Deschamps moves to fetch some paper and ink. "Well, I expect to be here for some weeks; perhaps your business will bring you back this way. Regardless, I expect there will be other chances, in the future."

His tone is businesslike, though warm enough. Whoever he thinks Aleksei is, it's not enough for him to entirely abandon his earlier manner, apparently. He starts to sketch a bare bones map, labeled mainly with landmarks in neat lettering.

"I'm not a cartographer, unfortunately, so this won't be precisely to scale. But if you start off following the river, it should be straightforward enough. You'll be able to feel in the air if it's getting colder, after all." He glances up at Aleksei, and adds, "I suppose you're not totally unfamiliar with the area, either, which should help."