He could see it pass over Volen’s head and fly off into the great unknown. Like an arrow show from a bow in a random direction. It hadn’t registered at all, and Wyl had to struggle not to snicker. He had just found a great source of entertainment during this journey, and he looked forwards to seeing how far he could push Volen before the man finally understood. And if Wyl couldn’t manage it, then the places they were going to pass through certainly would manage it for him. There was very little to misunderstand when you were treated to a front row show of two people dancing the horizontal tango together.<br/><br/>Wyl eyed the scraps of cloth Volen wore, leaned in close once more and touched them, rubbing a piece between his fingers and looking at the many tears in it. In the end he sighed and sat back, shaking his head sadly.<br/><br/>“Now that won’t do at all, darlin’. We’ll be goin’ into some shady places, yes, but wear that and you’ll be noticed. People who wear your sorts of clothes usually ain’t got the money to go to those places. First thing we’ll have to do is to get you some good clothes, and we best do that right now. Next town over’s several days away, you ain’t gonna last. My<span style="font-style: italic">nose</span>ain’t gonna last. Now hold still for a moment.”<br/><br/>Manhandling the man, Wyl took his measurements. He had gotten a good idea about the possible width of Volen’s shoulders when he had removed the collar, so now he just needed the other measurements. Lifting one of Volen’s arms, Wyl measured it against the length and width of his own. He forced Volen to stretch out his legs to see how long they were and to see how big his feet were, and finally wrapped his arms around the man’s torso to gauge the width of it.<br/><br/>If Volen had been at his best, Wyl would have groped the man to high heaven and back. As it was there was nothing there to grope. But there was potential. Oh yes, very much potential.<br/><br/>“Right, I think I’ve got it. You stay put, darlin’, the powder is still doin’ its job. I’m gonna head out and find you some clothin’.” Wyl grinned as he got to his feet and picked up the two empty trays. “I’m also gonna see if I can’t lay down a false trail for people to follow. Ta, love.”<br/><br/>With that he was off into the night, disappearing in the shadows before anyone noticed him. He visited several of the establishments in town, ignoring the whores on offer, and instead focused on their customers, noting who had clothes that would most likely fit Volen now and in the future. Then he simply waited until they went with the whores. As people were doing their horizontal business, Wyl did his sneaky business and several articles of clothing disappeared from each place. He was back to Volen’s side three candle-marks later, dropping a pile next to the man and even two pairs of boots.<br/><br/>“There ya go. Pick out what fits then I’ll lead ya to the brook nearby. While you wash I’ll be returnin’ these borrowed things back to where they belong.” He motioned at the heap. “I tried pickin’ people who seemed unlikely to have lice, but if there are any we’ll deal with that later. I know a couple of herbs for that. Now, pick, pick!”<br/><br/>He was eager to see what Volen would make of the eclectic selection.