(( With thanks and some apology to the lovely Xydane Vale. <3 ))
Hroch expected little enough of his expedition. He set off from their hideout in Lost Hope with the intention of combing Ul'dah one more time for any sign of the prodigal Aylard Greyarm but his mood was grim and his prospects sour. As the suns came and went (the number of which he stopped counting if only to soften that particular anguish) he came to understand just how far out of his depth he was. Aylard was a wise man and an excellent teacher but it was often said that he was too soft on his boy, the boy who should have been the man to take control and lead their group to better times.
He was lost and without direction and it showed. The looks Shaelen gave him were sharp and he could almost taste the disappointment every time they met, for he was his father's son by blood and nothing more. Brynnalia seemed even less impressed and there were times when he worried Daena felt the same as well though she was always kind despite her father's obvious disapproval.
Hroch shook his head as to clear his thoughts. His footsteps were slow and measured as he marched the road south out of Black Brush. He had his goals and his hopes to heart and one way or another he intended to deliver upon them. As long as his people were to stay in Thanalan, he would have to do what he could else risk more harm upon those who would trust in him.
The road dipped low into a dusty basin where a tavern of some sort had been built into the foot of a crag. He and his father both had passed this location many times before in their walks between Ul'dah and wherever location they were needed, but today it was noisy and raucous. A crowd was parked out on the porch of it, many sporting drinks and some even foodstuffs, and people in red uniforms were greeting anyone and everyone who would approach the doors. It did not strike Hroch as some place his father would stay for the crowd was much too thick but as he strode past he could only remind himself that he had next to nothing left to go on.
A pretty miqo'te woman welcomed him as his boot steps brought him through the door. The tavern was crawling with all manner of people, all races mingling over mugs of drink and loud chatter. The setting immediately set Hroch on edge, having not the stomach for crowds. Carefully he edged his way towards the bar, scuttling between free-floating pairs and groups of strangers that hovered in any and all of the open spaces between the occupied tables. The bar itself was a little less crowded: a blue-haired elezen woman at the far end looked about with boredom in her eyes, and a black-haired hyur man watched the crowd with a mug in his hands. As Hroch approached he quickly noted that the hyur's attention shifted square to him.Â
"Would you care for a drink, sir?" An elezen in red piped up from behind the bar, bowing politely to the highlander who had settled in before her. Her attire was like that of the miqo'te at the door and of several others who were milling about the crowd.Â
Not wanting to seem rude, Hroch flashed to her a faint smile. It gave him reason to ignore the hyur man who was still staring, besides, his silver eyes sharp even in Hroch's peripheral vision. "Uh, sure. What do you recommend?"
"We've a fine chamomile tea, perfect for soothing frayed nerves," chirped the elezen helpfully. Her smile was professional and courteous but it could not be said whether or not there a hint of amusement there as well.
Hroch could feel his cheeks reddening slightly. Was it that obvious...? "Tea? Well... Yeah, that'd be good. I'll have one of those, then, if that's okay."
"Certainly, sir. Pray give me a moment, please."
Hroch nodded and snuck a glance down the bar. The other hyur was still staring and so caught him looking his way. There was something about the man that struck Hroch as odd but, given only brief glances, he could not pinpoint what. That feeling only grew more potent when the man raised a hand and gestured for him to come nearer, to take some space at the counter beside him. "There aren't any tables," he said over the din of the tavern. "You can come stand over here if you like."
A quiet clunk on the counter in front of him drew Hroch's attention away. A fine and earthy smell touched his nose even before he realized that there was a stout mug of gently steaming tea set before him with a beaming elezen behind it. "Here you are, sir. Please enjoy and have a lovely evening." As Hroch nodded his thanks to her she favored him with a friendly wink and turned her attention to the next attendant shuffling up to the bar.
He noted the dark haired hyur was still looking him expectantly. There was nothing malicious in his eyes, at least insofar as Hroch could tell: it was his father who was better judge of character, able to sniff out suspicions and doubts with the best of them. Hroch's wary gaze lingered before he finally opted to scoot over, dragging his tea along with him until he had come to the stranger's side. "Dunno how I never noticed this before," he started, picking up some small talk to give him some time to size the man up. "Seems kinda... nice, though, doesn't it?"
