Other than Macks Droy, there was another Captain on the guard, although Hannah had forgotten it, and forgotten his name.

She saw him while coming down from her room one morning. He was standing below near the door, talking to Sister Vicki, a slight, young woman on his arm. Because he wore a uniform identical to Macks', she had a moment of panic, thinking it was him. But then she saw that this man had dark hair, and an unsmiling, beardful mouth.

"Hannah?" Sister Vicki spotted her and started waving her down. "Come, come. Have you met the First Captain?"

This was the First Captain? Macks' partner? They were truly like night and day.

She moved faster, stopping before the couple. She couldn't help feeling – not just plain – but unimportant, in front of them. The First Captain was tall and elegant, and the girl next to him pretty and modest in soft colors, a broad ribbon across her honey head. To Hannah's surprise, she smiled, the spread of her lips warm and sincere, no airs at all.

"Hannah, this is Captain Stefan Tanner," Sister Vicki introduced. "Captain, her brother is one of your students."

"Oh, yes?"

"Rio Iver," Hannah detailed.

"Ah, yes. Iver. A good student. One of Macks' favorites."

She did a tight smile.

"This is my wife, Alyssa. She is new to Dalen. I brought her here right after we were married."

Alyssa did a little curtsy, and Hannah thought she should learn how to do that. "I am happy to meet you, Hannah. You're the first person I've met since I've come to Dalen."

"After Macks, you mean," Stefan corrected her.

"Oh, yes. The first lady then."

Hannah blinked. No one had ever called her a lady before. "How long have you been in Dalen now, Alyssa?"

"Almost two weeks. I am still trying to get accustomed to it all."

"Where do you hail from?"

"Ulren. It's a small town further up the coast."

"Hannah moved here to Dalen only a few months ago herself," Sister Vicki explained.

"Really? Where from?"

"Um, Chell," she answered, embarrassed. "It's a – small village nearby."

"Oh. Was it difficult for you at first?"

"Of course. Still is, in a way."

Alyssa sighed, looking heartsick, and Hannah added, "But you'll bear it, the same way I did. With time."

Both she and Stefan smiled at that. "I will believe you then," the young girl answered, appreciative.

"Are you off to work again, Hannah?" Sister Vicki asked, looking her over.

"Yes, and I'm afraid I'm going to be late. I'm sorry, but I have to go."

"I hope we will meet again soon." Alyssa curtsied again, at the same time her husband bowed, and Hannah felt awkward just standing there. She put one ankle behind the other as Alyssa had done and tried copying the gesture, but ended up doing an unseemly wobble, almost losing her balance.

"Goodbye," she said, blushing as she took off.

What a lovely couple, she thought to herself as she ran towards Jono's, skirts in hand. Alyssa was the kind of woman she wished she could be – pretty, kind, probably well-bred – while Stefan seemed the sort of man anyone would respect. That was what a Captain should be like, she thought to herself.

She turned sharply, circling the Corona and diving into Jono's. Everyone was already there, and the girls had started cleaning. Jono, all the way from behind the bar, slapped a hand on the counter and yelled, "That's ten gold off your pay, Hannah. Perhaps that'll teach you not to be late."

She frowned sourly, getting a look of sympathy from Ginia. Well, at least it had been for good reason. And she wasn't in Jono's for the money. But she did hate mistakes, even if they were not actually her fault.

That day was particularly busy, and Hannah found herself occupied well into evening before she realized her shift was over. She stayed for some dinner first, eating with Ginia. There were only a handful of customers now, and Hannah enjoyed just being amidst the calm with everyone else. It was a bit like the lull after a storm.

"Payday," Jono said, as she told him she was heading off. He tossed over a small, light-sounding bag of money. "Hundred and ten gold. Congratulations, Hannah. You've survived your first month."

She made a face. A salary of one hundred fifty was already sad, anything less was insulting. Still, she made sure to bite her tongue and walk away, still wearing Ginia's dress since she was too tired to change. It was a bit improper for Magda's, but she planned to throw on her shawl just before going inside.

"Hannah!"

She turned just outside of the eating house, looking for the voice that had called her. Three boys came towards her – Rio, backed by Felix and Jay. Her brother looked and sounded awfully cheerful, though he frowned as he came up to her. "We looked for you at Magda's, but they said to come here. It's a little late to be going back now, don't you think?"

