It was the first time in months Hannah was having some of Magda's breakfast again. As she came down, she found herself surrounded by the familiar murmurs and rustles of the nuns, and she wandered around to look for Shelby. Unfortunately, the girl was on kitchen duty, serving beans. Hannah stood in line, waiting until her turn.

"Hannah," Shelby blinked at her. "You're here."

"A rare day away from work."

"You're not ill, are you?"

"No. I'm going into town with my brother. We're looking to rent a place."

"Indeed? That's wonderful. Although I would be very sorry to lose you."

Behind Hannah, a big elder nun cleared her throat, not appreciating that they were stalling the line. "I'm sorry," Hannah whispered, holding out her plate. Shelby served her a measured amount, giving her a wave.

"I'll talk to you after I'm done with my work," she said, and Hannah nodded, going off to find a place to sit. She thought to find Sister Vicki and Dana, but couldn't spot them anywhere amidst the crowd – especially since the nuns all dressed the same. She gave up and settled with some strangers also staying in the church, ignoring them and getting ignored in return.

She had to wait some time before breakfast was over. She kept an eye on the kitchen, sitting patiently until she saw Shelby emerge. "I've got so much to do today," the young girl sighed. "But I don't care. We must catch up." She dropped down next to her on the bench. "So tell me again – you're to move out of the church?"

"Rio has his eye on this place near the Corona. It sounds decent. I'm going over to take a look."

"But are you sure, Hannah?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I can understand your feelings on wanting a place of your own. But with your brother often away at the station, wouldn't that leave you alone most of the time?"

"Shelby, I too spend most of my hours at work."

"What I mean is – you have friends here. So if you ever needed help from us, it would be easy. We'd be right here."

"I'd like to think we would still be friends even if I wasn't at Magda's anymore."

"Of course. But you know it's not the same."

"I would definitely come to see you. And I'd hope for you to come and see me as well, if you can."

"I'd be happy to. If your brother's agreeable."

"I see no reason why he should not be."

"Oh," Shelby went, looking up for some reason.

Hannah turned, seeing her brother in the great doorway – in that showy red coat she'd bought him too.

"Speak of the devil," Hannah murmured, before shooting a look at her friend. "Oh, I'm sorry."

Shelby got up, her eyes fixed on Hannah's brother. "Hello , Rio."

He cleared his throat, doing a gentlemanly nod. "Shelby. Morning."

"I hear you are looking to rent a place?"

"Hopefully, it'll be settled today, depending on Hannah."

"Well, I wish you luck. Hannah, you are always welcome back to Magda's, regardless."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

Shelby folded her arms, nodding over at Rio. "That's a very nice coat."

"Hannah bought it for me. The men at the station quite like it. They say it makes me look rich."

"It's a shame you won't be able to wear it to the ranking ceremony."

"The what?" Hannah wanted to know.

"That's when the first round of trainees are formally made guards," Rio told her. "Captain Droy has said it may be in another month. I'm looking forward to it. I know I have a good chance."

"I do not doubt it," Shelby encouraged him.

"Well, shall we go, Hannah?"

She nodded, rising to her feet together with Shelby.

"Take care, Rio," said the young girl.

He bent his head, silently leading the way out. Hannah was quiet at first as she followed her brother, but once they were outside, she turned on him. "Why are you always so cold to her?"

"Who?"

"Don't pretend. You know who I mean."

"Oh, nonsense, Hannah."

"Is it? You act differently when you're around her."

"I do not – "

"And so does she."

He stopped at that, glancing at her. Now, he looked caught.

"Well? Do you want to tell me?"

"There's nothing to tell." He shrugged. "Nothing at all. Which is just as she wanted."

Hannah shook her head. "What do you mean?"

Rio refused to look at her, but he did speak. "When I first came to Dalen, she was my only friend. She did everything she could to help me. But just when I thought we were becoming close ..." he paused, lifting his shoulders heavily. "In the end, she chose the church. She chose the church over me."

Hannah frowned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why? So you could laugh at me?"

"Laugh at you?"

"I know what you must think. The first girl I really loved, and it had to be her. How stupid of me. Am I right?"

"That's not what I think at all."

