"I hate winter."

Hannah looked up at the words, gazing over at Christopher one evening at the shop. Familiar words, those. But she didn't want to think too much about it.

"We'll be closing a little early starting from today. Until the cold eases up, you know. No one's about at night these days."

"Come spring though, just you wait and see," Judy murmured. "Everyone'll be out wanting new dresses."

"That's right. So I'll be needing all of you then. No spring weddings, understand?" he joked, and the women laughed.

"Can I go now then?" Ginia asked, already packing her things.

Christopher nodded, and she trotted up to Hannah. "Shall we?"

"You go ahead," Hannah said, a little embarrassed. It was strange; Ginia had always been one of the most hardworking ones at Jono's, but here, she was often the last in and first out.

Hannah doubled back behind the counter, helping to clear up the sewing. Christopher eyed her for awhile, then slipped away, heading upstairs with his wife.

One by one, the women finished their work and took off, leaving Hannah by herself. There were still things to be done, and she wasn't in any rush to get back to the church. She did some sweeping, cleaned the front window, and was gathering the day's garbage when Christopher re-appeared, alone this time.

"Hannah," he said, one hand on his side. "Aren't you off yet?"

"Yes, I'm heading out."

"You can leave that, I'll take care of it."

"Oh. Thank you."

He came behind the counter, watching as she knelt to re-tie her shoes. "You know, we really like you, Judy and I. You work hardest among the girls, without ever a complaint. And you're very patient with the customers."

"Well, I try to be."

He laughed gently at that. "Yes, I know they can be difficult."

"But it's alright, because you, Judy and the others are very helpful."

"Yes," he said quietly, stroking his stubbly jaw. She stood up, but he didn't move, gazing at her instead.

"You're not anything like your friend, are you?" he said suddenly.

"What?"

"Ginia, I mean. Are the two of you very close?"

"We used to work together. But that was before – well." Hannah paused, wondering how to explain. Should she even say anything? She knew the tailor's was meant to be a fresh start for Ginia. She didn't want to be the one bringing up the past. "She's been through some terrible things."

"You mean Raul?"

She did a short, quick breath. "You know about him?"

"Used to work with the man. Never knew what he was though. Never knew he was selling me, shall we say, 'bad goods', or I should have never carried on with it." He shook his head. "I suppose that's why his prices were the best."

"Is that how you found Ginia?"

"I didn't find Ginia," he corrected. "She found me. She came to me and Judy a few months ago and demanded that we 'help' her, or she would spread the word about my connection with Raul, put us all in trouble."

Hannah had to think a minute to understand what he was saying, what he was accusing her friend of. "Ginia wouldn't do that."

"Oh? If you believe that, then perhaps you don't know her so well after all."

"She loves working here."

"Because Judy and I are forced to give her whatever she wants. She takes advantage of our kindness."

Hannah was stunned. But at a second thought, she realized Christopher might very well be lying to her. After all, she barely knew him. Why should she trust his word over her own friend's?

"So what about you, Hannah?" Christopher put to her. "Are you watching us too?"

"Please, I know nothing of this."

He peered down at her for a moment, fingers tapping lightly on the countertop. "I believe you."

"I really should go."

At last, he shifted, stepping back enough for her to squeeze out.

"Have a good night," he murmured, his arms crossed over his chest.

She glanced back at him, but didn't answer as she left. What had just happened? Could Christopher have made the entire story up? But why? What did he stand to gain from doing that? Was he trying to hurt Ginia somehow?

The next morning, Hannah left for work later than usual, knowing that Ginia was always several minutes after her. She wasn't far from the shop when she caught sight of her friend's small frame and black hair. She called to her, running over.

"You're a little late this morning, Hannah," Ginia noted, her arms tucked into her chest against the cold.

"Yes, I ... didn't sleep very well."

"You're not ill, are you?"

"No. It's just – I've got a lot on my mind." She waited, realizing this was as good a time as any to confront her friend. "Ginia, I need to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"I was talking to Christopher last night, and he said some things about you. About how you came to work here."

Ginia didn't meet her eyes. "And?"