"It's not so bad, Rio," she defended herself, making sure to nod at his friends. "Were you planning on dinner?"

"No, no, we already ate. I came to give you some news."

"Good news?"

"Yes. It's the First Captain. He's invited you and me to his home for dinner. Can you believe it? Us?"

"I met him today. Him and his wife."

"Yes, he told me. Actually, that was the first time he'd ever talked to me. I was shocked."

"He's a scary man," Felix put in, grasping his chin. "He doesn't talk, he barks."

"He seemed nice to me."

"He caught me with my cards a month ago and I'm still on punishment," Jay whined. "I hate him."

Rio cleared his throat. "Excuse me. You're ruining my news."

"He's rich," Jay offered, nodding at Hannah. "So I'm sure it will be a very fancy dinner."

"No, no, you have it wrong," gangly Felix shook his head. "It's his wife that's the rich one."

"Ohhh." He took a pause, musing to himself. "Wonder if she has younger sisters … "

"Wait, Felix, how do you know all this?" Rio questioned.

"Unlike the both of you, I use my ears more than my mouth."

"Anyway," Rio said, while Hannah chuckled. "We're to be at his house tomorrow evening. Can you make it?"

"I have work."

"Well, get out of it. We can't turn him down. That would be too rude."

"Funny, I never knew you to care about manners."

"Alright, fine, I don't want him to punish me like Jay."

"He won't punish you, Rio. But yes, I do want to see Alyssa again, so I'll see what I can do."

Rio blinked. "Who?"

"Alyssa – his wife."

"Oh."

"I knew that," Felix said, and Rio pretended to ignore him.

"I'll come by to fetch you tomorrow so we can go together," Rio told his sister. "Will you be here or at Magda's?"

"I have no idea."

He sighed. "Well, I'll leave earlier just in case. How are you doing so far?"

"With Jono's?"

"With everything."

She wanted to tell him she'd been paid, but the low amount was too embarrassing to mention. "Alright," she managed to say. "I'm doing alright."

"I think, with Captain Tanner inviting us to his home like this … well, who knows? This could be quite a step up for us, Hannah."

"Not to upset you, my boy," Jay slotted in. "But your life doesn't get better just from having a few high-placed friends."

"Ah, what would I listen to you for? You've never had any."

Jay went red, and before he could say anything, Hannah raised her hand. "Alright. I thank you all for coming to see me, but I want to get back to Magda's. Now."

Rio waved her over. "Come, we'll walk you."

She had to admit, it was a good feeling having three young guards escorting her home. If only Jay and her brother could have reduced their banter, it would have been a more pleasant walk.

While they argued pointlessly, she edged over to Felix's side. "Felix."

"Yes, Rio's sister?"

"What else can you tell me about Captain Tanner?"

"The First Captain?"

"I'd like to know more about him before I visit his house tomorrow. If that's possible … ?"

"We don't know the First Captain all that well. We rarely see him, so most of what we know is from the Second Captain or the older guards. Many call him proud, and difficult to get along with. Captain Droy praises him highly, but I don't know if he truly means it or if he does so only out of respect."

"What do you think?"

"I think … I think Captain Droy is a truthful man."

Hannah struggled to keep a straight face.

"I'm sure it will be a lovely dinner," Felix encouraged, smiling at her. "Just enjoy yourself."

"Thank you, Felix. I will."

Later that night, as she lay in bed, she decided to use her money to do something nice for her brother. And for the First Captain and his wife too. She would buy them all gifts – somehow, with her small budget.

Early in the morning the next day, she rushed to the marketplace. She bounced from store to store, but it wasn't easy deciding what they might want. She had never bought presents for anyone before.

She later settled on a box of biscuits for Stefan and Alyssa, but didn't want to do the same for her brother. She wanted to give him something lasting, something he could always remember.

On the edge of the market, she saw all manner of people sitting on the ground, their goods spread on blankets. There were furs, handmade toys, old-looking knick knacks, 'magic' rings, ancient men with ancient medicine – just about anything one can imagine. Most of the items here were cheaper, although most of them also looked used and possibly even filched.

A little girl suddenly popped up in front of her, smiling a gap smile. "Come, come!"

