[Huan]

Emlin leaned out the little window at the end of the hall and waved down to Talan and Gwyn, her twin brother. The two motioned for him to come down, miming that they were wanting to put on a little puppet play for the crowd and he was needed to play his pipe and sing. Rowan and Tolly were there, too, shaking their tambourines at him.

‘Come down with me,’ he said to Telu, taking her hands in his. ‘Come watch us perform! And if you wish,’ he said, lightly kissing the tips of her fingers, ‘you can join in with us.’

He saw her turn her head toward the closed door behind which her brother sat……..brooding, for all she knew. ‘Surely Mistress Bunce will sort him out a little. Come, please. I would have you at my side if you will.’ He stood up and reached out his hand, giving her his most disarming smile.