"But consider the division of risk. One may be assured that they can scamper safely away without much risk at all and all the reward of whatever they're paid directly into their pocket. The other may be happy with a secure landing and the promise of some adventure to follow. That seems to be a perfectly equitable arrangement, and far more reasonable than asking someone to risk both the danger of the landing and whatever may lay within the continent's interior. Ruadh, would you care to come up here?"

The mabari flicks one stubbed ear in her direction at the invitation—a high compliment from even a very smart dog otherwise highly invested in the chicken bone being stripped down in front of him—but otherwise apparently is perfectly content with his post.

The refusal prompts a small tsk from Wysteria. She shuts the book in her lap.