Some time late in the night, when nearly everyone in the inn had gone to bed, Gale woke to find that she was alone. She glanced sleepily around the room, seeing that Samuel wasn't there at all. She got out of bed, pulling a blanket around her shoulders as she shuffled to the door to search for him. She didn't seem him in the hall, so she went towards the stairs leading back down into the great room of the inn.

"So, who's the young lady?"

"Her name is Gale."

Gale stopped as she descended the stairs to search the great room. When she heard voices, she had hoped Samuel was amongst them, but her foot hesitated and pulled back as she hear Samuel say her name in answer to Boris' question.

"New special friend?" Boris asked.

'Special friend?' Gale wondered.

"No, nothing like that. She's different than the others." Samuel replied.

'Others? Does he mean prostitutes..?'

Down below at the bar, Samuel and Boris had been chatting for a bit- Samuel having come down not long before Gale had woken up.

"Ah, I see, I see." Boris laughed.

Samuel rolled his eyes and took a sip of ale, ignoring the insinuous look Boris was giving him. "Really, it's nothing like that with Gale."

"It's strange to not see a pretty young lady with her arms practically all over you. I hear the brothel girls have been missing you."

Up on the stairs, Gale stayed just out of sight. 'He did mean prostitutes...' She turned to start heading back to their room, but what Samuel said next stopped her.

Down at the bar, Samuel glanced at the roaring fire in the hearth- the flames dancing across the large bear skin pelt on the wooden floor. "Gale's different. She doesn't talk to me or treat me like a noble, she talks to me and treats me like she would anyone else. She doesn't care about station or status. She cares about everyone getting the respect they deserve, regardless of their background. And to be honest, it's refreshing."

Gale's heart was beginning to race a bit.

"Really? Tired of women hanging all over you?" Boris asked as he eyed him from over the tankard he was wiping clean.

"It became more of a routine than an enjoyment." Samuel said, continuing. "Like I was stuck in a deep rut, trying to pull the wagon free and continue to my destination. It got boring really quickly."

"So what is it about Gale then? Seems like you're quite taken with her."

"I don't know, but I can tell you this: ever since the night Haven fell, it's like we're seeing each other in a new light. I stood there, watching the avalanche overtaking Haven and just hoping that my brother made it out alright. Then I started fearing the worst, but it began to subside when Gale put her hand in mine and just held it. Even after we had grown to strongly dislike each other, she took that chance to offer whatever comfort she could despite it all. And I'm truly grateful for that."

"Did you ever tell her?"

Samuel sighed. "I tried, but I think perhaps it came across as me thanking her for food than comforting me."

Boris chuckled. "A man after my own heart. I did the same when I first met Ymera and look at us now? Married thirty years and still going strong!" He set the last clean tankard on the shelf, then slung the towel over his shoulder. "You should really tell her, though. Really thank her for helping you out like that."

Samuel nodded and set down his now empty tankard. "I know, there's just something about her that confuses me."

"Like what?"

"Not sure. It's not difficult to talk to her, but it's like anything beyond that I'm at a loss for." Samuel ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "I was hoping this trip together would help me figure it out, but..."

"But..?"

"I don't know. She's different than every other woman I've ever encountered. There's something special about her, something hidden away from me. And it's infuriating."

Boris chuckled, taking the tankard and cleaning it. "Sounds like you're falling for the girl."

Samuel stood, sighing. "Perhaps you're right." He chuckled a bit. "Imagine the looks on my parents' faces if I brought home a commoner as a bride."

On the stairs, Gale's heart was pounding and her cheeks were on fire. She didn't want to hear anymore, so she quietly hurried back up the stairs and to their room.

Down at the bar, Samuel glanced over at the stairs- having heard a rustle. "I should get back to bed, Boris. Thanks for the drinks and the talk."

"Any time, lad. And good luck with the girl; she seems nice."

Samuel nodded and headed upstairs.

In the room, Gale was trying to process what she had overheard. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but how could she not when it was about her? She threw another log onto the pile in the hearth, renewing the fire's life, then went to stand by the window.

'What do I do...? Why would he say those things...?' She pondered over his words, so lost in thought.

"You know it's not nice to eavesdrop."

Gale jumped and turned, finding a slightly drunk Samuel standing behind her. Before she could say anything, he backed her up against the wall and placed a hand next to her. "W-What are you-" Gale froze when he reached up to grasp her chin and lift her face up.

"Did you need something or were you just being a naughty girl?"

Gale felt her whole body run hot. "I-I got worried w-when I couldn't f-find you..." She wanted to just disappear from under the intensity of his amber gaze.

"You were worried?"

Gale noticed a change in his demeanor- going from drunk, playful, and dominating to a softer, calmer one. "W-When I woke and you weren't in the room, I-I was worried something m-may have happened..."

Samuel sighed. "I couldn't sleep. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." He let go of her chin and moved his hand to her cheek, stroking it gently with his thumb. "What is it about you that's so different than other women?" he wondered aloud.

Gale searched his eyes, seeing an unfamiliar look. 'What's going on...?' It was as if something was clicking between them, but whatever it was vanished as quickly as it had surfaced as Samuel stepped back and went to sit in one of the chairs by the fireplace. 'What... what was that feeling..?'