He was a midlander, this other man, built more compactly than he but still bearing an air of someone who knew his way about a fight. He leaned over the bar like a man well familiar with the surroundings, or at least more than confident enough to be comfortable in them. A sword was sheathed at his hip and though he wore a simple woven tunic, below the counter he could make out the dull sheen of armored greaves. In his hand was a mug of something that smelled sweet, and he sipped at it before responding to his new company. "The drinks are free under the tavern's owner, Quarimar Baenund. It's his generosity."
"Can't be cheap being generous to all these people." As if to illustrate his point, Hroch glance around again to a crowd that only seemed to be growing. "Seems like it's a rare thing these days..."
"He offers sanctuary for weary travellers," replied the stranger. "You look like someone who has... gone a few steps yourself."
Hroch eyed him a moment while he took a sip of his tea. "I guess I have. Not so much as others, though. It hasn't been..." He paused as if to search for words, cautious as to just how much he should say to an suspicious unknown in a crowd of unknowns. "Well, I guess it hasn't been good for any of us really."
The stranger kept himself turned to face the bar while he nursed his drink, silvered eyes studying Hroch sidelong. The feeling of being inspected as such made the hairs at the back of his neck stand. "You have a look of concern on  you," the midlander said at length. "What's your name?"
"I'm... name's Hroch."
"Hroch? Heh. Good name." The last of his beverage downed, the midlander then turned to face Hroch fully, making it even more obvious that he was studying the larger man to every minute detail he could see. He couldn't see himself, of course, but his eyes were darkened with sleep or stress or possibly even both, and though he kept his clothing in decent shape he wore them uncomfortably, as though the cloth were constantly itching against his skin.
Absently, Hroch spun his mug between his fingers while he turned his head to peer elsewhere in the tavern. Near the center of the room a bard seemed to be setting himself up for a performance and there was a steady stream of faces coming and going through the swinging doors. "Ya think so...? I like it. But I guess it isn't very common, uh, 'round these parts."
"I know it isn't." A quick smile touched on the hyur's thin lips. "You looking for someone?"
"Aye, sort of. Uh, was gonna have another look around Ul'dah again but... then I saw all the people here. Thought maybe he might have..." Hroch frowned to himself, trailing off his words. He would find himself looking to the other in surprise when next he spoke.
"I'm Xydane, by the way. You're new to this place aren't you?" It was a question gently asked, one which seemed to amuse the shorter man. "I could tell you were lost the moment you walked inside this building."
It unnerved Hroch, the casual way to which it was asked and ease with which his manner was being picked apart. Warily he grinned at his companion, thankful at least that he could hide his expression behind a quick sip of tea. "Is... is it that obvious?"
"Only to some." Again, Xydane grinned. "Relax, man, I'm not going to do you any harm. Ease up a bit and enjoy that drink." He inclined his head towards the mug which Hroch had stopped spinning and, unconsciously, started squeezing.
"S-sorry. Just... things haven't been so good is all." That was an understatement if there ever was one: bit by bit, their group was being weathered down and before too long he worried there would be little enough left to save. He muttered after another gulp, "I'm sure you're a decent fella."
"You need help with anything? Perhaps I can help you look for... whoever it is that you're searching for?"
Hroch balked at that, his suspicions sharpening. It may very well have been the case that Xydane was indeed being friendly and offering genuine aid, but he almost seemed over-eager. "Sorry, friend. I can't really be... It's something I gotta do myself, you know what I mean?"
Xydane easily picked up on his suspicions, just as he had easily picked up on his nerves. "Listen. Your business and your story are none of my concern. There is, however, nothing wrong with seeking help every so often."
"I know, I know. It's just that... I can't help but wonder if that's what might have got us in trouble in the first place?"
"You looked lost and I am merely lending out a hand. If you don't take it, it's all on you and you can keep looking lost and confused." Xydane shrugged and tilted his head towards the young highlander. "If you take it, however, you may not be in the situation you're finding yourself in. All on you."
Hroch took one last gulp from his still-warm mug and set it down with a heavy sigh. The elezen that was attending the bar gave him a questioning glance but he shook his head at her. "I know it's all on me. I know that," he said, failing to hide the frustration in his voice. "I just don't know what to do about it. I got nothin' to go on."
