Varrik was the only one to notice her distemper. He spotted it as soon as she walked in the door. He noticed it when he asked her for ale. He told her as she was sweeping the floor and finally asked her about it when all was quiet and they were the only ones in the tavern. Corff and Norah had retired for the afternoon, a cheeky look exchanged between them as they climbed the stairs. They'd be a while and the place was deserted.

"Out with it girl, what's eating your goat?" Varrik said taking a long pull of ale. It surprised Zindrafel how Varrik's drinking never bothered her, but Alistair's drove her mad. "Don't you play dumb with me, I known you too long for such lies."

"It's Alistair." Zindrafel said, choking back a sob.

"What's the Shemlin done now?"

"He joined the city watch-"

"That's a good thing right?" Varrik said with a frown on his rugged face.

"It would be, he was caught drunk, dead drunk, how he used to be in here, at his post. They fined him for it. He listed me as next of kin and I had to pay it." She explained, saying it out loud and so simply made her think she was over reacting to the whole thing. Varrik's eyes narrowed, maybe he thought the same. "It was the broken promise. He swore to me that he'd stay sober and not make a fool of himself."

"Aaah, there is the problem then. The broken promise."

"I was forced to pay with the money I've been saving to get out of the city. I'm back to where I was six months ago and what for? All I have to show for it is a broken promise and a worthless friend." Zindrafel said, spitting the words as though they were poison.

"Funny." Varrik said with a snort.

"I'm not laughing."

"No, not that kind of funny, you still consider him a friend."

"No-"

"You just called him a worthless friend. A worthless friend is better than no friend at all right?" Varrik said finishing his mug of ale. Zindrafel sighed, when he put it that way it didn't sound so bad. "Alistair has had some bad times of late and meeting you has been a puff of fresh air for the lad. He's not perfect and bound to make some mistakes along the way. You're not perfect either so you'll make your share too. Don't give up on him because he fell at this jump, he'll make the next one. Just needs a bit of faith in him."

"It just-" she said looking down at the floor.

"Betrayal stings at first Zindrafel but this isn't the worst there is and I think you know that really. Turn your chin up and give it some time." Varrik said, "I could use some more ale if it please you." He added handing her his empty mug.

"Of course." She took the mug from his outstretched hand, walked behind the bar and refilled the mug. He'd given her much to think about and she began to ponder this as she handed the mug back to him. "Thank you Varrik."

"Don't mention it girl. Anything to get that awful frown off your face." He said. She gave him a half smile before fetching her broom. She swept the floor even though it hardly needed the attention. She kept her mind away from the subject of Alistair and what to do with him and focused on the non-existent dust on the floor.

She kept going long after she should have stopped, Zindrafel yawned, she was ready for her home and to sink into her straw bed. It wasn't long before Norah and Corff returned to the bar and dismissed her for the night. She was covering the afternoon shift the following day and a decent night's sleep would be wonderful.

"Don't forget your smile tomorrow girl." Varrik called at her. She shot him her best smile before leaving the inn. In the street there were a few people around still, some of which she knew. George even waved at her as she passed him. She dropped in a little curtsey and he laughed his gruff rubble as she passed. The sun had well and truly set and the night had pulled in. She skipped across the street began the short walk back to her home.

Varrik's words echoed in her mind as she walked along. It was time she thought on what he'd said and found that underneath her still hot anger, he was right. Alistair was a Shemlin alright and as such, he wasn't perfect. Neither was she and she couldn't fail to realise that he was trying his best. He'd been through a lot, like Varrik had reminded her, and had she really expected him to get it right the first time? How many times had she got anything right the first time? Never, that she could remember anyway.

Zindrafel decided that he owed her an apology, as well as a few coins to make up for the loss to her collection, but that would be enough. So long as he made that apology, things would be square, at least until she'd got enough money to leave the city. That was still her plan, the sooner she was out of this madness, the better. She'd known deep down, all along that this was just a road to trouble and look where it had landed her, right in the deep end of trouble. No one to blame but herself she guessed. It wasn't as though Cacil would be at home to talk to about it either, not that she'd ever want to face his 'I told you so' face. He'd revelled in her discomfort since they were children and this was an opportunity not to be missed.

Thinking of her cousin brought a pang to her heart, she was really going to miss his company, they'd known each other for a long long time and not to have him about and underfoot was going to take a lot of getting used to.

Zindrafel didn't notice where she was until she passed by the arch that led into Lowtown. She paused and looked down the cobbled path and let out a sigh, an altogether different pang ruptured her chest before she was able to turn away. Maybe it wasn't going to be so easy to forgive Alistair after all. She could only try.

Heavy boots sounded behind her, she went to turn but a large hand clamped her shoulder. Another covered her mouth, "Time you came with us," a voice hissed in her ear; she struggled as huge arms encircled her narrow waist. "Oh no you don't." a cloth was forced over her mouth; her eyes became heavy as she was forced to breathe in the horrific scent. Then everything went black.