[*Varda*]

Malienna riding ahead with Aelfritha, failed to notice Izrenna fall behind at first. When turning to speak to her, she saw no one, and then saw Izrenna a little behind the group.

“Izrenna!” she called out. She saw Izrenna look up and flush slightly, and Malienna felt a slight pang of guilt. It was, after all, not Izrenna’s fault about her size, and perhaps she had called out a little too loudly. She shrugged briefly, discretion was not one of her virtues. Still, the woman should not have come along in the first place, if she was unable to keep up with the rest. She would only be a hindrance, not a help.

Malienna kept these thoughts to herself, more tension would never do. Deorlin appeared to have no love for the woman himself, but the quest was to rescue the horses. Not to engage in petty squabbles, while these thieving Easterlings got away with their animals. Malienna spurred Naroch on, until she was nearer the front of the group. She was ready for battle. Perhaps Izrenna would be a less able fighter, but she would show a woman was equally capable of fighting, if that was also what Deorlin was angry about.

Taking Deorlin’s shortcut, they rode on for some hours, before Malienna’s heart rose with hope.

She laid her hand on her sword. They could see the Fords ahead. Now was the perfect timing to catch up and lessen their lead.