It was several moments before Xydane spoke again. He was watching Hroch closely, studying the emotions shifting across his face. "Listen... If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. Like I said, it's none of my business. If there's something on your mind, just know that there are some people in this world who have been in your same shoes. And sometimes, we all just need the right people to point us in the right direction."
Hroch's jaw set as he listened and considered the midlander's words, his advice. It occured to him then that he couldn't have been much younger than Xydane: the man was a little more weathered about his face but he was obviously still young. At length he turned to face Xydane and spoke in hushed tones. "... I got... people missing. People hurt. Spirits are broken, an' it's up to me to fix it somehow. What do you think I should do...?"
The desperation in the highlander's voice was plain, especially to Xydane. A slow sigh heaved its way out of his nostrils and briefly he closed his eyes, pondering. "Know that it's sometimes a problem one person can't fix. There is nothing wrong with seeking aid especially when you aren't equipped with the exact tools and mindset for confrontation. Stay calm and remember every single detail about where you were and whom you've met. Think to yourself how a person, place or thing can relate to a situation. It's a puzzle and your job is to fit the pieces together. Retrace your steps but do not tire yourself out when doing so. Take a moment to breathe and slowly assess your situation."
"Problem is... I didn't get to meetin' everyone. And I can't find his contacts. He didn't keep them written down anywhere. Old man had a me--" Hroch frowned as he quickly corrected himself. "Has... a memory like a hawk."
Steel-colored eyes fixed themselves back on Hroch. "This... 'old man'. Is he your relative?"
Hroch paused once more. It's a big risk he was taking, babbling on like that to a stranger who could very well have been working for the wrong sort of people. There are people asking questions, Aylard told them once. Asking after father and son. He had little else to go on. "Aye... Aye, he is. My da... been missing for many a sun now."
"A soldier assess every single scenario possible. You have to think of all ends. Perhaps he was injured on a trip? Maybe he has lost his way? Perhaps he was kidnapped?" Xydane spoke calmly even as he broached on the thought no one wished to entertain, casually brushing a hand back through his hair. "We are in Thanalan after all and kidnapping for ransom isn't uncommon here. Trust me when I say I know."
"He's old but he's tough. If he was injured... no he would have found his way back to us by now. And no way he'd let himself get lost, not with everything on the line... Aye. It's a dangerous place around here. We found that out quick."
Xydane's expression grew intense as he peered at him."Lost for a couple of days without anyone knowing where he went. Think carefully about that."
On the other end of that gaze, Hroch struggled not to falter. The notion had crossed several of their minds many time before but no one wanted to speak too heavily upon, as if doing so might make it even more true. Yet what signs they could discern all seemed to be pointing at that terrifying conclusion. He thought of a room that looked as if it had been abandoned; a whetstone and an unmade bed. "... I don't wanna believe it. I really don't."
"In life, you meet the wrong people and sometimes... you meet the right people. Hroch, you've just met the right person. One of the things I do for a living is that I search for the missing." He was not boasting but there was still pride in his voice. The sword made a little more sense then, for the man was plainly not an everyday citizen. "Just know that you can't do everything by yourself. It takes a man to finish a job but it takes a bigger man to ask for aid. Don't be ashamed. I've been down your path a long time ago."
"Now," he continued, reaching into a pouch on his belt to retrieve a gil piece which he then left atop the counter. "We can either stand here and talk about it or we can do something about it. When it comes to the missing, time is everything."
His gaze turned to Hroch, fiercely determined, and Hroch could not help but feel his own spirit lift. There was no doubt that he was still taking an enormous risk bringing an outsider into their affairs: the man was without a doubt not of Ala Mhigo, but he got the distinct impression that that was not an issue. His words felt genuine and the quiet fire in his voice was, in a way, comforting. Just briefly, the man called Xydane reminded him of his father.
"Alright," Hroch conceded at last. Sometimes, we all just need the right people to point us in the right direction. He turned away from the counter and cast one last look around at the patrons in the tavern. It did not surprise him that the greyed, rough face of his father was not among them. Hroch expected little enough of this expedition but a new ally was as good a lead as he could have hoped for. "Alright. Do you think we might... talk somewhere a little less...?"
Xydane's grin came easily, as open as though they had been friends for years. He raised a hand to wave his goodbyes to the bartender and some of the other red-garbed figures in the crowd, all of whom seemed delighted enough to bow and nod his way in return. "As you wish, my friend. Now, lead the way!"
