Catherine smiled, her face softening and her eyes lighting up from within.  It was a startling transformation that few people ever got to see, but she had a special fondness for the old man.  Things could happen in her profession, less than desirable things.  She’d had a job once turn out badly and still carried the scars on her back from the wounds she had received.  Unable to visit a healer, she had found this Inn and managed to hold herself up just long enough to make it to the top of the stairs before collapsing.  Old Frederic had gotten her into bed and tended her wounds, never once asking questions or letting anyone else know she was there.<br/><br/>When she had been well enough to get up and get around, he had looked her in the eyes and said, “You talked through your fever.  You are welcome here, but your business associates are not.  Be discreet.”   He’d gotten up and walked out of the room and left her to think, returning an hour later with a tray full of food.  He’d treated her like a friend ever since and still asked no questions beyond the general.  Frederic performed a few small favors for her now and again, like the gathering of the pack, but she would never ask more of him and they had an easy comfortable friendship.<br/><br/>“Yes, it went well indeed.  I can pay my bill, old man,” she laughed, throwing him a small sack of coin.  “That should cover the bag and its contents as well.”  Hefting the pack with one hand, she wondered again where the old man got his strength.  He was not as frail as he looked by any means.  “You’ve done a good job packing I see, it’s a bit heavy, but I’ll be horseback if you can get Garnet ready for travel.  I think I’ll be leaving again tonight.”  She leaned over the counter, “but not until you and I share a good steak and some ale.  How’s that new cook working out?”<br/>