As the Innkeeper spoke, Faleron became less and less enthused. Quite the opposite of his companion.
"Faleron, do you hear? She'll really teach me to be a healer!" Reading his foster sister's face, Faleron sighed. For as flighty and young as she was, he could tell that she really did want to learn. Even if she had only come by the profession because of her infatuation for the king. Much like she had come by the idea of becoming a rider from her infatuation of that young lord from Rohan who played the flute so well. He sighed again.
"Odessa, lass," he spoke, feeling his money in his pocket. "I think I've left my purse in my saddlebags. Would you go get it for me?"
She looked at him with a cute pout. "Do I have to? Bethberry wants me to go shovel compost."
He held back a smile and a grimace both to once as he shooed her out the door. "Please, Desi. It's important." As she skipped happily back to the stables, Faleron turned to the Innkeeper.
"M'lady," he bowed. "I know what you must be thinking. Spoiled brats from The White City, the both of us. And... chances are you're right, and we've not given you much to go on to think otherwise. But m'lady, I love the girl as my sister, and I can see it in her eyes that this is something that she truly wishes to do, as much as she'll complain when she realizes what you have in store for her." He shared a grin with the woman. "Her aunt knows her as well as any, and would teach her herself, but..." He paused, not sure if he should continue. "Well, m'lady, Ioreth brought up your name and requested, saving your presence, that I should bring Odessa to you, by the longest road. Her thoughts were that if, after you're through with her, beggin' your pardon, Odessa still wants to heal, that her intentions are true."
He pulled his purse from his pockets. "I am prepared to pay a great deal for your tutelage. Although I hadn't exactly planned on... well... joining in." He looked down at his finely woven shirt and breeches. "Perhaps, I ought to change into something more appropriate for your lessons?" Yet again, he sighed. What in the world has she gotten me into now?
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