The fireplace crackled and popped between conversations of the guests. Malcom watched over the few patrons that seemed to be getting rowdy from the mead. There was always a couple of them, but it rarely got out of control here.

Not like the taverns in the city proper. He heard from his fellows that the Clan Warriors got a bit wild during times like these.

As if his thoughts on the matter summoned her, he watched the young healer walk down the stairs. The glances of some made it clear she was going to need her wits about her. Though Malcom wondered if they had noticed she was a Shaman.

Like Warriors, they held themselves differently from most people. It was their confidence in they abilities to kill anything that could harm them. Even if they couldn't they all seemed to get the attitude of one who could.

She made her way to the bar first, but only nodded at Malcom before wandering off to sit down with some laborers. They acted like Freyja herself was visiting and gave her extra space. Though the biggest one seemed to think he had a chance.

Ren came around behind him to help clean the mugs. His eyes flickered to her and nodded with appreciation. Her return grin suggested more than just that causing his face to redden slightly.

She had been a delight since she had arrived months ago from the northern villages. Though no news or travelers had come that way in a couple weeks, and she was starting to get nervous.

When the healer and the young Warrior arrived they both felt some relief. But, the young girl's face and attitude told Malcom that something had gone very wrong up there.

Villages were always fighting a war against the Beasts, and there weren't enough Warriors wanting to do the Migration Cycle in the North. Though, he remembered that story of a Thegn Warrior who took care of most of the northern towns.

Which made things even more concerning to Malcom. Along with the fact that a Shaman came from the north could only mean something was on the horizon. Even the woman looked tired and suspicious.

"They be fine folk, it'll be fine." Ren nudged him, and he startled to find his hands still. Grunting he got back to work on the endless dishes.

"What are you so worried about?" Her brown eyes showing more of her emotions than her expression. Malcom shrugged then flicked his fingers towards the healer talking.

"Just a worry," He didn't give anything away with his expressions, "That kid..." He trailed off to glance at the ceiling. Ren nodded back to him.

"Yeah, she looked like a kid I knew long ago. Lost his family during a Beast attack." Malcom waved his hand.

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"I am fairly confident she is a Warrior." Ren looked at him in surprise.

"Truly?"

"They have an, air about them, like an aura of power." He shrugged again, "Work around them enough and you will start to sense it too." Ren looked towards the young woman, her crowd of men had increased a lot.

"Is she-"

"No, she is a Shaman though, but don't speak of it." Ren's eyes widened, and she almost looked like she wanted to run away. Malcom smiled and chuckled a bit.

"Don't worry about it," He gestured to the table, "She seems like a calm one, but I have fear for her company." Ren nodded agreement all over her face.

---

Astridr was getting annoyed. The attention would have been flattering in most cases, but she hadn't found out anything important to the mission. The city seemed to be how it always was.

They hadn't seen anyone from the north in a few weeks, but it just made people think of Beast attacks. They hadn't seen anyone new since her own arrival. Which was and wasn't good for them.

On one hand it made their case to the Clan hold more water, but it also meant that no one survived. Though, given Ingrid's own lack of knowledge, it was possible that people who did survive just didn't know where to go.

They might have gone to other villages or towns around them. Only to find that they had all been destroyed. Perhaps, they too, vowed vengeance and tried to follow the Bloodaxe Clan.

That would have been certain suicide, but not outside the minds of simple villagers. Hard workers, and intelligent in their own way, but they certainly didn't think big picture. After all they probably didn't have anyone to teach them big picture.

It was only local stories, histories, and knowledge. Which helped to keep the small communities strong and working together, but prevented them from thinking about better strategy. It was certainly what she experienced in Merin.

While she was there she saw few leave for another town, let alone travel to Wyrdian for something more. At the time she even tried to teach the kids something, but few wanted to learn from the pretty healer.

They were set in their ways and it was charming. Now, it just annoyed her as she could just image a handful of Ingrid-like people running after their families just to die. Not one of them wanting to spread the news.

Sighing internally, she had to admit that if there were more Fae-touched out there like Ingrid the Veil was in trouble. Likely, the reason why she survived was the touch of Fate upon her not the gifts of the Fae.

Smiling at the gathered crowd around her, she made to stand, and was stopped by a large man. He had blue eyes and brown hair common around these parts, and clearly was a woodcutter or stone hauler by his arms and legs.

"Stick around, fair maiden." He said with a grin, perhaps trying his luck at her favor. Instead it just annoyed her further, and the best way to handle this would be to insist.

"As I value sleep, and will pursue it. If you value your hand, you will remove it." Her calm tone made the man blink quickly. He probably didn't hear such things often, and after he did the anger on his face showed up.

"I give you such a compliment, and you return it with a threat?" He stood to his full height, only a hand away from the ceiling of the tavern. While impressive it didn't faze Astridr. Though she did admit that she must be tired.

"If you saw it as a threat then you must have been mistaken. I meant it as a statement of fact." She began to move towards the stairs, and the man caught her wrist. Well, he tried to but found his hand grabbing empty air, and his feet stumbled over the table leg.

Crash

And she ascended the stairs with the stares of men following her. Meanwhile, the table's leg returned to its usual length.