@0    = ~Greetings, stranger. Are you, perchance, a mercenary for hire? Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Pao, and I am a merchant.~
@1    = ~You see, I travelled here from the town of Trademeet to leave my stock here at my friend's company, and now I must return home, as I have heard rumors that the troubles with the animals were dealt with. However, there is the small problem of lacking an escort, and given how dangerous the roads are... well, perhaps you'd be interested in bodyguarding me on the way home?~
@2    = ~I'm not sure yet. I would like to hear more first.~
@3    = ~I might be interested. Tell me the details.~
@4    = ~Sorry, but I'm not interested in acting as a bodyguard.~
@5    = ~Ah, I see you've returned? Perhaps you've changed your mind regarding my offer? About escorting me to Trademeet, that is.~
@6    = ~Well, I suppose it would be reasonable to tell you all that might be relevant. Very well.~
@7    = ~As I said, I came to Athkatla a few weeks ago to the Southern Edge district to leave some of my wares with a company owned by my friend. He owns a warehouse at the Promenade. When I returned here, I was ready to take the route home until I learned of the troubles with the druids near my home, so I stayed here for a while. But my former bodyguards chose to find other clients and left me here alone. With how risky the roads are to travel, I decided not to leave alone.~
@8    = ~Hence why I have been looking for someone with capable skills who might be kind enough to offer me protection. As pleasurable as my time in this city have been, I do miss my own family and bed greatly. For your services I will pay no less than two thousand and five hundred gold. Is that satisfactory?~
@9    = ~Sounds fair enough. I'll do it.~
@10   = ~I'm not interested.~
@11   = ~I see... that is a shame. I'll be here if you change your mind. Hardly anywhere else for me to go, after all.~
@12   = ~Excellent! You have my thanks, <PRO_SIRMAAM>. I'll take a minute to gather my belongings. We'll meet again here once we're both ready.~
@13   = ~Are you ready to leave, then? Pardon my impatience, but I am eager to be on the road home.~
@14   = ~Yes.~
@15   = ~No, not yet.~
@16   = ~Ah... I suspected that taking a path so close to the shore may result in something like this. My apologies... but I am glad I wasn't wrong about your skills. I'm glad I made the decision to ask for your help.~
@17   = ~Excuse me... I must take a moment to gather my breath. I'm not used to this, as you may expect... we can move on whenever you're ready.~
@18   = ~Shall we continue?~
@19   = ~By the gods, how I despise ankhegs... I've never seen the beasts as large as those ones. Regardless, I think we are close now. Can we move on as quickly as possible?~
@20   = ~And here we are. I knew I could count on you. You have my thanks, my friend! I don't know how I could have managed it without your help.~
@21   = ~You're welcome.~
@22   = ~And what about our deal?~
@23   = ~Ah, yes... one moment while I find the gold I promised you. Here you are, friend... pure, shining gold for your trouble. I'm glad we crossed paths, and I'll be gladder still to sleep in my own bed. Farewell.~
