The Green Dragon

[Deorlin]

Deorlin searched Sadbh's face intently, wondering what was causing the obvious anxiety that shadowed her features. More than the worry over her horse. He was a little surprised to hear that the horse actually came from Rohan. It did look a fine animal, even though sickened. But for an "outsider" to be given a Rohhirim mount, animals usually regarded more as part of the family than a beast of transport, was highly unususal. This girl must have won the respect fo his people in quite a way!

"Travellers from Dale?" Deorlin titlted his head to one side a little and pondered her query. "Well,in fact, it's been little over a month since I was last in that fair land. I had business with the royal court, so I am familiar with the roayl crest and colors. But . . . no, I haven't seen anyone from those lands, royal or otherwise, since I departed, with the exception of yourself. Why do you seek them?"

From the look on Sadbh's face, he could see that he had overstepped the bounds of their acquaintance by asking that last question. "No matter, I should be concentrating on that horse of yours." He tried to pass lightly over the awkward pause. "Nettle is easy enough to come by. It seems to grow everywhere around these parts, I've noticed. Why don't you wait here to see if the innkeeper can provide the other things and I'll step out and have a look around behind the stables and see if I can spot some of the weed."