Eldira stepped aside, letting him enter the tent. The air inside smelled of herbs and smoke.
Lora slept on a blanket, her small chest rising and falling softly. Rell stood at the far end of the tent, keeping her distance, as if she was afraid to come closer.
Eldira moved slowly, leaning on her stick, and sat beside Lora.
She looked from Rell to Aedric, her eyes sharp and tired.
"Now," she said firmly, "someone is going to tell me exactly what is going on here."
Aedric opened his mouth, then closed it again. He didn't really know what to say.
"I didn't come to cause trouble," he said at last, his voice low. "I wanted to know if you were alright."
Eldira lifted an eyebrow. "That is very kind of you, Prince," she said. "I feared something worse had happened."
Aedric drew in a breath and straightened.
"I want to also invite you to stay in the castle," he said. "You shouldn't stay in this camp. You will be safer there."
Rell shook her head at once.
"No. We are fine here."
