As usual Taala was running late, luckily she had packed almost everything the night before. There were only two more things to take with her...her father's journal and the only thing she had of her son, a lock of his hair. Since her kidnapping at the hands of the merry men Taala had taken to leaving the lock of hair in her home as she had almost lost it to Martie Magpie when he had taken a shine to the locket that contained it. She had obtained another locket since then but had not dare risk carrying it about her person. No words had been softened about the dangers that lay ahead and if she was to die out there, it would be a small comfort to have something of the two people she loved most with her. She dismissed the foolish notion that she should have taken something of Foxwin's with her, he had not offered anything and she would never have asked.
A selfish act on the part of taking her fathers journal with her perhaps? It would be a great shame indeed if his innermost thoughts were to freeze next to her body out in the snowy wastes, never to be read again. But her motive was not a selfish one, the purpose was that of motivation, encouragement and a determination to bring it home again with her.
If she made haste she had time to ride to Bree and say some final farewell's...
The inn was packed when she arrived. She had so little time left as she strode towards one man she had hoped would be there, and he often was...Seaver. He seemed a little irritated as she approached until she removed her hood, then he greeted her with a smile. “I could not leave without saying goodbye to you Seaver” she said returning his smile. “Ah, it is time for that trip you told me about?” She would have liked some private moments with Seaver, there were things she needed to say that only he would understand. And it would seem he too had something of import to tell her, but by then many folk were gathering around to pass on their good wishes for a safe return. As much as he managed to say was, that he had a surprise for her and that he himself may not be there when she returned as he had a long journey planned for himself and his men. Taala wished he had not said ought at all for she would dwell for a time wondering what he meant by a surprise?
Rick Cobb was there. Things had been a little uneasy between them of late, they had quarreled a few times when he had started to interfere in her life. Ah, it was probably with the best of intentions, but it was unwelcome and she told him so, and bluntly. He said he would not kiss her, for he could not anymore, she assumed he made reference to the fact he was courting Rhianonn. Taala kissed him anyway, they had history!
Hofgaer stood by the counter. The big, quiet, but merry Northman with a grin on his face and a tankard of mead in his hand. Taala enjoyed Hofgaer in many ways. He was pleasant company, an impressive fighter and he formed no attachment to her despite the fact they lay down together on occasion. He understood her ways as she did his. “You were not going to leave without saying goodbye to me where you Taala?” Of course she wasn't!
Taala left the Inn with many kisses upon her lips and the foolish girl had a tear in her eye... “steel yourself Taala, this is no way to behave” she thought inwardly. She held the door open for Rick Cobb who wanted to accompany her to the DawnHall to speak with Fiontann about something. Gah! She was now running very late, and he would slow her down sharing her horse as she rode towards the DawnHall.
“Farewell Bree, and the people I have come to know, I do hope that I will return...I have even grown fond of some of you...”
