Intermission 8 Page 4

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Ricki’s group, as well as several of the thugs and goons that escaped from the dungeon with them, regroup elsewhere in the forest. The same bandit that originally asked for their help is waiting for them. Ricki drops off the many heavy crates that she and her friends carry, at which point the bandits immediately start unpacking them.

“I gotta be honest, I didn’t think for a second you bunch would pull through like this.”

“Our mule died.”

“Sorry to hear it. But all of these supplies are gonna be a huge help for us. There’s food, weapons, healing potions… everything we need to keep our operation going.”

“Like I said before, talk to Paws if you want to set up that dead drop, and we’ll cut you in. You’re as good as part of the gang now, far as I’m concerned.”

“Well, if you feel that strongly about it, can you do me a favour?”

“That’s not actually how being part of a gang works, but what is it?”

“I think some of those merchants we robbed are gonna be out of a job now, so…”

“If any of them end up coming your way, maybe think about letting them join you?”

“And why would I want to do that? I told you, those guys are imperial lapdogs.”

“So nobody else in your gang ever considered themselves part of the Empire?”

“…”

“A lot of those merchants were pretty good in a fight. And even the ones that weren’t probably have a lot of inside info about other caravan routes and stuff. I bet they could help you a lot if you let them.”

“I doubt they’ll want to work with the people that ruined them in the first place.”

“…But you make a good point. If any of them show up, I’ll give them a shot.”

“Thanks, new friend!”

“No. Please leave now.”