Adrian would of interjected to Soah's remarks, had the sergeant not referred to him as lad. In his short time spent with Crom, Adrian had learned to hate that word now. "I'm not a lad." Adrian said, simply, while also staring down the sergeant. Adrian took his grip of his dagger, to show that he was in no way about to use it. Adrian would interject, and try to take charge of the situation, but Soah seemed to be doing a fair job at it himself. Adrian appreciated their help, and was thankful that their is people nice enough like the guards in front of them, but Adrian could agree with Soah's point. Adrian was starving at this point, and tired of walking. He simply wished to be fed, and sit down. Adrian made a mental note to speak to Soah about being a fair more polite to strangers. Adrian realized that not everyone was taught manners, like he was by his noble-born parents, but this was far different. It was almost as if Soah was trying to incite the guards.

"Of course, sir," The guard said warmly and smiled slightly at Adrian. One part admiration for a young man out to prove himself and one part condescension instilled from years of watching the same types go by. His face stiffened when he turned back to Soah, a well practiced mask hiding a growing impatience with the rude man. As he had said, things had changed, and contrary to what that statement had implied they had changed in the favor of the recalcitrant traveler before him. This was exactly the kind of hot head he was supposed to get out of the countryside. "As you like, I must still see you in," he said curtly, sparing the man the details. He looked off into the woods, left and right for just a moment, and then turned on a heel to lead off towards the town down a trail the rangers liked to use, motioning for Adrian and Soah to follow him. To the rest of his group hung back a while, waiting to serve as a rear guard on the way back to Loenn. It wasn't much of a change in procedure for them, at least, the same is taking the occasional drunk back into town.

Soah watched as the man beckoned himself and Adrian to follow them, with the rest hanging back. "Come on, Adrian." Soah said, gruffly, as he turned 90 degrees, and took off away from the party of rangers. Soah had been traveling since he was 15 years old, and didn't need some ranger to help him get to a town that was right in front of him. Soah would of kept down the path, if the rangers hadn't made it their job to 'lead' the man to the town. The less Soah had to do with the local town's law enforcement, the better. Unless the rangers were offering free food and free clothes, Soah wasn't interested in play polite and going with them. He had made it this far from Aldruin, he could make the last leg of his journey without the help of some rangers from a town that had a bandit problem, but had yet to place walls around their town.

As the guards beckoned the duo to follow them, Adrian took a step forward, before being beckoned by Soah to follow him. Adrian didn't really get the point of Soah's defiance, but Adrian wasn't about to argue with Soah, or about to split away from him. Adrian glanced back at the guards for a moment, before following behind Soah, returning his hand to his dagger. Adrian appreciated the guards politeness, and would of said so, but it was obvious that Soah was in the leadership role now. While this bothered Adrian, one thing Adrian understood was chain of command. His father taught him, even though you might not like the leader, you must follow their decisions. Dissent, especially in front of others, does nothing but weaken both positions.

The sergeant stopped as he realized he wasn't being followed and looked back at the Soah and Adrian. What were they, a bunch of mad northerners just trying to stir up trouble? He couldn't just let them go, he had a job to do. One of his men spat on the ground and looked over to his leader, "Eh just leave 'em be.They'll take care of it too, gives the dogs something to play with." That wasn't an opinion he was looking to hear, and he surged forward past his men to follow Adrian and Soah distantly. He shook his head, wondering just what the act was, because he sure wasn't following it. The wind picked up, and the leaves along the forest floor skittered along in a way that seemed to impart an impatience in the man. "Has our hospitality offended you? I am doing my duty and offering you escort, for your own damn good." The spitting soldier back in the group ranted on to his comrades, cutting into his sergeant's speech. "Who comes out here looking for a 'sack of mead' anyway? And expects us to buy that? Burn the lot of 'em." The sergeant pursed his lips, this wasn't anybody's problem and he in truth felt he was failing the two men walking away. "You want to die out here?" He asked, exasperated, several moments of banter away from slapping a guardsman behind him, and finally starting to lose his cool temperament.

