She had barely a moment to register what the padder looked like before she was dismissed at the start of the impromptu meeting to fetch supplies. Like with the twins earlier, Aneska approached soundlessly, peeking her head up to the window. This winter had choked their village with endless flurry's of snow. If it wasn't for her magic keeping her atop the snow, she'd be buried up to her knees.
The strangers hair, long and black hung straight down where it ended by her feet tucked under her, unbrushed and clumped in matts. Her boots had large holes with no signs of repair. The cloak she wore was caked in mud and grime and something darker. She realised the strangers hands and trousers had heavy black stains, blood from old battles that had never been washed out. The stranger was a stain compared to the three elders that sat opposite, their faces stern but bright with life in the firelight.
Putting sound back into her step, Aneska made a point to make her footfalls heavy on the wooden steps up to the chamber to announce her presence. She heard the chief continue her speech, none of the women in the room even so much as glancing as Aneska entered and kneeled amongst them. There was incense burning above the fireplace, choking the room in a heavy smoke of cinnamon.
"We'll provide you with what we can, but we need to conserve supplies for winter. I will see to it they are organised by tomorrow evening. How soon will you be ready to depart?"
The Chief addressed the stranger with a concealed contempt, unlike the other two elders whose sharp gaze only elevated the tension in the large cabin.
Aneska kept her gaze low when the stranger spoke. Even with the fire roaring and spitting embers, there was a chill that seemed to emanate from where the woman sat, distant from the others.
"We will leave by tomorrow evening."
As the stranger spoke even the fire seemed to flicker lower, her pallid tone sucking the very life from the room. Aneska faltered to stand as she saw the others rising, sucking in a deep breath as she realised how thin the air felt. She pressed hard on her knee to stand despite the dizziness behind her eyes, feeling silly at her weakness in front of such an imposing cohort.
It was strange they did not ask further questions, but before Aneska could think the Chief turned to her.
"Aneska, you will accompany Ruth to the bathhouse, then escort her to your cabin for the night. Report to my cabin after breaking your fast tomorrow."
The stranger also rose to her feet with difficulty, but it seemed like the weight of her clothes was pulling her down. She was noticeably taller than the elders, but now Aneska could see how frail and sickly she seemed. It was plain to see the elders were well fed and strongly muscled, even under their winter cloaks and furs, the chill of the night flushing their bright complexions red.
The stranger was all grey, her eyes, lips, and hands so dull in contrast to the other women and the fire which seemed to finally stir again.
The two elders who hadn't spoken walked past Aneska without sparing her a glance. The Chief followed behind them.
"Actually Aneska, your room is still in the same cabin as the young ones, yes? Bring Ruth to the barn and set up beds for you both for the night."
Before she could object, the Chief strode past her and into the night, leaving Aneska alone with the stranger.
'The barn will be freezing tonight. Whoever this Ruth is, she is still a guest!'
Aneska turned back to look at the stranger.
'Ruth. Doesn't ring a bell. She doesn't look familiar either'.
She tried to speak, but instead of inhaling thick incense of cinnamon what felt like ice tickled her throat and she coughed again. Ruth stood in the middle of the room like she was almost bored, not really looking at her, but past her where the elders had just left.
"Pardon me. My name is Aneska. I'll escort you to the bathhouse."