Lyn vaguely noticed Aidan’s compliments, wondering if he was just trying to reassure himself that she was qualified to protect him, or if there was another reason he was trying to be so nice. 

“I’ll be sure to assist you in searching for your ingredients,” Lyn told him. “Do you know much about magic?” Magic was something she had never really learned much about; preferring to train with things she could physically control and understand, such as a sword and her own body’s muscles.

Her question was put on hold by the return of the pretty barmaid, who somehow managed to juggle a bowl of oatmeal, a hunk of bread, a tankard of a half-pint of ale, and a bowl of stew. She set them down before the pair.

“Will you be needing anything else?” she asked sweetly.