"He said that ... that you made him take you in."

Ginia stopped in the middle of the lane, gazing at her. "So?"

"You mean it's true?"

"What else could I have done?" Ginia said, shrugging her shoulders.

"You – you could have asked for his help instead of threatening him."

"And you think he would have taken me? Hannah, please. No one in this city cares about us."

"Christopher and Judy are good people."

"Good people are blind until you do something to get their attention."

"And what about me? You dragged me into this without telling me anything."

"You needed work, didn't you? Well, I found you work. You ought to be grateful."

"Grateful? I was only hired because they're afraid of you."

"You don't realize how lucky we are. Would you rather be on the streets? Begging? Or worse?"

"It isn't luck," she insisted. "You're taking advantage of them. I never thought you could do such a thing, Ginia. I'm ashamed."

Ginia straightened, staring at her. Without a word, she went ahead on her own, no doubt hurt and angry. Hannah followed at a distance, wondering if she should have just kept quiet instead. But something as important as that – she'd needed to know.

She walked slowly to the tailor's, reluctantly making her way in. Ginia was chatting to the other women, and ignoring her now.

So this was how it would be. How could this be her friend, the same sweet, affable girl from all her days at Jono's? She had been changed, Hannah realized, in ways that could never be undone.

She did her best to stay out of Ginia's way, and was relieved after she left for the day. She stayed behind that evening, and was the last one on the floor again after all the women had gone home, together with Christopher.

"Christopher?" she asked.

"Hmm?"

"You were saying that the shop will be very busy in the spring."

"That's right."

"Would it be too busy to let me off for a day or two?"

He glanced at her. "What for?"

"I want to go home to Chell, my village, and see a friend of mine. I believe he's just had his first child."

"Hmm. Well, I'm sure we can manage."

"Really? You're sure?"

He looked up, smiling warmly. "No one else here deserves it as much as you do. So yes, Hannah, I am sure."

"Thank you," she murmured.

"Not at all."

She paused, frowning a little as she remembered their talk last night. She wished she hadn't tried to defend Ginia, not at least until she had known the truth. She realized now that it was impossible to be sure of anyone's character, even a trusted friend's.

She approached the counter, standing before Christopher, and he looked up, his face expectant. "What is it?"

"I spoke to Ginia today," she said quietly. "After what you told me, I wanted to hear her side of things."

"Oh. Well, what did she say?"

"She admitted everything. You were right. I really don't know her at all. I tried to reason with her, tried to tell her what she was doing was wrong, but she wouldn't listen."

"I'm not surprised."

"She's changed. She didn't use to be anything like this."

Christopher kept quiet, not seeming very sympathetic. Then again, she couldn't blame him.

"She would never have become like this if not for Raul."

"Raul deserved his fate."

"But not her."

Christopher leaned on the counter, peering at her. "You still feel sorry for her, even now?"

"You don't understand, Christopher."

"What don't I understand?"

She hesitated, staring at the counter, at the account books, Christopher's fine, white hands. She'd thought she'd managed to bury everything that had happened, but no. The guilt was still there, waking after being forgotten for so long, and it hurt viciously. "I betrayed her."

"What? How?"

"I can't say anymore," she mumbled, shaking her head.

"Oh, come on, Hannah. I do not believe you could ever betray anyone."

"You're wrong." She paused, looking around nervously as if Ginia might still be around. "I told the guard where to find Raul. I helped to catch him."

Christopher leaned back, surprised by this secret. "Because you knew, didn't you? You knew what he was, unlike us."

"Please don't ever tell her."

"Hannah, you put too much on yourself. He would have been captured eventually."

"But if I had kept quiet – "

"No good friend would have kept quiet."

And it was the strangest thing. Hannah had told herself the same words thousands of times, but had never been able to believe them. Not until she could hear them from someone else, someone who had her trust and respect.

Christopher rubbed his eyes, looking tired. "You should go. Get some rest."

"I – alright."

He came around the counter, handing Hannah her shawl as she readied to leave.

"You promise not to tell anyone?" she asked again, lingering at the door.

"Of course. Your secret is safe. Goodnight, Hannah."

