The Zoarinians may have lost a fleet and a great army, but they were still a powerful force to be reckoned with. Many stories had filtered down about the great battle that had taken place in the north. Krista tried not to listen to the stories, but it was impossible not to. Roric had seemingly one the day single handily if the exaggerated stories were to be believed. While there had to be some exaggeration going on she did not doubt that he had played a major role.
She hoped that he had found peace along with the praise that greeted his name everywhere it was mentioned. Surely he had everything he could possibly want after such a victory? Her thoughts were interrupted as a frantic knock sounded out on her door. She opened the door and saw no one at first, but then looking down she saw little Talus Tolok standing on her door mat wringing his hands together as he bit his lip hard.
Krista kneeled down placing her hands on the boy's thin shoulders, "What is it Talus? What's wrong? Is it your mother?"
"Yes ma'am! She's in an awful amount of pain! The midwife wanted to know if you could come and help her with your stuff. There's lotsa blood and she won't stop screaming. I'm scared!"
"Give me a moment to gather some stuff and I'll be over!" Krista straightened and turned to hurry back into her shop, but Talus's tugging hand on her dress stopped her.
"Father said to tell ya that we can't pay anything and that we'd understand if ya can't come on account of us already owing ya."
"Sush now don't be silly! I'll be there as quick as I can! Now you run ahead and tell them that I'll be their soon!"
The little boy's face brightened like he had been given the sun and he raced off toward the even poorer section of the village. Krista grabbed a bag and threw everything she might need and some she might not into it.
It was better to have it than to not have it, if it became needed later. She rushed out the shop door with the bag not even bothering to stop and lock the door. She raced down the muddy street ducking in and around people and horse drawn carts that were in her way.
She didn't see the rough looking man with the eye patch over one eye standing in the door of the town's only tavern. He turned and said something to a companion further inside the tavern, who came to the door and stared after Krista's retreating form.