accidentally brushed against Haldir in the pub that evening as she tried to navig

r. She was a beautiful girl with an aura of purity and kindness, definitely not an Earthborn witch, and certainly

place as her eyes darted around the room, and she rubbed her neck. “I will. Thank you for your concern

and smiled kindly at the foreigner. “And you as well, young one. Hurry o

onversation going on around him interrupted his thoughts. When he turned back towards

d his cloak tight around him. The girl’s sweet face smiled at him in his memory,

od still as the muffled screams and cries met the ugly vision that pla

ng for any sign of her. He could still see the landmarks clearly in his head, but he

around his head, and he spun around in the street until he sa

beat of his heart until the only sound left was the g

e made ready to face the white-haired man, and

as he stepped around the corner. He’d seen many woman bare as the day they were born, but he felt dirty and sick as he blinked away and tried to c

n, bright air surrounding them, Haldir step

ured lawn before the castle. It had been a while since he stood between the snow-capped mount

swollen eye flickered open, and he gave her a quick, quivering smile

d Haldir rushed through, then carrie

seemingly unending hallway, Haldir finally saw

he bed. When he brushed the blood-soaked hair off her face, a teardrop dripped from his chin and la

hem across the table. As his nun came to the room with a stack of bandages and c

n a towel, then dabbed at the s

red a vile of fluid onto a bandage. “She is Lady Rosemary of th

w them room to work and crossed his arms ove

nd heard the sad sigh leave his mouth as he

er.” Haldir’s teary eyes shot back

gave the traveler a sympathetic smile. “She’s aliv

*

eyes hesitantly opened, he found Rosemary watching him through her swollen black and purple eyes. He smiled and slid his hand between

and her shoulders jerked under her blanket. Little soft whimpers came from her nose

his cheek against her hand. “I’m sorry that it took m

and puffy from the finger marks around it. “

her wet cheeks with his fingertips. “We’

r eyes fell to the pitcher of water by her bed. Following her eyes, Haldir

whole body shivered in pain. “It’s alright. I have you.” He slid

nst him. Her voice was clearer this time but just as sweet and innocent as she sniffle

Haldir sank back into his chair. “I’ll be heading off to the Eastlands to visit some

s knitted shut, and her han

, Haldir tried to snuff out the blight on his conscience

upon a mountain with a castle built into the side. Massive gargoyles

wooden throne with a legion of men kneeling at her feet. From all around him, an unwo

ked over the frail, trampled girl before him. “Well, y