Three good jobs had gone past and he was happily drinking some ale with Karnwyr beside him when his dire wolf's head lifted, and turned towards the door. The dire wolf stood and wagged his tail in a very puppy-like fashion. Bishop grinned, knowing what that meant. The dire wolf smelled the hobbit. The little woman had been away for almost three months now and even he was beginning to miss their glaring wars. It had been too boring there without someone to bug.

Then there she was. She stood at the door while her female friends called to her from their table and the dwarf howled for some brew. Avera didn't have a chance to get to the table. Karnwyr barked and ran right to her. She turned and a smile lit her little face as she jumped into his chest fur, "Puppy! I missed you, Runt!"

The man behind her looked as if he were about to attack the dire wolf but when he saw the little woman cuddle up to the animal, he took his hand off the handle over his shoulder. Bishop let go of his bow as soon as the larger man resettled himself. Now what was attached to that handle? He could not see behind this towering man. But that human certainly kept close to the hobbit.

He watched as a gnome bounced around Karnwyr and looked him over, singing a little tune under his breath, "Oh my but he is such a big boy. Is he yours!"

Avera sputtered through the fur, "Karnwyr is this ranger's familiar or animal companion, actually."

The human looked down at her with a mellow expression upon his face, "He certainly seems to like you."

She peeked out from under the fur then gave Karnwyr one last rub before sending him back to a glaring Bishop.

"Avera!" Yelled one of the urchins as she bowled the woman over, "Look, look! New clothes! I made them all with that cloth you brought back! Why didn't you stay?"

"I had to do some more work. We found a lost stronghold for Khelgar."

The girl squealed in glee, "Wolf will love to hear about that!"

"Well, you go on and tell him. Maybe Grobnar can sing you his song that he's been working on. But don't shirk your chores!" She stood with help from the large man. Their hands lingered together for a few moments longer than was probably necessary.

"You are good with them." His voice was level but there was a tone of pride that Bishop could not miss.

"Wouldn't she make a fine mother some day?" Elanee chirped.

"Would you and Neeshka quit?"

Elanee deflated, "Well, I'm sure you would."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to snap."

"It's ok. I know you have to be tired." Elanee tapped a pot of tea, "Good timing! Sal just made this up for us."

Avera took her seat as the man shadowed her. Bishop watched him carefully realizing that he was a paladin. How in the world did she pick up a gnome and a paladin? Did she go hunting for the weird and unusual? And how did she get the paladin watching over her like a huge, walking shield?

"I am sure she would make a wonderful mother when she is ready." The paladin turned his head and looked directly at Bishop. He sized up the ranger as he realized the ranger was watching his leader, and sizing him up as well, "Is there anything I should know about this place? When we last came it was only for a couple of nights."

Bishop could almost hear the, "And he was not here sneering at you."

"Not much." Khelgar grunted as he plunked down their ale, "You already know to get yourself what you need; bug Sal, the kids or Duncan for something. Other than that, this is our side of the room and we can hang out by the fireplace if we like. That," He pointed to Bishop's table, "Is his area."

"And the two shall not meet." He assessed the ranger one more time.

"Something like that." Neeshka admitted.

"Well, it has been a long day. If you do not mind, I shall retire."

Avera grabbed her mug of tea and got off her chair, "I need a good bath then to bed I go. Will you escort me to the washing room?"

"Of course, my lady." Casavir answered and the two left the common room.

What was this "my lady" bit? That paladin was going to be a complication. He just knew it.

Nnn

He walked into the common room to a strange sight. The group was at their table for breakfast but Avera was turned to the side, glaring at the ranger directly across from them. There was an untouched plate of food beside her and a cup of tea that she was picking up for a drink and putting back down without looking.

"Morning Casavir." Elanee watched him walk towards the table.

"What is this?" He asked while looking back and forth between Avera and Bishop. One of the children ran up to him so he pointed to Avera's plate, "New food please. The cats can have that."

The little boy grabbed the plate from the table without bothering Avera and ran to the kitchen.

"It's a glaring match, lad." Casavir raised an eyebrow as Khelgar went on, "Started up a bit before we went to Old Owl Well. They do this every now and again. Test of wills, it is."

The child who had taken the cold food returned with two dishes of hot food. Another child put another mug and a new pot of hot tea on the table. Casavir put one plate in front of Avera then placed the other beside the first, and sat down directly in front of the woman to break off the staring match, "You should eat, my lady. I think it will likely be another long day ahead for all of us." He had no idea who this person was but he knew he did not like him looking at Avera. He did not like it at all.

Bishop leaned back and smirked. So this man was protective and jealous.