Matilda listens to Rannos' outburst in stunned silence, her eyes wide with something not entirely unlike fear. When Rannos angrily thrusts the map into her hands, she clutches at it clumsily - her hands are still just a little numb. At first, she looks as if she is going to interrupt him, but, for some reason, she doesn't.

When Tarrin steps in between her and Rannos, she sets the map down and watches the two men talk. Finally, she drops off the side of the cart and approaches Rannos.

She looks at him in the eye and says, "Rannos, please accept my apologies for my abominable behavior towards you. I am just a silly little gnome. Just a silly little sneak-thief, who knows next to nothing about snow, blizzards, and how to prepare for them.

"If you decide that we must stock up on extra meat and furs for our trek into the snow, then that is what we will do. If you decide that we can spare the time, then I will help in whatever way I can. I only asked what I did because I, in my ignorance, did not know how long it would take - and whether it was something we truly needed.

"Each of us was chosen for this mission, by the duly appointed representative of Rao, for different reasons. Some of us can fight, some of us can sneak, some of us can use magic. As the sneak-thief of our little expedition, I reserve the right to speak my mind when I feel it is appropriate. I will continue to offer my suggestions - and expect that others in our group will continue to do so as well. I also expect you to listen to them - consider them - and make an informed decision, based our collective expertise. If you choose not to follow a suggestion that is your right.

"Only one of us can be the leader here, Rannos. The captain at the Hall of the College of Bishops saw fit to choose you, and I am willing to abide by that decision.

Now, if I could offer you just one piece of advice, it would be this: Never take anything a gnome says personally, for they are a profoundly irreverent species."
Matilda is a young gnome. She has curly blond hair, blue eyes, and is almost always smiling. She is quite intelligent, but is prone to occasional sillyness.