Hroch expected little enough of his expedition. He set off from their hideout in Lost Hope with the intention of combing Ul'dah one more time for any sign of the prodigal Aylard Greyarm but his mood was grim and his prospects sour. As the suns came and went (the number of which he stopped counting if only to soften that particular anguish) he came to understand just how far out of his depth he was. Aylard was a wise man and an excellent teacher but it was often said that he was too soft on his boy, the boy who should have been the man to take control and lead their group to better times.
He was lost and without direction and it showed. The looks Shaelen gave him were sharp and he could almost taste the disappointment every time they met, for he was his father's son by blood and nothing more. Brynnalia seemed even less impressed and there were times when he worried Daena felt the same as well though she was always kind despite her father's obvious disapproval.
Hroch shook his head as to clear his thoughts. His footsteps were slow and measured as he marched the road south out of Black Brush. He had his goals and his hopes to heart and one way or another he intended to deliver upon them. As long as his people were to stay in Thanalan, he would have to do what he could else risk more harm upon those who would trust in him.
The road dipped low into a dusty basin where a tavern of some sort had been built into the foot of a crag. He and his father both had passed this location many times before in their walks between Ul'dah and wherever location they were needed, but today it was noisy and raucous. A crowd was parked out on the porch of it, many sporting drinks and some even foodstuffs, and people in red uniforms were greeting anyone and everyone who would approach the doors. It did not strike Hroch as some place his father would stay for the crowd was much too thick but as he strode past he could only remind himself that he had next to nothing left to go on.
A pretty miqo'te woman welcomed him as his boot steps brought him through the door. The tavern was crawling with all manner of people, all races mingling over mugs of drink and loud chatter. The setting immediately set Hroch on edge, having not the stomach for crowds. Carefully he edged his way towards the bar, scuttling between free-floating pairs and groups of strangers that hovered in any and all of the open spaces between the occupied tables. The bar itself was a little less crowded: a blue-haired elezen woman at the far end looked about with boredom in her eyes, and a black-haired hyur man watched the crowd with a mug in his hands. As Hroch approached he quickly noted that the hyur's attention shifted square to him.Â
"Would you care for a drink, sir?" An elezen in red piped up from behind the bar, bowing politely to the highlander who had settled in before her. Her attire was like that of the miqo'te at the door and of several others who were milling about the crowd.Â
Not wanting to seem rude, Hroch flashed to her a faint smile. It gave him reason to ignore the hyur man who was still staring, besides, his silver eyes sharp even in Hroch's peripheral vision. "Uh, sure. What do you recommend?"
"We've a fine chamomile tea, perfect for soothing frayed nerves," chirped the elezen helpfully. Her smile was professional and courteous but it could not be said whether or not there a hint of amusement there as well.
Hroch could feel his cheeks reddening slightly. Was it that obvious...? "Tea? Well... Yeah, that'd be good. I'll have one of those, then, if that's okay."
"Certainly, sir. Pray give me a moment, please."
Hroch nodded and snuck a glance down the bar. The other hyur was still staring and so caught him looking his way. There was something about the man that struck Hroch as odd but, given only brief glances, he could not pinpoint what. That feeling only grew more potent when the man raised a hand and gestured for him to come nearer, to take some space at the counter beside him. "There aren't any tables," he said over the din of the tavern. "You can come stand over here if you like."
A quiet clunk on the counter in front of him drew Hroch's attention away. A fine and earthy smell touched his nose even before he realized that there was a stout mug of gently steaming tea set before him with a beaming elezen behind it. "Here you are, sir. Please enjoy and have a lovely evening." As Hroch nodded his thanks to her she favored him with a friendly wink and turned her attention to the next attendant shuffling up to the bar.
He noted the dark haired hyur was still looking him expectantly. There was nothing malicious in his eyes, at least insofar as Hroch could tell: it was his father who was better judge of character, able to sniff out suspicions and doubts with the best of them. Hroch's wary gaze lingered before he finally opted to scoot over, dragging his tea along with him until he had come to the stranger's side. "Dunno how I never noticed this before," he started, picking up some small talk to give him some time to size the man up. "Seems kinda... nice, though, doesn't it?"
