Lydia was at least mildly relieved to hear the stories of the bandits, who seemed like decent enough men pushed into indecent situations and did the best that they could with what life had given them. Perhaps with some success as law-abiding men, they might become more than they would have otherwise... the beginnings of the region's militia, if not eventual settlers.<br/><br/>She enjoyed the feast, and while she was sociable, she was trying to get more of a feel for the men and the amazon that had aparently chosen sides for the conflict to come... Lydia hoped that she wouldn't have to kill her before this was done.<br/><br/>Later in the night, as the ale flowed more freely, the ranger disappeared with one of the bandits for nearly two hours, eventually returning from the depths of the jungle with a much more relaxed smile and moving with a looseness to her figure that hadn't been seen since leaving the capital... the bandit followed her out with a slightly dazed expression, a "what hit me" look around the eyes and a little unsteady in the knees. Lydia was, after that point almost kittenish with everyone.<br/><br/>That next morning, she listened carefully to the information imparted and made a note upon the midge raid's return to find a map of the region and get a more exact position of the Stag Lord's men with the intention of perhaps quietly taking out some of those closer groups... too many and they would alert the bandits to their presence. "Thank you, and good luck on your task. Be safe and take no more chances than neccessary. Return to the trading post when you are done and you will be well rewarded."<br/><br/>The ride back to the trading post was both uneventful for the ranger, and far too long before the cool breezes of the grasslands hit her and the sweet that had flowing down her skin turned fridgid... her nipples made an appearance until her body adjusted to the change in weather. "That is very odd... there shouldn't be such a deviding line between the two... if anything, it should be evergreens and hardwoods in this region... There must be some magic about that place." She shook her head, the ways of magic only vaguely known to her to begin with. "Perhaps someone will explain it to me someday... there should at least be some moderate range between the two."<br/><br/>Still, being in the open and in a climate that she found pleasant for her views, the remainder of the trip was very pleasant.<br/><br/>"I think the guard unit has finally arrived." she said softly as men in armor appeared at the gates and she examined them carefully... She would be more inclined to trust the three rough men as opposed to the noble with the fancy armor... still she almost burst out laughing at the term Lady. "I am many things, but lady has never been used to define me.... " bastard might of been closer, if not precise in the gender...<br/><br/>She listened politely to the introductions and was a bit overwhelmed by the number of people in the post. "We do all of the work and they get the beds... this just isn't fair." she said to her companions as they were led to the stew pot. Her attention was distracted by the appearnace of tables and she went after to help with the chairs when the radishes were offered... or she would of said something more than scathing about poisoning everyone else... still, she wanted to stay busy so that when she slipped off to find a quiet place outside the walls that night, she would sleep. There was little desire to be in such a crowded place.<br/><br/>"The stew smells wonderful, we have some well cooked pork if you would like to add that to the meal... it was roasted last night, but there should be enough for some for everyone, if not for the stew." she offered as she squatted by the fire.