"Oh, I'll make an omelette out of her..." Grumbled the Shadow Knight, who pouted deeply and crossed her arms after setting down her things on a nearby surface as they waited. "I know it doesn't make sense," she snapped at no one in particular, "let me grumble first."

Had she spent too much time accompanying Syr Grumproe of Wrathmore on their missions? Perhaps.

Saskia moved, mindful of the hen with no bounds, and leaned against the wagon next to Gruki.

"How much do you have to collect? Are you sure we don't need to hire a wagon or cart to get all of it back to the Monastery?" Saskia would be happy to pay for the hire if it lightened the load for them both. She couldn't imagine herself being too helpful carrying both the box of fudge and the box of biscuits.

Oh, good thing she didn't offer Reed any biscuits... what a waste that would have been...

"My treat!" Despite her careful labours of earning and saving her coin, Saskia felt too excited to spend it. The Shimmersilk would be it's own small fortune, but Saskia made sure she wouldn't be left penniless after such a purchase. She loved to treat and celebrate any and all her friends.
 
'Grumble away!' Being friends with someone meant taking the good with the bad. Nobody was perfect, and Saskia certainly had her flaws. But then the same could be said of anyone, really. Gruki included. 'You worry too much.' Smiling down at her friend, the she-ork continued, saying; 'I've a handful of packages to collect. Not enough to warrant borrowing a cart.'

There were plenty of townsfolk who would help them out. But Gruki expected there was more to Saskia's questions than that.

'How are your feet? Aching yet?' Gruki sometimes forgot how short the dusker was. One of her steps equalled two of Saskia's, and not every one enjoyed hiking on their days off. Not that the knights ever got days off. Or their squires for that matter.

'Please, you've already treated me enough for one day. Now, it's my turn!' A couple of plates accompanied by a couple of frosty pints? Should cheer her right up, thought Gruki, fancying a beer herself. 'You can tell me all about this plan of yours. I have to say, I'm-'

'Right, ladies!' Starting, Gruki turned to find Lawson thumping across the yard towards them, his hands supporting a single, boxy package from beneath. 'Thank you for waiting,' he said, bowing slightly upon reaching them. 'Makes for a nice change, having customers that don't bark my ear off,' the man grinned as he passed the box to Gruki. 'I tucked the list inside,' he explained, 'just in case you can't remember whose is whose.'

'Um, right, okay!' The box safely in her care, the she-ork nodded, flashing Lawson a smile as warm and vibrant as a summer's day. 'Figure we're all settled, then?'

'Ain't we just!' Lawson laughed. 'Feel free to loiter an' talk. Omelette'll appreciate the company... silly ole bird.'
'We'd love to,' replied Gruki. 'Only, well, it's nearly lunchtime and-'
'You can hear the Bern calling your name? Don't worry, lass. I'm not offended.'

Chuckling, Lawson turned to regard Saskia. 'Lookin' a little pale there, syr,' he said, a slight frown crossing his features. 'A drink will serve you well, I'd wager. Fortify you, even. Course, I tell the missus that whenever I feel like venturing out, but does she listen? Ha! Does she buggery!' Shaking his head, Lawson sighed wistfully, perhaps reliving the frolics of his youth. 'Oh well. Get it while the going's good, I say. And give the old codger my regards, Gruki, when and if you see him.'

'I will!' The squire promised, though she couldn't picture Friede's pa being in a talking mood. 'Take care, Lawson.'

'And you, lass. Syr.'
 
Saskia's face was all smiles as they waved Lawson farewell, but as they both continued their way over to the Bern, her face scrunched into a frown. "I look pale? I'm always pale..."

It did not help that she would burn under the sun, nor that her hair turned golden and pale in the sun. She was convinced she got a tan one summer, but it washed away after a few weeks.

She looked to Gruki as they walked, of course, her pace much quicker in order to keep up with a slower step from Gruki. "My feet are alright. Leg is a little sore from my fall earlier. I might look out of shape when running, but I can last longer than most of the Knights!" It had been drilled into her as a squire to run laps around the monastery. She was squire to some Syr that was long gone now, having taken leave of the Order. He had made sure Saskia would not fall behind should they need to go on foot, and her feet hurt plenty then.

Th Bern was not that far, not when the roads became more familiar to them.

Inside was filled with a glow of candles and lanterns, lending the white walls and wooden panels a softness and homey ambiance. It was chockers inside; many were crowding the tables and bar stools, but Saskia still craned her neck to see if there were any seats available.

