I was not seeing things or someone. The great black hound stands before me pitifully, but who am I judge as I stand in my wet trews hanging low onto my slim hips, half naked. My wet cloak and short leine in one arm, Toad is in the other and my hair is matted down onto my scalp. I think my boots are even full of water now in this heavy torrent.

”Someday your curiosity won’t be coupled with your luck,” I say to the hound with an exasperated sigh. “Your friends too are nearby, are they not?” My eyes glow red again to re-accustom to the dark. The hound wags her tail weakly, fully knowing that she wasn’t quite out of trouble, but is sure that muddy paws won’t score her favor points. I switch hands with Toad and take the jaw gently of the hound in my free hand. I lean to her face, “What am I going to do with you?” She answers me with lick of her tongue.

I wave the hound away to fetch her friends and I hope the horses have been tended and if luck is with me. Nion will be knocked out by the brew. Baine doesn’t worry me too much when I will show up with the children, my husband may present a problem as he tried to launch an arrow at one of them before, but what about the other men?

The warm glow of the enclave is a sanctuary against the darkness of this storm. The hound returns friends in tow, looking even more bedraggled than myself. The boy is glaring at me as if this is my fault. I gather the girl and hound in front of me like a mother hen trying to sit on her brood, the boy is just over behind my shoulder. I can already feel the warmth from the cave on my face. All eyes have fallen on me again. Sean and Baine are tending Nion. Baine’s man is tending the fire and the other one stands there with his arms crossed and trying to look like he has it all under control, “Only through the night. Outlaws yo…we may be, but these deaths will not be on my hands.” I say with a steely conviction that does not bode for any discussion. I add something under my breath while looking towards the heavens, ”And only do we have to entertain them until then…” I hope the children didn’t hear me.