20
Back at the gatehouse, everything proceeded smoothly. The guards recalculated their body weights in terms of gold on the chart; then, they informed the visitors that they would have to pay one-tenth of this figure as an entry toll. The travellers paid with seven golden eggs which the guards took into a strongroom opposite the weighing chamber. The heavy-ringed guard informed them that their horse had to be stabled outside the walls as animals were not allowed into the Citadel. They paid another golden egg for stabling, saying a see-you-soon to Blitz, shouldered their packs and, at last, stepped through the gatehouse into the lower square of the Citadel.
At first sight, it seemed that the square was snow-covered because it stretched white and glistening before them.
“It's paved with m
