Swipe looks straight back at Tyler, his own eyes matching the intesity of the Paladin's. "You insult me, sirrah," he whispers, "for my intentions are pure, despite your obvious... Reservations." He straightens slightly and speaks up for all to hear: "Indeed, you are correct, Aleran. This is neither the time nor the place for such crassness. I'm sure their majesties have little interest in whom you place your trust - or do not, as the case may be."
He turns and faces the prince. "But first, I feel I must apolgize for my companion's behavior," he states plainly. "I simply wished to familiarize myself with our route - having never been that way before, I merely wished to waste as little of his majesty's time as possible. It pains me to report that this may not be so. And from experience I have learned that it is merely standard protocol to ask for written authority when we have been verbally charged by your highness with a task of import to the kingdom."
Turning slightly toward Tyler the halfling continues, "Having not asked for this standard document himself, I must say I have my own reservations as to whether or not he will know what to do with that writ, should the need arise... And, sadly, while it seems I must be content with his personal directions over land - seeing as how he feels a need to guard the map from the rest of his companions - I will most certainly not wait for any... Other direction." He looks directly at Tyler with a tight smile on his face.
Quickly, Swipe turns back to the royals and bows low, saying, "But we have wasted enough of your precious time, majesties. We should be about that which you have charged. By your leave...?"
