be slower coming back. i expect we shall be back the morning after next - or early afternoon at the latest," he assured her, tugging on his doublet. pausing as he saw the grass stains and small holes in it from its use in rescuing him, he scowled, but then reached for his leggings.

"but, you cannot travel now. you sustained a terrible injury to your head," she repeated, trying to take the leggings from him.

"you should rest another day at least. pray, husband, get back into bed. i - "

"i am fine, murie," he insisted firmly. "and this needs to be done."

she fell silent, no longer protesting, but not looking pleased, either. finally, she said, "please, at least promise me you shall be careful."

"aye," he muttered, shifting his leggings in his hands. they had fared worse than his doublet and now had several large holes. shaking his head, he donned the items, thinking he would have to go fetch clothes from the garrison and change into his other pair of leggings and the blue doublet that had been his father's; these were now ruined.

finished dressing, balan began to look around for his boots. he noticed his wife hurrying for the door and frowned. "where are you going?"

"if you insist on making this journey, there are a few things i need to gather together for you," she announced as she reached the door. pausing, she turned to peer at. him worriedly. "you will not leave before i come back, will you? i will be as quick as i can."

"come back from where?" balan asked sharply, but she was already slipping through the door and pulling it closed.