He turned away, facing forward. "Anyway, it's past. I've no feelings for her anymore."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"Do you still consider her a friend?"

"I don't know. I would rather never see her again, to be honest, but unfortunately, she seems to like you."

"That's not fair."

"I'm sorry – that's not what I meant. I just want be kept out of your friendship, that's all." He resumed walking, and Hannah moved after him.

"You know, you're still young."

"Oh, don't try to comfort me, Hannah. It's insulting."

"But if you look at yourself, and you look at me – one of us is still in a more hopeful position, don't you think?"

He glanced at her, frowning a little. "You've never been rejected."

"Yes, I was. By every single man in Chell who could have married me but chose another. That's rejection, isn't it?"

"What do you want me to say? That we're doomed never to marry? A pair of village orphans, no name, no prospects … "

She blinked at the bitterness in his voice, keeping quiet. Her brother said nothing either for awhile, until he saw her face.

"Oh, damn it, Hannah, I'm sorry. You shouldn't listen to me. I'm just upset, you know, now that I'm thinking back, remembering it."

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't be. Just please don't ever tell Shelby that you know. It's humiliating enough as it is."

"I won't."

"What will become of us?" he sighed. "I do wonder."

To that, Hannah knew she could say nothing of comfort. Instead, she reached out, holding her brother's hand and squeezing for awhile.

Afterwards, he looked better, and was quite calmed down by the time they reached the lodgings of Mrs. Baines. They went inside, meeting up with the old woman.

"Two hundred pieces a month," said the landlady, who was droopy-skinned and frizzle-haired from age. Hannah stared at the woman's gnarled hands running up the rail, wondering idly what had happened to Mr. Baines. "It's a good street," puffed Mrs. Baines. "As I'm sure you noticed, there's plenty of shops nearby. There's a well just behind the baker. The rooms are very cool, since we don't get much sun."

"That's nice," Hannah replied distractedly.

They reached the top floor, the fourth, and the woman paused a moment, catching her breath. "Sorry, I'm not as young as I used to be."

Hannah giggled, until Rio smacked her on the back.

Mrs. Baines led them down to a door not too far from the stairs. As she fiddled with the lock, Hannah heard a woman in a room nearby, yelling at her child, who then proceeded to cry. Loudly. Seemed like fun neighbors, Hannah thought dryly.

"Here we are," Mrs. Baines announced, pushing the door open. She ushered them in, the three standing under a low ceiling. Hannah had told herself to expect basic simplicity, and she'd been right. The walls were unpainted, and the floorboards rough and worn. The space held a kitchen area, a table, some chairs, and dirty lace curtains over the windows. Nothing else.

No, wait. There was a door off to the side, and Hannah went over. "May I?"

"Go ahead, dear," Mrs. Baines said.

Hannah poked her head in to look. There was a cot with a stand on one side of the room, and a cupboard along the other. An oval mirror hung on the wall, too smeared to show a good reflection of her. She could tell, despite the heavy blanket of dust, that these things had been well used before, and it was a bit eerie to think of the strangers that had lived here before her. "One room?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at the two of them.

"I'm hardly around, remember?" Rio reminded her.

"Still."

"I would be fine sleeping here," he said, gesturing around him.

Hannah let go of the doorknob, going over to one of the windows. It was a quiet street, but a few heads bobbed about, like coconuts on a sea. Someone leaned out of their own window lower down in the same building, hollering a name. A man waved in answer, and the two began to engage in a yelled, but otherwise pleasant conversation.

"If any problems crop up with the house," said Mrs. Baines, and Hannah turned to face her. "I can arrange for repairs, but the cost is split, as I've told your brother."

"I see."

"So? Are you pleased with the place, Miss Iver?"

"Rio?"

"I am happy if you are."

Hannah nodded. "How soon could we move in?"

"Oh, well, right away if you wish."

"I'm not sure Jono would let me off again so soon," she told her brother.

"You can pack your things and leave them at the church. I'd be happy to bring them over for you."

"I suppose so. I don't have much, so it should not take long."

"By the end of this week? Is that enough time for you?"

"Yes. Yes, it is."

"Mrs. Baines?" he asked, checking with her.

"Fine with me, boy. I'll have to ask for the first month's rent up front though."