Soah stopped, and slowly turned to face the man. "I've killed men bigger and tougher than you. Having you protect me isn't a fucking service I need, sir." Soah replied, with a fair amount of venom on the last part of his sentence. "If you really want to help people, and do your fucking job, why don't you go back a little farther in those woods. If you had, I wouldn't be naked, and exhausted." Soah added, gruffly. "While you lot are here playing ranger, there is a man dying from blood loss back in the woods, with no one but bandits to help him." Soah said, as he turned around, and started to stomp off, finished with dealing with the lot of rangers. Soah was moving far better now, thanks to the snow shoes. Soah was ready to eat, and dealing with the guards was something he preferred not to do. While following them to the town might be quicker way, Soah had no want to travel once again with a group, especially with law enforcement.

Adrian watched as Soah once again stormed off, away from the help the guards were offering. Adrian stood still for a moment, as Soah marched off. "I'm sorry for my friend, you're doing good jobs." Adrian said, adding a slight nod, as he turned on his heel and walked away, to follow Soah. Adrian wasn't a fan of being needlessly cruel to people, and preferred a better use of manners, but he would follow Soah where Soah led. The man did know what he was doing, and Adrian was confident that whatever trouble they met, that Soah could bail the duo out. With a fierce attitude, and a powerful back-up, Adrian doubted there was something the duo couldn't do. As long as they stayed of the same goal, that is. Adrian glanced back at the guards for a moment. He felt bad for them, feeling as if they should of been treated better. Adrian would have to learn to steel his feelings more, in the future.

The sergeant stammered for a moment, unable to find words. He silenced himself and regained his composure, standing crisply with his hands at his sides. There was nothing he could say. "Stay safe," he said to Adrian, and turned away from the duo. They hadn't lost people around the town, not yet. He didn't want to be the watchman to turn up the first corpse though. It was out of his hands: he wasn't going to resort to fisticuffs with someone he was sworn to protect. His patrol looked at him kind of funny for his demeanor, most armed guardsmen so far north were quick to employ the backs of their hands. The leaves whispered again, like clattery laughter along the forest floor. "You heard the man, to the road and let's get some words," he snapped the command and lead his squadron away, Lusevet pressing bootprints into the snow. The offhanded way he'd mentioned it made it more believable; if there was someone bleeding out in the woods they would be remiss if they didn't go out to find him. He told himself that on their return pass he would check again for the strange duo, though if it took them that long to get into town they were walking in circles or stopped.

Soah kept on his march for a little bit, until he was out of sight from the rangers, before turning his course back towards the town. "We didn't need their help. Meanwhile, someone that could use their help coulda of passed through here, but they'd be gone helping us." Soah said, gruffly, as he marched towards the town. He glanced back at the seemingly sullen Adrian. "I need clothes." Soah said, simply, feeling the cold finally starting to get to him. "You'll leave to go find a tavern, and I'll go find a store." Soah added, readjusting his cloak as he spoke. The man was tired, exhausted even. He had controlled his breathing a while ago, but every muscle in his body still twitched. It was a common occurrence when the wolf came out. Soah wondered for a moment if the mountains were as dangerous as the guards built them up to be, but Soah soon dismissed the thought, as the duo got ever closer to the town.

As soon as the trio had boarded the cart, Marcus Wheeler whipped his reins and sent the horses down the road at a fairly faster pace than he'd been going at upon arrival. The cart had the usual troubles on uneven, snow covered terrain but their driver was clearly experienced and his horse team equally so because they made steady progress up the side of the mountain. They would be in Loenn quickly, at this rate. As they settled in atop the crates piled into the wagon, Johnathon set his bag down and was about to begin cutting into it with the scissors from his sewing kit when the hooded stranger spoke, curtly and with just a slight haughtiness. "That isn't going to help him much, but," a woman's voice trailed away in a transparent attempt to garner the group's anticipation. Whether or not it was that easy she didn't quite care. "I know people who can, for one small favor." She smiled in the shadow of her hood, a venomous smile that did more to explain the nature of her proposition than she ever would.

