“So an iron sword, a KE, thoron, and thunder for myself, elwind, gale, iron sword, and an SS for Trin, and Leon, you have an armorslayer, BS, bolga, and arcfi-” Neo abruptly ended his listing off, realizing that neither of his two companions were currently with him. With a low growl, he looked around the inn to see where they may have disappeared to. The clicking of Trin's telltale shoes could be heard up the stairs and Neo could make out his brother's long coat whipping about as he ran down to the stables. [i]No doubt checking on Talvin, [/i]Neo thought. Talvin was Leon's newest and longest lasting steed with a pure black hide. They had bought a second horse, a gray and white spotted female named Gia that they used for travels but was too unaccustomed to battle. Shaking his head clear, Neo finished his overthinking and put away his journal and logbook underneath his overcoat. Along with his two tomes, most of the grandmaster's precious books stayed on his body at all times. Noticing only his own plate and drink was still there, Neo picked at the bread and cheese, nibbling small moutfuls while drowning it with the local well-water, which was less disgusting than what would be assumed. A sigh escaped his lips, enjoying the full feeling he'd been missing the last few hours as he worked on their next location to scout. Plegia was a tolerant nation, but the talk of war made Neo's hair stand on end. Even as some guests came in and out, the calm before the storm that seemed to hover over the city irked Neo. [i]A half dying man being dragged upstairs is definitely not a good sign. I should pay for tonight's stay and we can leave first thing tomorrow morning. [/i] Reaching under the table into one of their sacks for traveling Neo pulled out a coinpurse that carried their weekly supply of money. When he held it in the air for a moment, a noise of intrigue escaped his lips. “It's... lighter...” thinking back to the dinner earlier, Neo remembered his daughter's expressions when the man was dragged upstairs. One of pity. “[i]marrowless bones[/i], Trin...” Neo muttered the Wolf Clan's curse to himself. One that described a profitless venture. At the same moment a pair of men walked into the inn, not too far from where he was sitting, talking about the unconscious man from before. “Do either of you men know why he was hurt?” he asked in a tired tone, feeling as though their answer would damper his evening. Hoping to guarantee an answer, Neo slid a few coins across the table. --- “Thank the prey he's so easily distracted!” Leon chuckled as he went toward the stables, enjoying the image of Neo looking up from his notes with a glum look of abandonment after a fair attempt of talking strategies to people who weren't in the room. After his brother was nose deep in writing, Leon shared a look with his niece as he went to the bar for a quick drink, returned for his meal of burnt meat and some edible fruits, and sauntered off into the night. The trip into the stables wasn't a long one. Taking a pair of apples out he let Gia take the apple from his hand and she chewed it up from the floor. Turning to his own partner Leon held the apple and allowed Talvin to eat from his hand. As his friend ate the Dark Knight looked over to the Pegasus and other horse that was nearby. “Wow, what a beaut she is!” Leon said, impressed by the upkeep of the winged horse. Rubbing Talvin's snout as he finished chewing, Leon smiled at his steed. “Ain't that right, Tal? Want me to set you up with something that fine?” Talvin answered with a snort and Leon just walked toward the two with a laugh. He planned on eating his last two apples himself, but the horses seemed to have had a rough day. Not knowing either of their temperaments offhand, Leon placed the apples in each of their pens for them to eat at their leisure. With one more scratch behind Talvin's ear, Leon left the stables. “Have a good rest, buddy.” Going through the back entrance to avoid running into Neo, Leon found his way though the building before hearing part of the conversation taking place between a male and female. [i]Helping Shepards? Selling out? Oh, what a perfect moment to intrude![/i] Leon gleefully thought. If there was any reason to interrupt an important conversation, it was to size up the people involved. While he wasn't a tactician of any sorts, his inherent abilities allowed him small advantages in senses. He couldn't take in the entire picture, but some parts were clearer for him than others. Opening the door after the man offered to leave the inn Leon let out a soft hum as he leaned on the door frame. “I'd tell him to stay. You know that whole 'keep friends close and enemies closer' bit? If he's either one it'd probably be good to keep him nearby. Just my own two coins. Got a brother for a tactician so he tries to teach me to be all logical every once in awhile.” Leon said his piece in a laid back manner while scratching the stubble on his neck. --- Trin wandered around the upstairs hallway, trying to find which room she saw the couple go into. She tried to ignore them as they went upstairs earlier and just keep eating her meal, but something in her stomach didn't sit right with letting the poor pair suffer. The coins she took from her father's purse made a soft clinking noise inside her white cloaks pocket. It wasn't much to the small fortune her family brought around with them, but a couple down on their luck would probably find it useful. As long as they don't feel the need to kill me for intruding. A grim prospect as that was, Trin hoped to do some good in this small town before they left. Her father hated staying in one place too long, lest they find out their ancestry. [b]“Wh-what are you doing?!”[/b] she could hear being yelled across the hall. “Hm, good guess that that's them, right mother?” Trin said, stroking the necklace she wore with her free hand. The other one held her barely touched meal: some unknown but well cooked meat, a large portion of grapes with bread and butter, and a mug of water. Walking up towards the door, she listened in at the woman's exchange of their conversation. Whoever she was, she was much calmer than the man. The conversation seemed to be much softer when she spoke. With a sigh Trin held her place on the opposite side of their door, trying to build up the determination to walk in. It was when the woman mentioned she was a Shepard that put Trin over the edge. [i]Shepards? I remember learning about those. From Ylisse. Protectors. Good men and women. And one of them needs help with caring for this man... [/i] Trin put her hand on the door and pushed it inward. “Um... excuse me. I was wondering if you two needed... anything?” she said, trying to get the correct words out. “Uh... food?” she asked.