B2 Chapter 157: Deadacre pt. 2

Despite the sheer volume of people lining up outside of the city gates, the queue moved surprisingly quickly. It seemed that Deadacre had developed a well built mechanism for efficiently dealing with the dispossessed and weary travellers that had begun to flock to the safety of their walls.

With more than a dozen guards at the gates, they waved groups forward two at a time, quickly working through discussions while other defenders kept watch for any beasts crossing the hard packed dirt that surrounded the city.

Still, even quicker than expected, they ended up waiting hours.

Thank the gods that he and Porkchop had gotten adept enough at holding their Mask that having it passively in place was no longer an overly burdensome drain on their mental energy. If they’d arrived even a few days earlier, he’d have had a splitting headache after holding it in place for so long.

Taking a step to the side of the line, Kaius leveraged his height to peer over the crowd, craning his neck to look through the open gates to the city.

Just like he remembered, the entrance through the walls led to an open square, where a handful of large cobbled streets split off to wind their way through the city.

The main roads, an arterial flow of people and goods that vitalised the settlement.

While it wasn’t so bad that the streets were packed chest to chest, they were busier than he remembered. Thankfully, the city seemed at least somewhat prepared. Large marquees had been set up by the city walls, guards directing the most bedraggled and shaken of the petitioners in their direction.

Temporary housing, for the most desperate.

Others were directed elsewhere. Those looking well off, or at least not destitute were left to find their own lodgings, while merchants and farmers laden with goods were waved down one road that Kaius remembered leading to the city’s central square.

“How’s it looking?” Ianmus asked as he stepped back in line with Porkchop and the mage.

“Surprisingly well organised. It looks like we should be left to our own devices if we have the resources to sustain ourselves.” Kaius murmured, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb the people ahead of and behind them – a few more stragglers had joined the queue, though most looked to be locals making a quick trip.

Porkchop snorted, though it was soft enough that it wouldn’t heighten the tension of their fellow travellers. “Thank the Matriarchs, I was worried we would be swamped. This is not exactly how I imagined my first visit to a human city going.”

Kaius smiled, while Ianmus chuckled.

“I do have to agree. Hopefully, if things are still this organised, it should mean joining a convoy to the Dukedoms won’t be too difficult.” Ianmus muttered.

Kaius nodded, though he inwardly doubted it would be that easy. Even if the caravans were still traveling, the demand to get to the patrolled roads, siege proof cities, and armies of the Dukedoms would be high. No doubt the price for passage had soared.

The line kept moving, and they shuffled ever closer to the gates. Much like the walls themselves, they were rough, but overbuilt and tough. Made up of wooden beams nearly half a stride thick, reinforced heavily with thick iron plating, it was controlled by some hidden winch system in the walls and joined by a raised portcullis that was ready to drop at a moment’s notice.

Eventually, they made it to the front. As they’d waved people forward, Kaius had watched almost every single guard frown at Porkchop. Even with his brother masquerading as a simple beast, bonds in general were rare, and combat capable companions even more so. He doubted they’d seen them often, and given the circumstances, he couldn’t fault their suspicion. Especially since they were hiding something, even if it was not something that would put the inhabitants of the city at risk.

Dressed in chain, with dark gray tabards displaying the insignia of the city – a dead tree, dyed in white – each and every one looked ready for trouble. Swords were belted on, and each held a halberd. Archers looked on from the top of the wall, doing double duty watching the crowd and keeping an eye out for beasts.

“You there, with the wife and child. Over to the left.” The lead guard called, waving the woodsman in front of them forwards. Standing at the head of the line, he had been directing the crowd to his available colleagues.

The muscular man looked back, giving Kaius a slight nod before he ushered his daughter forward.

Stepping up with Porkchop and Ianmus in tow, Kaius watched the guard calmly, keeping a firm grip on his mask. The man watched him closely in turn, regularly looking at Porkchop behind him, as if deciding what to do with them.

Kaius shifted his weight on his feet, wondering what would happen. The moment stretched, an awkward pause in what had otherwise been a smooth operation up until this point.

Right before he was about to ask the guardsman where he should go, another ran up, bending over to whisper in his ear. He nodded, thanking the man, before looking back to Kaius.

“Go talk to the sergeant, Delver. He’ll be able to make the call on your companion.” the guard told him with a frown, pointing to another uniformed man standing off to the right by the base of the walls, watching the proceedings.

He was dressed much the same as the others, though a single red star adorned his tabard on his left breast.

Kaius gave the guard a sharp nod, seeing no reason not to comply. Belligerence would only harm their prospects, afterall.

Looking back to his companions he jutted his head over towards the sergeant, and they set off, leaving behind a waiting gaggle of petitioners.

The head guard watched their approach with stern eyes. Not exactly suspicious, or distrustful, but certainly an expression that clearly told where he stood. He was the authority here, and that was to be respected.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Stopping a few paces from the man, Kaius gave the man a polite nod. Inwardly, his guts were curdling. No doubt Porkchop, and potentially him as well, would be identified as they entered the city. A low level guardsman was one thing, but a grizzled veteran sergeant was far more likely to have skill levels and stats under his belt that could present an issue to their Mask.

He felt none of that tension from his bond. Porkchop was calm, and ready.

“Sergeant.” Kaius said.

“Mmm,” the guard officer replied, eyes roving over him before he switched his attention to Ianmus. “Academy brat, I presume?” he asked the mage.

Ianmus stiffened, but stepped forward smoothly all the same. “Yes sir, graduated recently,” he replied.

The gruff sergeant hummed, tilting his head at Ianmus with a slight narrowing of his eyes. “Recent indeed, if you haven’t hit your forties yet. What’re you doing here?” he asked.