By evening they came to the ruins of an ancient city and bivouacked within a building that, though roofless, otherwise remained stood intact. Its walls were four feet thick, its windows high and small- an easy place to defend if they were attacked. There was a large fireplace that apparently had seen recent use. Someone had left a pile of firewood, ready to use. By nightfall, as they prepared to settle in for the night, they set a warm blaze going and set about preparing the evening meal.
As Lily and Anest prepared the place where they would sleep, Lily noticed Dorain and Brogan speaking quietly together in one corner. Suddenly, shaking with anger, Dorain spat an obscenity at him and stalked out of the building. All eyes were on Brogan, seeking some explanation for Dorain's behaviour. Angry himself, he avoided their gaze as he knelt before the fire and stared into the flames. When he finally arose, Lily thought he would go after her. Instead, he stood in the
doorway, looking out into the dark.
Later that night, after the watch was set and all others were asleep, Lily was awakened by Dorain's presence as she came inside and sat with her back to the wall near the fire. She had removed cowl and helm, and her blonde hair, which she wore long, was untied and hung about her shoulders. Rising carefully so as not to disturb her husband's rest, Lily went to the elf-woman. When the harwynglaive didn't turn, Lily assumed that she hadn't noticed her. But then, Dorain said, "Do I not look a pretty fool!" Her voice was raw with suppressed weeping, and Lily was shocked to see that Dorain's face bore streaks as from tears not long dried. Dorain had always appeared so self-assured and strong that Lily had thought of her as much older than she appeared. With a nameless pang, Lily realised that Dorain was early into her womanhood herself, and it was this that caused her to forget herself, something she was ill-equipped to do. Sitting beside the elf-girl, Lily said gently, "Here, I've saved you some supper."