[Galadria]

LOL, I'll keep posting it, I love your comments.

Cythera, curious, came over with her own silver-chased bow. "Good idea, Em," she approved. "I need to practice, too." They then alternated for a while. Sefa marvelled to see the accuracy that the little blonde achieved. Arrow after arrow thudded dead into places she would call in advance. Noemi, piqued, picked up hers and started competing. After a while, Sefa dropped out, unnoticed. She sat on a flat rock watching the two calling out, and hitting successively more difficult targets in the fading light. Finally, Attalus, the day's cook, announced dinner and they called it a night.
The next few days were uneventful. Sefa grew more accustomed to riding her little pony and began to enjoy herself. She refused to worry about the end of the trip. Living day to day was more fun. They finally sighted a small inn that they had visited before, and decided to spend a day there to let the animals rest. As they rode into the courtyard, they spotted a rotund man with side whiskers: He smiled hugely and boomed: "Visitors. And from the look of you, from Baldur's Gate. Welcome." They all dismounted and let the stablehands lead the horses away. Attalus approached the innkeeper, as he proved to be.
"Good morrow," the knight said in a friendly voice. "Stamos Joannes, isn't it? I am Sir Attalus. We have stayed here, before. This is my wife, Lady Galadria, and our friends. Have you rooms? We would stay for a day or so."
"Stay and welcome, my Lord." the man said cheerfully. "Yes, I remember you and your pretty wife, too. If my recall is correct, you took the large ground floor room. That, and others, are available. It's winter, and travellers such as you scarce. Come in and refresh yourselves."
They all trouped into the common room. A large fireplace filled one wall, with tables and benches scattered around. Attalus made arrangements and Sefa found herself sharing a room with her archery teacher. It seemed a fine room to Sefa, if not the equal of her beloved room at home. She and Noemi slung their knapsacks onto their beds, washed their faces, and raced to meet the others.
They all gathered at a big table before the fire. The winter wind whistled outside the windows as the wine went around and story after story told. Odo and Attalus predictably overenjoyed themselves, and when bedtime came, Cythera had to lead her husband to bed. He collapsed on it and at once began snoring. The blonde mage sat with a disapproving snort on the other side and started reading. She was just beginning to feel sleepy when a knock came at the door.
Cythera cautiously answered it and found the innkeeper with a wild- appearing figure. "What is it?" she asked curiously.
The innkeeper bowed. "My Lady," he said in a respectful tone. "This is one of our local tribeswomen. She has heard that a great healer was staying at my inn, so I thought of your husband. She says her child is sick, and begs his help. Do you think she could talk to him?"
The mage looked hopelessly at the sleeping hulk on the bed. If she knew anything, Odo was out for the night. "No," she said, "I don't think that the Baron will be much help this night. Perhaps I could be of service. I also have some experience in healing, particularly children." She smiled at the woman, who smiled shyly back.
The innkeeper seemed taken aback. "My Lady, these are barbarians," he said, "I could not allow your Ladyship to go amongst them on your own."
Cythera felt a spasm of irritation. She was, she felt, always being underestimated just because she was blonde and short. "My good man," she answered icily,"I am quite capable of taking care of myself." She turned to the woman. "Come, show me your child." They walked off together, leaving the innkeeper shaking his head.
The barbarian woman led her outside the inn to a tent pitched near the woods. The woman stood beside the entrance, motioning for her to go in. Within, a child was heard to be crying weakly. Cythera rushed in, and was immediately struck on the back of her head, hard. She slid into blackness.