Beorn looked at Lewin.
The look was enough. Lewin took in the room, the five girls, and what was about to be said there. He gave one small nod.
"I'll take the door," Lewin said.
He stepped out, pulling it almost shut behind him. His footsteps faded into the passage. Through the narrow gap, a thin line of daylight remained, and nothing more.
Hild watched him go, then looked back at Beorn.
He took a moment to watch the room.
Hild stood in the center with her arms still folded. Mod was against the far wall, in the place she had been since they came in, watching without seeming to watch. Beadu stood near the left wall with the braced posture that she was ready to move fast.
In the corner were the two children. Leof had her knees drawn up and her arms around them. Mab sat unnaturally, in an odd stiffness to try and abate the pain.
He looked at Tam.
"Would you show them?" he said.
Tam glanced at him, her head tipping a little. "Are you sure, my lord?"
"Yes," he said.
