| The man on horseback saw her wandering towards the road, and reigned
his horse in, coming to a rearing stop. Astra stumbled back, startled.
The man dismounted, a concerned look on his face.
"Child, ye shouldn't be running out into the road like that. Not everyone would stop for ye like that, lass," He spoke sternly. So like Frederigo...and yet things were different. Subtle things. Mannerisms. And the look in his eyes. This man had such a look...that he had seen...things. He had seen much more than Frederigo in his years. Somehow she sensed this. This man was a hardened veteran. He was older, also. She could see that now. Streaks of grey at his temples, at the corners of his beard. "Who...who are you?" Astra stammered out. "Why, lass, I'm Lord D'Honaire. Surely your father's spoken of me," He replied. She nodded feebly. "Do...do you have a first name?" she asked, knowing she had to push for more. His stern face frowned for a moment, then softened unexpectedly. He smiled warmly. "Charles. It's Charles. I'm sorry, child. I've been in that stuffy court too long. It's sapped me. That's why I have to do this. I have to get out and prove I can do it again..." He said, his voice suddenly seeming far away. "Do what?" she questioned, still confused. "You...you don't have to worry about it, child. At least not if I manage it. If not...God help us all..." He trailed off again. Then, his face once again knit into a mask of sternness. With a nod,
he mounted the horse again, and rode off towards the South.
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