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"You would be honorary members of the RPMP," Mr. Vance went on, "and as such, I would prepare a suitable stipend for the duration of your stay here. That, too, is negotiable if you would prefer some other form of payment. Something with less of a paper trail, perhaps?"

Still, the Rainlords persisted in silence.

Mr. Vance tilted his head at them. "Well? I'm not getting any younger over here. Do you find those terms agreeable? If so, let us begin hashing out the details."

"...No," said Elroy. "We do not wish to prolong our time in Ridgemark any more than necessary."

Mr. Vance leaned back in his chair. "Oh? You have pressing business elsewhere?"

"You could say that."

"If you are willing to share what it is, then perhaps I could provide assistance--or at least point you toward someone else who can."

Elroy fell quiet again.

From his position beside Mr. Vance, Linus could see several of the Rainlords exchanging small glances with one another, particularly the reapers, as if they were conducting a silent conversation. Obviously, the reapers could speak telepathically with their own servants, but not with each other, so it made for a peculiar sight.

It made him wonder if perhaps Rainlord reapers actually could have private conversations. Heh. Maybe that was why they were such a tightly knit community.

More likely, though, they just understood each other incredibly well.

At length, Elroy spoke up again for everyone. "Logden Prison. You know of it?"

Mr. Vance paused to think. "Logden? Yes, I know of it. What is your interest in it?"

"We have people there. We want to get them out."

Mr. Vance gave Linus a look.

Linus knew what he wanted. A tentative assessment. Would it be possible to help the Rainlords with such an endeavor? A simple nod or shake of his head was all Mr. Vance was looking for here.