It was now creeping closer to midnight. The Salvic air carried its characteristic bitterness to the tavern, biting at the dancing flames of the candles that illuminated the cramped lodgings. Even wrapped in the thick of her armor and a smattering of uniform underneath, the chill of the wind seemed to cut through this woman like an icy, serrated knife; though she was loathe showing it as she gritted her teeth and stayed silent. It wasn’t any warmer in the shade where Shinsou stood on the creaking boards, yet the Telgradian did not shiver nor fidget to stave off the chill; an advantage of being immune to harsh conditions.

“Husband, huh?” Chuckling at his charge’s reason for peddling him into the accommodation, “Well, I’m just grateful you found me when you did. I don’t remember much, though.”

It was then something caught his eye. He turned his attention momentarily back to the spare bed, and to his elven blade Stygian. Blood; his blood, apparently, stained its turquoise edge so instinctively he picked it up and wiped the flat to the tip of it with a white rag. Something in the back of his failing memory told him that a sword’s worst enemy was rusting, so Shinsou wasn’t going to take any chances with his. One of the few things he seemed to remember was that blood had a surprisingly adverse effect on metals and he was sure he would be relying on his weapon a lot from then on. With this in mind carefully sheathed the clean blade into its ivory and marble sheath, neatly lashed to the inside of his greatcoat, and turned back to the woman.

“My name is Shinsou Vaan Osiris. Yours?” Shinsou enquired.

“Josette.”

Shinsou brushed aside a bang of brown hair and stiffened his arms, straightening his back as he did. “I’m indebted to you for your help, Josette. The least I can do is offer you a small kindness in return. Can I buy you some dinner?”

There was a moment of silence. She looked uncomfortable. After a moment of contemplation, a resigned expression crept over her face.

"Alright."

With that, Josette and Shinsou edged towards the door. As they descended the stairs, two children ran past them and disappeared up the landing, laughing as they played together. Shinsou turned, paid one last glance to the room behind him, and faced down towards the vault of the Tavern. It was then, as the warmth from the fire-heated lounge rose to meet them, that the swordsman felt it; a memory that felt like a sudden burst of light eliminating a gigantic sheet of icy shadow. It was faint at first, barely even registering, but became heavier quickly. Shinsou remembered a sanctuary floating in the clouds. He remembered a man; an armored, hulking giant as tall and imposing as a mountain. Then, there was darkness again. The Telgradian, confused and disorientated for a moment, grimaced and shook his head at an observing Josette.

“It’s nothing,” He assured her within earshot of the barkeep, winking, “Possibly just the hangover.”

The innkeeper, a tall, sober old man, sat up from his post and leaned against a thick oaken support structure at the center of the pub. The dark-wood bar was surprisingly picturesque in the glow of the lanterns, with the light pounding down without spilling too much through the windows. Two other patrons sitting at the bar looked at them for a moment before returning their gaze to large tumblers of whiskey.

“Back among the living?” The innkeeper jested, “You were in quite a state when she brought you in here. You’re lucky to have such an understanding better half. My wife would have plain left me out in the cold and changed the locks for getting as pissed as you were.”

“Yeah,” Shinsou flashed Josette a knowing smile, “She knows what I get like. Sorry for the trouble. Actually, on that note, we’re both famished. I guess I drank without eating first. Could we get some food?”

The innkeeper snorted his approval. “Schoolboy error that, lad. You should always pad your stomach out first. What do you want? We’ve got some wild boar on the spit, or Salvic Trout? While you make your mind up, have some water. Same for the lady?”

The Telgradian reached over and gratefully took the offered cup. He drank half the clear liquid, savoring it as it moistened his dry throat. He could see Josette enjoying a water own from the corner of his eye, drinking in silence until her glass was nearly empty. Satisfied, Shinsou pushed his half away for a moment and turned to place his order.

“Boar for me please,” Shinsou turned and gestured to his companion, “For you, Josette?”