"Depending on your definition," Jana smirks. "So far any embodiments have been content to quietly exist without turning anything on its head."

"That is one improvement over wizards."

"What do these wizards of yours even do? Just pointlessly menace the surrounding civilians?"

"Some of them do disaster relief and stuff," she concedes. "And the wizard of Donner keeps the dragons in check. I think the one where I lived was known for being exceptionally awful?"

"Okay, that perhaps makes more sense for them not somehow being overthrown."

"Plus, they have magic. We have, at best, swords. That most people don't know how to use."

"...what do you do if a bandit besets you?"

"...There aren't many, unless you're near the Outskirts? And then there's, like, guards and stuff in the towns. And for caravans. Traveling alone's pretty rare, I had to avoid the major roads when I was on my own."

"...That seems. Peculiar to me. I mean. There's not many around, but... It's just sensible to have some form of combat training. Quite aside from bandits just... Do you not have regular unsavoury peoples in your...towns and cities?"

"Yeah, we've got unsavory types. That's mostly what the guards are for? I know how to throw a punch, and the unsavory types aren't using swords, either. Everyone's mostly equally unarmed."

"So long as you're able to defend yourself," Jana says.

"We can teach you to do more than throw a punch if you like though. Us military types know all sorts of nasty tricks that people don't expect, armed or not."

"That'd be great. I'm hardly the strongest person in my village... And knowing how to use a proper weapon wouldn't hurt."

"Well, it's definitely something we can do!" Friedrich assures her.

"Knives," Jana muses cryptically. "Along with swords and hand-to-hand. But we should rest. I can't imagine you had a shorter day than us before Fritz accidentally dropped you on us?"

"Nah, I'd been walking all day."

"...Then we should probably let you sleep! I could do with some as well. Sharing, Jan?"

Jana nods.

"Alright, we'll take the room through there," he points behind him. "There should be a washstand in your room, the water'll be cold right now, but it'll do the job, we can get warm water in the morning. Or- Is there a bathhouse here, Jan?"

Jana stretches. "If there isn't, I will be ensuring more of our fee is returned to us."

"Thanks. Sleep sounds good, and I don't mind cold water."

"Sleep well," Friedrich says as he and Jana disappear into the room he indicated, taking their bags with them.

She does. This bed is a lot more comfortable than her old one.

The next morning, she wanders out into the main room, yawning sleepily.

Friedrich is busy eating breakfast - what looks like an assortment of cold meats and breads - with another plate still sat on the table.

"G'morning," he greets. "Jana's out doing...something, but she'll be back shortly. Breakfast," he indicates the plate.

"Mornin'," she mumbles, then dives into the offered breakfast. 

Yawn, then: "You mentioned warm water?"

He grins slightly. "If you're done eating I'll show you down to the bathhouse?" he offers.