The answer sounded simple enough, though Bria sensed there was more left unsaid.
Winnie pushed open the door to her cottage and ushered them inside. Warmth greeted Bria instantly along with the scent of herbs and fresh bread. Bundles of drying plants hung from the ceiling beams while shelves lined the walls filled with jars, woven charms, and strange stones unlike any Bria recognized.
It felt oddly comforting.
“Tibby was taken about a week ago,” Winnie explained while setting a kettle above the fire. “I feared I would never see him again.”
“The man who had him claimed Tibby belonged to him,” Bria said carefully.
Winnie snorted softly. “He snatched him right away from me and walked off. I tried to follow but he was too fast. Others helped search for days, but we could not find easy tracks to follow.”
Kaelan’s expression darkened slightly at the remark. “He’s not from Driochmor?”
Winnie shook her head. “He is not from here.”
“Why would he take Tibby?” Bria asked.
“Tibby’s kind can scent well. Give them a scent and tell them to follow and they will follow it until they reach the origin of the scent.”
Bria looked at Kaelan. “He did say he didn’t need Tibby anymore when we refused to let the man keep him.”
Winnie shivered. “I am so grateful you rescued Tibby. The man would have used him until he had no strength left.”
“Do you know what the man was doing here in Driochmor?” Bria asked.
Winnie busied herself gathering bowls before answering. “Most likely searching, thinking he would find answers here or he could be looking for power.” She turned to Kaelan. “Others bring danger with them.”
For a moment, Bria thought that Winnie believed Kaelan had brought danger with him. Then she smiled and Bria’s worry vanished as quickly as it had come.
Winnie’s smile softened any tension. “Still, not all outsiders are unwelcome. Elara comes and goes freely enough.”
“Elara, the herb-scribe?” Bria asked, recalling hearing about her.
“Aye, she is an herb-scribe from beyond the border and granddaughter to one of our council elders.” Winnie’s smiledeepened slightly. “And far more tied to Driochmor than she ever realized.”
That was news Bria did not know, and it shocked her. “Elara’s bloodline traces to Driochmor?”
“Aye,” Winnie said, “though I doubt the king announced that. She and Dar, her husband, a Hunter, remain here as emissaries of the king. There are whispers of what that might mean.”
Bria’s first thought was that Driochmor may no longer be considered the Forbidden Land.
Kaelan rose suddenly, interrupting any further discussion on the matter. “I will speak with your village leader now.”
Winnie studied him carefully for a moment before nodding once. “You will find Elder Kilham near the council hall beyond the eastern path.”
Kaelan inclined his head politely. “My thanks.”
“You have not eaten,” Bria said quietly.
“I will when I return.”
His gaze lingered briefly on her then, as though reluctant to leave despite his own decision.
The cottage grew strangely quieter as soon as the door closed behind him.
Winnie set a warm loaf of bread upon the table before turning slowly toward Bria.
The older woman’s gaze softened in a way that suddenly made Bria uneasy.
