INT. CONNACHT HOUSE. EVENING.
Morrighan is sitting in front of a fire, clothed in her under armors, with a large cloth enveloping her. The woman from the end of the last chapter sits down next to her, holding her hands out to warm herself. She is dressed warmly, with light brown hair, braided and tied off at her shoulders. Morrighan is lost in thought, a pastime she finds herself engaging in more often since the beginning of this arc, and Reina decides to spark a conversation to get Morrighan out of her adrift gaze into the small, embering fire.

REINA
Winter’s been mighty harsh, hasn’t it? Been inside all day but you still look freezing!

Morrighan turns and realizes she’s there for the first time, she readjusts herself in front of the fire.

MORRIGHAN
Aye, it’s really been something else. I’ll be fine, though. Thank you again so much for harboring me for the past few days, Reina. I’m ever so grateful.

REINA
Oh it’s no trouble at all. Gives me a chance to put my healing knowledge to good use. Most of the men have been out for a while in the mines, so very few injuries as of late.

She turns her head towards Morrighan.

REINA
Nice having someone else to talk to.

Reina pulls on the cloth sheet Morrighan’s been using, indicating she’d like to join her under it.

REINA
Do you mind?

Morrighan shakes her head. Reina slips inside the covers, wrapping them around her side, huddling up next to her places her head on Morrighan’s shoulder. Morrighan adjusts, she can feel Reina shivering.

REINA
S-sorry, the fire is small, and we’ve only the one quilt.

MORRIGHAN
You don’t have to ask me to make space for you in your own house. You’re being overly polite.

Reina smiles and laughs to herself. Morrighan changes the subject.

MORRIGHAN
Your remedies have been working so far. I’ll have to go out and break in my body soon, though. The rest has been much needed, but I’ll need to get back into my routines.

REINA
How long do you think you’ll stay?

MORRIGHAN
Another day or two should do it.

REINA
I can manage that. If you don’t mind going out for food for us in exchange.

MORRIGHAN
Course. Haven’t had to hunt in a long time, should be fun.

Brynn, the young son of Reina, no older than seven walks into the room, holding and looking as if he’d been rolling around in mud for the past hour.

MORRIGHAN
Oh, hello again, you.

REINA
Brynn! What on earth did you do to your clothes? And you should be in bed, it’s awfully late.