The sun was now beaming down on them through a cloudless blue sky, giving Markus' dark hair and eyes a golden brown glow, even lighting up his navy tunic. Valarie would be able to see small glints from the chainmail cuirass he wore just behind it. Markus the Swordmage blinked and half turned to regard the newcomer. He recognized her from the other day, only half paying attention to everyone around him when they had all been presented. 

"Markus Flintbrook." he told her with a closed mouth, friendly grin. He shook her hand and nodded. Eloryen the Elf leaned in and whispered. "[i]If you're not going to court this one, I will[/i]." The words would be hard to hear if he had any sense, but Eloryen seemed to think human hearing was much worse than he had originally thought. Everyone gave him an incredulous look, not least of which Markus. "Shut up." the swordmage deadpanned. A few of the men laughed. 

The Elf gave him a look as if he was wounded, and then slipped away with a wink to all of them. "He seems to be a master of first impressions." Markus said sarcastically, still eyeing the Elf as he walked off. "Sorry about him." He turned back to her and gave another smile. It was only polite. He had a feeling this woman might not be the most experienced in the world. Not to say she wasn't good with that blade she carried. [i]She wouldn't have been hired if she didn't have the skill to survive[/i], he told himself. Still, he'd lived through enough circumstances where others didn't. Luck was just as important as skill. In the end, he wasn't about to be rude to someone who might be dead tomorrow.  

He'd seen enough high born in his life, and figured she must be one. He was one himself, he should know. A High born out in the wilderness was either disgraced or trying to prove something. Behind them, Tobias' call of 'ready!' was heard. If she looked passed Markus, she'd see at least a dozen mules and 3 wagons of supplies in a loose line. He gestured that they should get going. Tobias up front sat on his wagon. An armsman sat next to him with a loaded crossbow. All along the sides of the Caravan, the armsmen and mercs began to form up.