A visit from the outside

The northern wind carried the scent of smoke and baked clay through Sikone. Evening shadows stretched long across the village walls as Jared sat in his chair, one leg hooked lazily over the other, chewing on a piece of dried meat while watching Lucy sweep ash from the hearth.

She glanced at him. "You've been sighing for five minutes straight. That's a new record."

"I'm practicing my noble impression," Jared muttered.

"Let me guess—the one coming to visit?"

He nodded. "Apparently Simon opened his oversized mouth in the capital. Now some fancy brat from House Elros wants to see 'the savage north.' His words, not mine."

Lucy tossed the ash outside and shut the door with a little more force than necessary. "He's actually coming here? Physically?"

"He's probably never even touched dirt before."

[The goddess of trades snorts at the irony.]

[The god of loyalty raises a mug.]