"We are...were an ancient people. We lived in this land long before the duke came along, but we've been reduced to mere vassals by force of arms."

"Are you saying you are a conquered people?"

"Yes, but that was many generations ago. Now, we live in a small village, minding our own business, or at least we did."

"Did?"

"Yes, soldiers attacked our village and took my people. I came here to Draybourne to find them."

"When you say someone 'took' your people, what do you mean?"

"I mean they were taken as captives. Carted off in chains, as far as I can tell. I was left for dead."

"That's terrible!" she said. "When did this happen?"

"A year and a half ago," he replied, "but I need to keep looking."

"I'm afraid you're not going anywhere with those wounds," she said. "You need to rest, for a few days at least. If your people were taken that long ago, another few days won't make much difference."

"I appreciate all you've done for me," he said, "but I don't understand why?"

"Do you remember anything about how you were injured?" she asked.

"Not much," he replied. "I remember hearing a fight in an alleyway, and I thought I heard a woman's voice."

"That was me, I'm afraid. I think you tried to come to my aid. It was very gallant of you but quite unnecessary."

"You were being attacked!"

"Someone was trying to abduct me if you must know, but I dealt with them."

"How?" he asked, looking at her clothing. "Are you a warrior? You certainly don't look like it."

She smiled, "I'll take that as a compliment. And to answer your question, no, I'm not a warrior, but I am a mage. Are you familiar with magic?"

He looked at her with a newfound respect. "I am," he said, declining to say more. "So you dealt with your attackers, I take it?"

"Yes," she replied, "but I'm sorry to say you blundered into the middle of the fight. You grabbed one of my assailants and twisted him, causing my spell to hit you instead."

His hands went instinctively to his chest, "That was quite the spell. Might I enquire what it was?"

"Ice shards," she said, "a particular favourite of mine."

"Does that make you an Ice Mage?" he asked.

She laughed, making him feel more at ease. "No, I'm a Water Mage, though that does include ice and snow, on occasion."

"Where are you from?" he asked. "You have an accent that I don't recognize."

"Somewhere far from here," she revealed, "but I doubt you'd be familiar with it. So tell me, Athgar, what is it you do? Apart from searching for slavers, that is."

"I'm a bowyer and a fletcher," he replied. "What is it you do?"

"You might say I'm a professional mage," she said, "though I'm not under contract at the present time."

"You're used to a finer life," he commented.