She nodded, accepting his word. She plunged outside into the cold, feeling alone yet comforted. Christopher had taken away some of the doubt and self-blame – not all, but it was the best she could hope for.

From that day on, she held a new regard for him, and when she worked, it was not only for herself, but for him as well. Ginia, now at the same time a friend and enemy, left her alone, and she did the same, the two skirting around each other and hardly speaking.

As the days of winter took on a touch of warmth, people began to emerge from hiding, taking to the streets of Dalen and bringing life and sound to the city again. The tailor's slowly saw more and more customers, and Hannah embraced the work. They kept her thoughts off other things, if only for a while.

Coming back to the church one evening, she was about to head up when the greeter stopped her. "A message for you, Miss Hannah." She handed over a small envelope, and Hannah accepted it with thanks. She read the sparse words as she climbed the stairs:

'Dear friend,

You are invited to the house of Stefan and Alyssa Tanner on the night of tomorrow for an intimate dinner party. Your attendance will be warmly appreciated.

With thanks,

Mr. and Mrs. Stefan Tanner'

Hannah frowned, folding up the card. So what was this to be – a celebration of their return, or a chance to break the news of their leaving? She was afraid to find out. It seemed like she was not meant to have friends in her life – she had lost her closeness with Kaye, Shelby, Kurt, and soon it would be the same with Alyssa as well. All she had in her life was her brother, really. And Macks. She couldn't quite forget about him.

The next day, she found herself dreading the dinner, and didn't tell anyone about it, not even Christopher. But of course, she would go. She even remembered to bring Alyssa's precious blue dress, the one she had loaned to her - that seemed so long ago now.

It was about seven when she left the tailor's to take the walk over to the Tanner house. She had never gone there from the shop before, and tried a shortcut through the nobles' neighborhood. She looked around as she walked, over smiling faces, willowy coats, warm-looking carriages. How she wished she could be a noblewoman living in such a beautiful part of Dalen. Would she be happier if she were? Would she have more friends?

From afar, she saw the bright, summery colors of Alyssa's street. She walked along, her eye passing the roofs and windows, and spotted smoke rising from the Tanner house. There was light and movement inside; she must be the last to arrive because of work.

She went up to knock, recognizing the spindly servant that admitted her. "Miss Hannah Iver," he announced, standing at the entryway to the sitting room.

Hannah started inside, then stopped at the small crowd – Stefan and Alyssa were there, surrounded by officers and what looked like their wives. She had assumed her brother would be there, but apparently he hadn't been invited. Hannah swallowed, feeling out of place until Alyssa came up, kissing her cheek. "Dear Hannah, I've been waiting for you."

"I'm sorry."

"I hope you're hungry. What's this you're carrying?"

"It's your dress."

"My dress?"

"The blue one." She started to unbundle it, but Alyssa stopped her, placing it on a stand. "Come, dinner's all ready." She took Hannah's hand, leading her towards the dining hall as the others followed.

Hannah glanced at her friend, feeling impatient. "How ... how are you, Alyssa?"

"I'm fine."

"Really?"

"Yes, of course. I'm happy to see you again."

"So am I."

They entered the hall, and Hannah was surprised by the size of the feast. There were different meats, bread and fruit under the candlelight, and tall pitchers of mead and wine at the ready. "May I sit with you?" she asked, and Alyssa nodded keenly.

"Please do," she said, as servants appeared to seat them. Slowly, the other guests trailed in, murmuring and praising the spread. Hannah turned to her friend, meaning to find out more, but was distracted by the sight of someone she knew.

Macks. Of course he would be here. The Captain moved along the other side of the room, one eye on her. He didn't look very happy as he sat down across from them, and Hannah took that to be a bad sign.

As soon as everyone was seated, Stefan thanked them for coming, apologizing for his and Alyssa's long absence. "Indeed, we have regretted being away, but unfortunately, it could not be helped. As you know, we are nothing without our friends. We're very happy to have your company this evening, and we do hope you enjoy yourselves." He sat down, and Hannah frowned.

