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As they made their way across the courtyard and into the mead hall, Rowenna asked one of the members of the Eorl's party where best to put her dogs. He was pointed toward one Léofric, the stableman, who looked young for the job. She moved toward him and put her question to him. The young man gave thought for a moment and led her back out front toward the road, and around the stables to the yard behind the hall, where the latrine was. Apparently, her dogs were to be kept aback of guest rooms where they would be far from all other animals and people as well. Rowenna thanked him and situated them for their comfort.
Léof had not neglected to tell her where she could find food for her dogs, and she made her way around the latrines and walked toward another, smaller courtyard where grew an alder tree. To the right was the kitchen and to the left the main hall. She passed the tree and came into the kitchen. No one was there, occupied still with the rites of passage for the two headed dead man. Rowenna found little to hand. Looking about, she saw a doorway into a cellar. She passed down the small flight of staird and found herself in a winecellar.
She heard voices. Odd. They were coming from the closet. Who could that be? She went over and put her ear to the door. The hairs on the nape of her neck rose: Ghem, Ulric, and Withold! They were speaking of escape. It would be tempting to help them get away, but they would demand that she came with, and she would have none of it. She wanted to stay with this Eorl, and see what could be made of this new situation.
Ah. Ghem was talking about his lockpicks. She would leave them to their wiles. She looked about and found a covered bin in which was salted meat. She took a loaf of bread and went out to her dogs, listening for sounds of an attempted escape.
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