[right][h3][color=gold]Eliza Chayre[/color] and [color=7ea7d8]Ori Tabel[/color] and Kayliss Lambert too[/h3][/right][hr]
The wagon slowed to a crawl as it approached the bustling checkpoint. The people passing by seemed as a river, the family's cart a fat salmon making headway up the bustling throng. Voices shot out from various directions, horses tugged anxiously at their reins. A small argument broke out over a basket of spilled goods.

The guards, to their credit, put a halfway decent effort into managing the crowd. Still, the people were taken by a fervor of excitement that buzzed through their heads, their hearts, and–most especially–their wallets. For every tourist or vacationing family, there were at [i]least[/i] three merchants ready to bomboard potential customers with various embroideries, shamanistic trinkets, and snake oils.

The town's church bell struck noon. Its clear ringing quelled the noise–but only for a moment–as everyone, merchant or tourist alike, paused to consider its toll.

Eliza awoke. She paused for a moment to consider the surroundings, taking in the thickening odor of horse while looking over the hustle of activity around the wagon. At least it had cooled down since noontime.

[color=gold]"Good afternoon, everyone. I suppose we've made it to Midland pass?"[/color] she asked, still half-asleep.

[b]"That's right,"[/b] said Donna. [b]"We'll be right through in a hot second, so you can prolly just get back to sleep after."[/b] The statement was rather unconvincing–the wagon had completely stopped.

[color=gold]"Your concern flatters me, but I have rested enough. I will spend the rest of the journey keeping watch, as is my duty."[/color] Eliza stood up slowly and stretched. Only then did she notice the recent addition to their traveling group.

"Hoy," Kayliss waved to the finally awake paladin, unconcerned. "Finally awake, eh? Don't mind me, I was passed out myself in one of the crates in the back when you and the other one over there came on, apparently." She said, casually jerking her thumb back in Ori's direction. "So you're some paladin from the church's what I hear, huh? Pleased to meet ya, name's Kayliss. Just decided to hitch a ride through the pass. Summer being the gigantic pain in the arse it is on the road and all. Where you headed, in any case?"

[color=gold]"I am headed to the bounds of the Highlands,"[/color] Eliza said.

[color=7ea7d8]"Me as well,"[/color] Ori chimed in. [color=7ea7d8]"Well, not really anywhere in particular, but that direction's caught my fancy. Not really one for walking, even less in this kind of weather."[/color]  He stretched his arms. [color=7ea7d8]"Passed out [i]in[/i] the crates? Interesting bed you've got there."[/color]

"Eh, enclosed spaces're comfortable to me. Anyways, on the way to the Highlands, eh?" Kayliss shrugged noncommitally. "I'm...well, I'm just wandering about. Just hitching a ride until the next big city where I can find myself some work. Not a particularly secure living, but at least it's interesting. So I suppose we're stuck with each other for a while, so long as it's convenient."

[color=gold]"I suppose so,"[/color] Eliza said. [color=gold]"My name is Eliza Chayre. Please, call me what suits your fancy. It certainly is convenient that we are traveling to one destination. Pray tell, Ori, what guides you towards the Highlands?"[/color]

[color=7ea7d8]"Same old, same old. Doing a bit of work, then doing a bit of exploring on the side when I get sick of it, then back again when the funds run out. I'm a doctor, so it doesn't pay half bad. Fixed up the little miss's leg over there. If you've got any dire medical issues, now's probably the time to mention them."[/color] He laughed lightly. [color=7ea7d8]"Say, Kayliss, if you're looking for work, we [i]were[/i] just in the Midlands. I'm sure there's plenty of places up in Haydrin's Seat that wouldn't mind an extra pair of hands."[/color]

An awkward cough. Should've known someone would say that. Now, how to dodge this...?
"I...well, spent a lot of time around the Seat recently. Looking for a change of pace. Seeing sights I wouldn't have otherwise. Friend of mine encouraged me to broaden my horizons, you know?" If by broadening her horizons, the fucker meant 'find this stupid bird', that was. "Anyways, doctor, huh? Surprised you're wandering, yourself." Kayliss said.

Ori hesitated for a second. [color=7ea7d8]"The same, really. Sticking around in one place doesn't suit me, it's not like there's a shortage of work anywhere. Can't do much sightseeing, but I am doing a bit of research here and there."[/color] He grinned.

[color=gold]"What sort of medicine do you specialize in?"[/color] Eliza asked. [color=gold]"An outbreak of pox came through the Midlands a few weeks ago. Did you help with that?"[/color]

[color=7ea7d8]"Don't believe I did, I got in about... ten days ago? Not one for epidemics, they're quite dangerous if you think about it. And my speciality is, um..."[/color] he clicked his tongue. [color=7ea7d8]"Physical injuries, by virtue of how many I've had to deal with. But hey, enough about me,"[/color] Ori added quickly. [color=7ea7d8]"First time coming to the Highlands, is it?"[/color]

"I've come through once before, but that was on the way to Haydrin's Seat." It wasn't technically a lie. Kayliss had spent some time on assignment in the Highlands before, but not enough to truly get a feel for the region. Most of her work had her in Haydrin's Seat or in the eastern regions.

"Anyways, we done with this checkpoint yet?" She groaned, not even feigning any sort of emotion this time. Just because she could be patient, didn't mean she wanted to be for this. Especially considering it was a line. She hated lines.

[b]"Any moment now,"[/b] Donna said. The family of three shifted in their seats. Even the horse seemed unnerved.

[color=gold]"Have no fear. I will help in proceeding through the gate."[/color] Eliza undid the clasps holding her greataxe and retrieved a small pouch from her pack. The cart rolled up to the guards at the gate.

One guard, face mostly obscured by his waxy beard and helmet, peered in through the back of the wagon. [b]"What have we here?"[/b]

[b]"Merchants,"[/b] Donna said. [b]"With a few ride-a-longs."[/b] She pointed at Ori, Eliza, and Kayliss.

Another guard with a crooked nose examined a crate. [b]"We've been havin' reports o' some, eh, problerms in the capital. Ya sure yer not housin' any crimernals? Yer lookin' a mote suspicious there, you wit' tha eyes blocked. And what's wit' tha armor, lady?"[/b]

[color=gold]"Pay not attention to my comrades,"[/color] Eliza pulled a silver medallion from the fabric pouch engraved with a set of scales balanced by a sword and feather. [color=gold]"I am a paladin of the church–Eliza Chayre. It would do you well to let us pass. I can assure you of their moral integrity."[/color]

The guards had never seen a paladin before, let alone their emblem. Still, she did sound official enough. There was also the matter of her axe. The two shared a glance, then shrugged.

[b]"Right, whatever. Pass on through. Don't make no trouble,"[/b] the bearded guard said.

Eliza stowed her axe and emblem, then sat down. Soon enough, the group was in the flat reaches of the Scrublands.