From the first sign of smoke, the merchant was put on edge. He tittered endlessly from the front of his wagon, not paying enough attention to the steering of his horses, and more than once almost slipping from the safety of the road.
"Have them stand further up front with their shields," he said. "To protect the horses."
That was only the first of many nervously given commands. By the time the fourth one came, the Yarmdon stopped listening.
"I'm paying them! Tell them to do what I say!" The man fumed.
"Tell him to calm down," Vol said. "That he'll only make our job harder if he causes a fuss because he's frightened."
"And you tell him," the merchant said, after Penelope translated, "that I'm not frightened! I'm wary! He's a fool not to be wary! The rest of his men are busy with their eating! Who is watching the hills?"
"You'll know when they come," Vol said. "They'll make sure you know it."
