Petra and I walk over to a table in the corner and have a seat. Drinks arrive soon after. “Room and board is covered for tonight,” I tell her. As I’m saying it, someone puts a bowl of stew in front of each of us, complete with a large piece of bread for dipping. It smells delicious. “Plus I got some money. Maybe enough for a map. Definitely enough to get me some armor.”

She gestures over my shoulder with her chin. “And you made a friend,” she says.

I look where she’s ...