The talk shifted to the mission. Arden leaned back in his chair, recalling his earlier conversation with Boro at the Three Mugs Bar.
"He made it sound simple," Arden said, "but I'm not buying it. An escort job, he calls it. Yet he's careful with his words, like he's keeping the real story in his pocket."
Rael raised an eyebrow. "And what do you think's hiding in that pocket?"
"More trouble than he's willing to admit," Arden replied. "Still… trouble makes for better adventure. And the rare herbs at the end of this job? Worth the risk."
Nyra studied him. "So you're in, even without trusting him?"
Arden smirked. "Trust is optional. Adventure's not."
He told them they'd be leaving before noon tomorrow. "We're already behind schedule, and those herbs won't wait for us to stroll in."
The old woman, who'd been quietly listening, waved them toward the sleeping mats. They'd done enough walking for one day. So they settled in, though it wasn't as if any of them needed the rest.