"What?" Hannah went cluelessly, as the child grabbed her hand and dragging away.

"Come over here, look at Mother's things!"

Hannah followed along, clumsily, coming to a woman near the end, cradling a baby in her arms as she sat. In front of her lay a mess of things – probably collected by her daughter.

"Look," the little girl said excitedly, picking up a big, foreign coin – probably Hojai. "Treasure. Only fifteen gold."

Hannah had to laugh. "No, thank you."

"How about this?" She held up a stack of papers – someone's forgotten poems. "Eleven gold."

"No ... "

"Ten? Nine?"

Hannah shook her head, but found herself looking at the solemn mother on the ground. She looked so haggard and sad, as if she had no love to give to her infant child. It made Hannah's heart feel dark, and reminded her of her own mother.

"Please?" the little girl's voice struck her after awhile, and Hannah met her bright, brown eyes. "It's all good treasure."

Hannah swallowed, smacked by guilt. She looked over the offers, taking a while to settle on a decorated red coat. It looked warm and like it would fit her brother. Surely it would come in handy on a cold night or two?

She pointed at it for the little girl. "How much for that?"

"That? Oh ... fifty gold."

Hannah raised her brows. "I'll give you thirty."

"Thirty-five?"

The mother looked up, and Hannah felt sheepish. "Alright, thirty-five. We're agreed."

Afterwards, when Hannah rushed into Jono's, he glanced over at her, but didn't say anything. After they had done the cleaning and readied the tables, she stole a moment to tell him about Stefan's invitation.

"Well, that's quite inconvenient," he complained. "You should have told me sooner."

"I'm sorry. I only just found out last night."

He waved his arm, looking impatient. "Go then. Go have your little dinner."

She smiled at that, happy despite his unfriendly tone. For once, she and Rio actually had something besides work to look forward to, something they could do together. She found it hard to concentrate, excited as she was.

Hours later, just before dusk, her brother appeared, waltzing in now that he was so familiar with the place. Off in a corner, Jono rolled his eyes. He didn't seem to like Rio very much. "Are you ready?"

"I need to change. Wait for me." She hurried to Jono. "I'm going now."

"Yes, yes, off with you."

She had brought her blue dress just for that evening, and she went to the supply room to put it on. This dress, her special dress. It made her feel almost pretty, wearing it, almost like the kind of girl that caught men's eyes and hearts.

"Do you know where it is?" Hannah asked her brother as she emerged.

"Not really. Captain Droy drew a map for me but ... " He produced a wrinkled slip of paper from his pocket, and Hannah took a long time to study the unkempt lines and arrows.

"Useless like the man."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. You know ... I do believe I know how to get us there."

"You do?" he was surprised. "How?"

"From studying my maps. Would you mind if I tried?"

"Be my guest. Your lead, Sister."

"Thank you," she said, doing a mock bow. "I'm going to have to try and act ladylike for these people, won't I? As best as I can."

"I hope you can manage. Please don't strain yourself."

"Be quiet," she shot back, smacking him between the shoulders.

"Hannah, please! I have enough sore aches from training as it is!"

"Then a little more makes no difference." She handed out a bundle to him. "Here."

"What's this?"

"It's for you."

He gave it a wary look. "A gift?"

"Yes, and stop dallying. Go on, take it. Try it on."

Gingerly, he took the coat from her, undoing the string and opening it up against himself. "Well. It's very ... red."

Hannah lifted a brow.

"But thank you," he said, sounding suddenly genuine. "This was very nice of you, Hannah."

"You're welcome," she answered, watching as he slipped it on. It didn't look so bad once worn, looked almost formal. Perfect for a dinner invitation.

She smiled, then turned, pointing right. "Come on then. This way. I think."

It was a long walk, but pleasant in the cool air, and Hannah was spurred by realizing that she did know these streets better than she thought, that building or that canal. They seeped from the city centre, heading into the small, fine estates along the outskirts. It was dark by the time they reached a connected row of houses that looked like the right address according to Macks' appalling instructions. Every house on that street was a different color, and the dark scarlet one looked to be correct, according to what Macks had circled.

"Go on, Rio," Hannah urged him. "Go on and knock."

"Me?"

"He's your Captain after all."

"So? I barely speak to him. Anyway, you're older."

