"What is it?"
"What shall we answer to that guard? He filled that poor man with questions, and he was just asking his permission to co in. His children were terrified," Yoichi asked, pretending to look forward.
"I don't know. Honestly, I didn't rember the controls being so invasive. My father never told about it, sothing must have happened..." the rchant admitted, barely opening his lips to speak.
"And so what? You didn't answer my question and..." Yoichi spoke, imdiately interrupting his words. One of the guards in line began to look at him.
"Don't worry. Just be quiet, let talk," Enatsu commanded, coughing and restoring order.
"Next!" the chief of the guards exclaid, inviting the two adventurers to step forward.
Sora was perched on the rchant's shoulder, while Kenji followed Yoichi near his feet, never losing sight of him.
Before speaking, the man in heavy armor looked at the two demons, then crossed his eyes with their tars. "Yes?" he asked, waiting for either of them to start talking.
"Hello. We are here in Goldhaven to shop at the Old Bazaar. I'm from Silvertide Village and my friend is a Bronzeforest farr," Enatsu broke the ice, with a fake smile painted on his lips.
"What about these little ones?" the guard inquired, pointing to Kenji and Sora with his hand.
"Um... are our Oracles, sir. I am a rchant, not a fighter, while my friend is..."
"Is he deaf?" the head of the guards interrupted, squaring Yoichi from head to toe.
After that statent, one of the guards in line chuckled. Kenji's nacing gaze remained fixed on the man in front of its master.
"No, he... he..."
"I am just a farr, sir. My Nekage helps drive the wolves off the farm and gives a hand with the sheep", Yoichi affird with conviction. Although that excuse was invented at that very mont, the serious tone with which it was said made it seem incredibly believable.
Enatsu was amazed at his companion's ability to improvise. Not knowing what else to add, he limited himself to confirm with his head.
"Impart on your pet to stop looking at like that, otherwise I'll send you back to the Bronzeforest kicking your ass" the guard ordered, referring to Kenji.
Yoichi's foot gently hit his Oracle's side, making it sat next to him, showing itself to be obedient. "I beg your pardon. It is not used to seeing people in armor. It's just scared," Yoichi promptly explained, bowing his head slightly out of respect.
Unlike his permissive behavior with the other travelers, the chief of guards began to walk around the two adventurers, verifying that they had nothing to hide.
"A farr, ah?" he asked, awaiting Yoichi's answer. The young tar chose to remain silent, implicitly confirming that question.
The guard stood behind the two companions, who remained with their eyes turned towards the door. Yoichi closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"You are an unusual couple," the guard comnted, crossing his arms. "Go, get off my lawn" he continued, allowing them to get through the Main Gates.
"Th... thank you!" Enatsu stamred. Yoichi remained silent and, along with his friend, finally entered Goldhaven.
When the two adventurers were far enough away from the n guarding the entrance, Enatsu vented the tension accumulated in those interminable monts. "Holy shit! I nearly soiled myself! I thought your words didn't convince that guy."
"Well, I thought so too," Yoichi added, lowering himself to Kenji and petting its head. "Mmh... this is so annoying..." he mumbled, getting up and sticking a hand in his trousers.
"Yoichi! Does it feel like the ti to get naked? People can see you and..." the trader imdiately shut up when his companion pulled out the dagger hidden in his trousers.
"The blade kept moving up and down. It cut all my leg hair! Hahaha!" Yoichi laughed.
Beneath Enatsu's astonished gaze, the young tar had managed to trick the chief of guards into hiding his weapon in advance. Before interacting with that giant in armor, he had placed the dagger into the backside of his belt. When that man started walking around them, he managed to slide it in the direction of one leg, hiding it.
"I must admit, my friend: you'll never stop surprising !" Enatsu cheered, sighing.
"Did you think I was going to let that guy see the dagger? Hey there, I'm a farr and I brought with the blade I use to harvest wheat... hahaha! I'm not stupid!" the young tar chuckled, simulating the talk with the guard at the Main Gates.
After a few genuine laughs, useful to strengthen the bond of friendship in that bizarre couple of friends, they found themselves beyond the great white walls of the capital.
Thousands of small torches hung here and there on the walls and streets, made Goldhaven an incredibly atmospheric place: its tall buildings were highlighted by the sa white stone as the outer walls, durable and elegant. A lot of people walked left and right, for work or just for pleasure.
The tiled street decorated with flowers and curved street lamps was full of people and the confused chatter was enriched by pleasant background music, coming from so bard looking for alms.
The real Goldhaven was much prettier than that described by Enatsu. Its warm evening colors infused the spirit of the two travelers with an unexpected serenity, estranging them for a few monts from the raw reality.
The capital was the largest city in Tentochu, yet, every spot was treated in the smallest detail. Nothing seed to be built randomly. The streets, bridges, and shape of the buildings were in perfect harmony, making such an imnse place on a human scale.
Admiring the surrounding sight, Yoichi and Enatsu approached a large wooden sign. Arrows pointed to places of interest, helping foreigners like them to orientate.
"The Old Bazaar is that way," Yoichi announced, trying to go back to reality. Although the atmosphere was calm and relaxed, he had never forgotten his true mission.
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