"But perhaps the day after that," Hild said. It was plainly a tease, her smile curved and gaze playful, and a fond, understanding tease at that. She understood what he was trying to say too, his lack of confidence even in the face of what was a sure thing. Even Edwin, for all his strength and influence, hesitated to follow Hild's visions at times, wanted reassurance from her even after he'd given the order. This did not make him a weak man in Hild's eyes, only one fully aware of consequences. Wise, to a degree.

She ducked her head somewhat to catch his gaze and hold it. Men always feared her gaze, thought it uncanny and unnerving, because the maid that she had been and the woman that she was should never hold a man's gaze so unflinchingly, so surely, so inscrutably. Her eyes held unknown depths, and men feared what those could be. Spencer had no reason to fear; he did not know her to be a seer, a witch, a demon. But her gaze had power, all the same.

"When you do find the strength, you shall be rewarded," Hild told him. When, not if. And such reward it would be.

"And you shall find me and tell me that I was right." A smile broke her solemn features, bright and cocky and laughing.