The Danger Gang encounters their first friendly Bulgars

The Danger Gang rows ashore after feeling sure that they're a safe distance from that malicous cyclops. They duck behind the treeline of the near by forest, where Martialis helps Ramble with his horrific boulder wound. Captain Proteus bemoans the loss of his ship, but Arben assures him that, should he ever head to Chrysopolis, the lieutenant governor will surely compensate him for his losses. He tells the salty dog that no refund is expected for failure to deliver the travellers to Phillipi, and, if he would like to take his leave, everyone would understand. With that, Captain Proteus hops in the life boat and rows away for all he's worth.

They rest for a few hours, allowing Ramble some more time to heal up, and then prepare to start the long hike to Phillipi. After a few hours march, they stumble upon a river delta with a Bulgar hamlet on both sides. It seems it's high time for the boys to break their low profile. "Let me do the talking" says Arben, and everyone rolls their eyes. Recalling that the Bulgars are Catholic, he dons his old Father Simon gear and politely asks Brother Peter to downplay his association with the Eastern Orthodox Church.

As they walk into the dirty little hamlet, the Bulgars gibber in their native tongue. Arben politely requests if anyone speaks any Latin, then gestures to his cross, in hopes of seeing the village priest. The village priest, indeed, is brought to see them. He appears to be a normal everyday priest, except that he. disconcertingly, wears his cross upside down. He asks Arben where they're coming from, where they're going, why is he speaking Latin, how does he feel about this that and the other thing, and for once, Arben is able to cover for himself and everything goes smoothly. For once, is able to work it out.

The priest tells them about the Bulgar's alliance with the cyclopses (which he calls "Soglatsi") and that it is common knowledge that the weak spot for Constantinople is it's sea walls. He also double checks that none of the members of the Danger Gang are actually the Patriarch, disguised as an adventurer. This is, apparently, something he does. Arben continues to nod and smile politely, then requests a boat across the river, for they are all anxious to "return to their homes, just outside of Thesolonica". The priest finds a local boatman to ferry them across and wishes them a safe journey.

They camp that night without incident.