[Suzerain of Sheol]

"Okay... look, Ed." She keeps her tone impressively even. "You're our valued client, and in the interest of keeping you safe... how do I put this?"

She takes hold of his coat and gently leads him a few steps away, lowering her voice. "Well, you see, those, er, 'highway philosophers' were going to murder you for your money. More like, uh... lumberjacks? Does that help? " I know you're like two years old at most, but Goddess! Work with me here.

"I know this, because I used to be in that kind of work, but now I'm an upstanding guild-person, and I'm trying to convince you not to do that in the future. You're painting a giant target on our backs and will probably get us killed. Er, I mean, get you killed." And hopefully Syrgei.

"No offense, but if it comes down to your money or my life, I'm out. Especially if you got us into that situation in the first place."

Because I'm sure that inspires confidence.

...if he's even listening to me.