John sighed and set down his scissors for a moment, looking a little bewildered with the stranger. "This man could die, if you can help us, why not do it now and I'll do twice what you're asking?" The woman took no notice and instead directed her attentions towards Crom and Griff. "This is my caravan, as it turns out, and I am selling its cargo to certain friends of mine who took it upon themselves to come all the way out here from their homes... in the west." She waved her hand, dismissing an afterthought of hers. "To put things simply; you're clearly a soldier of some sort, ready to go with stitch-work," she nodded at Crom before turning to Griff, "And you look rakish enough to be in my employ, though I'll admit I'm not the best judge of character. But you're armed and that's enough for me." The mountain pass hadn't taken long for the caravan to reach and traverse, and now the town of Loenn sat laid out below them at the foot of the mountain. "Loenn isn't a place I usually do business, and I don't have many friends there. I want you all to be my friends for a day. In return I feed you, have this man attended by an expert right now, and you may all walk free." It was a gamble picking up a wounded man, but there hadn't been anyone else on the road. If anything it was extra leverage, however little it was. Regardless, she spoke diplomatically and as evenly as ever; another sale to be made before the one that mattered.

Crom eyed the woman with distrust. He remembered something he'd heard once: there's no such thing as a free ride. They had taken the bait hook line and sinker. Crom looked at his wounded shoulder, still clutching tightly at the the injury to prevent more blood loss. Under ordinary circumstances, he would've rejected any involvement with the woman. The situation was questionable at best, and despite his position as a mercenary, he preferred to avoid particularly shady clients. Still, without aid, the soldier was in a bad spot. There was a high likelihood that he would bleed out, and he had a strong feeling refusing the offer would put them in a worse position than they were already in. The mercenary rested a hand on the hilt of his weapon and locked eyes with the woman. "Just what kind of work are you asking for?" He looked around at the boxes in the cart. "And what cargo are we transporting?" Crom had a feeling the woman's dealings were of questionable legality. The combination of their current predicament and the intense pain washing over his body had nearly completely sobered him up, and his voice was no longer warm, but flat and frank. The way the woman had said 'walk free' concerned him. He narrowed his eyes, peering at the face beneath the hood. His aching fingers wrapped around the hilt of his weapon. "And what exactly happens if we refuse?"

Adrian listened to Soah as the pair watched, but wasn't really absorbing anything the man said. Adrian was too busy gazing at the town that was in the distance. He had been here once before, with his parents. He didn't remember much of the town, since he was only 6 when he was last here, but he did remember that the town seemed fairly nice. Adrian picked up his pace to take the lead of the duo. Adrian was going to assert his leadership where ever possible, and the town wasn't even far off from the pair of them. Adrian looked back at Soah for a moment, "Do you think the others are doing okay?" He asked, casually. It was more idle talk than anything. Adrian didn't have enough time to like John, whom seemed a little eccentric for Adrian. Crom seemed like a good mentor, but that was it. The man obviously took on a fatherly role with Adrian that Adrian wanted no part of, and for that he resented Crom. Griff was a nice man, as far as Adrian was concerned. He said wise things, and helped Adrian a little in the almost-bar fight with Crom. He knew the group could take care of themselves, but he Adrian wanted to spark some kind of conversation.

Sinette was carefully whittling away on a small stick, while sitting idly on a rock. She had been here for a while, trying to get away from the bustling city of Loenn. Sinette much more enjoyed the serenity of the countryside, even though it was fairly more dangerous. Sinette's flamberge laid on the snowy ground beside her, as she continued on with her small hobby. Suddenly, she could hear a couple of voices, and the crunching of snow as someone approached her position. Fearing the worst, Sinette quickly dropped her tiny stick, and picked up her bigger stick, slinging it over her shoulder. She quickly got out of view, by hiding behind a nearby tree, her slender frame allowing for full concealment from anyone that might be approaching. She heard another voice that sounded like that of a child. Sinette carefully peaked out from around her tree, seeing a dirt blonde haired boy, with a shaggy looking man, missing actual shoes and pants it seemed. Sinette watched the group stoically from her hidden position.

Soah watched as Adrian took the lead, completely fine with the boy leading the duo down to the town. Soah was slightly caught off-guard by Adrian's question, but decided to ignore it. Crom was hurt pretty bad, but Soah had a feeling that an old dog like him wouldn't go down without take more punishment than Soah had given him. John was likely still desperately trying to not be a spaz, and Griff was probably lying through his teeth to someone. Soah didn't really care for the group, at all. As the pair watched, Soah stopped walking. "Adrian." Soah said, sharply, to get the boy to stop. Soah almost smirked. To the right of the pair was rustled snow, where it was obvious someone had just been. Soah would of completely missed it, if it wasn't for an imprint of quite a huge sword in the snow. Soah traced the footsteps, where they lead behind a nearby tree. Soah motioned with his hand for Adrian to take a step back, and away. "Why don't you come out, before I come bring you out?" Soah said, gruffly. He wasn't in the mood for games, and if this was a bandit, Soah didn't know if he had the energy to actually turn half way. It would likely be a straight fight.

