Leo worried about his sister's reluctance to meet new people. She was still young, but one day she would grow, need friends, and hiding forever would only cripple her. This girl looked decent, and Maijessie didn't seem afraid of her. Maybe, he thought, if they became friends, his sister could learn something.
The thin girl had already read the air. She smiled softly and spoke with practiced ease.
"Sir, and your lovely sister—if you don't mind, why not share a meal here?"
She spread out what food and drink she had.
The smell was too much. Leo sat first, grinning.
"Then I'll take you up on it. What are you waiting for, sister? The host is being polite."
Maijessie hesitated but followed, sitting by the fire.
Leo wasted no time. Food and ale disappeared down his throat, chewing and gulping like a starving man. The girl laughed at the sight, poured him a cup.
"Meat without wine isn't proper. Since you honor me by eating my humble fare, let me toast you."
Leo blinked at the mature tone, then lifted his own cup.
"Don't call me sir. I'm not used to it. And drinking's bad for someone young—this one's on me. You shouldn't."
The girl drained her ale in one pull. "Don't be fooled by appearances. I'm already past twenty. I've been drinking for years. It helps with certain pains."
That startled him. Small and frail, but older than she looked. So even barbarian women were drinkers. He grinned. "Good spirit. Another cup."
"Cheers." She matched him swallow for swallow.
After a few rounds, bellies full, Leo grew serious. "Now we should talk business."
The girl set down her cup. "My name is Gotti. I'm a true-born Barbarian, not one who awakened into it later." Pride showed plain in her eyes. "But ten years ago I was injured while relocating. My strength, vitality, and agility never recovered. I'm far weaker than my kin."
Anyone could see that, but she spoke with confidence still.
"What the injury took, fate repaid. My spirit is strong. At awakening, my energy reached fifty-eight."
She glanced at him, searching his face. He smiled blandly, but inside he reeled. Maijessie was already a rare mental talent. And now this one. But a Barbarian?
When his expression didn't change, she pressed on.
"There are Barbarians who aren't just fighters. Some call them shouters, some singers, some wealth-bringers. I call them *Singers.*"
Leo froze. Support Barbarians, the ones who fought with voice, existed here too.
"I am a natural Singer. My spirit gives me mana to sing endlessly. A squad with me is safer, stronger, and richer. Singers are weak early, but the more powerful a team becomes, the more valuable we are."
Leo didn't believe in easy fortune. He'd wanted a cook, nothing more. Now this "cook" claimed to be a rare prodigy.
She bit her lip, hesitated, then lowered her guard.
"This isn't our first meeting. I saw you yesterday morning, cautious, prepared. You're right-handed, carry a shield on that arm. That means you choose to protect. And you have a woman in your squad—safer for me.
"My cooking's decent. I see myself as support, and I'd fit well in the rear. Think it over."
For the first time she looked vulnerable, almost endearing. But Leo didn't trust smart women. The sharper they were, the more dangerous.
"Fine. I'll discuss it with my sister. Dawn at the gate—we'll give you an answer then." He stood, tugging Maijessie away. "Come on, let's eat at the tavern too."
She blinked in surprise. Her foolish brother, unexpectedly thoughtful. She nodded quietly.
At the tavern, Leo listened to adventurers brag, laughing, drinking deep. Maijessie suspected he wasn't worried about her hunger, but about indulging his taste for booze.
Later, by their fire, she finally spoke.
"Brother, let her join. I'm still uneasy with people, but she brings more than risk. Her cooking is good. Singer skills might ease our money problems, and make us stronger.
Most of all, even if she hides something, I don't feel she means us harm."
Her voice was firm.
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