A Chance To Run

The Black Sheep were pleasantly surprised to learn that they were being given a cart and a strider - which to Kir looked like a shorter-necked, brown, and striped giraffe.

The evening went pleasantly enough, but Kir was acutely aware that the Black Sheep were dining on their own; the rest of the camp had gone to another hall to eat, one marked by the same symbol from the backs of the men he'd seen earlier.

The symbol of the Chain Syndicate.

"If the Syndicate's out here, it's probably because they're expecting people to start running from the major cities soon," Caroon said, when the conversation inevitably turned to their presence. "Probably setting up for some rich pricks down the line."

"Why?" Sam asked before Kir could.