"Ah.." he nodded and continued carrying the heavy pack.  

Calvin couldn't help but wonder why Straw would ask the obviously ill, or perhaps just injured, elf to accompany them.  If anything, she seemed like she'd be better off resting somewhere than spending the next couple weeks hiking into wild territory and sleeping on the ground.  

[i]Maybe she's got some special information or... skill...  or magic even! [/i]  Calvin pondered this as they walked along, passing fields where shepherds guarded their flocks of sheep or herds of goats.    

[i] And on the other hand, how come she wants to go?  If she already has a pack full of valuables, what's she hoping to gain?  Unless she's trying to get away from something...[/i] 

The terrain changed slowly from tended fields and pastures to a young forest and the road narrowed to a single wagon's width.  From somewhere ahead, the trio could just make out the sound of men and horses approaching.  It was difficult to tell exactly from the noise alone, but there were at least two, and probably not more than a half dozen.

[img]http://www.takemytrip.com/images/448_se_DSC02443.jpg[/img]