Gerta frowns at your little joke. She uncrosses her arms and steps closer. She puts a heavy hand on your shoulder. Her face is stern but her eyes are worried.

[b]"Hush now,"[/b] Gerta says sharp. [b]"Don't you be makin' jokes about that. These men are dangerous pigs. Them wantin' you is not a good thing, sugar. Not for Garrek and certainly not for you. You don't want that kind of attention."[/b]

She sighs and looks at the door where Vane left. She rubs her forehead.

[b]"I sure hope you are right about his pride,"[/b] she says. [b]"Maybe he will keep his mouth shut to save face. We can only pray his ego is bigger than his anger."[/b]

When you ask about the guards Gerta shakes her head. She looks tired.

[b]"It ain't that simple, honey,"[/b] she explains. [b]"The Vultures are organized. They watch us. The guards can't be everywhere at once. If we call the guards they might come for a day. But the moment they leave? The Vultures will be waitin'. They strike when nobody is lookin'. Snitchin' just makes them meaner."[/b]

Light starts to stream in through the windows. The sun has finally risen. The room looks different in the daylight. Less scary but still messy.

Gerta looks at the sunlight and then back at you. She glances at your hands where the magic was.

[b]"We got a lot more to talk about, Kalila,"[/b] she says serious. [b]"About... whatever that was you did. But right now we got patrons wakin' up hungry. We got work to do."[/b]

She turns to Garrek. The boy is already standing up. He looks ready to go.

[b]"Garrek you take her down to the market,"[/b] Gerta orders. [b]"Take her to Miller's shop. She needs sturdy work clothes not a ballgown. And listen to me good."[/b]

She points a finger at both of you.

[b]"You stick to the main roads. Walk where the guards walk. Do not take any shortcuts and stay out of the alleys. You hear me?"[/b]

Garrek nods fast. [b]"Yes Aunt Gerta! We will be careful!"[/b]

He looks at you with a big grin. He seems to have forgot about the knife at his throat already.

[b]"Come on Kalila!"[/b] Garrek says. [b]"Let's go spend that gold!"[/b]

[hr]

What do you do?