Wulfsen missed three loops and his scabbard was still on the ground, but he managed to cinch his belt so his pants wouldn't fall down anymore. Wulfsen looked at Sileas. They had not found Brighid SPenser's body, but there were many bodies that still had not been recovered. There was so much destruction it would be weeks before everyone was accounted for- if they ever were accounted for. Wulfsen did not have the heart to tell Sileas that her mother's body was probably burned up under some rubble.

"We're going to send groups back to see what can be salvaged in the village, we may start as soon as tomorrow." Wulfsen offered, hoping that would be enough.

Sileas shook her head. "That's not soon enough. She is calling to me for help, but she sounds weak and injured. Even tomorrow might be too late. Wouldn't you do everything you could if you thought you had one chance to save your mother?" Sileas eyed him, tears in her eyes.

Who could resist a plea like that? And tears too!

"I can't let you go without protection." Wulfsen said, weakening.

"I have my bow and a quiver filled with arrows," Sileas stated. "But...I would not be terribly upset by having some protection along. I'm not so foolish to not understand this could be a dangerous undertaking."

"Can you wait for me to get a shirt?" Wulfsen asked.

Sileas nodded. "Aye, I can wait that long. Yehudit and I will be right up here by the gate. Thank you," she added quietly.

"I'll return shortly." Wulfsen promised. But besides a fresh shirt he needed to tell Xavier where he was going, grab a few provisions, and his horse...

Sileas went over to stand next to Yehudit. She pried her bow from her cousin's hands. "That went well. It shows that being honest is always best."

Yehudit appreciatively watched Wulfsen walking away. "Shame he's getting a shirt- do you think he would have left with us as he is if you said you couldn't wait?" YEhudit half grinned. "Call after him, tell him we have to go now! Right now! Not a moment to lose."

"I have the feeling he would have said we couldn't go then or he'd have had some of his men come over to keep their eye on us."

Yehudit sighed and leaned against the wall. "It's a warm evening, maybe he'll decide he doesn't need a shirt."

"How can you even be caring about shirtless men right now?" All Sileas could think of was their lost family members and friends.

"They're nice to look at." Yehudit said, stung. She looked at her feet.

Questa curiously picked up Wulfsen's sword. "Cor, this is 'eavy. We'd travel faster wivout 'im."

"We do not know what's between here and the village," Sileas said. "While I was willing to strike out on my own, I would be grateful for the protection. It's only heavy because you're not accustomed to it."

Questa pulled the sword from the scabbard and took a few experimental swings with it. "This is stewpid, a knife is much better. Not so 'eavy and can stab a knife faster."

Questa put the sword back in the scabbard and set it back on the ground. She pulled out her shiv and used the edge of the stone wall to sharpen the blade.

"During battles and war, you don't want to get close enough to the enemy to use a knife. If you are that close they can just as easily injure you. Personally I think arrows are the best but not every one has an aim that will kill."

"Can't fight if yer can't even lift the heavy bloody fin'." Questa pointed out. She polished her shiv with the edge of her cloak and returned it to the sheath.

"That is why people commission their own to be special made. Swords can be made in different weights, I used to help Mama check the weights when she was still smithing," Sileas replied. "I am certain Wulfsen has no worries at all."

"Judgin' by the size of 'is chest and arms, prob'ly not." Questa allowed.

Wulfsen returned, leading his horse. "Ready to go."

Sileas nodded as she thanked him again. She tucked her bow under her cloak again, but it would be easily reached if needed. Her gaze went to Yehudit and Questa. "Are you ready to go?"

Yehudit was still stinging from Sileas criticizing her for thinking about men without shirts.

"Yes." She said quietly.

"I were ready before yer were." Questa said.

"Onward!" Sileas called out as she headed through the gate and back down the way they had come to the keep. There was a chill in the night air, and she was grateful for the warmth of her cloak. She was tempted to pull on the mittens Larrigan had given her the last Yuletide, but they would interfere with her bow if it was needed.