"Can you see anywhe— There! Go! Go! GO!" Saskia began lightly bumping people in order to fight through the standing crowd to get to a table. It was not wiped down, but Saskia called out something unintelligible over the chatter of the room. With finality, she staked her claim. She wore a smug grin, turning to see where Gruki was. "Found one!"

"Fucking could have waited a minute so I could have this table cleaned up for you, bloody idiot." Grumbled a young man as he used a rag to clean the table of crumbs and spilled ale.

Saskia grinned, watching him. "Hello to you too, Albert. You owe me coin remember?"

"Aye, I remember." He fought a smile, turned his head to look up at Gruki. "Mead or ale?"
 
'Always so competitive!' Gruki laughed, unable to keep her grin in check. 'And yet whenever I invite you to come running with me, you're always busy.' Up at the crack of dawn. Full ruck. Gruki was sure Saskia had her reasons, though, some company would have been nice. Maybe she simply wasn't interested? That, or she loved her beauty sleep.

Certainly seems to be doing her wonders, thought the she-ork, muscling her way inside the Bern after the dusker.

'So I see!' Smiling, Gruki slipped between warm bodies to join Saskia at her table, careful not to jog any drinking arms along the way. The box in her hands made navigating the throng a tad bothersome. As always, footwork was key.

'Ale, please, Albert. I'm sweet enough already.' Laughing, he nodded, gaze flitting to Saskia as Gruki found a chair to occupy. 'True enough,' he chuckled, tucking the dishrag into the front of his apron. 'And for the syr?'
 
"Not sweet enough." She grinned, and Albert made a face at her before repeating her words mockingly.

He chuckled before turning around and going to grab their drinks.

Being in the Bern was as familiar as the Knoll was to Saskia. A home away from home, Saskia liked being amongst the chaos and merry that was born into establishments like this. She sank into her seat and listened the to the liveliness for a moment.

"If I was a morning person, I would run with you in the mornings." Saskia smiled, turning her head towards Gruki and holding her head up by her cheek. "The shadows tend to make my room entirely dark to make me sleep longer." Some days she needed the extra rest, and more often than not, a pounding fist on her door would rouse her from the deepest of slumbers and she would begrudgingly get up.

"Perhaps if you went in the evenings, I would accompany you, but I would slow you down."
 
'Slow me down? Nonsense. You said yourself, you could outlast most of the others,' argued Gruki, handwaving Saskia's excuses, cause that's what they were. 'Not like we'd be racing each other. And if I did outpace you, so what? I'd wait.' She could run on the spot, keep her muscles warm and loose while she waited. She had done so before for others. Why not Saskia?

'If you get tired, or feel like giving up, I'll be there to carry you! No pain, no gain, right?'

Not like she planned on causing either of them a mischief. An injured knight or squire wasn't of much use to anybody, and helping people was kind of the order's thing. Well. Unless they were a-

'Gruki, heads up!' Jumping in her seat, the she-ork swivelled, eyes wide as Albert arrived with their drinks. 'Oh, don't look so surprised,' he beamed, placing a pint of ale down on the table in front of her. 'Friede' saw you two walk in, had your drinks poured 'fore you'd even sat down.' Shrugging, Albert played his gaze across the pair, curious. 'You two lookin' to fill yer bellies?' He asked, the picture of innocence, even if his phrasing could use some work.

'Got the ovens fired up, if you fancy a bite? Lugging boxes around must be hungry work.'
 
Saskia frowned at Gruki. "Well yes, but —" She sighed, giving her friend a tired expression.
"I would hate to make you wait for me. I am conscious about it..." It would take a lot to change her schedules, to break the lazy routines she had at the start of her days. She truly was a dusker.

Albert returned, drinks miraculously in hand. The mead was placed in front of her, and Saskia instantly brightened. "Oh!"


The smile wavered once Albert continued to speak, and she had been glad not to take a sip just yet. Saskia would have sprayed it all over the table with shock. "Oh... to eat, of course." She threw a look at Gruki before clearing her throat.

"You have potatoes, of course?" She inquired. One of her favourite foods, for it could be cooked in many different ways to keep things interesting. "Then I would like them roasted and chicken or beef would be nice." Sas turned to Gruki, wondering what she would like.
 
'Of course! What kind of establishment do you take this for?' Albert replied, sounding genuinely offended. If not for the smirk curling his lips, Gruki might have fallen for it. 'Chicken or beef, I see, I see.' Jotting down Saskia's request on an imaginary slate, Albert turned his gaze upon Gruki, brow raised in question.

'Catch of the day, please,' she smiled, 'with mash. Please.'

