Baltasar's features flitted between emotions as he processed Eileánóir’s words regarding his father's visit. She could not deny that his reaction had not been what she expected, and so she watched him carefully, allowing him time to think. When he released her and lowered himself back to the ground, staring at the yurt's ceiling with awed surprise, she leaned forward, hovering over him to give him a soft smile. Despite her reservations regarding Kochi, she was glad that the news had brought Baltasar some joy. When he inquired about taking meal together, Eileánóir simply leaned forward and kissed him deeply once again in reply. Had Eileánóir remained cold to Baltasar, had she not forgiven him, perhaps the events that followed would have been quite different. When the men came to take him away, he had not seemed worried. Yet Eileánóir was no fool. A man does not send guards to send for a son; he sends a friend, a solitary guard, or a messenger...not a retinue. She reached for him, to help him to rise, and was grateful when he did not press away her help as he had the guard. Her hand lingered on his before his fingers slipped from her grasp and he disappeared out into the night. The silence had been oppressive as she waited, only to learn the truth of the silence when Toulei returned to inform her of Kochi's …show more content…
She did her chores, found Toulei who gifted her with a sturdy but lovely dress the color of the midnight sky. Eileánóir had tried to refuse it, but of course Toulei had not heard of it, and sent Eileánóir on her way dressed as she should be dressed: a companion of her brother who deserved respect. Unfortunately for Eileánóir, Elbek returned in the early evening of the second day since their banishment, which meant that Eileánóir could no longer venture out so freely. Bleda stayed with her then, neither of them speaking of what they were waiting for, or what they were dreading, but knowing it