A man and a woman stepped out from the bushes at the roadside, shouting and waving. Tyr was startled, but Azhur leaned over to reassure him. “Don’t worry, I know this pair.”
Tyr could see the couple was nothing like the robbers he’d feared. They were elderly, walking with staffs and smiling as they waved. Tyr relaxed and waited.
“Ho, don’t pass us, Baranthu! Give us a blessin’, for the Sun’s love,” called the old man. He came up to Azhur’s horse, put a hand on its shoulder and gave the young novice a scrubbed, pink, wrinkled grin. “Thought it were y’.” He turned to the woman. “It’s him right enough, Naida me dearest! What did I say?”
The old lady’s face became a million joyful lines, “Well, Azhur! Isn’t that a wonder! Us comin’ out this lovely morning to Dragonstone and you turnin’ up!