'Always so polite,' chuckled Albert, repeating their orders in his mind till they stuck. 'You could stand to learn a thing or two from her, dear Saskia,' he grinned, throwing a quick glance the dusker's way as he disappeared into the crowd, which was as lively as ever.

'Market days.' Always chaotic, never quiet. 'Suppose it's a good sign things are so busy. Keeps Albert on his toes, that's for certain.' Shedding her satchel, Gruki fanned the hem of her tunic in an attempt to cool down, the air inside the Bern stuffy, and a bit too warm for her liking. 'Melting,' she laughed, meeting Saskia's gaze. A hand took up her ale, held it out for the toasting.

'Cheers!'
 
Saskia lifted her own mead to knock against Gruki's offered toast. "Cheers." She laughed, taking a sip.

"It truly is a little warm." Saskia cleared her throat, taking a moment to quell her shadows eager to help their knight and master. The shadows around her pulsed, as if to move about the room and seek out the windows and crack them open to let some air out. The Shadow Knight reigned them in again, and she let out a sigh. She had become a little more humble with her wielding of shadows, especially outside the Monastery or not within a great number of her sister and brother knights.

Saskia lifted the lid off the wooden box that kept the biscuits. Offered the thin wood to Gruki to make use of a fan. It would waft the smell of the biscuits, and like a moth to a flame, Albert returned.

He had a good nose. One that did not miss a thing. Saskia grinned at him devilishly, relishing in the fact she could now pester him with more friendly banter. "Hey! I do have manners! You're going to need to apologise to me before I even think about giving you a biscuit."

"Oh, I came back to ask my dearest and fairest friend Gruki if I am going to break a tooth on your baking, delicious as it may smell, we all know your skills with the oven can be... overbaked."

Saskia scrunched her face, buying time for a retort.

"Speaking of ovens, this place needs a window opened or a cooling breeze to weave through. Some of us find it unbearably warm in here!"
 
'Some of you could have sat outside. There're tables now, you know? Next to the stream.' Hand on hip, Albert beckoned to Gruki, hunched low, as if to whisper in her ear. 'Helps the walking wineskins around here to sober up 'fore heading home,' he smirked, voice loud enough for the dusker to hear as he hooked a thumb in her direction.

'Oh, now you've definitely forfeited your right to a biscuit!' Gruki laughed. Tentative fingers brushed the scars upon her face, and she smiled, flushing slightly at his compliment.

'I have?' Albert hummed briefly. 'I reckon you might be right there. If looks could kill!' Pleased to see he had drawn another smile from the she-ork, Albert stood up straighter, his youthful features crinkled in amusement. 'Ain't much I can do about the heat in this place, I'm afraid,' he explained, serious now. 'Just thank your lucky stars you're not in the kitchens. Father's like to cause a mutiny amongst the staff, if he keeps crackin' the whip.'

'I thought that was your job?' Gruki responded, fanning herself with the lid Saskia had handed her.

'Eh. I've always been more of a hearts and minds type fellah.' Albert grinned. 'Mixed success, so far. I find insulting a customer's culinary skills rarely ends well,' he chuckled, turning to Saskia with a nod. 'I jest, of course. I'm sure the biscuits are lovely! Must be, if they've gotten the seal of approval from a Ki.'

'Anyone would think you're fishing for something,' Gruki replied, all fangs. 'Perchance, a caramel biscuit?'

'Damn! Foiled again! How well you both know me.' Admitting defeat, Albert cast a glance about the tavern, a group of newcomers catching his eye in a heartbeat. 'Duty calls,' he told the knight and squire. Stepping away from the table, he paused suddenly, turned to Saskia as if he had forgotten something.

'Do try to enjoy your date later,' he smiled, honest as a trickster. 'Reed's a good bloke. Hopefully he won't ask you what your favourite colour is or whatever.'

Before Saskia could figure out a reply, he was gone, off to stir up business. Or torment some unfortunate souls. Hard to say.

'Well.' Gruki stared across the table at Saskia. Sipped her ale. 'News travels fast, ey!'
 
"I am going to... crush his biscuits for that." Saskia stared every dagger she could behold within her gaze as she watched Albert flee after stoking the fire to Saskia's ire. "Oh... he likes to do this. He is a sore loser and is trying to get out of paying me back my winnings!"

Her face scrunched into deep scowling.

Her mead helped lessen the sting of being reminded of the trouble she caused and now had to serve the consequence.

"How did he even know?" Saskia pondered aloud, setting down her mead. Her eyes lift to look at Gruki as a thought dawned on her. "You don't think... Reed is spreading the news?"

