sure that all was ready she turned her focus to their mission "So do you have a plan - or any idea where Samuel has taken Sandrina?"
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