The group went silent.
Mercenaries were a mixed bag; sometimes they were helpful; usually, they were expensive trouble.
"We are approaching a village soon."
Ignotus pointed a thumb over his shoulder.
"River's End. It's a dump, but dumps usually have bars, and bars usually have people desperate enough to fight for coin. I say we hire a few and beef up the security detail."
Ulv looked skeptical.
"Bringing strangers into our formation is risky..."
He turned to his Young Lord.
"We don't know who they are; they could easily turn on us."
Lykos looked at Ulv, then at Ignotus.
He saw the way Ignotus had commanded the scene, the casual way he had saved his life from the bandits. And he saw the strange, unbothered confidence he so easily carried.
The 'Stranger' was rude, annoying, and possibly insane...
But he was right.
"No. The Stranger is right, our strength is dwindling."
Lykos straightened his back, trying to look taller than he was.
