[Daltem and Aelxirn]

It wasn't long before Daltem and Aelxirn had saddled their horses and   
were once again on the road. The wind had slackened slightly and there   
was now a constant drizzle in the air, the wind had died somewhat. The   
trees still swayed in the wind, but branches and trees were no longer   
being thrown around like twigs.

The road wound though a dark forest, the tall, dark, sinister fir trees.   
The moon was hidden behind clouds and the stars were nowhere to be seen.

The only sounds were from the swaying trees in the wind, the sound of the   
horses hooves on the road and the splashing as they trotted along the   
water logged road.

Daltem glanced sideways at his companion who was hunched in the saddle,   
staring ahead at the road which was barely visible.

Daltem guessed that Aelxirn two days ago would never have considered to   
ride alone through a rainy night, but events had conspired against him,   
and had probably changed him for the better.

Daltem let an hour, maybe more go by in silence.

"So Aelxirn, if we are to journey to the Tellari estates together we   
should at least get to know one another."  There was a grunt of   
acknowledgement from deep inside Aelxirns hood.

"As I have said my name is Daltem, though I'm generally called Tem. I   
work for Sherri Tellari, and have done since before her first husband."   
Aelxirn turned his head slightly to face Daltem.

"I was a bit like you when I first met Sherri. I wasn't a lord like   
yourself, but my family was well off. I won't go into details here, but I   
broke the law and was rejected by my family and friends. I was alone, on   
the wrong side of the law, without money or hope when I encountered   
Sherri.

At the time she wasn't a noble, but married to a wealthy trader. We took   
to one another and I ended up working for her. She hired me as personal   
guard and I stayed with her. When her husband 'passed away' and she   
remarried I continued to serve her. I have stayed with her for about   
eight years.

She's no angel, I'll grant you that and I'd never want to get on the   
wrong side of her, but she's loyal to those who are loyal to her.

So, now you know a little about me. How about you?"

[Tag - Jeanette.]

NRPG: OK Kat, Kris, Jill, Jeanette; Daltems nick name is Tem, so as not   
to be confused with Daltem at WR. (I did consider Sugarplum, but it just   
didn't seem right!)

Jeanette, I figure that Tem and Aelxirn will reach the estate in the   
early hours in the morning (4ish) if they keep on at this rate.

Kris, did you say Mr and Mrs Lothar will be getting there mid morning?

Jill, when Haedin arriving?

It's terribly important that I know, cos Sherri has to have the right   
amount of nibbles for everyone! (No one dislikes peanuts do they?)

James
xxx