[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Brokhelm held the door open with his right hand, letting Linnéa pass over the threshold before following her into the fire lit hall. His sister paused just inside the door, and for a moment the two stood side by side surveying the company assembled there, looking as much like two variations of one theme as a brother and sister might. One fair and well-formed, the other proved a rougher draft, with left hand hanging useless at his side and a face that bespoke a life spent on the plains. Rightly one would guess that Brokhelm was the elder, but on closer inspection the glimmer of sadness that visited Linnéa’s eyes would give one cause to be unsure.

The room was warm, heavily scented with pungent fragrance of apples and wood smoke, and the air felt closer still for the brisk wind that had blown down upon them from the mountain heights though out the day. Brokhelm stroked his beard, feeling the familiar tightness of his dry skin as he took in the mood of those gathered near the fire. “A merry tune, is it not, Linnéa?” He said hoping that his sister might welcome such diversion. Looking down at her he saw that the wind had caused a healthy bloom on her cheek, and it struck him that to the eyes of strangers she appeared pleasant to behold. “Still, let caution govern our speech, for not all men are as praiseworthy as Anwyl,” he warned.

“Or as well intentioned as you, Brokhelm,” she replied quickly. “Do not be fearful for me, I have grown accustomed to dealing with those who have with fair words and friendly ways sought to cheat us of our livelihood.” She took a deep breath, and moving a bit further, set down her small bundle on a bench against the wall.

“True enough,” Brokhelm said following her and picking up her belongings from off their narrow perch. “Soon you will have surpassed me in procuring a good price for our animals, but it is not of the horses I speak.”

“I know this, brother, and will give heed to your words, but let us not speak of such things now.”

A smile crept across Brokhelm’s face. “Very well, and in return I ask that you make the most of this luxury. While we are in an Inn we should not sit so close to the wall that we are mere inches from being without it. Come let us sit closer to the others, and perhaps we shall hear tell of sweet fields and sufficient rain.”