Darin scowled again. Ridahne had a point. Regardless of her ability, regardless of her confidence, regardless of the reason; the truth was that she was given a job. She was the only one that could do it. So, she had to do it to the best of her ability. No one but her seemed to care that it was going to be a complete disaster. She was positive that this whole thing was going to end badly. She supposed that she should stop worrying about that and get to work.

She moved over to were Ridahne was talking to Talbot. Darin had heard of that story. Well a variation. It was a story of horses that were well bred and well trained. She had heard the story from a traveler in Lively. They had called the horses Samsons. It was possible the stories were talking about the same breed. The line had been lost. If Talbot was a descendant of them, he wasn’t a pure descendant. Samsons were said to be pure brown. Talbot was patterned. Darin still thought he was gorgeous. She rested a hand on his flank. If he did pick his rider, he wouldn’t pick Darin. He was just helping out.

Darin had to ask, “What will happen to you if I say no?”

She kept her full attention on stroking Talbot. Darin already knew the answer. While they had been riding to Greyrock Ridahne had told her that she was an exile; that she had received her vision the night before she was supposed to be executed. Darin wasn’t a fool. If she rejected Ridahne’s service, the human wouldn’t be surprised if the Elf would have to go back home only to die. Darin wondered what would happen if they actually succeeded. Would Ridahne be allowed to go home? Would her honor be restored? Darin didn’t know why she asked that question. She only knew that she needed a n answer, an honest answer, from Ridahne. She didn’t think it would change her answer.

Darin couldn’t do this alone. Today had proven that. The whole last three months had proven that. She couldn’t keep her supplies, she was lucky that she hadn’t been eaten by wolves, and evil had targeted her. If she had been alone, she would be dead. She had Ridahne and Talbot to thank for her life. She wondered what Ridahne had done to be exiled. Whatever it was the human didn’t think she regretted it. Darin didn’t think Ridahne wanted to die without honor though either. She could have kept her vision to herself. Darin supposed there were worse protectors out there. He attention was still on Talbot. She didn’t have the courage to look at Ridahne as she answered. How lame was that?