Talbot listened to the woman speak about the guards. So… they were safe? That was good! At least they wouldn’t have to fight in the freezing weather. He was pretty sure that if they actually spilled blood, it would freeze before it hit the ground. He returned to his soup. It was almost gone and he had a full stomach. The spoon dipped into the broth again, and carried the liquid to his mouth. The broth was good, but it was the meat which had no flavor. They would have to fix that… Oh well. At least they would be going to Ferox, where there were probably more living things over there than over here. Maybe he could get his hands on some venison!

Vellia spoke again, asking him to play his music on the way to their next destination. He blinked in surprise, glancing over at her as she spoke. Talbot was confused when she had her head down, and he couldn’t see her face. Was… this some sort of joke? Maybe she was smiling and he couldn’t see it? But when she looked back up at him, her smile was sincere. What...? What? She wanted him to sing? [i]Usually people tell me to shut up when I sing.[/i] he thought, rubbing the back of his head and looking away. [b]”Uhm… sure, I guess. I’m sorry if I seem uncertain, it’s just that I don’t get many… song requests. They usually tell me to quit yapping and howling, that I’ll just attract coyotes.”[/b] he returned her sheepish smile and laughed a bit. [b]”So, it’s a big change.”[/b]