"Nobody else seems to be coming out of there to attack us. We could hope they are what they seem, and just move their cart out of the way."

Walking back to the carriages, muttering under my breath "Lovely. 'Grrr. I'm so dangerous.'"

Passing Rum "Really, Boss?"

Climbs back onto the last carriage, ready to drive when this is resolved.

"Hey, Private," to the younger guard, conversationally. "I'm new here. Can you tell me about the Merchant Guild?" Motioning to the symbol on his tunic. "Do they rule here?"

Still!

"Gentlemen, we're strangers, and don't know what our equivalent of a Jovian Silver is. But, surely, twenty per cart is a bit steep."

[:lol:]

I hope I know what those scales represent.

I also hope nothing dangerous comes out of that hut.

*shift stance to clear the way for Paula, in case she wants to approach the young, impressionable guard* Even if she doesn't, just having a better view of her will break his concentration.

"OK if I go with him, Boss?"

"Did anyone expect they just let people walk into paradise?"

*under his breath* "I hope you have something planned, Boss. My guess is The Fox."

*looks at the stubbornly opaque walls of Hestor's carriage* "You're seeing what kind of man he is. He plays his cards close to his chest. You find out what you need to know, when you need to know it. I don't know, maybe he's more open with people older than me. I was so young when he started le...

"I enjoy reveling in depression and pain as much as the next guy, but if I may change the subject.

"Paula, you are a wonder. Stories, dancing, singing, cooking... I can't imagine a better person to travel with. Were you raised in a family of entertainers?"

"I'm very sorry, Paula. My parents died when I was a child. I remember the pain and anger."

Cool

Loud enough for Rum, The Fox , and Henn to hear... "Well, people, I'll tell you what I think. I think we're going into a very unknown and mysterious situation. Possibly dangous. If could be we have only each other to rely on. Problem is, we don't know each other. At all. How can we rely on str...

Hoping somebody would catch that. What's with The Bold?

"Unfortunately, Rum doesn't share much. He trusts me not to steal from him, but that's not the same as sharing confidences with me. "But The Fox ... I mean, I don't want to find her knife sticking out of me because I sneezed. I've seen her use it, and she's as good as she wants us to think...

"Fine, thanks. Yourse...?"

*looks around, confused*

I could have sworn...

"Hey Hey Paula."