The guards kept their weapons at the ready even as "Koran" and Askia explained their mission. "You show up with a kobold and a [i]Beholder[/i] of all things in your group, led by one of those thieving drakes, and then you claim to come as a messenger of our self-proclaimed 'steward.' After all this, you claim your intentions are peaceful?" The head guard shook his head. "I find that difficult to believe."

One of the female guards stepped forward, placing her hand on the shoulder of the trident-bearing guard. "Come now, Lucian, they do not appear to be threatening us. Their weapons are not brandished at us, and they appear more surprised than anything else at your hostility. My guess is they are unaccustomed to these parts."

Lucian shrugged her hand off his shoulder, still pointing his trident toward the group. After a moment, he sighed and lowered his weapon. "I have little trust for any who bear that monster's brand," he added, gesturing towards Jill. "Some of those in this area agree with me. Some do not. I would be careful about who you show that to."

The female guard nodded, swimming forward a few feet to place herself ahead of Lucian. "You may call me [url=https://i.imgur.com/5SV26QL.jpg]Cythia[/url]. We would be pleased if you would allow me to accompany you while you are in this city. Apologies, but you are not the first newcomers that Bledig has deceived into aiding him on one inane task or another. Please, allow me to show you around."