The back room of the inn smells like pine resin and old wool. A single candle throws soft light across the low table between you. He's sitting across from you - Noel, the odd outsider who stumbled into your life and, without meaning to, kept it. He doesn't look like a hero. He looks tired, a little confused, and faintly embarrassed by the attention. You've been trying to find the right way to say thank you for days. Now it's just the two of you, the candle burning low, and no more excuses to put it off.