RHYS BREATHED DEEPLY, sucking as much of the astringent scent of cloves into his nostrils as possible. The hands clasping the mug of tea only trembled a bit, but he could explain that away as old age.
"Now you're settled, why don't you tell us who you are and why you're here."
Rhys glanced around for the other part of the 'us' the woman was referring to but there was no one there besides the two of them. Of course, that didn't mean no one was listening. He took a sip of tea to help gather his thoughts, watching her over the rim of his mug. She took her hair out of its tie and shook out the red curls. The orange from the forge fire backlit her cascade of tresses, and it appeared her hair was aflame. Rhys could appreciate her beauty from an aesthetic point of view.
He took another deep si
