As they approached Isla, she knelt slightly to greet the soldiers and tugged on Mary’s hand, signaling her to do the same. Mary just rolled her eyes and turned her face away, refusing to even give the soldiers a polite glance.
Isla turned back to the soldiers and said, “Gentlemen, please understand, we’re just travelers and we’re hungry…”
Before she could finish, one of them snapped, “Hey! Shut it. Where are you coming from with all this luggage?”
His harsh tone startled her. She quickly forced a smile and replied, “We’re visitors, sir… we just arrived in town.”
“Step aside. We need to search your bags.”
Straightening her scarf, Isla frowned and asked, “Excuse me? What did you say?”
That’s when the one with fierce eyes barked, “You deaf or what? I said move aside!” His voice boomed.
