"Brogan!" shouted Anest with delight, "I'll be . . . haven't they thrown you in the stockade for good, yet? Lily, this is . . . come and meet an old friend."
Lily stood shyly behind Anest's shoulder, overwhelmed by the presence of all these (to her eyes) enormous, green-cloaked men, with their bright armour, their huge broadswords, shields that seemed as tall as herself, and frightening-looking helms.
"Anest, you rogue, who is this lovely creature?" asked Brogan.
Belloc chuckled. "As if you hadn't noticed, this is Lily, Anest's wife."
Brogan removed helm and cowl, and bowed low before her. She curtsied nervously in return, drawing a smile from Brogan and his men. Brogan's glance told them that he would later ask discreetly about Lily's origins, but he tactfully avoided the subject.
"I hate to interrupt this reunion," said Belloc, "but we must be going. And don't worry master Anest, friend Brogan will accompany us to Lund."
Lily hadn't needed protection from the rain before her arrival in Belloc's garden, but now she was thankful for the heavy rain cloak that covered her to her boots as she, with Anest, Brogan, and Belloc, made their way to the barn. Anest carried a pair of saddlebags, his own and Belloc's, that contained their provisions. Brogan led his mount, a chestnut mare he affectionately called Molly. Molly did not seemed enthused at the prospect of journeying into the rain again so soon, but perked