-----The Dread Pirate approaches the lady paladin and says, "Shiver me timbers, but yer puttin us in a difficult situation. Much as I'd like to free the countryside o' rampagin werewolves, I don't really want to be arrested afterwards. Since that seems to be the situation, I think my friends and I will be takin our leave o' ye right now. So ye can either try to arrest us and then fight the werewolves, or ye can just let us go and hope we manage to slay a couple o' the beasts on our way outta town. In any case, rest assured, we will resist being arrested, which will leave you sorely indisposed to face the werewolves afterwards. Not to mention, even if ye did manage to arrest us, ye'd have to leave guards fer us, which'd leave you weakened in the face o' the werewolves as well. Frankly I don't much care what yer choice is, anybody who'd accept our help in fightin the werewolves, then turn around and try to arrest us, isn't somebody I'm going to concern myself too much about. Yer choice, alleged horse thieves, or werewolves. I'm pretty sure ye can't manage both." Thus said, the Dread Pirate stands looking at her expectantly.
-----"How dare you!" Abram roars at the Dread Pirate drawing his weapon. The blond man beside him unsheathes his own sword and the two begin moving toward the doorway where Gimplefwick talks to Xavia.
-----"Aye!" Runik rumbles, raising his own warhammer at the pair, "Ye be headin' over here so I kin bash yer skulls in!"
-----The other three mercenaries huddle closer toward the Dread Pirate. Brandel has his hand on the hilt of his sword, while Krord squeezes his hands into fists. Marast narrows his eyes as he grasps his bow.
-----For a moment, the rest of the patrol in the tavern and in the stables stands quietly as the hiss of weapons being drawn is heard.
-----"No," the lady paladin calmly says, bringing the two Oakwood guards to a halt. Runik holds his ground but does not advance.
-----Facing the Dread Pirate, Xavia folds her arms and sternly looks down at him. Narrowing her eyes, she answers evenly, "My first concern is the safety of all who stand within these buildings. If you leave, you may commit us all to death . . . or worse. Yes, I have the authority to arrest you and your companions as does all patrolling troops of Oakwood. I could be remiss in my duties if I did not, however, . . ."
-----Changing her stance, she continues, "You are somewhat correct, my main mission is to bring initial relief to the Town of Redmarsh. A battle could result in unnecessary causalities for my men . . . or you and your companions before you are brought to justice."
-----"I do not advise you to leave, in fact, I advise you to surrender yourselves into my custody. There are those in the Town of Oakwood who are ready to defend you in light of your assistance at the Temple of Mighty Joren. If you flee, you are fugitives wanted by the Courts of Oakwood, Hearthorn and Altoria."
-----"Now, Dread Pirate," Xavia says with firmness building in her voice, "before we state our final positions, I demand to know something."
-----Turning toward Kazel who stands near the wagon, she raises her chin saying, "Kazel, the child was not originally with you. Who is she and where did she come from?"
-----Seth has pig fat in one hand and sand in the other ready to see which way people jump.
-----Kazel pats the girl on the head. "This child is a survivor that I've adopted off the streets of Redmarsh, or what's left of it." The young butcher then walks over and leans casually on a post near the horses, arms crossed over her chest. "I answer you because it does not matter either way. You can demand nothing from us as you offer nothing in return for our cooperation. Since our meeting, you have not lifted a finger to help with the preparation of defense or to keep watch. Nor have you offered any ideas or strategies. You seem to accept our suggestions just fine, only to stand there and stop us or order us about like slaves whenever you please, while we get our hands dirty on the actual work."
-----Kazel puts her hands in her pockets as she continues. "You also do not offer any trust or forthrightness, and only reveal your intentions when confronted. You keep watch more on us than on any monsters that you claim to threaten us all, as are your two ill-mannered guards who seem all too happy to draw their swords on us before any werebeast even have a chance to show up."
-----"You claim that we would commit you all to death or worse should we leave. In other words, you admit that you are incapable of defending yourselves without our help. You talk tough about fugitives and custody and whatnot, and yet you can't even save yourselves to begin with. Of what purpose if we are to stay in your 'custody'? You cannot protect us. You will delay your trip to Redmarsh if you take us back while people die of plagues. And if we are to turn ourselves in at Oakwood, there will still be those who will defend us as you claim."