He dug into his pouch, paying her the two hundred gold. "Done. Please reserve this room for us. Thank you."

"Thank you for the business. I'll be seeing you at the end of the week."

Hannah and her brother took off, smiling as they came out of the building. "Well, well," he shrugged. "Not too bad, eh? Finally, our very own place." He pointed a finger at her nose. "You've a lot of cleaning to do."

"Thank you for that."

"Are you sure you're alright with it?"

"It's not too bad. Near to Jono's, which is all I care about."

"It's actually further for me, but I don't mind. Someday if I ever have my own horse like the Captain, it wouldn't matter anyway. "

Hannah sighed, walking away. "I'd better get back to Magda's. Start packing."

"Do you need help?"

"No. Besides, don't you have training?"

"I do actually. The earlier I get back, the better."

They walked together in the same direction, until Rio broke off partway. "I'll come to pick up your things on Sunday," he told her. "So make sure they're prepared."

She nodded, going ahead without him. She couldn't believe she was really going to leave Magda's. Shelby, Sister Vicki and Dana ... her broken bed.

Up in her church room, she unearthed all the bags she had, opening them up to be slowly filled. She started with all her smaller items first – shoes and trinkets, candles and hairpins, her coin box, and the tin of her mother's letters. She tossed them in, then drew out all her clothes, folding them in nice stacks. Could she finish the bulk of this today, she wondered? It was past noon, and she was a little hungry.

Later, she thought, not interested in the thought of going downstairs. She could have a good dinner at Jono's later, and she'd be fine. She continued sorting and packing, and by late afternoon had settled most of it.

She washed up, then made her way over to Jono's. One of the other girls was outside, and Hannah gave her a quiet smile before going inside. Full up. Nobody seemed to even notice her coming in, except for Jono, the hawk-eyed.

"Took you long enough," he remarked, as she came over. "Hurry up and change."

Silently, she went into the back, and as soon as she emerged had to reclaim her section from a hassled-looking Deedee. Hannah checked all her tables, doing a heavy bout of plate-clearing, then had a pause by the bar. "Raul isn't here?" she realized, seeing their usual table unoccupied.

"Nope," Jono answered. "Probably some urgent business."

"Oh." She looked for her friend, and found Ginia taking orders. She did look a little duller than usual, and Hannah felt sorry for her. "Poor girl. It's the only time she gets to see him, isn't it?

He shrugged, not even pretending to be interested.

"Jono … I would think that you'd at least show some concern."

"Concern?" he said, like he didn't know the word.

"Oh, never mind." She started off, but then stopped, turning to face him again. "By the way, we've taken it."

"As usual, I do not understand you."

"My brother and I – we took the lease. We'll be moving in at the end of this week."

"I suppose you want some time for the move."

"Oh. Well, I – "

"Can you do it in a few hours?"

She gazed at him. "I suppose it's possible."

"You are troublesome," he sighed. "Fine. But this time, go after lunch and come back before dark. That's all I can give."

She blinked, going away. Well. At least Jono had given her an afternoon, without her even asking for it! Not a bad bit of luck.

Sunday seemed to come too slowly. It was a difficult week, but not as much for Hannah as it was for her friend, Ginia. Raul hadn't shown himself in days, and everyone was puzzled.

"Hasn't he written anything to you?" Deedee asked on Sunday morning, but Ginia shook her head.

"Men," Sora said dismissively, echoing Hannah's thoughts. "Can't be trusted, you know. Well, Ginia. I'm sure you'll see him again in another two years."

"He would not leave. Not without telling me."

"Of course."

"He has a lot of business to tend to," Ginia maintained. "He told me himself."

"If it is indeed business."

"Sora," Hannah broke in. "That's mean."

"Mean?"

"We all know what you're trying to say."

"What do you think, that men are faithful? Loyal? It's a fool's thought, you know."

Ginia kept quiet.

"He will come back," Hannah stood up for her. "He loves her. I do not doubt it."

"Nor I," Deedee seconded, as Hannah saw the last of her customers for lunch get up to leave. She went over to clean up, then announced to Jono she was going off for the the move.

"I hope I see you back very soon," he called.

"You will," she promised, waving to the girls as she headed out the door.

