"My homeland is in danger."
The inn, its drunken guests and merry atmosphere dissolved. Leaving only me, my companion, and my tomato juice.
"That's the reason why I'm on this journey, to seek out any way to help save my land." I paused then, not knowing how to continue. "However, I haven't achieved much and I am beginning to lose hope..."
She grasped my hand, and told me with her eyes, Don't give up.
I looked at her, then at our joined hands.
And I blurted out, suddenly flustered, "My name is Gill by the way."