Rukku's mouth was wide open as he watched the city as they approached. The giant stone walls must have been tens of metres high, so much so that they looked almost like they were made to keep out giants rather than humans or well people the size of Rukku. It was not just this though that had amazed him.
On the walls, there appeared to be thousands of markings each one would occasionally light up before going back to its normal black colour. Just looking at the walls made Rukku feel a bit nervous, it was only now that he thought of one bad thing that could occur, what if they found out he was a lord and they all wanted to take his head or worse?
The cold shiver slowly went down his spine, before the murmuring of astonishment from the others of his party could be heard at the sight of the city. There was not much else to see for now as the walls seemed to hide everything within the city, though he just about could make out the tips of towers that just about were visible over the top of the wall itself.
Looking around Rukku suddenly realised something else. There just seemed to not be anyone around! He had expected there to be adventures coming in and out but instead, there was no one, the gates themselves were open but there was just no one exiting the city or entering it.
Ignoring the confusion. Rukku made sure the cart that he was on was inline and close to the others. He did not want to cause any kind of misunderstanding now at least.
Then as they were about to pass the last few metres and be truly within the city itself, a loud yell echoed out from the walls. "Halt!" All three of the carts quickly came to a sudden halt as the voice had ordered. Rukku chuckled to himself, it was a classic thing in so many novels and some games, halted by the guard. He probably wants some kind of bribe or something along the lines of that.
Looking forwards, Rukku then saw around ten guards walk out of the guard, each one covered in some rather heavy-looking plate armour yet it also seemed to have a slightly eastern feel to it, the on the wall more guards appeared holding bows.
Seeing all of this, Rukku started to sweat a little. They didn't plan on just killing them all right?
"Now! What business do you have in this city? And how have you even reached here? Do you not know how dangerous it is to cross the lands? We have not yet begun the pacification of the nearby regions." The well, guard captain's voice boomed out again.
All of the guards seemed to be nervous as Rukku carefully observed those closest to him. He could see them playing with their sword hilts. Their nervousness was really surprising for him, they were guards and yet they were all acting like children right now.
Feeling bored as he waited for the merchant to reply. Rukku looked up trying to see the guard captain who he assumed to be on the walls above them, unfortunately, he could not tell who the captain was as no one really stood out up there, though he did see a flag for what he assumed to be the flag of the city.
The flag in question was some kind of ancient or well-mythological animal. He was not quite sure what it was but it was some kind of horse though it seemed to have scales as well as a few other defining features. The colours were blue and green that was aside from the coloured animal.
As he was admiring the flag, the merchant finally spoke up. Though he seemed to Rukku at least to be slow in speaking now, maybe he was just nervous?
"Dear Captain. I am a merchant and a member of the merchant association. One of the Popellia family. Well as you probably could guess by now, I am here for trade as well as to organise my personal belongings with the branch here." He seemed to be much more official as he said all of that, though it did also make him a bit more suspicious of Rukku, why had he not said any of this at the start after all?
Being quiet though, he did not say anything and continued to listen.
Now the captain was replying again. "Well as you are from such an esteemed family, I will let you enter without any real questions. I just need to perform the normal identity checks on you as well as anyone else who is with your caravan. I hope that this does not offend you, sir." The captain had suddenly had an attitude shift it seems. His politeness was so annoying and yet it made Rukku wonder if he would have been able to even enter the city without coming here with him, let alone that the name of his family was something to remember, they seemed to have a lot of influence it seems.
Then as he thought to himself quietly all of the carts were ushed inside of the city, or well into the gatehouse where they all then stopped again. Looking around Rukku finally saw the captain who at the moment was just exchanging some pleasantries with the merchant.
Then slowly the merchant looked over towards Rukku and the rest of the guards and indicated for them all to come over. As he walked forwards Rukku looked over the captain, he had the same style of armour as the rest of the guards it just seemed to be made with some better materials as well as having what seemed to be some kind of golden sash, signifying his rank most likely.
First up went the original guards of the merchant who after showing some kind of token were just let pass and allowed free entry into the city. Then as Rukku walked forwards, towards the guard he began to worry about the fact he did not have the identity card, nor did any of his people.
Once he was before the merchant and captain. The merchant smiled and said, "These are the brave if not slightly crazy adventures I was telling you about captain. I have not met many people like them ever, not many would attack a group of bandits and join the losing side…and fewer show such skill in combat." Rukku was happy with the praise, his internal happiness metre soaring up alongside his nerves. The captain not saying anything and just looking at them all only added more to this.
"Now, can you show me your adventure id or any other kind of id that you may have so that I can grant you entrance to the city?" The captain had asked him the one question that he did not really want to be asked at all.
His nerves soaring up much more than his happiness now, he rubbed his hands together tightly. The sweat and stickiness of them made him realise only further how worried he was.
"Well, you see sir, Captain. None of us has any form of ID. Could you help us make some or maybe just let us enter this once?" The captain was not fazed by his pleading tone and stared at them all coldly.