The knight took the pouch and passed by her with the slightest smile upon his lips. She followed him. A knight and a warrior. A noble and a commoner. This promised to get interesting. Ilinfer followed the man through the hallways draped with carpets, paintings and statues. All the wealth on display could have easily fed the whole capital throughout an entire winter. The blacksmiths daughter couldn't understand the complex world of the higher society. Then again, she didn't have to. It helped her feed her family - she didn't need any other reason for accepting work. 

The noble was silent the entire time. He just strode on, closely followed by Ilinfer who chose not to start a conversation. Sure enough they reached the gardens and the man found his voice again. The warrior liked the sound of the foreign accent. She had to smile at his words. "We should leave as soon as possible. I don't need rest." And she would really like to know what gave him the impression. The colour had faded from her cheeks, leaving her skin fair. She had ridden farer in a day than today. "There should be ships leaving for the east soon. I should go to the harbour and inquire about our passage." Was he smiling at her? The fighters brow twitched while she commanded it to stay put as she didn't want to cock a brow at a knight - let alone one she would be spending the next six months with. She stepped up beside him. "I am sure we can depart soon?" Her eyes were fixed on a rose as she spoke so quietly only the person next to her could have heard. It was as if she were talking more to herself than to him. She crossed her arms again, revealing the hilt of her sword as the cape parted.

The mild air danced through the garden in a slight breeze. Summer hadn't really arrived yet but soon would be. Flowers bloomed in carefully groomed beds and pots, thickening the air with their sweet scents. It was a small Paradise I midst of the city surrounding the thick walls that sheltered the keep.