"What does that matter?"

He shrugged, standing in place.

"Come on, we'll go together." She took his arm, and they went up the stone steps together. Just as she moved to knock, the doors opened and made them jump. A stiff-lipped man in uniform greeted them by name and allowed them in, where Alyssa herself stood waiting to receive them.

"You made it, both of you," she said happily, looking more relaxed today in a simple dress, with her long hair down. She came forward, giving Hannah a quick hug, and making her blush happily.

"This must be your brother, Rio?"

Rio stood straight, smiling handsomely for the young lady. "Mrs. Tanner."

"Oh, Alyssa, please."

"Thank you for inviting us," Hannah said politely.

"You're the ones I should be thanking. It's good to have some company in this house."

Rio nudged his sister, and Hannah suddenly remembered the biscuits. "Here. We brought this for you," she said awkwardly. "I hope you and Stefan like it."

"Oh, that's so nice. Come inside then and we'll share it." She led them to the main room, which Hannah couldn't help thinking looked as large as their whole house in Chell. "Stefan isn't home yet, so we'll wait for him before we dine."

They sat down, and a servant came awhile later, offering tea and serving Hannah's biscuits. For a moment, they were all quiet as they sipped, and Hannah gazed out the window to the dark street, wondering it must be like to live in a house like this, with servants to wait on her. Servants ... like her mother.

Beside her, Rio asked a question, one she'd asked Alyssa before.

" ... from Ulren," Alyssa answered, with a bit of a sigh. "Seven days away on horseback. I counted."

"Were you married there?" Hannah turned to ask, curious.

"Yes, not long ago. We're still very much newlyweds, Stefan and I."

"We only knew because Captain Droy mentioned it," Rio put in. "Captain Tanner never said a word about it himself."

"Stefan is very private."

"How did the two of you meet?" Hannah asked.

"I met him at a function in the city of Madsey. He was ... well, at first I found him quite frightening. He never smiled, and he barely said two words to me, but I was the only one he would dance with the entire night. So I figured he must like me, in his own way."

"And then?" Hannah prompted.

"It took time for him to open up to me. But once he did, we had wonderful talks. When he told me he was from Dalen, I said that the houses here were the most beautiful I'd ever seen. And he said we could have one, if I would marry him."

"How romantic," Hannah murmured, smiling. "So you said yes?"

"There were some problems at first," she said vaguely. "But yes. In the end, we were wed, and ... and now I'm here. As his wife."

"See how easy it is to be married?" Rio mused, glancing at his sister. "And look at you."

"Oh, no," Alyssa broke in before she could answer. "It's been anything but easy."

"What do you mean? You have such a lovely house, you're taken care of, and you seem happy. Aren't you happy?"

"I am, but ... "

"Do you miss home?" Hannah guessed. "I'm sure your family will come and visit you."

She started shaking her head. "They have a great deal of business there so I doubt it. At least not so soon."

"I know what it's like to have to leave your home. But you're lucky you still have your family. Rio and I lost both our parents."

Alyssa gazed between them, suddenly silent.

"Please," Rio spoke, shooting an accusing look at his sister. "I would not have you feel sorry for us. We have done quite well for ourselves, I think. Though it was more difficult for Hannah. I think she will always miss home."

"Home," Alyssa repeated. "Means nothing of houses or gardens, but people. The ones you love and who love you. The ones you want to be with, whether it be in a city, a town or any village."

"Beautifully said," someone's voice entered.

"Captain!" Rio shot up immediately, and Stefan gave him a nod.

"Rio. Miss Iver. Welcome to my home."

Hannah got to her feet, curtsying tentatively, inspired by Alyssa. "We thank you, Sir."

"Come, I'm hungry. Shall we dine?"

A little while later, the four of them were around a ten-man table, looking over everything the servants brought. Hannah and Rio had never seen a dinner this generous before, and were silent with awe.

"Please help yourselves," Alyssa invited, and Hannah watched as her brother started reaching for bowls.

Captain Stefan cleared his throat, nodding across the table. "How is training, Rio?"

"Oh," he stopped, becoming self-conscious. "It's going well."

"Yes?"

"Captain Droy is teaching us a lot."

"That is his role, and his strength. We make sure to divide what we are good at between ourselves."