He was a midlander, this other man, built more compactly than he but still bearing an air of someone who knew his way about a fight. He leaned over the bar like a man well familiar with the surroundings, or at least more than confident enough to be comfortable in them. A sword was sheathed at his hip and though he wore a simple woven tunic, below the counter he could make out the dull sheen of armored greaves. In his hand was a mug of something that smelled sweet, and he sipped at it before responding to his new company. "The drinks are free under the tavern's owner, Quarimar Baenund. It's his generosity."
"Can't be cheap being generous to all these people." As if to illustrate his point, Hroch glance around again to a crowd that only seemed to be growing. "Seems like it's a rare thing these days..."
"He offers sanctuary for weary travellers," replied the stranger. "You look like someone who has... gone a few steps yourself."
Hroch eyed him a moment while he took a sip of his tea. "I guess I have. Not so much as others, though. It hasn't been..." He paused as if to search for words, cautious as to just how much he should say to an suspicious unknown in a crowd of unknowns. "Well, I guess it hasn't been good for any of us really."
The stranger kept himself turned to face the bar while he nursed his drink, silvered eyes studying Hroch sidelong. The feeling of being inspected as such made the hairs at the back of his neck stand. "You have a look of concern on  you," the midlander said at length. "What's your name?"
"I'm... name's Hroch."
"Hroch? Heh. Good name." The last of his beverage downed, the midlander then turned to face Hroch fully, making it even more obvious that he was studying the larger man to every minute detail he could see. He couldn't see himself, of course, but his eyes were darkened with sleep or stress or possibly even both, and though he kept his clothing in decent shape he wore them uncomfortably, as though the cloth were constantly itching against his skin.
Absently, Hroch spun his mug between his fingers while he turned his head to peer elsewhere in the tavern. Near the center of the room a bard seemed to be setting himself up for a performance and there was a steady stream of faces coming and going through the swinging doors. "Ya think so...? I like it. But I guess it isn't very common, uh, 'round these parts."
"I know it isn't." A quick smile touched on the hyur's thin lips. "You looking for someone?"
"Aye, sort of. Uh, was gonna have another look around Ul'dah again but... then I saw all the people here. Thought maybe he might have..." Hroch frowned to himself, trailing off his words. He would find himself looking to the other in surprise when next he spoke.
"I'm Xydane, by the way. You're new to this place aren't you?" It was a question gently asked, one which seemed to amuse the shorter man. "I could tell you were lost the moment you walked inside this building."
It unnerved Hroch, the casual way to which it was asked and ease with which his manner was being picked apart. Warily he grinned at his companion, thankful at least that he could hide his expression behind a quick sip of tea. "Is... is it that obvious?"
"Only to some." Again, Xydane grinned. "Relax, man, I'm not going to do you any harm. Ease up a bit and enjoy that drink." He inclined his head towards the mug which Hroch had stopped spinning and, unconsciously, started squeezing.
"S-sorry. Just... things haven't been so good is all." That was an understatement if there ever was one: bit by bit, their group was being weathered down and before too long he worried there would be little enough left to save. He muttered after another gulp, "I'm sure you're a decent fella."
"You need help with anything? Perhaps I can help you look for... whoever it is that you're searching for?"
Hroch balked at that, his suspicions sharpening. It may very well have been the case that Xydane was indeed being friendly and offering genuine aid, but he almost seemed over-eager. "Sorry, friend. I can't really be... It's something I gotta do myself, you know what I mean?"
Xydane easily picked up on his suspicions, just as he had easily picked up on his nerves. "Listen. Your business and your story are none of my concern. There is, however, nothing wrong with seeking help every so often."
"I know, I know. It's just that... I can't help but wonder if that's what might have got us in trouble in the first place?"
"You looked lost and I am merely lending out a hand. If you don't take it, it's all on you and you can keep looking lost and confused." Xydane shrugged and tilted his head towards the young highlander. "If you take it, however, you may not be in the situation you're finding yourself in. All on you."
Hroch took one last gulp from his still-warm mug and set it down with a heavy sigh. The elezen that was attending the bar gave him a questioning glance but he shook his head at her. "I know it's all on me. I know that," he said, failing to hide the frustration in his voice. "I just don't know what to do about it. I got nothin' to go on."
It was several moments before Xydane spoke again. He was watching Hroch closely, studying the emotions shifting across his face. "Listen... If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. Like I said, it's none of my business. If there's something on your mind, just know that there are some people in this world who have been in your same shoes. And sometimes, we all just need the right people to point us in the right direction."
