And we have our first combat. ERode's chara could happen to be over there to get him/her together with the main party (searching for herbs or something), when ER finally makes his CS anyway XD

Or at least, potentially our first combat. You guys could either attack first or try to stir up conversation. 

Note that its much easier to fight from the back of a war trained steed (for Fiore, you would probably find it easier to dismount. you have a standard horse meant for just riding, not fighting)