ML: Guard's page

One of the guards gives a bow and breaks in, "If I may, Ameera, it is our duty to protect you. We shall sleep in this next room, the one with the dead monkeys." Dashki raises an eyebrow. The guard gives no sign of noticing, but after a moment says stoically, "We shall, of course, remove the monkeys, Your Highness," and gives another precise bow. Dashki snorts in barely contained mirth.

The guards nod their assent in a noncommital way. One of them speaks up, "As long as he serves the princess, who is the representative of the pactmasters, and makes no trouble, we have no quarrel with him." The others nod.

The guard shrugs. "He's rude and dirty. We haven't even seen him do much as a guide. As far as I know, he's a complete charlatan. As for which tree... Well, it was probably that one over there." He gestures to a nearby tree. The tree in question is really more of a shrub, barely taller than a man, with sparse foliage and a gnarled trunk.You are currently southwest of camp, just off the map.

The guard accepts the jerkey and lifts his mask just enough to take a bite. "My thanks, effendi. It was almost time for me to eat before the fire, and now that the camp is on alert, there is no time." He continues to scan the horizon intently as he speaks. "Before the fire, I was standing watch outside the Ameera's tent with the other guards. The Ameera was within. I... believe Hadrah was serving the evening meal at the campfire, but I could not see that from my post. I could see the fortune teller's wagon, but I did not notice any activity. The fortune teller had been inside for some time." He takes another bite of jerkey and chews. "I did see Dashki, badly hidden behind a tree near the Ameera's tent, trying to catch a glimpse of her no doubt. That filthy wretch is obsessed with her."

I'll take the diplomacy as an attempt to improve your relationship; this guard is now helpful to Dross.

The guard glances at Dross as he approaches, and nods amiably, although his face is obscured by his helm. "No sign yet. It is my understanding that if they do come, it will most likely be after nightfall, when we are most blind. Tales tell that the hyena-folk can see even on a moonless night." The man shudders. " Has the Ameera ordered you to assist in the watch?"