Hroch's jaw set as he listened and considered the midlander's words, his advice. It occured to him then that he couldn't have been much younger than Xydane: the man was a little more weathered about his face but he was obviously still young. At length he turned to face Xydane and spoke in hushed tones. "... I got... people missing. People hurt. Spirits are broken, an' it's up to me to fix it somehow. What do you think I should do...?"
The desperation in the highlander's voice was plain, especially to Xydane. A slow sigh heaved its way out of his nostrils and briefly he closed his eyes, pondering. "Know that it's sometimes a problem one person can't fix. There is nothing wrong with seeking aid especially when you aren't equipped with the exact tools and mindset for confrontation. Stay calm and remember every single detail about where you were and whom you've met. Think to yourself how a person, place or thing can relate to a situation. It's a puzzle and your job is to fit the pieces together. Retrace your steps but do not tire yourself out when doing so. Take a moment to breathe and slowly assess your situation."
"Problem is... I didn't get to meetin' everyone. And I can't find his contacts. He didn't keep them written down anywhere. Old man had a me--" Hroch frowned as he quickly corrected himself. "Has... a memory like a hawk."
Steel-colored eyes fixed themselves back on Hroch. "This... 'old man'. Is he your relative?"
Hroch paused once more. It's a big risk he was taking, babbling on like that to a stranger who could very well have been working for the wrong sort of people. There are people asking questions, Aylard told them once. Asking after father and son. He had little else to go on. "Aye... Aye, he is. My da... been missing for many a sun now."
"A soldier assess every single scenario possible. You have to think of all ends. Perhaps he was injured on a trip? Maybe he has lost his way? Perhaps he was kidnapped?" Xydane spoke calmly even as he broached on the thought no one wished to entertain, casually brushing a hand back through his hair. "We are in Thanalan after all and kidnapping for ransom isn't uncommon here. Trust me when I say I know."
"He's old but he's tough. If he was injured... no he would have found his way back to us by now. And no way he'd let himself get lost, not with everything on the line... Aye. It's a dangerous place around here. We found that out quick."
Xydane's expression grew intense as he peered at him."Lost for a couple of days without anyone knowing where he went. Think carefully about that."
On the other end of that gaze, Hroch struggled not to falter. The notion had crossed several of their minds many time before but no one wanted to speak too heavily upon, as if doing so might make it even more true. Yet what signs they could discern all seemed to be pointing at that terrifying conclusion. He thought of a room that looked as if it had been abandoned; a whetstone and an unmade bed. "... I don't wanna believe it. I really don't."
"In life, you meet the wrong people and sometimes... you meet the right people. Hroch, you've just met the right person. One of the things I do for a living is that I search for the missing." He was not boasting but there was still pride in his voice. The sword made a little more sense then, for the man was plainly not an everyday citizen. "Just know that you can't do everything by yourself. It takes a man to finish a job but it takes a bigger man to ask for aid. Don't be ashamed. I've been down your path a long time ago."
"Now," he continued, reaching into a pouch on his belt to retrieve a gil piece which he then left atop the counter. "We can either stand here and talk about it or we can do something about it. When it comes to the missing, time is everything."
His gaze turned to Hroch, fiercely determined, and Hroch could not help but feel his own spirit lift. There was no doubt that he was still taking an enormous risk bringing an outsider into their affairs: the man was without a doubt not of Ala Mhigo, but he got the distinct impression that that was not an issue. His words felt genuine and the quiet fire in his voice was, in a way, comforting. Just briefly, the man called Xydane reminded him of his father.
"Alright," Hroch conceded at last. Sometimes, we all just need the right people to point us in the right direction. He turned away from the counter and cast one last look around at the patrons in the tavern. It did not surprise him that the greyed, rough face of his father was not among them. Hroch expected little enough of this expedition but a new ally was as good a lead as he could have hoped for. "Alright. Do you think we might... talk somewhere a little less...?"
Xydane's grin came easily, as open as though they had been friends for years. He raised a hand to wave his goodbyes to the bartender and some of the other red-garbed figures in the crowd, all of whom seemed delighted enough to bow and nod his way in return. "As you wish, my friend. Now, lead the way!"