Ilinfer nodded towards Rhoynar and smiled weakly. She had thought as much. This secretive man wanted his secrets to stay thus. “Very well. Until sundown.” With a slight bow she took her leave and vanished into the crowd.

The first thing the warrior did was to take her horse to the city gates and leave Epona at a stable she would later have to pay three coppers for. Then she looked around. The guild had a way of letting it's members know where to find help especially when they weren't familiar with the town or city they were in. “Follow your heart and you shall find the way . . . “ she mumbled as she turned to the left and walked along the city walls, eyes trailing the seam where wall and street met. Soon she came upon a stone stairwell that led up to the balustrade of the thick walls. There she also found what she was looking for: Etched into the stone of the first step was a small bird – a firecrest to be exact. It pointed it's beak to the ground, looking at her from hollow eyes. A smile played on Ilinfers lips as she turned to her right and followed the small street.  As she came to an alley entrance, she noticed the bird again, pointing her into the shadows. She followed the winding alley until the bird appeared  on a door. It sat upon the lower left corner, looking up. The warrior knocked at the door and waited. The alley was dark and smelly and so very empty. A creak brought her attention back to the door. Where an elderly woman peeked through the gap. In a friendly voice Ilinfer spoke: “Greetings! I followed the redhead!” The older woman smiled, the wrinkles around her eyes creasing and showing that she had laughed a lot during her life.

“Welcome!” The shaky voice shocked Ilinfer for a moment. She entered never the less and shut the door behind her. Beckoning the woman sat down at a small table, pulling a cup of water from a shelf. Sitting down with a smile the younger woman drank before introductions were made and she could finally bring forth the reason for her  appearance: “ I need someone in Astipor to take care of my horse. And I am in need for new clothing since my mission will lead me east.” Carla. The elder woman, nodded and disappeared to the back of the room. She retrieved a neatly wrapped bundle of dark linen from a trunk. “Many daughters of Ardebit have worn this. Now, try it on.”Obediently the northern woman changes clothes, adjustments were quickly made, a few fighting stances posed as to see how freely she could move in it. She was very satisfied. “Thank you Carla.” She said with a wide smile on her lips. “oh, don't thank me. Thank the guild! They've always taken care of their people.”  A twinkle  lay in her eyes and Ilinfer had to think of her late mother. She would have been around Carlas age by now – and just as cheerful. With a message for a stable owner in Astipor and her new clothes in her hand Ilinfer left the dear old woman of the guild.

The northern warrior still had some time before she had to meet up with her travel companion. After leaving the clothing in her saddle bags she looked for the closest tavern and found one in plain sight. Perfect! There was enough time to have an ale, a brawl and be on her way right in time. She entered the tavern, ordered the drink and looked around. Her eyes met those of a tall man with dark hair who looked like he could right a hook. It only took two heartbeats for her to go over in search for a fight. And a fight she did find.

In the end Ilinfer left the tavern with the man. They swayed arm in arm, waving their ale. She flinched as she took a sip of the strong brew and it bruned her split and bleeding lip. The man wasn't unharmed either, flashing a bruised eye and broked nose. He was loudly singing shantys the woman  laughingly acknowledged. The roaring tune subsided with a “. . . I'm as happy as man as the sea will allow . . .” Ilinfer saluted him with her pitcher and a radiant smile. “So where are  you heading off to?” the man asked, not letting go of her shoulders. Ilinfer freed herself from his grasp, emptied her pitcher, giving him the empty vessel. Then she got her horse from the stables and came back to the gates where he still stood waiting for her. So he wouldn't leave that easily, heh? “Back north.” the woman finally answered. “Why dodn't you saty? I could use a woman like you to set me straight from time to time.” Laughing she threw back her black hair, revealing the scarlet marks, where he had choked her during their fight. “You'll have to look elsewhere for a wife, stranger.” The blacksmiths daughter answer, mounting her horse. The sun was soon to set. Good thing she was at the gates. Rhoynar would have to pass her, so she knew she wouldn't be late. “So your married then?” This unexpected question stung and brought a sad smile to her lips. “Aye.” She bent down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.” he would hear her say before she drove Epona to walk. The man looked after her. “If you ever leave your husband, let me know.” He shouted as she had almost left the gates, waving with the empty pitchers before re-entering the tavern.

Ilinfer bent down to pet her horse. It had been so much fun and then he just had to trigger those memories of hers. Emptiness overcoming her made her throat tight and it was hard to breathe. Wiping tear out of her eyes she straightened her back again. The time of mourning had past. She should really get a grip of herself. A few deep breaths later the emotions weren't overwhelming any more and she was back in the present. Touching the wound at her lip she couldn't help but grin. Droplets of blood had left marks on her clothing, the wound itself was clotting up nicely, stilling the bleeding. She turned to see that Rhoynar had arrived and seemed to be waiting for her. How much had he seen? Waving she whistled so he would see her. Hadn't they agreed to meet behind the gates? Well, never mind. Probably a noble like him thought of her as a burden. They honestly thought they could buy everything and everyone. But Loyalty was such a delicate thing . . .