After dropping off her weapon at the smith's, Fran took some time to relax. Her quest would no doubt be full of tension and terror, and if she spent every waking moment stressing over the situation she would snap. She took the time to find a room available, handing her traveling attire to be washed and went to bathe. Even a simple cold-water wipe down was soothing to the young knight. Noble as she may be now, she hasn't forgotten the rigors of life as a squire, living in relative squalor both in civilization and outside of it. It thus makes simple things like a bucket of clean water to wipe herself down with feel like an absolute luxury compared to wallowing in her own stink for days on end. After cleansing herself, Fran ate a simple meal of stew and wine before she went back to the smith and received her weapon.

Taking her halberd back, Fran gave it a few practice swings. It flexed but did not bend, it struck hard but not stiff. Though a mundane weapon of mortal steel, Fran knew the importance of keeping one's blade well maintained. She made a note to take better care of her halberd from now on, knowing that this was still her duty even if she wasn't a squire. As Fran was leaving she received a message that the first of the heroes called by the Princess was leaving. She was to join the entourage quickly. With a firm nod, Fran gathered her belongings, changing into her now cleaned traveling clothes and went to join the others.

Truth be told, Fran felt a bit out of place. Though she recognized a few folk here such as Ser Pyke and his squire Tomas, everyone else was unfamiliar, many of them not even human. It brought a somewhat dark thought to Fran: the Dales were suffering from weakness, and this weakness makes them an easy prey to their neighbors. As much as they were all brought together so long ago under the guiding hand of Prince Braedan, that was ancient history. Their current situation was bleak, and it has always been a worry to Fran that those outside of the Dale may try and attack them for what resources their lands could provide. Food, wealth, people. But Fran shook these thoughts off. If she thought of these people as her rivals or enemies, they would never be able to fix the problems plaguing their world. Approaching the gathered group Fran gave a sharp salute, a strong smile, and made sure to look at everyone here, be they fellow knights or even what seems to be orphaned children.

[color=goldenrod]"Greetings and well met. I am Ser Francesca Varangian. I have served the Kingdom of the Dales for over twenty years, first as a squire and now as a knight. Whatever foe we face, I promise you that I will face them with you. My blade will protect the innocent and slay the guilty. I am pleased to be traveling in such company."[/color]