Ardreth was trying to get up, struggling to scramble back to his feet so he could continue his getaway from his perceived robbers. But when he felt himself being lurched up onto his feet, he knew he was finished. They would take all he had, perhaps even his life, and leave his carcass for the birds and bugs to feast on. His heart was thumping as he was forced to face the man who caught him, trying to ignore the sensation of cold steel against his neck. He slowly raised his hand, trying to indicate he was harmless. Already the smoke had blown away in the wind, leaving nothing but a faint smudge on the green grass.<br/><br/>“Soldiers?” Ardreth said in confusion and absolute fright in his eyes, looking at the two other individuals with the man. They didn’t look anything like soldiers. “You look more like highway bandits than soldiers. I-I’m sorry. If I knew, I wouldn’t have tried to escape. Honest! The smoke is harmless. Only a prompt to help move things along.” Ardreth stuttered, before gulping hard and waiting for his explanation to be ignored. But when his life was sparred and instead he was given an offer, he felt his heart perk up. “A favor?” He asked, looking at each of them. He didn’t really have a choice, as they decided to spare his life and he did owe them a favor for it. But something else seemed to urge him on. It was the first time anyone requested his companionship for anything.<br/><br/>Smiling, he drew himself to his full height as best he could with the knife on his throat. This was his chance to live and survive another day. Perhaps even earn a free meal and some gold. The chance was too much to let it pass. Besides, the other alternative was death or perhaps imprisonment. “Very well, I’ll travel with you. Ardreth, at your service. Brewer of potions and…other things.” He said with a coy smile. “Now if you please…I like my neck intact.”