Gil, too, was maintaining vigilance as he tried to make his way through the crowds. Many of them purposely brushed against him and stopped him outright from going any further. Often they started to say things to his face he didn't comprehend and he would try to get around them as politely as he could.

But after two days on ships where his personal space had been invaded and he had been humiliated and beaten down before imprisoned, his patience had been worn dangerously thin.

He saw Eddie, a familiar face amidst the sea of rowdy Tiriseans, and tried to saunter over but found himself blocked again. They pointed at the collar on his neck and then the bruise on his cheek he had sustained at Waswer. Then one reached over to sucker punch him.

"I... said..." he started and then his leg kicked out, slamming hard against his harasser. "Cut it out!"