Arrow Lake this one's for us

Stephanie knew that she had a lot to prove. It was easy to immediately assume (correctly, too) that she was weak, posing as more of a burden than an aid. She knew what it looked like, and although most of the warrior she'd once been had been lost, she still knew how to hold her own. Moreover, she was confident that if she couldn't put her own knowledge into action, she could teach someone else. Anyway, none of this was of any use unless Stephanie actually said it. 

I've come to join, she replied, head low and eyes just high enough to peek at the male before her, I'm a mercenary -- retired mercenary, and a scout. Most of what Stephanie knew about the latter had been forgotten, but that was neither here nor there.