to deter any kind of invasion, but allowed for a degree of controlling the traffic to and from the city. When the wagon had been passed through, Cero and Aleest approached the gate with a certain amount of trepidation.
“State your business seeking entrance to Shienhin.” The guard demanded as he blocked their path.
“No business. Just me and my brother. Our parents died and we thought that we could find a better living here than in our home town.” Cero answered with his most innocent expression plastered on his face.
“Orphans. We don’t want your like in the city so get going back where you came from.” The guardsman spit to emphasize his disdain.
“But we just got here. We have been walking for days. Please sir?”
“There is a fee for every person entering the gates. Ten silver a piece…? Thought you wouldn’t be able to pay, so get going, now!” Cero grimaced when he heard the steep price for admittance. He had a gold coin sewn in his belt for emergencies, but producing the coin now would be rather suspicious.
“Ten silver? That is robbery!” Aleest lost his temper and nearly exploded. The guardsman backhanded him with his gauntlet, knocking him to the ground. Cero dragged the lad backwards before the guardsman could cause further harm.
“It’s all right brother, we can stay the night in the same campsite we used last night if we hurry.” Cero knew from Aleest’s confused expression that he had successfully distracted him from attempting a retaliation.
“All right.” Aleest got up and shook his head with an attempt at dispelling the stars he was seeing.
“Insulting a guard is a branding offence. If I see either of you again, I will have you clapped in irons at once.” The guardsman sneered and returned to his post where he ignored their existence.
“Come on.” Cero led Aleest away from the gate. When they had gone a little distance they cut off from the road, paralleling the wall.
“An orphan?” Aleest inquired as he rubbed his jaw resentfully.
“It wouldn’t have mattered no matter what I might have said. I don’t have the twenty silver. I just tried to pick a story he was most likely to believe. ”
“You know that there isn’t a gate fee on the lower city. There is at the upper city gate, but it is only one silver.”
“Now you tell me.”
“You are right though. He wouldn’t have let us in even if we had given him the bribe. Reigns doesn’t like his city cluttered with orphans. We can always try another gate.” Aleest shrugged and stopped rubbing his cheek.
“Here let me have a look at that.” Cero could see the red mark and the outlines of a nasty bruise forming. He traced the bruise with his fingers, but stopped when Aleest flinched.
“Your fingers are cold, but it felt good.” Cero placed his hand over the red mark feeling the hot skin. He removed his hand once the heat had dissipated and on examining it again, he frowned.
“I was sure you had a bruise forming. There isn’t a mark anymore.”
“Maybe I don’t bruise easily. Whatever you did, it feels better. Want to go on to the east gate? It is only a couple hour walk.” Aleest prodded his cheek experimentally until he was assured that the pain was indeed gone.
“Or we could just go over the wall right over there. They can’t have guards all along the lower wall.” Cero pointed to a portion of the wall that had a heap of garbage piled against it so that the top was only a few feet away.
“Why not? The worst they can do is brand us if they catch us.” Aleest sarcastically responded.
“If they catch us.” Cero got a mischievous look and headed for the wall.
“I'm sure that we will regret this. They don’t know who we are so… why not.” Aleest shrugged and followed Cero.
“I will go first.” Cero got a running start and charged up the garbage heap. Feeling a surge of power he jumped into the air, grabbing the top of the wall, and letting his momentum carry him over in a neat flip. He landed on his feet on what looked like the roof of one of the hovels in the area. Surprisingly, the roof was well supported and hardly seemed affected by the added weight. Looking back at the reckless jump, he realized that it could have gone a lot worse. He could have landed in a hole or in a blacksmith’s forge. Checking his pack, he