Good. Willow turned her mount around and trotted away. ''Thank you!'' She said cheerfully with a wave. She took up a position at the north end of the bridge and climbed down from the large brown and white horse. Routing through the saddlebags she pulled out some bread and cheese, a water skin and a large green apple, which she gave to the horse. Lifting her quiver of arrows from over her shoulder and setting them down against the bridge wall, she hopped up onto the stone and sat with her legs dangling over the edge, the water running high beneath her. She slowly ate the food, using the meal and the view to pass the time. Her horse was left to eat the apple and then graze on the edge of the road.


    From the forest road came a column of footmen carrying flaming torches, Soldier''s in leather armour over red tunics. Amaratsu? Here? Willow was in a panic, this was not good at all. She dropped from the wall on to the bridge and slung her quiver over her shoulder. With a click of her tongue the horse came to her side, she unclasped the longbow attached to the rear of the saddle and gave the horse a slap on the backside, making it jog away a short distance off the road. It would not run from her completely.


    My trophy won, the enemy dead,


    My army kindred, never alone.


    Hardship ends now I return to my bed,


    Garroway cheers, my sword''s come home.


    That''s a Hurdland song! Willow stepped to the centre of the road and called to the oncoming army. ''Who travels these roads so late and wakes the birds with such a terrible tune?''


    Willow squinted at the men standing in three columns on the bridge, it was only when a wind blew through and the flaming torches in their hands lit up with a violent flicker that she could see their colours more carefully. Red and white. She smiled. ''They call me Willow, a head hunter and friend to Fayyim Tallhart and Lupin.''


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    Sounds like some sort of special operations squad to me. Willow made mental notes. ''OK, anything else?''


    Willow stuttered. ''You want one person? Not a group?''


    Cloud Diver that I''ve heard of in the south somewhere, but no one has been able to verify that. I would really have to search hard for others, it could take a long time. Is that OK?''


    Hawthorn... Fayyim tutted. ''I know what you mean.''


    ''Fair enough.'' I just don''t like him. ''Just keep an eye out for her, OK? For old time''s sake?''


    I''m a stranger to everyone, it''s all part of the job. Willow held the torch up and lit her way. Maybe I''ll go and make camp with those bridge workers, I''ll be a friend to them tonight and then a stranger by the morning.