Bloody hands bandaged, check, buying a pair of leather gloves at some point, check, and Balthazar, not checked. Piper sighed as she sipped water from a not so clean glass in the inns dining room, or at least what they called the small drafty room packed with tables. Even in the afternoon it was almost packed with patrons drinking their lives away or travels and merchants staying here because it was cheap. She sighed and pulled her cowl lower for the eighth time when someone walked a little too close by her. She did her best to make sure no one saw her face but she knew she looked like a fidgety rabbit that was hiding from a fox in its hole, and the fox almost knew where she wasâ€¦ She tried her best to relax but the idea that Balthazar had been captured was running through her head, especially when she had seen that he was wanted dead rather than alive. To keep her mind off of her new comradeâ€™s possible doom she watched and listened to the patrons. One conversation in particular caught her interest, â€œYeah it has been tough this year getting from town to town. Roads to small towns are being traveled less and those fucking bandits have been picking off small caravans like mine.â€ A couple of the men around him grumbled in agreement and one that was particularly drunk kind of wailed, â€œThieving bastards!â€ as he spilled some of his ale into his lap. Piper paid closer attention when he spoke about having a caravan, her brown eyes narrowing in on the man as he continued to speak, â€œThatâ€™s why I came here to look for a couple of fighters to help keep my caravan safe. Problem is a lot of the rat bastards here want a fortune for their services.â€ He sneered this angrily which made her want to jump up and shout that she was interested but instead she played it cool.<br/><br/>She stood up slowly and made her way over to the manâ€™s table and when she was behind him the men and he grew quiet, â€œWhat do you want?â€ She grinned beneath her cowl as she spoke, â€œMe and my companion are pretty handy with a sword.â€ That piqued his interest but he frowned a moment later, â€œHow much?â€ He grumbled and it took everything she had not to jump up and down in triumph, â€œHow do ten silver sounds?â€ The manâ€™s eyes nearly glowed at the low price but she couldnâ€™t say nothing or he would be suspicious, â€œIn fact if you donâ€™t mind leaving when my comrade gets here Iâ€™ll make it only six. We have been stuck in this town for a while and want to get going.â€ The quick suspicion in the manâ€™s eyes dissipated as he nodded at her explanation for wanting to leave quickly, â€œAll right. When heâ€™s here we shall go. Why donâ€™t you have a seat, Iâ€™ll buy you a round.â€ She smiled and sat but shook her head at the drink, â€œThat is not necessary. I like to remain alert.â€ Secretly she didnâ€™t like the ales and beers which made her drunk in seconds at most times.â€