Chapter 32
1137 Words
As we approached the border on horseback, I noticed that the scout left out more details. The road was blocked and guarded by not only soldiers but from their garbs mages it seemed they had set up a small post on the plain. Reno would be fascinated to find out if they had new abilities but it made me a bit uneasy.
“Dwarf, why do they have the mages for?”
“I am not sure we dwarves aren’t affected by it. Maybe to check the luggage but if you all listened to what I said everything here out should be fine.”
“Right, right I did as you said. I walked extremely light see how torn my clothes are now with Seth we are both not carrying any weapons as well so if this goes wrong we are screwed.”
“It won’t go wrong slow and steady.”
“We are both orphans taken in by the clan and we are moving together to learn more about the world and help the clan understand humans.”
The dwarf nodded.
“Don’t we standout with these horses?”
“No the last time we were here we had horses too but pulling a wagon.”
“I see.”
Seth interjected, “Do you think mages or is there an ability that can take you to another world?”
“What are you talking about Seth?” I asked.
“Just curious if it is possible,” his gaze turned towards the sky as he rode beside me.
“If it was possible I am sure Reno would be interested in it to.”
“Reno huh.”
“And you never know maybe it is but one thing at a time Seth.”
We now were a short distance away from the entrance of the border it seemed a few others had gathered here and were waiting to get by. Taking up a position nearby we moved in the que that we found ourselves in. Observing the amount of guards and small border I wondered if it was possible to pass this point entirely.
The mages scanned the contents of what everyone was carrying while the guards spoke to them. Coming to a pause we just waited for our own turn. Very few people were turned back but the reason was hard to understand even from here however the mages did seem to be a part of that influence. Those that were allowed through were handed something.
“Step forward next group!” the guard shouted.
That was us.
The bald old guard’s head shifted from us on the horses to Aurar on the ground. “You’re here again Aur or however you pronounced your name.”
“You could at least try to remember me. It’s not that hard remember human names Richard.”
Two mages came over to us and flanked us on either side.
“But yours tend not to roll of the tongue. Well what brings you back here now so soon?”
“I am showing the younglings the city.”
“I didn’t know dwarves had children this huge in those caves.”
“No, these children we adopted found them long time ago but they were in the care of the clan leader.”
“Is that so?” the old guard asked his eyes focused on us.
“Yes,” we said in unison.
His gaze lingered before falling back to the dwarf. “Anything you want to declare?”
“No, I don’t have anything on me in that way just a regular travel.”
“So what clan are you from children.”
“Ironhelm,” Seth answered.
The man rubbed his neck as the mages drifted away and whispered something in his air.
“Awful lot of security compared to the last time I was here.”
“Yeah since that time a lot has changed. The nobles have been increasing the defenses since the fall of a town to bandits.”
“Oh,” the dwarf replied rubbing his hand along his red linen shirt.
“Bandits took a town.”
“Just mere bandits don’t you have hard as steel adventurers.”
“I know right it’s kind of funny to say but yes a bunch of villagers raised their hands to honest town’s folks.”
“Your making me wondered what sort of army you humans really have.”
The man laughed. “From what I heard despite the numerous times that armies have been raised to take it back all have failed due to some sort of ambush. Might have been levies they raised but this is just a precautionary measure. The talk is there leader is called the Troll slayer.”
The dwarf laughed back, “that it is quite a name he might be a dwarf that one.”
For a moment I felt uneasy as it seemed as though they had no intention to let us pass.
“I will try to get better at your name.” The man extended his hand. “Pass this on to the city guard and the word is two. Get some better clothes for those kids too. Gosh I know you don’t wear human clothes but rags won’t work okay.”
“Thank you, I will make sure to get them something nice Richard.”
“Welcome to Neforana.”
The guard raised his hand and the men moved out of the way for us to pass. I let out a sigh of relief Reno’s name had passed this far as well. Seth held on tighter to his reigns as we continued towards the city. It was a good distance from the check point I had expected it to be just around the corner but I guess this made far much sense. It would give the city enough time if something were to happen.
“That was easier than expected; I thought it would be tougher the way you were getting on dwarf.”
“It always good to take precautions it was probably easier because I met that man before but if I didn’t know him who knows how things might have turned.”
“I hear you,” I turned to Seth and put a hand on his back. “Lighten up I was tired of all this moving around but finally here we will have the cure for your dad.”
Seth gave me a half smile. “I hope so. I hope so I just don’t want to feel disappointment again.”
- Writer
