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on these quiet folk. “No, thank you. I truly must move on.”
    Ryospar peered at her, eyes squinted. For a moment, Kira thought he would probe further, but he only nodded.
    “Come along, then,” he said. “We’ll gather yer goods and ye can be on yer way. Though I dare say, ’tisn’t as welcoming in the woods as by a forester’s fire.” He turned toward one of the lean-tos, carrying the hens. The little goat trundled after him, and Kira followed.
    Ryospar led the way into a small shed where he hung his lamp on a peg and set the hens on a nearby box. He picked up a small burlap bag from a stack in the corner, opened a barrel and began scooping out grain. When the sack was nearly full, he tied a cord around the opening and handed the bag to Kira.
    She took the bag and hefted it in her hand, feeling the weight of it. Ryospar closed the barrel, but the little goat nudged him and he raised the lid just enough to grab a small handful of grain. He held out his hand to the kid. It lipped the kernels gently from his palm, licking it clean afterward. Ryospar scrutinized Kira, who was watching him with the young animal, and shrugged. “He’s a nuisance, but I haven't got the heart to tie him up when I’m tending the stables.” He wiped his hand on his trousers before gathering the rest of the items from the holding’s stores. Placing a pouch of dried meat into a small but sturdy iron cooking pot, he turned to Kira and held the items out to her. “Ach, we’ll have to be asking after the blanket up to the main hall,” he said, as she took the proffered items. “We don’t keep them stores out here.” Intense curiosity crossed his face. “Are ye sure ye won’t stay and share the eve’s repast with us?”
    Kira smiled wistfully at him. “No, but thank you again for the kind offer.” She paused for a moment, casting a meaningful glance at the sack of grain in her hand. “And for the generous portions of grain and meat. I know you’ve over-measured both.”
    He raised both eyebrows and gave her a pointed look. “Ach, now don’t go spreadin’ that sort of rumor about the countryside. I’d ne’er be able to get another good bargain anywhere. Well now, yer goin’ to have to come with me up to the hall, while I fetch yer blanket.”
    They walked to the main hall, the kid still following. “Ach, I almost fergot.” He led the young goat over to the stable, ushered it inside and closed the lower half of the main door, so it couldn’t get out. The kid bleated loudly from the other side of the door. “It’ll only be a moment,” he told it quietly. “Stop yer bawling. I’ll be right back to finish the evenin’ chores.”
    “I’m sorry,” Kira said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your work.”
    “Ach, and how could ye not. ’Tisn’t as if I could have planned fer yer visit, eh?”
    Something about the way he said it, made Kira examine his face, but it was nearly full dark now and she couldn’t make out his features clearly. It is a pity to be suspicious, even of such a kindly person, she thought, as she followed Ryospar up to the main hall. But she remained on guard.
    The furnishings inside the main building were short and squat, built specifically for gnome comfort. The large central room was lit with lamps hanging from hooks along the walls that for Kira were at shoulder level, and the tables and chairs were low and wide. Three long tables were set up in a U-shape, with chairs set along the outside so those seated would all face the center of the room.
    A broad fireplace sat at the back of the hall, with ovens set into both sides, where large meals could be cooked. There were trestle tables nearby, and fat rounds of dough set for rising near the fire. The smell of flour and yeast rose on the warm air, and the heady aroma of a hearty stew wafted across the room. Kira’s mouth began to water.
    At the fire, stirring the contents of a big pot stood a short stout woman about the same height as Ryospar. She