Hope filled Ardra’s breast as she stepped from her tent. Such a clear and lovely day must bode well. She yawned. Her sleep had been restless, filled with dream kisses, and the most embarrassing realization that it was she who did all the kissing whilst the man, a shadowy person who held no place in her memory except as warm lips, insisted she stop. Then she frowned. She saw no warriors readying their horses for a journey into the Tangled Wood. Ollach was gone. She hurried to Samoht’s tent. He stood by his table, a map spread before him. Einalem reclined on his bed couch. Did the woman have no duties? Was no one ailing this morn? But alarm filled her when she saw the other men who sat on benches along the wall. The Tolemac high councilors. Ralen was not among them. Other than a solemn greeting, Samoht ignored her. She walked down the row of men, curtseying low to each so they could touch her on the head. Each murmured some condolence on Tol’s passing. No one met her eyes. Samoht continued his disregard of her presence.
