As Gerim travelled through the forest, he thought of how he would spend his soon to be wealth. He would buy lavish clothes, the most expensive cheeses, and he may even show his 'generosity' to the townsfolk and buy them a round at the local tavern. Then he ate a heavy meal, drank several cups of wine and made camp whenever it suited him. He spent the next week, in no real hurry. He woke just before noon and then bedded down after only a few hours on the trail. The only thing that prompted him to make any real progress is when he noticed his rations were starting to run low. 

After another four days, just before dusk, he arrived outside the clearing in which the blacksmith had built his house. There he paused for a while, a plan needed to be made. For Merthild's elders had sent him with more than just rations; they had also sent him with a small purse of gold coins. It was a large sum for such a poor village. There were twenty-five coins to be exact. With that in mind, he quickly grabbed some dirt off the side of the trail, rubbed it on his face, neck and between his hands. He then pulled out 15 gold coins out of the purse and stuck them in his front pocket. His ingenious plan was formed.

Hat in hand he went to knock on the worn wooden door. KNOCK. KNOCK, KNOCK. Gerim heard shuffling from behind the door and was quick to bring about a look of desperation to his face. The door creaked open, to reveal a beautiful woman who looked to be in her thirties. She took one look at Gerim's haggard appearance and quickly offered him a seat by the fire and glass a mead to warm his bones. Adelaide was her name.