"Ah... well... uh..."

Don't panic. Don't panic. Stay collected, appear sure. He had Katherine to guard him and was still within the city itself. He just needed to stay composed, trust his escort... and find out what under his Grace they were asking from him.

Katherine shot him a glance at the lead thug's words, but Alexi couldn't reply with any more than terrified confusion. What did they thing he had? What [i]did[/i] he have? Travel supplies, maps and money- but they weren't asking for money, where they? The documents he was taking to Avantshire, then? They were still incomplete -not that the thugs could know that- and... what use would footpads gain from them anyways? They wouldn't know how to capitalize on the papers, would they even know who to try and sell them to? 

"I'm.... sorry, but I think you've been misinformed." Alexi remained close to Katherine, trying to keep his head facing the man before them, and not whip it back to keep glancing at those behind. She seemed content to threaten for now, looking quite ready to fight but holding back. She hoped they'd go on their way then? If so, Alexi felt it only proper to follow suit. She was the one with battle experience and skill, so it seemed only wise to follow her lead in a situation such as this.

"I'm not carrying anything you would find valuable, Sir. And if you're looking for coin, I should mention I am under protection of both Church and [i]Sword[/i]." He gave a meaningful nod towards Katherine as he spoke, gaining a measure of confidence in words. "Surely there are easier marks about than I."

The threat of the church was a gamble, but hopefully one that would give them pause. There were reasons priests, monks and select merchants could travel the lands without fear. Lords feared the reprisals of the church should one under their protection go missing, and zealously hunted down those foolish enough to rob or kill such travelers. That was before the church itself took action, boasting enough wealth and political power to rival most kingdoms. 

Of course, priests and protected merchants still went missing here and there. In some cases the threat was simply too ephemeral to scare away attackers. Alexi had to hope that -here within the city walls- that wouldn't be the case, especially with a mercenary at his side. 

"Leave us, Sirs. This is a waste of your time."