Although he had other matters to attend to each day, Alric also carefully made some time to visit the docks, that he might keep an eye out for anyone who was not settling in easily to Medietas--or, of course, anyone familiar, but he made certain not to raise his hopes too much, in that respect. After all, it had been plenty inconsistent, for others.

That day, there was one lady present who obviously was in precisely the category he watched for, and he approached her sympathetically, his hands open and visible, with a polite, solicitous smile. He wore a sheathed sword at his hip, but showed no sign of tension or even awareness of its presence; his clothes were quite simple by the standards of nobility, practical but quite well-made.

"Pardon the intrusion, Miss, but are you quite all right...?"