It surprises Barcus how much enjoyment he gets out of just walking around the city with them. Seeing things with new eyes, happily pointing out projects the Ironhands have helped with recently, and trying not to allude too hard to the disaster with the Netherbrain and the cults. Not a good idea to scare off the tourists, but anyway, there are plenty of other people they can get that news from.

He compliments Dorrie's coloring as if praising a living animal for its bright eyes and glossy coat. He has some speculation about the geologic forces that might have formed her, too, and in fact ends up talking about parallels between baking and volcanic shaping of types of stone as they snack on pastries. Ridiculous nerd that he is, but these two don't seem to mind.

Barcus knows how to backpack, but after his goblin experience he always travels light. There is nothing specifically wrong with camping directly under the stars, or crawling into undergrowth or rock crevices, and this is more or less what he's come along anticipating. Except as they set up for the night, he looks over at Esquie and it occurs to him there is no undergrowth deep enough to shelter him.

"You know, I didn't think to bring a tent," he says slowly. "But then, I'm not sure they make any in the Gate that are sized quite right for you, Esquie. Are you going to be all right in the open?"