"[color=steelblue]It did not look so large from a distance.[/color]"

It was a statement half of admiration and half of wariness. The tone of both a tourist and a warrior sizing up a potential rival. Bluewater Rush seemed to dwarf Ferry's Rest, itself the largest city in the Shattered Mountains. Not that this was any real surprise- the mountains certainly provided for their people, but food was still much harder to come by, and settlements rarely grew larger than could be sustained by the surrounding land. Bluewater Rush though? It seemed as if the surrounding land could support all of Handon and more.

It would be a worrying sight if he was here on less pleasant business.

For their part, the Syndwaelin couple kept quiet and took in the beauty of the land, lost in memories of their mercenary days. The Rainlands had a tendency of late to push for conflict, and soldiers for hire gravitated towards the potential paychecks. Surely if their duty wasn't to guard their liege the two would already be at the lake's edge, indulging in a sailing hobby that was impossible in their homeland.

As the gates of the city drew closer Llewelyn felt a hand rest on his shoulder, and he didn't even need to see the bandages to know who it belonged to.

"[color=darkgray]I know you are not expecting conflict, but perhaps it would have been wise to take more guards.[/color]"

"[color=steelblue]We knew the king would be providing us an escort.[/color]"

"[color=darkgray]Yes. But it seems as if our hosts have provided an escort of their own.[/color]"

Even with his bandaged eyes, Malcholar's magical sight was far greater than Llewelyn's own. Traffic had slowed considerably from the gate his escort was approaching, and in the place of caravans stood armed soldiers. Their mail gleamed in the absence of the heavy rain that had plagued much of his journey, and marked them as something far more than the city guard. No, these were knights belonging to House Vidokar itself, the Thunder Knights. It didn't look to be more than a dozen, but...

"[color=steelblue]You do not trust them?[/color]"

"[color=darkgray]Trust is not something a man of your position should indulge in too often.[/color]"

With that, the hand receded from his shoulder, and was replaced with a hearty slap on his back from the woman to his right.

"[color=ff7e31]Dornt worry! Mah guidman and Ah can take a doen aye those shinin' horseboys with ease![/color]"

From his left came the familiar laughter of her husband, although it was less carefree than it had been earlier in the day. No doubt he was already judging the strength of the escort against the welcoming party. None of them [i]expected[/i] any foul play, but they were all too experienced to ignore the possibility. Behind him, the knights from the capital stayed silent, content to do their duty and nothing more. Considering  Edmund Vidokar's conflicts with the king, they had been ready for conflict from the moment they stepped into the Rainlands. In front of the group rode a single bannerman, with the flag of House Ap'Arthmael below the flag of the Capital, clearly identifying the party to all around.

Upon reaching the gates one of the knights rode forward just as a light rain began to fall again.

"[b]Honored Lord Ap'Cled- Arthmael of The Shattered Mountains, please accept the hospitality of House Vidokar and allow us to escort you through the city.[/b]"

The slip of the tongue didn't bother Llewelyn in the slightest- it was after all almost unheard of for house names to change in Handon, he had encountered more than one diplomat over the last few months who had made similar errors.

"[color=steelblue]We accept the hospitality of House Vidokar, and thank you Sir Knight for guiding us through such a grand and unfamiliar city.[/color]"

With the formalities exchanged, both parties joined together and the sounds of the countryside became drowned out by the sounds of the city as they made their way through Bluewater Rush.

And towards the looming castle of Three Towers.