Zouichi would have loved to try his hand at beating one of those Kessek, power staffs or no. But now, apparently, was not the time.

"And so we wait, hoping for the best." He didn't entirely agree with Ildraniath's plan -- after all, attacking one contingent of the Daligig and their protectors meant they had to be prepared to deal with all the rest. And with a fractious crew like this one, with many loathe to even take a life, that could be disastrous.

But taking a harder line with the 'allies' that had appeared out of nowhere to issue threats and orders? Making them answer questions, explain themselves, even through coercion? He felt that was more than justified.