Sep 23, 2019 6:42 pm
The city guard watches closely over the small crowd gathered before the blue door, and this hard-eyed scrutiny seems to suppress any desire for communication between those waiting. Every few minutes, the door opens, and another person is called in. None of them exit again, at least not by the same door.
Perhaps ten minutes pass, when an unfamiliar woman in civilian clothing -- plain but well-made linen dress, a simple narrow silver ring on her right ring finger, long hair tied back -- opens the door. "Friglade Leancam?" she calls out. "Please come in."
Her tone is casual, almost perfunctory, no immediate hint of malice or other stress in her voice.
As Verrian moves forward in line with the speed of a turtle with a lame leg, she overhears some of the murmured conversations in line around her.
"Why are they making us wait so long? Do you suppose this is normal here?"
"Not like we've anywhere else to go. You heard what the south was like, and we ain't got nothing left at home."
"Quiet, honey. We'll be there in no time."
"But mama, I'm hungry."
"Hush dear, why don't you tell your doll another story?"
"If they don't hurry up, I swear I'm going to rush that gate. If we all go at once, they wouldn't be able to stop us."
That comment only gets worried looks from people nearby.
"We could keep going west... surely there's something else along the road to Ardraven."
"With all the weird rumors... maybe that's a better choice."
Perhaps ten minutes pass, when an unfamiliar woman in civilian clothing -- plain but well-made linen dress, a simple narrow silver ring on her right ring finger, long hair tied back -- opens the door. "Friglade Leancam?" she calls out. "Please come in."
Her tone is casual, almost perfunctory, no immediate hint of malice or other stress in her voice.
As Verrian moves forward in line with the speed of a turtle with a lame leg, she overhears some of the murmured conversations in line around her.
"Why are they making us wait so long? Do you suppose this is normal here?"
"Not like we've anywhere else to go. You heard what the south was like, and we ain't got nothing left at home."
"Quiet, honey. We'll be there in no time."
"But mama, I'm hungry."
"Hush dear, why don't you tell your doll another story?"
"If they don't hurry up, I swear I'm going to rush that gate. If we all go at once, they wouldn't be able to stop us."
That comment only gets worried looks from people nearby.
"We could keep going west... surely there's something else along the road to Ardraven."
"With all the weird rumors... maybe that's a better choice."