<strong>Alice</strong><br/><br/>Whatever slip of tongue Alice could make, the vague offer of help and the imposing figure of Claire distracted them.  Most were wary of the knight when he reached out to them silently only to free them from their binds, though the elder merely smiled up at him without a change in her dotty expression.  If Alice's small frame made any of them doubt she could best their tormentors, it was her imposing friend that convinced them all of her chances.<br/><br/>"You certainly drive a terribly hard bargain, dearie," she spoke, struggling to rise to her old feet.  "Though not the hardest.  Never haggled before I take it.  That's alright.  At least you're a noble with some heart and spunk," he laughed before nodding to the others to join in.<br/><br/>"If... if you do help us, we'll offer whatever reward we can scrounge up.  And I'm sure the thieves have their own stash you can relieve them of," answered one man who seemed to speak for the others now.  "We don't really care about politics.  All we care about is that we can be safe once again and live in peace.  I doubt any of the King's soldiers will find their way here, but we'll promise to keep your visit secret as thanks for this favor."