Concerning the work offered, I had the oddest idea of accepting both jobs. Then I could cram both the merchant's inventory and the girls into a room with a bucket and slide a pancake under the door every now and again to keep their strength up. Protect both interests at the same time. Two birds, one stone. 

Or not. Mostly not. Yeah, we're going with not. 

N'mind. Though I do get the feeling I'd have made an ok villain.