The village 'chief' furrowed his brow, as did everyone within earshot around him.  Most began whispering and arguing amongst themselves, but Howard seemed to speak for everyone with his disapproving tone.  "The Advent Mercenaries?  You had your payment when you came into our town and ransacked it just now," he chided.  "We've nothing left to pay for our supplies we've asked for from a local trader, let alone a second extortion.  Why have you attacked us?  We wanted mercenaries, but what I saw were bandits who moved in and claimed they had killed the Lady Cecilia!"