Arrival (2)

----------------------------------------

Only a few minutes were left until the sun would completely dip below the horizon, yet we had nothing to fear this time around. Our destination was only a few feet away thanks to our brisk pace.

Perhaps all that hurrying was worth it after all.

A large wooden gate spanning about fifteen yards was perfectly positioned at the center of a rampart that boasted two outposts atop its perimeter. This was the entrance to the city of Fallon, and currently, it was being swarmed by a quarreling mob. Just from their attire and accessories, you could easily tell their profession - “Violence”

That was the word that came to mind the instant I saw all those sharpened blades and stacked quills. We passed a few of them on our way up here, but it wasn’t until we reached the very edge of the city’s limits that the majority of them actually came into view.

Other than their obvious affinity for aggression, one other thing stood out about these people. They each had a single digit number somewhere on their body, and so far, I hadn’t seen any that went higher than three.

Among everyone here however, the one who stood out the most to me was a man boasting ivory tinted hair and hazel-colored eyes carrying an axe almost twice his size. His physique was rather robust, but his only noticeable means of defense was a thin looking breastplate of leather armor that actually made him appear quite defenseless.

That didn't seem too far off either because on both of his arms, from his wrists up to his shoulders, were numerous unfading scars. The moment we made eye contact he all but scowled at me, hoisting the weapon across his shoulder and disappearing into the walled city like he had just seen something unpleasant.

Our fervent pace slowed to a leisurely stroll as the wagon rolled along towards the foreboding entrance. There must have been some kind of issue here, because even though it was wide open, no one here showed any signs of advancing.

No one except us of course–Jytte, Flynn and Myra continued their casual conversation despite all the stares we were now getting, and it wasn’t just them either. Not even my usually doting parents seemed to have thought very much of our situation.

It was a bit strange but, our entrance felt overwhelmingly arrogant seeing as it abruptly calmed the boisterous chatter and had even parted the crowds.

One of the dozen or so guards by the gate, a man seemingly in his late fifties sighed before walking over to us and saying “I’m the one in charge of security at this post; the name’s Fergus. So? What’s your story?”

“We’re here for the raid. I take it everyone else is here for the same reason, no?” Oliver answered curtly

“That’s what they all say” shrugged Fergus.

“I have a feeling most of you are just bandits looking to take advantage of the chaos, we’ve gotten more than a few reports about people getting attacked on their way up here you know. The way I see it, the majority of you are just here looking to plunder before nightfall.” His voice carried a strong sense of authority at the end of his declaration.

Snorts and giggles reached my ears, even with all the serious implications behind the guard's statement just now, someone here was enjoying this. Apparently, Myra had hit the mark with her earlier assumption.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

A voice shouted from the back, sarcastically saying - “Aww c’mon sentry, we won’t do nothin’ like that, right boys?”

It evoked a deceitful chorus of laughter.

“I see your point; I suppose proof of our level alone wouldn’t exactly serve as valid identification in this case.” Oliver sighed before reaching into his coat pocket and retrieving something that looked like a golden pendant engraved with a stylish insignia.

The inscription supposedly read “Basileus.”

“Wha-!” Fergus gasped in shock, his lackeys, the other men wearing similar attire now mirrored his expression.

“T-that’s the royal family’s insignia!” He sputtered before dropping to one knee.

“I wasn’t informed about anyone of such status coming all the way out here, if we had known, one of our trained wyvern units would have been awaiting you at the base of the mountain.”

“At ease.” Oliver replied calmly

“This little trip was planned in a hurry so no one’s at fault here. We just want to enter the city, that’s all.”

“O-Of course! Right this way.” Fergus sprang to his feet and before I could even blink twice, he’d already taken on the role of leading us to who knows where.

“I-If I may be so bold as to ask what your name is sir?”

Oliver paused, clearly a bit embarrassed from the far too sudden shift in Fergus’ tone.

Everyone else - except Fergus, who was a bit too high strung about Oliver’s status - noticed how awkward he must have felt from the swift change to formal treatment. By some miracle, they all managed to stop the laughter from bursting out their chests.

“O-Oh my apologies, it seems I got lost in the moment and forgot to introduce myself. Oliver Rocco, at your service.” He said awkwardly, before going on to introduce the rest of us in the order of Wife, Child and friends.

“O-Oliver Rocco....you mean the Ashb-!”

“Shhhhhhh!!!!

Before Fergus could finish, he was abruptly halted by Oliver putting a finger to his own mouth.

“Ahem, very well, I understand. Please follow me, I’ll take you to the temporary stronghold.” uttered Fergus in a sheepish tone.

I couldn’t tell if he was just extremely obedient in the face of authority, or if it was simply the ability to adjust himself to the current situation.

“Oi! What about us!? We were here first!” Shouted another stick-looking raider, his dual daggers dangled in the onset of his rage.

“Quiet fool! He bears the royal family’s insignia, for your own sake I suggest you watch your tone.”

Fergus silenced the enraged man as if he was scolding a spoiled child, even with those two daggers at his disposal, that one outburst made him seem quite helpless.

Jytte giggled at the sight of the man literally losing his spunk, if it wasn’t for Myra silently reeling her in, she would have probably made this situation a lot more threatening.

“Now then, shall we be off?” asked Fergus, quickly switching to his professional tone.

Oliver stood in place as the rest of us marched on, our procession only halted once we’d all heard him shout the words “All of you listen up!”

The declaration made even the guards stand at attention.

“I’m sure you all know what's been happening here recently. This city currently needs all the help it can get, even if it's not related to fighting. However, if you came here under the guise of offering help while your real intentions lay elsewhere, I suggest you reconsider your priorities, we don’t have any time for games right now.”

The atmosphere fell into a dead calm as the unruly mob seemingly took an unconscious step back in unison.