 Why are Ri and Mia the guides?
"We'll pitch camp right here, then," Extrone said. He crossed to Mia, who, along with him, had been pressed into Extrone's party as guides. "You two scout ahead," Extrone said. "Yes, sir," Ri said, and instantly the two of them readjusted their shoulder straps and started off. "Yes," Extrone said, "I imagine they are. "Like all of my subjects," he waved his hand in a broad gesture, "the highest as well as the lowest slave, know me and love me. The two of them, beneath the leaf-swollen branches of the gnarled tree, were seated on their sleeping bags.
 they have experience with the beasts
 they're part of Extrone's Hunting Club  they're the best guides around  they have experience with the beasts  they needed the money Extrone was going to pay them