Gabriel's mind was whirling, trying to think of some kind plan to get them out of this.  It would be best to simply give the bandits what they wanted, hopefully their supplies would be good enough to earn them passage.  Their mission was far more vital than an empty stomach and a short sword.  No matter what, he would<i>not</i>allow them to "work something out for payment".<br/><br/>"Val..." Gabriel felt a touch of panic when the bandit ruffling through the bag pulled out one of the trinkets marked with the de Warren emblem and tossed it to the leader.<br/><br/>The leader, apparently named Val, examined the pendant thoughtfully before returning his gaze to Vail.  What exactly he was thinking, Gabriel didn't know, but soon he himself was being addressed.  "I can't help but notice your hood isn't attached to your cloak, but rather your tunic underneath.  A bit of an odd fashion choice, don't you think?" he asked out of the blue.<br/><br/>Gabriel, however, was quick to dodge the question.  "I like to swap them out.  Here, my sword as payment for passage.  Can we go now?" he replied, unbuckling his swordbelt and tossing it into the dirt between them.<br/><br/>Val, however, ignored it as he stuck his tomahawk into the log and reached into a pocket of his coat.  In his hand was a small vial, slightly larger than a coin, seemingly made of some variety of indigo crystal.  "This is a dowser," he explained, "With just a drop of dragon's blood, which came at great personal expense, I might add, this little dohicky can sense dragons within ten leagues.  That's actually why we decided to rob you."<br/><br/>Bewildered, Gabriel asked, "Why are you telling us this?"<br/><br/>Hopping off the log, Val scooped up Gabriel's sword belt, making his leisurely way between them as he explained, "My name is Valerio Trovatore.  I was 16 when I felt the call to arms to join the City Watch.  Well, that's what I told them when I signed up, anyway.  Luckily I was big for my age and could pass for being a few years older than I was.  It was at the end of my first month in my new post in the Royal Guard that the Dragon Uprising occurred."  He stood between Vail and Gabriel's, taking the Princess' hand and gently placing the pendant in her palm, "Safe travels, You Highness.  Here's hoping they don't get you killed."  When handing Gabriel back his sword belt, the bandit leader held fast to it as he looked into Gabriel's hood and said quietly with a sympathetic smile, "I'm sorry to be the one to break this to you, but there will be no peace between humans and dragons.  Give Captain Felhorn my best."<br/><br/>Amid surprised protests from his crew, Valerio gave the horses a sharp smack on their flanks to send them off, saying, "Sorry, lads, but these are the fish that got away."