In the dim lamplight, Strom looked much older, and when he spoke, there was something new in his voice, something Osbourne couldn't yet define.
"Listen, Osbo, I gotta know what you think. How are we ever going to be able to help Cat? We're powerless in all this. I'm no soldier or guard; I know how to stable horses, and you're a pig farmer."
"Without pig farmers, there'd be no bacon."
"Yeah, Osbo. I know. I do," Strom said under Osbourne's glare. "Lighten up."
"I don't know how to help Cat either," Osbourne said, feeling small and insignificant. "I don't know how to help any of us. I'm scared."
"Don't you worry, Osbo. Just stay with me; we'll figure out a way to have some fun before this is done."
"Now you're really scaring me," Osbourne said, his grin finally returning. "Your idea of fun usually ends up getting someone hurt."
"You only get hurt if you don't do it right," Strom said with a wink, and Osbourne sighed. "I guess, as far as helping Cat goes, we just do the best we can. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
"We better get some sleep. I've a feeling we're going to need it."