Back to the inn

With a glance at the sky telling him it's still late in the morning, nearly midday, Hal decides to head back to the inn to prepare, with the intention of setting off the next day. It's a short walk to the inn, and one the young ranger undertakes with a smile, eager to give the locket to Helena. He arrives there shortly before lunch, greeting Faldor with a friendly nod.

"Helena's in the kitchen, lad. Don't bother her too much while she's working." Faldor smiles.

Hal chuckles, "Thanks, Faldor." He says, walking past the barkeep and heading into the kitchen. His newfound lover is oblivious to his presence, instead she is stirring a pot of stew, adding some more meat to it while she does so. Hal slows his pace, remaining quiet as he gets closer, until he is close enough to reach out and grab her. Instead, he leans forward and speaks. "Hey there, beautiful."

Helena spins, letting out a shriek before she realises who it is. Her look of shock turns to a mix of minor frustration and amusement. "Don't frighten me like that, Hal!"

"My sincerest apologies," Hal bows, his tone playful. "You were distracted, and I saw an opportunity."

"Yes, well, I could've spilled the stew." She sighs, though it's good-natured. "Did you go to the market?"

"I did. And I got you something"

Helena's smile grows wider and her eyes light up "You did?"

He nods, reaching into his satchel and retrieving the silver locket. "This is for you, Helena. Turn around, I'll put it on you."

She turns, eager to wear her new gift. Hal moves her auburn hair out of the way as he clasps the locket around her neck. Helena takes it in her hand with a smile "It's amazing. Thank you, Hal."

"It's the least I could do for someone as beautiful as you. If I had the gold, I would've commissioned a marble statue of you." He grins.

Helena raises an eyebrow "Is that your attempt at flattery?"

"That depends, is it working?"

She smiles softly, "Maybe."

"Then yes," Hal nods "It is. The locket's magical, too."

"It is?" She asks "What does it do?"

"If you put a lock of someone's hair in it, you will always know if they're alive."

"I see..." She smiles picking up a knife from the counter and leaning closer "Let me cut your hair."

"Not too much" He grins "I like my hair"

"Well, I like your hair too, but I want a lock of it for my locket anyway." She reaches up, grabbing a small amount of Hal's hair and cutting it, before placing it in her locket. "See, you still look fine."

"I'm glad you think so. Listen, I've got a contract, hunting bandits in Warden Forest. I'll leave at first light tomorrow, but I might be gone for a few days. I promise I'll come back, though."

"I know you will. Besides, we have tonight, don't we?" She kisses him, standing as tall as she can to just about reach his lips.

Hal chuckles, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her back. "I should leave you to work before we both get in trouble with your father."

"Alright then. Go take a bath, I'll be up when I've finished cooking"