The soldier’s eyes narrow as the strange black cat accuses him of doing things he hasn’t done yet.  ~So Esmeralda is her name~ he thinks to himself.  He looks to the poster and is amazed at the reward fee.  Looking back to the cat he says, “I’m not from around here and I’ve seen a lot, but I’ve never seen a talking cat, or a girl do whatever she did to me.  I’ve heard stories, but…is she…a…?” he stops and shakes his head.  “I’m a half step away from walking out this door and running as far away from here as I can, but if it wasn’t for her, I’d be dead by now.  I don’t want to hurt her, but tell me.  What did she do to have a reward on her head that high?”  As he says this he kneels down to her.  He is cautious with the cat, but it hasn’t attacked him yet.  “You hate me don’t you?” he says as he stares at the cat.