When Odys realized someone from the Rose School had boarded, he picked up Rupert's hat from the table. "You drank so much last night. If you're tired, get some sleep."
Rupert took the hint and yawned. He pulled the hat over his eyes, hiding half his face, then leaned back in his seat and "fell asleep."
The train soon set off again. Odys and Bazel sensed someone watching them, but neither showed any alarm. They kept laughing and chatting.
Odys even took out some dried fish he had bought locally. As they ate, the two talked about how, once they had money, they would come back and buy a manor here.
They completely fooled the Rose School members. Before long, the feeling of being watched faded.
Only after several more minutes did Odys discreetly study the new passengers. He soon picked out his targets.
They were three men in trench coats. Their outfits looked ordinary enough, but the coats were the problem.
The passengers in this carriage were either heading inland on Blue Mountain Island for work, or traveling on business or official duties.
Bayam was hot year-round. Laborers would not spend money on trench coats they would rarely wear, while business travelers generally wore formal clothes and had no need for them.
Odys knew why the Rose School members had worn them. Trench coats made fighting easier and let them carry spiritually potent items without drawing attention.
They were also useful if the men had to spend a night outdoors: warm, protective against insects, and easy to wrap around themselves before lying down to sleep.
Odys noticed the three men take out a map and begin talking quietly.
After a moment's thought, he took out his cigarettes, got up, and offered one to each of the railway officers. Then