There was some alchemy that changed his smile, she couldn’t pin it down but when he shook her hand and smiled it was different than before. His shake was good, firm, unexpectedly so for all that he looked like a underfed, hides from sunshine sort of scholar. The smile and the handshake together tricked a smile out of her, the same sort she’d gifted Florie with earlier, and her strong features looked softer for it. 

“Good.” She replied and took another sip of ale in anticipation of consuming more ham. They ate in silence for a good long time, her own thoughts deliberately focused simply on the meal at hand trying to keep them from straying into dangerous territory such as how terrified she was. She had been skilled, moving towards being one of the best she’d been assured drunkenly by Big George and the other’s, but that was before…

The ham was wonderful, perfectly spiced and cooked long enough to get that heady crust she loved but stayed moist inside. Florie was a genius and her breakfasts were even better. Katherine was going to take good advantage of that. 

“I’ll be staying here.” She said, breaking the silence as thoughts of this ham, pan-fried with eggs and potatoes chased away thoughts of that battle and its aftermath. Florie’s ham was just that good. 

“I am staying here.” Another mouthful, taken in, neatly chewed and delicately swallowed before she continued. “But where do you want to meet? We are heading south so I can meet you at the south gate at a time of your choosing or if you like I can meet you at your place and look over the gear and advise you on what we need?”