It was hard to keep the anxiety and fear from gripping Faolain’s body, and she was comforted when Rivaini came to her side. The silver bay’s voice held concern as well, but she was much more controlled, and knowing this motivated Faolain to swallow her panic and get herself together. There was no reason to jump to conclusions, after all - most likely, everything would turn out just fine.

”No,” she said apologetically, shaking her head. ”I’m afraid she hasn’t been here at all, unless she somehow passed through without my knowledge, which I doubt.” She lifted her injured leg gingerly, giving a half-hearted smile of jest. ”Not much for me to do but watch the border these days,” she said.

When Rivaini told Solomon of her plans to come and visit, Faolain nodded in agreement, but did not elaborate on the business of the Ridge. She did not have a problem with Solomon knowing their struggles or inner workings, but the Cove’s leader was clearly consumed by the missing Çiçek, for which Faolain could hardly blame him, and she did not want to waste his time with more drama.

”I’m sorry, Solomon,” she said, reaching forward to offer a comforting breath. ”I wish I could say I’ve seen her. I can ask Rougaru; I know he’s been to the Crossing recently, perhaps he has spotted her. She is hard to miss,” she said, her dark lips turning up in a smile that was more lighthearted than she really felt.

Even before her latest battle with Rougaru, when tensions were high and personalities seemed to clash no matter what they did, Faolain would still have gone to Paradise despite her dislike of its leader. The discomfort of that discussion - however brief - would have been worth it to try and find her friend. Luckily, it seemed the tensions were beginning to ease, and Faolain tentatively hoped that such a discussion with the Wolf of Paradise would not be so terrible. He had kept his word so far, and though Faolain was slow to trust him fully, she hoped he would be able to help her. It was worth the risk, either way.

faolain

mare // 6 // EE aa // 14hh