• As Tal lay on the bed inside her and Fenwick's room at the Bear's Den Inn. The room had cost very little so Tal and Fenwick were able to afford it. A small pleasure to the two. The woman who owned the inn, upon seeing Tal and her cat-like features and her tattered clothes, had offered to give her a better dress. But Tal declined from the offer of a dress and instead asked for leggings, boots, and a tunic. The woman gave Tal a puzzled look, but none the less, she gave Tal some brown leggings, boots, and tunic. Tal had put them on as soon as she gotten into the room. They felt much better than her other clothes.
    Tal waited patiently for Fenwick to return from his exploration of the village. She smiled thinking of the martin's curiosity for just about everything. He had said he might bring something back, but even if he didn't Tal would be happy to see the little guy. He was such a wonderful companion to have around. All the way here, he had told Tal all sorts of rather comical stories and jokes that had made her weep with laughter and forget her worries.
    "I've never met anyone quite like him before. It would be a pity if something were to happen to him." Tal thought aloud. She then shivered at the thought of something happening to her little furry friend and pushed the idea out of her mind.
    She heard scratching at the door and opened it to find Fenwick with a pouch that jingled when he moved it. It was obviously a large sum of coins. Tal's eyes widened at the bag of money. She had never seen so much in her entire life. This would have been a fortune to her!
    "Fenwick, where did you get this?" Tal asked the martin increduously.
    The weasel smiled and said, "I got it off a drunk while he was playing chess with a sober young fellow with white hair. Looked real clever for someone who was only seventeen. Especially considering he kept lookin' at the women and attractin' em like bees to honey."
    Tal picked up the pouch and placed it in their bag. Clever little weasel. She thought with a chuckle.
    "Tal, do ya think you'll need a cape in case it gets colder? I'll be fine since I have fur, but you don't. You could ask the nice lady who gave ya the clothes if you could have one I think." Fenwick suggested helpfully.
    Tal stood up and considered the idea. A cape really wouldn't be a bad idea. After all, it wouldn't stay summer forever.
    "You have a point there, Fenwick. Tonight I'll ask her if I can have a cloak and if she can't supply me with one, where I can buy one." Tal told him, stretching her tail to its full extent.

    Downstairs at supper that night, Tal asked for a cloak to wear. The woman, Brigit, her name happened to be, was happy to supply her with one. But just as Brigit was about to hand Tal the cloak, a young man came and pushed it away.
    "No need, I'll supply her with one." he said in a charming, musical voice.
    Brigit drew in her breath upon glancing at him and scurried away, her face red as a ripe tomato.
    Tal looked at him. He was tall. His hair was long and white and in a horse-tail. His eyes were a mysterious, deep blue. His skin, unlike Tal's porcelain complexion, was a beautiful golden brown. The man's limbs were sinuous and muscular beneath his white shirt. His limber legs moved gracefully as if he were flying within his black trousers. He flashed a smile full of straight, perfectly white teeth. A thick pale blue cloak rested around the bulk of his broad shoulders. The man gave off a wonderful earthy night air scent that tickled Tal's nostrils. He was handsome, no doubt about that. But how could that intimidate a woman? She felt nothing save for irritated beneath his blue eyed gaze.
    Fenwick peered out from behind Tal's neck and whispered in her ear. "That's the young man I was talkin' about. The one who was playin' chess with the drunk." he murmured softly. "I don't like the looks of him. He seems too sneaky."
    You're not the only one who thinks so. Thought Tal, glaring at the man.
    "I could've just used the cloak she was gonna give me. You didn't need to offer yours. Besides, we don't even know each other, so if you don't mind, I'll take the one she was to give me." Tal said coldly.
    The handsome young man took out a thick forest green cloak and draped it over her shoulders. He bowed deeply. "Ah, so sorry. How rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Knight Silverblade."
    But Tal was gone before he had finished speaking. She had heard him, but did not want the comany of the likes of him. Knight just looked up increduously as Tal walked off to her room. He turned to the table and said, "Brigit, what room is that young lady in?"

    Tal took a much needed bath after Fenwick insisted that she took one. Well, she hadn't had one in two months, so she figured she could use one. As she put on the night shift that Brigit had given her, she heard a knock on the door and opened it to find the irritating Knight Silverblade in front of her. He opened his mouth to say something but Tal immediatly shut the door on him and yawned.
    "Hey!" he shouted. "I just wanted to speak to you!"
    "Do it in the morning." answered Tal, sulking off to the bed. "Good night, Fenwick."
    "G'night, Tal!" replied the martin, holding back a tidal wave of laughter.
    "What about me?" exclaimed the young man outside the door.
    "You can wait there until morning when I'm not as cranky." yawned Tal drifting to sleep.