Brisa liked the strange man, he seemed...fatherly in a way her own father was not.  Or maybe that was just because he had given her a book and such a thing would never have crossed her family's mind.  Or maybe it was just that her family was gone and her only companions had been other younglings like her that it was nice to change.  

She wrapped up her other books, carefully put them away along with her few odds and ends into her bag and settled down to look at her new book.  It was well used, but also well cared for and Brisa would do her best to ensure it remained that way.  Medicinal plants: there was no doubt that was valuable information.  She already knew some from Autry but it tended to be about how to heal sicknesses, settle nausea, treat a rash.  Common everyday issues the villagers had to deal with.  Here she found plants that could be used to clean a wound, make blood clot, and make a bruise fade faster.  Also a bit of obscure things like plants that could be used to ward off mosquitoes or heal "blood weakness."  Whatever that was.  

She had just barely skimmed through the book when she looked up and saw Jaim leaning over Laodike.  Something triggered in her mind and she frowned slightly.  Jaim was here because they had caused the woman harm, she might die, and it was their fault.  Yet he didn't kill them.  Had their positions been reversed Brisa was pretty sure she wouldn't have been so forgiving.  In fact she knew she wouldn't.  Her friends were all she had left.  Watching them as they practiced she knew without question that she would have done whatever she could to get revenge.  

Of course Jaim could mean them harm; they were so tired and weary from running and fighting when he found them that they hadn't even questioned him or his motives.  Even when he had good reason to wish them harm.  She was pretty sure that wasn't the case though and actually wanted to ask him about it.  She carefully wrapped up her new book, bundling it with her book of maps.  She needed more oiled hide to protect them but for now they could be wrapped together.  Sliding it all into her satchel she rose and walked over to Jaim.  It was in her mind to ask him about why he was helping them, and revenge, and forgiveness but she just couldn't bring herself to do it.  

"Anything I can do to help?" she asked him softly.  It had been plain this was not what she had originally intended to ask but her words were still quite sincere.