"It's crowded back there." Sergei panted, squeezing himself out of the cart's bed and clambering up into the seat, opposite of Ian. Fortunately, he decided to sit on the right, hiding the scars on his face. "Crowded, hot, and loud. Not at all good for a poor old veteran like me."
Sergei subtly shifted his cape, revealing his arm stump.

"Tell me, merchant, won't you take pity and let a withered old soldier take a rest instead of a spry young lad? If you do, I'll reward you with a war story and hot cider."