Lithor
"Good evening ma'am." Lithor nodded respectfully at the young lady (it was obvious that she was in fact a lady and no peasant). Her garments struck Lithor as unusually lavish for a girl of her age and especially for a girl in this region of the Riddermark. Was she of noble birth? But if so, where was her train, her knights, her servants?
Balvir had pointed out the book and quill in the lady's hands before Lithor had concluded that she was a stranger. Lithor turned his eyes from the lady's face to the book that she clutched in her hands. The book was simply bound, but even a simply bound book cost much silver. Lithor's eyes darted back to the lady and to the book again. What on earth was she doing? Lithor had never known many lady's who had the ability to read and write. Of course noble lady's were taught both, but then he had never seen proof of this.
"What's in the book?" Lithor asked rather simply and pointed at it.
Balvir stood behind Lithor but now stepped forward. "Is it a map?" he asked harshly and probably would have seized the book from the girl.
"Peace friend," Lithor interjected calmly, "we want no quarrel here on this most magnificent day." He paused for a moment and glanced upward at the moon (what a ridiculous thing to say, you simpleton!); then he chuckled.
"Forgive me lady, I have forgot my manners. Perhaps we should try this again. My name is Lithor and this is Balvir; we are both guards of Eodwine: the Lord of whose property you now stand on.
"Who are you and whence did you come from? Your raiments and belongings speak of an education that I would guess you have not found around here."
~~~~~~~~~
Erbrand
Kara had urged him to go without her. With a promise to quickly return, Erbrand darted to the stables. He was a fast runner (the fastest in Scarburg, as was proved today) and was one of the first to arrive at the stables, mere moments after the bride and groom had taken off. A saddle was quickly slung across Traveler's back and soon both rider and steed were the first in full pursuit.
The night was dark but blue dress of Saeryn marked his target well enough. The wind whistled in his ears as he bent his body closer to Traveler's mane. His great horse was galloping along splendidly, each footfall fell firm and swift: the gallop of a great charger. Yet for all of Traveler's drive he was no match for the light horses and great riders challenging him.
Thornden shot past Erbrand like a fleeting shadow and was soon to overtake Eodwine and Saeryn. Erbrand felt a quick burn of envy and contempt for the young soldier.
"Outmatched again," he muttered to himself, "his time will come. He'll not take her from me. I'll put him in his place soon enough." However, the threats vanished from his mind as quick as they had entered and the chase continued.
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