Ceoluulf glanced at his stern reflection in the glass of water before downing it in one go, making not a sound and wasting not a drop.  He gestured almost flippantly in Seka's direction, as though the answer should have been obvious.  "One skilled and shielded enough to ward off any daggers aimed at our backs."  Then, looking back at Ren,  "You will remain nearest my side, occasionally hanging back with the women to catch what their eyes may miss.  I expect yours are keener than most."<br/><br/>It was a simple statement of fact that did not invite room for argument, but he looked to each of them for confirmation as an afterthought.  "I am no stranger to traveling untamed wilderness, and will take the lead."<br/><br/>-------------------------------<br/><br/>The man wasn't quite sure how so many hours had slipped past his notice, but soon the sun was dipping dangerously low beyond the windows and a miserable little rain was moistening the streets.  His conversations with the others had been stilted and infuriatingly vague, keeping each of them at arm's length at all times.  It was swiftly becoming something of a game for them, seeing just how many words they could manage to pry from Ceoluulf's lips before he lost himself in yet another drink or cast his gaze elsewhere out of irritation.  Smalltalk seemed to hold precious little interest for him.<br/><br/>Perhaps it was the oily and unbearable liquid festering in his gullet, but his attitude only seemed to worsen as business picked up.  Or perhaps Renolf's hunch was correct, and the man was simply ill at ease amongst people and their idle conversations, casual merrymaking, and lecherous bartering.  Regardless of the reason, by the time they were addressed by the tall stranger Ceoluulf had grown positively surly and was clearly not in the mood for dancing around words.<br/><br/>"It is a rare man that I consider friend before knowing their name or their nature,<em>stranger</em>," he said, locking eyes with the other man.  His voice was thick and scratchy from sour liquor, but otherwise maintained a steady pitch.  "Particularly when they already appear to know who<em>I</em>am."