The meal did not last long. Potatoes disappeared fast when the air was wet and the road had tried to eat them twice in one day.
The elder capybara watched the pouch of gold Joji had set down, then gave a pleased little hum and began clapping his hands.
It was not applause. It was a signal. From between the huts, a capybara man rose from his work and ambled over, calm as if he had been waiting for this exact sound.
He bowed, palm to chest, then pointed down a dim path where reeds parted like a curtain.
Joji caught the meaning. Proper pay. Proper guide. Proper silence.
He had half a dozen thoughts about employing capybara folk later, and goblins, and kobolds too, once his own plans grew.
He shelved all of it. For now, his mind kept turning toward the mansion the elder had mentioned.
They followed the guide into the marsh.
