Hirilow allowed the Rider woman some space for her immediate grief reaction before he continued in a more subdued tone. "I am sorry. There really was nothing we could do to save him. Our defensive fields cannot be extended so far across the bridge." After another short pause he continued. "Your horse and that of your husband are stabled in the station. They are both unharmed. Now I must tell you a little more about the Enclave. It will not take long. Then I will have some food brought to you and leave you in peace for a while." "I am aware that the Riders have many stories about the Enclaves and they are all stories of dread and fear so I understand why you are afraid of me. The stories are ones which the Guardians implanted in your culture long ago and we also help to spread them in the ways which are open to us for they serve an important purpose. The stories serve to keep the Riders and the Enclaves apart. This is as it must be according to the Vow of Earth. But you should know that the Enclaves are servants of the Guardians and we are not your enemies. There is nothing to be afraid of as you shall come to know in time. Even so, there are rules within the Enclaves which we cannot disobey. And one such rule is that no Rider having once crossed the threshold of an Enclave may ever leave the care of the Enclave's rulers alive. You should not think yourself a prisoner Orietta, but now that you have entered the Enclave you must be our guest for the rest of your life."