It was not uncommon for her to get into situations that were deemed rather unsuited for women. Having an unknown man laying in her bed was a new one though. The folk already wasn’t too keen on her. Spreading the latest rumors about the witch of Eillin was almost a time spent well around here. And this surely would get the people to talk. She frowned as she gazed at the man who called himself Ali. In a way the childlike sound to it befitted his attitude. Wandering around alone in those parts of the forest surely was  an irresponsible thing to do. She held back in scolding him for it. Instead she closed her eyes for a moment, breathed in deeply and answered him with a controlled voice, breathing out hardly unnoticeable: “Kirsi. Yet most people call me ’the witch’.” With a swift gesture she brought her hair to one side of her face, making sure it was out of the way as she took the cup from his hands. 

Her eyes lingered on his chest for a moment. “Your wounds. They will need some time to heal.” The bright blue of her eyes pierced through him as she looked up again. “Although it isn’t an ideal situation, you can stay here. It is the most practical anyway. The healer lives nearby and I will be around most of the time, since I need to work on the orders.” The chair squeaked a little as she stood up. She grabbed the blanket that covered him somewhat and gently tucked him in. “But no need to think about such things just yet, Alidren. First you will get some more sleep. And when you wake up, I’ll make sure there is some food waiting for you.” A mingled feeling of caring and shame got stuck inside her as she made sure he was comfortable, making her cheeks turn red once more. [i]Silly me, who do I think I am? His mother? Yet he needs the care. He needs someone to look after him, even if it is only for the coming days. I can’t make him move when he is like this.[/i] She gave him a small smile before she turned away from him to let him rest. 

The rhythmic chopping of a knife was the only sound that filled the cottage for some time. Accompanied by Kirsi, softly humming a long lost melody as she prepared a broth for Ali. Yet a harsh knocking on the door interrupted the peace and quiet. It made clear it was expected to be answered and knocked a little louder when it found itself waiting too long. Kirsi looked quickly towards Ali as she passed him to open the door. The bed was not directly in sight, but a visitor would easily spot him non the less. Knowing who would be at the door, she opened it just enough to be polite, but made sure she obscured the entrance as she greeted the messenger of the lord. “Ah, I did not expect to see you so soon, Sir.” A bright smile accompanied her clear voice. The man standing before her was an ill-humored servant of Lord Moonbroch. Sleek, short, graying hair crowned his head. Deep lines had set his cheerless expression in his stone-like face. Still there was this stuck-up air in his ways. He was a servant of the lord after all. And he had been so for many years. It made Kirsi wonder wether his dutiful years had sucked the life out of him, or if it was just the man himself. In return she got a disdainful look from him. “You should know that my time is too precious to spend lingering around your door.” His eyes glanced over her shoulder, trying to have a peak inside. It almost made her chuckle. [i]Curiosity lives in everyone.[/i] She leaned against the post, making clear she had no intention of letting him in. “Let’s get on with it then.”