Along the side of the ancient road within a dilapidated little tea stall, several travellers sat scattered in small groups of twos and threes at their tables as they drank to quench their thirst and ate to fill their tummies.
The wheels wound down to a crawl as a convoy of carriages came to a stop to park at the side of the road. Several brightly dressed youths stepped down from the carriages and compared to the other filthily dressed travelers whose clothes could even be said to be tattered, the handsome group of brightly dressed youths stood out like a sore thumb.
"What would our guests like to order?" The tea stall's waiter asked as he approached the group politely.
"Just whip up some food and get us some tea and water." A youth who looked a little on the thin side answered as he sat down together with his companions.