The trip back to Yarfell took less time then their trip out to Macula. Rose had urged the horses on since Zakiyah was "permenatly resting" and didn't need to take it easy as before. Once arriving at the gates, Rose called out to the guards for a stretcher and to bring Echlar.
Rose dismounted and quickly removed Zakiyah from the horse. She adjusted the sari around her friend so that it wasn't apparent that she had been stabbed. No need to cause any more of an outburst than necessary.Once the stretcher was brought by some pages, Zakiyah was laid down and Rose retrieved both books from her saddlebag. She followed her friend's body to Echlar's quarters where they were met by the wizard. Rose had seen him many times before during her storytelling performances, but had only spoken with him perhaps twice before.
She nodded her head in greeting. "Echlar, it is good to see you. Zakiyah here has... over-exerted herself after her previous encounter and needs to rest."
Echlar had the pages bring the Lorekeeper to a bed and made her comfortable. After the pages had left, Rose showed him where the dagger had struck. "I know you helped take care of her after the arrow incident," Rose said quietly. "I was hoping she could rest here until she revives. She is healing already and should be awake soon."
When Echlar asked what had happened, Rose told him, "It was a matter entirely unrelated to Yarfell. It seemed there was an... argument, "Rose's lips twitched slightly as the word did little justice to what she had witnessed, "between our Lorekeeper and another chronicler of history. It ended the same for both," she finished, gesturing towards Zakiyah.
Rose placed both of the large books on the small table next to the bed where Zakiyah would be sure to see them.
"When she awakens, would you please let Zakiyah know that I am taking the child, Ingeld, back to her family and if it's possible, that I will try and check on those who went to the caves? I do not want her to have to worry and be up and about before she's gotten enough rest. I know that three is supposed to be the charmed number, but let's hope she stays at two with this," she smiled wryly.
She thanked Echlar and then left to find Ingeld. The young Swanmay was with the Princess's ladies in waiting she had been told. She walked along the corridors until she got to their room and knocked gently on the door.
"Good day, ladies. I've come to take young Ingeld back home to her family." Rose smiled as the little girl stood up clutching her doll tightly, staring at her with slight suspicion. Rose walked in slowly and held out her hand. "I know you and your Angel-Baby must be tired of meeting so many new people, but you mustn't be afraid. It's finally time to go home. Would you like that?" Rose asked in her soft, musical voice.
Ingeld stared at the pale lady with the shimmering white hair. Some of her family's kin had hair that was like that. Maybe she was one of them? She slowly nodded her head and asked, "Go home to Momma?"
"Yes," Rose. "Home to Momma."
She had Ingeld hold onto her wrist after explaining that her own magic made her hands hot. Rose thanked the ladies in waiting and lead Ingeld back outside where her horse waited patiently. She lifted Ingeld, who was delighted to be up so high, into the saddle and mounted behind her. Then they rode off towards the forest where the Swanmays lived.
