Gear interrupted (Event open to 2)

[Lucifer]

The old man would narrow his eyes at Donovan. The obvious lie was obvious to the old man.

"You kids should go home. It's not safe to play soldier."

[Allison Kazim]

Ali refused to let her eye twitch as the boy clearly deepened his voice from what it was a short while ago. Biting back a sigh, she refocused on the older gentlement.

"I appreciate the concern, but I have no interest in 'playing' at anything. If nothing else, we would like to know more about what's going on to inform others if needed." Her tone spelled out she disliked what was being implied.

"Again, we would appreciate any information on what you can pass on. Especially if it means not going in blind."

[Donovan]

"Don't underestimate us old man! I've killed plenty of men with my bare fist!"

He would say proudly.

[Lucifer]

The man sighed in disappointment at their words. But the girl had a point. Going in blind would be worse.

"They come from the wastes to the East. We don't know how many of them are, but they have been using old world weapons. It isn't something you can just fight with a sword playing at being a hero. Or with your fists. You will die."

[Allison Kazim]

The more Donnvan talked, the more Ali looked like she was trying not to have an aneurysm.

"hank you. If we fight them, we will keep that in mind." She nodded as he warned them of the impending danger, glancing at her companion to make sure he wasn't about to spout off a bunch of rubbish.

"How often do they bother you out here?"

[Donovan]

Donovan was confused.

"They use what?"

[Lucifer]

"Once or twice a month. They come to collect their tithe, I suspect they rotate around the region. We just pay the ransom. We don't want any fuss."

[Allison Kazim]

She stifled a sigh and turned back to Donovan.

"Old world weapons. Things that existed before the war. We don't have the means to use them now - or most don't. It could cause problems." She frowned. It was expected they'd have supply wagons or some way of getting them, so it was a matter of when, it seemed.

"I imagine that helps keep the damage down. How do you think it will be until they come to collect again?" It was time to keep looking, but better to know now before they kept going.

[Donovan]

Donovan would just scratch his head. Still not understanding.

[Lucifer]

"A week, maybe two. It's never quite the same."

[Allison Kazim]

"I see. Thank you for your time." She nodded at the old man, looking out over the villages before looking at Donovan.

"We need to move on to the villages." She gestured towards the east.

[Donovan]

"Why? Why not head the direction that the man said the Bandits came from? I mean even if you aren't ready to fight then we will learn more by spying on them by asking more scared villagers that are unwilling to even defend themselves."

Donovan would say with obvious distaste for a show of such weakness.

[Lucifer]

The old man shook his head and sighed, but would hobble away to keep tending to his sheep.

[Allison Kazim]

She gave an exasperated sigh and glared at Donovan, wondering who she had angered to deserve this.

"He said the bands were out east." She gestured more fervently towards the villages farther out. "That is east. Where we are going." She took a couple steps, stopped, and turned to nod at the shepherd.

"Thank you for your time."

And then she keeps on going!

[Donovan]

"I knew that! I was just... testing you! You passed. This time."

Nailed it.