Kara's heart broke for both Hallbjorn and his brother Helgi. She remained silent next to Hallbjorn as Helgi made his revelations. There was so much pain in Helgi, and while she knew the revelations of what happened in the past needed to be shared so the brothers could fix their bond, she took no pleasure in the fact that her words brought him pain.<br/><br/>She dredged up a sad smile for Hallbjorn when he squeezed her hand. But it was a relief to see the gratitude in his eyes. Kara had worried that she butted herself into their business like a clumsy rhinoceros.<br/><br/>Lyrata informed them that it was Nix who had come for the sword, and Kara grew angry. She would be having words with that valkyrie. To know that Hallbjorn had indebted himself to the very creature who had taken the sword in the first place made Kara feel that her mate had been sorely used. That was something she would not stand for.<br/><br/>Kara did not understand how Helgi could think he brother would kill him and his mate. Did he know Hallbjorn so little? Just because he was a mercenary did not mean her man had no honor. She had never detected any desire in Hallbjorn to harm either of them.<br/><br/>And as harsh as her next thought was, Kara could not help but think that Helgi showed a certain kind of weakness because of his fear of Hallbjorn. She believed that if Hallbjorn thought someone, even his brother, was coming to kill him, he would meet the threat head on. The two brothers were obviously very different. But they were brothers, and she would never speak those ill thoughts of Helgi.<br/><br/>Kara had never been a religious person. Her parent's careers had led them into discovering past cultures that worshipped many different gods. Instead of growing up attending church, she grew up to stories of a variety of godly beings. So when Helgi said that he asked God for forgiveness, she held back the urge to shake her head. The one he needed to ask stood beside her.<br/><br/>Helgi then realized what he had failed to before, and the hug the two men shared had Kara clasping her hands to her chest. There was real love there, and Kara so desperately wanted Hallbjorn to have his brother in his life.<br/><br/>At Lyrata's suggested, Kara gladly followed her into the kitchen so the brothers could have time to bond. She sat down at the island and faced the kitchen as Lyrata began to put together a plate of food. “Think nothing of it, Lyrata. We did sort of just drop in.” She smiled at the dryad, whom she already liked.<br/><br/>Kara spread some of the creamy brie cheese on a crack, then popped it in her mouth and savored it. “Hallbjorn and I will most likely go out to eat since he's showing me Bourbon street later. This is the first time I've ever been to New Orleans.”<br/><br/>Lyrata's openness about Helgi drinking from her made Kara feel more comfortable around the woman. She didn't feel like she needed to hide anything, and she wanted to be honest, since Kara hoped to count Lyrata as a sister. “I drank from Hallbjorn before we came here, and honestly, I'm not sure I can go back to animal blood. Also,” she blushed, “I get tipsy very easily, and I do not want to make an idiot of myself the first time meeting my new family.”<br/><br/>“Hallbjorn told me you're a dryad. Could you explain to me what that means? I haven't had a chance to read about your kind in the Book of Lore yet.” Kara asked, with obvious interest in her voice.