[It does not bode well when the only response Yuan receives is one flatly frustrated stare and one blankly tired one. The older of the two women, the one cradling a sleeping toddler, grumbles; the grumble is quickly answered by a lower and far more conciliatory tone from the other woman.]

These people have never heard of interpreters.

But he said Acacius's name. I think.

[... Oh. Kratos shifts his weight a little, the way he does when subtly signalling to Yuan that he has something to say.]

They don't speak common. Abalastron isn't anywhere near the old national borders, and their goods are bought and retailed by other merchants. With your permission ...?

[He's made a miscalculation. He's not about to make another one by accident by not granting Yuan full control over this situation.]