A Mending

JP with Zeeke and Cindy

After thanking Nicolas for his help and the potions and paying whatever needed to be paid. The redhead turned around to leave the shop but was caught unprepared upon seeing Wim there.

Rather than fighting what had been ingrained into her she decided the best option was to go with it. The young Hunteress gave the young Lord a polite nod, certainly worthy of someone of his station but not overdone.

As Islana began to step towards the door, she moved closer to him. Close enough that only Wim could hear what she said. "I am glad to see your still alive and in one piece."

The thing was, the young woman meant it, her voice reflected as much. As much as she didn't like him; there was nothing in her that wished ill will on the young man.

Wim bowed politely in response.

“I am glad you are well also,” he said and was sincere. She was one of the few people that understood their secret.

“Ghastly business,” he said pointing towards the gallows like he had eaten a sour grape.

After a cheer went up from the crowd he Looked at her with some concern and said, “If you hear of any orphans that might need a place to stay, let me know. I know we will need a couple hands to help out. The Brewmaster has a way of getting the best out of people and it sounds like there might be some that could use his help. I also have a couple other places that might take them in. Hate for children to starve during the winter because of their parents. “

With his luck he would end up with five girls to place. He would make it work, that is what he did.

They did forever have a bond in way of their secret. They were the only two out of the four of them, that had been in the woods that night, left. Of course Omen knew but it wasn't as if the young woman thought she would see the old woman again.

Giving a nod, agreeing with the ghastly business comment, "Very much."

She visibly cringed at the sound of the cheers; having a sinking feeling over what that probably meant.

His concern for the orphans surprised her; Islana didn't know what to think. Was he looking for cheap labor, or was he really looking to help? The young woman didn't know why but something told her that he might have been trying to help. "That is generous of you. I am staying at The Keep, I believe the children are being kept there. I can pass along that information to those in charge of them."

He nodded approvingly.

He said, “When I was six my father made me go and stand on the gallows as one of my playmates' father was hung. She ended up desolate and working as a prostitute till the sickness took her too.”

Islana looked directly in his eyes, maybe, she had misjudged him. Not all Lords were like the man who had tormented her. The man who still tormented her. Some where she might have known that but the realization seemed foreign to her. "That is awful. I am sorry for her and - for you." She paused. "The innocent should not suffer because of the decisions made by others. Yet, they always seem to."

There was something in her eyes, behind those words, not only sadness but a conviction born of her own experiences.

It was a conviction though to which an explanation would have to wait as Islana knew she needed to get back to The Keep before the potion she had drank wore off and she wasn't as aware as she needed to be.

"I hope that perhaps we can talk again but I really must be going." Islana started to leave but then added. "Stay safe. There has been far too much pain and death already over things found in the woods."

That never ending twinge of guilt, felt once again. Another polite nod and with that the young woman left.