Ceren nodded. Letting Caro bear the burden of leadership was certainly helpful. The worst part of hiring out to protect caravans was the hiring process. Negotiating a price that would keep her fed, but was still appealing to to the caravans always left her walking away with a headache, even when the negotiations had gone well in her favor. The less talking she'd have to do, the better for everyone.
Outside, and high above, Andor let out a cry. At the same moment that Ceren's ear registered the sound, a heavy boot struck the door. Without thought, the hand on Esmé's shoulder twisted to grip hers, ready to leverage it to pull the woman behind her. Ceren's other hand went to the knife on her belt, pulling it from its soft leather sheath to hold in a reverse grip. All this passed as she pulled in a breath, muscles tensing to spring toward the door. The realization that it was merely Genthus, now stooped and cursing their lintel, pulled that breath back out of her lungs in a sigh. Sheathing her knife, Ceren stood and made to move toward the man, then thought better of it. The room was small as it was, and if he actually meant to come all the way inside, she didn't want to get tangled in the same space as him. Indeed, she had to retreat backward, a step behind Esmé, to stand in the doorway so their Qunari friend might have room enough to... stoop.
As if to echo his sentiment, Andor's claws thumped into the thatching of the roof and he called out again. "Believe me, big man. I'm as eager as you to put this place behind us." Ceren said, tossing him the first of the bags Esmé had indicated. She lifted her own and settled it onto her back, shifting her shoulders left and right to seat it comfortably, then gestured at the other bags with a tilt of her head and a wink. When Esmé mentioned the last, Ceren followed her gaze to the bundle and smiled.
"Now that's a good idea!" Ceren said, stooping over and pulling the crutches from under Esmé cot. Turning back to the woman, Ceren grinned as she settled them across one shoulder.
With everything collected, Ceren turned to follow Genthus out the door. Andor Hopped about on the roof above them as they emerged, then down to perch on the end of the crutches sticking out behind Ceren. Chuckling, Ceren gave the eagle a shake, but adjusted to his weight as they walked away from their little home. All around, children crouched and peeked around corners and piles of junk and refuse. "Have at it." Ceren said to one child who'd met her eye. She popped back behind the barrel she was using as cover, but Ceren knew they'd scarce make it around the corner before the urchins descended on the shack to pick over whatever they could find.
They were welcome to it, as far as she was concerned.
Outside, and high above, Andor let out a cry. At the same moment that Ceren's ear registered the sound, a heavy boot struck the door. Without thought, the hand on Esmé's shoulder twisted to grip hers, ready to leverage it to pull the woman behind her. Ceren's other hand went to the knife on her belt, pulling it from its soft leather sheath to hold in a reverse grip. All this passed as she pulled in a breath, muscles tensing to spring toward the door. The realization that it was merely Genthus, now stooped and cursing their lintel, pulled that breath back out of her lungs in a sigh. Sheathing her knife, Ceren stood and made to move toward the man, then thought better of it. The room was small as it was, and if he actually meant to come all the way inside, she didn't want to get tangled in the same space as him. Indeed, she had to retreat backward, a step behind Esmé, to stand in the doorway so their Qunari friend might have room enough to... stoop.
As if to echo his sentiment, Andor's claws thumped into the thatching of the roof and he called out again. "Believe me, big man. I'm as eager as you to put this place behind us." Ceren said, tossing him the first of the bags Esmé had indicated. She lifted her own and settled it onto her back, shifting her shoulders left and right to seat it comfortably, then gestured at the other bags with a tilt of her head and a wink. When Esmé mentioned the last, Ceren followed her gaze to the bundle and smiled.
"Now that's a good idea!" Ceren said, stooping over and pulling the crutches from under Esmé cot. Turning back to the woman, Ceren grinned as she settled them across one shoulder.
With everything collected, Ceren turned to follow Genthus out the door. Andor Hopped about on the roof above them as they emerged, then down to perch on the end of the crutches sticking out behind Ceren. Chuckling, Ceren gave the eagle a shake, but adjusted to his weight as they walked away from their little home. All around, children crouched and peeked around corners and piles of junk and refuse. "Have at it." Ceren said to one child who'd met her eye. She popped back behind the barrel she was using as cover, but Ceren knew they'd scarce make it around the corner before the urchins descended on the shack to pick over whatever they could find.
They were welcome to it, as far as she was concerned.
03-19-2024, 09:53 PM
