Some long while later a caravan did indeed turn up. Niffa was ready to give up her vigil and go home when she saw through the open gates travellers coming. First she saw dust pluming at the horizon. Slowly the cloud approached and finally resolved itself into pack horses, led by tall figures sporting masses of dark hair. The men on watch sang out the name.
Silver horns rang out in greeting.
A militiaman hurried down the ladder from the catwalk and raced for the lakeshore. The members of the Council of Five would need to know about this arrival. Niffa got up and stood watching the caravan come closer and closer, leisurely in the hot sun. Surely it had naught to do with her. A crowd began to form behind her, as the town turned out to watch the first real event of the spring.