I hesitate a moment before replying, looking uncertainly between the older woman and the others. Are they thinking they don't got a real choice in this...?[Insight: 10+5=15]
I suppress a sigh and choose to focus, instead, on the farmstead. Before I was simply scouting and measuring the threat level of the occupants. But now I am looking for tactical advantages and weaknesses the buildings and environment provide in the event we are attacked. Or need to attack.[Perception: 12+13 = 25]
"If we'd be putting you out at all, we'd be happy to move on," I say politely. "We don't want to impose."
The road to Irontown is well marked, and well maintained. It looks like I'll make good time. I pause and study the road and surroundings.[perception: 14+7 = 21Insight: 13+9 = 22]
"Two too many!" Theda says, and Mistress Sattler chides her, "Calm yourself. We won't give them any excuse to misbehave, and hopefully they won't recall that we're in the middle of nowhere where they can do as they please." She leaves her daughter - daughter-in-law? - to rejoin your party. "Soup," she offers, pointing to the kettle. "Can we offer you anything else?"
"Coin works," I say quickly, "we don't want to take any work from anyone."
"We aint gonna take your food," I say abruptly, mind on too many lean winters of my own. "Not without paying. You want coin, or for us to work?"
"Right," I say, still not entirely at ease with this, but not seeing what other choice we have at this point. "Well, you all... you have a good night. Let us know if the ghost's giving you any trouble." I turn and head for the barn, tugging along my lizard.
Once the farmers have left us alone, I say quietly to Pepper, "You hear what they said about another group, too?"
"Besides payment, I could offer to bless their crops and livestock. Perhaps that would reassure them?"
[scanning the panorama, what do I see?]