Darin couldn’t remember much of the walk back to the Main Farmhouse. She sort of remembered Ridahne humming as the Elf helped her walk. She vaguely recalled Talbot nudging her shoulder as they passed the horse. She had a cloudy recollection of falling into the bed she had been given. That was about it. The next thing she could remember clearly was waking up to the roosters crowing feeling sore all over. Darin woke up suddenly as she looked around the room. For a brief moment she didn’t know where she was. Then she remembered and slowly left the bed to change out of the Worker’s outfit she had fallen asleep in and into one of the outfits Ridahne had stripped from the horse thieves. One of the Workers had gotten of hold of it, so it was clean and fit with a belt around her waist. The belt was new and included a spot for her scythe and waterskin. As such she put them where they belonged.

After that Darin quickly got ready to go. It was a bright morning, so it was easy to repack her bag with her fiddle at the bottom. Once that was done, she headed done to the kitchen. She planned to fill the rest of her bag with supplies only to have an already packed bag practically shoved into her arms by a motherly looking Siren. Darin was smart enough to protest. As such she just took her bag and headed towards the stables. Talbot was waiting for her. Darin instantly felt guilty. She hadn’t been taking care of the stallion the way she should have been.

She reached up to scratch his nose, “I’m sorry Talbot. I’ve left you in the hands of strangers.” She smiled, “Good hearted strangers but still strangers.” She sighed, “I’m sorry.” Talbot pushed his nose against her shoulder causing her to laugh, “I guess that means I’m forgiven then.”

Talbot nodded as Darin moved to tack Talbot up as much as he would allow. That meant no saddle and no bit, but he did let Darin tie her bags to his withers. Then she took ahold of the reins and led him outside and towards the little hut were Taja was still, hopefully resting. It wasn’t long before they got there to her the hawk screeching loud enough to prompt Darin to break into a run. When she got there it was to see a Worker trying to get Taja into a traveling basket.

Darin’s eyes were wide, “What is going on?”

The Worker quickly turned to look at Darin, “Seed-Bearer! I was just trying to get the hawk ready for travel. It did eat breakfast, so I was hoping.”

Darin didn’t give them a chance to answer before shooing them off as she flapped her hands, “Go! Go! Go! I’ll take care of Taja.” The Worker didn’t hesitate as Darin turned to her bird, “That was rude Taja!” Darin carefully extended her hand, “Let’s have a look at that wing.”

Taja eyed the human warily, but still let Darin see that the wing was still set. Darin was then left with the fact that she really did need to get Taja in the traveling basket. She didn’t seem to be doing well and gave up when the hawk flapped his one good wing to land on her shoulder. Luckily it was the shoulder without stitches. Unluckily his talons pierced both her shirt and her skin. Ridahne was going to love that. Seriously, how long could she go without being injured. Not very long it seemed. Still, it meant they could take Taja with them without too much fuss. Darin did grab the travel basket. She could try again later.

She stepped out to see Talbot had joined them, “Come on boys.” She started a slow walk towards The Tree, “One last stop and then We can be on our way.” She sighed as she ran a hand though her short hair, “Let’s go say goodbye.”