She looked downright horrified at the thought. If this was her lesson for flirting to exploit free fudge samples, then Saskia would happily pay like any other customer from now on. Flirting was not worth the risk anymore. Maybe she was getting too old for it, but she couldn't find a way out of this.

"Gods, I have to go on this date, don't I?" She winced. "Post date drink as soon as Reed leaves the Knoll?" Saskia pleaded with her friend with a pouting lip.
 
Pulling a face, Gruki shrugged, unsure of the answer or where it lay. 'He wasn't at his stall when we passed back through,' she pointed out, fingers drumming thoughtfully against the tankard of ale caught between her murder mitts. 'Wouldn't surprise me if he stopped by the Bern on the way home to tell Albert. The two of them go as far back as you and I do, remember.'

Further, even. Both had lived in Astenvale all their lives; the Ki family, by comparison, were newcomers.

Not to mention only half of us stayed, Gruki thought sourly, no longer taken with the idea of running away from the monastery to find her parents. That particular wagon had long since left the market. A youthful flight of fancy, which likely would've amounted to nothing, even if she had decided to go through with it. Besides, the Order was her family now. Time and proximity had made sure of that.

'You don't have to do a thing, Saskia,' the she-ork reassured her friend, shaking her head to reinforce the idea that her hands weren't well and truly tied. 'But if you do decide you don't want to go through with it, you'd best inform Reed. Don't leave it till the last minute to tell him.'

Gazing wistfully out the nearest window, Gruki smiled, her nose detecting a hint of something delicious coming their way.

'He deserves better than that. He's our friend, after all.'
 
Saskia pouted her lip at Gruki, her briws furrowing into a sad expression. Everyone knew Reed fell easily, and Saskia was too much of a flirt. She hadn't expected him to... actually step up and ask her out for dinner. "No... I'll go. I owe him that at least. I don't like that Albert knows." Her face turned a comically grumpy expression, almost channeling Monroe.

Her rivalry between herself and Albert had been long standing, since they were both young and Saskia was put to work helping around Astenvale inbetween lessons and training. Now thay they were older, she was glad for his friendship to stick as long as it did.

"You know me Gruks. I love to complain, it is in my star chart that I am dramatic." Saskia winked.
"I can let him down gently while we have dinner. At least he's one of the few to have done so." She shrugged. Perhaps the nerves, the guilt, and the idea of telling Reed she only wanted to be friends and potentially hurting his feelings... it made her anxious about tonight.

Her eyes flicked up, some patrons moving on outside and a breeze of cool air entered the interior. It was nice, reassuring, and with it came Albert with their meals.

"Straight from the oven. Made sure you were the first ones served!"
 
Gruki understood Saskia's concerns. Sympathised, in her own way. 'Course he knows,' she explained, 'the guy works in a tavern, for crying out loud. Booze ain't the only thing getting spilled in here. Gossip, too.' And he and Reed were friends. That had to count for something, right?

'Dramatic... Yeah, I guess so.' Grinning, Gruki returned the wink, matching fire with fire. Anything to raise Saskia's spirits.

Dinner arrived in the nick of time, easing the burden she'd decided to take upon herself. Smiling, Gruki looked up at Albert, only to find he was already gone. 'Doesn't hang around, does he?' She chuckled, golden eyes locking onto Saskia's as she palmed her cutlery. 'Anyone would think he has wings tucked under that tunic of his. Maybe that's how he found out about the date?'

Shrugging, Gruki turned her attention to the meal on her plate. Mashed taters, herbs, the roasted remains of a silverfin. Not quite salmon. Still made for good eating, though.

'What do you mean "one of the few"?' Gruki asked between bites. 'Mean to tell me you've more than one suitor on the go?'
 
Saskia snorted. "Oh. I didn't tell you?" She winced, cowering only slightly. "I meet a few people here, at the Bern. Most of them are travelers passing through and they provide entertainment." Another way to say flirting. "I also may have gone several dates, and only a couple where I went on another date with the same person..."

It was silly to say it all aloud now. She had her heart broken by a someone she knew every since she arrived at the Monastery once and now she flirted until the man or woman expressed their feelings for her and made Saskia become repulsed at the idea of forming something lasting. That was when she began to create her many excuses to explain why she needed to let them down.

"Funny, I thought Albert or Friederike would have blabbed about them to you, well perhaps not Friederike... got sad when I came in the next day and forgot all about our back and forth flirting. Albert said it was sickening."

Saskia shrugged a shoulder. "I just... want to have my fun but not hurt any feelings." She began cutting into her meal. Delicious, as always, and in hopes of turning the conversation away, she hummed with delight. "Oh, this is good! How's your lunch, Grukis?"
 
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