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“Breakfast” Æòelhild nervously repeated, slightly surprised and a little weary of the woman’s offer. In her experience nothing was ever free and she could not help but wonder if a little company would be the only payment the woman would exact from her. But the smells of the inn still sat fresh in her mind, and she found herself thinking how nice it would be to eat something proper, something hot and to wash she thought looking down at her dirt covered hands and remembering the almost unrecognisable reflection in the water. She grimaced as her eyes fell on the tattered skirts that she had long ago given up trying to repair, then slowly she looked up at the woman’s warm eyes and expectant smile and nodded.
“I..I should like that very much, but I have no way to repay you and these are the only clothes that I own,” she replied sadly again lowering her eyes.
“That it is alright I think your company should be payment enough,” Saeryn answered softly offering a friendly hand to help her up. Æòelhild stared at it for a moment, then hesitantly putting out her own hand she let the woman help her to her feet.
But just as they turned to leave the stall Æòelhild stopped , “oh wait!” she exclaimed turning back and dropping to her knees in the straw. She searched for something, something she had put down as she ate the stale bread. Hastily pushing the straw away she lifted a long bulky object wrapped clumsily in what looked like an old rag, gold peeped through here and there where the material was worn or ripped but quickly she hid it under her shawl, hugging it almost lovingly as she rose to rejoined Saeryn.
“All I have left of my fathers!” she muttered in quick explanation, averting her eyes as she walked a few steps ahead to avoid any further questions on the matter.
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