and a quick dip in the cold pond, Kaia grabbed her clothes and ran back to the tavern, partially dressed. Everyone was talking about the sacrifice-- hadn't they done it while she slept? Kaia wondered. Ominous thunder rumbled overhead and Kaia glanced up at the angry skies... that cannot be good, she thought.

Dashing into the Red Boar, she made right for her packs, weaving her way through all the newcomers-- was that man kissing Amalasuntha? Oh, he'd better watch himself or he'd be skinned alive! Bundle of fresh clothing in hand, Kaia went quickly to one of the back rooms to tidy up for the sacrifice.

A few minutes later, she reentered the room and for the first time in months felt truly lovely-- her clean dress was dark green with a coppery embroidery, her boots matched, and all traces of strain were gone from her face; she'd even brushed and braided her hair, putting half of it up into elaborate coils. She even wore her jewelry...

Kaia replaced her bags along the wall and looked around for something to do...