Well, that's good of them to do, at least. I imagine there's probably some kind of catch, because when isn't there with mysterious supposedly-benevolent organizations? But it's something.

[ Maybe he'll see about alternatives when they get to the city proper, but that's getting ahead of himself a little bit. They still have to get there, and unfortunately by the looks of things there's going to be at least one more obstacle in their path.

A tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a dark green and yellow silk robe and his hair pulled into an elaborate crown of braids supporting a golden headpiece stands in the middle of the hallway, hands clasped behind his back. He, too, faces away from them. Claude actually stops and backs up a few steps at the sight of him, and lowers his voice to a near-whisper. ]

Oh, yeah, I don't want to hear this one. You think there's another way around?