Works for Cats

Barraden had business in Bree and some of the smaller villages around Bree.  He stopped in the Hunting Lodge, as arranged, to speak with the seer before leaving to travel westward.  Lyfrid expected he would be gone a good long while, she knew where he was going and why.  After all, it was her reading of the runes in answer to his question that sent him west.  Now it was left to her alone to collect the ransom, assuming it was paid.  She had a plan on how to collect the sum for Balisan without being seen or known.  If it was not paid, then she would have to send her 'guest' on his way, one way or another.  Accidental ingestion of too much mirth perhaps or just enough that he might wander into the river and sink?  She would cross that bridge if she had to, later. 
 

After he concluded his business, Barraden gave a final farewell to Lyfrid and left the Lodge.  To her surprise, Patch got up and appeared to follow Barraden out the old wood and iron hinged door.  "Curiosity kills the cat but satisfaction brings her back!" she thought to herself.  She couldn't help it, she was very curious by her nature so she stood up and headed out behind the one eyed man.  It wouldn't be the first time she'd followed him.  He was easy to trail by keeping her distance and orientation to the side where he was missing an ear and eye.  Oddly, she found him attractive which only fueled that curiosity.

Within a few moments, Lyfrid was sure that he was in fact following Barraden.  She easily followed him all the way to Combe but then realized this parade of spies had grown one person longer.  Over her shoulder Lyfrid noticed that large man in fancy armor following through Bree and he was still there as she rounded the corner of the Inn in Combe. 
 

Moving quickly, Lyfrid ducked into the corner of one of the stalls under the Inn and saw the tall man pass.  Slipping silently behind him while the Man was looking ahead, she doubled back around, leaned up on one of the far posts of the stable and waited.  The Fancy Man must have realized at this point he lost track of his target and turned to scan the area then spotted the petite woman, Lyfrid.

 

Annoyance clear on her face, Lyfrid asked him why he was following a woman at that time of night and implied impropriety on his part.  Fancy Man rebuffed and assured her, with a wide smile, he was making sure she made it to her destination safely.  Then he made a potentially fatal mistake.  In essence, Fancy said he'd never have anything to do with a peasant.  The cat and mouse game with this one ended that moment for Lyfrid.  The Seer turned heel to return to the Lodge, never looking back, ignoring any further attempts at conversation.
 

The hour was growing late but the cook wasn't ready to retire for the night.  It was Lyfrid's habit to be up late only sleeping in the very early hours of the morning.  That night was no exception.  There wasn't anyone but serving staff in the lodge so she went up to the window seat and made herself comfortable.  Not long after the Cook perched herself on the cushion under the massive windows, in walks not only the huge man that followed her to Combe but much to her surprise, right behind him was Patch.  They marched right over to where Lyfrid was sitting.