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[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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[b]”Next in line!”[/b]

Unlike the last two times they’d dealt with gate guards and border security, this time the Kirins were queueing in line like all the rest, instead of finding ways to circumvent the guard by hook and by crook. It was almost a novel feeling. 

Of course, this being the border to Skael, the line was about as short as expected, with only a few independent merchants and one caravan queueing and awaiting inspection at the border. Skael’s infamous isolationism pushed away most curious people from approaching, with only those with either rare contacts or necessary goods typically traveling back and forth from the border. That, or mercenaries returning from abroad.

The queue came up to the Kirins’ caravan, and Izayoi waited as Esben and Eliane took the lead with what identification and papers they had. As he read them over, the guardsmen conducting the inspection just gave a brief nod of his head.

[b]”Right, so you’re the persons of interest we’ve been demanded at to let you straight in. Move along, then. And try not to keep whatever bigwig in Solitude wants you waiting, eh? We’ll send word along, not to worry.”[/b] He ushered them through the border gate, and Izayoi blinked. Just like that, with hardly any fuss? It seemed that Skaeller spymistress had kept true to her word. A lucky break, for once on this entire journey.

The nearest village on this side of the border was still a few hours’ march, but by the time they arrived, close to sunset, Izayoi was given cause to deeply regret her earlier breath of relief: the hamlet was in a state of panic, townspeople fleeing their way.

[b]"Blightbeasts! Blightbeasts!"[/b]
[b]"Gods, help us!"[/b]
[b]"The militia can't hold much longer!"[/b]

Ahead, they could see a ragtag group of village militia, armed with spears and pitchforks, working desperately to stem a tide of ravenous Blightbeasts of all shapes and sizes surging in from the south and east. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"Damn it all!"[/b][/color] Izayoi hunched down, reaching to thumb an inch of steel from her scabbard. [color=#736AFF][b]"Come! They'll not stem that tide for long!"[/b][/color] She dashed forward, diving straight into the fray.

[b]"Och, good luck, kupo!"[/b] Goug squaked in alarm, immediately starting to prod the chocobos to turn with the wagon. [b]"I'll try not tae get eaten, while ye sort that kupo shite out!"[/b]