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[oom: On the road again.]

It's been an excellent start to a new season, show-wise. Though it's taking a little time for the new cast members to get to know each other, Carlotta is confident that they'll soon be like a well-oiled machine.

At the moment she is at a table trying to go through the accounts and see if she can afford to pay their stowaway to... do something or other.

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"Greetings, Carlotta," Teja says. He arrives carrying his guitar, as he has felt impelled to play quite often, lately.

"Hallo your Highness." Carlotta nods and smiles at him. She looks more like a gypsy than ever today in a patchwork dress; her outfit is recycled, as war requires.

Teja sits down by her. "What is your work?" he asks. "And how is little Molly?"

"Molly is well. She likes being among all those other babies." Carlotta says. "And the rest of the cast are taking to all the children well. She's in bed at the moment, Victoria is on baby patrol."

She gestures to the money. "I need to work out if I can hire a general handyman. We had a stowaway we only discovered when we made camp."

"You could make him work for board and lodging, such as it is," Teja says. "Giving him a wage when he has proven himself."

"Well at very least we'll need to feed him if he stays." Carlotta says. "I'm pretty sure he's homeless, he just saw us setting off and pitched in helping set up camp. I thought he was with one of the newcomers, because he was helping."

"How old is he, and what is he like?" Teja says. "And why is he not in the war? Is he sick?"

"About fifty." Carlotta says. "And he says he was exempted because he has a rare blood disorder, but I half wonder if he's a CO."

"See-oh?" Teja asks.

"Conscientious Objector."

"That still means nothing to me," Teja says. "Objecting to what?"

"The war." Carlotta says.

"You mean, refuse to fight?" Teja finally realises.

"Yes sir."

"Why would he do such a thing?" Teja says. "Is it not amply clear what a threat your enemy is to your people?"

"Some people believe it is religiously wrong to fight." Carlotta says. "They have to go to court to prove they aren't making it up out of cowardice, and are usually then assigned a demeaning job that helps the war effort without killing."

"Priests and monks?" Teja says. "No, we would not make those fight, either."

Carlotta nods.

"I don't know if he's a monk or a priest, but he's certainly got a backstory of some sort. Who am I to turn away a stray in wartime?"

"Also, one that may be both useful and loyal to you," Teja agrees.

"He can certainly get setting up done." Carlotta agrees. "For someone with no circus experience."

"Might he not have that, after all, and not tell?" Teja says.

"That wouldn't make a lot of sense." Carlotta says. "Circus experience makes you more employable in a circus, and he was after a job."

"Perhaps he does not wish to be found?" Teja says. "Or did something similar?"

"I hope he isn't a convict. I've not heard anything to that effect."

"You will keep an eye upon him," Teja says, "and you do know to fight."