ursinh:

        When the soldier had cornered her in a side street – admittedly, she might have looked a tiny bit odd, a single dwarrowdam with sword in hand – Asunn had not expected any kinder treatment to be handed out by the one these scoundrels called their lord. All the more surprised was she when she was received not by a sourly old aristocrat but someone who actually seemed to have more wits about him than the men he commanded.

The soldier who’d jostled her did extend a hand, which she pointedly ignored when getting to her feet again. A grumbling apology was pressed forth, the man visibly upset. Apart from shooting him one last glaring look, she ignored him; turning her attention to the one who obviously mattered a great deal more than a common soldier who was being an intentional prick.

“I appreciate the change of attitude.” A nod of thanks. “I’m Asunn from the Firebeards.” She kept her introduction deliberately short, doubting that the name of her mother or tribe would be of any value to a man in the East, regardless of his rank. “I’ve no business at all in your town, other than perhaps finding a place to stay for a night; I was merely passing through, y’see. Your men came upon me when I drew my sword to adjust my scabbard.” 

“I pray you forgive my men, my lady,” Bard said, walking over to her and offering her one of the goblets, his eyes apologetic, though his expression remained rather grim. “I fear it has not been long enough since these parts have seen darker times. Some shadows are not so easily banned from memory, and many ill feelings have yet to be properly buried in the past. If there is anything I might do—“

He pursed his lips in thought then, observing her as he pondered her words. “A place to stay for a night, you did say. If you wish it, I will have a room prepared for you. The very least I could do, after you were so crudely handled in my name. Would this satisfy, my lady…?” he trailed off, patiently awaiting the offer of her own name.