Found a pair of merchants, Karl & Naeas, planning the travel the lower passes route. Joined along for a space under the wagon and food shared, and a new chapter in the tale was begun!
They are food traders, struggling a little on subsistence, taking it up north to colder climes. We chatted about many things, governance, the decline of the clans, the dangers of the roads, and more. Beat up a white dire wolf that was following us, it came back with a friend that night. One got eaten by an eel, which swam off after being swiped at by the surviving wolf. Quite odd indeed.
Made it safely there after that. Parted ways amiably with them. Directed to the Dancing Monkey inn, possibly brawler area.