Ayan didn't rush. He wanted to see a place where he might spend the rest of his life.
In the palace guard, Nue was never talked too much. Nobody wanted to call himself with misfortune. Those few stories described Nue as an old fortress with semi-shelled walls. Residents were living in the shacky built from the fallen stones and tent sails. Because magic did not allow convicted residents to leave the city, they were fully dependent on irregular military supply.
But what Ayan saw on his way to the tower was completely different.
Nue, sparkling by cleanliness, resembled a small town. The wide streets around the Swallow's Nest literally pulsed through life.
There were a few small things that suggested that it was not a normal place. Most people he encountered were men. The local dressing style was based on variations of the imperial troop's uniforms. And almost everywhere he looked, various magical weapons were visible. Even the greengrocer had a magic sword at his stand.
The only thing that coincided with the story was dark magic walls.
"Uncle !?" something pulled his sleeve.
When he bowed his head, he saw a dirty little boy in torn clothes. He looked a bit like from another world on a perfectly clean street.
"Protective talisman?" a boy raised up a hand in which he held a simple scrubbed bracelet with a clay bead.
It has some magic. Probably just exactly as much, so it could be considered a magical talisman.
"No, thanks!" Ayan replied.
"Gotcha!" A hand appeared and grabbed the boy by the neck like a kitten. The giant policeman appeared literally from nowhere.
"Daaaaad!" the boy stretched his hands to Ayan.
Ayan considered helping him. But who would believe he could be a father? Members of Imperial Palace Guards were not allowed to have a family during active service. The rules were secured with effective magic. Therefore, they were also popular with Tulin ladies. Thanks to the adventurous and dirty stories of wandering storytellers, it was common knowledge. Although maybe not for everyone ...
Before he said something, the policeman squatted to the child and reproachfully in an almost pure Benin's dialect asked:
"What military branch the lieutenant belongs?"
The boy once again examined Ayan uncertainly. His face dimmed immediately:
"To the palace guard?"
The policeman sighed:
" I'm very sorry, Lieutenant. Usually, swindlers don't get into town at all. With the approaching celebration of the princess's birthday, the number of incoming ones increased. Occasionally someone manages to slide. "
"What happens to him?" Ayan was interested.
There were plenty of small swindlers in the capital. They would be earned police attention only if they deceived someone significant. Such a small boy would barely have some attention. To pursue and catch them? Where would they then send them? The orphanages were hopelessly crowded, and the city prison was similar.
"You don't have to worry about him, Lieutenant," the policeman assured him. He probably thought Ayan was worried about the boys' safety. "When his parents come for him, we simply release him and banish them from the city. When no one shows, we have a very nice Home."
"It is possible to leave the city ?"
"But surely," the big man smiled. "The magic holds only marked members of the Palace Guard. Others can come and leave how the General allows."
"Oh," Ayan nodded not very intelligently.
So not only he was probably condemned for a lifetime stay in Nue, but he should watch others come and leave too? On the other hand, how did it actually differ from his common service?
Although he had time off, he was not allowed to leave Tulin. In his position, he could only travel as the escort of someone from the imperial family. He decided to not cling so much to this information. Tulin or Nue, his life didn't change so much. At least he will not live under the tent sail.
The policeman with the boy was already leaving when he suddenly turned and said:
"As to protective talisman, definitely get one. The ones provided by town are not worthy of wearing." He raised a free hand and rattled with the bracelet full of magic pendants. "The best is by Old Kokta right at the main gate."
"Thanks," Ayan responded.
He was in the city that was firmly under General control. Local police solved problems guilty quickly and efficiently. Buy an expensive protective talisman? He wasn't a coward to need one. After so many years at the Palace Guard, there was nothing that could surprise him. Whether it was an insidious attack or a gift from the flying bird.
Ayan returned to the original course to the main tower. On the way, no further surprise did not meet him, so he stood at the entry for a moment.
The door was closed nobody was around.