She had begun to turn back toward the door when the light from the opening was broken by a large silhouette. With the sun behind, it was hard to make out any details at the start. The first thing Sinine could notice was that the figure was a man, rather large, standing about a head taller than the girl and with shoulders twice as broad. He was carrying something over one of those shoulders that only made his figure appear bigger in the shadow. 

As the man approached the details became more clear. He wore a green double breasted vest though no shirt underneath leaving his defined shoulders and arms in full view. His hair was black and combed back from a face which despite its many scars had avoided disfigurement and was not altogether unhandsome. There was the shading of a beard along his jaw and his dark eyes squinted slightly in the changing light.

Sinine took in the details as he made his way toward her. His face wasn’t one she knew which meant he was most likely a guest. She stepped  back from the horses, ready to bow and give her typical greeting when the man spoke.

“Apologies miss, we are a little short handed in the stables today. If you bear with me for a moment I’ll be happy to help you prepare your mount.” As he spoke he lowered the load from his shoulder. It was a bag of oats that Sinine recognized from the storeroom. She stepped back a little farther as he tore open the bag and began to fill the troughs in front of the stalls. This certainly wasn’t the regular stableboy and it didn't seem he was a guest. With no other options Sinine quickly figured this must be the new bouncer.

She watched as he worked regarding his smooth movements as the muscles flexed and relaxed under his scarred skin. “I was a little behind this morning. I just need to get these guys fed and we’ll get you sorted right away.” His voice was deep and a little rough but not unpleasant. The professional tone he took, while sounding sincere, still seemed a little out of place in such a voice and Sinine giggled as he continued to address her as a guest. 

“Please take your time, I’m in no hurry,” she said, not yet correcting him as he continued his work. She could see why the girls had spoken of him in swooning terms. He had a rough handsomeness to him and an obvious strength that would have seemed intimidating were there not also an aura of gentleness in how the man carried himself. 

Once he finished and the horses were happily feasting he folded up the now empty sack as he turned back towards the maid. Stepping forward he looked down at the girl and paused for a moment as if words briefly escaped him. With a kind but nervous smile he eventually spoke, “Now miss, how can I be of service?”

Sinine giggled covering her mouth, not yet letting the man in on her little joke. “Well that is a very good question.” The girl said as she crossed her arms and placed her finger on her chin in contemplation. “I don’t believe I’ve ever been asked that before, what do I need service with?” As she spoke she rapped her finger before looking back at the man. “Well perhaps you can help me figure that out. What are you good at providing service for?” As she finished she raised an eyebrow playfully, eager to hear his answer.