Speak with the young man

Adella sizes the young man up. He does not appear to be much of a threat. He is unarmed and is rather slight of build. His long, brown hair is not dirty, nor does it suggest he spends a lot of time in front of a mirror. His thin arms indicate he is better suited to indoor work, and perhaps that makes him seem more out of place in this remote area. Adella decides if he is a threat, she and Courtney can easily defend themselves against him.

“Good evening,” she responds. “Are you from these parts?”

“I am,” says the young man, with a pleasant smile. “My name is Tegan. To whom do I have the honor of speaking?”

Adella and Courtney exchange quick glances. They had not rehearsed this part. Adella quickly improvises. “I am Parapine, and this is my sister, Lystrella. We are from Camoratheon and are on our way to meet our brothers and their hunting party. They must have been delayed, for we were to meet them near here. Is there, perhaps, a place nearby where a group of a dozen men might have found lodging?”

Courtney looks at her friend with admiration. With those words she opened the door to find out what accommodations might exist for them in this area, while also clearly stating that it would be unwise to try to take advantage of them, since an armed group of men could show up at any minute, looking for them.

Tegan scratches his head and looks around. “I have been hunting, myself, all day, and you are the first travelers I have encountered. Your kin did not come through here. From Camoratheon, you say? Could they have gone as far as Narrowhaven on their hunt? I heard the bridge there was recently washed out by the rains, and if so, they could have been delayed considerably. I know of no inns in the immediate area where they could be staying, so unless they took up lodging with a settler, they will probably have to make camp tonight.” He glances up at the sky. “‘Tis a fair evening for it, too. If one has to sleep outdoors, you couldn’t find better weather for it.”

Courtney speaks up. “What manner of hunting do you do without a weapon?”

Adella narrows her eyes; her friend is observant and picked up on something she had missed. Then again, Courtney seemed to be instantly suspicious of the man.

Tegan grins and holds out his empty hands. “Not very good hunting at that, I confess. I’ve been checking the traps all day, and all I have for my trouble are a few blisters on my feet. It looks like it will be a sparse stew of potatoes for me tonight.”

Adella nods. His explanation makes sense. He definitely looks more the trapper than a hunter, anyway.

“If your kin got delayed by the bridge at Narrowhaven, they’ll likely cross downstream. That would have them coming to you from that direction,” says Tegan, pointing off in the distance. “I just came from that direction and I can assure you there are no settlers within two days’ walk, but there are many suitable sites to camp. If you wish, you may want to head that way, and perhaps you will run into them.”

Adella looks in that direction. It would take them even further off their planned course.

Perhaps sensing Adella’s doubt, Tegan offers another option. “Of course, you would be most welcome to spend the evening at my home. It isn’t much, and it is sorely lacking a woman’s touch, but it is warm and comfortable. I can add a bit of water to the stew; it won’t be fancy, but it will be food.”

Courtney and Adella exchange looks. Before they can speak, Tegan says, “Like I said, it isn’t much — it’s just a one-room cabin, but if you would be so inclined, I’d gladly let you sleep there, and I can make my bed out in the woodshed.” Adella opens her mouth to protest, but Tegan holds up a hand to silence her. “Don’t think anything of it; it wouldn’t be proper for two respectable ladies like yourselves to sleep in a room with a strange man. My mother raised me better than that! No, I’m really quite accustomed to being outdoors, and the woodshed will be fine. Besides, I’ll be in a better position to listen for your kin if they travel through in the night. So what say you?”

Courtney motions with her head that she wishes to speak privately with Adella. The two ladies draw their horses together and speak in low voices.

“Your Highness, I think we should move on and do so quickly. This does not feel right to me, and even our horses seem to sense something is not right about this Tegan.”

Adella is not convinced. “I don’t know, Courtney. He seems quite harmless. And if he had evil intentions, why would he have practically encouraged us to go on from here to look for the others? And did you hear his offer to give us the cabin while he sleeps in the woodshed? That kind of chivalry is rare, even among the knights of the realm.”

“And that doesn’t strike you as suspicious? Look at him! He’s no outdoorsman; anyone can see that. He couldn’t survive out in these parts for a week, but he would have us believe he lives comfortably by himself in a cabin in the middle of nowhere? And that story about being a trapper... He doesn’t even have a knife or a sack for carrying any game. I tell you something doesn’t add up!”

Adella looks at Tegan again. “But as you say, he is not much of a man. Do you not think we can defend ourselves if he has evil intent? My swordsmanship is just as good as any man’s, and I’d wager even you, unarmed, could wrestle him to the ground; he has the upper body strength of a 12 year old boy!”

Courtney frowns. “I hear what you say, M’lady, but I still have a bad feeling. Whatever you decide, however, I will comply.”