She tensed when the man mentioned his range of former professions, then caught herself and went back to listening.  At his question about her story, she just shrugged.  "I meant it when I said there wasn't a story to tell.  There was me and my brother.  Now he's gone and there's me.  I come from the other side of the mountain.  Come over here with a man who wanted a girl to go with him.  To cook, that is.  Well, and to.  Anyhow, he didn't pay in the end, neither, but it was a job for a few weeks along the way.  So now I'm here.<br/><br/>"As for the horse," she paused, debating whether to give up the story.  "Well, I was mostly looking to get back home.  It's a long enough trip on horseback.  Not sure I'd make it on foot.<br/><br/>"You say you were a soldier?  Where'd you fight?  And how long ago?"