thanks, but i'm going on my way now

 

As she did every morning, Valkyrie had risen with the sun. The blot had gone about as well as could be expected considering the diverse makeup of those gathered and though she had indulged in the many festive offerings, she had kept her wits about her. It had been tempting to sleep in but she knew there was still work to be done. She'd tended to her captives, who were tucked safely away and well beyond the reach of the blot's participants, had a small breakfast and was now returning to the festival grounds to mingle with those who had stayed for the promise of things to come.

Dutch's voice reached her ears and pulled the tall woman from the path she had been on. Valkyrie had a pretty good idea what the diminutive woman wished to speak to her about. It was about time they address her pregnancy. A bastard herself, Valkyrie's opinion on illegitimate children was a bit softer than the norm. It was softer still when the woman in question didn't share her roots although she did still consider an out of wedlock pregnancy the mark of a fool.

As she slowed to a halt before Dutch, Valkyrie noticed the armor at her paws and quirked a brow at her. Something for the market, perhaps? Maybe she'd guessed wrong about the woman's reason for summoning her. "Yes, Dutch?"