About an hour later, Petra and Marren returned to the camp.  "Ye bed down here next to the fire tonight, Marren.  I'll go talk with Cailin, perhaps she's calmed down enough where she doesn't wanta slit yer throat... only castrate ye," Petra said with a slight laugh.  "I think I'd rather have my throat cut", Marren replied under his breath.  While walking toward the tent, Petra glanced back over her shoulder at the man, "I heard that, Marren," she said in a singsong voice, "now get some rest, you'll know in the morning if ye'll be stayin' or leavin'.  Good night, Marren."

As soon as Petra entered the tent and closed the flap, Marren could hear the two women begin their conversation, but the chirping of the field crickets, croaking of the frogs at the pond and crackling of the fire, made it impossible for him to make out what they were saying.  Laying on his back and staring at the stars, Marren pondered his fate.  After a while, he drifted off into a fitful sleep, occasionally waking to stoke the fire.  When he awoke the third time to tend the flames, Marren heard nothing coming from the tent, "well, I guess they've made their decision."  Marren lay back again, looking up blankly at the stars as they slowly arced across the night sky, once again falling into a fitful slumber.

As the first rays of dawn came over the horizon, Marren felt a sharp tap to the sole of his boot.  "Wake up, Marren," he heard Petra say, "the decision's been made."  As he sat up, Marren looked up at the women's faces, their scowls told him what their decision was, lowering his head in dejection, he softly said, "I see... well, I start gathering my things and head back to Stone..."  "You can stay," Cailin interrupted.  "Port... ... ... wait, what?" , Marren responded in surprise, "you're going to let me stay?"  Suddenly overcome with joy by the unexpected turn of events, Marren jumped to his feet.  With arms open wide, he started toward Cailin to hug her, however the look on her face made him stop, he then turned to Petra and dropping to his knees, embraced her tightly around the waist.  Turning his head back toward Cailin, "Thank you, thank you, you won't regret it, I promise!" , Marren exclaimed.

Petra's bewildered expression of Marren's actions, for a moment struck Cailin as comical, seeing her friend in such a state caused her to stifle a small laugh.  Retuning to her stoic glare, Cailin once again addressed the man.   "Marren," Cailin began, "Petra's known you for quite some time, she tells me that you have many redeeming qualities, though I've yet to see any.  It's because of her that you're able to stay.  She's probably the best friend... the only friend, you truly have.  Do not let her regret it!"  Looking up at Petra, Marren softly spoke, "I won't... I swear by The Light, I won't"

"Very well," Cailin continued, "now, Petra tells me you are an expert with the bow and sling... 'the best I've ever seen', she said.  That will come in handy as our travels will be taking us through some areas where we might have to fight.  She also said you were an accomplished hunter, that too will be good to have to keep the larder stocked with fresh meat."  Cailin looked to her friend and said, "Petra, you have something to add?"

"Aye," Petra took over, "we all share the workload around here, Cailin and I will be goin' into town to pick up some supplies, ye'll stay here and do the laundry"  "Do the laundry?  That's women's wo..." ,a sharp rap to the back of his head interrupting his sentence.  Looking up at Petra and seeing the look on her face, Marren replied, "do the laundry, right."  "Ye'll find a washboard and soap in the wagon, our clothes be bundled at the back of the tent... make sure ye get yers, too" ,she added.  "Right," ,standing to his feet and turning to the wagon, Marren said, "I'll go get started."  "And while ye be down there, wash yerself... ye stink, lad.," Petra chided,  "Oh... one more thing, if ye get thirsty, ye better not touch me stout or we'll be runnin' a three-legged race back to town to get the healer to remove me boot from yer backside."  "Got it," Marren called back from the wagon, "do laundry, take a bath, protect the beer with my life... OK, I'm on it."

As the two women watched the man carrying the burden that now filled his arms toward the pond, Petra remarked, "C'mon Cailin, I know ye still be angry with him, try not to be too harsh with him.  He's really a good man, just give him a chance, ye'll see."  Looking down down at Petra, Cailin replied, "I pray you're right, my friend.  Let's go saddle up the horses while it's still early and head into town, we've a lot to do..."
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