Wulfsen stuck his foot in the stirrup and was about to mount when he noticed Yehudit hobbling with her stick.

"Yehudit, why don't you ride?" Wulfsen offered.

Yehudit stared at the big warhorse.

"Really?" Yehudit looked to Sileas for guidance. Yehudit's mother didn't like her riding horses because she would fall off... Yehudit fell off just about everything she got on top of.

Sileas eyed the horse and then Yehudit. It probably wasn't a good idea but if she managed to stay mounted it would be better than testing her ankle. "It would probably be best if you rode. Less time on your ankle. If Wulfsen would like to lead, I can walk alongside to make certain you do not topple off."

"Sure." Wulfsen agreed, already adjusting the stirrups. "This will be a lot faster."

Yehudit looked doubtful but she climbed onto the horse's back. She wanted to hug its neck. The ground looked so far away. Yehudit squeezed her eyes shut.

Sileas handed Yehudit the reins. "Here hold on to these, but loosely." She slipped her free hand around one of the straps. "Feel secure? We can always tie you on," Sileas teased lightly.

Yehudit gripped the reins in sweaty hands.

"If I fall off I'll break my neck." Yehudit whispered.

Questa looked at the horse, very tempted to slap the animal's rump and send it running.

In reply to Yehudit Buckley (msg # 68):

Silea whispered back, "I won't let you fall." Then she glanced at Wulfsen. "Perhaps it might be better if I ride behind her?"

"Star can carry you both." Wulfsen agreed.

"Thanks." Sileas climbed up behind Yehudit and took the reins with one hand and wrapped her free arm around her cousin's waist. "Better?"

"You'll break my fall?" Yehudit asked anxiously.

"Haven't I always watched over you and taken care of you?" Sileas reminded her. "I've always been here for you and I always will."

"Unless yer nick some lad's belt, right, ffen yor on yor own." Questa muttered, still sore at being betrayed.

Sileas sighed. She didn't know how to deal with Questa any longer.

Wulfsen blushed and self-consciously hitched up his trousers. He still did not know why Questa had taken his belt while he was unconscious.

In reply to Questa Cort (msg # 75):

Sileas finally looked at Questa. "It had nothing to do with nicking his belt. It had everything to do with you resorting to violence as your first response. There was no sign of danger or threat, there was no reason for you to do that."

Yehudit made a nervous squeaking sound.

"He were gonna put the mockers on yer and ruin yor plans. That wee tap on the bloody head softened 'im up for yer." Questa insisted.

"Violence is not the answer unless there is no other option. I wish you would choose a trade to apprentice in. Maybe helping to rebuild will help straighten you out."

"I don't need ter apprentice in anyfink. I know 'ow ter live." Questa said.

"Sure until you finally get hung for violence or theft." Sileas shook her head. "It's time to grow up Questa. Time to change." Sileas made a movement with her feet and started toward the village.

"So... Why did she take my belt?" Wulfsen asked Sileas delicately.

"Do you promise to not throw her in the dungeon for it? Though a few days in a cell might be good for her."

Wulfsen's eyes widened. "What was she going to do to me?"