His words stung more than they should have.  She had not expected his father to be glad to see her, but she had hoped he would at least greet her with...kindness or respect. It was not entirely his fault, it seemed as if no matter how hard she tried to help him, she simply made matters worse.<br/><br/>"I'll make up the difference, whatever wages you were going to give me, give him half.  It was my fault he was delayed." Aleksandra said.  She looked at Maleki and then looked away.  Barnstorm nodded his head, but Maleki was likely already out of earshot.  Storka had squirreled away a good amount of gold over the years, nothing in comparison to the riches Aleksandra's family had held, but enough to keep them comfortable.  She could have offered the full wage, but she got the feeling that might anger Maleki even more.  Barnstorm put his arm around her and guided her to the front of the caravan, Storka following slowly behind them.  He ensured that the old woman had a nice spot in one of the front carriages, one she would share with Aleksandra and another woman.<br/><br/>The first few days passed without incident, but as they set out on the fourth day, the peace changed.  It was not surprising, this was the day they had to make there way through a canyon, one that had plenty of places for bandits to hide.<br/><br/>Caravan's rarely kept a lot at the back, but reasons just like this.  That did not mean there was nothing of value to be taken though, especially if they could work their way through the middle, they could usually take supplies and other trinkets, enough to make the thievery worth it.<br/><br/>This was a rather small troop of bandits, only six or so, but they seemed rather coordinated.  There were two archers and the other four were rather burly men who waited until the caravan hit a curve in the canyon and the back of it could not be seen from the middle.  Barnstorm had put two other men with Maleki, both capable, but likely not as alert as Maleki may have been.