continued - 7/7

The sun was close to the horizon when they finally left the woods and stretching in front of them was a very mildly rolling plane. Off in the distance, the large city could be seen rising majestically from the waving grass and the group felt invigorated. They reached the city only thirty or forty minutes later and came upon a massive sprawl outside the city walls. Man! I bet it still a good ten or twenty minute walk to the actual city walls! The family came to a halt at the outer city sprawl and offered generous thanks to Joe and Garnedell for their help. Joe waved it off, not wishing to encumber the family or make them concerned, and the two groups parted ways after Joe asked for a good inn. The father had insisted showing the way, but when Garnedell said he'd be able to find it easy enough with the father's directions, Joe insisted the father head home with his family. The inn the father had suggested was inside the city walls, for which Joe was grateful but worried about the cost. They decided to take the chance and the two slipped through the outer city quickly, hoping to reach the city gates before the closed and the sun set.

The sun was still well above the horizon, allowing good light, and they were lucky to arrive just before the gates were starting to close. The guards proved a bit annoyed and didn't wish to allow the two in, but Garnedell took the guard aside and whispered something that seemed to significantly change the guard's attitude. The guard seemed both obsequious and belligerent at the same time. I wonder what Garnedell said to the man? Joe wondered with a bit of frustration as it seemed to be pushing propriety a bit. Garnedell returned to Joe and beckoned him forward. The guards pulled Joe and Garnedell into a side room and began to question them both. Garnedell answered for both of them, although the guard seemed to become a bit angry when Joe didn't respond, but Garnedell seemed to calm the man well enough. After a series of questions, the head guard seemed to calm down and barked out an order to his men.

Two men came in through another door in the room, both struggling as they carried in a large crystalline device strapped to a heavy block of stone or iron. Can't really tell which… why can't I tell the difference between stone and metal? Joe peered very curiously at the table but then saw the head guard glaring at him and sat back up, schooling his face and nodding with a slight bow to the guard. The man grimaced slightly before turning to Garnedell and offering several gruff and obviously blunt commands since there were only one or two words long. Joe almost understood a few of them.

Garnedell stood and stretched out his hand on the crystal at the top, palming it firmly. As he did so, the crystal shone briefly before shutting down. Joe was almost disappointed. It was only a flicker of light! What's the point? Suddenly, the heavy stone or metal plate under the crystal seemed to swirl in a rainbow of oily colors before settling and Joe recognized Garnedell's status opening up on the plate on a light blue background. The status was missing significantly portions, with only a few stats shown, such as strength and attack, but his name and a rotating picture of his face. Uh oh… I don't have anything like that. What do I show them? I never got any ID. Joe began to fidget anxiously but then stopped in some shock when the guard seemed to explode in anger.

The man began to berate Garnedell, shouting at him in an obviously mocking tone. Garnedell shrunk a little under the attack, but then looked at Joe and stood up proudly before shouting back at the guard. The guard seemed shocked at boy's reply, but then narrowed his eye and then barked at Joe. Joe didn't reply at all since he didn't understand what the man was saying, simply sitting in his seat. The guard narrowed his eyes even more angrily, but Joe just cocked his head, a bit confused. Garnedell came forward and whispered in his ear. Joe was a bit surprised when he realized Garnedell had chosen to speak in English.

"Me touch. Zhoe touch me touch."

Huh… I'm not sure I should touch. I don't have ID. And he's whispering, even in English. It seems to be a bit dangerous? I need to keep my mouth shut, I guess. But if I just get up and leave… might get Garnedell in trouble. Joe felt a bit trapped and finally sighed. There wasn't much he could do. He stepped forward and placed his hand on the crystal.

* * *

When the farmboy had shown up dragging another adventurer, head gate guardsman Gadun was quite ready to simply head home. The boy had been insistent and even insinuated that the adventurer was a great hero. Such lies were told all the time, and he quickly dismissed them, but when the boy insisted and claimed the man was six digits, Gadun felt fear shiver down his spine. Both the boy and the man were draped with mismatching armor, obvious spoils from a fight and Gadun calmed his anger. Six digits were things of legends. No one was six digits. The claim was so outlandish Gadun almost dismissed it, but if it were true, the town itself would be in jeopardy if he were to ever offend such a one.

Cowed over the possibility, he allowed the boy in to prove his status, a requirement for all to enter the city if they were without identity, and brought out the crystal identifier. It was a costly and bulky affair that Gadun hated to use, for any damage to it was taken from his salary. When he'd seen the boy's single digit status, he'd exploded in anger and almost thrown the two in the brig for the night. The boy was cowed but then glanced at his master and responded in anger, shouting directly back at him. When Gadun had prepared to arrest the two of them, he'd looked towards the master and his bored complacent face took him aback. There was no fear on his face. This more than anything else stifled his anger and he barked for the man to place his hand on the indentifier.

"Identify yourself!"

The man simply stared back at him coolly, unmoving and dismissive. Gadun felt a bit of fear for the first time and considered adding courtesy. Even as he wrestled with how to do so without lowering himself too greatly or losing too great of face, the boy proved himself wise and leaned in to whisper in the master's ear, offering a gracious way out for both Gadun and his master. The man flickered his eyes to the identifier crystal before measuring Gadun for another few moments. Even as sweat began to form on his back, the man stood easily and reached to the crystal, saying nothing.