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[H3]Nora[/H3]
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Nora had left as the others faded out of the room. They were not her friends. She did not like most of them. And she trusted them even less. They were bound by the promise of coin and Vargas commands alone. Fragile strings, weak ribbons of loyalty that she suspected would tear apart at the slightest tug. She would keep them steady with her blade if she had to. The big man would be useful if it came to it. 

She retreated into the small room she had in the back of the Faded Lantern. A small candle burned on the table, just as she always requested. There was nothing to discover in her room and everyone in the Faded Lantern knew better than to try and steal from her. She had only had to teach the lesson once for it to be understood that her quarters were strictly off limits to everyone but the young serving boy that Vargas paid to clean. One lost hand sent a clear message in any language.

Nora had handed a list of supplies to Percy on her way. Some more gunpowder, two bags of bullets, and all that she could think of for an expedition into some ancient ruins. A good length of hemp rope. She expected trouble. She expected a lot of trouble. Bandits seemed likely, other thieves seeking lost treasures. Secrets never stayed secret for very long. Her mind was free from the warm, enfeebling embrace of the wine she had been offered. Her thoughts were clear. She was wary. She trusted Vargas. She trusted his greed, it was predictable, and she knew that so long as they returned with enough coin to pay their debts he would have no interest in betrayal. However, the others she did not trust. They were fat with water. They were drunk with comfort. She would watch them carefully.

She would watch them carefully Nora thought as she settled into an easy sleep. She hoped that the others would be wise enough to spend the night in bed, resting and preparing themselves for the voyage ahead. She was a morning person and she would find them all before the sun had risen.