Gherwina sees stars - bright, blinding, white ones – and pretty birdies, too! She is vaguely aware of gentle hands leading her across the tavern. Seated at a table, she begins to feel a splattering of wetness across her face. Shaking the last of the dizziness from her head, she notices a big-boned blonde slurping at a bowl of stew – spraying spittle and gravy with each bite.

“So, Anda…” Gherwina reaches out to break off a piece from the other woman's bread, and shoves it into her (Gherwina’s) bruised nose, stopping the flow of blood. “Didn’t think you’d see me again, did you?”

Wiping an arm across her mouth, Anda belches, then laughs heartily. “Ha ha! You are looking none the worse for wear.”

Axes shoot from the petite one’s narrowed eyes. “The road from Rome is long, Kinswoman, and none too easy for one on her own. With no traveling companions. No supplies. And no horse.”

“Um… congratulations on making it back alive? Ye Gods, Wina! Don’t be such a baby! It’s not MY fault you lost your grip on Lord Thiu’s stirrup. Didn’t I tell you to exercise those muscles? Thirty axe-swings a day, will keep you firm and… errr… perky! By the time I noticed you’d lagged behind, we were already quite a ways ahead – due, no doubt, to the lightening of our load. It would have been counterproductive to backtrack. And you KNOW I couldn’t leave our lord unprotected, liable to be attacked or violated by any foul rogue who happened by. Besides, I had hoped for one of his famous footrubs.”

“Grrrr.”

“By Thor, how DID you get back?” Anda takes a swig of wine, then pauses. “So soon, I mean.”

Gherwina crosses her legs, swings a foot, and smiles. “I had a little assistance from a ‘friend’ you’d made while in Rome. Seems he couldn’t bear to be parted from you, and had been following us on the return trip. You remember Hockimus Phlemius, don’t you? I understand he's gone to outfit himself in proper Germanic garb, before pursuing his suit. In fact, he may turn up here any moment.” Anticipating the entertainment to come, She takes in the attractive decor, not the least of which is a largish man lying unconscious in the corner. She pointedly avoids looking at Anda’s feet.