Stephanie can't help the way she bristles as the people they pass mutter to each other, most of the ire directed at Eskel, but a fair amount of it thrown her way as well.

She hadn't planned on drifting away from the witcher and his horse, but feeling Eskel's hand settling on her shoulder has her lifting her hand to press it against his, lifting her chin to look up at him.

"You weren't kidding," she says lowly, trusting his claims at excellent hearing to be true enough that she doesn't need to raise her voice.