Giving a suspicious glare, his other paw resting on his hip. Tapping a claw against the hilt of his blade. The guards shifted into more defensive stances, anticipating a fight. He glanced up, spotting vultures flying overhead and circling above one the buildings. A halo of the dead. Hearing the shrill squawks gathering for the feast. He didn’t waste time arguing, reaching into his coin purse while sighing. Sounds of heavy coins shuffling between his paw.
“...How much?” Bastian answered in a defeated tone. The second guard responded by pointing to an opened barrel among several sealed ones grouped nearby. Bastian blinked and turned his attention to a cloaked figure approaching the barrel and dropping in two silver pieces. He hadn’t even sensed the figure’s presence, despite being a mere lunge away. The doors making a wretched squeak as the figure stepped through. Bastian plodded over to the barrel brimming with silver, tossing the coins inside. A distinct smell assaulted his nostrils and lingered. Feeling a sudden cold shiver tingling the hairs on the back of his neck. Bastian rubbed underneath his nose before climbing up into his seat. He clenched the reins and started leading the wagon inside. The guards both went aside, the gate doors opening wide. The first guard gazed at Elizabeth, his impish grin spoke clearer than words could convey. As the gate closed behind them, finally entering the city.
“Hey! Horses and wagons go in here!” Called out by a stocky boar beastkind adorned in armor. Finding themselves among a dozen blacksmiths using crafting tables, leather racks and forges on their porches outside their homes. A massive crowd surrounded stalls selling a sundry of armor and weapons. Causing a ruckus. Shouting too many things at once, making it impossible to decipher without sharp ears. Seeing far more beastkind than he expected. Watching one wrestling with a human, both muscle-bound. The beastkind grappled the man, lifting them off the ground. Then slammed them down onto the stone road, displaying their differences in power. Not a single sentinel was in sight.
The beastkind stomped on the man’s back, flattening his attempt to stand back up. Curb-stomping the human and breaking off two of their teeth. Spitting out the blood oozing from their mouth. “You win, I give...” The man uttered, looking up at the beastkind. But it was clear the beastkind wasn’t finished. Bastian couldn’t overlook this, leaping down from the wagon and striding forward. Being ineffectually shouted down by the boar for ignoring him. The beastkind noticed Bastian, immediately lifting his hands in a stopping motion. Taking a few steps away from the injured man, enough for the man to flee inside the nearest shop.
“Relax. He incited the conflict, claiming beastkind were barbarians. Far too mentally deficient to fight and that tactics, only humans are capable of, win battles. So I tested him.” The beastkind explained, speaking in a righteous tone. Bastian scowled at the beastkind, but turned back. He glared at the boar, returning to the wagon.
“My horses and wagon better safe, if either get even a single scratch, I’ll have your head.” Bastian warned heading inside toward the stables. The boar smiled.
“Fret naught, we beastkind must stick together.” The boar replied being chummy. Bastian sighed, hopping down after he stationed the wagon.
“Forgive my rudeness.” Bastian apologized, sounding calmer. “What exactly is going on in this city?”
“Why, you’re amidst an ongoing revolution my friend.” The boar answered. “Thanks to advancements. Revolutions no longer take lifetimes to succeed…” Bastian listened while helping Elizabeth down. “Though, if you plan to stay long I’d suggest not going to the north side of town. Most places still disallow our kind to enter and strictly enforces those laws...”
“Is that the purpose of the new tolls? Funding this ‘ongoing revolution’?” Bastian questioned, crossing his arms. The boar firmly nodded. Bastian began rubbing his chin.
“That’s what I figured. It’s clear something big is unfolding, unbeknownst to the neighboring cities. I haven’t heard a single murmur about this...but I’m not here to concern myself with politics.” Bastian thought taking Elizabeth’s hand. “I wanted to confirm something, follow me and keep close.”
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