Hilde covered her mouth and coughed politely. "Um... I'm afraid that I didn't react well when they burst in. I don't think they will be permanently damaged, a few bruises and perhaps a broken arm." Her voice was contrite for truthfully she had reacted in a panic at being surprised half naked. If Gilbecht was shocked he didn't show it. "Ah, well, then discourtesy is its own punishment. Nevertheless, I apologise." Hilde nodded to give herself time to think. The problem with lies was that it was easy to get tangled up. "I have no relationship with Sargent Reiner or Cedric as the men usually called him. We exchanged a few words at briefings and such but we scouts kept pretty separate." It seemed to Hilde that Gilbrecht relaxed a little at that. The man seemed to swing between moods with unreasonable speed. Hilde had experience tending the mad and the knight didn't seem insane, but he was strung extremely tight for reasons she couldn't fathom. "As to a witch, I hope I haven't any association with such a person." "Lord Egling, I don't know what we have done that has made you suspicious, I am just a soldier," Hilde explained forcing herself to smile. Gilbrecht smiled slightly more genuinely. "I don't think women are permitted to be soldiers in the Imperial Army," he commented midly. Hilde bristled inspite of her intention to remain friendly. "That is true, we can only sign on for contracts, as mercenaries," she explained, it had been hard to find a commander who would take her even so, at least one who didn't expect a non military services in return. The thought of a half dozen such lewd proportions made her ears burn. Shallya only knew where she would find another such commander. "Why would a beautiful young woman want to be a soldier? It's a dirty blood business, not a place for a woman," Gilbrecht continued. Hilde's temper rose both at the suggestion that she couldn't take the pressure and the clumsy gallantly both. It wasn't any of his business, it wasn't any of anyone's business. ------------- Isolde smiled warmly at Cedric. True to Gilbrecht's word the soldiers stayed at the open door. She was dressed in a simple white dress but had braided her hair in intricate tresses. The sorceress had eschewed all jewelry to draw Cedric’s attention to the brass bracelet fastened around her wrist. She had taken what care she could to prepare the room. All she had to offer was the same roast pork and boiled vegetables that the garrison had, but she had found plates and cups for the wine. The soldiers had taken care to make sure she had no way to pass a message. "I can't believe you are here," she enthused. "What have you been doing since we last saw each other?"