Immediately, Braizen stands and scans the small square. He lifts a finger to tell me to wait and sprints into the distance. I can see him slowly and carefully opening a door that squeaks on its hinges. I wait, rubbing my hands against my arms to keep the cool air at bay, until I again hear the squeak.

He runs back, his hands filled with two large cups, ale spilling over the rims. I can’t believe he retrieved them in so little time, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the gesture. It can be convenient to have a thief as a companion, I suppose.

He sets my mug on the ground and then backs away to his spot. I nod in appreciation and sip. The froth stains my upper lip, and the ale’s strength has me smiling in glee.

“As you were saying,” I thrum, swallowing another gulp.

He again settles with one arm draped on his bent knee and continues.

“Godfred came to collect people, mostly women, to be sold. In this place, men and women don’t choose the profession; it’s chosen for them. Lorna and her sister were to be collected. Had her sibling been in good health, I might not have ever met my comrade. You see, I was only in this quaint town to rob Mister Allim. But he was already dead. A hatchet straight through his throat. His pockets were already empty.”

“Of course, Lorna would take out such a man,” I say after a long exhale.

“She almost took the three of us out, too, till we explained we weren’t any danger to her.”

“What about her sister?”

He stops mid-drink and lowers his mug. “She didn’t make it.”

I drop my head and murmur a prayer to The Lady that Lorna’s sister might find rest behind Her shield. I drink again and resolve to be more lenient on the fighter. Lorna’s spirit might be harsh, but it likely wasn’t born that way. Life had molded her into a fearsome warrior, and I’ll do my best to respect that truth.

“It’s my turn.” Braizen grows serious, and he sets his mug down on the ground. “Why did you do it?” He queries, and his jaw tightens.

I tip my glass and take a generous gulp; a bit of ale finds its way down my chin.

“I’m sorry?”

“Why did you do it? Why did you save Torrent and Lorna?”

“Oh,” I whisper so quietly I’m not sure he heard it.

“I’ve been thinking about it all night, and I can’t make any sense of it. We’re your enemies. We’re Baellileans, and we captured you. You had the chance to let both of them die, yet you didn’t. You had a chance to escape, and yet here you are. I want to know why.”