[h3]Eastern Farmlands[/h3]

As her wandering eyes discovered Davian again, she broke into another easy smile. "I'm surprised the dogs aren't going mad with you opening the door like that! They must sense what a harmless little mouse you are." Even she was surprised at the daring teases coming out of her mouth, and her creamy cheeks flushed softly as she cleared her throat and glanced away towards the dark wall of trees to the east. 

His jesting drew another, light chuckle to her throat. "Hey, you never know! They say all myths have a root somewhere in reality, no? Haven't you ever heard of the...the dreaded...er...Weregrouse?" She flashed him a wide, toothy grin as she descended the steps. "Eyes glowing red and a razor-sharp beak! Known to stalk handsome young hunters in blue tunics, I hear." She could scarcely hold her laughter in at this point, so she turned to whistle for Coby and Nell, whose heads shot up like a rubber band. They bounded over with excited whines, tails flapping wildly as they nudged her hands in eagerness.

"Yes, yes!" she told them. "A bit of hunting this morning for you two!" Looking up towards Davian again, she gave a sheepish smile and patted the dagger at her hip. "This is all the weapon I've got, I'm afraid. Not much use for bird-hunting. But I volunteer to help pluck the feathers, how's that?" Her hands smoothed over the front of her drably-colored dress as she tried to look "useful".