Adrian frowned as Soah opted to not answer his question, but decided not to pursue the topic. As the pair walked, Soah hissed Adrian's name. Adrian instantly turned on a swivel. He tracked Soah's eyes to a pile of snow that looked as if someone had recently been there. Adrian was skeptical at first, wondering if Soah was just being paranoid, until Adrian saw a dropped stick, that looked as if it had been whittled on. Someone had obviously just been here, and was now hiding from Adrian and Soah. Adrian did as Soah directed, and backed up slightly, gripping his dagger in his hand as he did. He watched the trees all around him, wondering if a bandit, or multiple bandits, were about to jump out and attack the pair.

Sinette flinched as she was called out by the shaggy looking man. She stayed hidden behind the tree for a few more moments, contemplating an action she could take that wouldn't end with a fight. Sinette sighed, and walked out from behind the tree, hands raised slightly above her head. "You caught me." Sinette said, with a playful smile. The pair didn't seem too threatening, albeit they did appear fairly homely looking. "So, what's too travelers like you doing all the way out here?" Sinette said, still holding her ever playful smile. Sinette took a few steps towards the travelers, lowering her hands as she did. Surely the two of them wouldn't expect the slender redhead girl to be dangerous enough to warrant any kind of harsh treatment, but then again, said slender redhead girl was wielding a sword that could skewer a full grown man, easily.

Soah's posture did not relax when the small, redheaded girl stepped out. Anyone with a sword as large as the one Soah could see on her back wasn't as innocent as she was playing as being. When she took a few steps forward, and lowered her hands, Soah took a aggressive stance. "Keep your hands where I can see them." Soah said, gruffly. He wasn't about to let himself to be killed by this girl, or even let himself relax around her. "Why don't you tell us what you were doing hiding from us?" Soah asked, sharply, as he increased the distance between himself, and the girl. He eyed the sword of the girl, as he awaited a response. Soah had seen swords like those before, except slightly longer. He had seen them do serious damage to people, and had serious damage done to him by one. He wasn't about to let this girl get anywhere within that sword's length of him.

Adrian froze as the surprisingly pretty girl stepped out from behind the tree. Adrian was doubly surprised when he saw the weapon she carried on her back. The sword was nearly as long as Adrian. Adrian drew his dagger, as the girl took a few steps towards Soah and him. Adrian, while found it hard to believe this girl meant them harm, found it best to take an aggressive posture, to discourage any funny business from the girl. "Yeah, why were you planning to do? Jump out and split us in half?" Adrian spat, as he watched the girl closely. Adrian took a couple of steps forward, ready to pounce before she did.

Sinette's playful smile turned to a frown, as her questions were turned on her. Her ears twitched as she heard the sound of drawn metal. Sinette instantly drew her flamberge, in a quick, fluid motion that was almost like water in movement. Despite her small size, Sinette wielded the great sword like a master, easily twisting, and moving it around in her hands, slightly spinning the huge blade. "Why don't you boys go on your way, and I won't have to cut you in two." Sinette threatened, buffing her chest out slightly as she did so. The girl didn't look so threatening, but the way she wielded the massive steel in her hand attested to the obvious skill she possessed with the deadly weapon. She switched her vision from the shaggy man, to the boy, and back again, ready for anything they might try.

As soon as the redheaded woman drew her manopener, Soah charged forward. Soah was betting that he would catch the woman off-guard, instead allowing the situation to boil up to a flashpoint where she would be expecting a charge. Soah kept his body low, and opened his arms up, in order to tackle the small girl around the waist. Soah was going to grab her by the legs, once he wrapped up, and drive her as hard as he could into the ground. Soah hoped Adrian would take the cue, and get the sword away from the woman. Soah was confident that he then could easily beat, or subdue, the woman. While Soah was sure this girl was an ace with her giant sword, it was still a giant sword, which would make it somewhat easier to dodge, or duck under, if his tackle failed.