Sweat drips down his clothed back as Viltez works hard on the old lady's roof. His arm comes down over and over, the work fading almost into an automatic action. He's repaired several roofs in the past, and this is no different. [i]'That's how life in this village tends to be'[/i] he thinks, turning to pull another wood shingle into place. Lining it up he pulls a nail from between his lips and holds it in place. [i]'One day is very much like the next. Anything unusual tends to be unwelcome, and won't be tolerated for long. Like that time those performers came through town with that magic act'[/i] Another board, another nail. [i]'I mean, I thought they were great, but Old Lady Jinni almost had a heart attack when that ball of fire wend bouncing around the stage. Everyone practically ran them out of town'[/i] 

He chuckles slightly as he grabs the next board. [i]'I swear, the only people welcome here come bearing gifts of food or other wares, but even they outlive their welcomes eventually'[/i] Lining up the nail he hammers it in with a single strike and reaches over to the nail bag for more. However he spots something out of the corner of his eye that causes him to pause and turn towards the market stalls. The thing that grabbed his attention is a large group of people just standing around a single stall. His brows furrow. [i]'For the normal flow of traffic in the market to be stilled, something either really good, or really bad must be happening'[/i] His eyes are drawn to the stall itself and he feels a strange sensation as his eyes land on a figure clad in blue. 

A warm breeze tosses his hair before his eyes, but so focused on the figure Viltez doesn't even bother to brush it aside. [i]'What the. . . . No one travels alone on the roads around here, and the caravan are the only visitors we have today. And that guy, is no merchant'[/i] A faint itch starts up on the back of his neck as he watches and he realizes that the stall owner is getting pisses. So too does the stranger seem to be losing his temper. Not wanting a fight to break out while he's watching, Viltez turns and slides down the ladder and almost like a snake darts between the gathered crowd to the front.

He just gets within earshot when Mr. Warren delivers an ultimatum and with practiced grace Viltez steps between the two men. He can feel a faint but menacing tingle run up his spine as he turns towards Mr. Warren with his hands raised. “ Now now Mr. Warren, there's no need to be getting so upset. This guy here doesn't seem the shifty type, I'm sure he plans on paying.”

The owner of the stall, a vein pulsating in his forehead clenches a fist in front of Viltez. “That bastard needs to pay for what he's already taken, and pay what I say! Did you hear him before? 'You will be adequately compensated once I have decided on the price.' The arrogant ass!” Fuming he tries to push past Viltez.

Feeling a twitch in his brow Viltez presses a gentle but firm hand against he man's shoulder to keep him from passing. [i]'Wow, that is very arrogant, but still'[/i] “Mr. Warren, it could just be the way it is where he comes from. We've had a few visitors that have very different customs, right?” With his hand still on the man's shoulder he turns to the stranger. Now closer he takes a moment to get a better look at the stranger. He has to look up to meet eyes that look a lot like Viltez's own, and the young half-breed can't help but notice how slender and pale he is for a traveler. Taking a steadying breath he addresses the taller man. “You're use to picking your own prices, no? That may work if you're buying from someone you trust around here, but as a stranger you should show a little respect for our way of doing things and pay what Mr. Warren asks. You understand, right?” He cocks his head to the side, raising an eyebrow in inquiry.