The evening shade was spreading across the land and the lights of Exodus winked out, one after another, in supplication to the oncoming night. In the dark, however, all was not silent. Just a short distance beyond the gate, a group of cloaked and hooded men walked with long but patient strides through the strengthening rain on their way to the city. They were an imposing bunch, tall and broad shouldered, with longbows and longswords being visibly carried by most of them. Yet, there was no malice or secrecy about their approach. Dult horses, a tough and hardy mutated breed that often helped work the fields in Earthica, followed the gentle guidance of the men. Led by leather straps and weighed down with large packs stuffed full of goods, these horses marked the men as just more seeking to sell their wares at the festival. Moreover, they were far from quiet. Though most of the group only let out an occasional sound to calm or encourage a horse, there were two voices that carried farther as they continued an argument that seemed to have lasted for quite some time already. [color=598527]“You know that a man your age can’t afford to be too picky in choosing a wife, son.”[/color] [color=1a7b30]“I know, Father. But I also know that everything I’ve worked for could come crashing down about my ears if I pick the wrong one!”[/color] This conversation, in truth, had lasted from the morning when the two had begun their preparations for the journey and had continued, almost entirely unabated, to the present moment. [color=598527]“We’re going to the biggest party since the world burned! There should be plenty of lasses wise enough to see the merits in a skilled and capable man.”[/color] [color=1a7b30]“Most of those lasses will be busy making eyes at the famous warriors and Royalty. I’m a man with a name known all the way from the stead where I was raised to the village ten miles down the road!” [/color] The two men walked side-by-side with one horse each following behind them. The elder held his bow in his left hand and carried a sheaf of arrows at his hip that occasionally peeked out from beneath his cloak as the two led the group closer to the gates of Exodus. The younger carried his bow on his back, well wrapped in oiled leather, and had three blades on his belt. One was just a knife, typical of an Earthican man, while the other two were a short sword and another blade just a bit longer and wider than an average longsword. None of the blades were adorned with anything more than a set of specific knots in the leather that wrapped the hilts. The elder of the two lifted his chin to look at the gate before turning his white streaked beard to address his son once more. [color=598527]“What were you expecting!? Lovely lasses and Highborn Ladies to faint at the sight of you? You’ll have to work for this, son. Have some confidence in something other than your work for once!” [/color] [color=1a7b30]“I’m prepared to work for this, but I’m not so sure that what I have will impress anyone when surrounded by such legendary finery and grandeur.”[/color] The younger man raised his head just as a distant bolt of lightning cast a sudden flash across the landscape, throwing stark lines and harsh shadows across his handsome features. He was not a young man, but far from old, with only a few strands of white in his full, red beard. Yet, as the men passed through the gate, the flickering lights of torches and the lanterns of the guards danced and glittered in the frigid depths of his eyes. For just a moment, one of the guards was taken so aback by the sight that his hand went to his weapon, fearing some kind of monster. But there was no threat in those glacial eyes, despite their piercing intensity, and the men continued their argument to its final and long-awaited conclusion as a more seasoned guard waved them on. [color=598527]“Boy, listen to me and let this be the end of it. You have skills and experience that surpass many of our Kingdom’s most famous families. You have a stalwart and patient heart and an honorable and honest character. And, even more to your credit, you’re managed to develop some little wisdom too! We’ll put our wares on display and you’ll take care of your other business on the side. If all goes well, you’ll be heading home with a betrothed and enough wealth to build her a proper home too. For now, trust your father and save the worrying for your wedding night!”[/color] This last was said with the flash of a grin and a firm clap on the taller man’s shoulder which he took in good enough humor, answering quietly with resignation in his voice. [color=1a7b30]“Yes, Da.”[/color] [color=a36209]“Good, you’re finally done!”[/color] Broke in a gruff voice from one of the other men. The rest broke into sudden chuckles that held enough warm mirth to provide a strong contrast to the gloom of the rain and the stillness of the night. [color=a36209]“Now, let’s get to an inn with a good view of a good street and get some rest. It’s been a long trip and we need to set up early tomorrow. Most everyone else has at least a full day on us.” [/color] The group continued on until they found an inn with an empty upstairs room and a large enough stable. The men unloaded and cared for their horses before hauling everything but the horses themselves up into the room with them. They were here for profit, not comfort, so the half-dozen men crowded together in one room. The oldest three slept in the three beds while the others slept on their bedrolls. The room was silent, but for heavy breathing and the occasional snore. But, three of those silent shapes spent half the night with a hand on a hilt. The tales of Exodus were not all of a welcoming and peaceful sort.