Kevin rode on the least comfortable caravan, the one that carried the inventory. It felt like an oversized wooden wagon with a tarp as a roof to Kevin. The bumps in the road, no matter how small, felt amplified ten times, and the noise the boxes produced made Kevin fear they would topple. Then there was the overpowering curiosity of finding out what was in the boxes. And Greg wasn't speaking, ignoring all attempts at conversation, which left Kevin in pain and bored.

He peeked his head out, finding that they had just reached the gates. Ahead, there were armoured knights that stopped every person that crossed the boundary, swinging their hands in wide motions, their voices dispersing before Kevin could decipher the words. Hopefully that wasn't about him.

"Strike!" Kevin felt something hit his head only a second later. When he turned to see who it was, he found Khal standing there, blowing on his hand. He leaned closer to Kevin, looking in the way he was, and whistled. "Checking out the knights, are you? Well, their armour is pretty sick, and very practical, if you only wanted to defend something. Otherwise, it's too heavy to catch any thieves. You won't see many mercenaries wearing heavy armour because of that."

He pulled back, as if content with his explanation. However, Kevin asked, "But, what are they doing?"

Khal raised an eyebrow, returning to his previous position. It must have taken him some time to realise what Kevin was asking but, finally, he answered. "If you mean the big hand movements, it's to express what they're trying to say. A lot of immigrants flood this city, especially since Shushushush has shown signs of rising. However, that's just a rumour. You don't have to put a lot of stock in rumours." Kevin didn't catch part of that, but he understood enough. Something caused the immigrants.

"And you do?"

Khal's immediate response was to yawn. "If it means any danger to my employer, yeah. Now, go back into the tarp while we pass through." Khal pushed Kevin's head back through the opening, causing him to fall backwards.

The wait was unbearable for Kevin, even more so now that he knew they were close. Eventually, he heard a new voice shouting, "Well, if it isn't Khal! How you doing?"

"Pretty good," Khal answered, his voice energetic. The two laughed together. A metallic clang sounded out. "Going to Ploro this time."

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"Ploro, huh? Well, we've been having a surplus of Ploroni immigrants. Can't understand what they're saying, though."

"I'll keep that in mind, Goro. If that's all, we can go, right?"

"Afraid not," Goro responded. Something rustled outside, forcing Kevin's heart to begin pounding harder and harder. "See, we've got this criminal in town called the Pied Piper, and, see, we guardsmen cannot have him leaving without paying us a visit."

"Is that what he looks like?" Khal asked. Paper rustled. "Then, no, I have not seen this man. Any other bounties?"

"'Fraid not," Goro sighed. "Mind if I look in here?"

"Go ahead," Khal agreed. "But that's where our new porter is, so keep that in mind."

The tarp was pulled free, flashing Kevin into a brief blindness, as he covered his face. Turns out, Goro was a portly man with a large, thick moustache that covered his upper lips. He had an almost fatherly face as he regarded Kevin. His armour seemed to be modified in order to fit his girth, but that didn't mean he looked weak. No, the many scars he carried, just on his face alone, attested to the opposite.

"Well," Goro said. "You been feeding him right?"

Khal laughed at that. "He only joined a few hours ago. Wants to leave the city, see new sights. You know, the young stuff."

"True that. You said he was a porter? How's he meant to lift boxes, looking like that?"

Khal shrugged. "We'll make sure he carries the small boxes. That good?"

"Goodness no!" Goro cried, aghast. "Have him carry the large ones, the heaviest, until he can actually lift those smaller ones! Otherwise, he won't build any muscle with that frame! This boy needs challenges, Khal. So challenge him."

"I am right here, you know?" Kevin interrupted, seemingly shocking Goro.

"Oh, sorry. Say, what's your name?"

"Kevin," Kevin responded.

"Well, Kevin, I see greatness in your future. It'll be difficult, but it will be what's best. Are you ready for it?"

"Of course I am," Kevin responded, thumping his chest. "You'll be hearing my name later."

"I better be!" Goro laughed, ruffling Kevin's head. "Well, you're all good here, Khal. Have a safe journey!"

With that, the gates opened, and the caravan started moving forwards.

Khal breathed a sigh of relief, slinging himself onto a seat. "Better hold on, kid!" he called, before lying down completely on his seat. No sooner than Kevin grabbed something, a thump caused the vehicle to shake, speeding up almost instantly to a speed Kevin never thought was possible.

An hour later, Goro was stamping papers, barely skimming through the larger paragraphs. He yawned.

He heard the soldier running to his office long before they threw the door open. "What is it, soldier?" he asked, stamping another paper.

"New bounty," the girl informed him, rolling out a piece of paper. "Wanted alive, but information will give a nice sum, too."

Goro grinned as he saw the picture, almost skipping over the name entirely: Kevin. "He's not in the town," Goro said, stretching. "You ever been to Ploro?"

"No, sir," the girl said, excitement clear in her voice.

"You want to?"

"Yes, sir."