Melost greeted Thelian with a clap on the back, then nodded to the young warrior sitting across from him. Arthain shoved Dorlas over and claimed a warm spot by the fire. He cast a sharp glance at Dorlas, then winked conspiratorially at Melost. "It seems that Thelian has picked up some trouble in the form of my young squire here!" He reached across and clasped hands with thelian. "Good to see that you're still with him, Thelian. We both know how bad his aim is."
Thelian arched an eyebrow at Arthain, then looked to Melost who rolled his eyes. "My aim with my bow is as poor as your eye is in picking out a comely wench, which is to say they are both excellent." Melost then looked at Dorlas speculatively. "Your master is remiss, young one. What is your name? From whence have you travelled?" As he asked these questions his heart went out to this young man. Would survive this campaign, or would he, like so many before him, end his life far from home on a bloody battlefield?
Thelian sensed his kinsman's mood darken and looked at him in concern. He knew of Melost's preoccupation with death and he knew also that it was his greatest fear.
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