They finally arrived at Sleekfalls. Tall towering walls looked out over deliberately cut fields of grass. The road led to a giant entrance where a group of people were amassed.
"Looks like we may be here for a while." Caleb spoke after seeing the group awaiting to enter into the trade city. City soldiers stood at the entrance, some doing a body search on people at the entrance.
After a few minutes waiting in line they finally were at the front, where 2 guards and a captain stood ready to receive them. 1 of them went to look into the wagon at the back, as the captain approached them.
The captain spoke. "We have a strict policy on weapons are you aware of this." He spoke to the old man but his gaze was never on him, it was directly on Saburo.
"Yes am aware of it." Caleb replied in kind, the captain then continued.
"So am sure you won't mind a quick search."
"Not at all." The old man replied as he gestured at Saburo to step off the wagon.
The captain didn't even bother to search Caleb his attention was still fixated on Saburo, the second guard approached Saburo and asked him to remove his cloak. After Saburo removed it the second guard was quick to react moving a step closer to him as he gripped his sword after seeing a Saburo take off what may be a pontential weapon.
Noticing this Saburo was quick to hand the bowcase to the guard. The guard took a slight peek into the case, before confirming to the captain that it was a weapon.
The captain spoke. "This is a weapon free city. You will have to hand in your weapon whilst you enter this city, unless you are apart of the 'Fel Dragons' guild or on business, be aware you will need to show proof. You can always collect it when you leave the city."
Saburo didn't want to part from his weapon but he wasn't being given any other choice, however the old man stepped in after spectating the situation.
"Surely there must be another way." At this the captain spoke up.
"There is another way he can be allowed in. Someone of authority or significant background will need to vouch for him but be aware if any incident popsup you will also share the blame other than that he won't be allowed in with a weapon."
The old man was quick to reply."I will vouch for him."
The captain was surprised by this, so were the other two guards. "..."
The old man continued, whilst flashing the now nervous Saburo with a smile. "Can I speak to you in private?"
The captain led him to the guard house near the gate, they both entered and after a period of time passed they both emerged.
The captain spoke up to the two guards. "Let him go."
The two guards didn't question the order and just moved onto the people after Saburo also waiting to get into the city.
The captain then turned to the old man. "Hope you enjoy your time in Sleekfalls." He received a nod from Caleb and he returned the gesture before moving on.
Saburo and Caleb both got back onto the wagon and passed through the entrance without any sort of commotion. Saburo didn't know what the old man told the captain in private that stopped the parting between him and his bow, either way he needed to show how thankful he was to this senior.
"Thank you so much for the help, putting yourself on the line when you didn't have to. I am in indebted to u."
"Hahahaha" The old man laughed at the now confused Saburo. "A simple thing as that is nothing to be indebted over. I simply told him my past that's all." The old man continued laughing at Saburo's confusion.
Saburo knew the old man was hiding more than he let on. Saburo realised the old man was not easy to judge, he held enough power to sway a captain from confiscating his weapon, yet he was a 'simple merchant'.
"Actually... Since you say you are indebted to me. Why don't you show me that weapon you hold in your arms, that you are so reluctant to part with." The old man turned looking at his weapon.
Saburo was willing to show him this bow, after all this old man has gone above and beyond. He was both the reason for his arrival and entry into the city, such a simple thing as showing him his weapon was a small matter for Saburo. As he prepared to move out the bow the old man spoke.
"Hold on! Not now. Why don't we find an inn to rest and gather our thoughts, plus it is getting late, it will be night soon." The old man spoke whilst smiling at him. Saburo could only nod in agreement.
The old man navigated the streets of the city as though he knew them like the back of his hand. Saburo looked at the man, to think this same man had asked him for directions, he was definitely hiding more than he let on, but he couldn't call him out on it after all he also was hiding information he didn't wish anyone else but him knowing.
His situation though, wasn't similar to the old man, he hid his for a reason. He wondered in thought at what could be the old man's. As he was lost in his thoughts the wagon stopped moving as Caleb parked it. He looked back to Saburo as he also got off and put back on his bow and cloak.
They approached an inn that had the word 'Falls Inn' at its door entrance. As they both walked in they saw people indulge in food and drink who took little notice in them.
"Am hungry how about you?" Before Saburo could reply he had already called over the inn-keeper for food and drink paying for it making Saburo feel ashamed. When the food arrived Saburo realised he was hungry as f*ck. He devoured and drank as though he was being chased.
"Slow down you're going to choke yourself." The old man would would call out at times only to give up realising his words fell on deaf ears and just simply laughed.
After the meal the old man got up and walked over to the inn-keeper. He then came back.
"Right am off to bed. Gotta sleep on such meals like this one. Why don't you talk to the inn-keeper after your done." The old man turned and walked away climbing the stairs up to his room.
Saburo got up but now he was pressed with the matter on where he would sleep for the night. He had intended to speak to Caleb about it but he had left him before he could. He walked over to the inn-keeper.
The inn-keeper seeing Saburo on approach grabbed the key to a room and handed it over to him.
"What this key for?" Saburo asked.
"Why you room of-course. Caleb already paid for the room told me to give it you."
Saburo didn't know wether to cry or be happy. This old man barely knowing him had already done more than many would have done. Saburo accepted the key and walked up the stairs to his room. He passed by a few rooms, he wanted to thank the old man but he thought better of it since the old man was probably asleep. He walked over to his room and fell on his bed like a brick.