Why had he been so vague? He'd acted as if he and Alyssa had gone off for business or a trip rather than for some serious purpose. She stole looks at the other guests, and was sure they had all noticed the same thing. But out of politeness, none of them said anything. Instead, one of the officers offered a toast, and everyone raised their glasses to the young couple.

"Alyssa," Hannah said in a low voice, turning to her friend. "When did you arrive in Dalen?"

"Three days ago. In the morning."

"I hope ... you've managed to settle back in well?"

"Oh, yes, everything is fine," she answered, putting on a brave smile.

The two girls paused for a moment, neither of them wanting to mention anything about their kidnap. The memory seemed painfully vivid in Hannah's head at this moment, reminded by her friend's face and voice.

"I've heard you are working at that tailor on Purcell," Alyssa spoke again. "Is that right?

Hannah nodded mutely, thinking they should not be bothering with that kind of small talk.

"It is a lovely little shop."

"I hope I can see you in there one of these days?"

"Perhaps, but I am ... somewhat tired from the trip. I've not gone out since we got back."

"Maybe you should."

"No, this is where I want to be. Home, safe and sound."

Hannah shook her head. "Nothing will happen to you, Alyssa."

"Oh, Hannah," she sighed, staring at her plate. "What an awful thing I put you through."

"Please, it wasn't your fault."

Alyssa turned her honey head, focusing on her husband. "It's Stefan I feel sorry for most of all. He's fought so hard for me."

"You are fortunate."

"And he unfortunate. I could not be worth such trouble."

"That isn't true."

"You girls aren't eating," Stefan noticed, looking between them. "There'll be enough time for conversation later. Miss Iver?"

Hannah leaned back, digging her fork into her meat. To be fair, it really was a fine dinner, the best the Tanners had ever served. But the fact made her nervous. Was it supposed to be some sort of compensation, a buffer for coming bad news?

After the meal, Stefan stood up, revealing that he had something to announce. Hannah knew in her bones that it was happening. She was about to lose Alyssa. "You will all have probably heard by now, but in case this is not so, my wife and I would like to make our decision known. We have decided to leave Dalen and build our life elsewhere. Where we will go has not been decided yet, but we hope to have you visit us, wherever that may be."

It seemed that everyone's hearts sank together, leaving a moment of gaping silence.

One of the officers cleared his throat, his brows knitting solemnly. "What about the guard?"

"I've already spoken to the Commander. He has agreed to release me from my duties." He paused, gesturing to his side. "In my place, Macks will be given the rank of First Captain."

Hannah stiffened in surprise. That thought had never occurred to her, although it made sense. There was no better person to take Stefan's place. Was he happy about it, she wondered? She looked across the table, but Macks was stuck in a pensive pose – one hand under his chin, his eyes fixed on the table.

"Well," the same officer went on, rubbing his neck. "It's very disappointing, Stefan. Of course, we had heard, but we were hoping ... "

"Alyssa and I will be sorry to leave you all, and Dalen. But this is for the best."

"Of course," one of the wives nodded. "We wish you both well."

"I thank you for your good blessing."

Hannah looked to her friend, who did a tight smile. "I'm sorry, Hannah," she said quietly.

Some of the other guests stood, carrying their wineglasses into the sitting room. Stefan nodded at Macks, and they disappeared as well.

Alyssa glanced at the others who had stayed behind, looking uncomfortable. "Excuse us," she said, getting to her feet. "Hannah, please follow me, I have something I wish to show you."

"Alright." She went with her friend, the two of them retreating upstairs.

"How I hate this," Alyssa sighed once they were seated safely in her bedroom. "I hardly even know most of those people, aside from Macks."

"Alyssa, I have to ask. Are you really sure this is the best thing for you?"

"Yes. We've made up our minds, and already begun the preparations. See?" She led her around the bed, pointing to some packed bags. "Stefan and I knew, on our way from Ulren, that we wanted to get away. Have a change."

"But what if you can't get away? How do you know they won't find you again?"

Alyssa bristled at that. "Please, Hannah, don't say such things."

"I'm sorry. I'm not trying to upset you. I just think it seems hasty."

"I must apologize to you for this, for everything."