Ira took his seat, and listened intently to what Lord Cross had to say, showing respect as much respect as a listener can. Ira smiled slightly, as Cross correctly identified him and Ashley as professionals, along with Lexine. It seemed that Lord Cross wasn't as dim as he was violent, which was good news. Ira, nodding his head to confirm he agreed to the terms Cross posed to them, let out a chuckle as Al interjected, along with his stomach. Ira hoped that Cross wouldn't overreact to Four Swords, whom seemed was raised in the wild, and by the wild. Speaking up, before Al's words hung in the air too long, Ira intended to put Cross in a good, or better, mood, "I appreciate you receiving us, Lord Cross, into your formidable home. We, as a group, would deeply appreciate all the help you're willing to give to us." Ira, reached and picked up a cup from the table, along with a pitcher of what appeared to be wine, and poured himself a glass. Gingerly raising it, and tentatively raised the cup, looking over his companions and giving them a chance to also pour a cup in order to conduct a kind of toast to Cross. After a moment, Ira turned his head towards Lord Cross and nodded, "To the generous Lord Cross."

Once Ashley entered the Great Hall, his eyes immediately fixated on the pair of mountainous guardians that were ready to act on Cross's command at any second. Ashley listened absentmindedly, but did not take a seat with the rest of the group. Standing slightly away from the group, Ashley gazed around the castle, waiting for Cross and his group to finish indulging themselves before heading North, while also periodically turning his gaze back to the giants. It was unlikely Ashley could even take one of them, considering the quickness that they seemed to react with, and the obvious strength they had. It probably wouldn't be difficult to avoid them, but Ashley didn't necessarily want to do that song and dance. He had fought big men before, some taller than 7 feet, but none that boomed with muscle as much as the giants did. Turning his gaze back around to look around the castle, Ashley was still on high alert. To the man, he was in the lion's den, and would treat it as such. Even though Ashley hid any type of worry from his face, it would be somewhat clear to a studious observer that Ashley was scanning the Great Hall for possible dangers, points of exit, and other items of interest.