Gabriel twirled a knife in her fingers as she spotted Kveldulf and Jeanne return to the inn’s dining area. She could smell the thick watery scent of wool from their clothes. She chuckled softly as she appreciated the warmth of the fire nearby and the tepid heat from the candle sitting on her table. As the two reached the bar they placed their flagon on the counter and kept walking towards the dining area.

She called to them, “You two want to get warm?”

Jeanne and Kveldulf both spotted her and came over, taking their seats at the table and trying to dry themselves off as best they could. Even after only a few brief moments, the floor underneath them was drenched in rainwater.

“I guess that came in faster than expected,” Gabriel said to them.

“That is putting it lightly,” Kveldulf said, running his fingers through his hair and flick the access liquid from his fingers.

“I think Doc is coming back with a few flagons from the bar,” Gabriel replied.

“Bless the Sheperd,” Jeanne replied, turning back to see the doctor moving to the table with five flagons in hand.

When he arrived, placing the brews on the counter, the three others grabbed one for themselves. As Leonidas sat down, Jeanne had downed a whole flagon and let out a guttural blech from her maw before giving an accomplished smile.

“Proud of yourself?” Leonidas asked.

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” Jeanne said, boastfully, before grabbing the second flagon.

“That would explain the odd flagon,” Gabriel said.

“I do enjoy a nice bit of ale,” Jeanne said, “one of the few perks when being in The Cold Company. You had a ration of mead, ale or rum every day.”

“Sometimes that’s what got you through the day,” Gabriel said, taking a sip of her brew.

“You worked as a mercenary?” Kveldulf asked.

Gabriel shook her head. “Not in the same way it’s done here in these lands. Typically lords will lend contingents of troops out from their house to another. Sort of a way to maintain positive relations between houses during trying times. My house was charitable when it came to such things.”

“I can imagine you saw a lit of fighting,” Jeanne said.

“Enough to sate the appetite of a thousand cities for a thousand lifetimes.”

“Then why do you still throw on the armor and not find another profession?” Leonidas asked.

“When you do something long enough, good doctor. It becomes hard to find something else to bide your time and claim as a calling.”

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Leonidas lifted his eyebrows. “That’s true.”

“What made you decide to come out to Angulreich?” Jeanne asked.

“Wasn’t exactly a decision I made with a light heart,” Gabriel said, a pained look coming over her. “My kin, and most of my people, hail from a land called Taraturechi, the Land of Ancient Mists. It was the home of my people since the first winds kissed the earth. My family were proud members of the court of our lord and master, Voienlider Mircea the Bold.”

Leonidas turned his head to Gabriel. “Your family served the house of Vanturstrad?”

Gabriel nodded. “We did. Serving the Grand Princes and Princesses of our kingdom for generations. Even my father and his father were rewarded for their service to the crown. Back in the Years of Twilight. Before the Cold Eclipse.”

“Cold Eclipse?” Kveldulf asked, leaning in slowly with a steady gaze.

“That was what we referred to the first civil war in my homeland. Back when the Grand Prince Vasilyk of Mosvite smote his eldest son and heir to death in a fist of violence. In one moment, the entire stability of the crown was set into a state of peril. One which saw four brother set upon each other like starved animals over a petty piece of meat. That one lasted five centuries.

“When the dust settled and the four contenders were left with their corpses to feed the carrion, that was when the host of the Orhan Empire arrived over the mountain passes and made claim to our lands. Before we had a chance to catch our breath and recover from one war, we became involved in another one entirely. Soon some lords began turning on old friends. Kin turned on kin. And the blood water of our people fed the earth beneath our feet.”

Gabriel turned away a moment. Clearing her throat and taking a heavy breath before she continued.

“Those were the years which shaped my youth. Learning to hunt people as well as animals. Mastering the art of courtly decorum while becoming skilled in butchering someone with tools sharp, keen and cruel. Fighting battles which waged unending for days, even weeks at a time. Sieges lasting centuries. It wasn’t long before much of the land was no longer suitable for most families to farm and live. It was not a childhood I’d wish on anyone.”

“Was that why your family left?” Jeanne asked.

Gabriel nodded. “The lord of our house, Indraz Neclint, emptied his ancestral castle, and brought any of his serfs who wished to come away from this terrifying nightmare from which we could hopefully awaken. Though things have not been easy for my kin.”

Leonidas grunted. “I can only imagine.”

“For what it’s worth,” Jeanne said, placing her hand over Gabriel’s. “I’m glad your people are here.

Gabriel gave a Jeanne a weak smile, patting the woman’s hand gently. “Thank you. It’s rare that we get anything akin to a warm welcome anymore.”

The others looked around and saw most of the other patrons had left the dining area, leaving them all alone. With only the innkeeper nearby, tending to some of the mugs and other dishware as they enjoyed their drinks.

“I think it might be time to turn in,” said Kveldulf.

“You say that when your drink starts to get the better of you,” said Jeanne.

“You say that when you get loopy in the head and say a gang of corgis from the Scalamanca come from the floorboards to steal your socks.”

Leonidas furrowed his brows as he turned to Jeanne. “So … this was is a regular thing with you.”

“You shut your gob and you be quiet, Kel.”

“Tell that to your corgi friends,” Leonidas said, sipping his brew with a smile on his face.

Jeanne glared at Leonidas. “Oh, you are going to regret this, on so many levels.”

“Sure thing … corgi lover.”

Jeanne pressed her lips together and after shaking for a moment began smacking Leonidas on his shoulder shouting, “This is what you made me do!” Leonidas shielded his drink as he laughed loudly. Kveldulf stood from his seat, pulling Jeanne off of the doctor. Gabriel looked at this whole affair, leaning away and pulling her drink close to her chest.