"Let us get some sleep today. Staying here for long might not be a good idea, especially with those nobles around. Let me go and update the other girls on the plan, and then we'll leave in the morning."
--------------
The next morning, they saw their opportunity almost immediately. A dozen massive, six-wheeled wagons were being loaded with crates of iron ore and salted fish. A grizzled man with a thick, grey beard and a no-nonsense expression was shouting orders at a group of weary-looking teamsters. There was a man shouting that they were headed to Highwind and were looking for mercenaries.
"That's our ride," Riku said.
He walked up to the man with a confident posture. He was a mercenary captain again. "Excuse me," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Are you the master of this caravan?"
The man turned. He looked Riku up and down. He saw a tough, capable-looking man. He saw four equally tough-looking women standing behind him. "I am," the man grunted. "What do you want?"