"Good luck!" Deedee called, while Ginia merely smiled.

Free at last, thought Hannah. Free from that depressing air. She curled a shawl round her neck, bunched up her skirts and ran back to Magda's. She hurried upstairs, but found no sign of her brother. He must be on his way, she told herself. She put away the last of her things, then stopped to look at the unfixed bed. Just how long did it take for the nuns to settle things like these? She folded up her blankets, putting them in a corner with her pillows. Good luck to the next person who wanted this room.

Suddenly, she stopped. There – footsteps coming up the stairs outside. Was that him?

She crossed the room, opening the door. "Surprise," she called brightly.

Someone emerged from behind her brother's back, someone she had not expected to see. "Surprise!" he echoed, and suffice to say she was. "Hello, Hannah."

Hannah pulled back, an instinctive frown drawing over her face. "Hello … Mark."

Both Macks and Rio blinked. "Macks," Rio reminded her.

But she just shrugged.

Macks cleared his throat. "I heard that you're moving today."

"I am."

"I hope you're all prepared?"

"I think so."

"Good, good. Shall we get to it then?" he said, practically bumping her to get inside.

"Get to what?" Hannah asked out loud, still standing in place. She wasn't sure what was going on. Macks paused, and she thought she saw the smallest hint of a smirk in his eyes.

"Moving your things, of course," he said, as if it were oh so casual, oh so expected.

"What? Wait a minute. What have you to do with moving my things?"

"Hannah," her brother spoke up. "Captain Droy offered personally to help. He even set forward classes an hour for this."

No one asked him to, she thought.

"Come on, Hannah," the Captain said, his voice leveling, an easy tone. "I could only postpone lessons by one hour, so we can't waste time."

Hannah clenched her fists, her teeth, everything. Waste time! How dare he! How dare he come in on her move, this important moment, and take charge of it as it were some guards' assignment? Who did he think he was?

The worst part was that she could do nothing about it. Rio and Macks Droy were already inside, surveying the room.

"This doesn't look like much," Macks commented as he looked around. He seemed quite interested in her things, even daring a peep in at her belongings. That bag had her clothes in it as well as … her underthings! She rushed up, elbowing him aside to tie the knots.

"That should be all of it," she said hastily.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"What happened to your bed?" Rio asked, pointing.

Macks looked over, getting a curious look on his face. As if she wasn't embarrassed enough already.

"Getting a little heavy, are we?" Rio smirked.

"It was an accident."

"I hope you didn't hurt yourself," Macks said, with a teasing smile.

She didn't answer, picking up one of her bags.

"Hang on there, Hannah," he stopped her, taking the bag from her hands. "Rio and I will bring everything down. Why don't you go downstairs and wait by the horses?"

"Horses?"

"I rode here," Rio told her proudly.

"On a horse? Where did you get a horse?"

"Borrowed from the station, of course," Macks explained. "We've been teaching riding over the past few weeks."

"And you're sure he's ready to ride?"

"Yes, I thought so. Anyway, I gave him one of our easiest horses, so you need not worry."

"I'm not worried."

"Are you sure? Because you'll have to ride too, you know." She stared at him, and he added, "With one of us."

Hannah stepped closer to her brother. "I think that's an easy decision."

The Captain glanced between the both of them. If he was disappointed, he didn't show it. "Of course."

She went down ahead of them, going up to Magda's gates. Sure enough, there were two horses tied and waiting – she recognized Macks' pretentious white horse, together with a small orange one with a comical face. "I choose you," she said, speaking to the ginger horse, and an old man down the street gave her a funny look.

It didn't take long for Macks and her brother to finish bringing down all of her possessions, since there wasn't much. She stood for a moment, gazing up at the church while they tied her bags down. It seemed odd to be moving all over again. It made her wonder why she was doing it in the first place.

"Ready to go?" Macks asked, rubbing his horse's muzzle.

Silently, Hannah nodded. She would have liked to find Shelby and the others, to wish them a proper goodbye, but time was short today. And she would come to see them again soon enough. She stood by as Rio grasped his saddle, who took a minute before jerkily hauling himself up. "Ha!" he went, looking pleased at himself.

"There now," Macks answered. "You're