At a gesture from Brogan, eight men passed himself and Lily and Anest on the outside, reforming in front of them. Belloc now rode alone at the front. Lily was afraid now. Something was going to happen! The soldiers had drawn their weapons, and were watching the road ahead, readiness for battle in every line of their limbs.
They came to a steep hill of rock, and the road cut sharply left around its edge, ascending to crest a ridge somewhere behind it. Their visibility was reduced to a mere stone's throw, and they moved with more caution. Without warning, stepping from a hidden crevice, a warrior appeared before them, dressed in bright blue-grey mail and light armour, sword drawn.
"Hold!" shouted Belloc, raising his arm, reining in Nightwind and bringing the company to an abrupt halt. "Make no threat, but keep an eye to the rear." He dismounted quickly, and spoke to the warrior in a foreign tongue. The warrior hesitated, then bowed to the wizard, sheathing the sword.
They exchanged more formal conversation in low voices. Then the warrior pointed unmistakeably at Lily.
"Anest, Lily," said Belloc, gesturing. "Come." They dismounted and approached the warrior as Brogan looked on.
As they drew near, the warrior removed helm and cowl. It was an elven woman, a harwynglaive of Angorain. Her dark emerald-green eyes probed Lily's gold-green ones, and Lily's gaze quickly fell beneath the elf's intimidating stare.