He could not blame the man for wanting to fill the air, there weren’t many things more awkward than leading the group of bandits who had taken you and your wares hostage to their proper destination and finagling a financial accord on your behalf-- or so Severen had lead on as to the business being conducted.
Sitting in resolute quiet was a might trying in such circumstance and the a leader of the ragtag crew decided to humor the efforts of his wary counterpart with the best he could attempt at reciprocation.
Matter of fact he only really knew Westin, the other boys were familiar by reputation and what loose associations Severen had in their chance encounters at competitions and auctions, but it was Westin who had vouched for their expertise. Currently, Van Sickle was much in doubt of the merits of his, by default, right-hand man's assessment of the assembled posse; he supposed that was the price you paid when relying on the word of another with little or no collateral.
For one thing, he was certain that he would only keep them around as long as they proved useful and not a second longer, however, having disposable assets was never a detriment in the business.
"More a partnership of convenience", he smiled, biding his words carefully as they were well within earshot, more than happy to imply threat, but not wanting any sore feelings to rock the already shaky terrain they currently found themselves navigating.
"Gotta say seems a lil' chuckleheaded you didn' arrange a partnership of your own travelin' alone saddled up with goods an' all".
Severen spit a piece of road grit out over the railing, "make the journey often?"
His probing sought to confirm just how well known, or familiar the targets would be with their vendor; if he was lucky even more information on how well traveled the trail was by others, in case a fast getaway was needed.
He was not quite ready to be among the willows just yet.
Behind him he could hear the low voices of his grumbling compatriots. What he could make out sounded mild, mostly complaints of comfort, with one or two questions about what they were doing traveling with the man they had robbed, and what the destination might be.
Westin was doing well enough to silence them, assuring the disgruntled individuals that Severen knew what he was doing-- whether or not he believed so himself.
"I bet you enjoy the nice solitude down this path, no bellyachin' to taint the fresh air".
The bandit leader spoke just a little louder than he had been, head cocked over one shoulder, angled toward the true recipients of the message. The discontent gradually silenced as the men took to the meaning, instilling, if not confidence, than apprehension of retaliation.
He winked to his companion.
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