It had troubled Gilly greatly to leave Benia alone with the ranger Silvanis. For although he had shown great kindness, there remained a possibility of his being in league with the more sinister fellow in the commons room. She found comfort in Léspheria’s confidence in the man, and even more in Benia’s apparent trust, but the mention of his trading in the south was not lost on the hobbit. Perhaps the value such a culture had placed on their hospitality to strangers had masked from Silvanis the harshness with which they dealt with one another. It was a harshness no doubt exacerbated by The War, and the deep distrust that the struggle had produced in the region. Benia was a product of this very thing. Her rather influential maternal family had caused a deep rift when they had not chosen the common path of the southerners at that crucial juncture, and from thence stemmed their many misfortunes. Their independent actions were not forgotten nor forgiven them.
Gilly followed Léspheria into the kitchen, realm of Mrs. Vinca Bunce, cook at the Green Dragon. She couldn’t help but smile as she saw Miss Vinca completely at ease surrounded by the tools of her craft. Gilly had been in awe of her vast culinary skills ever since Mr. Bunce’s birthday party many years ago, shortly before his sad passing way. Her smile grew a bit broader as she thought of Mr. Bunce’s sister Myrtle, even now on the steps just outside inn, waiting to see what treasures the inn’s attic had produced. Miss Mytle Bunce had evidently been the beneficiary of her sister-in-law’s active reconnaissance efforts, but this bit of intelligence was safe with Gilly. No need to ruffle anyone’s feathers and I’ve a greater weight on my mind, she reasoned.
“Oh, Miss Gilly, don’t tell me it was your friend that injured herself!” Miss Vinca exclaimed seeing Gilly in the doorway.
“Yes Miss Vinca, I’m afraid it is only too true. Still it is better for her to have injured herself here at the inn than on the road and alone!”
“Well don’t you fret none dear, we’ll have her up and about in no time. Best medicine in the world is proper nourishment and that she will have! No! No, the bigger ones!” the matron boldly scolded Léspheria, who had been preparing a tray with three bowls. “Wholesome food heals broken bones as well as broken spirits!”
After the cook bestowed upon Gilly a tray heavily laden with generous portions of fragrant mushroom soup and crusty bread, Léspheria drew Gilly aside to give her perceptive and earnest counsel before sending her back upstairs.
The hobbit tried to put into practice the elf’s advice, but did manage to see the scared ranger still kept his vigil with back toward the kitchen and eyes frequently returning to the top of the stairs.
Gilly also saw her neighbor Myrtle was tottling over to the bar, mopping her damp face with her handkerchief and examining a sign that was newly hung there. Going by the hobbit unnoticed, Gilly continued up the stairs to rejoin Benia and Silvanis.
Benia was now in the chair with her leg extended out before her resting on a low table. Her sword, no longer behind the chair, had been placed at her left side. Silvanis sat opposite her on the room’s only other chair. The two looked up from their conversation as Gilly entered with their food.
Seeing no place for the hobbit to sit, Silvanis set about procuring an additional chair.
Gilly handed Benia her food speaking softly, “Just as your fall has not gone unnoticed, the arrival of the horseman the morning has also been marked. It seems that he has a watchful eye on this room. But do not fear Miss Benia. You are not alone in this matter. Miss Léspheria has asked me to give you warning and to offer her assistant should you desire a convert departure. She has guessed much.”
[ June 20, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]
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