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Chapter10…The Scorn Of Friendship

Hengrayd opened his eyes slowly and stared up at a dark gold canvas of a high tent, he blinked in confusion. He sat up his body stiff and aching as if he hadn't moved in days he stretched his legs and arms to loosen them up and make it easier to get around. His clothes hung around his body loosely as he cautiously poked his head out the opening of the tent. He immediately yelped when his head almost hit someone's legs. He reeled back doing an awkward back wards somersault he landed on his back hard, he groaned slightly and went to push up again as he heard the tent's entrance flap and shift slightly. He looked up in shock to realize that he had almost hit a woman. Her skin was dark and beautiful, her soft almond shaped eyes gazing at him with a mixture of amusement and sympathy.

"Hello madam…I am Hengrayd I apologize for almost knocking into you I should have been more cautious." He said apologetically.

"Not at all, I am Nasuada leader of the Varden." She said softly, she held her hand out to him.

Hengrayd's eyes widened in astonishment, he took her hand and shook it briefly. "I-I'm honored mi' lady, I am stunned I had not expected the leader of the Varden to be a…" Hengrayd trailed off not wanting to be rude.

"To be a woman." She finished for him, smiling at the sheepish look he took on.

"I'm sorry madam; I did not want to be rude."

"All is well, most are surprised to discover this you are not the first. Now I have to give you something." She said brusquely

He looked at her puzzled as she handed him a scroll, He took it and stared down at and rolled it in his hands. It was bound with a thin brown string, Hengrayd undid the loose knot and unrolled the curled parchment and he looked down at the slim slightly curled writing. His eyes examined the note taking in each word his heart sinking with ever letter written:

Hengrayd,

I'm sorry for this to be our good bye, but I knew if I tried to tell you in person you would persist on going with me and Valinor has explained to me that where I'm going the local population would not allow you to enter their sanctum. Again I am undyingly sorry for leaving this way…Your are my truest and only friend I have Hengrayd, and I could not bare the grief something horrible were to happen to you.

Sala

Hengrayd's mouth fell open and his eyes were wide her felt a cold weight settle in his stomach. His hands shook and his lowered his head, Nasuada placed a comforting hand on his shoulder she had no idea how much Sala had meant to him now he may never see her again. He stood stiffly accidentally knocking Nasuada's hand off his shoulder; he dropped the scroll and walked away leaving a pregnant silence behind him.

Hengrayd walked around the large encampment aimlessly lost in his own thoughts never once noticing the strange glances he was getting from the gruff warriors who were starting to pack up their tents and camping area. He bumped into someone; He was yanked out of his thoughts and looked up forlornly to see a woman holding many strange herbs and glass vials. There was a large cat by her feet looking back at him contemptuously.

"Oh bothersome toadstools! My actual toad got away!" She puffed as she hurriedly pushed curls out of her eyes.

"…I'm sorry ma'am, I was lost in thought…" Hengrayd said dismally as he bent down to pick up some of the vials that clattered to the ground.

She was silent for a long time as he gathered the vials. "Don't think anything of it….You know what you need?" She said in a brisk voice.

"What's that?" A new love life? He finished in his mind as he stood again and stared at her.

"A nice cup of tea, come now! Follow me! Hurry now before you get lost." She said as she turned on her heel and started walking away.

"Wa-Wait! What's your name madam!" Hengrayd said as he jogged to catch up with the swift woman.

"Angela, come now Solembum is faster than you!"

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