"Also: people take death so seriously for some reason? There is much wailing and gnashng of teeth, even for those that seem to be more of a warrior's persuasion. A reluctance about the whole thing, I suppose, which is strange to me." But he shrugs, returning to his own meal for a moment. Not everyone is as cavalier about life and death as an assassin-

or a mercenary


or a scrapper, as she calls herself.

"Most people find ways to make themselves useful. Hunting, making clothing, minding animals, cooking, fishing. We are a small enough village and most jobs simple enough that all hands ought to be busy, yes?" Including his very own. "Even those with precious few mind the fountain or the Bunker for new arrivals."