Our pace really slowed down to a crawl as we reached the line in front of the capital's gates, as I had feared. We drew more than a few curious looks as well. In the end Zul'gar saved us an hour or maybe even two. He sent ahead a runner to talk with the guards at the gate. The thought that we would get preferential treatment didn't exactly sit well with me but I trusted that he knew what he was doing. It didn't take our messenger long to return with a sergeant and a few other guards in tow.

The guards were wearing uniform. That was something that was rather uncommon among our people. Usually every lord or lady would equip her banner to the best of her ability. Uniform clothing or even armor and weapons usually were not the first concern. The capital's guard was apparently different in that regard. It took me a moment to realize why. Those weren't professional soldiers. They were militia, essentially armed civilians. I had to admit though that they looked like they knew how to use the weapons they carried. There probably were regular exercises. There had to be if a citizen army was to be any good.

I had straightened up to the best of my ability before we sent our messenger. Kaele had rebraided my hair as well. My armor had received some attention as well. I had even unsheathed my weapon although I had been a little reluctant about that. All to make sure I looked my best when the guard's representative arrived. You never got a second chance to make a good first impression after all. It was a good thing too that we went to all this effort. Initially the sergeant looked less than pleased with us. That started to change though as he laid eyes on me.

The old man's demeanor shifted even further as he beheld the cargo of our caravan. The same was true for the soldiers accompanying him. I had to admit it spoke well for him that he initially approached us an unfavorable attitude. At the same time I was glad this very attitude seemed to shift in our favor. This meant that words would probably get us our way and no bribes would need to be exchanged. I just hoped that I wouldn't embarrass myself there. Yes, I absolutely could do without embarrassment. Thank you very much.

“Greetings, sergeant.” I stepped forward to great him and his eyes widened a little further as he had to look up to meet my gaze. He obviously wasn't used to that. “We have cargo intended for the king's treasury and would appreciate it if you could fast track us before anyone gets any ideas.” I doubted that any bandits would make an attempt this close to the city gate but we had drawn the attention of more than a few beggars and street urchins. I wouldn't put it past some of them to make an attempt to get a little souvenir from one of our pack animals.

The sergeant nodded. He must have noticed as well. “I will have you on your way as quickly as possible.” He bit his lip. Obviously he wanted to ask me some questions. At the same time he seemed unsure if he should. I gestured for him to continue and he breathed a sight of relief. “Please excuse my curiosity but we have received no news about any larger battles from the king's war host yet. Thus I'm a bit surprised to see you ferry the spoils of war to the capital already, although I have to admit your arrival bodes well for our war efforts.”

I could see how he came to this conclusion. It was a wrong one but the errors in his train of thought could be excused. I motioned for him to join me as I got a little more distance in between me and any casual observers. “We don't hail from the king's war host at the gap. As far as I know there has still not been any decisive battle there. We hail from Caer'zoth on the northeastern frontier of the kingdom.”

His brows furrowed a little but I kept talking before he could ask any of the questions that were without a doubt going through his mind right now. I let the pain I felt at the memories of the recent events back home enter my voice. “We never received the king's call to arms. The damn humans somehow managed to move an army across the mountains in the northeast and put siege to Caer'zoth. We were lucky to have good walls and plenty of men and women willing and capable to defend their homes and families.”

I let out a long breath. “We paid a heavy price but we managed to defeat them in the end.” The man looked troubled by now. He probably had enough military training to understand some of the implications of my story. I pointed at our cargo. “That is what remains of them. About five hundred warriors worth of steel and iron. We made sure that not many of them would get away. But right now I want this processed as quickly as possible and I need to tell my story at court as well. These news need to reach the right ears and better yesterday than tomorrow.”

He nodded. “I will have you moved past the others and into the city right away. I'll arrange an escort to the treasury as well. I trust that you will find your way from there to the king's court, yes?” I nodded in agreement. Once one was at the treasury, they pretty much already were in the palace after all. There was something else on his mind though and this time he didn't hesitate speaking. “I would appreciate it if you kept quite about the exact source of these spoils of war though in public. The siege of your home is not something that has to become public knowledge right away.”

I could relate. Some people might be prone to panic at news like this. That was not something that would benefit the war effort right now. The sergeants thoughts went even further though, as I quickly came to realize, as he shared them with me. “I would have my men and women move you through the city quickly. Talk with your people not to share any details about the origin of all this steel.” He looked in the direction of the street urchins that were lurking about. “Maybe some of those can be persuaded to spread some stories about you. General news about a caravan carrying spoils of war should be enough. The rumor mill will take care of the rest.”

I understood why he was doing this. Information management was an important part of warfare. And the way he suggested we go about it we wouldn't even have to outright lie, which I was quite grateful for. I could only hope that it would not bite me in the ass later on. I motioned Zul'gar, who had been keeping a little distance, to come closer. I kept my voice low to make sure my words weren't carried too far. “The sergeant will fast track us to the treasury. Spread the news that no one is to go into details about where we hail from or where all the steel comes from. Understood?”

As he bowed and left to instruct the other guards and animal handlers the sergeant bowed as well. “I will take care of the street urchins. Just give me a moment or two and then get your caravan moving.” With those words he left me to talk to the children he had mentioned as well as his men and women. Most of the latter started to spread out along the length of our caravan to keep bystanders at bay. The rest formed up at the head of our column to lead us through the city.

After a moment the kids the sergeant had been talking to left at a run. A few coins had changed hands as well as far as I could tell. I owed him a favor. Those coins probably should have come out of my purse instead. He signaled me that we could get going and headed for the gate himself. I turned to face my men and women, many of whom were looking at me expectantly. “On your feet!” This time I channeled a little mana into the Lion's Roar spell to make sure my voice carried far and wide. “We move! Don't fall behind! Keep the formation closed!”

As soon as everyone was ready to get going, I assumed my position at the head of the column. “To the treasury!” With those words I set out at a brisk pace and the guards well in step with me. We weren't exactly running but moving with purpose instead. There was no time for any dallying. A few of the traders grumbled as we moved past them. Most were too busy eyeing us and our cargo up though.

It didn't take us long to reach the gate like this and we kept moving at a brisk pace through the city as well. Most people got out of our way the moment they noticed the guards moving alongside me. Only every once in a while did we have to make our presence known vocally to clear the way ahead of us. We certainly drew quite a bit of attention like this. I could hear the murmured rumors as we passed and could just imagine them spreading like ripples on a pond as we made our way through the capital.

I still wasn't really prepared for the first square we reached and the mass of people who had gathered there. The place probably was pretty busy most days anyway but right now it was packed. There were more guards about keeping the crowd in check and more importantly keeping a path cleared for us. Something else I wasn't really prepared for was the cheering and the people along the path looking up to me with wide eyes. The throws flowers plastering our way were a surprise as well. Had the sergeant planned this? A heroes welcome? This was utter madness and yet I liked it.