Sergei whistled, catching the meager coinpurse.
"Oh, my reputation proceeds me. And for the lady and scoundrel unacquainted, I am Sergei. Lord Sergei Dolvanov, Knight-General of the Crimson Hounds." he gave a flourish fo a bow. "That's quite good, yes. And tell me, wizard, if you saw my shock team route that cavalry in Tabor Lei, perhaps you've heard of our siege of Nightvell Castle, or the heads I took when my own homelands had a civil war?"

Giving a horribly toothy grin, he used his stump to throw his cape over his shoulder. "I'm only half blind, and I can tell that you're quite desperate to flee, if you're not bothering to dry off after leaving the river. So I'll tell you what: this can be my dinner, but toss in a little extra, and I'll loan you my sword hand. What say you? There's no honor among thieves, but a knight's word is his bond."
His eyes narrowed, gleaming with excitement. "And without a Lord to follow, I'd gladly fend off the coming guardsmen tonight if you'd pay me, say.... a single silver coin? Surely your safety is worth that much."