Ruma

It's the latest in Zoe's story, up for your perusal. Please read and comment!! I love comments. :)

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Tancred looked over at the approaching guard, a poised expression on his face. “What is the meaning of this delay?” he asked with appropriate aloofness. A well-off merchant was considered a class above a common gatekeeper. Nevertheless, he was curious: what had brought on the extra security? Nothing of this sort had happened to him when on previous missions to Ruma.

“We’re not to ‘llow no one into the city without checkin’ their business,” the portly guard said, his beady eyes meeting Tancred’s for a moment and then dropping away. He began scanning the parcels attached to the back of the saddles and glanced at Jaedon swiftly. His eyes paused on Zoe and Tancred was thankful she was not looking up. She would not care in the least for the guard’s heavy stare. He did not care for the man’s open gaze.

“Well, what need you check?” he asked edgily. “I am a merchant who frequents this city often. Cormac Alstair is my name.”

“Alstair, eh?” the guard managed to tear his gaze from Zoe and looked back at Tancred.

“Never before have I been denied entrance to Ruma and I expect that will not happen now. Why the extra security, gateman?”

“We was told by our superiors ‘twas merely a new requirement to check everyone’s purposes ‘fore they entered the city,” the man shrugged, “but me and my friends are right certain that it has something to do with them foreign dignitaries that ‘rrived recently.”

Tancred looked at him keenly. “Foreign dignitaries?”

The guard nodded as he poked the saddlebag behind Jaedon’s saddle. “Yessir. All them royal folks tried to hide their entrance into Ruma but I ain’t fooled.”

“Whose arrival? Who do you think would come to see King Brastus?” Tancred made sure his voice was uninterested but he listened keenly for the man’s reply.

The guard glanced appreciatively at Zoe once more and Tancred’s jaw tightened. With a small sigh the man looked over at Tancred. His face took on a conspiratorial look. “Don’t know what everybody else is a-thinkin’,” he muttered, “but I’m bettin’ that they’re from the north. Wild Men.” He said the last two words slowly and with great emphasis, apparently expecting a reaction from them all.

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