Adles opened the carriage door and looked around. There was a crowd slowly gathering at the gate as the guards checked people coming in. His eyes narrowed as he took the time to examine each person in line. Not here.
He sighed and tried to push the disappointment away. The letter said they would be at the fountain of King Ronacn in an hour. I had just hopped to glimpse of the person who took the job before I approached them. Not that I have much choice, when the merchant’s guild will not even post the job.
“Your bag sir,” The footman said, as he held out a canvas pack to Adles.
Adles took the bag as he stepped out of the carriage. He put the bag on his back and adjusted the straps holding it.
“Does sir need anything else?” the footman asked stiffly.
“No, that is all,” Adles said realizing the man wanted permission before leaving. “Thank…” he began looking up only to see the footman already back on the side of the rented carriage.
Never mind, he thought walking toward the line. They were strange the entire time I was with them. I will have to tell Olrin about it, since he recommended them.
He quickly found a place in line, and noticed that it moved rather quickly. The guards gave most of those walking, little more than a casual glace before waiving them on. Wagons were given a closer inspection, but even those seemed perfunctory.
Adles received the similar treatment as he got to the front being quickly waived through. He adjusted the strap on his bag and started moving only to feel a hand land on his shoulder.
“Hold up a moment,” one of the guards said pulling him to the side.
Adles stopped and looked at the guard who could not have bee more than a handful of years older than he was. “Is there a problem?”
“That depends on what you are doing,” the guard looked him over closely. “What is in the bag and what brigs you to the capital?”
“The bag has my things for my trip and I have a meeting at the King Ronacn fountain within the hour,” Adles replied.
“The fountain is almost an hour walk, and nothing you said actually answered my questions,” the guard glared at him. “Why not start with the name of the people you are meeting at your appointment?”
“I do not know,” Adles admitted. “Wait! The fountain is an hour away on foot?! I have to go, I will be late!” Adles felt panic welling up. It only takes 15 minutes by carriage. I cannot be late. This may be the only person willing to take the job. What if they think I am not coming and leave?!
“Where do you think you are going?” the guard said pulling him roughly back. “Jorn get the Sargent. We have a suspicious one here!”
“What do you mean suspicious? I have not done anything wrong! Let me go!” Adles tried to pull away but the man held him firm.
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“What is going on?” a rough voice cut in. Adles turned to see a large man in his thirties walking over.
“This one was heading into the quarter,” the guard said pulling Aldes toward the other guard. “He will not tell me what is in the bag, or who he is meeting. When I pressed he tried to run. There is clearly a sword in the bag and he refuses to tell me his name.”
“I have not!” Adles objected. “I am Treven Vorn Adles and I demand you release me.”
The older guard looked Adles over, before sharing a look with the other guard Adles could not decipher. The older man looked back down at Adles, and extended his hand. “That is easy enough to check. Your plaque sir.”
Adles reached into his shirt and pulled the plaque out of his shirt. He held the chain out toward the older guard who looked closely at the plaque, then at Adles.
Turing to the other guard he said, “Let him go.”
“I apologize for the confusion Sir Adles,” the guard continued, looking back at Adles. “It is unexpected to see someone of your status taking the servant’s entrance.”
“The servant’s entrance? This is the same gate I always take to the noble quarter.” Adles looked around and for the first time noticed there were no nobles walking in the crowd. There were, however, a fine carriage that passed through the gate on the far side. “… in a carriage.”
“I am not sure about other gates, but only the employees of noble houses walk through this gate,” The older man cleared his throat. “I can have Joarm run and get you a carriage, it is the least he can do for bothering you this morning.” The last was directed at the younger guard along with a glare. “He should have one here in the next half hour or so.”
“No, I…” Adles trailed off as he did quick math in his head and started running, “I have to go.” Unlike before the guards stepped out of his way as he raced away.
Adles rushed through the crowd filling the street and towards the fountain. I cannot be late! I have to hurry.
Despite the early morning crowd, he made it to the fountain in slightly less than an hour. He would have been there far sooner, but he and the rest of the crowd had to make way for carriages passing down the streets at what felt to Adles as break neck speeds..
Still internally cursing the carriage drivers who raced down the crowded streets he worked to catch his breath. Ahead he could see the fountain dedicated to the ancient king defeating his enemies. The king held his sword over his head while the bodies of his enemies lay piled beneath his feet. Time and water had worn away the features of the foes, leaving them to look more like the bodies of monsters.
Men and women with buckets gathered around the streams of water flowing out of taps on the sides. Others stood around talking, their voices mixing with the sounds of the fountain. Making his way to stand at the edge of the fountain he caught the sight of a bow on the other side. They are still here!
Not wanting to loose sight of them in the crowd Adles did hit best to kep close to the edge as he walked along the side of the fountain. When he was more than half way to the figure in the green cloak he realized they were nearly a head taller than the other people in the area.
His view was suddenly blocked by a crowd listening to a traveling musician. While he debated going around or pushing his way through he was the cloaked figure start to move. NO! He is leaving ,I have to hurry.
Not able to get through the dense crowd Adles raced around the edge of the group. He panting when he reached the far side and the crowd. “Since you have a bow I assume you are the person I hired.” Adles managed as he came to a point near the figure. “I am …”
“Adles?” a familiar voice asked as the cloaked figure jumped from the edge of the fountain onto the cobblestone street. “You were the employer?”
“Orn?” Adles asked staring at his classmate holding a longbow in his hand.