With spring just around the corner, Tric receives notice that there is a human at the forest’s edge asking for him. Renwick bears the news. “Now there are humans from the north asking for you!” he complains. Tric jests about rearranging his busy schedule of fishing in order to accommodate the new arrival, but in truth, he has nothing pressing to do and is eager to entertain a guest. On the Estbryn outskirts he finds his sister and Gloam both fully decked out for war in shiny armor, with plenty of saddlebags and a battle lance. Dressed for combat, the warhorse looks even more enormous and imposing than out on the plains. Terwaen is there by herself, with no retinue, because she is traveling ahead of the slower-moving main force. She is even ahead of the vanguard. The initial muster is taking place at the Northern Outpost. The troops themselves will skirt around the north of Estbryn Forest, rather than enter it like she plans to.
“So you’re a bit of a scout then, aren’t you?” Tric says brightly. “That’s a very noble profession among elves. Actually, one of our head scouts, who’s going to be part of the upcoming little… military jaunt? Lance dance? Whatever you want to call it. Anyway, you should definitely meet with her while you’re here. She’s actually not related to me, as far as I know,” he adds with a chuckle, recalling how he arranged for Terwaen to have dinner with their mother in South Tower.
Terwean laughs as well. “Are there many elves here related to you?”
“Well, some. You definitely have to meet my dad Nasir. And maybe Heppa’s parents, Uncle Thran and Aunt Penna, and another cousin over there as well. Oh, and possibly my grandparents from Wesmere. Any moment now, they could be here. I guess they’re kind of a big deal over there,” he adds with a shrug. Somehow Cleomithir got the prestigious appointment to marshal of the Wesmere forces.
First though, Nasir. Tric hopes that his father and sister will get along well because they are both practical, professional people. As he leads Terwaen to his home, he advises her to be careful with her horse. The trails through the forest are designed for elves on small ponies, who would be a foot or two shorter than a mounted Terwaen. She heeds his warning and leads her steed by the reins. Gloam noisily clomps along behind her. Tric hopes the large horse will fit in one of the pony stables when it comes time to settle his sister into her scout quarters.
Tric introduces his sister as Dame Terwaen and tells Nasir that she is working her way toward being a horse lord. “She’s going to be leading one of the human contingents in the fighting to come. She’s one of the finest knights and horse riders I know.” The meeting is cordial but not as warm as Tric would like. Coming from such different worlds, Nasir and Terwaen do not have much in common to talk about. And it is a little awkward to present Nasir with another one of Mhaev’s children. They are both polite, of course, but any hopes Tric had of forming a happy little family here are dashed.
After an appropriate length of time, Tric announces that he must take Terwaen to see Baeowin. With a promise to go fishing later, he leaves his dad to resume his woodworking. The next stop is the scout quarters. As a non-elf visitor, this is where Terwaen must lodge, just as Glammur and Kachen did. Tric reframes it though, explaining, “We have special quarters set up for you here, right near our stables.” Then he introduces her to Baeowin.
This meeting goes more smoothly. There is a moment where they take each other’s measure, unsure of how good an ally the other will be, but once the maps come out and strategic discussions begin, they click. Terwaen has firsthand experience of matters Tric merely relayed. Additionally, she has fresh reports collected over the past few months. This is more up-to-date information than the elves possess. Tric contributes a little, but once he sees that rapport has been established, he steps back and lets the two plan together. His own plan regarding them is coming together quite nicely.