[Folwren]

Thornden followed Athanar into lord Faramund’s hall, mulling over what had just passed in the courtyard. This was not going to be easy, and he hoped very much that the other lords would not be as stubborn or foolish as Faramund. He reached back in his memory to that day that they had visited Scarburg. The other two had been more civil. Tancred had been the calmest and most commanding, and he at least would not treat Athanar in this manner. The other, and Thornden could not remember his name, had seemed a more violent type and possibly capable of such indecencies as Faramund had shown. Being older, Thornden doubted he would handle his guests in such a manner when he was faced with a real lord with real power and commanding.

However, they were not dealing with either of the other lords right now. Thornden focused again on the present. They went through the great hall and into a smaller room beyond. Smaller, but well furnished for purposes such as this, it seemed. Faramund stood behind a chair facing them when they entered and he motioned with his hand that they might be seated. Bread and other victuals were being brought and placed upon the table. It seemed Athanar’s rebuke had gone home, Thornden reflected. He waited for Athanr to sit and then had indicated that Thornden should also sit. Hilderinc stood back by the door.

After they had eaten some and the edge of hunger that had come upon them from their ride had been taken away, Athanar set aside food and drink and looked across the table at Faramund. Thornden, too, pushed away his trencher, and then laid both hands on the edge of the table as he waited for Athanar to speak.