Harold
Tobias Westbrook
Asairde Outskirts

The voice that gave a reply was a woman's, and he raised a brow in confusion. A single mare stepped from behind the boulder it had been stationed behind, and he waited for the others to pull out as well. But they didn't, and he felt his brow furrow further in confusion as to what a woman was doing riding though the mountains alone. 

She raised her hands, and he didn't take it as a sign of surrender. If it were him, he'd also send one man out to lure out any patrols. He kept his gaze flittering over the pass as he moved from his place on the ledge, carefully making his way down to just above the path she took. He looked down at her, but only by about two feet or so. His hand gripped the hilt of his blade, and he ran his eyes over her. 

"You didn't cross _my_ lands." Tobias corrected her, and nodded to the horse she rode. "Are you the only one with a mare, or are there others around the bend?"
James
Vanessa Ward
Asairde Outskirts

She remained seated in her saddle as she kept her gaze on the man making his way towards her. She was impressed to say the least as he made his way down the ledge. If she had been in his position, Vanessa would have most likely fallen. However, she didn't appreciate the hostility when she noticed his hand resting by the hilt of his blade, but could she expect any less?

"I can assure you that I'm alone." She answered simply while keeping her hands raised. However, her eyes left his as she studied over his appearance, admiring his form before returning her eyes to him. "I prefer to travel alone rather than a group. I simply wanted to enter Northwind without taking the route that gave me a higher chance of being raided. I lost my map however during a very rough night and have been using the sun as a guide. Which mind you, is a pain in the fucking behind."

She knew he would be suspicious about her truth but it was all she could provide him. "If you could let me pass through, or better yet provide me shelter and food so we may rest and I'll give you coin in exchange." She was bold, she knew this herself as she kept her hopes low.
Harold
Tobias Westbrook
Asairde outskirts

Again, he didn't quite believe her, but he also found it hard to deny a stranger shelter. If she'd been riding and facing the trials she claimed, it would bode well to have the Westbrook's be the first friendly face in the mountains. After all, they weren't cruel. 

But some bandits were clever and without the rest of the patrol here to give a second opinion, it was solely his choice. 

He took another moment, and with a stern look he nodded. With his arm her motioned her to the path that would guide her mare up to the patrol station. 

"I've got food and shelter to spare, follow the path around the ledge. I'll-" He paused, and sucked his teeth before muttering a _fuck it_. He shifted his weight, jumping down from where he stood to grip the loose reins of the mare she rode, easing it into a pace that wouldn't take ages to get there. 

"You're both severely underdressed for a ride through Asairde." He noted, trying to gauge if she knew where she was.
James
Vanessa Ward
Asairde Outskirts 

He wasn't wrong. Her lips had a blue tinge while her skin had become sickly pale from the frozen temperatures. When he didn't turn her away, Vanessa sighed in relief, not wanting to have to travel a further distance without rest. "Thankyou." 

The man brought many questions to her mind as he decided to guide them himself to the shelter he mentioned. Questions that she would eventually have answered before she continued her journey through Northwind. Her hands ached as she no longer held the reigns and had the chance to properly stretch her fingers, hoping the gloves were enough to prevent frostbite. She wouldn't know for sure until she took them off.

"Great observation." Vanessa couldn't help but role her eyes towards his comment. If she had dressed appropriately for the weather, she wouldn't be suffering the way she was currently. The mercenary forced herself to bite her tongue before making a snide remark that could possibly have her turned away. "But unless you have something I could wear, there's no point in addressing my choice of attire."
Harold
Tobias Westbrook
Asairde outskirts

Her tone changed from cautious stranger to snark, and he raised a brow, unable to help the small smirk that graced his lips as he looked back at her. 

"I do, but now I'm not inclined to provide it." He remarked simply, and paused, guiding the mare on the icy turn carefully that put them back in a straight path to the cabin that served as an outpost for the patrols that had to work during the night. 

It wasn't fancy, but it provided all basic accommodations. There was a fire, two beds, a place to piss, and the basics of a kitchen. It was fitted with enough supplies to last two men a month if needed. But no one had been stranded out here in years. 

He secured her horse, and offered his hand to help her dismount from it. There wasn't a full stable, but there was a storage place around the back for firewood and other bulky supplies. She'd be fine in there, at least it offered some protection from the winds and snow.