[@Dephyus] [@chukklehed]

Don chuckled as the red and brown visceral smudge smeared over the mule's patchy grey hide.  Years ago, such an act of wanton violence would have produced a grimace rather than a smile.  But the road is long and grey, and little bits of animation like this become what you live for.  Even in his insanity, there was an energy about Eddie that you didn't often see these days.  A zest for life.  An equal zeal for taking it.    

The duo proceeded silently down the road towards the settlement.  Makeshift walls surrounded what looks to have been a small commercial district, or maybe some sort of planned neighborhood.  Where there were walls, there were likely to be treasures.  But there were also likely to be guards.  And in this case, non less than the renown Town Guard itself.  If the water merchant's intel had been correct, they had been here on a semi permanent basis for almost five years.  

The front gate was now fully in view.  A guard was posted above the gate, maybe 3 meters above the ground, perched above the wall.  The Guard must have been watching them for a solid seven minutes as they approached, but made no effort to contact them.  That was the thing many of the Elders spoke of in Don's boyhood.  How in the Old World, time was the master.  Everyone was always in a rush, always trying to beat the clock.  But in this world?  The only times that mattered were mealtime, and the hour of your death.  Don and Eddie would reach the gate in their own time, and in his own time the Guard would acknowledge their presence.

The duo slowed their mule to a stop a stone's throw away from the gate, and stood silently as they awaited the instructions from the Guard.  The Guard took his time, watching down on the duo, his eyes beating down on the, like sunbeams in the desert .  [color=39b54a]"Who goes there?" [/color] 

Don looked up at the guard. [color=0072bc]"I am Jacob Reddings of Nevada.  This is my bodyguard, Kay."[/color]  Don hadn't been expecting having to talk his way into the compound.  Many other villages in the area were completely vulnerable to outsiders.  No gate, no walls, maybe one or two poorly armed lookouts.  Don continued softly.  [color=0072bc]"I am seeking sanctuary.  My camp was raided by bandits, and my colleagues slaughtered.  Kay managed to get me out safely, but we have been wandering for days.  I've heard tell that the Town Guard is active in this area, protecting good folks in need.  I beg of you, please, help us!  I am a man of science, and I won't survive another week in the wastes..." [/color] Don stammered to a finish, visibly shaken.

The Guard's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized every wrinkle on Don's face, every action, anything at all that could betray him.  But Don knew exactly what he was doing.  The water merchant had told him all about the Town Guard's code of ethics.  [i]" Protect, Serve, Reinforce."[/i]  They would have to accept Don and his traveling partner.  They had sworn an oath.  So he waited.

After another lengthy pause, the Guard disappeared from sight, his head slipping beneath the wall and into the encampment on the other side.  A few seconds later, a mechanical whirling sound punctured the heavy silence of the Wastes.  The door creaked open, and the Guard stood on the other side with spear in hand.  [color=39b54a]"Welcome to [b]New Hattion[/b].  Follow me, there's someone you need to meet."[/color]