After several long, slow days recovering in the little cottage, Lady Rosa finally allowed Warren to practice outside. Duncan sat nearby on a log, watching Warren slash at the air with powerful slices. He felt a bit sluggish at times but overall was thrilled to be outside, swinging a sword around like he used to. The new clothes Duncan had made for him kept out the cold so well he likely would’ve forgotten about it if not for the fluffy white snow as far as the eye could see. Every hour or so Lady Rosa would stand in the doorway and check up on the two of them, even bringing out cups of tea later in the day. She, Duncan and Warren sat together on the log in the yard as they sipped their tea.

“You’re making progress,” Lady Rosa remarked at one point.

Warren glanced quizzically at her. “You sound surprised.”

She smiled knowingly. “Well, you’re full of surprises, you know.”

Duncan laughed. “We’re not saying it’s a surprise you’re recovering.”

“I’d like to think you have more faith in me than that,” Warren said, rolling his eyes.

“Of course. Our surprise comes more from the speed of your recovery.”

Lady Rosa nodded solemnly. “I’ve seen other travelers and such in similar positions, suffering terrible wounds from the Edrian cold. Some, unfortunately, don’t ever come close to returning to their previous health.”

“O-Oh.” Warren tugged at the strings on the front of his tunic. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Lady Rosa sighed. “It’s not something you need to worry about. I think you have more than enough keeping you up at night.”

Warren smiled sadly. “Yeah that’s… that’s one way to put it.”

The three sat outside a little while longer, enjoying their tea under the starry night sky. Once they were back inside, Lady Rosa went straight to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

“I’ll help,” Warren said, eager to make himself useful. Starting a few days ago, Lady Rosa had asked him to help with small tasks like setting the table or making the beds. He figured helping cook or put up tea couldn’t be too difficult.

“I certainly appreciate it, Sir Warren, however I have another important task I’d like you to complete.”

Warren gave her a perplexed look.

“You’ll need this,” she said with a teasing smile. She had handed him a towel. “You just ran around and swung that sword of yours for hours and expect me not to tell you to wash up?”

Warren flushed with embarrassment. On the one hand, she was treating him almost like a child. On the other hand, she said these sorts of things teasingly, knowing he’d roll his eyes or overdramatically stomp off. So perhaps what she said was warranted. Either way, he accepted the towel and started towards to bathroom.

“Sir Warren,” Lady Rosa said suddenly. He turned to face her.

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to let you leave soon, maybe in a few days.”

Warren tried to hide his excitement. “Really?”

She nodded. “You’re making considerable progress, and I know full well how you hate being cooped up here.”

“Was it that obvious?”

Lady Rosa laughed loudly. Warren’s face reddened, and he hurried off to get cleaned up. He hoped the next few days would go by quickly; he’d been here too long and needed to keep moving. The queen back in Faylinn was probably worried, not to mention how badly the kingdom needed Rei.