An armoured fist rapped across the wood gate which separated them from the city. "Not too solid" said the armoured man who then raised his leg and kicked the gate open. The rotten wooden beam which held the gate shut split in two under his armoured boot.

"Come on Pyp lets get inside before nightfall".

"Ok" came a meek voice from behind him.

Turning to look at Pyp he noticed he was lying down on the seat of the wagon.

"Get up and stay alert, there will be many dangers inside the city".

"But Arthur I am tired" replied Pyp.

"You can sleep once I have found a safe place" said Arthur, "for now sit up and tell me if you see anything".

He glanced over to the sulking Pyppin, "anything Pyppin" he said with a stern frown. 

"Ok".

They walked through the gate and the city stretched ahead in front of them. It was not a plesent sight. The houses which lined the wide roads were crooked and with collapsed roofs. Thick brown sludge ran through open sewers which ran parralel to paved roads. The City reeked of decay and infection and not a single man women or child was out in the streets. Arthur doubted that there was anyone left living in the city.

Arthur picked the largest street he could see and set off down it with one hand on the horses reins and another on the handle of his longsword.

"Why are we going this way Arthur?" asked Pyp.

"The largest road will likely lead us to the lords hall where the Baron will be waiting" replied Arthur.

"I hope there will be some decent food there ; ever since we left home all we've been eating is dry bread and tough sausage" said Pyp.

"Perhaps" said Arthur looking away. He forgot how young Pyp was at times. To see such a foreboding sight and be worried about the quality of his next meal. 

Continuing along the road Arthur spotted a guard house in the distance, it was an old building with a small turret which gave a good view over the city. More importantly it was intact, thought Arthur; compared to the other structures around it was a master build.

"We will stay the night there Pyp" said Arthur pointing to the guard house, Pyp clapped his hands in excitement.

"Stop that Pyppin" growled Arthur, grabbing his hands. "Do not make any loud noise, who knows what it may bring".

Pyp nodded and looked down at his feet, "I will go inside to make sure the building is safe; you must stay here and watch the road, shout for me if anything appears". Arthur hated letting Pyp out of his sight but night was fast approaching and he did not want them out in the street. He pushed his bevor up across his mouth and unsheathed his longsword.

The guard house was made up of a long hall which contained the beds and chests for the guardsmen, it ended in a spiral staircase which led to the top of the the turret. The air inside was musty and dry, different to the sickly moist air of the city around it. Arthur noticed that everything was neatly put together as if the guardsmen had the courtesy to clean before the fled the city. If it were not for the thick layer of dust which coated all the furniture in the room, he may have thought this place was still inhabited. He made his way across the long hall eyes darting across the room checking every bed and every chest. The long hall is clear thought Arthur time to check the turret. He took his longsword in both hands and pointed the tip up the stairs, there would be no room to swing thought Arthur hoping that nothing came down those stairs. Reaching the top of the stairs a door stopped Arthur from moving out onto the roof of the turret. He slowly moved forward and place one hand on the door and quickly pushed it open. "CAWCAWCAW" screeched a vulture as it glared at Arthur unmoving from its perch. Arthur silently slashed at the vulture forcing it to jump from the tower and fly off into the ruins of the city. That was no ordinary bird thought Arthur it looked right at him and was only spooked when threatened. Now was not the time to dwell on strange birds, both he and Pyp needed some sleep. 

"Help me tie up the horse Pyp" Said Arthur while unteathering the horse from the cart.

"Why are we spending the night here" asked Pyp while peering inside the guard house. 

"Because its safe" replied Arthur "Now grab th-".

"Why do we need to be safe Baron Wenceslas is a friend of my father, he will not let anything bad happen to us" insited Pyp "We should go to his ma-".

"Look around Pyppin! does it look like the baron has anything here; the city is dead" said Arthur glaring at Pyp."Stop asking questions and just tie up the damn horse!".

"Sorry Arthur " said Pyp, he picked up the reins and led the horse to a small stable attached to the guard house. He should not have been so harsh on the boy Arthur knew but Pyp needed to learn that the world was a much different place to his secluded castle.

Arthur undid the straps of his gauntlets and removed his gorget and bevor, he rarely removed all of his armour and always kept his sword close by. He moved over to bar the door closed before asking Pyp.

"Is there anything you want out of the wagon". 

"No" replied Pyp with a slight edge in his high voice. Arthur placed the bar of wood over the door sealing it shut.

As he sat on the floor to watch the door Arthur thought about his current situation. His orders were to deliver the boy to Baron Wenceslas and then stand guard over him. But the city, and the state it's in, is the Baron even alive. There was only one way to find out. It was too late to turn back, they didn't have the supplies to make it back. They would march through this city of the dead and find some answers.

"Goodnight Pyp" said Arthur.

"G'night" huffed Pyp rolling over to face away from Arthur.