Brigid couldn't remember the last time she had seen Ryder's sister, Erica. Perhaps a moment after the fall of the original capital of Nyx four years ago. Though, it would seem that it had been much longer. Maybe six or seven years ago when her father had stepped down as Barron and she had taken his place.

As the pair and the stone wolf shuffled behind the Baroness, Brigid would see Ryder giving a worried stare back at her. The healer offered only a reassuring smile. However, it never seemed to affect the male for he only seemed to hum under his breath with a doubtful look scrawled across his face. His hazel eyes then returned to looking at the back of Erica's tawny haired head blankly. It almost made Brigid wonder what had changed between the two. She could still remember when they were all young and the two barely went a few hours without talking. They were close. Yet, now there almost seemed to be a wedge between them.

She almost wanted to ask, though quickly found herself not as she noticed Erica's pace had slowed. Her hand fished through her trousers pocket before pulling out a ring of old keys. The small objects jingling and jangling as she rummaged through them for the correct one.

Erica stopped at a door at the end of the hall, inserting the key into the lock and pushing the door open. Not a word leaving her lips as she allowed the two to take a seat at the table. The marble wolf sitting between the two as Erica sat before them. A scowl stretched upon her features. "So, why have you brought one of Cerberus' healers so far from the capital? And what is that beast with you?"

Her words were harsh. Twinged with that same annoyance and anger she felt when Cerberus would speak to her or others. Her kindness and generosity had faded over the years she had been Baroness. Then again, things have been much harder the last four years. "It was my fault, Erica. I didn't want to return so I decided to accompany Ryder to ensure that he arrived here safely... I don't know what I would do if a close friend was harmed because I could not help them... As for our friend,"

"He seems to be one of the animal Colossi that Fina and her people mentioned. We found him just prior to nearly running into a Colossi. He seems friendly enough..."

Erica sighed but nodded her head at the pair as they looked to her. Both Brigid and Ryder slightly reminded the older woman of their childhood selves. They always caused trouble with Hildr, Cerberus - even Lagertha and her group on a few very rare occasions. And even more so... they were still bringing back strange new friends. Oh, how she wished that she could have joined the others during those times... "I see..." Erica stood from her seat. Gesturing for the trio to follow after her. The wolf-like creature giving a huff as it got up. His two human companions followed at the back of the group. "Have you named your friend?"

Ryder gave a shake of the head as he replied with a "No," to his sister's question. The male not caring to say much more as his sibling only frowned back at him before her own yellow-green eyes returned to where she was walking.

What had happened? Was once more a question that bounced against the walls of Brigid's mind. The question ate away at her as she thought of how it could have happened and then it hit her. Their father.

The man practically locked Erica away, teaching her all that he could so that she could inherit his position. She could remember weeks when she wouldn't see the older sibling at all until finally, she would escape to visit Lagertha. The two had always been close after all. That was usually when Ryder would be sent in to drag her back home. Something he obviously never wanted to do. But, even Brigid tried not to aggravate the Barons.

Erica led them down a few more corridors until finally, they reached a small courtyard where a group of women and children were. The children ran about, playing and throwing the snow at their friends. Most of the boys had messy and unkempt hair, while the girls' hair was neatly pleated into one or more braids. While the womenfolk had much longer straight hair which was only pleated in some areas. A style which was once common among young women who were among the warrior class.

One of the women stood from her spot sitting on a bench with a small toddler cuddled into the furry bear pelt that acted as her coat. Her eyes grim as she handed the young child over to one of the other women before nearing the group. Her eyes looked down briefly to the animal at Brigid's side. "Ryder," the tall woman said. Her eyes filled with a worry that could only come from some sort of mother figure. "I thought you said that you would not be home for a few weeks. I ought amiss, dear boy."

Ryder gave the smallest smile... as had Erica upon sight of the older woman who was twice their age. Her dark hair slightly greying as a result of her age and likely just the slightest bit of stress. "No, Mrs. Fina. We're actually here to take you to the king so you can speak to him of your encounter."

"I see, then I will go. But," Her eyes shifted towards Erica. "You watch over them, my dear. You will not want to face the consequences of failing me." The Baroness gave a curt nod as she watched the woman leave them to speak with her kin. All of whom didn't seem to question her actions, simply going along with it. She was most likely their leader... or possibly as close as they had to one.

"We'll go get the horses, Ryder," Brigid spoke as she and the wolf walked off. The wolf steered her through the halls until they reached the stables. To be honest, Brigid was ready to return home... even though she was likely to get chewed out for her actions by both the healers and Cerberus.