"Ah," the Bear seemed to deflate a little.  "Well, your company would be quite welcome nonetheless, as I see you have stout arms and a fair blade.  I will not demand that you join us, if your business takes you elsewhere..."<br/><br/>"Oh," Tushar sniggered, "I cannot imagine company would not be welcome!  We will accompany you."  The Rat produced an ornate fan from up one sleeve, opened it, and hid his face behind it, leaving his poison-green eyes glittering at the merchant.  "I insist," he added over one shoulder at Kairavi, acting the noble.  "My servant can fight well enough, and in any case we are bound in the same direction.  Downhill."<br/><br/>One of the serving girls came too near, and Tushar reached out to fondle her bottom, eliciting a shriek and a furious glare at the liberty-taker.  Since this was almost certainly the demon's intent, he did not seem at all upset when she slapped him hard enough to send his head 'round.<br/><br/>"Very nice!  Did you bring them for extra warmth? And quite spirited, besides!"<br/><br/>Paz, if not the girl, roared with laughter and slapped his knee.<br/><br/>"Careful, my most auspicious guest!  Freeborn women from our lands speak their minds and defend their own virtue!  But if it's a bedmate you want, we've a few indentured girls along for the trek."<br/><br/>"Oh, she's not for me.  She's for my mount, here."  Tushar patted Kairavi's knee.  "Widow's vow or something along those lines."<br/>